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No plans to apologize to
Hong Kong, President Aquino tells New York Times |
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President Benigno Aquino III this week reiterated the Philippines' stand not
to apologize to Hong Kong over the death of eight Hong Kong tourists in a
hostage crisis in Manila in 2010.The President made his first public
response to Hong Kong's latest demand for an apology in an interview
published Wednesday on The New York Times.
In the interview, the President was quoted as saying he had no plans to
apologize, adding that this could create a legal liability.
He was also quoted as saying in the interview that China had not paid
compensation to the families of Filipinos who died in episodes on the
mainland.
On Wednesday, the latest sanctions by Hong Kong against Manila took
effect - a visa requirement on holders of red and blue official passports.
The move is expected to affect only Philippine government officials and
not holders of regular passports.
Hong Kong's demands for an apology stemmed from the August 2010 crisis
where a dismissed policeman took a busload of tourists hostage to demand his
reinstatement.
The policeman and eight of the tourists were killed in a failed rescue
operation. PND (jl) |
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President Aquino seeks
international help vs China's claims over West Philippine Sea |
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President Benigno Aquino III this week sought international support in
contesting China's claims over the West Philippine Sea, warning of the
consequences of "(saying) yes to something we believe is wrong now."The
President, in an interview with The New York Times also cited a lesson from
history where the West failed to support Czechoslovakia against Adolf
Hitler’s demands for the Sudetenland in 1938.
"If we say yes to something we believe is wrong now, what guarantee is
there that the wrong will not be further exacerbated down the line?..... At
what point do you say, ‘Enough is enough?’ Well, the world has to say it,"
he said.
"Remember that the Sudetenland was given in an attempt to appease Hitler
to prevent World War II," he added.
He maintained in the interview that the Philippines will not give up its
territories in the disputed area.
The New York Times described President's Aquino’s remarks as "among the
strongest indications yet of alarm among Asian heads of state about China’s
military buildup and territorial ambitions."
The Philippines is among the Asian countries that have territorial
disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
During the interview, the President also said he is optimistic the
Philippines and the United States are very close to an agreement that could
enhance the Philippines' security.
“We are very optimistic that will happen,” he said.
On the other hand, the President expressed reluctance to increase
military spending, if that means sacrificing social concerns.
“I’m not sure if I would be willing to sacrifice social concerns to try to
improve the military capabilities,” he said. PND (jl) |
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Filipino-Chinese
reaffirm commitment to help in rehabilitation of Yolanda-hit areas |
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The Filipino-Chinese community on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to
help the Philippine government in its rehabilitation and reconstruction
efforts in areas hit by super Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).Filipino-Chinese
business groups signed an agreement with the local government of Leyte
province to build 500 houses and five barrio schools in Palo town, one of
the areas hit hardest by Yolanda.
"Your Excellency, the Chinese-Filipino community reaffirms its full
support to our Filipino brothers and sisters and to government efforts on
the road to rehabilitation and recovery," Filipino-Chinese Chambers of
Commerce and Industry Inc. president Dr. Alfonso Siy told President Benigno
Aquino III, who witnessed the signing ceremony at Malacañan Palace.
He also assured the President the FFCCCII and the Chinese-Filipino
community "are fully behind you in serving our beloved country and fellow
Filipinos."
Siy added the Chinese-Filipino community's donation for Yolanda relief
and rehabilitation efforts has amounted to nearly P150 million.
President Aquino witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement
between Siy and Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla.
Also witnessing the signing are Secretaries Carlos Jericho Petilla
(energy) and Manuel Roxas II (interior), Palo town mayor Remedios Petilla,
and FFCCCII Chairman Emeritus Lucio Tan.
Under the agreement, 500 houses will be built on a five-hectare lot in
Barangay Barayong in Palo, with the project costing P40 million.
Five barrio schools with 10 classrooms costing P2 million will also be
constructed.
The relocation site will be dubbed the Filipino-Chinese Friendship
Village.
The fund for the projects came from:
- FFCCCII and FFCCCII Foundation Inc.
- Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines
- World News Daily
- Filipino-Chinese Amity Club
- Overseas Chinese Alumni Association of the Philippines
- Filipino-Chinese Shin Lian Association
- Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.
Before Wednesday's signing, Siy noted the Filipino-Chinese community had
been active in relief operations, health intervention, and support in terms
of finances, fishing boats, and welding generator sets.
Some officials of the FFCCCII even extended personal assistance, giving
not only financial help but much of their time.
For his part, Leyte Gov. Petilla assured the people of his province
continue to recover from Yolanda, saying the provincial government is
focusing on shelter so the people can later on concentrate on making a
living.
The governor called on the private sector and the international community
to continue their support even as his administration focuses on long-lasting
intervention. PND (jl) |
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Government renews
unwavering commitment to combat graft, corruption |
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The government will continue carrying out reforms in the bureaucracy to
sustain recent economic gains for the benefit of all Filipinos, a Palace
official said on Tuesday.
“The Aquino administration shall continue to pursue and institutionalize
these reforms anchored on principles of good governance and to build
stronger public institutions,” Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in response to a report noting
tremendous government losses as a result of rampant corruption in
government.
In a report, the Global Financial Integrity, a Washington, DC-based research
and advocacy organization, said the Philippines has suffered $132.9 billion
in illicit financial outflows from crime, corruption, and tax evasion, while
$277.6 billion was illegally transferred into the country over a 52-year
period.
Coloma noted that while the report only covers the first year of the Aquino
administration, the government is committed to continue eliminating
corruption in the bureaucracy.
The study made by the Global Financial Integrity covered the administrations
of seven Presidents from Carlos P. Garcia to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he
said noting that it is important to address the concerns expressed in the
report because it affects the country’s reputation in the global stage.
To address these concerns, Coloma said that since 2010, the government has
undertaken reforms to curtail smuggling and curb money laundering
activities. Last year, the Financial Action Task Force excluded the
Philippines in its blacklist citing “significant progress to improve
anti-money laundering” measures.
He also said several international agencies have cited considerable
improvements in the country, especially in the areas of governance,
transparency, government and business efficiency and economic performance.
For instance, the Philippines’s ranking in the International Finance Corp.’s
“Doing Business 2014” report, jumped 25 places to 108 from 133 in 2013 while
its standing in Transparency International last year improved significantly
to number 94 from 105 the previous year.
Also, in the latest 2013 World Economic Forum, the Philippines’ ranking rose
to 59th spot from the previous year’s 65th out of 148 countries, while the
2013 Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index showed the Philippines ranking
rising to 25 places to 21st among 60 countries.
The Philippines also achieved consecutive ratings upgrades to investment
grade status from prominent credit ratings agencies such as Standard and
Poor, Fitch, Moody’s and Japan Credit Agency. These ratings agencies are
globally recognized as credible endorsers of countries attaining seal of
good financial housekeeping and management. PND (as) |
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Government reports
97-percent rice self-sufficiency last year |
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The government said it attained 97-percent rice self-sufficiency last year
and it is not abandoning its rice self-sufficiency target.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said that since rice is the staple food, the country cannot
attain food security if there is no rice sufficiency.
He noted that the Department of Agriculture reported attaining 97 percent
rice sufficiency in 2013.
The DA is also concentrating on promoting and producing high value crops
that have potential in the global market such as bananas and pineapples, he
said. The DA is also developing organic fruit products such as dragon fruit.
The DA initially targeted to attain rice self-sufficiency in 2013. To attain
its goal, the DA has partnered with the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) for the production and distribution of high-quality,
stress-resistant seeds that can adapt to climate change; the prioritization
of the development of new and modern technologies; and the dissemination of
best agricultural practices and support tools, including skills-training for
extension and field workers. PND (as) |
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President Aquino says ‘inclusiveness’
remains government’s guiding principle in efforts to help typhoon survivors |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said “inclusiveness” will
remain as government’s guiding principle in its efforts to help the
survivors of super Typhoon "Yolanda" recover from the disaster.President
Aquino witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the
Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and
the Provincial Government of Leyte for the construction of 500 houses and
five units of barrio schools for the survivors of the typhoon.
During his speech, the President thanked the Chinese-Filipino community
for its efforts to help the survivors of Yolanda.
“I assure you that what you are doing on the community level, my
government has been doing, and will continue to do so, on a national scale.
Inclusiveness remains our guiding principle, as we build a regime of
opportunities, and empower those who have lost so much to the tragedies that
befell our country in the past year,” he said.
President Aquino said the various disasters that struck the country last
year, such as the Zamboanga siege, the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda,
were “a true test of our capabilities as a nation.”
Typhoon Yolanda has caused extensive damage to infrastructure and left
thousands of people dead in the Visayas in November last year.
“The challenge that confronted us was enormous; and it was only through
our people’s resilience and solidarity that we overcame it. It was through
the commitment and the hard work of those in government who dealt with
relief, recovery, and reconstruction; of those from private entities who
conducted relief operations either on their own or shoulder-to-shoulder with
government; and of those citizens who sacrificed their time in volunteer
centers,” he said.
“Now, a different—but no less formidable—challenge lies ahead of us. As
we rebuild the communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda, we must do so in a
way that can unshackle us from the vicious cycle of destruction and
reconstruction. This is precisely why we are building-back-better. Instead
of simply rebuilding what was lost, we are building in a way that makes our
communities more resilient in the face of disaster; and everyone’s
participation makes this a reality,” he added.
President Aquino welcomed the partnership between the FFCCCII Foundation and
the Provincial Government of Leyte to construct 500 houses and five units
barrio schools for the survivors of the typhoon.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Alfonso Siy for the FFCCCII and Governor
Leopoldo Dominico Petilla for Leyte province on Wednesday in Malacanan
Palace. It was witnessed by President Aquino, FFCCCII Chairman Emeritus Dr.
Lucio Tan, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, DILG Secretary Manuel
Roxas II and Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla.
President Aquino, also during his speech, expressed confidence that the
houses and the classrooms that will be constructed in Palo, Leyte, will be a
boost in the government’s efforts to empower those affected by the typhoon.
