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24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 25 September 2014
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure
Analysis for 8 a.m., 25 September 2014 |
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind
Analysis for 8 a.m., 25 September 2014 |
Satellite Image
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Synopsis:
Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) affecting Northern Luzon.
Forecast:
The whole archipelago will be partly
cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in
the afternoon or evening.
Moderate to occasionally strong
winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal
waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Winds will be light to
moderate coming from the northeast to northwest over the rest of the
country with slight to moderate seas.
THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY NO. 2 #Visayas_PRSD
Issued at 6:37 AM, 25 September 2014
Thunderstorm is affecting #Cebu (Pinamungahan, Aloguinsan, Toledo, Balamban, Asturias,Tuburan, portions of MetroCebu); northern portion of #Bohol and nearby areas which may persist for 1-2 hrs.
All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains,
strong wind, lightning and possible flashflood. Keep monitoring for
updates.
PAGASA weather forecaster Gladys Saludes on DZMM:
-Maaliwalas na may kainitang panahon pa rin ang aasahan sa bansa dahil sa patuloy na pag-iral ng ridge ng high pressure area
-Pero makakaranas pa rin sa kapuluan ang pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog sa hapon o gabi.
-Sa Metro Manila at Luzon, magpapatuloy anya ang maaliwalas na panahon hanggang weekend.
-Sa mga susunod na araw, makaaasa ang Visayas ng pag-ulan dahil sa
trough o extension ng bagyong nasa labas ng Philippine area of
responsibility (PAR). Tiyak namang hindi na papasok ng PAR ang bagyong
ito.
-Sa ngayon, wala tayong namo-monitor na panibagong sama ng panahon.
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Asahan ang pag-ulan mula umaga sa MIMAROPA Region.
-Inaasahan din ang pag-ulan sa northern at central sections ng Luzon sa hapon.
-Sa Metro Manila, posible ang thunderstorm sa hapon hanggang gabi.
-Asahan ang pag-ulan sa hapon sa kalakhang Mindanao.
Bottom of Form
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September 25 ,
2014 ( Thursday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Partly Cloudy
LAGUNA : Cloudy
BATANGAS : Partly Cloudy
RIZAL : Partly Cloudy
QUEZON
: Partly Cloudy
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PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
The Calabarzon Regional Development Council (RDC) in the 3rd quarter
full council meeting going on at TESDA Women's Center in Taguig City
awarded plaque of recognition to local government units (LGUS)
recognized as most competitive based on the 2014 Cities and
Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI). These are Gen. Trias (2nd)
and Carmona (4th) both from the province of Cavite while the following
LGUs got high ranks under economic dynamism: Tanza (1st); and Gen.
Trias, Cavite (2nd); San Pedro, Laguna (3rd); Carmona, Cavite (4th); and
Taytay, Rizal (5th); and for infrastructure category, Rodriguez, Rizal
ranked 2nd.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional IV-A
was recently awarded with "Outstanding Partner for Source Information"
by Bangko ng Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP). The citation recognized NEDA
IV-A's efforts in providing BSP with valuable information necessary in
preparing the report on Regional Economic Development in the Philippines
released annualy.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
The 3rd quarter full council meeting of the Calabarzon Regional
Development Council (RDC) is ongoing today at the TESDA Women's Center
in Taguig City. One of the significant agenda for discussion is the
flood management masterplan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas to be
discussed by DPWH IV-A regional director Constante A. Llames, Jr.
Meanwhile, former Batangas representative and RDC chairman Hermilando I.
Mandanas will talk on the role of RDC in promoting local autonomy.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
The Department of Trade and Industry Region 4A launched this afternoon,
Kalakalan Calabarzon, a regional trade fair being held at Level 2,
Carousel Court, Festival Supermall in Alabang. The week-long (Sept
24-30, 2014) trade fair showcases Calabarzon's 50 local micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMMEs) various products like gifts, decors, and
housewares, processed foods, health and wellness products, handicrafts,
fashion accessories , and more. Also newly developed design products
made from indigenous materials such as water hyacinth, buri, pandan, and
sugarcane leaves are on display and exhibit.
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PIA-4A/CAVITE:
The Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources turned over yesterday,
Sept. 23, 2014 a trash boat to the city gov't of Bacoor purposely aimed
to clean out debris and wastes in Manila Bay. A deed of donation was
formally signed by DENR officials led by Director Noel Gaerlan of Manila
Bay Coordinating Council representing Sec. Ramon J. P. Paje and Mayor
Strike Revilla. Similar turn-over will be carried out by DENR on
September 29 to the municipality of Rosario.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Kasama sa mga idedeklarang rabies free areas sa buong Pilipinas ngayong
taon ang mga bayan ng Alabat, Quezon, at Perez. Ang pagdedeklara ay
taon-taong ginagawa ng national rabies prevention and control committee
bilang bahagi ng kampanya laban sa rabies.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The provincial government of Quezon is set to conduct a rehabilitation
planning/workshop at Queen Margarette Hotel, Lucena City on Sept. 30,-
Oct. 1, 2014 to formulate rehabilitation programs intended for areas
devastated by typhoon "Glenda." The department heads of the provincial
government are expected to participate in the activity.
PIA-4A/RIZAL:
Free medical services will be available at the Rizal Provincial
Hospital System - Angono Annex on September 26 from 7 to 11am. Services
include medical and dental examinations, prenatal checkups, prostate
exams, UTZ, laboratory tests such as urinalysis/CBC/bloodtyping, pet
vaccination and counseling on early detection of disabilities and
violence against women and children.
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24 SEPTEMBER 2014
- President Aquino calls for more aggressive global
effort to address climate change
- President Aquino urges U.S. business groups to explore
investment opportunities in the Philippines
- Filipinos will always emerge strong despite challenges,
says President Aquino
- President Aquino: Government
determined to address extrajudicial killings
- President Aquino optimistic on
passage of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law
- Philippines hopeful of
international tribunal's resolution on West Philippine Sea
- Nearly 20 American companies
looking to invest in the Philippines
- President Aquino untroubled by
hecklers
- Palace clarifies President
Aquino’s affiliation with new Clark Airport chief
- Marcos' Libingan ng mga Bayani
burial must be justified, says President Aquino
- President Aquino opts to wait for details before
rendering judgment on embattled PNP chief
- President Aquino reminisces beautiful memories with his
father during Boston visit
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III called for a global coordinated effort to address
climate change noting that with the changing climate, both big and small
nations become vulnerable to its ill effects.
"The choice before us, then, is clear: Together we must face these
challenges and surmount them, or together we will suffer the consequences of
inaction," the President said in his speech at the United Nations
Climate Change Summit on Tuesday at the UN headquarters here.
Nations should not engage in another protracted debate over the individual
commitments of countries, he said adding it would be a wrong framework to
address the issue.
"Instead, everyone here has to do everything they can to address climate
change, without first waiting for their neighbors to engage in action,"
he said. "Doing anything less leaves the problem unattended, too,
thereby increasing the problem we all face."
Although not a major emitter, the Philippines is not waiting for other
nations to act first, he said.
The country has been addressing climate change to the maximum with its limited
resources. Legislation has been enacted to lessen the impact of disasters by
adopting a comprehensive approach to disaster response, the President said.
The government has also improved its weather forecasting so that it could
send timely warnings to vulnerable communities.
For national and local authorities and residents, the government has
undertaken multi-hazard and geohazard mapping, which is integral to the
effective assessment of risks, according to the President.
It is also carrying out a massive national re-greening program and
intensified the crackdown on anti-illegal logging activities.
At the same time, the government also started tagging public expenditure on
climate change to ensure that the appropriate prioritization and allocation of
funds is achieved, he said.
To reduce the impact of disasters on the poorest and most vulnerable
Filipinos, the government engaged other stakeholders in developing a disaster
risk financing and insurance policy framework.
"Perhaps the international community may see the value of such an
instrument, and look at it as a model to increase the financial resiliency of
other nations in a similar situation to ours," the President said.
The Philippines also has to continue to take steps to maintain and even improve
the country's low-emission development strategy and the trajectory of its
energy mix, the President noted.
"And we are hopeful that our fellow developing nations, especially those
who have been gaining the economic wherewithal to pursue similar strategies,
will tread a path akin to ours," he added.
Although less industrialized, the Philippines never lacked the resolve with
regards to transitioning towards less traditional sources of energy, the
President said.
What is lacking is the country's access to technology, financing, and
investment that would allow it to accelerate its strategy, the President
noted, believing however that the real challenge is to innovate in the
transfer of useful technology and the building of climate-smart infrastructure.
Climate change does not recognize national boundaries, or political or
economic affiliations, according to the President. The chief executive cited
the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda that hit the country last year. PND
(as)
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President Aquino urges U.S. business groups to explore investment
opportunities in the Philippines
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday urged prospective investors here to take
advantage of new business opportunities the Philippines is ready to offer in
light of its improved economy and especially since it is poised to hit the so
called ‘demographic sweet spot’ by next year.
“According to the projections of the United Nations, the majority of our
people will reach working age next year, which means that there will be an
abundance of talent and creativity in the workforce, ready to spur your
businesses to success,” President Aquino told a business roundtable with
chief executive officers and other senior officials from the US Chamber of
Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council here.
"It is indeed my hope that all of you have come here with the
determination to build on your success in the Philippines or to explore new
avenues in pursuit of the same."
President Aquino relayed to business executives all the good news about the
Philippines recently, including the consecutive upgrades it received from
major credit rating agencies, and its improved ranking in the World Economic
Forum’s 2013-2014 Global Competitiveness Report.
