Sunday, August 31, 2014

Dispatch for September 1 , 2014 (Monday ) , PIA Calabarzon PRs , 2 Weather Watch , 2 Reg’l. Watch , 4 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , INTERVIEW OF SEC. COLOMA, 15 Online News , 34 Photonews ( Aug 29 )













24-Hour Public Weather Forecast

Issued at 5:00 a.m.,01 September 2014
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow





24-hr Mean Sea Level Pressure
Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 01 September 2014
24-hr Mean Sea Level StreamliSEs
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind 
Analysis for 8 a.m., 01 September 2014

Satellite Image

Satellite Image 

 



Synopsis:

At 4:00 AM today, the Low Pressure Area
(LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 770 km East of
Borongan, Eastern Samar (11.5ºN, 133.4ºE).




Forecast:  

Visayas and the regions of CARAGA,
Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies
with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and
the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated
rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the northeast to southeast will
prevail over Luzon and from the southwest to west over Visayas and
Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight
to moderate.







DZBB:
Magnitude 5.2 na lindol, tumama sa Calayan, Cagayan kaninang 10:49AM.
Intensity III naramdaman sa Sta. Ana, Cagayan; aftershocks asahan ayon
sa Phivolcs.






September 1, 2014 (Monday) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE        :  Partly Cloudy
LAGUNA      :  Cloudy 
BATANGAS  :   Fair 
RIZAL           :  Partly Cloudy 
QUEZON       :  Sunny 











PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Isinusulong sa bayan ng Padre Garcia ang “Bulyo ni Jojo,” isang
paghahanda sa anumang kalamidad na maaaring dumating sa lugar. Ang
bulyo ay paghahanda ng isang balde na may lamang bigas, tubig, de-lata,
noodles at gamot sa bawat bahay upang matiyak ang pangunahing
pangangailangan sa panahon ng kalamidad sakaling walang agarang
makararating na tulong.

PIA-4A/CAVITE:
The National Competitive Council of the Philippines (NCCP) recently
awarded the municipality of Gen. Trias a plaque of recognition for
placing second in the overall most competitive municipality in the areas
of economic, dynamism, governance efficiency and quality infrastructure
for this year. The recognition is a result of a nationwide survey
conducted by the council in partnership with DTI and USAID.












1. PIA OFW
Watch
 4 hours
ago
ABS-CBN: Nagbabala ang POEA
kaugnay ng mga pekeng job offer sa Portugal na kumakalat sa e-mail. Ayon sa
POEA, huwag magpaniwala sa mga job offer sa e-mail dahil scam ito.
2. PIA OFW
Watch
GMA: Tutulong na si VP Binay sa
dalawang Pinoy na nasa death row sa Vietnam dahil sa ilegal na droga.
Nanawagan si Binay sa DFA na bigyan ng legal na tulong ang dalawa para
maapela ang kanilang sintensya.
3. PIA OFW
Watch
DZBB: Tatapusin na lamang ng AFP
ang misyon ng mga Filipino peacekeepers sa Golan Heights hanggang buwan ng
Oktubre. Ayon kay AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, may commitment pang
dapat tapusin ang Pilipinas sa UN pagkatapos nito ay ibabalik na sa bansa ang
mga miyembro ng peacekeeping force.
4. PIA OFW
Watch
INTERAKSYON: The Aquino
administration said the Philippines will not turn its back on its
international commitment to secure peace in Golan Heights and other parts of
the Middle East. PCOO Sec. Coloma said the actions taken by the 75 Filipino
peacekeepers involved in the standoff over the weekend showed the
determination of the Philippine contingent to perform their duties. He added
AFP is now contacting the family members of the peacekeepers to give them
updates on their loved ones.
 


















 






31 AUGUST 2014.

Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights now ‘reposition’ in safe camp


After almost a two-day standoff with Al-Qaeda-linked Syrian rebels, the Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights
are now safe and repositioned in Camp Ziuoani, a Palace official said on
Sunday.



“As of 7:00 a.m. today, lahat po ng mga Filipino peacekeepers mula sa
Position 68 at Position 69 ay naka-reposition na sa Camp Ziuoani,” said
Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.,
in a press briefing over radio station dzRBRadyo ng Bayan.



On August 29, Syrian rebels overran the position of Fijian United Nations
Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), taking their firearms and holding the
44 Fijian peacekeepers hostage.



Since then, the rebels advanced and surrounded the positions held by Filipino
peacekeepers, until they attacked on Saturday (August 30) morning.



The Filipino peacekeepers on early Sunday morning were able to escape and
reposition themselves in Camp Ziuoani.



Coloma said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the
Philippines Chief of Staff General Pio Catapang lauded the Filipino
peacekeepers for their gallant effort in defending their positions.



“Pinapurihan nina Secretary Gazmin at General Catapan ang ating mga
magigiting na kawal sa kanilang matatag at ‘di matinag na determinasyong
ipagtanggol ang lugar sa Golan Heights na sakop ng kanilang responsibilidad.
Patunay ito sa determinasyon ng Pilipinas na gampanan ang commitment nito sa
United Nations,” said Coloma.



The Communication Secretary also thanked the nation-members of UNDOF together
with the government of Syria, Israel, Qatar and the United States for their
support to defuse the tension in Golan Heights.



The UNDOF is composed of 1,223 troops from six countries: Fiji, India, Nepal,
Netherlands and the Philippines. PND (ag)






Malacañang
welcomes World Bank’s new financial package



Malacanang welcomed on
Sunday the World Bank’s announcement that they will extend a 22.4 billion
pesos financial package intended for rural infrastructure development and
assistance for Filipino fishermen and farmers.



“Ikinagagalak natin ang pagpapahayag ng World Bank hinggil sa US 508-million
dollars o 22.4 bilyong pisong loan at financial package para sa Pilipinas,”
Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.,
in a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.



This financial package called the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)
to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture will benefit more or less
2 million farmers and fishermen.



Under the PRDP, more than 70 percent of the fund will go to infrastructure
projects that include: farm-to-market roads, bridges, tire trucks, communal
irrigation, potable water systems, post-harvest facilities, production
facilities, fish landings, fish sanctuaries, storage facilities, trading
posts, greenhouses, solar driers, and slope stabilization works.



Among the benefits of the financial grant is increasing the level of the
annual household incomes (real household income) of farmers and fishermen by
no less than five percent.



Also included in the financial package is a 7 million pesos grant aimed in at
strengthening the conservation efforts of marine-protected areas of Tayabas,
Quezon; Green Island in Palawan; Ticao Pass between Sorsogon and Masbate;
Guimaras; Danajon Bank in Bohol; and, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. PND (ag)






Palace hails Gilas Pilipinas’ gallant effort against Croatia team



Malacañang hailed on
Sunday the impressive performance shown by the Philippine men’s national
basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, despite an 81-78 overtime loss against
Croatia to open its FIBA World Cup bid last Saturday evening (Manila time) in
Seville, Spain.



Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio
Coloma, Jr. said the entire Filipino nation is behind Gilas Pilipinas,
cheering and supporting all the way, as they compete against the world’s best
basketball teams.



“Nakikiisa ang Pangulo sa buong sambayanan sa paghahatid ng pagbati sa
ipinakitang galing at determinasyon ng ating mga manlalaro ng Gilas Pilipinas
sa kanilang laban kontra Croatia. Sa kabila ng matinding pagsubok at hamon,
nagawa ng Pilipinas na lumaban hanggang huli at umani sila ng paghanga sa
mundo ng basketball,” Coloma said over Radyo ng Bayan.



President Benigno S. Aquino III himself, in his interview with Bombo Radyo
Philippines last Wednesday, said the Philippines' return in the world
basketball stage after a 36-year absence is a “great opportunity for us to
show our talents and our collective attitude as a nation—that we don’t give
up easily.”



Those words rang true in Saturday’s game as Gilas Pilipinas (ranked 34th by
FIBA) nearly caused an upset against a much-favored Croatian team (ranked
16th by FIBA) in their first game of the elimination round in Group B.



Croatia started the game strong, capitalizing on its height advantage, and
established a 15-point lead. It took a while for the Filipinos to respond
until they made a run towards the end of the first half, knocking down
three-point shots, with team captain Jimmy Alapag even completing a rare
four-point play opportunity.



Gilas Pilipinas relied on the shooting prowess of guard Jeff Chan and
naturalized center Andray Blatche during most of the second half to keep the
game close, even taking a three-point lead towards the end of regulation, but
it was Croatia that came on top in overtime.



Notwithstanding the loss, Malacañang remains positive and urged the entire
Filipino nation to continue cheering for Gilas Pilipinas regardless of the
results of their remaining games ahead. The Philippines is scheduled to play
against Greece next, followed by Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Senegal
respectively.



“Sa mga manlalaro ng Gilas Pilipinas, kabilang na ang coaching staff, nasa
likod ninyo ang buong sambayanang Pilipino at sama-sama ang ating panalangin
sa inyong pakikiharap sa mga pinakamahuhusay na basketbolista sa buong mundo.
Isigaw natin ang battlecry: “Laban Pilipinas! Puso!” Coloma said. PND (hdc)





 





30 AUGUST 2014.

President Aquino closely watching Golan Heights standoff



President Benigno S. Aquino III is
closely watching the situation in the Golan Heights where Filipino
peacekeepers are currently in a stand off with Syrian rebels, a Palace
official said.



"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is in direct communication
with the peacekeepers and with the UN (United Nations) Force Headquarters in Golan
Heights, and are trying to resolve the situation peacefully," Deputy
presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement over dzRB Radyo
Ng Bayan on Saturday.



The AFP has already assured the families of the Filipino peacekeepers that
the soldiers are being taken care of despite the ongoing standoff.



The President also worries about the safety of the peacekeepers, according to
Valte.



"Tingin ko kung tayo nag-aalala, kung ang Pangulo nag-alala sa sitwasyon
nila, we can only imagine what the families are feeling," she said
during the radio interview.



"Mahirap pong maging pamilya ng isang sundalo, at siguro po, damayan po
natin sila sa kanilang pagdarasal, at doon sa pag-asa na talagang ma-defuse
po ang sitwasyon diyan sa Golan Heights, at maka-uwi nang matiwasay ang ating
mga sundalo," she added.



Asked if the government has contingency plans in case the situation in the
Golan Heights worsens, Valte said the government has such measures but they
will leave it to the AFP to make a public announcement.



In the meantime, however, the government is closely monitoring and working
for the safe release of the peacekeepers for them to come home safe and well,
Valte added.



The AFP said in a bulletin issued on Friday that Syrian rebels surrounded the
camp of Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights on Thursday (August 28),
demanding for the troops to surrender their weapons.



The Filipino peacekeepers however refused, resulting in a stand-off with the
rebels.



Earlier, the rebels occupied the camp of 43 Fiji peacekeepers, and demanded
that they surrender their firearms, and took them as hostages.



President Aquino, who was in Oriental Mindoro Friday to inspect
infrastructure projects, said he was asked to return to Manila immediately
after the event to deal with the standoff. PND (as)






Filipino workers can compete with its Asian neighbors, says Palace



The Palace made an
assurance that Filipino workers can compete in Asia in terms of skills and
talents in the regional market as more and more manufacturing companies opt
to relocate to Southeast Asia.



The good thing about the Philippines is that it is entering a so-called
"demographic sweet spot," a period when the country will have a
large pool of young workers, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in an interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday.



"That’s why we want to make sure, as the President says, that we keep
investing in human capital kasi ‘yun ang importante. While the investments in
manufacturing come, we want to make sure that our labor force is prepared to
meet the challenge," she said.



Part of this initiative is forging close coordination between the Department
of Labor and Employment, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority
and the Commission on Higher Education.



These agencies will advise students entering college what courses to enroll
for them to land a job by the time they graduate, she said.



The important thing in the regional competition is that Filipino laborers and
professionals have the skills that would be needed when the manufacturing
firms come to the Philippines, the Palace official added.



There is also a good perception overseas about the country for being a
manufacturing haven given its English speaking and talented workforce.



Valte said that every time that the President goes out of the country he
meets businessmen professing interest in investing in the Philippines.



While there are those expressing their interest, companies that are already
operating in the country continue to expand their operations, she added.



"In the end, government has to make sure that the labor force and the
professionals are more than equipped to handle the challenges, to allow the
manufacturing sector to grow," Valte said.



"And I think makikita rin diyan, in the recent report— sa GDP report
natin — makikita naman na lumalaki talaga ang pie ng manufacturing or its
contribution to our GDP," she added.



According to the report of global workforce solutions provider ManpowerGroup,
while major companies want to relocate to Southeast Asia, there is skepticsm
over the region's capability to match China's credentials. PND (as)






Palace says Supreme Court did not ask funding for e-courts in
2014, 2015



Malacanang clarified on Saturday that the Supreme Court did not make requests to fund its e-courts
in 2014 and 2015 so the budget department wasn't able allocate money for the
project.



Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said this week that the
executive department did not give Supreme Court the budget for e-courts. She
also raised the issue on the smaller allocation for the SC.



But in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said the SC did not submit funding request for the
e-courts for 2014 and 2015.



"Ang meron po tayong datos ay ‘yung sinuportahan po natin ang Supreme
Court doon sa kanilang naging hiling na pag-implement ng information
technology project nila o ‘yung EISP (Enterprise Information Systems
Plan)," she said.



The EISP aims to digitize Supreme Court processes to speed up litigation of
cases, according to Valte.



A five-year program, the EISP is to be implemented from 2010 to 2015 with a
total project cost of P774.6 million, she said.



"'Ito ang sinuportahan ng administrasyon, at kung ano ang ni-request
nilang funding for that, naibigay naman po," she said.



Chief Justice Sereno met with members of media on Thursday to discuss several
issues such the Disbursement Acceleration Program, the Judiciary Development
Fund, her relation to President Aquino and many other issues. PND (as)





 

  

29 AUGUST 2014.

President Aquino says Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan
Heights remain safe

(PUERTO GALERA, ORIENTAL MINDORO) President Benigno S. Aquino III said here Friday that Filipino soldiers
serving as United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the Golan Heights remain safe
despite a stand-off with Syrian rebels.



"Sa ngayon, bagama’t tense ang sitwasyon ay tila wala naman ho talagang
masasabi nating panganib na inuulat sa ating Kagawaran ng Tanggulan,"
said President Aquino.



The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a bulletin issued on Friday
that Syrian rebels surrounded the camp of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan
Heights on Thursday (August 28), demanding the troops surrender their
weapons.



The Filipino peacekeepers however refused, resulting in a stand-off with the
rebels.



Earlier, the rebels occupied the camp of 43 Fiji peacekeepers, demanded they
surrender their firearms, and took them as hostages.



President Aquino, who was in Oriental Mindoro to inspect infrastructure
projects, said he was asked to return to Manila immediately after the event.



“Ang plano ho kasi masubukan kong maging turista ngayong gabi dito sa Mindoro
Oriental. ‘Yon ho ‘yung plano. ‘Yung katotohanan ho pinababalik na ako sa
Maynila pagkatapos nito dahil meron tayong konting problema sa Golan Heights,
doon sa ating mga peacekeepers na nadamay ‘dun sa civil war na nangyayari po
sa Syria,” he said in his speech.



“Pero, so far e mukhang--huwag ho tayong kabahan. Ang balita e mukhang stable
ang sitwasyon,” he added.



Expressing concern over the safety of the Filipino soldiers, the AFP said the
government and UN officials are already trying to peacefully resolve the
situation.



“We are in direct communication with our peacekeepers and with the UN Force
Headquarters in the Golan Heights, as options and contingency plans are being
drawn and considered,” it said in the bulletin.



“We will exert all efforts to ensure the safety and security of our
peacekeepers,” the AFP said. PND (ag)






President Aquino inspects proposed road project in Mindoro


(PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday inspected the P1.93-billion
proposed road project that will connect the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and
Occidental Mindoro.



During a program held at Sitio Talipanan, Barangay Aninuan, Puerto Galera,
where the paved road ended in Oriental Mindoro, Public Works and Highways
Secretary Rogelio Singson briefed the President and guests on the major
infrastructure projects in Mindoro.



Singson described the project to link Abra de Ilog town in Occidental Mindoro
to Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro as "environmentally
sensitive", as the road will either go through a rainforest or along a
shoreline with existing beach resorts.



President Aquino however underscored the importance of bridging the two
provinces of Mindoro to bring growth to the island, particularly in terms of
tourism and agriculture.



“Siyempre, pag kumpleto na ‘yung kalsada, makakatulong nang malaki sa turismo
na isang malaking industriya po ng Mindoro, hindi ho ba. At sa kabuhayan ng
maraming mga Mindoreño,” he said in his speech.



Once constructed, the 20.33-kilometer Abra de Ilog--Puerto Galera Road will
complete the Mindoro Island Circumferential Road.



"So, pagtulungan natin ito, minimize natin ‘yung impact on the environment.
Pero ‘yung kailangang imprastruktura ng tao, sana po matuloy na, para mayroon
tayong kalsadang buo, at hindi parang horseshoe, na may kabilaang dulo pero
hindi nagkokonekta," the President said, describing the incomplete
circumferential road.



Present during the program were Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, Oriental
Mindoro Governor Alfonso “Boy” Umali, Occidental Mindoro Governor Gene
Mendiola, Oriental Mindoro Representative Doy Leachon, Occidental Mindoro
Representative Josie Sato, Bishop Warlito Cajandig, and other local
government officials. PND (ag)






President Aquino vows to continue developing Mindoro Island's infrastructure



(PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro) President Benigno S. Aquino III said here Friday the government has so far
spent P10.71 billion to develop major infrastructure in Mindoro Island.



The President visited Mindoro to inspect major infrastructure projects in the
island, aimed at boosting its tourism and trade sectors.



Based on the assessment of the Budget Department, the government has poured
in P6.1 billion from 2011 to 2014 for Oriental Mindoro alone.



The amount was spent for the construction of roads, bridges, flood control
facilities, airports and seaports, as well as irrigation systems, the
President said in his message.



The construction of the island's farm-to-market roads is either completed or
ongoing, he added.



The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has spent P6.1 billion for
Oriental Mindoro and P4.6 billion for Occidental Mindoro, the President
reported.



Among the DPWH's projects are the ongoing construction of the Mindoro East
and West Coast Roads and the Abaton-Maidlang Bridge II.



"Ang maganda po rito, marami pang nakapilang proyekto na tiyak
maghahatid ng de-kalidad na serbisyo sa atin pong mga mamamayan," he
said.



"Pinag-aaralan na rin po ng DPWH ang minumungkahing Abra de Ilog-Puerto
Galera section ng Mindoro Island Circumferential Road na magkokonekta sa
hilagang bahagi ng Occidental at Oriental Mindoro," he added.



Once Mindoro's major roads are constructed, travel time will be faster,
resulting in the speedy delivery of goods to major markets that will
eventually boost the island's businesses, he said.



These improvements will also enhance tourism, as more tourists will be
encouraged to visit Mindoro Island, he said.



"Sa maayos na kalsada, ang mga taga-Maynila o taga-Tarlac na gaya ko,
lalong mawiwiling bumisita sa magagandang beach ninyo tulad dito sa Puerto
Galera o dumayo sa iba pang magagandang destinasyon gaya ng Apo Reef diyan po
sa Occidental Mindoro," the President said.



A vibrant commerce and tourism will open up more opportunities to the people
of Mindoro, he said.



He further said that as the government develops Mindoro's roads and bridges,
it is also rehabilitating airports and seaports in the island, particularly
the airports in Pinamalayan, San Jose, Lubang, and Calapan.



"Ongoing na rin po ang pagpapalawak ng bagong San Jose port, ang
pagpapaunlad ng Calapan at Bulalacao port, habang tapos na ang pagpapaunlad
ng mga daungan sa Roxas, Bansud, at Abra de Ilog," he said.



The government has also completed flood control facilities in Pinamalayan,
Bongabong, and Calapan City that would ease flooding in Mindoro's
communities, the President noted.



Despite these successes, the President said his job is not yet finished and
he has to continue focusing on improving the country's infrastructure to
ensure a sustainable economic growth.



In the proposed 2015 National Budget, he said his administration allotted
P562.3 billion, or 21 percent of the total budget, for infrastructure
development for the entire country.



Under the watch of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, the
department does not tolerate corruption, bribery and payments of kickbacks,
the President said.



"Dahil nga po sa mga repormang isina-kongkreto ni Secretary Babes
Singson sa DPWH, mahigit P27 billion na ang natipid ng ahensya sa kanilang
mga proyekto mula Hulyo 2010 hanggang Mayo 2014," he added. PND (as)






President Aquino spells out major agricultural projects in Mindoro

(PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro) President Benigno S. Aquino III said Friday his
administration is striving to enhance Mindoro Island’s agricultural sector,
as well as its people's welfare.



The President, here to inspect major infrastructure projects, said in his
speech that several projects for the agricultural sector have been completed.



He reported that in Oriental Mindoro, 152 farm-to-market roads have been
built, benefitting 31,300 farmers, while 63 irrigation projects have been
completed and five more are ongoing, benefitting more than 4,700 farmers.



The government has also funded the construction of post-harvest facilities,
such as hand tractors and flatbed dryers for the benefit of 133 farmers'
associations in the province.



"Malinaw ang hangad natin: mapalago ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka,
mapabilis ang biyahe ng mga produkto mula sakahan hanggang pamilihan, at sa
huli, madagdagan ang kita ng ating mga kababayan," he said.



As for the government's social protection program, President Aquino said a
total of 62,095 households have received state support under the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Oriental Mindoro.



They form part of more than four million beneficiaries across the country who
have received assistance under the program.



He also noted that the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) has 128 subprojects being carried
out in the municipalities of Bulalacao, Mansalay, Bongabong, Gloria, Roxas,
and Bansud.



Under the KALAHI-CIDSS, the government funded the construction of classrooms,
health stations, day-care centers, and other infrastructure in 128 barangays.



The President also reported that from January 2011 to July 2014, more than
11,200 families had received assistance through the Sustainable Livelihood
Program.



The government has also provided training and capital so that families could
start their own small businesses, he added.



"Anuman pong tayog ng nararating natin ngayon ay bunga ng pag-aambagan
ng mga Pilipino. Patuloy ang paglaban natin sa katiwalian at paglikha ng
pagkakataon sa ating mga kababayan," the President said.