“This project of yours comes at the heels of your enormous contributions
in the aftermath of Yolanda, where you, your members, and six other
organizations distributed more than 50,000 relief packs and provided welding
sets, fishing boats, water purifying systems, and medicine, among other
resources needed by those who were affected,” the President said.
The Chinese-Filipino community has undertaken various relief and
rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. In total, the
Chinese-Filipino community’s donation for typhoon-affected areas is close to
P150 million.
“All that you have done serves to underscore the compassion that you hold
for your fellow Filipinos: You will never hesitate to step in and assist our
countrymen in times of need, whether it is through helping them recover
after a major disaster, or helping our Department of Education build
classrooms, or funding your own volunteer fire brigades,” the President
said. PND (jl) |
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President Aquino: Spirit of
bayanihan resides in Filipinos worldwide |
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President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday hailed the spirit of bayanihan among
Filipinos worldwide, as he welcomed in Malacañan Palace a group of US-based
Filipino professionals who conducted medical missions in areas hit by super
Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).In his remarks at the courtesy call of the
Philippine Medical Association of Chicago, the President said it is this
spirit of solidarity that has helped Filipinos overcome the challenges in
the country's history.
"The message we sent as one people was clear. The spirit of bayanihan
continues to reside within all of us, wherever we may be in the world. It is
this spirit that has helped us overcome so many challenges in our history,"
he said.
He added this same spirit will help the government continue its efforts
to "build back better."
The President recalled the PMA of Chicago had for more than a generation
come back every year to promote the well-being of Filipinos through medical
missions.
"This is a reminder to all of us that as was the case during Martial Law
and during our family's time in exile, Filipino professionals abroad remain
some of the most committed to the advancement of our people and our nation,"
the President said.
But he said the group's visit this year is particularly timely as the
country welcomes all the extra help it can get to help communities affected
by Yolanda recover.
"In one of our country's darkest hours, there is unity, there is
resilience, there is compassion," he said.
The President updated the delegation on the good news for the country in
the last part of 2013, including an economic growth of 6.5 percent near the
end of last year, to push the Gross Domestic Product growth to 7.2 percent
for the entire 2013.
He said this made the Philippines one of the fastest growing economies in
Asia, second only to China.
Also, he said his administration, with the support of the people,
streamlined government spending and held erring public officials
accountable.
It also fostered a business environment that rewards ingenuity and hard
work over a willingness to bend the rules.
Also, the President said his administration focused on social
inclusiveness, and boosted the budgets of the concerned agencies.
Because of this, he said about 3.9 million families now receive cash grants
on condition that school-age children attend classes, pregnant mothers get
regular health checkups, and children are immunized from diseases.
More Filipinos - nearly 77 million - are enrolled in the PhilHealth
health insurance program, such that they can walk into hospitals, show their
PhilHealth cards and get treatment for free.
"Make no mistake, your association had a significant part in this. Each
peso and dollar you gave from your own pocket, each patient you treated in a
medical mission, each small effort that you made is part of the accumulation
of positivity and inclusiveness that has made our country's turnaround
possible," the President said.
He also assured the PMA in Chicago that while there will be more
challenges in the future, his administration with the backing of the
Filipino people will continue its work. PND (jl) |
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Philippine
Medical Association in Chicago thanks President Aquino for support in
medical mission |
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Filipino medical professionals based in the United States on Tuesday paid a
call on President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañan Palace to thank him for
his support in its latest medical mission.The Philippine Medical
Association of Chicago also gave the President an award and a memento for
supporting its medical mission in areas including those hit by super Typhoon
“Yolanda” (Haiyan).
Members of the association also hoped to continue visiting the
Philippines to help Filipinos who need medical assistance.
"I hope in the near future we will continue to do this because this is
our passion, this is our compassion. We love our country and we want to
serve our country," the association's president Nida Blankas-Hernaez said
during the courtesy call at the Heroes Hall of Malacanang.
During their stay in the Philippines, delegates of the association held
medical missions and disaster relief in areas hit by Yolanda, including
Tacloban and Leyte.
They also helped several people in six towns in Marinduque province, she
said.
"With this, we probably helped over 1,000 recipients .... For this
mission alone, we had $300,000 spent for this. We had a lot of donations,"
she said.
"We are so lucky because we were able to serve the Philippines, and we
love to come to the Philippines," she added. PND (jl) |
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PCOO Assistant Secretary
Marfil promoted to Undersecretary |
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Malacañang on Tuesday announced the promotion of Presidential Communications
Operations Office Assistant Secretary Renato Marfil to the rank of
undersecretary.
PCOO Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. announced Marfil's appointment by
President Benigno Aquino III at Tuesday's regular media briefing.
"I'm pleased to announce President Aquino has appointed ... Renato M. Marfil
as undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office," he
said.
"We wish to congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion," he added.
Marfil has been with the Aquino administration since it assumed office in
2010, as assistant secretary for media relations. PND (jl) |
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Palace reminds Davao City
mayor to uphold rule of law |
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Malacañang on Tuesday reminded Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to uphold
the rule of law even in going after criminals.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said such a policy applies to all government officials, whether
at the national or local level.
"All government officials, whether local or national, have the basic
responsibility to uphold the rule of law," Coloma said at a media briefing.
Duterte had said at a Senate hearing Monday that he would "gladly" kill a
personality linked to rice smuggling, if he entered Davao City.
The mayor had lamented the slow pace of justice in going after rice
smuggling.
But Coloma pointed out the Aquino administration is now putting in place
systemic reforms to address so-called loopholes in the criminal justice
system. PND (jl) |
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Palace: Government
troops to fulfill sworn duty to protect people from BIFF |
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Government troops are prepared to fulfill their sworn duty to protect
Filipinos from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Malacañang said
Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. gave the assurance amid reports the BIFF may be gearing up for
urban warfare.
"Sa lahat na pagkakataon, tungkulin ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ang kaligtasan
ng mamamayan sa kanayunan o kalungsuran (At all times, the government has a
sworn duty to ensure the safety of Filipinos, whether in the rural or urban
areas)," Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said this means the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the
Philippines are prepared to ensure the people's safety as part of fulfilling
their duty.
Coloma also said the PNP, AFP and intelligence community continues to keep
tabs on the movements of the state's enemies.
He added the government's forces cannot afford to get complacent or to let
down their guard at any time.
"The government cannot tolerate threats to national and local security and
the lives and security of our people," he said. PND (jl) |
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President Aquino
says government to work with partners in providing sufficient,
affordable and potable water for the people |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday the government continues to
work hard with the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD), Local
Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and concerned authorities to provide
sufficient, affordable, and potable water for the people.
"Because water is life, your government works hard with concerned
authorities like the LWUA, PAWD, and all water districts across our country
to ensure that every Filipino has access to this vital resource," the Chief
Executive said in his message to PAWD on the occasion of the 35th National
Convention.
"We continue to fulfill this task by enhancing the water service industry,
extending it to even the most remote areas, and implementing strategies that
make it more accessible to all consumers," the President said.
The PAWD, the national umbrella organization of more than 500 local water
districts in the country, is holding the Products and Services Exhibit 2014
on the occasion of its 35th National Convention on February 4 to 6 at the
SMX Convention Center, Davao City.
The convention, which has for its theme, “Water Districts: Addressing
Challenges in Water Supply and Sanitation,” will give emphasis to the
crucial role of water districts in making sure that Filipinos in the
countryside have access to safe water supply and sanitation facilities.
"May this convention fuel your association’s efforts to provide sufficient,
affordable, and potable water for our countrymen; may this gathering be a
wellspring of fresh, innovative concepts and action plans that will further
empower your members as well as the communities and sectors you serve,"
President Aquino said.
The Philippines keeps its steadfast momentum towards an even more
reinvigorated future, the President said.
"Let us all remain vibrant and inspired as we forge ahead, cascading the
benefits of inclusive growth to more of our citizens," he said. PND (js) |
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Government to tap private
sector to upgrade facilities of Orthopedic Center |
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The government said on Tuesday that it will soon task the private sector to
help upgrade the facilities of the Philippine Orthopedic Center in order to
expand its scope of coverage and to improve the delivery of universal health
care to all Filipinos.
This was announced by Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma, Jr. in a press briefing in Malacanang.
He said the government was seeking the help of the private sector so that
the sale of the hospital would no longer necessary.
“To enlarge the scope and improve the delivery of universal healthcare to
all Filipinos, the Department of Health is tapping the support of the
private sector in upgrading the facilities of the Philippine Orthopedic
Center mindful of its duty to provide affordable and accessible health
services to the people, the government will modernize the facilities of the
hospital without seeding or selling the hospital to the private sector,”
Coloma said.
“It will reduce dependence on the national subsidy for its operational needs
and move towards an effective and efficient fiscal discipline that will
support the hospital’s operational needs,” he added.
Coloma further said the government “shall protect the welfare of the
employees of the Center” throughout the duration of the project’s
implementation.
“Government shall protect the welfare of the employees of the Center while
implementing this project,” Coloma said. PND (rck) |
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Palace: OES unit now
handling complaint vs ERC chief |
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A new division under the Office of the Executive Secretary in Malacañang is
now handling an administrative complaint against Energy Regulatory
Commission Chairperson Zenaida Ducut, the Palace said Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said the Investigative and Adjudicatory Division of the Office of
the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs is now handling the
complaint.
"Natanggap nila ang complaint ng Akbayan, at sinimulna ang pagsiyasat nito
(The new office has received the complaint of Akbayan and has started
looking into the accusations)," Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said the new unit replaces the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission.
The new unit will be under the office of Deputy Executive Secretary for
Legal Affairs Michael Aguinaldo, he added.
Akbayan had asked the Palace to probe Ducut for allegedly abandoning her
duty to protect consumers from a power rate hike.