This is on top of the key industries that continue to grow particularly the
Information Technology-Business Process Management, which, according to the
President, remains one of the strongest sectors, recording a 6.6-billion
dollar increase in revenues from 8.9-billion dollars in 2010, to 15.5-billion
dollars in 2013.
“Manufacturing has completely rebounded with growth accelerating from 5.4
percent in 2012 to 10.3 percent in 2013. This is not to mention the other
sectors worthy of note, including tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure,”
he added.
President Aquino attributed all these positive developments to good
governance and better fiscal management his administration consistently
practiced the past four years, assuring all potential investors the reforms
they have implemented will continue.
“Our commitment to institute good governance and fight corruption has not
flagged. We continue to implement reforms in order to ensure a significant
return on each peso we spend for government’s programs and projects. Massive
investments into social services continue, so that Filipinos are empowered to
become active participants in building our economy, and the nation, as well,”
he said. PND (hdc)
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Filipinos will always emerge strong despite challenges, says President
Aquino
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III said he believes Filipinos will continue to overcome
any adversity, given their extraordinary spirit.
In his speech during the Columbia University World Leaders Forum here,
President Aquino said challenges will continue to come, but Filipinos will
continue to rise and emerge better.
When confronted with disaster, the current government’s mindset is not just
on rebuilding but how to build back better, he said.
And as reforms begin to be realized, the President said his administration is
thinking how to make these changes permanent.
"My entire life, I have witnessed my people do incredible things: they
resisted the dictatorship, drove a peaceful revolution that captured the
imagination of the world, stood firmly and often against tyranny and
corruption whenever they reared their ugly heads, and worked tirelessly to
put our country back on the map," he told the students and faculty of
the university.
He noted that for so long, Filipinos have endured the tyranny of self-serving
administrations and the indifference of the world, but the country, once an
often-overlooked archipelago in the Pacific, is poised to remain in the
global spotlight.
This is proof of what a mobilized citizenry and a government of integrity are
capable of achieving, he said.
The President cited the reforms initiated by his administration, including
those in fighting corruption, improving the education system and health care,
and the Mindanao peace process.
He also reported on the economic developments in the country, the positive
credit ratings upgrades given to the Philippines, and the government's
initiatives for better weather forecasting.
Established in 2003 by Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger, the
World Leaders Forum is a year-round event series that seeks to advance
robust, uninhibited dialogue on the significant economic, political, and social
questions of the present time.
The forum has already featured former presidents Bill Clinton of the United
States, Mary Robinson of Ireland, and Nicolas Sarkozy of France, as well as
the Dalai Lama. PND (as)
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III has expressed his administration’s seriousness in
addressing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
The government is not after merely identifying the assailants but focuses on
convicting the murderers, President Aquino told students and faculty during
the Columbia University World Leaders Forum here Tuesday.
"There has to be certainty of punishment for all of these things that
happened. And they (Department of Justice) have, in turn, secured quite a
number of convictions for those involved in extralegal killings," he
said.
He further said that the government is making efforts to train Filipino
policemen to improve their forensic capabilities, refine the witness
protection program, and hold government officials accountable for the
protection of the rights of every citizen.
The problem is the very lengthy process in litigating cases under the
Philippine judicial system, the President said, citing as an example the
Maguindanao massacre, where more than 100 suspects have to be investigated
and arraigned in court.
The government does not want to perform quick justice because it would be
accused of violating the rights of the suspects, he added.
But the main point is that a killing is a killing and it is a violation of
the law, he said, emphasizing that regardless of who did it and why he did
it, there has to be penalties under the law.
President Aquino acknowledged that despite some drawbacks, the government has
also scored several successes in terms of convictions and it will continue to
strive for equal justice to everyone. PND (as)
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Aquino has expressed confidence that the bill on the Bangsamoro would be
passed, saying that any politician who fails to support the legislation would
suffer in the ballot box come election time.
During the Columbia University World Leaders Forum here Tuesday, the
President was asked what would happen if legislators refuse to support his
peace initiatives in Mindanao.
He said it would be a serious setback if Congress does not approve the bill.
He however noted that anyone who would oppose the proposal would lose
popularity among the voters.
There will be grandstanding, he said, but at the end of the day, those who
would oppose it would be labeled as anti-peace.
"I don’t think any politician would want to be labeled as anti-peace,
specifically in that portion of the country, which has had the misfortune of
having this long-running insurgency dating from the late 1960s, which has
claimed so many lives," he said.
The President further expressed hope that government resources devoted to the
Bangsamoro under his administration would improve the living conditions of
the people in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro in March this year.
Prior to the President's European and US trips, he forwarded the draft
Bangsamoro Basic Law to Congress for deliberation.
The President has vowed to push for the conduct of a fair and democratic
election in Mindanao in 2016, once the bill is approved by Congress and
becomes a law. PND (as)
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III said he expects the international arbitral tribunal to
issue a resolution on the country's claim in the West Philippine Sea (South
China Sea) to achieve regional stability and prosperity.
A ruling from the tribunal will create an environment that could bring about
prosperity for all and in the region, the President told students and faculty
who attended the Columbia University World Leaders Forum here Tuesday.
"It is difficult to give up sovereignty by any state," President
Aquino said. "That is why we have brought the case before the
International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea precisely to determine whose
definitions and interpretations of the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea are correct."
Perhaps, the Philippines is not totally wrong, or the country is not totally
correct and maybe it is the same case with the other side, he said.
"At the end of the day, when there is a clear understanding accepted by
all parties, then the tension should be managed better than it is now, where
everything is so undefined and subject to so many conflicting claims that
are, in a sense, irreconcilable with each other," he noted.
He however said that although there are conflicting claims in the West
Philippine Sea, the issue is not the totality of the relations between the
Philippines and China.
In fact, the President said, when he visited China in 2011, then Chinese
President Hu Jintao also stated that this should not be the basis for the overall
relations between the two countries.
This is true until now, he said, adding that in 2011, investments by
Philippine companies in China were estimated at $2.5 billion, while
investments by Chinese companies in the Philippines amounted to about $600
million.
In terms of tourism, Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines number about
200,000 every year, while Filipinos going to China reach 800,000 tourists
annually.
“There is really room for prosperity for both and a natural affinity in a
sense for both," President Aquino said, adding that it is his obligation
under the Constitution to defend the country's rights and sovereignty. PND
(as)
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Nearly 20 American companies looking to invest in the
Philippines
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(NEW YORK, New York) Close to 20
American companies have expressed interest in investing or expanding to the
Philippines as a result of President Benigno S. Aquino III's trip to the
United States.
In a media interview here Tuesday, President Aquino mentioned the number of
companies that are planning to do business in the Philippines but did not
name them out of concern it might violate their securities and exchange code.
The President mentioned a company with investment in one location and employs
600,000 workers.
"Nagbabalak siyang itayo ang something similar sa Pilipinas. Naghahanap
ng mga partner niya na makakatulong sa pagtatayo nga nitong production
facility para sa kanyang mga produkto," the President said.
The company, worth several billions of dollars, appears to be an industry
leader, he said.
He said that when he goes to San Francisco on Wednesday, he will meet with
two other companies that want to put their money in the Philippines.
San Francisco will be the President's last stop in his five-day visit to the
US before returning to Manila on Wednesday. PND (as)
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III said the hecklers who appeared in separate forums he
recently attended did not bother him at all, since people like them are
always found in a democratic society.
President Aquino even indicated that he is open to having a dialogue with
them, provided they keep an open mind so they could arrive at an
understanding.
“Sa lahat ng usapan, may ‘thesis’, ‘yon namang kontra doon, may ‘antithesis’,
baka ‘pag nag-usap kayo magkaroon ng ‘synthesis’ at ako naniniwala ako doon,”
he told members of the Philippine media in an interview held Tuesday evening
at the Omni Berkshire Place here.
Unidentified individuals rudely interrupted President Aquino while he was in
the middle of answering legitimate questions from students during the World
Leaders Forum at the Columbia University.
The President dealt with a similar incident at Harvard University’s John F.
Kennedy School of Government last Monday, when a man tried to engage him in a
debate regarding the administration’s purchase of weapons.
“Sanay naman tayo doon. In the guise of magtatanong, magtatalumpati… Ngayon,
kung sana mayroon talagang tanong, maganda sanang sagutin. Siyempre, ang
pangangailangan noon, pareho kayong bukas ang kaisipan para may diyalogo
kayong mapapala,” he said.
He added that these relatively inconsequential matters are not enough to make
him upset.
“Maski ano naman ang sabihin doon, ‘di ba, meron din naman silang sasabihin
tungkol doon. Sa akin lang, tuloy akong magtatrabaho. Hinaharap ko ang sarili
ko sa salamin bago ako matulog ...na nagawa ko na lahat ng magagawa ko. Dapat
naman may konting kakuntentohan lang doon, tapos kinabukasan kayod ulit,” the
President said. PND (hdc)
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Palace clarifies
President Aquino’s affiliation with new Clark Airport
chief
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Malacañang on Wednesday clarified
that newly appointed president and chief executive officer of the Clark
International Airport Corporation (CIAC) Emigdio Tanjuatco III is President
Benigno S. Aquino III’s sixth-degree cousin.
“He (Tanjuatco) is beyond the fourth degree of consanguinity, sixth (degree)
na siya, ang layo na. Ang prohibition ng batas is until fourth degree of
consanguinity… sixth degree na siya, so walang prohibition doon,”
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters during the daily
press briefing at the Palace.