President Aquino called on the people of Mindoro, as well as all Filipinos,
to guard the gains of the government against those trying to sow negativism.
PND (as)

















29  AGOSTO 2014


Ligtas naman ang mga ‘peacekeepers’ sa Golan Heights—Pangulong Aquino

(PUERTO GALERA,
Oriental Mindoro) Nananatiling ligtas ang mga kawal-Pilipino na bahagi ng
United Nations (UN) peacekeepers sa Golan Heights sa kabila ng paglusob sa
kanila ng mga rebeldeng Syrian sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III dito
Biyernes,



“Sa ngayon, bagama’t maligalig ang sitwasyon ay tila wala naman ho talagang
masasabi nating panganib na iniulat sa ating Kagawaran ng Tanggulan,” sabi ng
Pangulong Aquino.



Sinabi ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa inilabas na bulletin Biyernes na
pinaligiran ng mga rebeldeng Syrian ang mga peacekeepers na Pilipino sa Golan
Heights Huwebes (Agosto 28) at inaatasang sumuko ang mga ito at isaling ang
mga sandata nila.



Tumanggi ang mga peacekeepers na Pilipino sa utos ng mga rebeldeng Syrian.



Una rito, sinakop ng mga rebelde ang kampo ng 43 Fiji peacekeepers at
pinasuko ang mga sandata ng mga ito saka binihag ang mga Fiji peacekeepers.



Nasa Oriental Mindoro ang Pangulong Aquino para ispeksiyunin ang mga
proyektong imprastraktura rito. Sinabi ng Pangulo na babalik siya agad sa
Maynila pagkatapos ng ispeksiyon.



“Ang plano ho kasi, subukin kung maging turista ngayong gabi dito sa Oriental
Mindoro. Iyon ho ang plano. Ang katotohanan ho, pinababalik na ako sa Maynila
pagkatapos nito dahil mayroon tayong kaunting problema sa Golan Heights doon
sa ating mga peacekeepers na nadamay doon sa giyera sibil na nangyayari sa
Syria,” paliwanag pa ng Pangulong Aquino.



“Pero, mukha namang hindi tayo dapat kabahan. Ang balita, mukhang stable
naman ang sitwasyon ,” sabi pa ng Pangulo.



Ayon naman sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, ang pamahalaan at ang mga
pinuno ng UN ay nagsisikap na mapayapang malutas ang mga pangyayaring
kasangkot ang mga kawal Pilipino.



“Tuwiran nating kaugnay ang ating mga peacekeepers at dahil nasa Golan
Heights ang UN Force Headquarters, binabalangkas na ang mga dapat gawin sa
gitna ng pangyayaring nagaganap doon,” sabi sa bulletin ng AFP.



“Gagawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan at
seguridad ng ating mga peacekeepers,” si ng AFP. PND











 






President Beningo S. Aquino III's Speech at the briefing on major infrastructure projects
in Mindoro Island 
 Brgy. Talipanan, Puerto Galera,
Oriental Mindoro 
27 Aug 2014

Secretary Babes Singsong; Secretary
Mar Roxas; siyempre ‘yung pinakasikat po, si Governor Alfonso “Boy” Umali, also
known as “Pa,” [tawanan] at saka ang butihing may bahay ho, si Mareng Susan, na
talagang ‘pag nakikita natin ay talagang lalong gumaganda ang araw, kay Boy ho
kasi kapag oras ng kainan, kuwentuhan lang ho iyon eh; ang butihing Governor
Gene Mendiola ng Occidental Mindoro; ating butihing kasamahang Congressman Doy
Leachon; at si Kuya Rey Umali; binibiro ho namin si Tita Josie Sato ng
Occidental Mindoro; at si Egay Erice ho na malapit nang lumipat sa Mindoro
[tawanan] pero ngayon po ay nasa Caloocan; Mayor Hubbert Dolor; Mayor Eric
Constantino; Mayor Sandy Javier; Bishop Warlito Cajandig; other local
government officials present; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga
minamahal ko pong kababayan:

Muli, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. [Pagbati ng mga tao]

Inimbita ho tayo ni Boy ngayon para sa briefing ng circumferential roads
amongst other infrastructure projects. Tapos, ‘yung pinaglandingan [landing] po
nung helicopter, mga nakatatlong resort po yata ‘yung dinaanan eh. Ang plano ho
kasi, masubukan kong maging turista ngayong gabi dito sa Mindoro Oriental. [Palakpakan]
‘Yun ho ‘yung plano. ‘Yung katotohanan ho, pinababalik na ako sa Maynila tapos
nito dahil, alam naman ho ninyo, meron tayong konting problema sa Golan Heights
doon sa ating mga peacekeepers. ‘Yung nadadamay doon sa civil war na nangyayari
po sa Syria. Pero so far eh huwag po tayong kabahan. Ang balita eh medyo stable
ang sitwasyon pero, iyon na ho, may mga rebelde at tila may insidenteng
involved ‘yung Fiji[ans] na miyembro ng UNDOF, o ‘yung UN forces, ‘yung
peacekeeping forces diyan po sa Golan Heights. Pagkatapos doon sa Fiji, ‘yung
ating mga sundalo naman po ang pinunterya ng mga rebelde. Sa ngayon, bagama’t
tensed ang sitwasyon ay tila wala naman ho talagang masasabi nating panganib na
inuulat sa ating Kagawaran ng Tanggulan. Siguro magandang umpisahan ho natin
doon sa binabanggit nga ni Boy. Alam niyo si Boy mahaba na ang pinagdaanan
natin nito. ‘Di ko naman ho masasabing pareho pa kaming long hair nung
nagkakilala kami. [Tawanan] Medyo manipis na ho kami pareho noong nagkakilala
kami, pero talagang subok na subok. At talagang kasama natin sa hirap at sa
ginhawa; kadalasan lang nga ho sa hirap. So, tama po ‘yung sinabi niya, noong
nagpunta kaming Cagayan, dahil siya nga po ang hepe ng ULAP, ‘no. Nagpunta kami
doon, binibiro niya ako kada may mabanggit na bawat probinsya ay ito na ang
nagawa sa inyo at ginagawa. Sabi niya, “Dapat yata magpalit na ako apelyido
baka mapansin na rin ako.” At noong nadala-dala namin ang listahan ng panauhin,
daang milyon pala ang napupunta sa Mindoro Oriental, eh bilyon na po ‘yung
pinag-uusapan sa Cagayan at Apayao. ‘Yung kalsada ho kasi doon [na]
magkokonekta ng Cagayan at saka Apayao, eh kamakailan lang naman ho pinlano
‘yan, 1968. [Tawanan] So, pinlano nila, nangako sila, kami ho ang magtatapos.
Para ho ‘yung Metro Manila Expressway, ‘yun po ‘yung South Luzon at saka North
Luzon na connectors. Pinangako ho sa atin ‘yun 1976. Ako po grade school, ewan
ko ho si Boy, college na yata noong panahon na iyon. [Tawanan] Tatapusin rin ho
natin iyan.

Anyway ho, dito muna tayo sa Mindoro Oriental. So kaninang umaga, tinawagan ko
si Butch. “Butch, magkikita kami ni Boy. Nasaan na ba ‘yung pinapakuwenta ko
sa’yo?” Si Butch Abad po, Kalihim ng Budget. Sagot ho sa akin, “Ah ngayon na ba
kailangan ‘yan?” So, ‘yung sa paspasan ho niyang pagkuwenta, eh umaabot na raw
po na P6.1 billion mula 2011 hanggang 2014. Napunta ho sa kalsada, tulay, flood
control, pati airport raw yata, mga daungan, irrigation, tapos ‘yung
farm-to-market roads, either ongoing na projects o natapos na. Tapos, noong
pinaalala ho sa atin na kulang pa raw ‘yung galing sa DOTC, ‘di raw ho kumpleto
at sa Department of Agriculture. So lalo pang lalaki ‘to. Anyway, binanggit ni
Secretary Singson, mukhang sa DPWH na kasama na ang 2015, nasa 6 billion na. Sa
Mindoro Oriental po, napakita ko ho kay butihing Governor Gene at kay Tita
Nene, sabi nila: 6.1 [billion pesos] ‘yung tala mo sa Oriental Mindoro, sa
Occidental Mindoro, 4.6 [billion pesos]; napag-iwanan na yata kami. Sabi ko,
ipapantay ho natin ‘to. [Palakpakan] Sa totoo lang po, dito sa dalawa lang po
ito, uulitin ko lang ho, hindi pa po kumpleto ang tala, ano, nasa 10.71 billion
na po ang nadadala natin sa Mindoro Island. Ang problema ko ay hindi ho mapuno
‘yung kailangan ng Mindoro, dahil kanina pagdating ko nga dito, sabi ko, “Okay
‘to ah. Circumferential road, mukhang puro kongkreto na kalsada dito.”
Pinoproblema ko ho pag-uwi ko sa Tarlac, karamihan ng kalsada namin aspaltado
eh. [Tawanan] Pati na ho ‘yung highway, ‘yung MacArthur Highway. Anyway ho,
problema ko na po ‘yon.

Ngayon, binanggit kanina ni Babes, ‘yung ating circumferential road, dito po sa
hilagang parte, ang problema na lang nga ho, ‘yung para maikonekta at gaano
kahaba ang ikokonekta, about 20 kilometers na ang natitira. Ang problema ho,
ang guguluhin natin either ‘yung beach, na mayroong mga setback na kailangan,
or ‘yung forest, ‘yung mga tinatawag nating pinagtatanggol ng kalikasan, aalma
naman. So ang pinagpipilian ho ng DPWH ngayon, sino ang magagalit sa kanila:
‘yung mga gusto mag-preserve ng coastline for tourism purposes, o ‘yung gusto
mag-preserve ng rainforest.

So, ‘yun ho ang papel namin sa executive. Kailangan mong gawin, labo naman ang
kalsada na hindi konektado, ‘di ba? Sa tuktok, bigla lang may 20 kilometro na
hindi maidikit. ‘Pag dinikit mo naman, may magagalit sa iyo. Ang choice mo na
lang, sino ba ang magagalit sa inyo? Pero palagay ko, makakabuti ‘to sa
nakakarami po. Siyempre, pag kumpleto na ‘yung kalsada, iyong makakatulong nang
malaki sa turismo na isang malaking industriya po ng Mindoro, hindi ho ba, at
sa kabuhayan ng maraming mga Mindoreño. So, pagtulungan natin ‘to, minimize
natin ‘yung impact on the environment, pero ‘yung kailangang imprastruktura ng
tao, sana po matuloy na. Para mayroon tayong kalsadang buo, at hindi parang
“horse shoe,” na may kabilaang dulo pero hindi nagkokonekta. Walo hong silbi
siguro ‘yan.

Mahigit dalawang taon na po ang nakakalipas mula nang huli akong bumisita dito
sa Mindoro Oriental. Nakibahagi po tayo noon sa paghuhuli ng King Crab, at
nakipagdiwang sa birthday ng pinaka-senior na miyembro ng ating partido, na
walang iba kundi si Governor Boy Umali. [Tawanan] Hindi, i-correct ko lang po
iyon ha, pinaka-senior sa active, dahil meron naman ho kaming retired na
members eh. Sa active ho, si Boy ang pinaka-senior. [Tawanan] Pero siyempre,
hindi po tayo nagpunta dito para lang sa malalaki at masasarap na alimango,
sasamahan pa raw ho yata ng lobster. Kakahiya naman sa iyo, Boy, ‘Wag na lang.
[Tawanan]. Hindi po tayo nagpaparinig kay Governor Boy, kundi upang personal na
kumustahin ang Oriental Mindoro, lalo na ang ating mga kababayan. Sa maikling
panahon na nagdaan, kitang-kita na patuloy ang transpormasyon sa inyo pong
lalawigan. Isa lang po ang hindi nagbago: ang mainit na pagtanggap ng mga
Mindoreño sa atin po kanina. Maraming salamat po [Palakpakan]. Pakiramdam ko
po, hindi ako “bisita” lang sa inyo, kundi isang kapamilya na hindi ninyo
kailanman nakakaligtaang suportahan, at muli, maraming maraming salamat po sa
patuloy ninyong pagtitiwala.

Kanina po, napakinggan natin ang briefing ni Secretary Babes Singson ng DPWH
ukol sa imprastraktura sa Mindoro. Nalulugod po ako sa listahan ng mga
makabuluhang strukturang nakumpleto na natin at kasalukuyan pang kinukumpleto
upang mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan.

Siyempre po, pagbalik po namin sa Maynila, ‘yong flood control po ang gusto
kong makitang mas maliwanag.

Halimbawa nga po nito ang mga bahagi ng Mindoro East at West Coast Roads at ng
Abaton-Maidlang Bridge II. Ang maganda po rito, marami pang nakapilang proyekto
na tiyak maghahatid ng de-kalidad na serbisyo sa atin pong mga mamamayan.
Pinag-aaralan na rin po ng DPWH ang minumungkahing Abra de Ilog-Puerto Galera
section ng Mindoro Island Circumferential Road na magkokonekta sa hilagang
bahagi ng Occidental at Oriental Mindoro.


Ano po ba ang benepisyong hatid ng pagpapaunlad natin ng mga daanan? Simple
lang po: Sa pagpapagawa ng mga kalsada, gumiginhawa ang biyahe, bumibilis ang
palitan ng produkto at serbisyo, at lumalago ang negosyo. Bukod dito, mas
madali nang mapupuntahan ang mga tourist spots sa inyong mga probinsya, kaya’t
mas naeengganyong bumisita ang mga turista. Sa maayos na kalsada, ‘yun pong mga
taga-Maynila o taga-Tarlac gaya ko, lalong mawiwiling bumisita sa magagandang
beach ninyo tulad dito sa Puerto Galera o dumayo sa iba pang magagandang
destinasyon [palakpakan] gaya ng Apo Reef diyan po sa Occidental Mindoro. Ang
dulo nito: Mula sa masiglang komersyo at turismo, nagbubukal ang mga
pagkakataon para sa mga Mindoreño.

Kasabay ng pagpapaunlad ng mga kalsada sa Mindoro, tuloy-tuloy ang
rehabilitasyon natin ng inyong mga paliparan at daungan. Nariyan ang
pagsasaayos natin ng Pinamalayan, San Jose, at Lubang airport, pati na rin ang
malapit nang simulang pagkukumpuni ng Calapan airport. Ongoing na rin po ang
pagpapalawak ng bagong San Jose port, ang pagpapaunlad ng Calapan at Bulalacao
port, habang tapos na ang pagpapaunlad ng mga daungan sa Roxas, Bansud, at Abra
de Ilog. Dagdag pa sa mga ito, nakumpleto na rin natin ang pagpapatibay ng
flood control facilities sa Pinamalayan, Bongabong, at Calapan City upang
maiwasan ang malaking pinsala ng pagbaha sa inyong mga komunidad. Pero gusto ko
rin ho makitang ‘yung mas kumpletong pang plano diyan.

Sa kabila po ng mga tagumpay na ito, mulat po tayong hindi pa tapos ang ating
trabaho. Patuloy nating tututukan ang pagpapaunlad ng ating imprastraktura na
malaki ang naitutulong sa pagsigla ng ekonomiya. Sa panukalang budget para sa
2015, ang inilaan nating pondo para sa imprastraktura sa buong bansa ay P562.35
billion. Katumbas po ito ng mahigit 21 porsyento ng ating Pambansang Budget.
Gaya ng lagi, sinisiguro nating mapupunta lang ang pondo sa makabuluhang
proyekto. Tinitiyak po iyan ni Secretary Babes—ang ating resident good
newsmaker sa Gabinete. Sa pamumuno niya, walang puwang ang panlalamang at
kuntsabahan; walang lusot ang kickback at tongpats, at walang umuubrang
chop-chop na proyekto. Dahil nga po sa mga repormang isinakongkreto ni
Secretary Babes sa DPWH, mahigit P27 billion pesos na ang natipid ng ahensya sa
kanilang mga proyekto mula Hulyo 2010 hanggang Mayo 2014.

Siyempre, hindi pahuhuli ang Mindoro sa pag-arangkada ng imprastraktura lalo na
sa mahuhusay nitong liderato. Nariyan ang maaasahang lingkod-bayan tulad nina
Governor Gene Mendiola, Congresswoman Josie Ramirez-Sato, Congressman Rey
Umali, Congressman Doy Leachon, at siyempre si Governor Pa Umali. [Tawanan at
palakpakan] Noong nasa kongreso kami, “Papa” yata siya. “Pa” lang raw. Mahalaga
‘yong ama ka ng lalawigan n’yo, iyon ang ibig sahibin n’on. [Tawanan]

Bukod naman po sa pagpapaunlad ng imprastraktura, nariyan din ang mga
inisyatiba natin upang palakasin ang sektor ng agrikultura. Dito sa Oriental
Mindoro, nakumpleto na raw po ang pagpapagawa ng 152 farm-to-market roads; ang
nakinabang po dito: mahigit 31,300 na magsasaka. Mayroon din tayong 63
naipagawa na, at 5 ongoing na patubig kung saan mahigit 4,700 na magsasaka ang
ating benepisyaryo. Bukod dito, pinondohan din natin ang konstruksyon ng
postharvest facilities tulad ng hand tractors at flatbed dryers na
pinapakinabangan na ng 133 farmers’ associations. Malinaw ang hangad natin:
mapalago ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka, mapabilis ang biyahe ng mga produkto
mula sakahan hanggang pamilihan, at sa huli, madagdagan ang kita ng ating mga
kababayan.

Dumako naman po tayo sa iba pa nating serbisyong panlipunan. Umabot na po sa
62,095 kabahayan ang benepisyaryo ng ating Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
dito sa Oriental Mindoro. Bahagi lang po iyan ng mahigit apat na milyong
benepisyaryo ng programa sa buong bansa. Apat na milyon pong households ‘yon ng
mga pamilya. Nariyan din ang Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services. Ang haba hong pangalan, hindi po ba?
‘Yon po tinatawag na KALAHI-CIDSS; mas madaling matandaan ng sa ganoon. Sa
pangunguna ng DSWD, nasa 128 subprojects ng KALAHI-CIDSS ang ipinatupad at
ipinapatupad natin sa munisipalidad ng Bulalacao, Mansalay, Bongabong, Gloria,
Roxas, at Bansud. Sa pamamagitan nito, napondohan ang pagpapagawa ng mga
silid-aralan, health stations, day-care centers, at iba pang struktura sa 128
mga barangay. Mula naman Enero 2011 hanggang Hulyo 2014, mahigit 11,200 pamilya
na ang benepisyaryo ng ating Sustainable Livelihood Program. Nagkaloob po tayo rito
ng pagsasanay at tulong sa pamumuhunan upang makapagtayo sila ng sariling
negosyo.

Gaya ng ating panata: Ang mga proyektong kayang ipatupad agad upang ibsan ang
pagdurusa ng Pilipino, ipinapatupad natin agad. Wala sa plano natin ang mapako
lang sa plano ang mga proyekto, o kung matuloy man, ay dekada pa ang bibilangin
bago makumpleto—sa totoo lang po, deka-dekada pa kung minsan.


Anuman pong tayog ng nararating natin ngayon ay bunga ng pag-aambagan ng mga
Pilipino. Patuloy ang paglaban natin sa katiwalian at paglikha ng pagkakataon
sa ating mga kababayan. Pero hindi nga po siguro mawawala ang iilang pursigido
pa ring magbahid ng duda sa ating mga reporma. Meron po diyan, ganado pang
magkomento ng negatibo, gayong kasama naman sila sa mga naging pinuno ng bansa;
Imbes na maibsan ang pagdurusa ng nasasakupan, pinalala pa ito. At ngayon,
bagaman tinutugunan na natin ang mga problemang ipinamana sa atin, hindi pa rin
nagsawa sa paghirit ang itinuturing kayong “kabayan.” ‘Yung iba naman, sadyang
pinapahina ang pundasyon ng ating reporma para ibalik tayo sa dating sistema
kung saan pansariling interes ang inuuna.

Ang hamon po sa inyo sa Mindoro, at sa bawat Pilipinong kasangga natin sa
agenda ng reporma: maging mapagmatyag sa kung ano ang totoo, at maging mulat sa
motibo ng naghahasik ng negatibismo. Bilang ama ng bayan, itinataguyod ko ang
tama at makatwiran; tinutugunan natin ang mga lumalapag na problema upang hindi
na ito ipamana sa susunod sa atin. Lahat ng desisyon ko ay nakabatay sa atas ng
aking mga Boss—ang taumbayan. Kaisa ang mga Mindoreño at ang sambayanan, nawa’y
magpatuloy tayo sa pag-aambagan upang maging permanente ang transpormasyon sa
lipunan, at lalong maging abot-kamay ang pag-asenso.


Magandang araw po sa lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyo.







 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III’s exclusive interview with Bombo RadyoMusic Room,
Malacañan Palace,
August 27, 2014

 
Bombo Elmar Acol: Magandang umaga
Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao, maging sa buong mundo, mga kaibigan. Napapanood din
tayo live sa ating official website www.bomboradyo.com so makikita niyo diyan
ang visuals. At mga kaibigan mula rito sa Palasyo ng Malacañang, ako ang inyong
anchor man, si Bombo Elmar Acol, espesyal po ang ating palatuntunan ngayong
umagang ito dahilan sa bisita natin ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng ating bansa,
higit walang iba His Excellency Benigno Noynoy Aquino III. Mr. President,
magandang umaga po sa inyo.

PRESIDENT AQUINO: Magandang umaga rin.


Mr. Acol: Kamusta na po kayo, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Ayos naman.



Mr. Acol: Unang-una muna po sa larangan po ng ekonomiya; Binabanggit na lumago
ang ating ekonomiya “by leaps and bounds,” in fact, may mga pagbati po—World
Bank, iyong mga ratings agencies, at ang inyo pong mga economic managers ay
binabanggit na “the fastest growing economy” sa rehiyon po ng Asya [ang
Pilipinas]. Papaano po natin ito masu-sustain, sa palagay ninyo po, in the
light, sa gitna na rin ng mga malaking paghamon sa ating bansa at sa buong
mundo, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, paano natin isu-sustain? Paniwala namin ang pinakaimportante
talaga, o iyong greatest resource of the Philippine nation is the people.