Earlier, Coloma said there is no basis for asking Ducut to resign or take a
leave of absence, at least for now. PND (jl) |
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Government working
to improve agriculture sector’s performance, says official |
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Malacanang said it continues to look for ways to develop the country’s
agriculture sector for it to contribute to the national economy, attain food
self-sufficiency and eliminate anomalous transactions in rice importations.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the Cabinet
Economic Cluster has discussed the agriculture sector several times to find
ways on how to improve its performance.
The agriculture sector is lagging behind manufacturing and services, Coloma
said, noting that the administration wants it to be at par with other
sectors in terms of contributions to the national economy.
For instance in 2013, while the country’s gross domestic product (GDP)
increased to 7.2 percent, the agriculture sector’s contribution is only at
1.1 percent, way below the services and manufacturing sectors, Coloma said.
“Kaya’t bahagi iyan ng pangkalahatang pagturing sa buong kontribusyon ng
agricultural sector lalong-lalo na’t ito ay nilalahukan ng pinakamaraming
Pilipino na magsasaka at mangingisda,” he said.
He also said the sector may need systemic reforms to improve its
productivity and contribute to overall economic development of the country
and at the same time eliminate corruption in food importations.
And to stop anomalous transactions in rice importations, Coloma said the
Department of Agriculture, through the National Food Authority council,
decided to stop extending privileges to farmer cooperatives that do not have
the capability to import rice.
The Department of Agriculture is also preparing new rice importation
procedures to address loopholes in the system that are being exploited by
some unscrupulous traders.
With regards to attaining rice self-sufficiency, Coloma said the
administration’s mindset is not about ensuring enough supply of rice in the
country but improving the performance of the entire agriculture sector.
“Ang nabubuong pananaw sa Gabinete hinggil dito ay hindi sapat na tingnan
lamang iyong rice self-sufficiency kasi iyong rice ay isa lamang sa mga
alternatibong produkto sa pagsasaka at maaring sa isang taon o sa
iba’t-ibang lugar, magkaroon ng insentibo ang mga magsasaka na ibang
produkto iyong kanilang pagtutuunan ng pansin,” he said. PND (as) |
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Aquino government to curb
smuggling by bringing smugglers to the bar of justice |
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The Aquino government is actively taking steps to curb smuggling and bring
smugglers to the bar of justice, Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday.
Since 2010 the government has filed a total of 157 cases under the Run After
Tax Evaders and Smugglers program for an average of one case per week,
Coloma said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.
"Following President Aquino’s directive, the Bureau of Customs led by
Commissioner (John Philip) Sevilla has taken steps to promote transparency
and openness, simplified transactions, and adopted a systemic approach to
plug loopholes and minimize opportunities for graft and corruption," Coloma
said.
The Communications Secretary said the specific reform measures include
centralized single reference for valuation information, implementation of a
single dispute resolution process for valuation, digitization of every
single formal transaction, review of the monitoring of Customs bonded
warehouses, revamp of the importer accreditation process and intensified
monitoring of sensitive imports.
The President earlier assured the public that his administration remains
committed to improve the services of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) by
enhancing the anti-smuggling efforts.
The BOC is enhancing its efforts in revenue collection by curbing smuggling
activities and to provide quality service to stakeholders with
professionalism and integrity, facilitate trade in a secured manner and
adapt measures compliant to international best practices and standards. PND
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Nasa puso ng mga Pilipino sa buong daigdig ang
bayanihan--Malacanang |
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Pinuri ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang pamamayani
ng diwa ng bayanihan sa puso ng mga Pilipino saan mang panig ng daigdig sila
naroon nang tanggapin niya sa Malacanang Martes ang grupo ng mga propesyonal
na nakabase sa Estados Unidos na nagsagawa ng misyong medikal sa mga pook na
sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda.
Sa pakikipag-usap sa naging panauhin niyang Philippine Medical Association
of Chicago, binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang diwa ng kapatiran ang
nakatulong sa mga Pilipino ang nakatulong upang maharap at makatawid sa mga
hamon at pagsubok sa kasaysayan ng bansa.
“Malinaw ang mensahe namin bilang isang lahi. Ang diwa ng bayanihan ang
patuloiy na nag-aalab sa puso nating lahat, saan man tayo naroong panig ng
daigdig. Dahil sa diwang ito kaya natulungan tayong makaahon sa napakaraming
pagsubok at hamon sa ating kasaysayan,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.
Idinugtong niya na ito rin ang diwang nakatulong sa pamahalaan upang
ipagpatuloy ang pagsisikap na “pag-ibayuhin pa ang ating mga gawain.”
Binanggit ng Pangulo na ang PMA ng Chicago ay mahigit nang isang henerasyong
umuuwi rito taun-taon upang alagatain ang kapakanan ng mga Piklipino sa
pamamagitan ng mga misyong medikal na ginagawa nila.
“Ito ay paalaala sa ating lahat na noong panahon ng Martial Law na ang
pamilya namin ay naka-exile, ang mga Pilipino na nasa ibayong dagat ang
nananatiling tapat na nagtataguyod sa pag-unload ng ating mga kababayan at
ng bansa natin,” pahayag pa ng Pangulo.
Ayon sa Pangulo, napapanahon ang pagdalaw ng grupo ngayong taong ito na
sinisikap ng ating bansa na makakuha ng tulong upang ang mga komunidad na
biktima ng Yolanda ay makapagbagong tatag sa madaling anahon.
“Sa isa sa pinakamadilim na yugto sa ating bansa, namayani ang pagkakaisa,
nanatili ang tatag at tibay ng kalooban, at umiral ang malasakit at
pagdadamayan,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Ipinaalam ng Pangulo sa delegasyon ng mga duktor ang magandang balita para
sa bansa noong huling bahagi ng 2013, kabilang ang pagsulong ng ekonomya na
umabot sa 6.5 porsiyento nang magtatapos ang taon, upang iangat ang
pagsulong ng Gross Domestic Product sa 7.2 porsiyento sa kabuuan ng taong
2013.
Dahil dito, wika ng Pangulo, ang Pilipinas ay isa sa pinakamabilis na
umunlad na bansa sa Asya, pangalawa lamang sa Tsina.
Idinugtong ng Pangulo na ang administrasyon niya, sa tulong ng sambayanan,
ay nagging masinop na paggugol at pinapanagot ang mga nagkasalang pinunong
bayan.
Isinulong din nito ang business environment na nagbibigay ng gantimpala sa
kahusayan at kasipagan sa halip na iangkop ang mga tuntunin.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na nakatuon ang administrasyon sa malaganap na pagtulong
at nilakihan pa ang guguling nakalaan sa iba-ibang mga ahensiya ng
pamahalaan.
Dahil dito, sabi ng Pangulo, may 33.9 milyong pamilya ngayon ang tumatanggap
ng salapi sa kondisyong papapasukin sa mga paaralan ang anak nilang nasa
edad na para mag-aral, ang mga ina na nagdadalang-tao ay regular na
magpapatingin sa mga sentrong pangkalusugan sa kanilang pook at
pababakunahan ang mga supling nila laban sa nakahahawang mga sakit.
Kaya naman halos 77 milyon ang nakarehistro sa PhilHealth health insurance
program upang kung may karamdaman sila ay magtungo na lamang sa mga
pagamutan, ipakita ang kanilang “PhilHealth cards” at magamot nang walang
bayad.
“Napakalaki ang naitulong ng inyong samahan sa bagay na ito. Bawa’t piso at
dolar na buhat sa inyong mga lukbutan na ibinigay ninyo, bawa’t maysakit na
inyong nilunasan sa mga misyong medikal ninyo, ang bawa’t mum,unting
pagsisikap na inyong gawin para dumamay at alalayan ang mga kababayan natin
ang nagiging daan ng pagsulong ng bansa,” pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulo.
Tiniyak din ng Pangulo sa PMA ng Chicago na bagaman marami pang mga hamon at
pag-subok na kakaharapin sa kinabukasan, puspusang ipagpapatuloy ng kanyang
administrasyon, sa tulong ng sambayanan, ang pagsasagawa ng mga bagay na
alang-alang sa bayan. PND (jl/zaf) |
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Pinasalamatan ng ‘Philippine Medical
Association’ ng Chicago ang Pangulong Aquino sa suporta sa kanilang ‘medical
mission’ |
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Nagbigay-galang sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa
Malacanang ang mga manggagamot na Pilipino na nakabase sa Estados Unidos
upang magpasalamat sa suporta ng Punong Taga-pagpaganap sa kanilang
pinakahuling misyong medikal sa bansa.
Pinagkalooban din ng Philippine Medical Association ng Chicago ang Pangulo
ng gawad at ng alaala sa pagtulong sa ginawa nilang misyong medikal sa mga
pook na malubhang sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong “Yolanda”.
Sinabi ng mg kasapi ng samahan na umaasa silang maipagpapatuloy ang pagdalaw
sa Pilipinas upang makatulong sa mga Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong
medical.
“Umaasa kami sa hinaharap na panahon, maipagpapatuloy namin ang bagay na ito
sapagka’t ito ang aming mithiin, ang nais naming gawin. Mahal namin ang
ating bansa at ibig naming mapaglingkuran ang ating bayan,” sabi ni Nida
Blankas-Hernaez, pangulo ng samahan, nang makipagkita sila sa Pangulo sa
Heroes Hall ng Malacanang Martes.
Sa pamamalagi nila sa Pilipinas, ang mga delegado ng samahan ay nagsagawa ng
misyong medikal at pamamahagi ng tulong sa mga pook na sinalanta ng bagyong
Yolanda, kabilang ang sa Tacloban at ibang panig ng Leyte.
Sinabi ni Blankas-Hernaez na tumulong din sila sa mga mamamayan ng anim na
bayan ng lalawigang Marinduque.
“Humigit-kumulang marahil sa 1,000 katao ang natulungan namin. Sa misyong
ito lamang, nakagugol kami ng $300,000. Marami kaming donasyong ipinamigay,”
dugtong ni Blankas-Hernaez.