Lacierda was reacting to reports that the President had committed nepotism
when he appointed Tanjuatco.
“I disagree with that… I was hearing about lack of aviation experience. Just
for the record, the CIAC does not determine aviation policy. It is the CAAP
(Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) that determines aviation
policies and regulations,” he said, adding that Tanjuatco is a lawyer and has
corporate experience.
Tanjuatco’s appointment letter was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito
Ochoa, Jr. last August 27. He will serve as president and CEO, as well as
member of CIAC’s Board of Directors until June 30, 2015.
He replaced Victor Jose Luciano, who was appointed as member of the Civil
Aeronautics Board under the Department of Transportation and Communications.
PND (ag)
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III said he won't support moves to bury former strongman
Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he can't justify to
the people the reason why the dictator should be rested there.
Asked by reporters in a media interview here on Tuesday, the President said,
"Siguro, ganito na lang ang sagot ko: Kung bibigyan ako ng authority,
hindi ako magvo-volunteer na sumagot bakit dapat ilibing doon, wala sa
kakayahan kong ipaliwanag sa taumbayan kung bakit dapat siyang bigyan ng
ganoong karangalan."
There will be questions on legitimacy if Marcos is buried at the Libingan ng
mga Bayani since Marcos usurped his authority.
He said Marcos should have stepped down in 1973 after serving two terms but
he instead declared Martial law in September 1972 to prolong his stay in
power.
Marcos' stay in Malacañang after 1973 is no longer legitimate under the laws
during that time, he said, when Marcos extended his term in office for around
13 years until he was ousted in 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
"Kaya ang tanong: Kung may karapatan siya bilang pangulong lehitimo,
hindi ba natabunan noong pagiging pangulo niya na hindi na lehitimo, itong 13
years?" the President asked.
"Kasi ang Libingan ng mga Bayani isang karangalan para sa mga dating
talagang naglingkod sa bayan," he stressed.
There are also questions on the war merits of Marcos, he said. Marcos claimed
he received recognitions for being a war hero during World War II, but some
question the authenticity of the medals he received.
The Libingan ng mga Bayani is a symbol of gallantry and selfless dedication
to serve the country and anybody being buried there should not be questioned
on their right to be rested there, according to the President.
The Aquino family was a victim of Marcos' martial rule, compelling it to live
in exile in Boston, Massachusetts from 1980 to 1983.
Former senator Benigno Aquino Jr, the President's father, was assassinated
after arriving in the Philippines on August 21, 1983. Aquino's death however
culminated in mass protest actions that eventually brought down the Marcos
dictatorship. PND (as)
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President Aquino opts to wait for details before rendering judgment on
embattled PNP chief
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III opted not to prejudge embattled Philippine National
Police (PNP) chief director general Alan Purisima and would rather wait for
details of the complaints filed against him so he could render an accurate
judgment.
In an interview with members of the Philippine media delegation at the Omni
Berkshire Place Tuesday evening, President Aquino also mentioned that
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas is capable of handling the
issue.
“I would like to see the details so that we can render an accurate judgment…
But the PNP is in the capable hands of Secretary (Mar) Roxas and I’m sure
he’ll get to the bottom of this,” he said.
Purisima is currently embroiled in graft and corruption charges following a
complaint from a consumer rights group questioning his alleged unexplained
wealth.
On a personal note, however, President Aquino told reporters he knew Purisima
as someone who would not indulge himself over luxurious things given all the
hardships he had been through in the past.
The two have known each other since 1987 when the PNP chief became part of
the Presidential Security Group during the administration of President
Aquino’s mother.
“Sa pagkakakillala ko kay Alan talagang… Alam niyo, for instance, kadete pa
lang siya nabiktima siya ng hazing. At ang pagkabiktima (sa kanya), muntik na
siyang mamatay actually,” President Aquino said.
“Pwede naman siyang, ‘di ba, maghinagpis doon sa mga gumawa sa kanya nito.
Pero ‘nung nakilala ko siya in the ’87—or probably in ’86 pero ’87 ko talaga
siya nakilala nang masinsinan—and from that time to the present, hindi ko
nakita itong taong ito na maluho, o matakaw,” he added. PND (hdc)
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(NEW YORK, New York) President
Benigno S. Aquino III reminisced about the beautiful memories he had with his
father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., during his short visit at their
humble home while he was in Boston.
Boston was President Aquino’s first stop in his five-day US trip, which began
Saturday (September 20). He had business meetings there and held speaking
engagements at Boston College and Harvard University.
President Aquino admitted becoming nostalgic the moment he stepped inside the
house at 175 Commonwealth Avenue in Chestnut Hill after 31 years. It is where
he and his family stayed while in exile from 1980-1983.
“It’s the first time I have gone back to Boston since my father’s
assassination. Nakadalaw tayo doon sa bahay na tinuluyan namin dati… Aaminin
ko sa inyo, ‘nung pagpasok ko sa bawat parte, parang mavi-visualize mo ano ba
ang ginagawa ninyo dito (noon),” President Aquino told the Philippine media
delegation with him Tuesday evening.
President Aquino recalled the fond memories he had with his father, including
the first time he tried to build a snowman, which the elder Aquino decorated
using personal belongings during the dead of winter.
“‘Yung snowman ko malnourished… Ewan ko kung marunong kayo gumawa ng snowman
pero nagmarunong na lang ako. Dumating ‘yung tatay ko, nakita niya snow lang
e, so kumuha siya ng dahon; nilagyan ng mata; nilagyan ng bunganga. May
nagregalo sa kanya ng scarf na hindi niya masyadong type, isinuot niya kay
snowman,” he told reporters.
President Aquino said it was ‘nice’ to remember all those times, though it
was also filled with pain and sadness, recalling the day he learned about the
news of his father’s assassination.
The hardships that he and his family had been through during the brutal years
of Martial Law became a running theme in all of President Aquino’s speeches
for the students of Boston College, Harvard University, and Columbia
University.
“It’s nice to remember all those times dahil tayo nga ay may kasabihan: Para
makarating sa paroroonan, kailangan lumingon sa pinanggalingan. Ito ang isa
sa mga punto kung saan ako nahubog,” he said. PND (hdc)
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24 SEPTYEMBRE 2014
- Hinimok ng Pangulong Aquino ang
mga negosyante na subukin ang paglalagak ng puhunan sa Pilipinas
- Mananatiling
matatag ang mga Pilipino sa harap ng mga pagsubok—Aquino
- Patuloy ang gobyerno sa pagharap
sa mga ‘extrajudicial killings’--Aquino
- Tiwala ang Pangulong Aquino na
mapagtitibay ang Bangsamoro Basic Law
-
Inaasahan ng
Pilipinas na lulutasin ng international tribunal ang suliranin sa 'West
Philippine Sea'
Hinimok ng Pangulong Aquino ang mga negosyante na subukin ang
paglalagak ng puhunan sa Pilipinas
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(NEW YORK) Hinimok ng
Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Martes ang mga imbestor na samantalahin ang
mga bagong pagkakataon sa pagnenegosyo na iniaalay ng Pilipinas na higit na
mabuti na ang kalagayan ng ekonomya ngayon dahil handa na itong sapitin sa
isang taon ang tinatawag na demographic sweet spot.
“Salig sa pagtaya ng Bansang Magkakaanib, karamihan sa aming mga mamamayan ay
sasapit na sa working age o sapat na gulang para magtrabaho, na ang ibig
sabihin ay napakaraming matalino at malikhaing diwa sa lakas-bisig na handang
dalhin sa rurok ng tagumpay ang inyong mga negosyo,” sabi ng Pangulong Aquino
sa business roundtable niya sa mga chief executive officers at iba pang mga
pinuno ng US Chamber of Commerce at US-ASEAN Business Council dito.
“Inaasahan kong kayong lahat na dumalo ngayon dito ay nagsadya rito nang
taglay ang masidhing hangaring tamuhin ang inyong tagumpay sa Pilipinas o
humanap ng mga bagong paraan sa pagsasakatuparan ng inyong mithiin,” dugtong
pa ng Pangulo.
Ipinaalam ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga negosyante ang magandang balita tungkol
sa Pilipinas na tulad ng sunud-sunod na upgrades na ibinigay rito ng mga
pangunahing credit rating agencies at ang nabagong katayuan nito sa 2013-2014
Global Competitiveness Report ng World Economic Forum.
Bukod pa rito ang mga pangunahing industriya na patuloy ang paglago, lalo na
ang Information Technology-Business Process Management na ayon sa Pangulo ay
nananatiling isa sa pinakamatatag na sektor na naragdagan ng US$6.6 bilyon
ang kinita noong 2013 mula sa US$8.9 bilyon noong 2010 at naging US$15.9
bilyon noong 2013.
“Nakabalikwas na nang husto ang manufacturing industry na lumago ng 10.3
porsiyento noong 2013 buhat sa 5.4 porsiyento noong 2012. Hindi pa kasama
rito ang mga umunlad din nang malaki na gaya ng turismo, pagsasaka at
imprastraktura,“ wika ng Pangulo.
Ang lahat nang ito, ayon sa Pangulong Aquino ay mga positibong kaunlarang
bunga ng mabuting pamamahala at higit na mahusay na paghawak ng pananalapi ng
administrasyon niya sa nakalipas na apat na taon kaya tinitiyak niya sa mga
potensiyal na imbestor na magpapatuloy ang mga repormang kanyang sinimulan.