So marami tayong investments sa ating mga mamamayan, for instance, iyong sa
education, iyong sa health. Sa health, for instance, mula nang nag-umpisa tayo,
parang 300 percent increase na sa budget ‘yan, and this has enabled them to—for
instance, iyong sa PhilHealth, well, pinalawak iyong coverage, at hindi lang
pinalawak iyong coverage sa dami ng tao, pinalawak rin doon sa mga sakit na
tinatawag na catastrophic illnesses.



Ngayon ang punto siguro dito, for instance, iyong isa sa mga parati kong
kino-quote sa TESDA [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority].
Nag-umpisa kami somewhere in the mid-20s—iyong placement rate. Ngayon, iyong
average 62 percent na for all fields, pero ‘pag dumating na sa mga selected na
mga categories tulad ng semiconductor electronics, nasa 91. Binalita sa akin ni
Joel Villanueva doon sa larangan ng anime, 93 percent ang placement, iyong para
bang pinag-aral at pagkatapos na pagkatapos may trabaho kaagad.



Tapos, maraming anecdotal diyan tungkol doon, for instance, meron itong isang
tao dinalaw ng ating mga kawani sa TESDA, nasa abroad nagtatrabaho, tapos
itinuro na nga niya, “Etong si ganito engineer.” Itinuro niya lahat ng titulo
ng mga tauhan niya. Sa dulo no’n, sabi niya, “Lahat sila sini-sir ako,” at ang
pinakamatindi doon, siya hindi nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo. Pero dahil sa TESDA at
sa galing niya, siya ang supervisor nitong lahat ng mga tituladong tao.



So balikan ko, ano, iyong focus ng ating pamamahala basically, iyong sinasabi
nilang “empowering the people” at isa diyan ay education. Nandiyan na rin iyong
Conditional Cash Transfer program. In-expand natin this year, mula dati na
hanggang grade school lang, ngayon in-expand natin hanggang high school. At
iyong Conditional Cash Transfer kung matatandaan ninyo, isa lang talaga ang
batayan: panatilihin mo nag-aaral ang anak mo, meron kang stipend na tinatawag,
o merong ambag ang pamahalaan sa iyo na buwan buwan na dapat natatanggap, pero
idini-deliver iyon every quarter yata.



Now, ang punto nito, kapag nakatapos ng high school, iyong kinikita ‘nung ating
kababayan ay umaangat ng 40 percent kaysa kung nakatapos ka sa grade school. So
ulitin ko, siguro babalik na rin ako sa itinuro ng tatay ko sa akin noong araw.
Iyong unang kalayaan daw ay ang kalayaan mula sa kagutuman. Kapag napalaya muna
iyong tao mula sa gutom, o ‘yong paghahanap “saan ba ako kukuha ng pagkain sa
susunod na kainan?” Doon, ‘pag naging panatag na siya doon, pwede ng maging
tulay para pag-isipan iyong iba pang mga problema tulad ng mabuting pamamahala,
tulad ng siguro iyong buhay ng pulitika sa atin, iyong paghahanap ng tamang
pamumuno. Lahat no’n pwede nang pasukan dahil nalaktawan na nga iyong
unang-unang problema na iyong makalayo sa kagutuman.



Mr. Acol: Alright, Mr. President, ito sigurong susunod ko na question ay
maraming nag-aabang dito. Nabanggit niyo na kayo ay tila bukas doon naman sa
tinatawag na Charter Change. Pero may pahawatig na sinasabing maraming—may kumontra,
may mga kritiko po kayo, meron din namang sumuporta na sinasabing bukas din
kayo kung saka-sakali na tinatawag na tatakbo sa 2016 elections kung magkaroon
ng Charter Change. Ano pong konteksto talaga nang nabanggit n’yong ito?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, ang tanda ko, nauna iyong tanong, “Kamusta ho ba
iyong trabaho ng Presidente?” At ipinaliwanag ko kung gaano kahirap ang trabaho
bilang Pangulo.



For instance, meron tayong mga peacekeepers, hindi lang doon sa Golan Heights,
hindi lang sa Liberia, kung tama ang tanda ko, nasa South Sudan. Itong dalawang
observers natin na tumutulong sa UN [United Nations] para mapanatili iyong
katahimikan o maiwasan iyong—katatapos lang ng bakbakan doon. Dadalawa sila.
Tapos, nagre-report sila, kung tama ang tanda ko, sa embassy natin sa Egypt.



Ngayon, everytime na may mangyari, katulad nitong mga past few
days—earthquakes, may earthquake sa California—unang tanong: May Pilipino bang
involved diyan?



Pangalawa sa Chile. Buti na lang sa Chile yata madalas na nangyayari iyon at
hindi parang populated iyong area na ‘yon. Everytime na may nangyayari—piracy
ng Somali pirates noong araw—parati ang tanong: May apektado bang Pilipino
diyan?



Pwera doon sa problema natin dito. Nasa typhoon season tayo ngayon. Kakatapos
ni Glenda. Sinuwerte tayo pagkatapos no’n medyo pumipihit lahat itong mga
bagyo. Katok muna tayo sa kahoy baka naman bumalik pa iyong iba dito.



Pero ang punto nga, mahirap itong trabahong ito. Hindi masyadong malayo doon sa
panahon ng nanay ko. Parang ang sabi ko nga, noong panahon ng nanay ko, parang
maihahalintulad natin sa isang kusinero. Iyong kusinero may recipe, nandiyan
lahat ng sangkap, nailabas niya iyong masarap na pagkain, eh competent siya.



Ang nanay ko kasi parang noong panahon niya, paglipat mula sa diktaturya
papunta demokrasya, binigyan lang ng tubig at saka asin tapos sinabi, “Gumawa
ka ng sinigang.” Medyo mahirap talagang gawin iyan.



Medyo nakaangat naman tayo mula doon sa sitwasyon na iyon pero pareho pa rin;
talagang madugo itong trabahong ito.



Parang dito may mga araw na naramdaman mo nang husto iyong sinasabi ng mga
Amerikano na kasabihan nila, “Kung gusto mo raw makabawi sa isang tao,
engganyuhin mong pumasok sa pulitika para mag-umpisa ang kalbaryo niya.” Iyon
ang konteksto no’n.



Pero sa pag-uusap, nawala yata iyong kontekstong iyan. Now, bukas ba ako sa
Charter Change? Talagang siguro dito sa usapin sa DAP [Disbursement
Acceleration Program], merong mga kasamahan tayo sa Kongreso, for instance,
amongst others, meron ding mga miyembro ng hudikatura, lalo na iyong mga
retired na nagsasabi iyong tinatawag na “judicial reach.” Ano ba iyong judicial
reach? Noong panahon kasi ng Martial Law, kapag may nagtanong, “Tama ba ang
Martial Law?” Idinulog sa Supreme Court. Ang sinasabi ng Korte Suprema,
“Political question, hindi namin pwedeng pakialamanan iyan.”



So saan ba tatakbo ang mga mamamayan? So dahil doon sa ating 1987 na Saligang
Batas, nakalagay doon na meron silang karapatan to review iyong [...] Ito iyong
tinatawag na pag-review: kung may grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack
of jurisdiction.



Ang problema parang ang sabi ng mga—lalo na iyong mga reteradong hukom, dapat
raw ginagamit itong kapangyarihang ito [nang] bibihira. Use with restraint. Ang
lumalabas ngayon parang ang dalas gawin ‘yan.



For instance, may tanong sa Korte Suprema bago ako naging Pangulo, “May
karapatan ba si Pangulong Arroyo na mag-appoint ng Chief Justice?” Dahil
nag-retire na si Chief Justice Puno. Sa Saligang Batas kasi (Sorry ha, para
sigurado tayong baka may tututol pa iko-quote ko na natin diretso).



Sa Article 7, Section—ang tanda ko 15—nakalagay kasi dito, “Two months
immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his
term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except
temporary appointments.” Ulitin ko lang ‘yon ha, “… except temporary
appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will
prejudice public service or endanger public safety.”



Ano ba ang ibig sabihin n’on? Kunyari iyong Chief of Staff umabot na ng age 56
sa panahon na may ban, pwedeng mag-appoint iyong Presidente ng temporary
replacement niya. Ulitin ko, “temporary” hindi “permanent,” para hindi dadaan
sa CA [Commission on Appointments] etc., at saka siyempre ‘yung CA, by that
time, nangangampanya na lahat.



Now, ang issue dito in-appoint si Justice Corona nang one week after elections,
e nakalagay dito, “two months before presidential elections and up to the end
of the term” hindi na pwede.



Ang ginawang dahilan ay Article 8, Section 4—yata kung hindi ako
nagkakamali—Section 4 Subsection 1, “The Supreme Court shall be composed of a
Chief Justice and 14 associate justices. It may sit en banc or, in its
discretion, in divisions of three, five or seven Members.” Ito ang importante,
“Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence thereof.”



So ang nangyaring sitwasyon: One week, ‘di ba, one week after elections—ang
taning para doon sa Presidente na mag-appoint ng Chief Justice para hindi
ma-violate ito, pagpasok ng panibagong Presidente, meron pa siyang 45 days. So,
sa korte kasi parang dapat merong ang tawag nila, “justiciable controversy
right for adjudication.” Parang napaka-highfaluting, ang ibig sabihin lang ‘non
may kaso na dapat na dinggin ng hukom. Ang sinabi ng nagbigay pahintulot, may
conflict daw itong Article 8 Section 4 Subsection 1 at saka iyong Article 7
Section 15 na hindi na pwedeng mag-appoint. Ang masakit pa dito sinabi na iyong
ban sa appointment ay ban lang sa Executive hindi raw kasama iyong judiciary.



Sa akin pong pananaw kasi nakalagay “may not appoint,” ay hindi, sorry mali
pala, hindi “may not”—“shall not.” Iyong importante sa mga abugado iyong kapag
sinabing “shall,” walang “baka pwedeng ganoon, pwedeng ganoon.” Hindi inuutusan
ka: hindi ka pwedeng magtalaga ng sinumang opisyal hanggang matapos ang term.
So ano ang ibig sabihin no’n? Tila nabago iyong Saligang Batas. Parang
nagkaroon ng constitutional change na hindi kaalinsunod doon sa three modes
kung paano ba pinapalitan iyong Saligang Batas.



Tapos, iyong ang punto nga lang nito, parang hindi lahat ng kaso umaabot sa
Supreme Court, pwede silang magsabing tatanggapin namin ‘yan o hindi namin
tatanggapin ‘yan, kasi sila iyong appellate court, iyong nire-review iyong mga
desisyon. Kung palagay nila walang kailangang i-review, pwede ng tapusin.



Ngayon, dumating tayo dito sa DAP na issue. Lalo na iyong tinatawag na dalawang
paragraph bago ng dispositive. ‘Yong ‘dispositive iyong utos e. So, doon sa
dalawang paragraph na iyon, iyong bago at lalo na iyong last para[graph]—iyong
paragraph immediately before the dispositive, meron tayo sa Article 3 ng
Constitution Bill of Rights presumption of innocence. Doon sa paragraph na
iyon, nakalagay doon sa DAP e ako raw, si Secretary Abad, other implementors,
authors, kailangan patunayan namin iyong innocence namin at presumed kaming
guilty.



Sa Article 3 kasi ng Bill of Rights, “presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Dito binago, “guilty until proven innocent.” So, ulit parang napalitan na naman
yata iyong Saligang Batas dito at may mga ibang panahon pa na maituturo natin
na kumbaga noong Martial Law, ayaw nilang pakialamanan iyong question ng tama
ba iyong pag-impose ng Martial Law? Ngayon naman pumunta doon sa kabilang dulo,
lahat na lang pinapakialamanan, at ang mahirap nga niyan, kung pabagu-bago
‘yung patakaran. Paano ka ba makakasunod doon sa patakaran? Kaya nandoon nga
‘yung halimbawang ginawa ko. Nagtakbo ka sa ospital, pumarada ka, dahil may
pasyente kang dadalhin sa emergency. Paglabas mo, sinabihan kang no parking.
Tapos hinanap mo, saan po iyong karatulang no parking? Bukas ikakabit ‘yan,
pero may kaso ka na.



Meron din pa lang—idagdag ko na rin iyon—iyong lahat ng batas tinatawag na
prospective. Ibig sabihin ginagawa mo iyong batas na iyon, mula ngayon hanggang
sa hinaharap, eh valid na siya. Hindi pwedeng may batas ngayon, tapos
aasultuhin mo iyong tao doon sa ginawa niya kahapon o noong lumipas.



Ang pwede lang exemption doon, ‘pag binabawasan iyong penalty sa akusado, iyon
po ‘yung sistema natin. Pero dito parang ni-review iyong ginawa namin dati at
hindi pa [...] Meron kasi sa Admin[istrative] Code, may basehan ba sa batas
iyong ginawa namin sa DAP? Nakalagay sa Section 39 na pwede kang mag-lipat ng
savings from any item in the General Appropriations Act to any other item.
Iyong 39 ini-lift lang doon sa isang concurring at saka dissenting opinion ng
isang justice, ni-lift iyong, section hindi talaga diniscuss [discuss].



Basahin mo iyong main decision, basahin mo iyong concurring at saka iyong
dissenting, walang nagdi-discuss noon. So ang hirap nito, sinunod namin iyong
batas na iyon unconstitutional raw iyong act namin. So parang ang tanda ko
dapat yata i-declare na unconstitutional muna iyong batas na sinunod namin bago
masabi therefore our act is unconstitutional. Pero dumiretso, act namin
unconstitutional iyong batas na kung saan iyong basehan namin ay hindi
tinalakay.



So balik tayo dito, mukhang sumobra naman yata doon sa walang pakialam, lahat
pinapakialamanan, at iyong pagpapakialam nila parang nagiging mahirap lalong
patakbuhin itong gobyernong ito.



Mr. Acol: So Mr. President…



PRESIDENT AQUINO: So open tayo doon sa reach ha.



Mr. Acol: Judicial reach ang binabanggit ninyo?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Iyong judicial reach mukhang dapat yata i-review,
lagyan ng hangganan.



Mr. Acol: So walang kinalaman ito sa paglalayon na mapalawig daw iyong termino
ninyo po beyond 2016?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Ako ba ang nag-aambisyon na pahabain?



Mr. Acol: Kasi nanganak na rin iyong issue, Mr. President, kesyo kakalabanin
kayo ng inyong Vice President kung saka-sakali…



PRESIDENT AQUINO: At the end of the day, meron bang tao talagang
magsasabing, “Amin na, ibigay ninyo sa akin lahat ng problema ninyo parang from
now until the indefinite future.” Sinabi ko naman noong una akong tumakbo hindi
ako masokista. Pero at the same time, tila—sabi ko nga makikinig ako sa anumang
utos ng mga boss natin.



For instance, in the last two weeks alone, nagpunta ako sa Cagayan.
Pinasinayaan natin itong pagbubukas nitong mga kalsada na magli-link sa Cagayan
at saka sa Apayao. At doon sa crowd, may sumigaw, “Isa pa hong termino!” Hindi
ko naman nakita kung sino mismo ang nagsalita at buti na lang hindi naman
sinang-ayunan ng lahat ng nandoon, or hindi nakisabay. Parang spontaneous.



May pinuntahan akong burol. May lumapit sa aking ale na hindi ko kilala. Ang
sabi niya sa akin, “Huwag po ninyong iiwan ‘yong Pilipinas.” Sabi ko, anong
ibig sabihin kaya ng iiwan ko ang Pilipinas? Tapos, ang ibig sabihin pala
n’on—tapos, inulit niya, “Kailangan pa namin ho kayo. Marami pa hong kailangang
gawin. Dapat ituloy na ho ninyo.”



So pwede ko bang sabihin naman sa kanilang, hindi ba parang, kung personal lang
pwede mong sabihin sanang, “Meron tayong hangganan. Ang trabaho natin hanapin
iyong kapalit na magpapatuloy.” Ang sinasagot naman sa akin doon, “Paano ho
ninyo magagarantiyahan na itutuloy nga iyong ginawa ninyo?’



Para naman baka naman iyong anim na taon ninyo nagbakasyon lang tayo, tapos
balik na naman tayo doon sa dating walang nangyayari. So kailangan ko rin
namang masagot iyon. So ang punto ho niyan, sa ngayon, talagang nagko-konsulta
tayo sa iba’t ibang sektor, at tinatanong nga natin ang pinakabuod: Paano ba
natin masisigurado na mapagpatuloy lahat ng naumpisahan natin na maging talagang
permanente na.



Mr. Acol: Okay Mr. President, ibang usapin po. May mga pagkilos din na
tinatawag na mga people’s initiative… Kailangan pa bang itong mga inisyatibang
ito para matiyak na wala iyong pork barrel sa ating budget o para doon sa ating
mga mambabatas… Ano ang masasabi ninyo dito?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Hindi alam natin dapat talaga wala na iyong PDAF as
PDAF. Pero mabalik pa rin tayo dito, at may magki-criticize na naman sa akin
dito.



Iyong lahat ng distrito natin dahil sa PDAF merong katiyakan na may minimum na
mapupunta sa distrito pagtugon ng kanilang mga sabihin nating parochial
concerns.



Noong nag-umpisa ako at mabalik ako sana mapakinggan naman lalo ng mga kritiko
ko. Noong 1998, ang posisyon ko, ayoko sanang pumasok doon sa PDAF. At nilapitan
ako ng aking mga kapitan, ng mga barangay councils at ang sabi nila sa akin—at
mukhang totoo iyon—ang sabi nila sa akin, “Kung hindi ho tayo madadalaw ng
Presidente, ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete, nakita iyong problema natin, at
nag-commit na tutugunan, e wala hong mangyayari sa atin.” Ano bang ibig sabihin
no’n?



Iyong Tarlac one and a half hours away; iyong Tarlac City one and a half hours
away from Metro Manila. Dinatnan ko, may mga lugar walang kuryente. Naglalakad
ng kilu-kilometro iyong mga bata. Kapag sinabi mong kilu-kilometo, lagpas
sampung kilometro in certain instances. Iyong perpetual na pagbaha ng MacArthur
dahil mas mataas iyong Tarlac River sa kanya, parang pati iyong sa pagre-repair
noong panahon na ‘yon kailangan pa ng official development assistance, iyong
overseas, para tugunan iyan.



Sa totoo lang iyong PDAF noong panahon ko doon sa distritong iyan, ultimo iyong
national concern nitong MacArthur Highway, national road iyan. Obligasyon ng
DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] dahil iyon ang primary nating
ruta mula NCR [National Capital Region] papuntang north, nailagay naman sa
ayos. Pati ‘yan dinamay iyong PDAF namin dahil nakabawas nga ng pagbabaha,
merong tinatawag Masalasa Creek, malaki-laki ang napunta sa pagsasaayos ng Masalasa
Creek. Nawala iyong sa mga barangay dahil nga iyong lalapit mo, “Pwede ninyo ho
bang tugunan ito?” Ang sagot sa amin, “Wala kaming pera.” E di naghanap kami at
iyon na nga ang naipuno namin para makinabang, hindi lang iyong Tarlac, pero
pati na iyong lahat ng dumadaan doon.



Iyong baha ulitin ko, ano, pinag-pasapasahan ako noong congressman ako, ng
Lower Agno at saka ‘nung Pampanga River. Sino ang may responsibilidad dahil
nagtatagpo itong mga ilog na ito sa Tarlac? ‘Pag rumagasa sa amin dapat may flood
control. Punta ka doon sa dalawa, ituturo ka doon sa kabila, “hindi namin
responsibilidad iyan.”



So ulitin ko lang, iyong ke kalaban ka ng administrasyon, ke kakampi ka ng
administrasyon, may pangangailangan ‘yung komunidad mo, sana natutulungan at natutugunan.
Sa akin, minabuti ko ho na puro hard dahil sabi ko nga hahanapin sa akin ‘yan
lahat. Gusto ko maituro saan napunta. “O, iyang kalsadang dinaanan mo. Iyong
eskwelahan na ginawa” o “iyong kuryente.”



So, mukhang nasa maayos naman ho yata iyong konsepto na lahat ay may
pangangailangan at lahat naman merong karapatan doon sa kaban ng bayan lahat ng
distrito. Ngayon may nang-abuso, tama. Iyong nang-abuso ano ang gagawin natin
diyan? E di dapat kunan ng ebidensiya at mapakulong iyong nagkasala.



Pero para sabihin natin na iyan as a general concept o iyong karapatan nila e
hindi pareho ng karapatan ng ibang mga mamamayan natin, ay mukhang hindi naman
yata tama iyon.



Mr. Acol: Nabanggit ninyo iyong usapin sa DAP. Diyan sa Camara de
Representantes may tinatawag na impeachment complaint laban po sa inyo. Tatlo
ang inihain diyan at ang sabi nga nila ay sufficient in form at next week ay
may hearing ulit. Ano po ang masasabi ninyo dito, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Mahirap naman yatang maging insufficient in form dahil
form nga e, para bang fill in the blanks lang iyon.



Pero at the end of the day, naniniwala ako magkakaroon tayo ng katarungan
diyan. At saka tingnan natin sino ang nag-file. Karamihan naman ho mga masasabi
nating miyembro ng mga kaliwang grupo na kung nagagalit sila sa akin, at kayo
na ho siguro ang testigo ilang beses ba silang nagra-rally sa bahay namin sa
Times na alam naman nating wala ako doon.



Iyon talagang masyado nila akong pine-personal. Siguro ‘pag galit sila sa akin,
talagang tama iyong nangyayari dahil kumukonti iyong bilang nila dahil marami
ang nagtitiwala ulit sa gobyerno kaya parte na lang ng proseso iyon na inako ko
noong sinabi kong, “Sige tinatanggap ko iyong hamon na mamuno sa bansa natin.”



Mr. Acol: Alright bago tayo magtungo sa Bombo Radyo Iloilo at Bombo Radyo
Koronadal, stand by po ang Bombo Radyo Iloilo. Mr. President sa usapin po ng
rating po gaano ito kahalaga po sa inyo at sinasabi na bumaba daw ang rating po
SWS survey, Pulse Asia survey? Ano ba ang effort natin para mapataas po ulit
ninyo ang rating po, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, iyong rating nakakatulong sa iyo gabay para
masabi, ano ba ang kailangan nating gawin pa para sa ating mga boss? Ngayon,
sinasabi sa atin ng mga nag-analyze ng mga figures na ito, may iilan na
lumipat—parang “o iyong kuntento sa iyo, hindi kuntento sa iyo.” Iyong
nabawasan sa akin, hindi pumunta raw doon sa hindi natutuwa sa akin, napunta
doon sa nag-aalanganin.



So ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng nagaalanganin? Medyo baka nalito? Baka hindi
nasasakyan lahat ng issue. Baka kailangan pa alamin. Kamakailan lang may grupo
ng mga relihiyosong kinausap namin na naglabas ng statement at masasabi natin
na medyo may batikos sa atin. At pagkatapos namin ipinaliwanag lahat at nakita
na nila iyong parang mas malalim na pag-unawa doon sa isyung tinatalakay, e
nag-volunteer, “Paano ho ba kami makakatulong dito?”



Sa aking pananaw, iyong ating numbers ay tataas ulit. Basta iyon nga trabaho
namin na magpaliwanag nang mas maayos para iyong medyo nagalanganin ay
manumbalik iyong buong pagtitiwala.



Mr. Acol: Alright, Mr. President with your indulgence: Magtungo tayo sa
kabilang dako ng ating bansa ang Bombo Radyo Iloilo at susundan po ng Bombo
Radyo Koronadal, nasa linya na ang Bombo Radyo Iloilo with your question. Go
ahead, Bombo Radyo Iloilo.



(Bombo Radyo Iloilo – Henry Lumawag): Ilang mambabatas at personalidad na po
ang nakakulong dahil sa pork barrel scam. Isa po itong magandang development sa
reform at anti-corruption agenda ng administrasyon, pero sa kabilang banda ay
marami po ang nabitin dahil mistulang tinarget [target] lamang ang mga kalaban
habang hindi na tinuluyan ng Department of Justice [DOJ] ang mga kaalyado. Ano
po ang masasabi ninyo rito, Ginoong Pangulo?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, number one, hindi naman tamang sabihin natapos
na [ang] Department of Justice. Tuluy-tuloy pa ho iyan, pero sa totoo lang ho
sa sistema natin ang Ombudsman ho ang nagfi-file ng kaso, tumutulong lang ang
DOJ.



Ngayon, iyong unang tatlo na ang kasong naisampa, ang paniwala natin iyon ang
pinaka-may mga matibay na ebidensiya dahil iyon nga iyong paulit-ulit nga hong
nangyari. So mahirap na nating masabing baka nagkamali minsan—e tila
paulit-ulit iyong pagkakamali.



So, obligasyon namin magsampa ng—iyong tumulong, ano, magsampa ng kaso na
siyang—iyong mapapatunayan sa korte. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ‘non? ‘Pag
nagsampa ka ng kasong mahina ang ebidensiya, na-abswelto iyong taong gusto mong
usigin na kumbinsido ka na may ginawa talagang kasalanan, ‘pag mahina iyong
ebidensiya mo, napawalang-sala siya, hindi mo na pwedeng balikan.



So, kung nagsampa tayo kaliwa’t kanang kaso na mababaw, at nawala nga iyong
saysay, na-dismiss lahat ng kasong ito, palagay ko mas magagalit ang taumbayan
sa atin na gumawa tayo ng paraan na mapawalang-sala iyong mga may sala.



So tinatrabaho ng mabuti ng DOJ at lalo na ng Ombudsman na masampahan ng tamang
kaso na bina-backupan [backup] ng tamang ebidensiya para, ang sabi ko nga
paulit-ulit, (Paki-check na lang po ninyo iyong mga nauna nating sinabi noong
kakaumpisa natin): Hindi iyong pagsasampa ng kaso ang batayan kung talagang
nagtagumpay ang ating anti-corruption efforts, iyong nagpakulong tayo; iyong
nasentensiyahan ng korte at nadala sa kulungan. Iyon ang batayan kung
nagtagumpay tayo o hindi, at iyon ang minamabuti namin na maniguradong mangyari
nga iyon.



Mr. Acol: Stand by ang Bombo Radyo Tacloban. Magtungo naman tayo sa may bahagi
ng Bombo Radyo Koronadal with your question, go ahead Bombo Radyo Koronadal.



(Bombo Radyo Koronadal – Rey Legario): Mr. President, ano na po ang update sa
ginagawa ninyong review sa Bangsamoro Basic Law final draft? Ano po ang
timeline ninyo na finally ay maihain na ito sa Kongreso, Ginoong Pangulo?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Maayong, aga.



May meeting tayo bukas kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Talagang masusing inaaral
bawat isang section at bahagi nitong Bangsamoro Basic Law dahil hinahabol nga
natin isang panukalang batas na maibibigay sa ating mga kapatid sa Bangsamoro
iyong kanilang inaasam-asam at binibigyan din naman ng kapanatagan ng loob
iyong mga kapit-bahay nila na—sa maapektuhan nitong batas na ito.



Ngayon, may kasabihan ulit ang mga Amerikano, “The devil” daw “is in the
details.” Walang pinagtatalunan doon sa mga batayang prinsipyo. At ngayon,
iyong paglilipat ‘nung batayang prinsipyong iyon doon sa mga specifications sa
batas, iyon medyo nagkaroon ng konting mas matinding negosasyon.



Pero, ang paniwala ko na malaki na ang na-resolve mula noong isang linggo at
baka naman—ayokong mangako hanggang hindi ko tangan—pero ang masasabi ko ho sa
inyo, ang laki ng inabante. Mukhang maisusulong na natin o maihahain na sa
Kongreso sa mga -—sana sa lalong madaling panahon iyong isang panukalang batas
na sinasangayunan ng lahat ng stakeholders.



Mr. Acol: Mr. President, follow up ko lamang doon sa question ng Bombo Radyo
Koronadal, nanatili ba iyong timeline ninyo po na at least by first quarter of
next year 2015 ay maipasa ito ng Kongreso?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, hindi teka, first quarter of next year? Hindi,
hinahabol natin may plebiscite tayo end of this year, kung pupwede; at depende
nga iyon sa talakayan ng Kongreso doon sa batas dahil ang hinahabol natin
magkaroon ng one year and a half man lang na maipakita ng transitional
authority kung bakit mas angkop iyong sistemang iminumungkahi nila sa
pagpapatakbo ng Bangsamoro.



Mr. Acol: Okay alright. Stand by rin ang Bombo Radyo Tuguegarao. Diyan sa
Tacloban muna diyan sa mga Waray-waray, Region 8, with your question to the
President, go ahead, Bombo Radyo Tacloban.



(Bombo Radyo Tacloban – Nimfa Patawaran): Mr. President, hanggang ngayon ay
hindi pa ganap na nakakabangon ang Tacloban City at ibang sinalanta ng Yolanda.
Makakaasa ba kami dito na matutupad as scheduled ang rehabilitasyon sang-ayon
sa isinumiteng plano ni Secretary Ping Lacson?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, ang nasa batas po kasi kailangan ng postdisaster
needs assessment or PDNA, at medyo natagalan mag-submit lahat ng LGUs [local
government units]. Pero ang last na sinubmit [submit] na sa akin ay hindi ko
masasabi na partial, pero iyong partial, ito iyong pinakamalaki na nasalanta
kasama na po ang Tacloban.



So nandiyan na iyong plano. Ang requirement bago tayo magpapalabas ng pondo ng
bansa para sa kanilang rehab. Sa ating paniwala e mapapabilis dahil nandiyan na
nga iyong pinakaimportanteng component na iyong postdisaster needs assessment
na formally nang na-submit at iyong masasabi nating kinompile (compile0 na ng
opisina ni Secretary Lacson.



Mr. Acol: Okay, Mr. President, isingit ko lang itong question mula sa
Malacañang Press Corps. May pinaplansta daw pong biyahe patungong Europe at ano
ang pakinabang natin sa ating bayan para dito sa biyahe ninyo po?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, tutungo tayo sa Espanya, sa Pransiya, sa
Germany, Belgium, at saka sa Estados Unidos.



Iyong sa Belgium, dalawa ang pakay po natin diyan: isa, ang pakikipag-ugnayan
sa, well, sa lahat gobyerno ng binanggit kong mga bansa, pero sa Belgium may
dagdag pa na European Union, kung saan natin kakausapin ang kanilang mga
liderato.



Siyempre, number one, magpapasalamat tayo doon sa pagli-lift ng restriction sa
ating aircraft. Nandiyan na rin siguro iyong patuloy na pag-uusap tungkol sa
ating mga seaman dito sa tinatawag na EMSA [European Maritime Safety Agency],
mas malalim na ugnayan. Maraming itinutulong sa atin iyong European Union, pati
na sa Yolanda, and amongst other things at pati rin sa ating peace efforts.



At pagkatapos niyan, siyempre lahat itong mga bansang ito hinahabol natin iyong
dagdag na trade, komersyo. Maraming mga kumpanyang nagpakita ng interes na
mamuhunan lalo na ngayon. At, first time nating bibiyahe dito sa mga bansang
ito kung saan, well, dalawang pakay: one, as usual, makipag-ugnayan na mas
mabuti dito sa mga bansang binanggit; number two, iyong komersyo nga mapalawak.
Kumbaga ayokong magsalita kasi ng talagang [...] Ayokong sabihin sa inyo iyong
inaasahan natin mga investments na papasok dahil baka may kasabihan na hanggang
hindi pa nangyayari baka mausog.



Ang masasabi ko na lang sa inyo na talagang iyong biyahe lalabas ng parang
tigalawang araw lang kada bansa. Talagang ang biruan nga ng ating mga kasamahan
dito, karamihan ng tulog yata ay sa eroplano. Pero sulit iyong pagod na ‘yan sa
inaasahan nating ipapasok na investors dito lalo na sa manufacturing.



Sa UN naman, iyon ang pakay natin sa America, ay iyong global climate change.
May summit sa Setyembre kung saan inimbitahan tayo ng Secretary-General ng UN,
si Ban Ki-moon, at inulit ni President [Barack] Obama, sinang-ayunan pa ng
ating World Bank president na kailangan ang Pilipinas na siyang maraming
ekspryensiya [experience] dito sa pangyayaring global climate change ay manguna
sa usapin kung saan paano natin labanan itong global climate change o
paigtingin iyong tinatawag na climate change adaptation.



So ang pakay natin doon, ang Pilipinas, kung tatawagin sa carbon footprint ay
napakaliit, pero iyong sa parte natin sa idinudulot nitong mga sakunang ito ay
napakalaki compared sa carbon footprint natin na napakaliit. So pagpunta natin
diyan, talagang ang pangunahing mangmungkahi iyong mga mas malalaki ang carbon
footprint, iyong mas malaki ang parte sa mga nangyayaring global climate change
na tinatawag, ay dapat namang mas malaki rin ang efforts para mai-reverse ‘yung
nangyayari na sitwasyon na ito.



So, iyong iba rin ‘yung pagpunta mo sa ibang bansa nakakausap mo iyong mga
pinuno ng face-to-face, nagkakakilalanan kayo. Iyong ‘pag nagkaroon kayo ng
parang personal touch o pagbabagayan ng loob ay mas madali na sa lahat ng
kailangan ninyong gawing pag-uugnayan.



So iyon ang pakay natin at saka siyempre nga sa Europe, leader siyempre si
Chancellor [Angela] Merkel sa European Union at siyempre ang Presidente ng
France ay isa rin sa mga kinikilalang hepe. Again, iyong dulot nito, meron
tayong mga hindi pagkakaunawaan sa kanila at finally matapos na natin itong mga
usaping ito sa mga pagbiyahe nating ito.



Mr. Acol: Stand by din ang Bombo Radyo Cebu. Dito muna tayo sa Bombo Radyo
Tuguegarao with your question with the President, go ahead Bombo Radyo
Tuguegarao.



Ang Bombo Radyo Cebu ay naka-stand by rin with your question. Standby Bombo
Radyo Legazpi. Bombo Radyo Cebu with your question. Okay, Mr. President,
hintayin natin ang pagpasok ng ibang mga istasyon, ano. Sa usapin po dito sa
West Philippine Sea, ano kayang istratehiya pa natin na maaaring gawin dahilan
sa naka-pending ito sa UN Tribunal at on another hand ang Department of Foreign
Affairs ay meron ng mga diplomatic protests at meron namang mga latest na
incursions daw dito sa mga ilang mga isla sa West Philippine Sea, Mr.
President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, iyong isa sa latest na naiparating sa ating tanggapan,
iyong dalawang tinatawag nilang hydrographic ships ay nagtungo sa Recto Bank.
Ang Recto Bank ipaalala ko lang sa inyo walumpung milya ang layo mula sa Palawan,
so napakaliwanag na nasa 200-mile economic zone natin.



Ngayon ang tanong lang nga dito: Ano ba ang pakay nila doon? Ano ba ang
mina-map out nila doon? Kasi iyong hydrographic raw ho para malaman iyong
tinatawag na bottoms, china-chart mo iyong ilalim. Tungo saan? At mahirap
namang magparatang na wala tayong ebidensiya. Basta ang maliwanag may dalawa
silang barko nandito sa ating exclusive economic zone at imbes na nakakabawas
ng tension, nakakadagdag ito.



So dalawa po ang pakay natin—ang dalawang actions na ginagawa kung tutuusin.
Siyempre nandiyan iyong arbitration under UNCLOS lalo na doon sa ITLOS, na
tinatawag na International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, tapos nandiyan rin
iyong tinatrabaho natin sa ASEAN kung saan nating isinusulong na magkaroon na
ng Code of Conduct. Iyong Code of Conduct sinubukang gawin iyan [noong] 2002.
Hindi nagkasundo ang lumabas lang iyong DOC, na tinatawag Declaration of
Conduct, iyong mga general principles.



So, itong dalawang pakay na ito at iyong sa lahat ng mga forum na pinupuntahan
natin, idinidiin natin na dapat masunod iyong rule of law at sa ating paniwala
itong ang law na tumatalakay dito sa usaping ito ay nakalagay doon sa tinatawag
na United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. So sa lahat ng mga fora na
napupuntahan natin, ipinapaliwanag natin ang posisyon at sinusubukan nating
bawasan iyong tensyon imbes na palakihin.



Sana sabayan tayo ng kabilang panig na makisama na rin na magbawas ng tensyon
imbes na magpalawak pa. Siyempre, marami rin tayong mga intel na dumarating sa
atin na kung saan iyong mga tinatawag na rocks and features ay nagkakaroon ng
reclamation kung saan gumagawa na ng isla. Iyong isla kasi may karapatan, iyong
rock wala, tungkol sa tinatawag na kanyang mga boundaries.



So nababahala tayo sa lahat itong mga kilos na ito na baka nagkakaroon pa tayo
ng report na hindi na lang sa ibang mga bansang meron silang sabihin nating
dispute hindi na lang tubig ang pinag-uusapan meron na ring land claims. Sana
talagang magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag sa Ingles na “sense” mula sa kanila na
talagang nakatutok sila sa pagbababa ng lahat ng tensyon at pagreresolba ng
lahat ng naayon sa tinatawag na international law at pakikipag-ugnayan ng
mahusay sa mga karatig na bansa.



Mr. Acol: Alright sa bahaging ito magtungo tayo sa Region 2, ang Bombo Radyo
Tuguegarao with your question for the President. Go ahead, Bombo Radyo
Tuguegarao.



(Bombo Radyo Tuguegarao – Grace Carag): Mr. President, isa po ang lalawigan ng
Cagayan bilang rice importer sa pinakaapektado ng rice smuggling. Kamakailan
lang po ay nagkaroon ng alegasyong extortion sa NFA [National Food Authority]
mula sa isang rice importer. Ano po ang maasahang aksyon rito ng aming mga
magsasaka, Mr. President, para hindi naman lugi sa sektor ng agrikultura?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Teka medyo nabahala lang ako, “Cagayan rice importer?”
Siguro rice exporter ang Cagayan Valley.



Anyway, iyong imbestigasyon nasa Tanggapan na ng NBI [National Bureau of
Investigation] iyan. Tuluy-tuloy ang kanilang pagsisiyasat kung doon sa
alegasyon nitong importer para malaman nga kung ano talaga ang nangyari.



At sa dulo niyan, ‘pag nalabas iyong kanilang report, kung merong nagkasala ay
iyon naman ang asahan niyo—isasampa natin ang kaukulang kaso. Kung iyong tao
namang ginagawa lang iyong trabaho e naparatangan dahil sa harassment, lalabas
rin po iyon. So iyong katotohanan ang magtuturo sa atin kung saan tayo dapat
pumunta, number one.



Number two, dito sa smuggling, meron hong mga nagsasabi na iyong biglang
rumagasa iyong presyo ng bigas last year September ay may kaugnayan na rin doon
sa paghihigpit natin dito sa smuggling na iyong dati raw e maraming supply
dahil may mga nakakalusot. Iyon pinag-aaralan pa nang mabuti kung meron bang
basehan iyong puntong iyan.



Pero kahapon lamang, inabisuhan tayo na meron ng mga seize na mga 1,000 plus
containers na bigas na dumadaan sa proseso at tinataya na matatapos ang isang
buwan. Matatapos ‘yung proseso, kung saan malamang ay dadaan ito sa NFA para
maidagdag sa ating rice supply.



So palalabasin mo diyan na hindi kapakipakinabang na mag-smuggle ng bigas sa
Pilipinas at hindi tumitigil po diyan pati na rin ho sa gulay, pati na ‘yung
bawang na nabanggit, at sa ibang bagay pa talaga naman pong puspusan ang
ginagawa ng ating bagong Commissioner Sonny Sevilla sa pagpapabuti ng Customs.



Pero iyon na nga ho ‘yung malawak po ang coastline natin, 36,000 kilometers po
‘yan. Sinusubukan nating bantayan lahat pero matagal na pong problema ang
nangyayaring smuggling sa Customs at talagang radical na po ang ginawa natin.
For instance, ang dami nating pinagtatanggal sa Customs at ibinalik sa kanilang
mother unit, iyong Department of Finance. Iniligay ang mga taong bago na
talagang ayaw ma-assign sa Customs para talagang kumbaga bunutin lahat ng ugat
ng kamalian diyan at manigurado na mapabuti ang serbisyo ng Customs, matigil
lahat ng smuggling.



Mr. Acol: Alright, standby dyan sa Bombo Radyo Legazpi, magtungo tayo sa
Central Visayas ang Bombo Radyo Cebu with your question, go ahead Bombo Radyo
Cebu.



(Bombo Radyo Cebu – Glenn Aller): Matapos po ang pag-aresto sa mag-asawang NPA
[New People's Army] leaders na Tiamzon at kay Palparan, may development na po
ba ang paghahanap din sa iba pang fugitives na high-profile gaya ng Reyes
brothers at Ruben Ecleo?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Meron nang developments pero hindi ko ho puwedeng
sabihin sa inyo. Dahil baka ‘pag naituro nating malapit na kayo, baka
naman—baka mawala na naman ho doon.



Katulad ng kay General Palaparan, matagal-tagal na rin hong nagkaroon ng
sighting pero ‘yung mga naka-sight sa kanya, mga intel agents kulang ho, kulang
raw sila, parang iisa o dadalawa ang nakakita several months ago. At naghintay
tayo ng tinatawag na mag-surface nga muli.



So kulang ‘yung kakayahan ng intel unit at that time na arestuhin siya dahil
may mga kasama raw ho, diumano. Itong tuloy-tuloy na operations nagresulta nga
‘yung pagkakahuli sa kanya dito sa Sta. Mesa. Sinabi ko naman ho sa inyo na
tuloy-tuloy at hindi tumitigil ang ating mga law enforcement entities na
habulin lahat ng mga may warrants of arrest.



Pagpasensyahin na lang niyo ko na hindi ko puwede munang masabi sa inyo ‘yung
detalye ngayon.



Mr. Acol: Surprise ha.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Asahan na lang ho niyong tuloy-tuloy hong success
natin diyan.



Mr. Acol: Standby rin ang Bombo Radyo… Diyan sa Bicol Region ang Bombo Radyo
Legazpi with your question to the President, go ahead Bombo Radyo Legazpi.



(Bombo Radyo Legazpi – Kevin Arroco): Mr. President, marami po ang nalulungkot
dahil hindi pa rin naipapasa ang FOI [Freedom of Information] bill. Bakit daw
hindi niyo sertipikahang urgent tulad nang ginawa niyo sa Sin Tax Law at RH
Law, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Nasa Saligang Batas kasi kailan ka puwedeng
mag-certify na urgent; kailangan may emergency. At paniwala natin, doon sa Sin
Tax at saka ‘dun sa RH Law, talagang may emergency, na ‘yung sa RH nga… Isipin
niyo, ano, kailan lang mga two weeks ago ho ba, 100 million Filipinos na. Noong
EDSA ho, nasa 50 million tayo. EDSA was roughly about a generation ago. In one
generation dumoble na ho tayo ng populasyon.



So siyempre, lahat ho, ‘yung paano papakainin, patatrabahuhin, pag-aaralin, at
saka ‘yung kanilang health issues. At marami nga ho ‘yung hindi pa natin naabot
‘yung ating Millenium Development Goals doon sa maternal mortality rate at saka
sa infant mortality rate. So maliwanag ho ‘yon.



‘Yung sa sin taxes ho, kayo naman ho siguro ho pareho ko ay maraming nakikita
‘dun sa mga namamatay dahil sa—aminin kong bisyo ko na rin ho, sigarilyo—at
saka doon sa alak. Meron hong health na emergency diyan na kung saan ‘yung
taxes na binabayad nila kulang pa doon sa binabayad na rin natin sa
pagpapagamot ng mga nasobrahan doon sa mga bisyong ito.



Ngayon pagdating naman ho sa FOI, meron ho ba kaming itinago sa inyong
impormasyon or to anybody? Hindi ba kami napaka-transparent. Di ba, noong
umpisa, merong tinatawag na “bottom-up budgeting”—pinalitan na po ‘yung
pangalan niyan—kung saan pinipilit natin maging transparent sa lahat ng gawain
po natin at lahat ng tanong pinipilit nating sagutin.



Ngayon, aminin ko ho sa inyo may mga araw na gusto kong i-share sa inyo ‘yung
mga problemang umaabot sa akin. For instance, ano, bigyan ‘ko na kayo ng
sample, tapos sabihin niyo sa akin kung gusto niyong malaman ito in its
entirety:



Dumating ‘yung MERS [Middle East Respiratory Syndrome] na problema. Umpisa
niyan, may text sa akin ang DOH [Department of Health], merong mga na-expose na
Pilipino raw sa MERS sa Middle East at binabantayan. Tapos noong Holy Week ho,
bigla na lang nakita ko nagkaroon sa isang TV station na tila merong isa na
nag-test positive at nakarating na sa Pilipinas. Tapos, naabisuhan tayo parang
12 hours na yata mula nang bumalik siya. Ngayon, siguro, isho-short cut ko na
lang ho, ano. Isipin niyo, ‘yung Wednesday po ng Holy Week, nag-meeting kami
hanggang 3:30 ng umaga para masiguradong ‘yung number one, mahanap ‘yung
pasaherong ito.