“Napakasuwerte namin dahil nakapaglingkod kami sa Pilipinas at gustung-gusto
naming magtungo sa Pilipinas,” sabi pa ni Blankas-Hernaez. PND(jl/zaf) |
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Itinaas sa Undersecretary si PCOO Assistant
Secretary Marfil |
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Inihayag ng Malacanang Martes ang promosyon ni Assistant
Secretary Renato Marfil ng Presidential Communications Operations Office
bilang Pangalawang Kalihim (undersecretary).
Sinabi ni Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ng PCOO ang pagtataas sa
tungkulin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III kay Marfll sa pulong balitaan
sa Malacanang Martes.
“Kasiyahan kong ibalita na itinalaga ng Pangulong Aquino si Renato M. Marfil
bilang pangalawang kalihim ng Presidential Communications Operations
Office,” wika ni Coloma.
“Binabati namin siya sa talagang karapat-dapat na promosyong ito,” dagdag pa
ni Coloma.
Si Marfil ay natalagang Assistant Secretary for Media Relations sapul nang
maluklok sa tungkulin ang administrasyong Aquino noong 2010. PND (jl/zaf) |
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Pinaalalahanan ng Palasyo ang alkalde ng
Lungsod ng Davao na sundin ang batas sa pagtugis kahit sa mga kriminal |
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Pinaalalahanan ng Malacanang Martes si Alkalde Rodrigo
Duterte ng Lungsod ng Davao na sundin ang mga batas sa pagtugis kahit sa mga
kriminal.
Binigyang diin ni Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential
Communications Operations Office na ang patakarang ito ay para sa lahat ng
mga pinunong bayan, maging pambansa o lokal man.
“Lahat ng mga pinuno ng pamahalaan, lokal o nasyonal man, ay may pangunahing
pananagutang igalang at sundin ang batas,” sabi ni Coloma sa pulong-balitaan
sa Malacanang Martes.
Magugunitang sinabi ni Duterte sa patayi pagdnig ng Senado Lunes na
“magiging kagalakan” niyang patayin ang isang taong may kaugnayan sa
pagpupuslit ng bigas kung papasok ang mga ito sa Lungsod ng Davao.
Nagpahayag ng pagkalungkot ang alkalde sa mabagal na pagkilos ng katarungan
laban sa mga nagpupuslit ng bigas.
Subali’t binigyang diin ni Coloma na ginagawa na ng administrasyong Aquino
ang mgaq kailangang reporma upang matugunan ang tinatawag na loopholes sa
criminal justice system.PND (jl/zaf) |
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Tutuparin ng mga kawal ng pamahalaan ang
sinumpaan nilang tungkuling pangalagaan ang taong bayan laban sa BIFF |
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Nakahanda ang mga kawal ng pamahalaan na gampanan ang
kanilang sinumpaang tungkuling ipagtanggol ang mga Pilipino laban sa
Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Freedom Fighters (BIFF), sabi ng Malacanang
Martes.
Ito ang tiniyak ni Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential
Communications Operations Office sa gitna ng mga ulat na tila mandin
naghahanda ang BIFF sa urban warfare.
“Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, tungkulin ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ang kaligtasan
ng mamamayan sa kanayunan o kalungsuran,” sabi ni Coloma sa pulong-balitaan.
Sinabi ni Coloma na ang Pambansang Pulisya at ang Lakas na Sandatahan ng
Pilipinas ay nakahandang tiyakin ang pangangalaga sa kaligtasan ng taong
bayan bilang bahagi ng kanilang tungkulin.
Idinugtong din ni Coloma na ang PNP, AFP at intelligence community ay
patuloy na tumutugaygay sa kilos ng mga kalaban ng pamahalaan.
Ayon kay Coloma, hindi maaaring magwalang bahala o hindi manatiling handa
ang mga pulis at kawal ng pamahalaan.
“Hindi mapapayagan ng pamahalaan ang banta sa pambansa at lokal na
kapanatagan, gayundin ang buhay at kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” sabi
pa ni Coloma. PND (jl/zaf) |
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Makikipagtulungan ang pamahalaan sa mga
kabalikat nito, sabi ni Aquino, upang mapagkalooban nang sapat, mura at
malinis na tubig ang mamamayan |
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Patuloy ang pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S.
Aquino III Martes na patuoloy na nakikipagtulungan sa Philippine Association
of Water Districts (PAWD), sa Local Water Utilities Administrations (LWUA),
gayundin sa kinauukulang mga pinuno ng water district para mabigyan nang
sapat, abot-kaya at malinis na tubig ang taong bayan.
“Sapagka’t ang tubig ay buhay, ibayong pagsisikap ang ginagawa ng inyong
pamahalaan sa pakikiisa sa LWUA, PAWD at sa lahat ng mga water districts sa
buong bansa para matiyak na bawa’t Pilipino ay may sapat na mahalagang
yamang ito,” sabi ng Pangulo sa mensahe sa PAWD kaugnay ng idaraos na ika-35
Pambansang Kumbensiyon.
“Patuloy namin itong ginagawa sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasigla sa industriya
ng serbisyo sa tubig hanggang sa mga pinakadulong mga pook nang matiyak na
lahat ay may sapat na tubig.
Ang PAWD ang pambansang samahan ng mahigit na 500 lokal na water districts
na magdaraos ng Products and Services Exhibit 2014 kaugnay ng ika-35
Pambansang Kumbensiyon Pebrero 4-6 sa SMX Convention Center sa Lungsod ng
Davao.
Paksang diwa ng kumbensiyon ang Water Districts: Addressing Challenges in
Water Supply and Sanitation na magbibigay tingkad sa mahalagang papel ng mga
water districts para matiyak na lahat ng Pilipino ay may ligtas na tubig na
magagamit at pasilidad sa sanitasyon.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na patuloy ang pamahalaan sa pagmamalasakit sa
tubig nang hindi magkasuliranin ukol dito kahit sa hinaharap na mga panahon.
“Patuloy tayong magsisikap at magiging masigla sa pagtahak natin patungo sa
hinaharap nang taglay ang hangaring ang mga biyaya ng malawakang kaunlaran
ay pakinabangan nang higit na marami nating kababayan,” sabi pa ng Pangulong
Aquino. PND (js/zaf) |
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Kakatulungin ng gobyerno ang pribadong sektor
para mapahusay ang mga pasilidad ng ‘Orthopedic Center’ |
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Kakatulungin ng pamahalaan ang pribadong sektor sa
madaling panahon upang mapabuti pa ang mga pasilidad ng Philippine
Orthopedic Center at nang mapalawak pang lalo at mapabuti ang pagkakaloob ng
universal health care sa lahat ng Pilipino.
Inihayag ito ni Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential
Communications Operations Office sa pulong balitaan sa Malacanang Martes.
Sinabi ni Coloma na hinihingan ng tulong ng pamahalaan ang pribadong sektor
upang hindi na kailanganing ipagbili ang pagamutan para lamang maayos ito.
“Para mapalawak at mapabuti pa ang pagkakaloob ng universal healthcare sa
lahat ng Pilipino, hinihingan ng tulong ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan ang
pribadong sektor para sa pagaayos ng Philippine Orthopedic Center nang ang
inaalagata ay ang katungkulan ng gobyerno na bigyan ng abot-kaya at
serbisyong pangkalusugan ang taong bayan. Gagawin ng pamahalaan na makabago
ang mga pagamutam nang hindi ipagbibili ito o isasapribado,” paliwanag pa ni
Coloma.
“Ang gagawin ay bawasan ang lagi na lamang pag-asa sa national subsidy sa
mga kailangan ng ospital para makapaglingkod nang mabisa at higit na mabuti
ang palakad sa pananalapi na siyang tutugon sa mga gugol sa operational
needs ng mga pagamutan,” sabi pa ni Coloma.
Idinugtong pa ni Coloma na pangangalagaan ng pamahalaan ang kapakanan ng mga
kawani ng “Center” sa buong panahong ipinatutupad ang proyektp
.
”Pangangalagaan ng pamahalaan ang kapakanan ng mga kawani ng Center habang
isinasagawa ang proyekto,” dugtong pa ni Coloma. PND (rck/zaf) |
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Hawak na ng Tanggapan ng Kalihim tagapagpaganap ang
sumbong laban sa puno ng ERC—Malacanang |
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Isang bagong dibisyon sa Tanggapan ng Kalihim
Tagapagpangap sa Malacanang ang sumbong pampangasiwaan laban kay Energy
Regulatory Commission Chairperson Zenaida Ducut, sabi ng Malacanang Martes.
Sinabi ni Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential
Communications Operations Office na ang kaso ay hawak na ng Investigative
and Adjudicatory Division ng Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for
Legal Affairs.
“Natanggap nila ang sumbong ng Akbayan at sinimulan na ang pagsisiyasat dito,”
sabi ni Coloma sa pulong balitaan sa Malakanyang Martes.
Ayon kay Coloma na ang bagong yunit ang ipinalit sa Presidential Anti-Graft
Commission.
Ang bagong tanggapang ito ay nasa ilalim ni Deputy Executive Secretary for
Legal Affairsa Michael Aguinaldo, sabi ni Coloma.
Hiningi ng Akbayan sa Palasyo na siyasatin si Ducut dahil sa umano ay
pagpapabaya sa kanyang tungikulin na pangalagaan ang mga konsumidor sa
pagtaas ng halaga ng koryente.
Nasabi na ni Coloma na walang batayang hinging magbitiw sa tungkulin si
Ducut o dili kaya ay magbakasyon nang matagal sa mga panahong ito. PND (jl/zaf) |
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Sinisikap ng gobyerno na mapalakas ang ani sa
agrikultura ng bansa |
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Patuloy na humahanap ng mga paraan ang pamahalaan para
mapalakas ang sektor ng pagsasaka sa bansa nang makapag-ambag ito nang
malaki sa pambansang ekonomya, magkaroon nang sapat na pagkain at masugpo
ang tiwaling mga transaksiyon sa pag-angkat ng bigas.
Inihayag ni Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential
Communications Operations Office Martes na puspusang tinalakay ng Cabinet
Economic Cluster ang mga paraan kung paano mapalalakas ang ani.