“Hindi nagbabago ang aming panatang itaguyod ang mabuting pamamahala at
walang humpay na bakahin ang katiwalian. Patuloy naming ipatutupad ang mga
reporma upang matiyak ang makabuluhang pakinabang sa bawa’t pisong gugugulin
sa mga programa at proyekto ng pamahalaan. Hindi rin tatantanan ang
pamumuhunan sa mga serbisyong panlipunan upang ang mga Pilipino ay magtamo ng
angking lakas sa pakikiisa sa pagpapatatag ng aming ekonomya at ng bansa sa
kabuuan,” pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulong Aquino. PND (hdc/zaf)
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Mananatiling matatag ang mga Pilipino sa harap ng mga pagsubok—Aquino
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(NEW YORK) Patuloy na
malalakdawan ng mga Pilipino ang ano mang hamon at mga pagsubok dahil sa
angkin nilang pambihirang tatag, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa
talumpati sa Columbia World Leaders Forum na idinaos sa Columbia University
dito.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Aquino na ang mga hamon at pagsubok ay
nagpapatuloy, subali’t patuloy rin ang mga Pilipino sa tibay ng paninindigang
bumangon at higit pang pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap.
“Sa harap ng mga kalamidad, ang nasa isipan ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan ay
hindi lamang muling itindig ang mga nawasak na bagay, kundi sikaping higit na
matatag at mabuti ang itatayong muli,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Idinugtong ng Pangulo na habang nagsisimula nang matupad na ang mga reporma,
nakatuon naman ang administrasyon niya sa pag-iisip kung paano magagawang
permanente na ang mga pagbabagong nasabi.
“Sa buo kong buhay, nasaksihan kong gumawa ng hindi kapani-paniwalang bagay
ang aking mga kababayan. Tinutulan nila ang diktadurya, nagsagawa ng
mapayapang himagsikang nagpahanga sa buong daigdig; matatag ang paninindigan
laban sa paninikil at katiwalian sa lahat ng saglit, at walang pagod na
nagsisikap na muling ibalik ang aming bansa sa mapa,” pahayag pa ng Pangulo.
Binanggit ng Pangulo na matagal ding pinagtiisan ng mga Pilipino ang mapaniil
at mga administrasyong pansarili lamang ang pakay at maging ang tila
pagwawalang bahala ng daigdig, datapuwa’t ang bansang dati-rating
ipinagwawalang bahalang kapuluan sa Pasipiko ay nanatiling matatag at walang
humpay ang pagsisikap na manatili sa world spotlight.
“Ito ang katibayan ng magagawa ng masigasig na mamamayan at ng isang
pamahalaan ng dangal na may kakayahang magawa ang nais gawin,” dugtong pa ng
Pangulo.
Sinabi ng Pangulo ang mga repormang ginawa ng administrasyon niya, kabilang
na ang walang humpay na pagbaka sa katiwalian, pagpapabuti ng sistema ng
edukasyon at pangangalagang pangkalusugan at proseso ng kapayapaan sa
Mindanao.
Iniulat din ng Pangulo ang kaunlarang pangkabuhayan sa bansa, ang positibong
credit ratings upgrades na natamo ng Pilipinas at ang ginawang pagsisikap ng
pamahalaan na pagbutihin ang pagtaya sa lagay ng panahon.
Sinimulan noong 2003 ng Pangulong Lee C. Bollinger ng Columbia University,
ang “World Leaders Forum” ay sunud-sunod na pagtitipon sa buong taon na ang
pakay ay mapaunlad at maisagawa ang walang pasubaling talakayan para masagot
ang tungkol sa mahahalagang bagay na may kaugnayan sa kabuhayan, pulitika at
lipunan. PND (as/zaf)
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Patuloy ang gobyerno sa pagharap sa mga ‘extrajudicial
killings’--Aquino
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(NEW YORK) Hindi
titigilan ng pamahalaan ang pagsisikap na masugpo ang extrajudicial killings
sa Pilipinas, sang-ayon sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.
“Hindi lamang ang pagtukoy sa mga nagsasagawa nito ang hangad ng pamahalaan,
kundi ang pagtiyak na mapaparusahan ang mga mamamatay-tao,” tahasang wika ng
Pangulo sa talumpati sa harap ng mga guro at mag-aaral sa World Leaders Forum
ng Pamantasan ng Columbia na ginanap dito Martes.
“Kailangang may katiyakan ang parusa sa lahat ng mga nangyaring ito. Nagawa
naman ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan na mahatulan ang maraming sangkot sa
extralegal killings na ito,” paliwanag pa ng Pangulo.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na ginagawa rin ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng pagsisikap para
masanay na mabuti ang mga alagad ng batas na Pilipino sa kakayahang gumamit
ng sandata, isaayos ang witness protection program at maging sagutin ng mga
pinuno ng pamahalaan ang pangangalaga sa karapatang pantao ng bawa’t
mamamayan.
“Ang problema ay ang napakatagal na proseso ng paglilitis sa ilalim ng
judicial system ng Pilipinas gaya na lamang halimbawa ng Maguindanao massacre
na mahigit na 100 katao ang pinaghihinalaan na kailangang siyasatin at
basahan ng sakdal sa hukuman,” paliwanag pa ng Pangulong Aquino.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ayaw ng pamahalaan na bilisan ang paglalapat ng
katarungan sapagka’t pararatangan naman ito na lumalabag sa karapatang pantao
ng pinaghihinalaan.
“Subali’t ang pagpatay ay isang pagpatay at ito ay labag sa batas kaya sino
man ang may kagagawan nito at kung bakit niya ito ginawa ay kailangang
parusahan sa ilalim ng mga batas,” sabi ng Pangulong Aquino.
Idinugtong ng Pangulong Aquino na sa kabila ng ilang naging sagwil, ang
pamahalaan ay nag-tagumpay naman sa layuning malapatan ng parusa at pantay na
karapatan ang bawa’t isa. PND (as/zaf)
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Tiwala ang Pangulong Aquino na mapagtitibay ang Bangsamoro Basic
Law
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(NEW YORK) Tiwala ang
Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na mapagtitibay ang panukalang batas tungkol
sa Bangsamoro sapagka’t sino mang pulitikong mabigong sumuporta dito ay hindi
malayong mabawasan ng boto sa halalan.
“Hindi makabubuti kung hindi mapagtitibay ng Kongreso ang panukalang batas na
ito,” sabi pa ng Pangulo nang itanong sa kanya ang bagay na ito sa World
Leaders Forum sa Columbia University dito Martes.
Idinugtong pa ng Pangulo na sino mang tututol sa panukalang ito ay
mababawasan ang popularidad sa mga manghahalal.
“Tiyak na may magpapakitang gilas, subali’t hahantong ito sa pagtuturing na
laban sa kapayapaan ang sino mang tututol dito,” dagdag ng Pangulo.
“Palagay ko, walang sino mang pulitikong magnanais na mataguriang laban sa
kapayapaan, lalo na sa nasabing bahagi ng bansa, na sa kasawiang palad ay
noon pang 1960s may nagaganap na paghihimagsik at napakaraming buhay na ang
naputi,” wika ng Pangulo.
Nagpahayag pa ng pag-asa ang Pangulo na ang pondong ilalaan ng gobyerno sa
Bangsamoro sa ilalim ng administrasyon niya ay magpapabuti sa kalagayan sa
buhay ng mga naninirahan sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Noong Marso ng taong ito, nilagdaan ng pamahalaan at ng Moro Islamic
Liberation Front ang Comprehensive Basic Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Bago nagtungo sa Europa at Estados Unidos, ipinadala ng Pangulo sa Kongreso
para mapagtibay ang draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Nangako ang Pangulong Aquino na isusulong ang malinis at demokratikong
halalan sa Mindanao sa 2016 sa sandaling mapagtibay ng Kongreso at maging
batas na ito. PND (as/zaf)
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Inaasahan ng Pilipinas na lulutasin ng international tribunal ang
suliranin sa 'West Philippine Sea'
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(NEW YORK) Inaasahan
ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na maglalabas na ng pasiya ang
International Arbitral Tribunal tungkol sa paghahabol ng bansa sa West
Philippine Sea (South China Sea) upang mamayani ang pampurok na kapanatagan
at kasaganaan.
“Ang pasiya ng tribunal ay lilikha ng kapaligirang magiging daan upang maging
masagana ang lahat ng nasa rehiyon,” wika ng Pangulo sa mga mag-aaral at mga
gurong dumalo sa World Leaders Forum ng Columbia University Martes.
“Napakahirap na ibigay na lamang ng isang estado ang kanyang soberenya. Ito
ang dahilan kaya iniharap natin ang usapin sa International Tribunal on the
Law of the Sea upang matiyak kung tama ang pagbibigay-kahulugan sa United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” paliwanag ng Pangulo.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang Pilipinas ay hindi maling-mali o ang bansa ay hindi
lubusang tama at marahil, gayundin naman ang kalagayan sa kabilang panig.p
“Sa kabuuan, ang malinaw na unawaang tinatanggap ng lahat ng kinauukulan, ang
tensiyon ay higit na nahaharap nang angkop ngayon kaysa dati na ang lahat ay
hindi natutukoy at nakabatay sa magkakalabang paghahabol na wari bang hindi
na magkakasundo ang isa’t isa,” pahayag pa ng Pangulo.
Gayunman, sinabi ng Pangulo na bagaman may magkakalabang paghahabol sa West
Philip-pine Sea, ang isyu tungkol dito ay hindi naman kabuuan ng
pangkalahatang relasyon ng dalawang bansa.