Bigyan ko kayo ng mga ibang detalye. Ilan bang pasahero ‘nung eroplano? Four
hundred—hindi—418. Mga ganoon. ‘Yung na-report 418. Tinanong ko muna, paano ba
nagkakahawaan diyan? Airborne ba? Eroplano sarado ‘yung hangin. Siyempre doon
nagre-recirculate. Sagot sa atin: ang studies nila hindi airborne. Kailangan
physical contact. Oh, sinong in danger? ‘Yung tatlong pasahero raw sa harap,
tatlo sa bawat gilid, at sa likod. Sabi ko, “Sandali lang, e walong oras ‘yung
eroplano mula doon papunta dito. Hindi kaya nakipagkwentuhan sa likod, sa
harap, sa gitna? Hindi kaya gumalaw ‘yung eroplano, na off balance siya, may
natanganan siyang ibang tao? Hindi kaya mas maganda tsckin [check] na natin
lahat ng pasahero?” So hinanap ho namin lahat ‘yan.



Ang masakit pa niyan ‘yung contact numbers. Umalis sila prepaid ‘yung iba o
marami sa kanila. E mga anim na buwan, isang taon nang wala dito; ‘yung iba,
dalawang taon, wala na ho ‘yung prepaid na ‘yon. Noong pinagtatawagan niyo,
lumabas hindi kumpleto ang datos. So paano natin hahanapin lahat? Tapos tinap
[tap] muna—Holy Week pa naman—tinap mo lahat ng ahensiya. Tinap ko ‘yung POEA,
tinap mo ‘yung DFA, tinap mo ‘yung DOLE, pati ho yata DSWD kasama rin e. Basta
ang dami—lahat ng paraan para mahanap.



Habang pumasok ‘yan, meron hong isang babae naman na nagkasa… ‘Yung sabi nila
kasi, hindi pa nakakahawa kung hindi lumalabas ‘yung sintomas. May dumating na
babae, may trangkaso, na tila isang sintomas, at parehong lugar ang
pinanggalingan pero ibang eroplano. Nakaabot ng Iloilo naman ‘yon. Hahanapin mo
ngayon lahat; tetestengin [test] mo, tapos ‘yung test, 12 hours ang minimum
niyan at isa lang ang testing facility natin, nasa Alabang.



So kukunin muna ‘yung swab na tinatawag na sample, ita-transport, tapos pati na
rin ‘yon sa transport—e Holy Week, ano, medyo loaded lahat ng transportation.
Siguro humupa ‘yung tensyon namin mga linggo na lang dahil nga lahat ng tinest,
negative.



So kasabay no’n, patapos ‘yung Holy Week, siyempre, nandoon na ‘yung
nag-uumpisa na ‘yung— Ebola naman. Pareho. ‘Yung MERS, ‘yung Ebola, walang
gamot. Pagkatapos niyan, ‘yung susunod na linggo, ‘yung medyo… Ang sabi ang
Ebola, ‘pag tinamaan ka, doon ka na lang, ‘di ka na aabot dito. ‘Yung MERS,
medyo, talagang mula ‘yung passive surveillance na tinatawag ginawa nating
active surveillance. Ano bang ibig sabihin no’n?



‘Yung una kasing proseso nila, kunyari nanggaling kasa lugar na ‘yon, baka
na-expose ka; tatawagan ka ng DOH, tapos sasabihin, “Huwag kang lalabas ng
bahay. Kung may sintomas ka, tawagan mo kami.”



Sabi ko, ‘Teka muna. ‘Yung tao, isang taon na nasa Middle East na bawal ‘yung
good time, bawal uminom, etc. Kakarating dito, aawat sa sarili ‘pag niyaya ng
kabarkada?” ‘Yung lahat ng kamag-anak niya naghihintay ng pasalubong, hindi
muna siya haharapin? Mukhang malabo yata ‘yan.’ E kung talagang meron siya,
na-expose baka ngayon lumabas ‘yung sintomas, walang gamot ‘yan, delikado.
I-quarantine na natin nang buo.



So swerte ko naman, nandiyan ‘yung Chief Presidential Legal Counsel at saka
natanong ko rin yata sa ano kay Chief Justice na ‘yung power of the state. Kasi
merong health emergency, na ‘pag ito, meron talagang sintomas, nabugahan ka, nahatsingan
ka, o sa kamay niya nadapuan ka, baka nga may epidemic na walang gamot.



So nandoon, tinulungan nila ako mahanap ‘yung batas; merong Quarantine Law of
2004, na siyang nagbigay sa atin ng karapatan at saka kakayahan para matigil
‘yung pagkalat nitong disease.



Pero so far, ulitin ko lang, negative lahat. Pati ‘yung nag-positive doon,
pagdating dito, tinest [test] ulit, naging negative na.



Mr. Acol: Swerte pa rin ang Pilipinas.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Swerte. Ngayon ho, hindi pa natapos ‘yon e dahil nang
susunod na linggo, after Holy Week, meron namang misteryosong sakit na
nangyari—sabihin na lang natin isa doon sa mga istasyon niyo na nagtanong
ngayon ‘dun sa lugar—isa sa lugar nila.



‘Yung unang report, tatlumpung tao ang nagkasakit. Kumain raw o tumangan ng
karne galing sa kabayong tila may sakit. Ang masakit nito, apat doon sa mga
taong nagkasakit, dalawa doon sa apat namatay pa—siyam din namatay
kabuuan—hindi kumain ng karneng kabayo at hindi tinanganan ‘yung kabayo.



At nagtatanong, ‘Teka muna kako mula sa hayop, napunta sa tao tapos mula sa tao
lipat sa tao?” Parang bibihira ‘yan. So tsinek [check] ‘yung disease kung…
Noong una, Japanese encephalitis ang sabi nila na pina-test doon sa Japan,
hindi nag-reply.



Eventually, Australia ang nakahanap. May karamdaman na nagmumula—dinadala ng
paniki, ‘yung paniki dumudumi, tatama sa damuhan kung saan kumakain ‘yung
kabayo, doon nagkasakit ‘yung kabayo. Ngayon, ‘yung siyempre, paano ba ito
‘yung health professional… ‘Yung apat kasi health professional tini-treat ‘yung
mga katao. Bakit sila rin nagkasakit? Tapos ‘yon na nga, nalaman na natin ‘yung
disease, nalaman kung paano masiguradong hindi kumalat ‘yung disease na ito.



Ngayon, siguro ang tanong ko lang ho dito sa tanong na FOI: Gusto ba niyong
malaman lahat ng detalye habang nangyayari. Kasi katulad niyan may bagong study
sa MERS na baka airborne na dahil merong… Parang pinagmulan raw ho niyan eh
camel.



So merong isang—may farm, si farmer nagkaroon ng MERS, merong isang camel rin
na namatay na dahil raw sa MERS tapos sinuwab (swab) ‘yung ibang camel na
kasama doon sa barn, and may positive rin ho sila. So ina-assume nila na…
Parang may theory ngayon, baka airborne na siya, hindi ‘yung direct contact
lang.



So ulitin ko lang ho, ano. ‘Yung sinasabi sa akin ng mga ka-industriya niyo,
‘yung masipag raw ho na reporter, hindi kailangan ng FOI. Pero, at the same
time, parang ito ‘yung kumakagat. Ulitin ko, ano: Ano bang tinago namin? Ano ba
‘yung ‘di namin shinare [share]? Parati hong sinasagot sa akin, “Hindi naman
para sa inyo e, para sa susunod sa inyo.” So hindi namin hinarang ‘yung FOI
Bill. Sinabi lang namin na ito ‘yung mga kailangan naman nating makita diyan,
at hinain na namin sa Kongreso matagal-tagal na.



So kung may isyu, baka dapat sa Kongreso kayo magpunta, hindi ho sa amin dahil
‘yung aming ibinigay na sa kanila ay kayang-kaya na namin pong isabuhay ‘yon
kung isasabatas nila.



Mr. Acol: Okay magtungo tayo sa Capiz. Standby rin ang Bombo Radyo Davao at
Bombo Radyo Bacolod. Nasa linya rin ang Bombo Radyo Roxas na may katanungan rin
sa inyo Mahal na Pangulo, go ahead Bombo Radyo Roxas.



(Bombo Radyo Roxas – Melvin Galate): Magandang umaga po, Mr. President.
Napabalita po na maraming pulitiko po ang gumagamit sa Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program o 4Ps sa kanilang personal na interes, lalo na po tuwing
halalan. Ano po ang reaksyon ninyo sa panawagan na tanggalin na po ang CCT
[Conditional Cash Transfer] program dahil bigo naman daw na mabawasan ang
bilang ng mga mahihirap sa bansa, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, mali. Iba ho yata ang statistics na binabasa
ninyo at binabasa ko dahil tingnan po natin doon sa poverty reduction, two and
a half million Filipinos ho ang nawala sa latest na data na nanggaling po sa
NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority].



Ngayon sa panggagamit ng pulitiko, hindi ko sasabihin sa inyo perpekto ‘yung
sistema, pero ang basehan po na kung sinong ilalagay doon sa 4Ps na programa ay
nagmula sa isang study na tinaguriang National Household Targeting Survey, kung
saan sinusuri sino ba talaga ang may pangangailangan at hindi.



Ngayon, medyo luma na po ‘yung survey, 2009 kung hindi ako nagkakamali,
nagkaroon ng mungkahi na kailangan nang i-review ito o panibagong survey para
makita nga kung sino ang nanatili, kung nadagdagan, etc. Inaprubahan ho natin
‘yan. Ang problema lang, popondohan ng DAP. Nabalewala na po ng Korte Suprema
‘yung DAP, nabinbin. Ihahain natin sa Kongreso na isama sa supplemental budget
para sa 2014, para magawa na nga po ‘yung study.



Ulitin ko lang ho, ‘yung sinasabi niyo baka anecdotal, medyo magugulat ho ako
nang talagang may mga pulitikong sumubok na makihalo ho dito, pero ang dulo ho
ang basehan ‘yung survey na ginawa. At ‘yung survey ho ginawa bago noong
panahon natin. Nandiyan na ‘yung survey at kumikilos kami kung sino ba dapat
ang tulungan? ‘Yung survey ang nagtukoy kung sino ang mga may pangangailangan.



Ngayon, ititigil ba natin ‘yan? Ulitin ko lang ho, two and a half million
Filipinos lifted out of the poverty line. Hindi ho biro ‘yan. ‘Yung sa
employment naman po, nagkaroon tayo ng 1.6 million na dagdag na trabaho ng
2013. ‘Yung 2014 ho siguro sana madagdagan pa lalo ‘yan o mahigitan pa.



So ulitin ko, ako naniniwala ako doon sa konsepto. ‘Yung pamilya na talagang
sobrang hirap na ‘yung ultimo pamasahe na lang ng anak nila papunta sa libreng
grade school at high school ay hindi maabot ay kailangan naman hong alalayan
natin para makasabay dito sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya. Kapag wala hong skills
na tinatawag, paano makikisali ng talagang buong-buo sa nangyayaring pag-angat
ng ating ekonomiya.



Mr. Acol: Alright balikan natin ang Mindanao Region. Ang Bombo Radyo Davao, Mr.
President ay meron ding katanungan, go ahead with your question Bombo Radyo
Davao.



(Bombo Radyo Davao – Noli Tecson): Mr. President, marami po ang hindi
kumbinsido sa performance ng PNP at nababahala sa mga naitatalang krimen na mas
naging brutal at walang takot ang mga suspek kaya tuloy marami ang naniniwala
sa estilo ni Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte para matakot ang kriminal.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, ‘yung siguro ang diretsong sagot diyan:
Pinangako ko naman ho kasi sa inyo, talagang tutugisin natin lahat ng may sala.
Tingnan natin ‘yung mga high profile cases, ano.



Kanina sa diyaryo, nabasa naman po niyo, ‘yung pangatlo na hindi na-solve.
Tatlo ho magkakasabay, more or less, si Mayor [Ernesto)]Balolong ng Urbiztondo,
Pangasinan. Parang kinabukasan kung hindi ako nagkakamali, may nahabol na
kaagad na dalawa na salarin.



Tapos sumunod po n’on si Ginoong Richard King. June 7 ho, kay Mayor Balolong;
June 12 ‘yung kay Mr. Richard King. Diyan po sa Davao nangyari, at nahuli na po
ang apat na kataong may koneksyon dito sa krimen na ito. ‘Yung pinakahuli ho
doon sa grupong tatlong ‘yon, parehong araw ho, ‘yung [kay] Ferdinand “Enzo”
Pastor, ‘yung karerista, nahuli naman ho. Nahuli ho kanina.



So ulitin ko lang ho sa inyo, ano: Paniwala ko titigil ang krimen hindi dahil
sa tinatawag na takot pero ‘yung kasiguruduhan na ‘pag may ginawa kang krimen,
mahahabol ka ng estado at makukulong ka’t pagbabayaran mo ‘yung kasalanan mo.
At ito nga ho, siguro baka matanong ko naman ho kayo in return. ‘Pag ‘yung mga
sensational na krimen, frontpage; ‘pag nahuli ho, nasa frontpage ba headline
rin? Siguro kay Palparan, naka-headline. ‘Yung Tiamzon, hindi ko alam kung
saan—kung anong pahina. Kay Pastor, nakita ko kanina, bottom of the fold at
medyo ‘yung pinakita ho siguro one inch ‘yung column dito sa frontpage.



‘Yon ho makakatulong kayo sa amin. Baka ito may krimeng nangyari, malaki hong
populasyon natin, may nagsasabi nga ho pati na sa Garden of Eden nagkaroon rin
ng krimen e.



Pero ang tanong ho dito: ‘Pag may ginawang krimen at nakalusot, hindi
pinagbayad ng kasalanan, ‘yon ho palpak ang sistema natin. Pero ‘pag nahuli
naman ho, sana kasing prominent rin para mapakita naman, ma-engganyuhan ‘yung
mga testigo na makilahok kayo dito, may mangyayaring hustisya. Pero ‘pag
itinatago ho natin ‘yung success sa inside pages or baka sa B Section, C
Sectio, D Section, o kung ano pang section, e baka naman hindi makita ng tao na
may ebidensiya or merong testimonyang gustong ihain na sulit ‘yung pagbibigay
niya ng testimonya.



Mr. Acol: Alright, standby Bombo Radyo Bacolod. Maiba lamang ako Mr. President,
sa media killings po, meron ba kayong mga bagong marching orders ‘dun sa ating
mga taga-PNP? Lately, may bago na namang binaril diyan sa Dagupan, sa
Pangasinan.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Wala pa akong information na malalim doon sa Dagupan.
Pero nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa National Press Corps kung saan ang mungkahi nila
ay magkaroon naman sila ng representante doon sa inter-agency task force na
sinet [set] up nga pa to address ‘yung media killings.



Masasabi natin kasi napakaraming disente dito sa administrasyon natin.



‘Pag nagkaroon ng krimen—ang tanong kasi number one: Ito ba dahil, ‘di ba, ‘pag
sinabing media killing kadalasan agents of the state, sinu-supress ‘yung search
for the truth. So ‘yon hindi dapat talaga mangyari ‘yon. Actually, maski ‘yung
killing hindi dapat mangyari talaga.



Pero marami rin ho dito na masasabi natin not in the pursuit of the profession
e. Tapos, bakit ko nabanggit ‘yung disente? May pamilya, nawalan sila ng
miyembro. Sasabihin ba natin kung anong dahilan bakit nawala itong miyembro ng
pamilya nila? At kung minsan ho e, ‘di ba, halo-halo na hong dahilan. May love
triangle, may extortion, may kung ano-ano ho e.



Gusto pa ba nating ilabas ‘yung dahilan na ‘yon na may personal silang alitan
na kaya ganito umabot? At having said that, hindi ho excuse ‘yon doon sa gumawa
ng kasalanan. Tutugisin pa rin natin ‘yung, continue natin ‘yan. Pero kung
minsan ho, ‘pag nagiging quiet kami, parang lumalabas—dahil ayaw na nga naming
ilabas ‘yung mga nakitang motivation. Kumpletong ‘yung kwento, ano. Itong
pumatay, ito napatay. Una muna: Ito namatay o pinatay; ito pumatay; ang dahilan
nang pagpatay ay ganito. Quiet kami doon sa dahilan ng pagpatay biglang
lumalabas hindi namin na-solve.



Ngayon, ang tanong naman ho doon, maganda ho kaya nasa kultura natin na
sasabihin, ‘di ba, may ginawang ‘di rin maganda itong biktima at nawalan ng
ibang pupuntahan itong assailant. So ‘yon pinare-review ko ho sa ating butihing
Kalihim ng Katarungan na baka importante na rin kumpletuhin na natin ‘yung
kwento para alam ng taumbayan talaga na na-solve sa kabuuan kung ano man ‘yang
krimen na ‘yan.



Pero ulitin ko, hindi natin tino-tolerate ‘yan at hinahabol nga natin lahat.
Ayoko ng magsalita nang dagdag pa tungkol doon sa… Pero masasabi natin naman
siguro at sasang-ayon kayo, maski anong samahan, merong maayos, meron hong hindi
maayos. Ulitin ko lang ho, obligasyon ng estado, ano man ang ginawa mong krimen
kailangang pagbayaran mo.



Mr. Acol: Magtungo tayo sa bahagi ng Negros, ang Bombo Radyo Bacolod may
question po sa inyo Mahal na Pangulo, go ahead Bombo Radyo Bacolod.



(Bombo Radyo Bacolod – Jaz de Jesus): Mr. President, hindi lingid sa ating
kaalaman na laganap na ang political dynasty sa bansa, ano. Mahigpit po itong
kinokontra ng CBCP at iba pang concerned groups. Ano po ba ang inyong masasabi
sa lumalawak na panawagan laban dito, Mr. President?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Pagkaintindi ko sa kasalukuyang Kongreso meron na hong
mga panukalang batas na talagang umaabante na at pati si Speaker nagsalita na
pabor siya diyan sa Anti-Dynasty Bill.



Ako rin ho, ano, lalo na ‘pag ‘yung, ‘di ba, parang isang pamilya sa isang
lugar ay nasa kanila na lahat—economic, political, kung minsan pati ‘yung
judicial pati ‘yung sa security sector puro kamag-anak nila ay baka mahirapan
tayong magkaroon ng tinatawag na malaya at saka makatotohanang halalan.



Siyempre, ‘yung una ho nating misyon sa or una nating naging trabaho sa
Kongreso e senior vice chair po tayo ng Human Rights, Civil, Political and
Human Rights Committee na… Ang hirap nga nito ‘yung kawawa na rin kaming mga
pulitiko kung tutuusin.



Kapag pulitiko ka dapat bawasan ‘yung karapatan mo, dapat mas mataas ‘yung
scrutiny sa’yo, ‘di ba? ‘Pag papanatili ng magandang pangalan, ‘pag sa pulitiko
ka, mali [ang] dynasty. ‘Pag kunyari sa medicine, nag-retire ‘yung doktor mo,
pumunta sa anak niya, una mong susubukan ‘yung anak niya.



Pero having said that, palagay ko nasa record naman. Nandiyan na ‘yung mga
panukalang batas. Isa ho finile (file) ni Congressman Erice ng Caloocan, at
ulitin ko lang ho, si Speaker Belmonte na mismo ang nagsabi na talagang
isusulong nila itong Anti-Dynasty na batas na ito na iliwanag na ‘yung
provision ng Constitution at magkaroon na ng enabled law; at ‘pag natapos ho
nila ‘yan, ako’y handang-handa pirmahan na po ‘yung batas na ‘yan.



Mr. Acol: Mr. President, mawalang galang po sa inyo, ano, gusto ko lamang
bigyang daan itong lighter side po, ano. What comes first in your mind,
mag-mention ako ng mga names, words?



For example, Pope Francis’ visit, Santo Papa.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Kay Pope Francis, ano, ‘yung… Ang gusto ko sana one
word e pero ‘yung hope, ‘yung inspirational at kung kailangan explanation
puwede kong sabihin iyan.



Baka naman sabihin dahil trinain [train] rin ako ng mga Heswita, at Heswita
siya kaya idol ko siya. Pero ‘yung gusto nating makitang buhay na simbahan ay
talagang isinasabuhay niyang simbahang nakatutok doon sa pangangailangan ng
kanyang mga kasapi. Hindi… Para bang walang pakialam sa nangyayari, at ‘yan ay
talagang dinemostrate (demonstrate) ni Pope Francis in so many instances, kaya
talagang very inspiring, nagge-generate ng intense hope na may rebirth ‘yung
Catholic Church.



Mr. Acol: Senador Bongbong Marcos.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Kapwa ko pulitiko siguro at saka… Siguro, ano,
Bongbong Marcos, magkasalungat na lang.



Mr. Acol: Senador Juan Ponce Enrile, Senador Estrada, Senador Revilla.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Hindi naman angkop yata na isa for all. Siyempre,
Senator Enrile, hindi ko masabing nag-away kami, lalo noong panahon na Senate
President siya—Gentleman of the Old School.



Doon sa dalawa naman nabanggit mo, ay siguro what comes to mind, we will
guarantee the rights. We will guarantee that their rights are observed.



Mr. Acol: How about Manny Pacquiao?



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, siguro, kay Manny—may mga araw naaawa ako sa
kanya sa dami ng payo niyang magkasalungat na kailangang harapin. Baka
naco-confuse na rin ‘yung tao kung sino bang dapat kausapin; kung sino ba ang
dapat pakinggan.



Pero sana ‘yung nasa—talagang nasa edad na siya na ma-discern niya kung sino ba
talagang nagbibigay ng tamang payo sa kanya.



Mr. Acol: Chief Justice Sereno of the Supreme Court.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Mabigat ang tungkulin. Maliwanag na matatagalan siya
bilang—matagal ang kanyang pagbubuhat ng responsibilidad na ayusin ‘yung buong
Hudikatura.