Napag-iiwan ng manufacturing and services ang sektor ng pagsasaka, sabi ni
Coloma, at nais ng administrasyon na makaagapay iito sa ibang sektor sa
larangan ng pag-aambag sa pambansang ekonomya.
Ibinigay na halimbawa na noong 2013 na ang Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ay
umangat sa 7.2 porsiyento at ang naiambag lamang ng pagsasaka ay 1.1
porsiyento na napakababa kung ihahambing sa sektor ng services and
manufacturing, ayon kay Coloma.
“Kaya bahagi iyan ng pangkalahwatang pagturing wsa buong kontribusyon ng
sektor agrikultural, dahil ito ay nilalahukan ng pinakamaraming Pilipinong
magsasaka at mangingisda,” sabi ni Coloma.
Binanggit din ng Kalihim na kailangan marahil ang maayos na reporma para
mapabuti ang ani at nang makapag-ambag ito nang malaki sa pangkalahatang
kaunlaran ng ekonomya ng bansa, kaalinsabay ng pagsugpo sa katiwalian sa
pag-angkat ng pagkain.
Para matigil ang katiwalian sa pag-angkat ng bigas, sinabi ni Coloma na ang
Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka, sa pamamagitan ng National Food Authority Council,
ipinasiya nang tigilan ang ibinibigay na mga pribilehiyo sa mga kooperatiba
ng magsasaka na wala namang kakayahang umangkat ng bigas.
Naghahanda na ngayon ang Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka sa panibagong mga tuntunin
sa pag-angkat ng bigas nang matapalan ang mga ‘butas’ sa umiiral na
sistemang nasasamantala naman ng mga tiwaling mangangalakal.
Sa kasapatan sa bigas, sinabi ni Coloma na hindi lamang ang pagtiyak nang
sapat na bigas sa bansa ang pagtutuunan ng administrasyon kundi ang buong
sektor ng pagsasaka.
Áng nabubuong pananaw sa Gabinete hinggil dito ay hindi sapat na tingnan
lamang ang kasapatan sa bigas. Kasi ang bigas ay isa lamang sa mga produkto
ng pagsasaka at maaaring sa isang taon o sa iba-ibang lugar, magkaroon ng
insentibo ang mga magsasaka na ibang produkto naman ang pagtuunan nila ng
pansin,” paliwanag ni Coloma. PND (as/zaf) |
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Susugpuin ng gobyernong Aquino ang ‘smuggling’ sa
pag-uusig nang puspusan sa mga ‘smugglers’ |
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Ginagawa na ng gobyernong Aquino ang mga hakbang upang
sugpuin ang ismagling at papanagutin sa mga batas ang mga ismaglers, sang-ayon
kay Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr.
Sapul noong 2010, nakapagharap na ang pamahalaan ng 157 kaso sa ilalim ng
Run After Tax Evaders and Smugglers program o isang kaso sa isang linggo,
sabi ni Coloma sa pulong balitaan sa Malacanang Martes.
“Sa tagublin ng Pangulong Aquino, ang Kawanihan ng Aduwana sa pangunguna ni
Komisyoner John Philip Sevilla ay gumawa na ng hakbang para isulong ang
transparency and openness para masagkaan ang loopholes at mabawasan ang
pagkakataon para makagawa ng katiwalian at pagsasamantala,” wika ni Coloma.
Sinabi ng Kalihim ng Komunikasyon na ang mga tiyakang reporma ay katulad ng
centralized single reference for valuation information, digitization of
every single formal transaction, pagtatanod sa mga bodega ng Aduwana,
pagbalasa sa akreditasyon ng umaangkat at ibayong pagsubaybay sa maseselang
mga inaangkat na bagay.
Tiniyak ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa madla na patuloy ang
administrasyon niya sa pagsisikap na mapabuti ang serbisyo ng Kawanihan ng
Aduwana sa ibayong pagsisikap na sugpuin ang pagpupuslit.
Sinisikap din ng BOC na mapabuti ang koleksiyon sa pagsugpo sa pagpupuslit
at pagpapatupad ng mga tuntuning naalinsunod sa pinakamainam na pamantayan
sa daigdig. PND (js/zaf) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech
at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of agreement between the Federation
of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and the
Provincial Government of Leyte
|
Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
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05 Feb
2014
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The disasters that befell our country in 2013 were a true test of our
capacities as a nation. Even before Supertyphoon Yolanda made landfall, many
of our resources were already devoted to helping our countrymen recover from
the Zamboanga Siege incident and the Bohol Earthquake. So perhaps you can
imagine how far it stretched our capacities when Yolanda arrived and
affected 44 out of our 81 provinces. In its immediate aftermath, we had to
prepare relief goods for those affected by the typhoon—a task that became
all the more difficult because Yolanda was more powerful than any storm
anyone had ever seen; and it swept away the goods and the resources we had
prepositioned. We had to do everything possible to clear the roads and
airports in the soonest possible time, so that relief goods could reach
survivors. We had to bury dead; we had to make sure that those affected had
roofs to sleep under.
The challenge that confronted us was enormous; and it was only through our
people’s resilience and solidarity that we overcame it. It was through the
commitment and the hard work of those in government who dealt with relief,
recovery, and reconstruction; of those from private entities who conducted
relief operations either on their own or shoulder-to-shoulder with
government; and of those citizens who sacrificed their time in volunteer
centers.
Now, a different—but no less formidable—challenge lies ahead of us. As we
rebuild the communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda, we must do so in a way
that can unshackle us from the vicious cycle of destruction and
reconstruction. This is precisely why we are building back better. Instead
of simply rebuilding what was lost, we are building in a way that makes our
communities more resilient in the face of disaster; and everyone’s
participation makes this a reality.
As you know, Leyte is part of Region 8—the region most affected by Yolanda.
Thus, we really welcome this partnership between FFCCCII Foundation and the
Provincial Government of Leyte. I am extremely confident that the 500
housing units and the five barrio schools you will be constructing in Palo
will go a long way in our efforts to empower our countrymen to take hold of
their destinies once more, especially since you will be working with
Governor Dominic Petilla, a member of the next generation of true public
servants.
This project of yours comes at the heels of your enormous contributions in
the aftermath of Yolanda, where you, your members, and six other
organizations distributed more than 50,000 relief packs and provided welding
sets, fishing boats, water purifying systems, and medicine, among other
resources needed by those who were affected. I am told that, in total, you
were able to raise close to P150 million—and this is for relief and
rehabilitation operations in the aftermath of Yolanda alone.
All that you have done serves to underscore the compassion that you hold for
your fellow Filipinos: You will never hesitate to step in and assist our
countrymen in times of need, whether it is through helping them recover
after a major disaster, or helping our Department of Education build
classrooms, or funding your own volunteer fire brigades.
As President, I made a point to be here today to personally express my
gratitude, and the gratitude of your countrymen. Your actions, and your
willingness to respond in times of crisis, have inspired in me the
expectation that you will act with the same amount of solidarity, no matter
what challenges lie ahead. I thank you for casting your stake on building a
society that is compassionate and just; a society where the rich and the
poor, the mighty and the needy, the strong and the weak, are equal before
the eyes of the law; where those who have the wherewithal to pull their
fellow man up do so without question or hesitation. I assure you that what
you are doing on the community level, my government has been doing, and will
continue to do so, on a national scale. Inclusiveness remains our guiding
principle, as we build a regime of opportunities, and empower those who have
lost so much to the tragedies that befell our country in the past year.
As we welcome a new year, in both the Gregorian and Lunar calendars, let us
never forget the lessons that were taught to us by Yolanda. Let us never
forget that our greatest weapon as a people is our solidarity; and that in
the face of great challenge, we are called upon to set aside personal
interests and come together as one people, in service to our country.
Out of this time of tragedy, an authentic face of bayanihan has emerged
through initiatives such as the one we are witnessing today. I am convinced
that as long as we all work together, as long as each one of us remains
active in the grand task of nation-building, and as long as we never forget
to take strength from our benevolent God, who has seen us through all our
hardships, then we can weather any storm, and sail our ship of state
together further into the light of day.
Again, congratulations, and Kung Hee Fat Choi. |
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End-Nov infra spending posts double-digit
growth; Abad: Quicker, more high-impact disbursements seen in 2014 |
Source:
http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
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In line with
the Aquino Administration’s commitment to steer the country towards
economic and inclusive growth, national government expenditures for
infrastructure and capital outlay (CO) maintained double-digit
growth levels year-on-year, with a 20.5 percent or P37.9 billion
increase as of end-November, the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) today reported.
Likewise, total government disbursements significantly increased to
P1.677 trillion for the period year-on-year—9.2 percent or P141.7
billion higher than last year’s level of P1.535 trillion—despite
natural and man-made calamities experienced in the 4thquarter of the
year.
“Even with the development challenges posed on our economy by
consecutive calamities—and the toll these disasters took on
government operations—our disbursements for infrastructure and other
capital outlay by end-November nonetheless posted double-digit
growth levels. This is in fact consistent with the year-on-year
spending improvements we’ve made from the beginning of 2013. We’re
continuing that same trend this year, where we ramp up
infrastructure and other priority expenditures to sustain our
economic momentum and ensure the delivery of improved public
services,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad
said.
“It’s also worth noting that while last year’s disasters may have
affected government spending, we can expect disbursements to move at
a faster clip in the succeeding months, especially because we plan
to make swifter disbursements for rehabilitation and reconstruction
activities in all calamity-affected areas. These efforts will be
backed by the validity extension for remaining Calamity and Quick
Response Funds, government savings, unobligated allotments and
unreleased appropriations under the 2013 budget so they can still be
used for post-disaster activities this year,” Abad added.
At the same time, supplemental appropriations in the amount of P14.6
billion will augment the 2013 Calamity and Quick Response Funds that
would repair and reconstruct permanent structures in said areas,
among others.