Idinugtong ng Pangulong Aquino na nang magtungo siya sa Tsina noong 2011, ang
puhunan ng ma kompanyang Pilipino sa Tsina ay tinatayang $2.5 bilyon,
samantalang ang puhunan ng mga kompanyang Tsino sa Pilipinas ay umaabot
lamang sa halos $400 milyon.
Tungkol sa turismo, halos 200,000 taun-taon ang mga Tsino na dumadalaw sa
Pilipinas, samantalang umaabot sa 800,000 Pilipino ang turista sa Tsina taun-taon.
“May puwang sa kasaganaan para sa magkabilang panig at ang diwa ng magandang
pagsa-samahan. Sa ilalim ng ating Saligambatas, katungkulan kong ipagtanggol
ang karapatan at kapangyarihan ng bansa,” pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulo. PND
(as/zaf)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech
at the Columbia World Leaders Forum
Low Memorial
Library, Columbia University, New York, USA
23 Sept 2014
Forty two years ago today,
Ferdinand Marcos appeared on television to announce the imposition of Martial
Law. I was 12 years old when Martial Law was declared in the Philippines,
ushering about 14 years of dictatorship. At that time, perhaps I was unable
to understand, in full, the gravity of the situation. What I understood,
however, was that my father, then-Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., was arrested
and imprisoned, all because Ferdinand Marcos feared my father’s unflagging
courage in speaking out against the abuses of dictatorship.
It did not take long before the rest of the Philippines felt the grip of
authoritarian rule. Soldiers and checkpoints filled the streets; media
outlets were turned into propaganda machines. Anyone could be thrown in jail
for expressing an opinion against the government. Under Mr. Marcos, the
freedom that our forefathers fought and died for became a seemingly
impossible dream. My family gained a brief respite when my father was allowed
to receive medical treatment in Dallas, and in eventually settled in Boston.
We lived there for three years as a normal family in the midst of what can
only be described as an abnormal situation back home. But my father, knowing
that the dictator was surrounded by flatterers and sycophants, believed that
Mr. Marcos might have increasingly become detached from reality. He remained
hopeful however for a dialogue, wanting to lay down the real situation to the
dictator: How our people had grown so disillusioned that even previously
moderate actors were turning towards militancy, and how civil war was
becoming a real possibility in our country. My father chose to return to the
Philippines, and as he alighted from the airplane, before even setting foot
on Philippine soil, he was assassinated.
His death ignited a nonviolent movement that would culminate in the EDSA
People Power Revolution, so named for the millions who crowded EDSA, one of
our country’s major thoroughfares. There, tanks and armed soldiers were sent,
they were met with the prayers and songs of millions who believed in
democracy, in the future of the Philippines, and in the power of the ordinary
citizen. My mother, Corazon Aquino, was one such citizen who rose to the task
of restoring democracy to the Philippines, and nurturing it, after the end of
Martial Law. My father once said that the Filipino is worth dying for;
through the difficult years of my mother’s Presidency, she in turn devoted
herself to proving that the Filipino was also worth living for.
Unfortunately, not all presidents who followed my mother shared her belief.
To some, democracy was a tool to be manipulated; power was a seat to be
claimed, from which one could impose his or her own will upon the people.
This was most apparent in the nine-and-a-half-year administration of my
predecessor. Instead of learning the lessons of history under the
dictatorship, she seemed to have taken a course on how to abuse the system,
straight from Mr. Marcos’ playbook. Through the years of the “lost decade,”
the government decayed, weakened by corruption and impunity. Businesses
became more afraid to invest in the Philippines, for lack of a level playing
field and stability in the political climate. The Filipino people once again
lost hope in the prospects of the country; many sought greener pastures
abroad.
Yet, there were some who remained hopeful for the Philippines. As my father
believed, and as he would have said in his arrival statement, had he not been
assassinated: “Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his
patience.” The Filipino people reached that limit once again, in 2010. In
another strong display of People Power, they filled the polling stations and
voted for the primary ideal behind our campaign, which was: “Where there is
no corruption, there will be no poverty.”
Now I stand here as President of a country that has risen from the ashes of a
lost decade. From day one, we have strived to render true service to our
people, to grant them, once more, the capacity to hope. Allow me to give a few
examples of the challenges we have had to face and the steps we took, and are
continuing to take, to surmount these challenges.
As our campaign battle cry made evident, the first challenge was to restore
integrity to government. The playing field was skewed towards the favored
few; to level it meant holding to account those who had exploited the system
for personal gain.
For example, when evidence was found implicating my predecessor, plunder
charges were filed against her and she was arrested. When it was proven that
the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court, supposedly the foremost guardian of
our Constitution, had violated it by failing to declare 98 percent of his
assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, fellow
reformists in the legislature removed him from office. When evidence of
plunder came up against three incumbent Senators, they were placed in
detention, where today, they face plunder charges which are non-bailable. The
message is clear: Gone are the days when money, power, and influence
determined one’s innocence or guilt.
The second challenge ran parallel with the first: Along with holding erring
public officials to account, there was also the need to pursue large-scale
reforms in agencies whose names had become synonymous with corruption.
Agencies, such as our Department of Public Works and Highways, underwent a
massive transformation. Paperwork was cut down and bidding procedures were
simplified. These had the dual effect of minimizing opportunities for
corruption and attracting even more bidders. These reforms have also allowed
our DPWH to save around P28 billion, equivalent to around $628 million, which
then could be used to fund the next phases of the projects previously
approved by Congress.
Reforms plugged the leakages in the system and made for a more efficient
bureaucracy; this freed up resources which allowed us to respond to the third
challenge. For a long time, social services were used not as a means of
empowering the people, but as a tool for political patronage. Our health and
education systems were in a dismal state, and the poor could not even begin
to dream of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
This has changed. From the beginning, we channeled our resources to the
wisest possible investment which is the Filipino people. Under our watch,
budgets for social welfare, education, and health increased in multiples. Our
flagship initiative: A conditional cash transfer program targeted at the
poorest of the poor, the primary condition being that they should ensure that
their children attend school. And now, we have acquired the wherewithal to
expand this program further to include families with children up to 18 years
of age. This is because of a study showing that our high school graduates
earn 40 percent more than those who only finish the elementary years.
On top of this, critical resource gaps in education were bridged. Backlogs in
classrooms, school seats, and textbooks were all addressed within three years
of our term. Lead agencies for education and skills training linked with
private industry to find out which sectors held the most opportunities, then
proceeded to train Filipinos and help them find employment. For health, we
expanded the scope and coverage of our government health insurance system.
Now, it covers both the most common ailments and the diseases that are most
catastrophic to Filipino families, including leukemia and breast cancer,
amongst others.
The fourth challenge has to do with addressing our vulnerabilities. An
average of 20 tropical storms enter the Philippine area of responsibility
every year. Recent years, however, have shown us an alarming turn of
events—what we refer to as the “new normal” of increasingly strong storms,
arriving at increasingly close intervals, even coming out of season. This
presents a problem, for example, for agriculture, a sector so
weather-dependent that erratic weather patterns wreak havoc on the planting
and harvesting seasons, and therefore on the lives of our farmers. This is on
top of the massive destruction that some typhoons cause.
This is why, from the beginning of our administration, we have equipped
ourselves with the wherewithal to minimize the damage wrought by these storms
in the Philippines. These have come in the form of Doppler radars strategically
placed around the country, hydro-meteorological devices, and early warning
systems, along with a website through which Filipinos can access real-time
weather information. Storm and rainfall warnings are regularly sent out to
the public hours, if not days ahead of time. Every effort has been made to
maximize the security and preparedness of every single citizen.
The reality, though, is that no single nation can confront the problem of
climate change alone. This was the painful lesson that Typhoon Haiyan taught
us in late 2013. As I put forward during the UN Climate Change Summit earlier
today, it would not be an exaggeration to say that developing countries, such
as the Philippines, bear a disproportionate amount of vulnerability. We
believe that it will take a concerted global effort to rise to what is
perhaps the most significant challenge of our time, and the Philippines is
ready to fulfill its fair role in this.
Dismantling the culture of corruption, establishing a level playing field,
strategically investing in the people, and addressing their vulnerabilities
have allowed the Philippines to realize its long dormant economic potential.
Average growth from 2010 to 2013, under our administration, was pegged at 6.3
percent. To compare: From 2006 to 2009, economic growth was pegged at only
4.3 percent.
Since we came into office, there have been 20 positive credit ratings actions
directed at the Philippines. In 2013, all three major credit rating agencies
were unanimous in upgrading the Philippines to investment grade, the first
time that this had ever happened in our history. These ratings actions come
at a time of greater conservatism for these ratings agencies, owing to the
scrutiny that came after the global economic downturn. Philippine manufacturing
has rebounded, growing 10.8 percent in the second quarter of this year; we
continue to welcome record high numbers of tourists; and more and more
investors from all over the world are placing their bets on the Filipino
people.
Of course, none of this is to say that our work is done. There are always
challenges on the horizon. Among others, we are undergoing a systemic
transformation of our public transport system, and implementing a
long-delayed modernization for our armed forces. With the peace talks between
government and Muslim secessionists successfully concluded, the task of
boosting up Muslim Mindanao, so it can catch up with the rest of the country,
can begin. That is why, a few days before I left on this extended trip, I
formally turned over to Congress a draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, which when
passed, will be a another significant milestone in our quest for peace and
inclusiveness in the conflict-ridden, underdeveloped south of our country.