Mr. Acol: Patok na patok ngayon mga social media, trending ang tinatawag na Ice
Bucket Challenge.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Huwag na muna nating pag-usapan dahil una kong
ivo-volunteer si Rey Marfil [laughter]; una kong icha-challenge, lalo ngayon
may sipon ako medyo…



Mr. Acol: Gilas Pilipinas, almost 40 years balik tayo sa FIBA World, sa world
stage.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Magandang pagkakataon para ipakita ‘yung talento ng
Pilipino, ‘yung ugali natin na hindi tayo pasukong tao.



‘Yung puso, ‘yung ambisyon, at ‘yung pagsusumikap tungo doon sa ambisyon na
‘yon. Baka hindi binibigay sa atin ‘yung… Hindi, ‘di ba, fed with the silver
spoon. Hindi. Talagang pinagsumikapan natin at ‘yon sana makita natin sa
performance ng Gilas.



Mr. Acol: Nabanggit mo ‘yung puso, ano, kamusta na po ang puso niyo? Due to
consistent public demand baka… [Laughter]



PRESIDENT AQUINO: Ayos naman. [Laughter] Maliwanag na hindi ‘yon ang
priority natin ngayon.



Mr. Acol: PNoy in less than two years from now.



PRESIDENT AQUINO: One year and ten months from now, palagay ko kasama ko
si Usec. Marfil at saka si Asec. [Jun] Delantar sa July 1, the day after bumaba
tayo sa puwesto, at kakain kami ng masarap talaga, tapos may streamer na
nakalagay sa likod namin, “Kalayaan.” [Laughter] Kung hindi ho sila babalik sa
gobyerno ha. [Laughter]

SOURCE: Presidential News Desk









 



INTERVIEWOF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.DZRB
/ Pilipinas, Pilipinas by Efren Montano & Albert Sebastian
31 August 2014


OPENING STATEMENTS



Update on the Situation of Filipino Peacekeepers in Golan Heights



Bilang Pangulo at ama ng bayan, isinasaalang-alang ni Pangulong Aquino ang
kaligtasan at kapakanan ng lahat ng Pilipinong naninirahan at naghahanapbuhay
sa lahat ng bahagi ng daigdig. Bilang Commander-in-Chief ng Sandatahang Lakas
ng Pilipinas, masinsing sinusubaybayan ni Pangulong Aquino ang mga kaganapan sa
Gitnang Silangan at iba pang rehiyong ginagalawan ng mga kawal Pilipinong
kasapi sa United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) na naka-istasyon
sa Golan Heights at sa iba pang lugar.



Simula pa noong Biyernes, tinututukan na ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna nina
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del
Rosario, at AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Chief of Staff General
Gregorio Pio Catapang ang sitwasyon sa Golan Heights at patuloy nilang
binibigyan ng situation updates ang Pangulo.



Pinapurihan nina Secretary Gazmin at General Catapang ang ating mga magigiting
na kawal sa kanilang matatag at ‘di matinag na determinasyong ipagtanggol ang
lugar sa Golan Heights na sakop ng kanilang responsibilidad. Patunay ito sa
determinasyon ng Pilipinas na gampanan ang commitment nito sa United Nations.



Ayon kay General Catapang, hindi pahihintulutan ng AFP at UN na ikompromiso ang
kaligtasan at seguridad ng ating mga sundalo habang ginagampanan nila ang
kanilang mga tungkulin. Nasa pambansang interes na bigyang prayoridad ang
kanilang kaligtasan, samantalang hindi tinatalikuran ang ating commitment sa
pandaigdigang seguridad, partikular na sa Golan Heights at Middle East.



Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga Filipino peacekeeper mula sa Position 68 at Position 69
ay naka-reposition na sa Camp Ziuoani at ito ang pinaka-latest update ayon kay
Major General (Domingo) Tutaan na spokesperson ng Armed Forces of the
Philippines. As of 7:00 a.m. today, lahat po ng mga Filipino peacekeeper mula
sa Position 68 at Position 69 ay naka-reposition na sa Camp Ziuoani. At ayon
din po din Major General Tutaan ay buong gabi pong sinubaybayan ito—ang
pag-reposition—nina Secretary Gazmin, Secretary Albert del Rosario, General
Catapang, at iba pang mataas na opisyal ng AFP.



Nagpapasalamat ang Pilipinas sa tulong at suporta ng ibang bansang kasapi rin
sa UNDOF at partikular sa Syria, Israel, Qatar, at Estados Unidos na
nakipag-ugnayan upang panatilihin ang katahimikan at integridad ng partikular
na rehiyon sa Golan Heights at pahupain ang tensyon doon. Ang estabilidad na
napairal ay resulta ng pagtutulungan sa pagitan ng UN at mga naturang bansa pagkatapos
ang magiting na pagtatanggol na isinagawa ng mga sundalong Pilipino sa
pag-atake ng mga Syrian rebel kahapon ng umaga.



Nakipag-ugnayan na rin ang AFP peacekeeping office sa mga pamilya ng mga
sundalo upang bigyan sila ng karampatang ulat tungkol sa kalagayan ng kanilang
mga mahal sa buhay. Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa ating mga kababayan sa kanilang
pagsuporta at patuloy na pananalangin para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga sundalong
Pilipino sa Middle East at sa buong mundo.



World Bank Loan and Financial Package



Ikinagagalak natin ang pagpapahayag ng World Bank hinggil sa US 508-million
dollars o 22.4 bilyong pisong loan at financial package para sa Pilipinas na
nakalaan para sa imprastrukutura sa kanayunan at tulong pagnenegosyo at
pangkabuhayan para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda.



Ang financial package na ito ay tinaguriang Philippine Rural Development
Project (PRDP) at ipapatupad ito ng Kawanihan ng Pagsasaka at inaasahang
magreresulta ito sa pagbuti ng kabuhayan ng humigit-kumulang dalawang milyong magsasaka
at mangingisda.



Lampas sa 70 porsyento ng proyekto ay gagamitin sa pagpondo ng mga proyektong
pang-imprastruktura ng mga pamahalaang lokal o LGUs (local government units)
kasama na ang mga sumusunod: farm-to-market roads, bridges, tire trucks, communal
irrigation, potable water systems, post-harvest facilities, production
facilities, fish landings, fish sanctuaries, storage facilities, trading posts,
greenhouses, solar driers, at slope stabilization works.



Sa ilalim nitong PRDP, inaasahang makakamit ang mga sumusunod na benepisyo sa
susunod na anim na taon: 1) pagtaas ng ‘di bababa sa limang porsyento ng antas
ng taunang kita ng sambahayan (real household income) ng mga magsasaka at
mangingisda; 2) 30 porsyentong pagtaas ng kita ng mga targeted na benepisyaryo
sa pamamagitan ng mga negosyo at programang pangkabuhayan; 3) Pitong
porsyentong pag-angat sa halaga ng produktong ibebenta ng mga mangingisda at
magsasaka sa mga pamilihan; at 4) 20 porsyentong pagtaas sa bilang ng mga
magsasaka at mangingisda na napabuti ang paghahatid ng kani-kanilang mga
produkto sa pamilihang bayan.



Nakapaloob din sa PRDP ang pitong milyong dolyar na tulong pinansyal o grant
mula sa global environment facility na naglalayong palakasin ang konserbasyon
at pangangalaga ng mga baybayin at marine-protected areas sa mga lugar ng
Tayabas sa Quezon, Green Island sa Palawan, Ticao Pass sa Sorsogon at Masbate,
Guimaras, Danajon Bank sa Bohol, at Guiuan sa Eastern Samar.



Bidding for the Maintenance of MRT-3



Patuloy ang pagsusumikap ng pamahalaan na maisaayos ang serbisyo ng ating mga
tren at higit pang mapahusay ang pangkalahatang programa sa pampublikong
transportasyon upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at kaginhawaan ng ating mga
kababayan. Ayon sa DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications),
nakatakda nang simulan ang bidding ng kontrata para sa tatlong taong
maintenance ng MRT-3 na nagkakahalaga ng 2.25 bilyong piso.



Inaasahang magiging mas maayos ang pangangalaga sa kaayusan ng serbisyo ng
MRT-3, kabilang na ang mga bagon nito, bunga ng mas mahabang kontrata para sa
maintenance. Isang prebid conference ang isasagawa sa susunod na Martes,
ikasiyam ng Setyembre, para sa mga lokal at dayuhang kompanya na nais lumahok
sa gagawing bidding.



Gilas Performance at the current FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain



Nakikiisa ang Pangulo sa buong sambayanan sa paghahatid ng pagbati sa
ipinakitang galing at determinasyon ng ating mga manlalaro ng Gilas Pilipinas
sa kanilang laban kontra Croatia. Sa kabila ng matinding pagsubok at hamon, nagawa
ng Pilipinas na lumaban hanggang huli at umani sila ng paghanga sa mundo ng
basketball.



Gaya ng unang nasabi ng Pangulo sa kanyang panayam nitong nakaraang Miyerkules,
ang paglahok ng Pilipinas sa FIBA World Cup matapos ang 38 taon ay isang
“magandang pagkakataon para ipakita ‘yung talento ng Pilipino. ‘Yung ugali
natin bilang isang bansa na hindi tayo pasukong tao.” Dagdag pa ng Pangulo na
ang puso, ang ambisyon, at ang pagsusumikap upang matamo ang ambisyon ang
siyang magsisilbing lakas ng Gilas Pilipinas sa mga susunod pa nitong laban.



Sa mga manlalaro ng Gilas Pilipinas, kabilang na ang coaching staff, nasa likod
ninyo ang buong sambayanang Pilipino at sama-sama ang ating panalangin sa
inyong pakikiharap sa mga pinakamahuhusay na basketbolista sa buong mundo.
Isigaw natin ang battlecry: “Laban Pilipinas! Puso!”



GOLAN HEIGHTS



Albert Sebastian: Sir, follow-up lang po doon sa ating ulat mula diyan sa Golan
Heights na naialis na nga ‘yung mga Pilipino. Sir, the exact numbers po—lahat
po ‘nung 75 peacekeepers—ay naialis na po ba o meron pa pong mga natira?



SEC. COLOMA: Linawin lang natin, ang nangyari po ay repositioning, kasi po
hindi po sila umaalis doon sa kanilang area of responsibility. Sila po ay
nag-reposition lamang sa Camp Ziuoani, bahagi pa rin po ito ng kanilang area of
responsibility, at lahat po ay lumisan na doon sa datihan na tinutukoy na
Position 68 at Position 69. Ito ay kinumpirma ng AFP spokesperson, si Major
General Tutaan.



Efren Montano: Okay. At sila ay safe naman po doon sa kanilang pag-reposition?
Walang casualties na naiulat?



SEC. COLOMA: Ligtas po sila at sa buong kaganapan ay wala pong nasugatan o
casualty sa ating hanay.



Mr. Montano: ‘Yung October pullout ng ating Filipino [peacekeepers] tuloy pa
rin po ‘yan na maisasagawa?



SEC. COLOMA: ‘Yan po ang pinakahuling deklarasyon hinggil diyan at aalamin po
natin kung mayroong pag-aaral o iba pang mga konsiderasyon hinggil diyan. Pero
sa ngayon ay ‘yan ang naihayag na na patakaran.



Mr. Montano: Okay. At hopefully ay walang mangyari dahil between September and
October ay anything can happen. But we are praying na mailigtas nga o ligtas
itong ating mga Filipino [peacekeepers].



SEC. COLOMA: Handa namang ipagpatuloy ng ating mga peacekeeper ang pagganap sa
kanilang tungkulin habang sila ay nandoon pa sa larangan ng responsibilidad
nila bilang kasapi ng United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.



MRT ISSUE



Mr. Sebastian: Mula kay Bernard, sir, sabi niya: Sa MRT (Metro Rail Transit)
issue, dapat bang bigatan ang parusa sa mananalo sa maintenance kapag
nagkaaberya ang MRT sa ilalim ng kanilang pamamahala?



SEC. COLOMA: Layunin po ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ‘yung kahusayan ng maintenance
para sa ating mass transport system na MRT at lahat ay ginagawa at gagawin pa
para tiyakin na ito ay matutupad. At ito po ay sa pamamagitan ng mainam na
kontrata na magbibigay diin sa patuloy na operasyon sa isang ligtas na paraan.



Mr. Montano: Ano po ‘yung expectation natin bukas sa idaraos na hearing diyan
sa Senado ukol po sa naturang problema at kaugnay din ng mismong pagsakay
nitong si Senator Grace Poe diyan sa MRT—‘yung tinatawag nilang MRT rush
challenge? Ano po ‘yung expectation ng Palasyo sa naturang hearing?



SEC. COLOMA: Ang atin pong Kongreso, partikular ang Senado, ay nagdaraos ng
ganyang mga pagdinig in aid of legislation—para po makatulong sa pagsasabatas
ng mga patakaran at mga alituntunin na naglalayong pahusayin ang serbisyo
publiko. Ang isa rin pong pakay nila ay ang tinatawag na legislative oversight.
Pinapangasiwaan po nila ang iba’t ibang mga mahalagang proyekto ng pamahalaan
at ng lingkod-publiko para matiyak na ‘yung tinutustusan ng ating pambansang
budget ay ginagampanan din sa mainam na paraan. Kaya’t kaisa po kami sa mga
layuning ‘yan na mapahusay ang serbisyo, malaman kung ano ang mga partikular na
pagpapahusay o improvement ang kinakailangang ipatupad, at bigyang pansin ang
mga aspeto ng serbisyo na maaaring kulang sa kahusayan o kailangan pang
pahusayin.



Mr. Montano: Ibig sabihin po welcome [sa atin] ‘yung naturang mga hearing diyan
sa Senado.



SEC. COLOMA: Nananalig po tayo na ang ating mga mambabatas ay nagkakaisa sa
layuning pahusayin ang serbisyo publiko at ‘yan ay maaaring matamo sa
pamamagitan ng kanilang pagdinig.



CRITICISMS OF REP. TIANGCO



Vanz Fernandez: Sir, question ko lang po. Sinasabi po nitong si (Navotas
Representative Toby) Tiangco na diumano ang ekonomiya raw natin ay bumabagsak
dahil sa pamumulitika nitong MAD na tinatawag—sina Mar Roxas, (Butch) Abad, at
(Franklin) Drilon. Sang-ayon po ba kayo sa sinabi nitong si Sir Tiangco?



SEC. COLOMA: Ang pinakamainam na batayan diyan ay ‘yung mismong pagtatala natin
ng 6.4 percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate sa nakaraang second
quarter. At ang prognosis o forecast ng lahat ng mga kinikilala at iginagalang
na independent international agencies—katulad ‘nung Moody’s Analytics, ‘yung
Development Bank of Singapore, at iba pa—hinggil sa magandang kinabukasan ng
ating ekonomiya at sa mas mataas na probabilidad na mapanatili pa ang ganyang
bilis ng pag-unlad at ‘yung ating mainam na performance na sa hanay ng mga
bansa sa ating rehiyon ay pinakamabilis na pag-unlad na naitala. ‘Yan na lang
po ang gamitin nating kongkretong batayan.



Ms. Fernandez: So ang sabi rin po niya sinisisi rin daw umano ng lokal na mga
negosyante ang patakaran ng pamahalaan sa truck ban at kasalukuyang
kontrobersyal na PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) or DAP
(Disbursement Acceleration Program). So what can you say regarding this, sir?



SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy pong tinutukoy ‘yung partikular na suliranin na nabanggit,
lalo na doon sa aspeto ng pagbawas o pagbigay ng ganap na solusyon sa
congestion sa Port of Manila, at sa pamamagitan din ng pagdadagdag ng mga ruta
na maaaring daanan ng mga trak na kumukuha at naghahatid ng kalakal mula sa
Port of Manila. Patuloy po itong tinututukan. Ayon po sa mga port authorities
ay nanunumbalik na sa normal ang sitwasyon. Kailan lang ay naglipat ng maraming
empty containers na dati ay nandoon pa sa Port of Manila. Nilipat na po ito sa
Subic. Kaya ‘yan po ang pokus ng ating mga effort sa kasalukuyan, ‘yung
pagbibigay ng solusyon para hindi po maantala ang pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya.



TERM EXTENSION



Mr. Sebastian: Question ulit from Bernard, sabi niya: Ano po ang mensahe ninyo
sa mga critic ninyo na hindi naniniwala na walang balak si PNoy na mapalawig
ang kanyang termino?



SEC. COLOMA: Sa lahat po ng pagkakataon ay nananatiling tapat ang ating Pangulo
at pinapahalagahan niya ‘yung pagtangkilik at pagtitiwala ng kanyang mga boss,
ang mga mamamayang Pilipino. Kaya patuloy po siyang nakikinig sa kanilang
tinig, patuloy niyang pinakikinggan ang kanilang saloobin, at patuloy po niyang
ginagampanan ang kanyang tungkulin sa pinakamainam na paraan para po sa
kanilang kapakinabangan.



SENATE INQUIRY ON OVERPRICED MAKATI PARKING BUILDING



Mr. Montano: Ano po ‘yung mababanggit ng Palasyo ukol dito sa imbitasyon yata
na ibibigay dito kay Vice President Jejomar Binay? Ukol naman ito sa problema
umano [ng] overpricing diyan sa isang gusali sa Makati.



SEC. COLOMA: Ipauubaya na po namin ang prosesong ‘yan sa ating Senado dahil sa
kanila naman pong proseso ‘yan.



Mr. Sebastian: Sir, question po mula kay Gen Kabiling, sabi niya: Will the
Palace encourage Vice President Binay to attend the Senate inquiry into the
alleged overpriced Makati parking building to clear his name?



SEC. COLOMA: Nasa pagpapasya na po ‘yan ng Pangalawang Pangulo.



Mr. Sebastian: Alright. Tapos follow up po niya: Has the President talked to
Binay about this issue and kumusta na po ang relasyon nila?



SEC. COLOMA: Wala po akong impormasyon hinggil sa pag-uusap nila sa partikular
na usaping ‘yan. Sa pagkakaalam po natin ay mainam ang kanilang relasyon sa
isa’t isa.



Mr. Montano: Binay still enjoys the trust and confidence of the President.



SEC. COLOMA: Dahil nga po nananatili siya bilang kagawad ng Gabinete.



CONVICTION RATE



Ms. Fernandez: Sir, inamin po nitong si Ombudsman Conchita Morales na
nahihirapan silang punan ang kakulangan ng mga abogado sa bansa ngayon. Kasi
sinasabi niya umano na isa sa dahilan kung bakit mabagal ay mababa ang
conviction rate sa Pilipinas na nasa 44 percent lamang—kumpara sa conviction
rates ng Indonesia na nasa 70 percent at ng Hong Kong sa 90 percent—kasi
diumano ay kailangan daw madoble ang pondo ng Office of the Ombudsman na… ‘Yung
budget po na P1.73-billion para sa 2015 na magagawa nilang punan ang kakulangan
ng mga personnel at siguradong tataas din ang conviction rates sa ating bansa.
So sang-ayon po ba kayo dito sa kanyang sinabi na ‘yung rate natin ikinukumpara
niya sa ibang bansa at kailangan natin ng mga bagong abogado?



SEC. COLOMA: Ang pagpapahayag po mula mismo sa pinuno ng Office of the
Ombudsman na isang independent constitutional body ay dapat po nating pakinggan
at unawain. Batid po natin na kagustuhan ni (dating) Justice Conchita
Carpio-Morales na pahusayin ang serbisyo ng Office of the Ombudsman. Mahabang
panahon na rin po ang lumipas simula nang matatag ang tanggapan na ‘yan, at
napapanahon na talagang bigyang pansin kung paano higit pa itong magiging epektibo
sa pamamagitan ng pagtaas ng conviction rate, at ‘yan na rin naman po ang
saloobin ni Pangulong Aquino.



Para po sa kanya, ang pamantayan hinggil sa pagtatagumpay ng hustisya o
pagpapairal ng katarungan sa ating bansa ay hindi ‘yung pagfa-file lamang ng
kaso, bagkus ito ay maaaring makita sa kahusayan sa pagtamo ng mga conviction.
Kaya tama lang po na bigyan ng pansin kung paano mapapataas ‘yung conviction
rate, at siyempre, ito ay nababatay sa kahusayan sa pangangalap at paghahain ng
ebidensya; at ito naman ay nakabatay sa kahusayan ng mga kagawad o empleyado ng
Ombudsman na halos lahat ay manananggol. Kaya tama lang po ‘yung binanggit ni
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales na kinakailangan ang puspusang aksyon para
mapahusay ang kalidad ng trabaho ng kanyang tanggapan at maitaas ang natatamong
conviction rate nito sa ating hukuman.



ANTI-SUICIDE BILL



Ms. Fernandez: According to Representative Maria Georgina de Venecia ng 4th
District ng Pangasinan, nananawagan po siya (para dito sa) isang bill on suicide
na sana po maipasa. Can you support this para maiwasan na itong mga krimen na
tulad nito?



SEC. COLOMA: Tungkol saan nga ulit, Vanz?



Anchors: Suicide po. Suicide.



SEC. COLOMA: Suicide o pagpapatiwakal?



Ms. Fernandez: Yes.



SEC. COLOMA: Mas mainam siguro na tunghayan natin at unawain ang nakapaloob sa
panukalang ‘yan para makapagbigay tayo ng mainam na komentaryo. Parang hindi
sapat kasing malaman lamang ‘yung titulo o ‘yung simpleng topic. Baka mas
mainam na maunawaan natin ang tinutukoy at mabatid kung anu-anong mga ahensya
ng pamahalaan ang maaaring mag-ambag ng kanilang serbisyo para matamo ang
layunin ng sinasabing panukalang batas.



Ms. Fernandez: Yes, sir, this is House Bill 2075. Kasi naalarma po sila sa
insidente ng suicide among the youth.



SEC. COLOMA: Pangkaraniwan sa ganyang pagkakataon na kapag mayroong panukalang
batas ay nagdaraos ng pagdinig ang mga kinauukulang lupon ng Kamara at
tinatawag ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na mayroong ginagampanang
responsibilidad hinggil diyan. Halimbawa, kung ito ay sa hanay ng kabataan,
malamang na ipatawag diyan ‘yung Department of Education at ‘yung Commission on
Higher Education. Malamang din na ipatawag ‘yung Department of Social Welfare
[and Development] at pati ‘yung Department of Health dahil ‘yung iba pong mga
kaso ng—batid na kaso ng pagpapatiwakal ay dahil sa mga medical condition din
po.