Disbursements
by Expense Class, 2012 vs. 2013in
billion pesos, unless otherwise indicated
|
Particulars
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January-November
|
Increase/Decrease
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2012
|
2013
|
Amount
|
%
|
Current Oper. Exp. |
1,258.3
|
1,371.4
|
113.1
|
9.0
|
PS |
496.1
|
538.0
|
41.9
|
8.5
|
MOOE |
226.2
|
254.2
|
28.0
|
12.4
|
Subsidy |
26.2
|
39.1
|
12.9
|
49.2
|
Allotment to LGUs |
200.4
|
221.7
|
21.3
|
10.6
|
IP |
282.3
|
296.7
|
14.4
|
5.1
|
TEF |
27.1
|
21.8
|
(5.4)
|
(19.8)
|
Capital Outlays |
248.6
|
289.9
|
41.3
|
16.6
|
Infra & Other CO |
185.4
|
223.3
|
37.9
|
20.5
|
Equity |
1.2
|
0.7
|
(0.5)
|
(43.2)
|
Cap. Transfers to LGUs |
62.0
|
65.9
|
3.9
|
6.3
|
CARP-LO |
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Net Lending |
28.8
|
16.0
|
(12.7)
|
(44.3)
|
TOTAL |
1,535.7
|
1,667.3
|
141.7
|
9.2
|
In terms of
allotment releases, the DBM has already released a total of P1.912
trillion or 95.3 percent of the total P2.006 trillion obligation for
2013 as of November. This covers 96.8 percent of specific budgets of
national government agencies and departments under the 2013 GAA.
Significant releases for the month of November include funding
support to the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) housing program
for informal settler families (ISFs), pension, terminal leave,
retirement gratuity and other benefits of retiring government
employees, and Quick Response Funds under the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide immediate assistance to
typhoon Yolanda-affected areas.
HIGHLIGHTS: Expense Classes as of November 2013
Personnel Services (PS) increased by P41.9
billion or 8.5 percent as of end-November, mainly due to salary
adjustments, higher cumulative retirement gratuity and terminal
leave claims, grant of the 2012 Performance-Based Bonus, and
payment of Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pension of World
War II veterans.
Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MMOE) decreased
in year-on-year cumulative growth from 20.7 percent as of October to
12.4 percent or P28 billion as of November. Utilization rates from
the DSWD, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Department of
Health (DOH) were observed to be lower compared to the same month in
2012.
Subsidies to GOCCs also fell a few notches in
year-on-year growth from a month ago, mainly due to the
reprogramming of releases for the price stabilization program of the
National Food Authority (NHA). Nevertheless, GOCC subsidy remains to
have the largest percentage growth among all expenditure accounts at
49.2 percent. In particular, critical releases were provided to the
NHA and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) for the
implementation of social protection programs. |
|
|
Off the bus, a conductress finds sure
income in small enterprise |
Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
Yolanda
Manalo has been a bus conductress for more than 20 years. Before she
found her niche in the bus transport industry, she had tried her
luck at being an overseas Filipino worker (she worked as household
domestic helper for two years), but home and family beckoned so she
went back to board a bus again until she met her husband Alex, also
a bus conductor.
Sometime in February 2008, Yolanda met a minor accident when she
fell while helping an elderly woman alight from her bus in an area
in Muñoz, Quezon City. Her bosses at Pascual Liner, Inc., allowed
her to rest for three days. Thereafter, she reported back to work.
She didn't undergo any medical or laboratory examination.
In September 2010, another road incident would define Yolanda's
fate. A car suddenly overtook her bus along the Trinoma area in
Quezon City. A dangerous collision would have happened had the bus
driver not immediately stepped on the brakes.
Due to the bus's abrupt stp, Yolanda strongly hit a metal frame. Her
right hip was torn. If not for that providential pocket rip, she
would have been thrown to the windshield. She felt a searing pain.
She got a three days' off, but went back to work as if nothing
happened.
However, on 28 August 2011, unbearable pain shooting from her lumbar
area sent her to hospital confinement. Her X-ray revealed
spondylosis. She was prescribed a long rest and medication.
Luckily, Pascual Liner, Inc. gave Yolanda three month's rest,
despite prolonged leave from work, in view of her good record,
Further, she was able to claim eight months' sickness benefit from
the Social Security System and an eight months' permanent partial
disability (PPD) employees’ compensation benefit from the Employees'
COmpensation Commission (ECC), an attached agency of the DOLE.
However, she could no longer continue to work as bus conductress due
to the bodily traumas she experienced. She eventually resigned. She
also enrolled under the Employees' Compensation Commission's KaGabay
Program.
The KaGabay Program aims to facilitate the provision of free
physical restoration services, such as physical/occupational therapy
and rehabilitation equipment (prosthesis), as well as of free skills
and entrepreneurial training for persons with work-related
disabilities.
Under the program, Yolanda--who lives with her husband and three
children, aged 24, 14, and 10, in Novaliches, Quezon City--had to
take first 16 physical therapy sessions at the PGH, ECC’s partner
hospital. The therapy session was free.
She subsequently attended a training on meat processing, and
completed the ECC- funded, four-month long training on “How to Start
Your Own Business Enterprise” (SYOBE) conducted by one of ECC”s
partners, the Center for Small Entrepreneurs.
For Yolanda who had no such training because her work limited her to
the confines of the bus, it was an eye opener. She fully appreciated
the SYOBE seminar, particularly in the areas of costing, record
keeping, fiscal management, and discipline.
She was, after all, in her own right an entrepreneur. Off work,
since 1998, she would sell burger, rice, meat viands, and snacks at
the Pascual Liner bus terminal to augment her meager salary. After
she resigned, she also engaged in direct sales, selling shoes,
makeup/cosmetic products, RTWs, and school and company uniforms,
even fresh tilapia.
With no regular job, Yolanda used her training under the program to
continue her enterprise.
Last year, she joined the Occupationally-Disabled Workers'
Cooperative set up by her fellow KaGabay Program beneficiaries with
the assistance of the ECC. She is currently an officer of the
cooperative. Together with other members, she busies herself in
manning a promising siomai stall at the MMDA bus terminal at the
Coastal Mall in Pasay City. The cooperative got the stall upon its
strong representation as a marginalized sector.
"Myself and the other officers of the cooperative promise to make
the venture a successful enterprise," Yolanda vowed, saying the
cooperative has already set its vision of putting up a similar stall
in other areas.
Her self-confidence restored, Yolanda expressed gratitude to the ECC
for its KaGabay Program, saying those with work-connected
disabilities should enrol in the program as a good, measured step
towards improving family incomes. |
|
|
DOLE pushes for breast-feeding stations in more
workplaces |
Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
Millicent
Santos, the company nurse of giant courier company, United Parcel
Service Landside, is agog these days. As one of the tireless
proponents of breast-feeding, Ms. Santos believes the campaign for
the establishment of lactation stations in private sector companies
in the region is gaining more adherents. "More and more women
workers should come out in the open and join our call for the set-up
of breast-feeding stations in their companies. This is not only a
boost to good health of both mother and child, but also a boon to
productivity and safe working condition," Santos said at the recent
Orientation on Workplace Lactation Station organized by the DOLE
Regional Office No. 3 jointly with the Clark Development Corporation
(CDC). The 40 or so representatives--company nurses, health
practitioners, and managers--of some 30 company locators at the
Clark Freeport Zone who attended the orientation couldn't agree
more. Like Ms. Santos, they, too, appreciate and support the efforts
of the DOLE to give more teeth to R.A. 10028, also known as the
"Expanded Breast-Feeding Act of 2009, As Amended", and are
encouraging other companies to set-up lactation stations in their
company premises. Aderans Philippines, Inc., Fontana Leisure Park,
Sutherland Global Services, Texas Instruments Philippines, Inc.,
Clark International Airport Corporation, United Parcel Services,
Landside, and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippine Corporation, were
among those that sent in their representatives to the orientation.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, who has
consistently demonstrated support to the modern Filipino working
woman, has vowed to intensify the DOLE's advocacy campaign for the
set-up of breast-feeding stations in more workplaces in private
sector establishments. "We uphold and we will implement more
seriously R.A. 10028," she said after the DOLE Regional Office No. 3
Director Raymundo Agravante reported on the success of the
orientation. "Breast-feeding is not detrimental to productivity
requirements of working mothers; rather, it is the opposite.
Breast-feeding boosts morale," Baldoz added, citing research that
shows working mothers who have access to lactation facilities tend
to be more productive as they feel less guilty--despite being
working mothers--about their ability to provide one of the essential
needs of their babies. The labor and employment chief also said
breast-fed babies are inclined to be more active and healthy, or
immune from sickness, so much so that mothers can have less worry
and can refrain from absenting themselves from work on account of
their children's sickness. During the orientation, implementers
discussed the salient features of R.A. 10028. "Many of its most
common provisions emphasize the rights of working mothers, such as
access to establishments that provide lactation stations," Director
Agravante stated. A lactation station, the law provides, must have
adequate equipment and facilities, such as a lavatory; refrigeration
or cooling station for storing breast milk; electrical outlets for
breast pump; a table; and comfortable seats. Under the law, nursing
mother-employees shall also be granted break intervals to
breast-feed, in addition to their regular time-off for meals. "These
break intervals, which shall include the time it takes an employee
to get to and from the workplace lactation station, should be
counted as compensable, provided it shall not be less than 40
minutes for every eight-hour working period," said Agravante. Other
important topics related to R.A. 10028 which were discussed at the
orientation were workplace policy on lactation, workplace compliance
with the Milk Code, and access to breast-feeding information. CDC
Health Services chief Dr. Clemencita Dobles demonstrated proper
breast-feeding methods and techniques. The establishment of
workplace lactation stations is one of the dimensions of the DOLE's
Family Welfare Program, the other dimensions being, to wit: (1)
reproductive health/responsible parenthood; (2) education/gender
equality; (3) spirituality and value formation; (4) income
generation; (5) livelihood and cooperative; (6) medical health care;
(7) nutrition; (8) environmental protection; (9) hygiene and
sanitation; (10) sports and leisure; (11) housing; and (12)
transportation. "The adoption by companies of the Family Welfare
Program (FWP) is a viable investment that pays off in terms of
increased productivity, work-life balance, and cordial labor-management
relations," Baldoz explained. “In the present and increasingly
competitive work environment where the boundaries between work and
life are increasingly blurred, companies that embrace FWP as
integral part of their human resource development approach create an
environment conducive to long-term productivity and retention of
their greatest assets--their employees,” she said, finally.
|
|
|
DSWD accepts donation of toys, books for poor
kids |
Source:
http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
|
Less fortunate
kids in Metro Manila and children-victims of Typhoon Yolanda will be
treated with toys and books courtesy of the donation of Jollibee
Food Corporation, Inc. to the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).