The challenges will continue to come, but indeed: one can see how the
questions have evolved. Once, when confronted with disaster, the question on
government’s minds was: How do we rebuild? Now, the question we ask: How do
we build back better? Once, the question on our people’s minds was: “Is
reform possible?” Now, the question they are asking is: “How can we guarantee
the permanence of reform?”
My entire life, I have witnessed my people do incredible things: they
resisted the dictatorship, drove a peaceful revolution that captured the
imagination of the world, stood firmly and often against tyranny and
corruption whenever they reared their ugly heads, and worked tirelessly to
put our country back on the map. For so long, we have endured the tyranny of
self-serving administrations and the indifference of the world, but now,
finally, my country, once an often-overlooked archipelago in the Pacific, is
poised to remain in the spotlight, as proof of what a mobilized citizenry and
a government of integrity are capable of.
Thank you for your patience and good evening.
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24 SEPT 2014
- Customs seizes illegally imported Thai White Rice
- PDIC to bid out P51.6M in closed banks’ assets on October 9
- DSWD to hold nationwide family day, caravan for Pantawid
Pamilya beneficiaries
- Family conference tackles disaster management
- DA-BFAR's statement on the incident of fish mortality in
Valenzuela City
- DAR Hails 15 “Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo”
- DFA Pledges Support for Blue Heart Campaign Against
Trafficking in Persons
- PHL Consulate General holds Pag-IBIG Fund Forum for Filipino
Community in Geneva
- DOE showcases PECR-offered areas in 2 international
exhibitions
- DepEd supports preparedness efforts of Albay LGU, ensures
continued delivery of educ needs in affected schools
- Vacancy postings reach 320,000; registered establishments
tally 5,200 in Jan-June 2014
- Baldoz commends PESOs for placing 700,000 Filipinos in jobs
from Jan-Jun 2014
- CSC issues clarification on release of PNP Chief’s SALN
- DBM pumps P565-M into water systems; Abad: Covers water
needs of poorest provinces
Customs seizes illegally imported Thai
White Rice
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The Bureau of Customs seized an
estimated 1,250 Metric Tons (1.25-Million kilograms) of white rice that had
been arrived in the country without the required import permits from the
National Food Authority (NFA). The rice, stocked in 25,000, 50-kg bags, was
contained in 50, 20-foot container vans, have an estimated market value of
about P50-Million.
The rice arrived at the Manila International Container Port from Bangkok,
Thailand last June 2, 2014. It consigned to Tres Mujeres Agri Venture. The
shipment was subject of derogatory information received by the Bureau’s
Enforcement Group. Upon further verification with the NFA, it was found that
this particular shipment of rice was not issued any import permit. Moreover,
as the shipment remained unclaimed beyond 30 days upon arrival in the
country, the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines provides that this
should already be considered abandoned by the consignee.
“Regardless of circumstances, it is very clear in the law that import permits
are a requirement before the Bureau can clear regulated shipments like rice and
all illegally imported items are subject to seizure. We will no longer
tolerate nor allow situations where importers can clear shipments without
valid permits as this puts our people in compromising situations and breeds
corruption. It’s strictly ‘no permit, no entry,’” stressed Customs
Commissioner John P. Sevilla.
Presidential Decree 4 and Republic Act 7178 or the Agricultural Tariffication
Act mandates that only the NFA can import rice and private entities who wish
to do the same must secure a permit from the agency. In addition, the World
Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Trade and Goods has allowed the
Philippines to extend Quantitative Restrictions (QR) on rice imports until
2017. The ruling, which would be endorsed to the WTO General Council, allows
the Philippines to import 350,000 MT of rice under the Minimum Access Volume
(MAV) with a 40% tariff. Imports made outside of the MAV would be levied a
50% tariff. The extended QR will give more time for local farmers to improve
efficiency and the local rice industry to build production capability and
reduce costs to cope with increased competition in Southeast Asia.
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PDIC
to bid
out P51.6M in closed banks’ assets on October 9
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The Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation (PDIC) will conduct a public bidding of closed banks’ assets on
an “as is, where is” basis on October 9, 2014 at the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) – Cebu Regional Office, Osmeña Boulevard corner P. del
Rosario St., Cebu City. Bids should be submitted from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
Subject of the public bidding, the third for the year, is a total of 126
residential and commercial lots with aggregate minimum disposal value of
P51.57 million.
Before submitting their bids, prospective buyers are enjoined to physically
inspect the properties they are interested in, examine and verify their
titles and other related documents; and determine any unpaid taxes, fees
and/or expenses, and all other expenses and charges relative to the transfer
of title from the named owner to the bidder. Buyers are advised to conduct
due diligence on the condition, status and ownership of the properties and
verify with the concerned registries or government agencies. The list of
properties and descriptions is also available through the PDIC Property Finder
in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. In order to comply with the2:00 PM
deadline for the submission of bids, bidders are enjoined to come at least
one hour earlier to register. Bidders and observers must present their valid
identification (ID) cards to be allowed entry to the bidding venue. The PDIC
reserves the right to limit attendees and witnesses to the bidding.
Each bid must be accompanied by a bond or deposit equivalent to at least 10%
of the submitted bid, either in cash or Manager’s or Cashier’s Check or a
combination thereof. Manager’s and Cashier’s Checks should be issued by a
universal or a reputable commercial bank. The winning bidder is required to
pay the balance of the bid price not later than October 20, 2014. Awarding of
the property is automatically cancelled if checks are not cleared.
Bidding documents, Conditions of Bid, and acceptable formats for the Special
Power of Attorney and Secretary’s Certificate may be downloaded for free from
the PDIC website.
The PDIC regularly conducts public biddings to expeditiously dispose
non-financial assets, one of the strategic directions outlined in the PDIC’s
Roadmap to 2016. As Liquidator of closed banks, the PDIC bids out assets of
closed banks. Assets not sold during the bidding are disposed through
negotiated sale. Sales proceeds form part of the liquid assets of the bank
and are eventually distributed to uninsured depositors and creditors.
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DSWD
to hold
nationwide family day, caravan for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries
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For the first time, Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries will gather simultaneously on
Sunday, September 28, in various venues nationwide for a National Family Day
and Convergence Caravan.
The main event will be in the National Capital Region where almost 10,000
beneficiaries will gather at the Philippine Sports Arena, Pasig City while
around 5,000 beneficiaries from each region will join their respective
activities.
With the theme, “Pamilyang Pilipino para sa Pagbabago: Tumatawid na sa
Kaunlaran”, the convergence caravan is in observance of the National Family
Week, a yearly nationwide celebration held every fourth week of September.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the theme of the event
highlights the Department’s belief that given proper support and right
opportunities, the poor will be able to improve their own lives.
She explained, “We want our beneficiaries to be proud of their efforts to
surpass the challenges they face. We want them to claim that the improvements
in their lives are the fruits of their own hard work, and we from the
government just help them.”
She added that the event will also be a good avenue for Pantawid Pamilya
beneficiaries to meet, interact, and learn from one another.
“Oftentimes, they only hear of statistics or numbers of beneficiaries from
other towns. This gathering will give them the chance to put a face to the
numbers and see their fellow beneficiaries,” she said.
A highlight of the activity is the recognition of the winners of Huwarang
Pantawid Pamilya, a yearly search for exemplary family-beneficiaries of the
program.
The Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya winners will serve as models of diligence and
determination in working for an improved quality of life.
Also during the event, DSWD will launch the “Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago” Campaign,
which brings into the fore the message that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries
have stepped up and worked hard at achieving positive changes in their lives.
Sec. Soliman related that in many of her regional visits and interactions
with Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, she was pleased to listen to their inspiring
stories of hope and positive changes in their lives.
These stories will be shared during the Sunday event.
Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government
that invests in the health and education of children 0-18 years old from
eligible poor households.
It provides cash grants of as much as P1,400 to qualified households provided
they comply with the program conditionalities of sending their children to
school, bringing them to health centers for check-up, and attending the
Family Development Sessions.
As of August 2014, there are 4,166,638 beneficiaries nationwide registered in
the Pantawid Pamilya.
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Family conference tackles disaster
management
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The Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) through the National Committee on the Filipino Family
(NCFF) in partnership with the city government of Valenzuela will conduct
today the 3rd National Family Conference to tackle emerging issues affecting
the Filipino household.
Some 200 family advocates from the NCFF member-agencies and representatives
of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila are expected to participate
in the activity.
The event will start with a welcome remarks by Valenzuela First District
Representative Sherwin T. Gatchalian, followed by a message from DSWD
Assistant Secretary Teodulo R. Romo, the NCFF Alternate Chairperson.
The objective of the family conference is to come up with policy guidelines
which can help the Filipino family remain resilient and prepared in times of
disasters. The policy will be advocated for replication of all NCFF member
agencies and the LGUs.
The main topic for discussion is disaster management. This will be presented
by Dr. Metodio A. Palaypay, Chair of the Social Research Development
Committee and Green Program of the Community Chest Foundation, an NCFF
member-agency.
Aside from this, other emerging issues on the family will be discussed. This
includes child pornography to be tackled by Alex Ramos of Angel Net
Foundation. His talk will focus on reports about children being sold in
pornography by their own parents.
Another prevailing social issue affecting the family is drug addiction.
Undersecretary Rommel Garcia of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) will delve on
the evils of drug and substance abuse.
Likewise, the topic on how to protect the family within the community will be
handled by Retired General Cesar Ronnie Ordojo of the AFP Southern Luzon
Command.
Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman recognizes that the family is the most
basic and significant unit in our society.
“It is important that we protect Filipino families and ensure that we help
them face emerging issues affecting them,” Sec. Soliman said.