PARTING MESSAGE



SEC. COLOMA: Ipagpatuloy po natin ‘yung cheering para sa Gilas Pilpinas dahil
meron na namang laro mamayang gabi, Philippine time. Bawat laro naman po rito
ay mahalaga, dahil kung magkaroon ng tabla, ‘yung quotient ang iko-consider.
Kaya huwag po tayong manghinawa sa pagsusuporta sa Gilas Pilipinas.

SOURCE: Presidential News Desk
[HOME]

 




1.  
31 AUGUST 2014



Sajahatra Bangsamoro boosts sustainable farming and livelihood
prospects in Zambo Sibugay


TUNGAWAN, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY –
Villagers of Barangay Datu Tumanggon in this town recently received a boost
in their livelihood opportunities, thanks to the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a
joint, initial socioeconomic development initiative of the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).



​On Tuesday, August 26, the Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program (SBP), through the
Department of Agriculture (DA), distributed substantial farm inputs and
conducted post-harvest trainings to the Moro and non-Moro residents of the
barangay.



The Datu Tumanggon community, heavily dependent on agriculture for livelihood
and sustenance, had longed throughout the years for better means to cultivate
and maximize their natural farm resources, eyeing long-term economic
self-reliance.



“In the past, we could only dream of having a better source of livelihood
here in Datu Tumanggon,” said Winnielyn Jainuddin, president of the local
people’s organization known as Peace Loving People of Datu Tumanggon.



“High interest loan rates, along with the lack of financial windows for
farmers to buy seeds and other tools to cultivate our lands, were major
challenges to us villagers. With the free farm inputs provided to us by the
Department of Agriculture under the Sajahatra program, those dreams can now
be achieved.”



DA Assistant Secretary Edilberto M. de Luna led the distribution of farm
kits, livestock, and seeds to the villagers in a symbolic turnover ceremony
held at the barangay hall.



“We respect and recognize your aspiration for self-determination as
Bangsamoro people,” De Luna told Datu Tumanggon locals, adding that the
support does not end in providing seedlings alone, but will also involve
farmer trainings to ensure the sustainability of the program within their
communities.



DA’s livelihood assistance manifests the agency’s commitment to the Sajahatra
Bangsamoro Program which aims to uplift Bangsamoro communities through the
delivery of health, education and livelihood opportunities as initial
dividends of peace.



De Luna said they are providing at least a thousand coffee seedlings, several
vegetable seeds, and livestock to include 45 chickens, 21 goats, and two
water buffaloes to enhance the agricultural activities in the village.



Tuesday’s event is the first among a series of livelihood distribution events
that the DA is initiating in all 10 SBP beneficiary sites across Mindanao,
which the joint Sajahatra team had identified.



Fair and equitable distribution



Jainuddin said the farm inputs and livestock will be distributed to the
villagers. Each family will have a fair share of seedlings and the chance to
breed the livestock.



“The impact of this program is huge. Considering how the level of living
conditions here is so low, the program will certainly help each family here
earn more,” she said.



For Merlyn Melindres, a Visayan settler who grew up in Datu Tumanggon, the
potential for prosperity that they are being given now could not have been
realized if not for the strong determination and sincere commitment of the
Philippine government and the MILF to pursue the path to peace.



“The good thing about the Sajahatra Program is that it is not selective in
terms of its beneficiaries. Even we Visayan members of the community can
still gain from the program,” she shared.



Beyond economic advantages, the joint initiative also puts in effect a
grassroots-level effort to cater to the political and historical rights of
the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao.



“Muslims and Christians here share a mutual understanding. Their (Sajahatra
program’s) purpose upholds this and promises to bring progress to our
village. We, the people here, express our gratitude to them for coming down
to meet our group,” Melindres added.



Jainuddin affirmed that the southern peace process between the GPH and MILF
has not only created a peaceful environment in their area, but also enabled a
significant improvement in the delivery of basic services.



“We have huge regard to the [GPH-MILF] peace process. It has provided us with
better livelihood and education opportunities for our children. Now, we are
even expecting a health center to be constructed in our village; we don’t have
to travel far to get free medical services anymore. The [peace process] has
truly uplifted the living conditions of the families here,” she said.






Statement
on Repositioning of Troops in Golan Heights


Yesterday, August 30, at around 6
a.m. Syrian time (11 a.m. Philippine time), Syrian rebels initiated an attack
on Position 68. Our troops defended their position. The Syrian rebels
attacked on-board pick-up trucks. Our peacekeepers returned fire in
self-defense. Our troops fought back bravely and successfully held their
positions.This attack prompted UNDOF to reposition our troops to a more
secure position within the mission area



The government of Syria and Israel are supporting our troops to uphold the
integrity of the area of separation and to deescalate the situation. The
teamwork demonstrated by our fellow UNDOF troop-contributing countries and
the UN is exemplary. Other governments including the United States and Qatar
also played a role in the safeguarding our peacekeepers



Currently, Filipino peacekeepers from both Position 68 and 69 have
successfully repositioned to Camp Ziuoani.



The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United Nations will not
compromise the safety and security of our troops while in the pursuit of
their duties. It is in our national interest to prioritize their safety
without abandoning our commitment to international security.



We commend our soldiers for exhibiting resolve even while under heavy fire.
This manifests their determination to fulfill our commitment to the community
of nations.






DFA
Spokesperson Dialogues with Indian Journalists


29 August 2014 – Eight (8) Indian
journalists participating in the ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme (AIMEP)
paid a courtesy call on the Spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA), Assistant Secretary Charles C. Jose, today at the DFA main office in
Pasay City.



Assistant Secretary Jose warmly welcomed the Indian media delegation on
behalf of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and cited the
importance of the AIMEP to the continuing development of people-to-people
ties between India and the ASEAN countries, including the Philippines.



“Next year, 2015, marks twenty years of full partnership between India and
ASEAN and it is our hope to see both sides deepen their engagement with each
other, and work together in promoting peace, understanding and development in
our region,” Assistant Secretary Jose remarked.



The DFA Spokesperson shared the Philippines’ views and positions on the South
China Sea issue and answered the delegates’ questions about the current state
and future direction of Philippines-India relations.



The ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme is among a number of initiatives
aimed at promoting people-to-people contacts between ASEAN and India. Under
the AIMEP, during the three-year period (2012-2014), 40 ASEAN media personel,
in batches of 20, will visit India each year; and 40 Indian journalists in
five groups of eight, will visit a selection of two ASEAN countries per
group.



The first batch of 20 ASEAN journalists visited India in February 2012. Writer
and information officer Rachelle Nessia from the Philippine Information
Agency-Dumaguete City and Philippine News Agency-Manila senior news editor
Lily Ramos represented the Philippines. The second batch traveled to India
during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in December 2012, while the third
batch was dispatched during the Delhi Dialogue V in February last year.



Reciprocally, the first batch of eight Indian journalists visited Cambodia
and Vietnam in early July 2012, coinciding with the ASEAN-India Ministerial
Meeting and the launch of the Logo for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit
and related activities in Phnom Penh. The next group of eight Indian
journalists visited Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam from 26 June to 03 July
2013, in conjunction with the 11th ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
from 01 to 02 July 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.



The present group is composed of journalists working in the leading print, TV
and online news organizations in India. Their tour of the Philippines is preceded
by a visit to Viet Nam.






Work Smarter, not just Harder,Roxas urges PNP


Interior and Local Government Sec.
Mar Roxas today, underscored the need for the men and women of the Philippine
National Police to work smarter, and not just harder. This was at the
National Capital Regional Police Officers regular meeting (NCRPO) where he
met with the top brass of the PNP.



“Working harder is not enough. We need to work smarter. What we want to develop
is a dependable mechanism for developing outcomes, not hit and miss. This
should be one that works when we put it in place and is a dependable one,”
explained the Secretary.



The Secretary noted that while some crimes such as hold-ups, robbery, theft,
and drinking-spree induced homicide could be prevented by more police
visibility, crimes of passion or those involving love triangles could not.



“You should have statisticians in your police stations who would be able to
make a regression analysis and determine the 3 biggest change improvements
and the 3 biggest change deterrents in your areas of jurisdiction,” said
Secretary Roxas as the PNP men report the crime statistics in different areas
of the National Capital Region.



Roxas also stressed the need to augment the number of policemen in uniform in
the streets by re-assigning the PNP men in the offices to the field. “These
are men train trained in police work, in crime investigation and in battling
criminals. They should be assigned in the field and civilians can take over
their work in the offices.”



While the incidence of crime in the NCR went down a little in the assessment
of many police officers present, Secretary Roxas urged them not to be
complacent but to beef-up more the presence of checkpoints, roaming police
patrols, police trainees and other signs of police visibility.



He also ordered them to intensify OPLAN Katok, where addresses of persons
with expired firearms licenses are visited by uniformed policemen, as this
contribute to increased police presence in the different communities.



“The fact that crime went down is based on numbers, there is indeed a slight
reduction in crime incidence. But we have to check whether this are only
isolated variances,” he said.



The Secretary noted that the PNP’s accomplishment in the arrest of criminals
have improved due to PIVOT, an intensified campaign to net the most wanted
criminals or those highest in the order of battle of the PNP.






New home brings new hope for earthquake survivors


Tubigon, Bohol - Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary Evangeline Avilla, 43, and her family
have moved into their temporary shelter in barangay Ubojan along with other
82 families whose houses were damaged when the 7.2 magnitude earthquake
struck the province.



“Mas komportableng tirahan ang mga bahay na ito. Mas ligtas na kami dito
kaysa doon sa mga tents (This temporary shelter is a more comfortable place
to stay. We are now safer here than in the tents),” Evelyn said.



For her and for the rest of her neighbors, the temporary shelters they now
occupy protect them from the scorching heat of the sun at daytime and from
cold and prowling animals at nighttime.



They will stay in these transition houses while waiting for their permanent
houses to be done.



The temporary shelters were constructed by the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, and the provincial
and municipal governments.



To further support these families, DSWD-Field Office VII has already started
the processing of livelihood assistance through its Sustainable Livelihood
Program (SLP). They will undergo the Community Driven Enterprise Development
(CDED) training to prepare them for their livelihood projects.



The SLP’s CDED is a framework that integrates business principles and
techniques necessary for the implementation of livelihood projects with
community participatory processes that enable the poor from the target
communities to prepare their business plans.



While CDED training is being conducted, the families continue to engage in
income generating activities. Some families are market vendors, tenant
farmers, and fishers, among others.



For Evelyn, she started her “street food” business using the packs of fish
and squid balls given by a non-government organization.



Evelyn is hopeful that with the CDED training, she will be able to choose the
right business and eventually make it succeed.






Domestic liquidity growth eases further in July


Domestic liquidity (M3) grew by
18.3 percent year-on-year in July to reach P7.1 trillion. This increase was
slower than the (revised) 23.3-percent expansion recorded in June. On a
month-on-month basis, seasonally-adjusted M3 increased by 2.5 percent,
following a slight decline of 0.3 percent in the previous month.



Money supply continued to increase due largely to the sustained demand for
credit in the domestic economy. Domestic claims rose by 13.0 percent in July
as bank lending growth accelerated further. The bulk of bank loans during the
month was channeled to key production sectors such as real estate, renting,
and business services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, utilities,
and financial intermediation. Meanwhile, public sector credit decreased by
4.1 percent following a (revised) expansion of 8.7 percent in June as the
deposits of the National Government (NG) with the BSP increased at a faster
pace, reflecting in part proceeds from the auction of government securities
as well as revenue collections of various agencies.



Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms increased by 1.9 percent in July from
5.7 percent (revised) in the previous month. The NFA of banks increased as
banks’ foreign assets expanded at a faster pace relative to that of their
foreign liabilities. Banks’ foreign assets expanded due mainly to the growth
in their deposits with other banks and in their foreign loans and receivables.
Meanwhile, banks’ foreign liabilities rose on account of higher deposits of
foreign residents as well as placements and deposits made by foreign banks
with their local branches.



The previous adjustments in reserve requirements as well as in the interest
rates on the special deposit account (SDA), reverse repurchase (RRP), and
repurchase (RP) facilities are expected to continue to bring domestic
liquidity growth in line with the pace of expansion of the real sector. Going
forward, the BSP remains prepared to deploy all necessary measures to ensure
that liquidity dynamics stay consistent with the BSP's objective of
maintaining price and financial stability.






Bank lending expands further in July


Outstanding loans of commercial
banks, net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, grew at a
faster rate of 21.8 percent in July from the previous month’s increase of
20.1 percent. Similarly, bank lending inclusive of RRPs expanded by 20.4
percent, up from the 18.7 percent growth in the previous month. On a
month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, commercial bank lending increased
by 2.7 percent for loans net of RRPs and by 2.1 percent for loans inclusive
of RRPs.

Loans for production activities—which comprised about four-fifths of banks’
aggregate loan portfolio—expanded further by 20.9 percent in July from 17.7
percent in June. The expansion in production loans was driven primarily by
increased lending to the following sectors: real estate, renting, and
business services (16.8 percent); wholesale and retail trade (21.4 percent);
manufacturing (16.8 percent); electricity, gas and water (26.3 percent); and
financial intermediation (27.8 percent). Bank lending to other sectors also
rose during the month except for public administration and defense, which
declined by 2.3 percent.



Loans for household consumption grew at a steady rate of 16.0 percent,
reflecting the continued expansion in auto loans and other types of loans
(i.e. salary loans and personal loans) which offset the slight slowdown in
the growth of credit card loans.



The continued expansion in bank lending suggests that the momentum of
domestic economic activity remains strong. Going forward, the BSP will
continue to ensure that credit and liquidity conditions will keep at pace
with economic growth while remaining consistent with its price stability
objective.






BIR shutters popular food establishment in Manila


The Bureau of Internal Revenue –
Revenue Region No. 6, Manila today shuttered a popular food establishment in
Sta.Cruz, Manila for violating the provisions of the National Internal
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code), particularly on Value Added Tax
(VAT).



DAVID’s TEAHOUSE FOOD CORPORATION, a food establishment, franchisor and
producer of siomai / siopao located at 561-563 Tomas Mapua Street, 555 Tomas
Mapua Street, and 563-B Pilarica Street, all in Sta. Cruz, Manila, was
padlocked for gross underdeclaration of sales and incorrect payment of Value
Added Tax (VAT).



Surveillance activities and verification of point-of-sales machines conducted
by investigators and revenue officers of Revenue District Office No. 31, Sta.
Cruz, Manila pursuant to Mission Order Nos. 00077054, 00077055, and 00077055,
all dated March 26, 2014, disclosed that the said establishment underdeclared
its sales by more than thirty percent (30%) for taxable year 2013 and first
quarter of 2014.



The closure was effected after the subject taxpayer failed to comply with the
requirements specified in the 48-hour Notice and 5-day VAT Compliance Notice
through a Closure Order signed by BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations
Group Nelson M. Aspe.



Section 115 of the Tax Code, as implemented through Revenue Memorandum Order
No. 03-09, authorizes the BIR to suspend or close the business operations of
a taxpayer for a period of not less than five (5) days for failure to: (1)
register; (2) issue VAT official receipts or sales invoices; (3) file correct
VAT returns; or (4) pay the correct VAT.



“Let it be said that we will shut down tax violators. Unless they mend their
ways of circumventing tax laws, many more will be penalized and padlocked.
Certainly, this food corporation will not be the last considering our
consistent enforcement of tax laws,” said Revenue District Officer Maximo T.
Cebrecus, Jr. of RDO 31, Sta. Cruz, Manila who recommended the closure of
DAVID’s TEAHOUSE FOOD CORPORATION after it failed to settle its VAT
liabilities. The recommendation was concurred by the VAT Regional Review
Board of Revenue Region No.6, Manila chaired by Regional Director ARACELI L.
FRANCISCO.



The closure was made pursuant to the Oplan Kandado program of the BIR under
the current leadership of Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares.






Philippine GDP growth beats estimate in boost to
Aquino goal


Street vendors wait for customers
on an overpass in Manila, the Philippines. Consumer prices rose 4.9 percent
in July from a year earlier, the fastest pace since October 2011.



The Philippine economy grew faster than economists estimated last quarter as
manufacturing rose, in a boost to President Benigno Aquino’s goal of luring
more investment to create jobs. The peso rose.



Gross domestic product increased 6.4 percent in the three months through June
from a year earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority said in Manila
today, after rising 5.6 percent in the previous quarter. The median estimate
of 22 economists in a Bloomberg survey was 6.1 percent.



A rebound in manufacturing and exports are aiding Aquino’s efforts to
transform the nation into one of Asia’s fastest growing economies as he aims
for as much as 7.5 percent annual expansion this year. Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas raised the benchmark interest rate last month to contain inflation
running at a three-year high.



“The bounceback clearly highlights the resiliency of the Philippine economy
and the structural changes that make possible this higher-trend growth,” said
Santitarn Sathirathai, a Singapore-based economist at Credit Suisse Group AG.
“But the question of whether this can last beyond the current government is a
crucial question a lot of investors think about.”



The peso rose 0.1 percent to 43.63 against the U.S. dollar as of 10:47 a.m.
in Manila, according to Tullett Prebon Plc. The benchmark stock index slipped
0.6 percent, snapping six days of gains.

‘Positive’ Signals



Aquino, whose term ends in June 2016, is seeking to ensure his efforts to
overhaul the economy will last beyond the single six-year term he’s allowed
by law. In an interview with local news channel TV5 earlier this month, the
president said he may consider seeking changes to the constitution to curtail
judicial powers and let him seek another term.



Aquino will seek more trade and investment during his trips to Germany,
France and Spain in September, he said in a radio interview aired today
before the GDP report.



There is “a strong likelihood of achieving the full-year growth target of 6.5
percent to 7.5 percent,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said
at a briefing today. “However, we are aware that market players are still
looking for more positive signals, in particular the public sector’s key role
in infrastructure spending and consumption of non-durables.”



Consumer prices rose 4.9 percent in July from a year earlier, the fastest
pace since October 2011. Inflation has more than doubled in less than a year
after November’s Super Typhoon Haiyan damaged crops and an expanded truck ban
in Manila from February delayed shipments.



Bangko Sentral raised the benchmark rate to 3.75 percent in July from a
record-low. It had earlier increased the rate on special deposit accounts,
and has raised the reserve requirement ratio twice this year.



The economy grew 1.9 percent last quarter from the previous three-month
period, the fastest pace in five quarters. Manufacturing rose 10.8 percent
from a year earlier, while consumer spending gained 5.3 percent, today’s
report showed.



To contact the reporters on this story: Siegfrid Alegado in Manila at
aalegado1@bloomberg.net; Cecilia Yap in Manila at cyap19@bloomberg.net



To contact the editors responsible for this story: Stephanie Phang at
sphang@bloomberg.net Rina Chandran, Iain McDonald.






TESDA, Northern Mindanao poultry industry cluster sign Manpower
Capability Building Program MOA


A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
for Manpower Capability Building Program was forged between TESDA and the
Northern Mindanao Poultry Industry Cluster signed respectively by Regional
Director Edgar A. Sales and Chairman Manuel G. Boniao during the 102nd RDC
Full Council Meeting on 19 August 2014, in Cagayan de Oro City.



Specifically, the Manpower Capability Building Program is part of the
Northern Mindanao Poultry Cluster Productivity and Technology Program, one of
the 5-point cluster programs which include Export Market and Investments
Promotion, Domestic Market Competitiveness, Regional Cooperation, and
Integration and Business Enabling Environment.



TESDA, through its Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), endeavours
to assist the private sector-led cluster to fill up the skills gaps and job
requirements of the poultry industry.



The scheme involves the provision of TWSP Scholarship Vouchers in the amount
of P1M for distribution among 200 trainees in Animal Production NC II
qualification. The Northern Mindanao Poultry Industry Cluster will identify
potential training beneficiaries subject to eligibility requirements of
TESDA. The training is for implementation from September to December 2014.



It is recalled that the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 has identified
Industry Clustering as a major development and promotion strategy to achieve
inclusive growth and employment generation. In this regard the Department of
Trade and Industry instituted the National Industry Cluster Capacity
Enhancement Program (NICCEP) in coordination with the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Poultry Industry Cluster of Northern Mindanao
is among the identified priority industries covered by NICCEP.



The new Memorandum of Agreement seeks to enhance the capacity of the poultry
cluster in the region to undertake projects with improved productivity and
competitiveness






At DOLE job fair for Libya repatriates, 187 of 384 applicants go
for local jobs


 Labor and Employment
Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday expressed delight at the
successful conduct by the DOLE of the job fair specifically held for overseas
Filipino workers who were repatriated from Libya, as Director Anna Dominique
Tutay of the Bureau of Local Employment reported that 187 of 384 applicants
who registered at the job fair applied for local employment.



"The 187 applicants have qualified for local employment opportunities
offered by 12 establishments belonging to the Philippine Association of Local
Service Contractors, Inc (PALSCON) and construction giants D.M. Consunji Inc.
(DMCI) and Engineering Equipment, Inc. (EEI). They will undergo
pre-employment processes starting tomorrow," said Baldoz.



"This is the first job fair of its kind for OFW repatriates. As soon as
we have completed the profiles of the more than 3,500 OFWs who have been
repatriated from Libya, we will conduct similar job fairs in September in the
Visayas and Mindanao, in areas where there are a large concentration of
repatriates," she added.



The job fair, held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon
City, is an employment facilitation service under the DOLE's Assist WELL
Program, component of the National Reintegration Program for OFWs that seeks
to ensure the successful reintegration of OFWs repatriated from crisis or
emergency situations, pursuant to relevant alert level systems of the
national government.



The 'WELL' in Assist WELL stands for Welfare, Employment, Livelihood, and
Legal services that the DOLE and its agencies provide to OFW repatriates.



Yesterday's job fair offered over 12,000 vacancies, 5,601 of which local
employment opportunities, while the rest are for overseas. Baldoz urged those
who were not able to go to the job fair to visit the website of the Enhanced
Phil-JobNet (E-PJN) at

www.phil-jobnet.dole.gov.ph. and access the vacancies there since not all of
the 5,601 local jobs were filled up during the one-day job fair. The E-PJN is
the government's web-based job matching facility and labor market information
portal.