DSWD-Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Office (DRROO)
Director Resty Macuto received recently the donation of 10 boxes of
assorted toys and books from Isabel Rondares of Stratworks, Inc.,
Jollibee’s partner-company for the ‘MaAga ang Pasko’ project.
DSWD has been one of the recipients of the Jollibee’s ‘MaAga ang
Pasko’ project, a toy and book collection drive for poor and less
fortunate children |
|
|
DILG allocates P578-M for potable water supply
projects for 2014 |
Source:
http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
|
MANILA,
Philippines The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
has allocated P578 million for various potable water supply projects
under the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig (SalinTubig) program for 2014.
SalinTubig provides potable water to poor communities with no or
limited access to safe, drinking water as part of the government’s
effort to achieve Goal No. 7, specifically Target 7C of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Target 7.C aims to halve by 2015 the proportion of people without
sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said that a total of 54 municipalities have
been identified by the DILG and the National Anti-Poverty Commission
(NAPC) as recipients of SalinTubig for 2014.
The program, he explained, is part of government efforts to save
families and communities from health risks posed by water-borne
diseases.
“Bahagi ito ng programa nating iligtas ang mga pamilya at komunidad
sa panganib na dala ng sakit mula sa maruming tubig,” Roxas said.
According to Roxas, 64% of these municipalities still do not have a
water district and the beneficiaries belong to the poorest of the
poor with no access to potable water and with high incidence of
water borne-diseases.
Through SalinTubig, the DILG chief hopes to provide potable water
supply to more communities in the municipalities identified as
project beneficiaries.
“Sa pagsisimula ng taon, inaasahan na magkakaroon ng pagkukunan ng
sagana at ligtas na tubig ang mas marami nating kababayan sa
malalayong lugar,” Roxas said of the project.
“This also partially fulfills our international commitment to reduce
the number of Filipinos with no access to potable water supply,” he
added.
Last year, under the SalinTubig program, some P659 million were
allocated by the DILG for water projects that benefitted a total of
64 municipalities. For 2012, P770 million were spent for 80
municipalities.
The project beneficiaries were identified based on three criteria
namely.
High poverty incidence per town;
Access to potable water is less than 50 per cent of population;
High incidence of water-borne diseases.
Through SalinTubig, the DILG will grant subsidy to eligible local
government units (LGUs) for the implementation of potable water
projects.
Level 1 and Level 2 projects will be implemented by the LGUs, while
Level 3 potable water projects will be implemented in coordination
with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
Level 1 project refers to “Point Source Supply” such as rain and
river catchment; treatment facility, spring development, shallow
waters as potential source.
Level 2 project, on the other hand, refers to Source Development
such as communal wells, spring boxes, deep(er) wells, and
construction of basic near-source distribution system i.e.
Transmission pipes, communal tap distribution, and for water sourced
from surface (river or spring) or ground (drilled).
Qualified LGUs must first pass a certification from the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and LWUA for aquifer stability
and preservation. |
|
|
DOST execs, workers vow to carry out 8
priorities for 2014-2016 |
Source:
http://www.dost.gov.ph |
|
With sunny
yellow as the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) unifying
color on a mild gray Monday morning, the Department’s workers,
officials and executives pledged their commitment to intensify their
individual and collective efforts to achieve the “8 DOST Outcomes”
on the so-called DOST Commitment Day held yesterday, February 3,
2014 at the DOST Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Said outcomes involve the use of science and technology (S&T)
interventions to enhance eight areas, namely agriculture, MSMEs,
industry, IT-BPM, government service, healthcare, human resources,
and weather and geologic hazards en route to national development
for 2014 and beyond.
Clad in yellow shirts and clutching yellow balloons, officials and
employees of DOST, its various agencies and advisory bodies, as well
as representatives of its regional offices, gathered to pledge their
commitment to the Department’s eight identified outcomes, the first
of this kind of event ever held at the Department.
“As traditional industries are transformed and new industries such
as nanotechnology are created, we need to ensure that our country be
at a position of advantage in the global economy. We have to find
our niches in order to compete effectively in high-value added
sectors mentioned in the eight major outcomes and reap the many
economic benefits this can bring,” said DOST Secretary Mario G.
Montejo in his opening message during the Commitment Day ceremony.
Montejo also reminded everyone to deal more effectively with issues
concerning negative responses to science. “Whether these feelings
stem from false premises – for instance, the environment versus
technological advance, or from a simple misunderstanding of the
impact of scientific advance, we have to do a better job in
reminding the general public about the virtues of science,” he
remarked.
After his speech, DOST directors, employee association presidents,
and Sec. Montejo himself formally signed the Declaration of
Commitment on a larger than life-sized tarpaulin with the title
“Juan Direction: Our commitment to the 8 DOST Outcomes.” Called the
“Wall of Commitment”, this was installed at the DOST Main Office
Quadrangle. All DOST employees and workers are expected to affix
their signatures on the tarpaulin to signify their commitment to
work hand in hand for the realization of said eight major goals.
The commitment signing was followed by the highlight of the ceremony
– the releasing of the yellow balloons on which personal wishes for
the Department, the science community, and the country as a whole,
were written. Sec. Montejo led the balloon release before the
3,000-strong warm bodies, a number significantly greater compared
with ordinary Monday mornings when flag ceremonies are held at the
main office.
Representatives from DOST regional offices as well as agencies
located in Quezon City and Los Baños, Laguna boosted the group’s
number and upped the tempo for collective commitment as symbolized
by affixing their signatures on the so-called “Wall of Commitment”
and releasing balloons with their written wishes.
Titled “Juan Direction,” a phrase coined by the DOST community to
refer to the concept of the Filipinos’ single, harmonized journey to
progress, the DOST Commitment Day coincided with the weekly 8:00 am
flag ceremony for government employees and served as year-starter
for the Department’s activities and projects for 2014.
|
|
|
Philippines participates in
Milan’s International Home Show |
Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
04 February
2014- Three Philippine companies participated in HOMI, the
international home show for buyers at the Fiera Milano which was
held from January 19 to 22. The exhibit welcomed industry players
who care about the forms of beauty, taste and style in personal and
location-based items.
HOMI is the natural evolution of the famous MACEF international home
fair which existed for the past 50 years. The concept of HOMI splits
the house in ten “dimensions” (satellites) which represent the
visions of living: living habits, home wellness, personal care and
fragrances, fashion and jewels, gift and events, garden and outdoor,
kid style, home textiles, hobby and work, concept lab.
Philippine participants were Unijel International Trading Inc., G
Designare and Alpaz Export Corp. Unijel and Alpaz manufacture
fashion accessories and costume jewelries made from local materials
such as shells, wood and natural fibers. G Designare manufactures
bags of organic textiles aside from fashion accessories.
|
|
|
Fuel Wood Project To Be Established In ComVal |
Source:
http://www.dar.gov.ph |
|
The Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the
Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) in Davao, Region 11 recently
entered into a tri-partite agreement to establish a 50-hectare fuel
wood project in Pantukan, Compostela Valley to provide livelihood
opportunities to farmer beneficiaries (FBs) and to address concerns
on wanton cutting of trees for fuel consumption.
The Fuel Wood Production and Livelihood Project in Agrarian Reform
Areas calls for the development of 50 hectares of public lands for
fuel wood purposes and other high value commercial crops within the
agrarian reform community. Target sites for development will be the
stream and river banks and other public lands.
Under the
project, the ARAIBO Agrarian Reform Multi-Purpose Cooperative, will
be responsible for the establishment of a nursery where they will
raise around 83,350 seedlings of various fuel wood tree species.
These will be planted in a 50-hectare area. The cooperative will be
paid P3.60 per seedling or around P300,000. To ensure the trees’
survival, maintenance and protection activities such as weeding,
cultivation and seedling replacement for the first two months shall
be carried out by the members of the cooperative.
As project partner, DENR shall assist the provincial officers of DAR
and DA in the identification of sites, survey and mapping,
establishment of the nursery and in the if necessary, on maintenance
activities. The DA on the other hand will provide additional
seedlings of high-value crops to be given to the ARBs. |
|
|
Phl Ambassador makes Farewell call on
French Prime Minister |
Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
04 February
2014 - Ambassador Cristina G. Ortega ends her tour of duty as
Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France
and Monaco on January 31, 2014.
To cap a highly successful tour of two years and four months in
France, the Ambassador called on French Prime Minister Jean-Marc
Ayrault on January 30 to bid farewell. She was warmly received by
Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of the Prime Minister, at the Hôtel
Matignon, the official residence and offices of the French head of
government.
There was occasion to discuss the many positive developments in
Philippines-France bilateral relations during the cordial and
substantive meeting. The Ambassador recalled the historic visit of
the Prime Minister to the Philippines in October 2012, the first of
its kind since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations
in 1947. She also noted the renewed interest to strengthen economic
exchanges between the two countries as evidenced by the dispatch of
business and investment missions. Ministerial- level visits, such as
those made by Philippine Foreign Affairs, Finance and Trade and
Industry Secretaries, have been undertaken to show that both sides
are ready to take the bilateral engagement further.
On the cultural side, Prime Minister Ayrault also expressed great
interest in the “Philippines: Archipelago of Exchanges” exhibition
held for three months at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris in 2013.