The conduct of a National Family Conference is part of the yearly National
Family Week Celebration observed every fourth week of September in accordance
with Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed in 1992.
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DA-BFAR's statement on the incident of fish
mortality in Valenzuela City
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Following the reported incident of
fish mortality in barangay Malanday in Valenzuela City, the Department of
Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) deployed
its Fishery Law Enforcement-Quick Response Team (FLE-QRT) on Sunday, September
21, to conduct initial assessment of the area.
The fish mortality has affected more than ten (10) hectares of aquaculture
area in the city and resulted in the production loss of at least ten (10)
metric tons with an estimated value of P500, 000.
Based on the gathered information, residents noticed that the fish inside the
fish pens were gasping for air on the water surface in the morning of
September 19, 2014. In the afternoon of the same day, however, they already
saw numerous dead fish floating in the water. BFAR took water and fish
samples from the area for laboratory analysis to determine the cause of fish
mortality.
The water quality test conducted by BFAR’s Fish Health Management and Quality
Assurance Section (FHMQAS) showed high levels of Ammonia Nitrogen, Nitrite
Nitrogen and Phosphates beyond the acceptable, standard level.
Ammonia is a chemical compound produced naturally from decomposing organic
matter, including plants, animals and animal wastes. The ammonia in the water
samples, however, might have also come from agricultural, domestic and
industrial wastes. Phosphates, on the other hand, are one of the primary
nutrient sources for many forms of algae and could come from sources like
domestic sewage and runoff from agricultural land, urban areas and green
areas (PEMSEA and MBEMP TWA-RRA in 2006). These chemicals at high levels may
cause detrimental effects to the fish which may result in fish mortality.
BFAR in collaboration with other concerned government agencies will continue
to provide technical assistance to the LGU of Valenzuela City in the
implementation of necessary management measures during fish mortality
occurrence such as proper disposal of dead fish. This is to ensure that dead
fish will not reach the market and prevent sanitary-related diseases from
happening. (DA-BFAR)
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DAR
Hails
15 “Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo”
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The Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) recently held “Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo” (MPA) among the
different Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) to recognize their success
based on their awarded lands and on the support services provided to them to
uplift their quality of life.
DAR Region 2 Director, Atty. Marjorie P. Ayson said 15 farmers were awarded
with the MPA in five different categories, namely Rice Category, Corn
Category, High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) Category, and Integrated Farming
Category.
Ayson said the awardees for the Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo in Rice
Category are Ramon U. Ipan, Sr. in Cagayan, Ricarte B. Ilarde in Isabela,
Romulo B. Curameng in Nueva Viscaya, and Reynaldo Quesada in Quirino.
Awardees for Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo - Corn Category are Leonita F.
Paleg in Cagayan, Modesto C. Garo in Isabela, Jose D. Bibas in Nueva Viscaya
and Harry A. Bangasan in Quirino.
Awardees for Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo - HVCC Category are Francisco
Delos Santos in Cagayan, Raquel G. Peralta in Nueva Viscaya and Benjamin
Castillo in Quirino.
Awardees for Magsasakang Pinaunlad ng Agraryo - Integrated Farming Category
are Ricardo G. Pamittan in Cagayan, Norberto C. Rosales in Isabela, Mariano
P. Gaco in Nueva Viscaya and Angelina T. Nicolas in Quirino.
Ayson said the search for a “Maunlad at Progresibong ARBO” for every province
was also held which gave recognition to the most progressive Agrarian Reform
Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in all aspects.
Ayson disclosed that the ”Maunlad at Progresibong ARBO” were awarded to
Batanes – Caparian Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative, Cagayan – Bugnay
Farmers Marketing Cooperative, Isabela – Villacabanes Credit Cooperative,
Nueva Vizcaya – Bantinan Consumers Cooperative and Quirino – Aglipay North
Agri-business Association (ANABA).
“These exemplary farmers and ARBOs need to be given due recognition for their
determination to improve their quality of life out of the lands awarded to
them and with the corresponding support services that DAR provides for them.
Their accomplishments are clear representation of DAR’s fulfillment of its
goals and mandate,” Ayson added.
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DFA
Pledges
Support for Blue Heart Campaign Against Trafficking in Persons
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23 September 2014 - Foreign
Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus I. Yabes expressed
the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA's) support for the Blue Heart
Campaign, an international awareness-raising initiative to fight human
trafficking and its impact on society, during his meeting with United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Representative for Mexico Antonio
Mazzitelli yesterday, September 22.
Undersecretary Yabes and Mr. Mazzitelli met on the sidelines of the DFA
Regional Workshop on Anti-Trafficking in Persons for Philippine Foreign
Service Posts in the Americas, in partnership with the UNODC, which is being
held in Mexico City until September 26.
Launched by the UNODC in March 2009, the Blue Heart Campaign seeks to
encourage involvement and inspire action to help put a stop to trafficking in
persons. The Blue Heart simultaneously represents the sadness of trafficking
survivors and the cold-heartedness of those who buy, sell and traffic fellow
human beings.
"The Philippines recognizes the need for concerted regional and
international efforts in order to put an end to human trafficking. Our
support for the Blue Heart Campaign is only one of the ways by which we
demonstrate our steadfast commitment to upholding human dignity and human
rights," Undersecretary Yabes said.
The DFA joins several countries and organizations involved in the Blue Heart
Campaign. More information on the Blue Heart Campaign is available at
http://www.unodc.org/blueheart/.
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PHL
Consulate General holds Pag-IBIG Fund Forum for Filipino Community in Geneva
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23 September 2014 - Filipino
community leaders and members in the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud lauded the
efforts of the Philippine government in bringing its services closer to the
public and continually improving the social protection program for overseas
Filipinos and their families.
This is what the Filipino community expressed during the "Mag-Impok at
Magkabahay: A Pag-IBIG Fund Forum for Filipinos in Geneva" which was
held on September 14 at the Saint-Nicolas de Flue Center, Geneva.
The forum was organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva and the
Office of the Labor Attache in cooperation with Ugnayang Bayan (a Filipino
community umbrella organization), as part of its community outreach services
and in support of Pag-IBIG Fund's promotional efforts for overseas Filipinos
in Europe.
Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, the Chief Executive Officer and President of
Pag-IBIG, personally made the presentation during the event, highlighting
that Pag-IBIG fund savings yield four times higher than bank rates and that
OFW members can optimize their benefits by saving more than the minimum
monthly contribution mandated by law.
She reported that the Pag-IBIG Fund, now with over 14 million members, has
expanded its membership coverage to include those in the non-formal sector.
Pag-IBIG also doubled the maximum home loan amount, reduced the interest
rates, and added on-line facilities to make application, registration and
payment transactions more convenient to all its members, particularly those
working overseas.
An open forum followed after the presentation and provided an opportunity for
an exchange of experiences and concerns among the attendees on the Pag-IBIG
program.
On behalf of the Filipino community, Atty. Manuel Goyena, President of Ugnayang
Bayan, expressed his appreciation to the Philippine Consulate General and to
Pag-IBIG for reaching out to the Filipino community through continuing
information services and consular activities. He welcomed the inclusive
approach to social protection coverage and intensified efforts of the
government to address their concerns.
Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to
the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, encouraged the
Filipino community to actively participate in government programs, including
Pag-IBIG, citing its robust savings fund, expanded housing loan program, and
increased benefits for its members.
Ambassador Rebong also reaffirmed the commitment of the government to bring
on-site services closer to overseas Filipino communities and making them more
responsive to their needs.
She reiterated that the Consulate General in Geneva is accessible to
Filipinos 24/7 through its hotline and website-based information, and
encouraged their continued involvement in community activities. She also
encouraged the attendees to register for the overseas voting.
As part of its continuing efforts to bring the services closer to Filipinos
in Geneva and Vaud, the Consulate will conduct a consular outreach in Vaud on
September 20, a Financial Education Forum on October 5, and an open house
consular service on October 26 (Sunday) to enable Filipinos who could not
avail themselves of consular service during workdays.
For more information on savings and housing programs for Pag-IBIG members,
Filipinos in Geneva and Vaud may visit Pag-IBIG’s website at
www.pagibigfund.gov.ph.
Filipinos in Geneva and Vaud may also contact the Consulate General at
0227161930 or at geneva.pm@dfa.gov.ph for more information about its upcoming
activities and for other consular-related inquiries.
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(Taguig City) To boost energy
development in the Philippines, the Department of Energy (DOE) lead by Sec.
Carlos Jericho L. Petilla recently concluded 2 Philippine Energy Contracting
Round 5 (PECR5) roadshows in Australia and Turkey last September 9-10 and
14-17, 2014 respectively.
The PECR5 delegation headed by OIC-USec Zenaida Monsada joined the more than
200 exhibitors in the conference and exhibitions hosted by the Resource
Information Unit (RIU) Good Oil Conference in Perth, Australia and the
Association of American Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) International Conference
and Exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey.
The RIU Good Oil Conference brought interests among companies through the
country’s fiscal policies that create traction and interest among
international investors.
The AAPG International Conference and Exhibition also became an opportunity
for the DOE delegation to hold exploratory talks with the ExxonMobil
Corporation and the Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPIC) for
possible stakes in energy resource development in the Philippines.
“This is an opportunity for the country to present to the international
community its potentials in energy development and exploration… hopefully
through exhibitions we can find prospective developers that can be our
partner in achieving energy security in the nation and essentially convert
interests to bids.” said USec. Monsada.
During the exhibitions, the delegation promoted this licensure round’s 11
petroleum blocks / areas for offer with the largest located east of Palawan
Island and covers 576,000 hectares.