"To our OFW repatriates from Libya, accessing the jobs at the Enhanced
PhilJobNet is very easy," said Baldoz.



The local companies that participated in the job fair, most of which are
members of the Philippine Association of Local Service Contractors, Inc
(PALSCON), and the vacancies they offered, were as follows:



Extraordinaire Janitorial and Manpower Services, Inc.--air-con technician;
bagger; checker; stocker; canvasser; carpenter; cashier; delivery rider;
driver; elevator operator; forklift operator; forklift technician;
housekeeping attendant; janitor; utility; busboy; dishwasher; personnel
shopping assistant; production operator; promo girl/promodizer; purchasing
staff; service crew; helper; CS representative; technical supervisor; welder;
mason; painter; warehouseman.



Bayanihan Placement & Management Services--caster; control panel
technician; dump truck driver; electrical engineer; forklift operator;
instrument technician; maintenance engineer; operator; payloader/backhoe
operator; and technician.



Best Allied Services Integrated Co., Inc.--carpenter; delivery helper;
driver; installer; and maintenance helper. Expercs Inc.--accounting assistant;
administrative staff; customer service representative; junior salesman;
merchandiser; tele-marketer; and water technician.



Globalink Employment Services Inc.--banquet attendant; bartender; card
sellers; cashier; driver; food & beverage staff; forklift operator;
machine operators; and promodizer. Prime Technology--accounting officer;
customer service representative; data analyst; HR officer; IT helpdesk; sales
promoter; sales engineer; sales and marketing assistant; and technical
support staff.



Manos de San Rafael Allied Services Corporation--accounting assistant;
delivery rider; driver; mall building engineer; mall facilities engineer;
office staff; receptionist; sales representative; sales officer; service
engineer; warehouse clerk; warehouse/ delivery helper. Mirof Resources
Inc.--account coordinator; accounting assistant; customer service
representative; counter assistant; IT staff/data analyst; medical
representative; office/admin assistant; retail sales coordinator; rider;
sales clerk; and telemarketers.



Service Resources Inc.--accounting staff; cashier; chemist; delivery driver;
delivery rider; dining crew; HR staff; import/export staff; kitchen crew;
production operator; trainer ; and treasury staff. Temps and Staffers
Inc.--accounting staff; administrative staff; brand promoters; computer
technician; data encoder; forklift operator; HR/admin staff; merchandiser;
retail associate; store crew; telephone operator; warehouseman/ checker.



Triple E Manpower and General Services--brand specialist; cashier; counter
bagger; customer service representative; data encoder; driver; in-house
security; promodiser; sales consultant; and utility worker. Servicio
Filipino, Inc.--administrative assistant; electrical technician; head cook;
internal auditor; turbine engineer; multi-skilled technician (air
conditioning and electrical); purchaser; sales coordinator; sales &
marketing associate; social media associate; and writer.



EEI Corporation--building electricians; contract administrators; construction
superintendents; engineers; foremen; finishing carpenters; finishing masons;
heavy duty drivers (dump truck, 10-wheeler, trailer); heavy equipment
operator (forklift, vibro compactor, payloader, bulldozer, grader, backhoe);
high voltage terminator; industrial electricians; instrument fitters;
instrument technicians; light and heavy equipment; mechanics; mechanical
fitters; medium duty drivers; millwrights tile setters; party chief
surveyors; pipefitters; plumbers; project architects; project managers;
rebarmen; rough carpenters; rough masons; scaffolders; structural fitters;
supervisors; and welder (SMAW/GTAW).



D.M. Consunji Inc.--accountant; carpenters; licensed civil engineer; licensed
electrical engineer; licensed geodetic engineer; licensed mechanical
engineer; masons; stock clerk; and timekeeper.






17 establishments in CAMANAVA to get DOLE's
tripartite certificate of compliance with labor laws and incentives


 Labor and Employment
Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baladoz yesterday said that 17 establishments
in the CAMANAVA area will soon get their Tripartite Certificate of Compliance
with Labor Standards (TCCLS) issued by the DOLE, as well as incentives, and
the DOLE National Capital Region's CAMANAVA field office (CFO) has prepared
them for that through the conduct of an orientation on the Incentivizing
Compliance Program (ICP). "I am pleased to note that the DOLE National
Capital Region is pursuing with vigor this reform program on labor law
compliance," said Baldoz after she received a report on this development
from DOLE NCR Regional Director Alex Avila. "We are pleased to report to
the Secretary that our Labor Law Compliance Officers (LLCOs) based in the
Camanava Field Office identified and endorsed the participants to the orientation.
These were establishments that have qualified to be enrolled for the
Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS) under the
Incentivizing Compliance Program," said Avila in his report. According
to Director Avila, 29 individuals representing 17 establishments participated
in the orientation. Of the number, 16 were representatives of management,
while 13 represented the unions. The ICP, based on Department Order No.
115-11, Series of 2011, otherwise known as the Guidelines on the Implementation
of the Incentivizing Compliance Program, is an institutional reform outlined
in the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016 calling for the
convergence and integration of programs on labor law compliance to strengthen
self-regulation and voluntary labor standards compliance among the country’s
industries. The reform has been endorsed and supported by the Tripartite
Industrial Peace Council. Establishments who are compliant with labor
standards and OSH standards are qualified to enroll for the TCCLS which,
under D.O. 115-A, can be obtained by an establishment upon acquiring all of
the five DOLE “good housekeeping” certificates, as follows: (a) Tripartite
Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS); (b) Gawad Kaligtasan
at Kalusugan (GKK); (c) Certificate for Child Labor-Free Establishment
(CFLE); (d) National Productivity Olympics Award; and (e) Outstanding Labor
Management Council (LMC) Award for Industrial Peace. The first level “seal of
good housekeeping”, the TCCLS, is to be issued by a DOLE regional office to
enrolled establishments. The ICP promotes voluntary compliance by giving due
recognition to a company’s initiative to voluntarily comply with labor laws
or, for having implemented a much higher level of standards, rewards an
establishment with a Tripartite Seal of Excellence on their products and in
the establishment, and by assisting a non-compliant company, through training
and technical assistance, to enable it to comply with the requirements set by
law. "The ICP, as a tool for promoting voluntary compliance with the
involvement of workers and employers, constitutes a complementary approach to
(a) embed a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws; (b) ensure fair,
expeditious, and non-litigious settlement of disputes; (c) enhance workplace
productivity; (d) promote decent work; and (e) increase the level of
Philippine competitiveness,” Baldoz had explained. It is also the basic
pre-qualification for the DOLE secretary’s Labor Law Compliance award, and to
the Tripartite Seal of Excellence. At the orientation, the participants,
assisted by LLCOs, committed to a timetable to comply on the requirements for
accreditation. The DOLE assured them full support to enable them to comply
with all requirements. CAMANAVA Field Office Director Andrea P. Cabansag, who
welcomed the participants, gave the overview of the ICP, outlining its
advantages for the company and its employees. Resource persons at the
orientation included Jackielyn Borja of the DOLE-NCR who presented the
guidelines on the implementation of ICP and the procedures on the issuance of
TCCLS; Aurora Quitlong of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity
Board who talked about the National Productivity Olympics Award; Maribeth
Casin of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns who discussed the Child
Labor Free Establishment Program; Engr. Cony Sto. Tomas of the Occupational
Safety and Health Center who discussed the Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan
Award; and Lovelyn Papas and Othello Tongion Jr. of the National Conciliation
and Mediation Board presented the overview of the Outstanding Labor
Management Committee Award for Industrial Peace.






3,915 seized laptops ramp up access to quality education


Manila – In support of the
Philippine government’s thrust to increase access to education, the Bureau of
Customs (BOC) turned over 3,915 seized laptops to the Department of Education
(DepEd).



Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC explained that majority of the
laptops donated will be used by mobile teachers of the Alternative Learning
System (ALS) who go to secluded areas to teach out-of-school youth. “Around
2,000 of these laptops will go to our ALS teachers. The modules for the
alternative learning classes will be placed in the laptop to help the
teachers as they go around the country to teach the out-of-school youth.”



The Asus laptops, confiscated in December of 2011, are now assets to be used
by the government as stated in Section 2503 of the Tariffs and Customs Code
of the Philippines mandating that “outright seizure and forfeiture (of goods)
will be in favor of the government if the discrepancy between what the
importer declared and what was found by the customs examiners has a
difference of over 30% in terms of value, volume or weight.”



Bureau of Customs Commissioner Sonny Sevilla said, “We are very glad that
these laptops will be put to good use, through the Department of Education.”
However, Sevilla also expressed his dismay saying, “On one hand we are very
happy that we are able to help people with these seized computers, [but] we
are also saddened by the fact that these computers were not declared
properly.”



Luistro adds that the laptops will also benefit students through the DepEd’s
Computerization Program (DCP). “Some of the laptops will also be given to ALS
centers, as DepEd already has E-skwela learning centers where the students
are able to use computers for their classes,” he said. The DCP is DepEd’s
flagship project in the computerization of schools alongside other
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) initiatives nationwide.



The other 500 laptops will be deployed to the Disaster Risk Reduction
Management (DRRM) Coordinators in the different divisions nationwide. He
underscored the importance of having the equipment in aiding the DRRM
personnel with the mapping of the schools during disasters.



Luistro hopes that greater mobility among teachers might provide better
access to quality education.






Public urge to secure copy of IRF in reporting crime incident


The Philippine National Police is
advising the public to always secure a copy of their IRF or the Incident
Record Form after reporting a crime incident to all Police Stations.



IRF is an accountable form to be filled out by a complainant which contains
data provided by the Desk Officer pertaining to the complainant, victim or
suspect, and including the narrative details of the incident.



The IRF becomes an official document once it is signed by the investigators
and the reporting person in which the information contained will be
immediately recorded in the police blotter, uploaded to the Crime Incident
Reporting System (CIRS) database, and becomes the first document included in
the case folder.



According to the Chief PNP, Police Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima,
the use of IRF is implemented in all police stations and offices with
investigative functions.



“The implementation of Crime Incident Reporting System will ensure the
gathering and inclusion of all crime data that are reported in the police
station into the said database. This is why the Incident Record Form is very
important to both reporting citizen and to us in the PNP.” said Chief PNP.



CIRS is an electronic database system that facilitates crime documentation
and systematic data storage and retrieval. The system presents a quick, fast
and reliable transmission of crime information from lower police units and
offices of the PNP to the National Headquarters.



“All police stations and units with investigative functions is equipped with
CIRS-installed computers which will be the source of a nationwide database of
crime incidents. It is part of our efforts to further provide our people with
‘true crime reporting’ this is why IRF is very important to be kept by both
complainant and our investigators” PDG Purisima added.



In the case of crime incidents which was reported to the police but referred
back to the barangay, the report must clearly indicate whether the case is
amicably settled, under investigation or referred back to the police with a
certification to file action. (PNP-PIO)






Registration for ASEAN professionals urged in DOST forum


“Local engineers, architects,
surveyors, accountants and medical practitioners need to register themselves
as ‘ASEAN professionals,’” according to Teresita Manzala, chairperson of the
Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) in a forum organized by the
National Academy of Science and Technology, an advisory body of the
Department of Science and Technology, last August 13 at the Traders Hotel.



The ASEAN professionals registration is part of the Mutual Recognition
Arrangements (MRA) to keep professionals competitive within and outside the
region as the ASEAN integration pushes through in 2015.



According to Manzala, the MRA will facilitate freer movement of professionals
in ASEAN as their education, license, and experience of professionals from
their country of origin shall be recognized in other ASEAN member states.



Professions recognized under MRA are surveyors, accountants, architects,
doctors, dentists, nurses, and engineers specifically aeronautical,
agricultural, civil, chemical, electrical, electronics, geodetic, mechanical,
metallurgical, mining, naval architecture and marine, and sanitary engineers.



MRA is in line with the ASEAN Economic Community that seeks to create a
single market and production base by 2015 through the free flow of goods,
services, investment, capital, and skilled labor.



"Goods, services, investments, and capital don't move by themselves.
They are moved by people like you and me," Manzala said at the forum as
she emphasized the importance of human resources such as professionals, in
achieving the overall objectives of the ASEAN integration.



However, she clarified that the MRA will not reduce, or eliminate the rights,
power and authority of each ASEAN member state since it only seeks to
recognize education, training, licenses, and experiences of professionals.
Thus, there is no need to change our domestic regulations.



“This means that if a professional who registered in his own country wants to
work in the Philippines, he or she still needs to get a temporary permit from
the PRC to practice,” she said.



To register as an ASEAN professional, one must fulfill certain requirements.
Requirements for ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers, for instance,
include an engineering degree and license to practice the profession.
Moreover, the applicant must have acquired practical and diversified
experience for a minimum of seven years, two years of which have been for
significant engineering work; complied with continuing professional
development; no professional and ethical standards violation; and no pending
investigation or legal proceeding against him or her. Interested professionals
may apply through the PRC.



“These are the new rules of the game. Kung magaling ka, patunayan mo. (If you
are good, prove it.) We have to change our mindset. We have to do the right
thing, and do it right,” said Manzala. (S&T Media Service)


















Last
Updated:

29 AUGUST 2014











Alternative photo archive with high resolution
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on thumbnails to magnify




President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with Oriental
Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr., and Public Works and Highways
Secretary Rogelio Singson during the briefing on the infrastructure
projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro held in Barangay Talipanan,
Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). (Photo by Exequiel Supera /
Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the briefing on the
infrastructure projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro in Barangay
Talipanan, Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). Also in photo are
Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice, Occidental
Mindoro Lone District Representative Josephine Sato, Oriental Mindoro
2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali, Public Works and Highways
Secretary Rogelio Singson and Interior and Local Government Secretary
Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau /
PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the briefing on the
infrastructure projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro held in
Barangay Talipanan, Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). Also in photo
is Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan
/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the briefing on the
Infrastructure projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro held in
Barangay Talipanan, Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). Also in photo
are Occidental Mindoro Lone District Representative Josephine Sato,
Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali, Public
Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Interior and Local
Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by Oriental Mindoro Governor
Alfonso Umali, Jr., and Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative
Reynaldo Umali upon arrival for the briefing on the infrastructure
projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro held in Barangay Talipanan,
Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the briefing
on the infrastructure projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro held
in Barangay Talipanan, Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). Also in
photo are Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice,
Occidental Mindoro Lone District Representative Josephine Sato, Oriental
Mindoro 2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali, Public Works and
Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Interior and Local Government
Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Puerto Galera Municipal Mayor Hubbert
Christopher Dolor. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the briefing
on the infrastructure projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro held
in Barangay Talipanan, Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). Also in
photo are Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice,
Occidental Mindoro Lone District Representative Josephine Sato and
Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali. (Photo by
Gil Nartea / Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the briefing
on theoil nfrastructure projects in the Province of Oriental Mindoro
held in Barangay Talipanan, Puerto Galera on Friday (August 29). (Photo
by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo
Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III in an exclusive interview with Elmar
Acol of Bombo Radyo Philippines at the Music Room, Malacañan Palace on
Monday (August 27). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Malacañang
Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Peter
Maurer, President of International Committee of the Red Cross during the
courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace Tuesday (August
26). Also in photo are Alain Aeschliman, ICRC head of operarions for Far
East, Paul Maucle, head of the delegation, and Graziells Leite-Piccolo,
also of ICRC. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Rolando Mailo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a framed photograph showing his
mother, former President Corazon Aquino,receiving officials of the
International Committee of the Red during a courtesy call in Malacanang
in her time. Peter Maurer, President of ICRCO, gifted the President with
the picture. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil
Nartea / Rolando Mailo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Peter Maurer, President of the
International Committee of the Red Cross, during the courtesy call at
the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (August 26). (Photo by
Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Order of Sikatuna on
Japanese ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe in Malacanang
Tuesday (August 26).  (Photo by Gil nartea/ Rolando Mailo/ Malacanang
Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Order of Sikatuna on
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe in Malacanang
Tuesday (August 26). Also in photo are Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene
Almendras, DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario, Minister Tetsuro Amano,
Deputy Chief of Mission , and Minister Horonori Shibata, Political
Minister.  (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Lauro Montellano Jr./ Rolando
Mailo / Malacanang photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the nation in commemorating
National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio,
Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year's theme is “Bayaning
Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.”
(Photo by Ryan Lim / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year's theme is
“Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang
Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of
Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson
Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano.
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Robert Viñas / Rey Baniquet /
Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Armed Forces of the
Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., offers a
wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers during the commemoration of
the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio,
Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year's theme is “Bayaning
Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.”
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr.,
offers a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers during the
commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year's theme
is “Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang
Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Taguig City 2nd District Representative
Lino Cayetano, Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano, National
Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena
Diokno and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Rey
Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldiers during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August
25). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa
Makatwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.” (Photo by Gil Nartea / by Ryan
Lim / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line during the commemoration
of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio,
Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year's theme is “Bayaning
Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.”
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the
Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., troops
the line during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan
ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This
year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at
Makabuluhang Pagbabago.” (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet /
Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives for the commemoration of
National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio,
Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year's theme is “Bayaning
Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.” Also
in photo are Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano and Taguig City 2nd
District Representative Lino Cayetano. (Photo by Robert Viñas /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III sprinkles holy water over the grave at
the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City where a Holy Mass was
held to commemorate the 31st death anniversary of his late father,
former Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., on Thursday (August 21).
Also in photo are Presidential sisters Victoria Elisa (Viel) Aquino-Dee
and Kristina Bernadette (Kris) Aquino and Presidential nephew James
Carlos "Bimby" Aquino. (Photo by Gil Nartea / LauroMontellano, Jr. /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III prays before the grave of his parents at
the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City where a Holy Mass was
held to commemorate the 31st death anniversary of his late father,
former Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., on Thursday (August 21).
(Photo by Gil Nartea / BenhurArcayan / LauroMontellano, Jr. / Malacañang
Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in
Philippine National Police officials for a photo souvenir after oath
taking ceremonies held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on
Wednesday (August 20). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo
Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office of newly
promoted Philippine National Police officials in ceremonies held at the
Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday(August 20). (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Governor
Corazon Malanyaon of Davao Oriental during the courtesy call at the
Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (August 20). (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Davao Oriental Governor Corazon
Malanyaon during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan
Palace on Wednesday (August 20, 2014). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge and its connecting road networks
at the Tuao East Town Center Gymnasium in Tuao, Cagayan on Monday
(August 18). The newly constructed 360-meter Ninoy Aquino Bridge across
the Chico River, costs P599.40 million, is connected to two other small
bridges, the 40-meter Malummin and the 20-meterAngag bridge. It will
permanently connect Cagayan to the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao and
also an inter-regional link between Regions I, II and the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Also in photo are League of Provinces of the
Philippines national president and Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso
Umali, Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II,
Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Presidential
Legislative Liaison Office Head Manuel Mamba, Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino and Tuao Municipal
Mayor Francisco Mamba, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo
Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Public Works and Highways
Secretary Rogelio Singson, unveils the marker during the inauguration of
the Ninoy Aquino Bridge and its connecting road networks in Barangay San
Luis, Tuao, Cagayan on Monday (August 18). The newly constructed
360-meter Ninoy Aquino Bridge across the Chico River, costs P599.40
million, is connected to two other small bridges, the 40-meter Malummin
and the 20-meter Angag bridge. It will permanently connect Cagayan to
the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao and also an inter-regional link
between Regions I, II and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The
bridge is expected to boost the local economy of the three regions for
it shortens the travel time and eases the transportation of goods and
agricultural products of farmers and traders to any point of Regions I,
II and CAR. Also in photo are Tuao Municipal Mayor Francisco Mamba, Jr.,
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Presidential
Legislative Liaison Office Head Manuel Mamba and Public Works and
Highways Region II Director Melvin Navarro. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat /
Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Inauguration of the Ninoy
Aquino Bridge and its connecting road networks at the Tuao East Town
Center Gymnasium in Tuao, Cagayan on Monday (August 18). The newly
constructed 360-meter Ninoy Aquino Bridge across the Chico River, costs
P599.40 million, is connected to two other small bridges, the 40-meter
Malummin and the 20-meter Angag bridge. It will permanently connect
Cagayan to the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao and also an
inter-regional link between Regions I, II and the Cordillera
Administrative Region. The bridge is expected to boost the local economy
of the three regions for it shortens the travel time and eases the
transportation of goods and agricultural products of farmers and traders
to any point of Regions I, II and CAR. Also in photo are League of
Provinces of the Philippines national president and Oriental Mindoro
Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary
Manuel Roxas II, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson,
Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Head Manuel Mamba and
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino.
(Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)





President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the inauguration of the Ninoy
Aquino Bridge and its connecting road networks in Barangay San Luis,
Tuao, Cagayan on Monday (August 18). The newly constructed 360-meter
Ninoy Aquino Bridge across the Chico River, costs P599.40 million, is
connected to two other small bridges, the 40-meter Malummin and the
20-meter Angag bridge. It will permanently connect Cagayan to the
provinces of Kalinga and Apayao and also an inter-regional link between
Regions I, II and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The bridge is
expected to boost the local economy of the three regions for it shortens
the travel time and eases the transportation of goods and agricultural
products of farmers and traders to any point of Regions I, II and CAR.
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes PNoy baller bands to the
crowd as he graces the inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge and its
connecting road networks in Barangay San Luis, Tuao, Cagayan on Monday
(August 18). The newly constructed 360-meter Ninoy Aquino Bridge across
the Chico River, costs P599.40 million, is connected to two other small
bridges, the 40-meter Malummin and the 20-meter Angag bridge. It will
permanently connect Cagayan to the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao and
also an inter-regional link between Regions I, II and the Cordillera
Administrative Region. The bridge is expected to boost the local economy
of the three regions for it shortens the travel time and eases the
transportation of goods and agricultural products of farmers and traders
to any point of Regions I, II and CAR. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang
Photo Bureau)





President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm welcome from the locals
during the inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge and its connecting
road networks in Barangay San Luis, Tuao, Cagayan on Monday (August 18).
The newly constructed 360-meter Ninoy Aquino Bridge across the Chico
River, costs P599.40 million, is connected to two other small bridges,
the 40-meter Malummin and the 20-meter Angag bridge. It will permanently
connect Cagayan to the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao and also an
inter-regional link between Regions I, II and the Cordillera
Administrative Region. The bridge is expected to boost the local economy
of the three regions for it shortens the travel time and eases the
transportation of goods and agricultural products of farmers and traders
to any point of Regions I, II and CAR. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)




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