The exhibition, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister himself
and Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, allowed the French and
international public to appreciate Philippine culture and history.
Recalling the devastation caused by natural calamities in the
Philippines late last year, the Prime Minister voiced the French
people’s solidarity with the victims. Ambassador Ortega, in turn,
expressed appreciation for the actions taken by the French
government, companies, non-governmental organizations and
individuals who extended assistance. Madame Brigitte Ayrault, who
also visited the Philippines in 2012 with the Prime Minister, even
spearheaded an initiative that involved the French Red Cross and the
national museums to collect donations for typhoon victims.
The Prime Minister also remarked on the very promising future for
the Philippines, noting that the country still managed to achieve
rapid economic growth despite the calamities.
At the end of the farewell call, Prime Minister Ayrault wished
Ambassador Ortega more success even as she departs from Paris and
retires from the Philippine Foreign Service. |
|
|
SSS opens “Agaton” calamity relief package |
Source:
https://www.sss.gov.ph |
|
The
Social Security System (SSS) has announced a new Calamity Relief
Package that offers preferential terms for salary and house repair
loans and the advance release of three-month pensions for members
and pensioners affected by Tropical Depression “Agaton.”
SSS Vice President May Catherine Ciriaco, Officer-in-Charge of
Lending and Asset Management, said all areas declared by the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
under a state of calamity due to the effects of “Agaton” shall be
covered by the assistance package.
“SSS decided to open the availment of our various programs offering
relief given the considerable damage to lives and property caused by
'Agaton' in southern Philippines,” Ciriaco said. “The SSS relief
package will provide immediate access to funds needed for food,
health care and other necessities, while members with damaged homes
can have them repaired at affordable loan terms.”
Declared calamity areas due to “Agaton” include Lanao del Norte and
Agusan del Norte provinces and Iligan, Butuan, Bislig and Tagum
cities. Municipalities left in a state of calamity were Kapalong,
Carmen, Asuncion and New Corella in Davao del Norte; Tarragona,
Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel and Boston in Davao Oriental; Sta.
Josefa, Sibagat, Bunawan, San Francisco, Esperanza, Veruela, Trento,
Rosario and Loreto in Agusan del Sur; and Lianga, Tago and San
Miguel in Surigao del Sur.
Pensioners residing in declared calamity areas may file their
application for the three-month advance pensions at any SSS branch
on or before April 30, 2014. Partial disability pensioners may apply
for advance pension for the remaining months of their benefit, but
not to exceed the three-month period.
Ciriaco said pensioners shall submit an accomplished application
form duly certified by the Barangay Chairman, or attach to the form
a certification of their residence in a declared calamity area from
the Barangay Chairman, Department of Social Welfare and Development
or NDRRMC.
“If the pensioner's given address, which should be within an area
declared in a state of calamity by NDRRMC, is the same as that in
our database, the application for advance pension shall be accepted
even without any of the required certification,” she explained.
Existing borrowers in the declared calamity areas will benefit from
the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), which enables them to
renew their salary loans ahead of the allowed schedule under the
regular loan guidelines. The SSS will also waive the one-percent
service fee charged on salary loan applications, both for new and
renewed loans, to further help the affected members.
Ciriaco added that affected members can also avail themselves of the
waived processing fee and reduced six percent annual interest rate
of the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loans of up to P1
million. In its Situation Report dated January 28, the NDRMMC noted
that nearly 2,900 houses were either partially or totally damaged by
“Agaton.”
“The deadline of salary loan and SLERP availments under the relief
package for 'Agaton' is on April 30, 2014. Eligible borrowers for
our special house repair loans have one year from issuance of the
corresponding SSS Circular to prepare the requirements and file
their applications,” she said.x
Application forms are available at SSS branches or may be downloaded
from the SSS Website. For queries, members and pensioners can
contact the SSS Call Center at 920-6446 to 55, or send an email to
member_relations@sss.gov.ph. |
|
|
Alcala urge farmers to produce other coco
products |
Source:
http://www.da.gov.ph |
|
The Department
of Agriculture, through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA),
urged Filipino coconut farmers to join the government in resolving
and recommending steps for the utilization of the coconut levy fund,
during the 2nd National Coconut Farmers’ Conference held in Quezon
City on January 29, 2014.
In his welcome address Secretary Proceso J. Alcala reiterated the
agreement made during the 2012 conference and stressed that the coco
farmers, then, agreed to maintain the coconut levy as a trust fund
and spend only the fund’s interest earnings.
To effectively use the earnings, Alcala challenged the coco growers
to appropriate the fund for projects aimed at developing the coconut
industry and raise the income of the small coconut farmers Alcala
also encouraged the coco farmers to try non-conventional livelihood.
“Aside from copra and crude coconut oil processing, you may want to
try other value-adding processes under the Bukod-Kopra and FRESCO
programs which produce virgin coconut oil and coconut skimmed milk,”
the Agri Chief announced.
Bukod-Kopra is a strategy that uses other resources in the coconut
farms while FRESCO is a non-copra industry which uses fresh mature
coconut as raw material for interlinked processes that produce a
variety of by-products.
The Secretary challenged the coco farmers to create programs and
form groups that will oversee the establishment of village level
coconut processing plants as part of the planned agro-industrial
hubs.
He also asked them to help identify strategic areas where farmers’
associations can partner with local government units and
non-government organizations in the construction and operation of
processing plants as well as marketing of coco products.
“Even as coconut oil remains to be one of the country’s major export
commodities we need to deviate from it and produce high value
products. This is the change that our hubs want to initiate,” Alcala
said.
The 2nd National Coconut Farmers’ Conference was organized by the
Coconut Industry Reform COIR Movement led by Ka Oscar Santos, in
collaboration with the PCA and the Project Management Office for the
Coconut Integrated Development Roadmap led by Ed dela Torre.
The coco farmers’ conference served as a venue for consultations on
the collaboration between coconut farmer groups from thirty three
provinces all over the country, the DA-PCA and the Project
Management Office in crafting measures to uplift the livelihood of
coconut farmers and promote the local coconut industry.
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New Chairman for Board of Optometry
formally assumes post |
Source:
http://www.prc.gov.ph |
|
Manila,
February 4, 2014 – Dr. Maria Elizabeth B. Valconcha, who was
recently appointed as member of the Board of Optometry, formally
took her oath as Chairman of the Board of Optometry before the
Professional Regulation Commission on February 3 at the PRC
Conference Room in Manila.
The oath of the new Chairman of the Board of Optometry was
administered by PRC Commissioner Jennifer Jardin-Manalili and
witnessed by members of the Board of Optometry.
Dr. Elizabeth Valconcha, earned her degree in Doctor of Optometry at
the Centro Escolar University and ranked sixth place in the
Optometrist Licensure Exam on March 1980. Dr. Valconcha served as
National President of the Integrated Philippine Association of
Optometrists (IPAO) from 2009-2011.
The Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry is composed of Dr.
Valconcha as chairman and members Dr. Teresita R. Yambot, Dr. Mary
Rose S. Paredes, and Dr. Vivian S. Sarabia. |
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Honest porter gets scholarship from TESDA |
Source:
http://www.tesda.gov.ph |
|
His good deed
has made him reap accolades and rewards, the latest of which were
scholarships for technical-vocational training.
On February 4, Jony Villon received scholarship vouchers from the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in a
special ceremony that feted him for returning $4,800 (around
P218,000) to its rightful owner.
The 41-year-old Villon, a porter working at the Terminal 1 of the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), found the money left on a
baggage pushcart last week, and immediately returned it to the
owner.
"The money could have brought him material things, but not peace of
mind," said Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general.
"Jony Villon showed us that no matter what problems we face in life,
we should not resort to dishonesty. He should inspire all of us," he
said.
With the scholarship vouchers, Villanueva said that Villion and
several members of his family could avail of TESDA's free training
in any program of their choice under the agency’s Training for Work
Scholarship Program (TWSP).
TESDA and its network of public and private institutions offer
various courses that Villon could enrol in to learn new skills that
would provide him other opportunities to earn additional income,
Villanueva added.
"The rewards of quality education are life changing. It could unlock
fresh opportunities for employment that could help improve lives of
families," he said.
Villon's good deed also helped paint a positive image of porters and
pushcart retrievers, Villanueva said.
"We often see them as people in the airports hounding passengers for
tips. Jony Villon proved that they are a lot better than that," he
said.
According to reports, Villon found the money in an envelope left by
Jovy Escarpio in a baggage pushcart. Escarpio, who came home from
Europe, was asked by a fellow worker to hand the money to his wife,
Cristina Alcaraz.
Escarpio was quoted as saying that he took out the envelope from his
bag and placed it in the pushcart, and forgot about it.
Villon has received financial help from people who were touched by
his honesty. |
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VP Binay hopes revocation of VISa-free access
not extended to OFWs |
Source:
http://ovp.gov.ph |
|
Vice President
Jejomar C. Binay on Sunday expressed hope that Hong Kong’s
declaration that it will remove visa-free access for dignitaries and
government officials from the Philippines will not eventually extend
to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
"I hope not. That would be saddening, I tell you," Binay told
reporters in Dipolog City.
The Vice President also said that he will reiterate his appeal to
the Hong Kong government to reconsider their decision.
He added, however, that he lamented the fact that the decision was
made in light of the Philippine government’s refusal to apologize
for the Manila hostage crisis which killed eight Hong Kong tourists
in 2010. Seven others were wounded.
Binay made his first appeal to Hong Kong authorities a week ago upon
receiving news of the declaration that starting February 5, Filipino
officials and diplomats will no longer be able to enter Hongkong
without visa.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying had announced the "first
phase of sanctions" against the Philippines, saying that the
government would consider more in efforts to secure an apology from
the Philippine government.
“It will definitely hurt our OFWs financially because they will need
to pay for the visa. The payment will be deducted from the money
they should be sending their families,” Binay said then.
The Vice President also hoped for an amicable settlement of the
ongoing dispute. |
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