The data package of the PECR 5 is now powered by EZ Data and can be accessed
in the contracting round’s official website, http://www.doe.gov.ph/pecr5/.
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DepEd
supports
preparedness efforts of Albay LGU, ensures continued delivery of educ needs
in affected schools
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Albay—In its mission to ensure the
safety of students and school personnel, the Department of Education
(DepEd)—in close coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Albay—has
implemented preventive measures such as organizing a skeletal force and
safeguarding records and equipment in schools within the permanent danger
zone (PDZ) and extended danger zone (EDZ), and preparing evacuation centers
ahead of actual evacuation in areas affected by the Mayon volcano
disturbance.
Of the 724 schools in the province, 76 have been identified as affected.
These affected schools are those within the PDZ and EDZ. Of these, 28 have
already resumed classes as of September 23. To date, 676 out of 724 schools
have regular classes in the province despite Alert Level 3.
DepEd has implemented interventions to foster a sense of normalcy among
learners. The Department has worked together with the local government of
Albay and UNICEF for the deployment of 155 tents for the 38 schools used as
evacuation centers in five towns and two cities in the province. These
evacuation centers are closely monitored and co-managed by DepEd school
personnel.
These 38 schools used as evacuation centers are also accommodating the
student enrolment of displaced schools to ensure the continued delivery of
education needs. For instance, San Jose Elementary School in Malilipot, Albay
has taken in Calbayog ES pupils. On September 23, some 1,200 students are
expected to report, to be accounted for, while 18 tents are being set up to
provide for their needs. School personnel are likewise tasked to do daily
tracking of all students by grade level.
Together with the Albay provincial government, DepEd continues to work toward
class resumption in affected schools in Albay, Legaspi, Tabaco, and Ligao.
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Vacancy postings reach 320,000;
registered establishments tally 5,200 in Jan-June 2014
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Labor and Employment Secretary
Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday expressed elation over the report of the
Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), a DOLE bureau, saying job openings posted
by employers in the government’s job search and job and skills matching
facility, the Phil-Job.Net, have reached 320,440 vacancies during the first
semester of the year, majority of which are in local establishments.
"This demonstrated the continuing growth of opportunities in the local
labor market," said Baldoz, adding:
“Overseas employment opportunities have also been posted in the job portal by
accredited overseas employers which safeguards applicants from illegal
recruitment.”
The BLE, the DOLE’s bureau tasked to monitor and maintain the operations of
the enhanced Phil-Job.Net, reported that vacancy postings in regions for the
first semester have reached higher levels, as follows:
NCR—137,897; CAR—15,601; Region 1—15,527; Region 2—2,655; Region 3—48,348;
Region 4A—3,112; Region 4B—56; Region 5—9,097; Region 6—6,502; Region
7—34,146; Region 8—550; Region 9—1,808; Region 10—1,517; Region 11—29,256;
Region 12—7,309; and CARAGA—7,059.
According to BLE Director Dominique R. Tutay, the BLE, which hosts the
Phil-JobNet, continues to campaign hard for employers to register their
vacancies, in consonance with the overarching goal enunciated by President
Benigno S. Aquino III, in his 22-point labor and employment agenda “to invest
in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more
competitive and employable” by “addressing the labor-mismatch problem and
promoting better coordination between employers, academia and government.”
Baldoz observed that the enhanced Phil-JobNet is now the leading job search
and job and skills matching portal in the Philippines, with its private
sector partners closely trailing behind.
"Thus, the Phil-JobNet is gaining increased reliance from a wide range
of local and overseas employers," she said.
Director Tutay also reported that the e-Phil-JobNet has now a total of 3,818
accredited establishments out of the 5,237 registered establishments in the
site.
This number is distributed per region, as follows:
NCR—899 accredited out of the 1,605 registered establishments; CAR—200 of the
214; Region 1—88 of the 98; Region 2—104 of the 105; Region 3—991 of the
1,072; Region 4A—34 of the 80; Region 4B—50 of the 82; Region 5—62 of the 83;
Region 6—130 of the 208; Region 7—177 of the 360; Region 8—87 of the 96;
Region 9—42 of the 57; Region 10—139 of the 158; Region 11—180 of the 339;
Region 12—404 of the 449; and CARAGA—231 of the 231.
Tutay further reported, however, that while the enhanced facilities of the
website have gained much favor from a dynamic pool of employers, the
Phil-Job.Net still needs to be popularized, the reason why according to her,
the BLE has outsourced the development and design of a new logo and website
for easier recall and better recognition.
Last week, the DOLE signed a memorandum of agreement with SFI Group of
Companies; Career Hub Network Corp.; JobStreet Select, Inc.; Quantum X, Inc.;
and The NowGroup to ensure a wider reach of the e-Phil-JobNet.
In emphasizing active private sector participation to address the job-skill
mismatch, the labor and employment chief emphasized to the new DOLE partners
that the "government needs your active engagement for us to succeed. We
can make a difference by working together to enrich the DOLE-business
community partnership towards decent and productive employment for all.”
As partner organizations, the said companies have agreed, under the MOU, to
provide the best career and employment opportunities for jobseekers free of
charge, as well as facilitate the search for qualified manpower of employers
through the enhanced Phil-Job.Net.
“The Phil-Job.Net has functioned continuously for more than a decade now
since it was first launched in 1998; and its utility will continue to grow.
Our thrust to enhance the site as an engine of labor market information and
job-skills matching is in pursuit of the agenda of the Aquino government to
reinvigorate labor and employment,” Baldoz finally said.
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Baldoz commends PESOs for placing 700,000 Filipinos in jobs from Jan-Jun
2014
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1.26-M workers assisted
Baldoz commends PESOs for placing 700,000 Filipinos in jobs from Jan-Jun 2014
Closer coordination with local government units and other partners, as well
as intensified efforts to hammer down the message that Public Employment
Service Offices, popularly known as PESOs, are effective partners in
employment facilitation, have enabled the DOLE through the PESOS to assist
for placement 1.26 million workers, out of the 1.6 million jobseekers
targeted for 2014, or an 81.3 percent accomplishment rate for the first
semester.
“PESOs are linked to DOLE regional offices for coordination and technical
supervision to ensure performance of their mandate. Under the PESO law,
employers are encouraged to submit to the PESO on a regular basis a list of
their job vacancies to facilitate the exchange of labor market information
services between them and the job seekers, with the PESO as intermediary, ”
said Baldoz, who also bared that out of the 1.26 million workers served during
the period, 700,594 jobseekers were actually placed for local and overseas
employment.
“This year, the DOLE seeks to strengthen further the country's PESOs as
frontline institutions in job facilitation and delivery of accurate,
relevant, and useful labor market information to entrants to the job market.
They are our employment service vanguards and we need to mobilize them
especially now that Christmas season is drawing near,” she added.
The Bureau of Local Employment, the agency that serves as the DOLE’s conduit
for the provision of technical and other support services to the PESOs,
reported that the number of assisted jobseekers in regions during the
six-month period are as follows:
NCR—159,937 jobseekers of the 202,000 annual target, or 79.2 percent;
CAR—55,159 of the 73,614, or 74.9 percent; Region 1—38,805 of the 53,519, or
72.5 percent; Region 2—11,479 of the 18,225, or 63 percent; Region 3—128,058
of the 217,972, or 58.8 percent; Region 4A—141,642 of the 268,764, or 52.7
percent; Region 4B—14,122 of the 37,856, or 37.3 percent; Region 5—19,380 of
the 30,000, or 64.6 percent;
Region 6—81,114 of the 180,000, or 45.1 percent; Region 7—436,991 of the
126,225, or 346.2 percent; Region 8—3,800 of the 32,344, or 11.8 percent;
Region 9—3,325 of the 9,654, or 34.4 percent; Region 10—55,775 of the 80,000,
or 69.7 percent; Region 11—29,681 of the 70,358 percent; Region 12—38,492 of
the 72,990, or 52.7 percent; and CARAGA—49,951 of the 86,237, or 57.9
percent.
The labor and employment chief attributed the increasing number of workers
referred and placed for local and overseas employment to the increasing
number of institutionalized PESOs.
“In 2013, we broke the record for jobseekers referred for placement with
1,561,229 jobseekers. We are on our way to breaking another record this year.
There is no doubt this is highly attributable to the number of PESOs that
have been institutionalized,” said Baldoz.
Recently, the BLE reported there are already 328 institutionalized PESOs
nationwide, as of the first semester of the year.
"This is higher by 87--the total number of institutionalized PESOs
during the first six months of 2014--compared to the 241 institutionalized
PESOs as of 2013.
The institutionalized PESOs at the end of 2012 was165; at the end of 2011, it
was 73; and at the end of 2010, it was 65.
Institutionalized PESOs are those which have been made regular offices--with
plantilla position/s and annual budgets--either through an ordinance or a
resolution enacted by a local Sanggunian or legislative council.
Baldoz said the DOLE in the remaining months of 2014 will continue to
strengthen its campaign among local governments for the institutionalization
of their respective PESOs to enable jobseekers, workers, and employers to
enjoy the PESOs' frontline programs and services in employment facilitation
and labor market information delivery.
"We consider and treat the PESOs as valuable allies and partners in
delivering employment facilitation services. Therefore, we deem it very
important that they are institutionalized," Baldoz said.
"The more institutionalized PESOs we have, the better will be the
employment facilitation services capability of the government," she
added.
Toward this end, the labor and employment chief challenged the PESOs,
especially the PESO managers, to work hard in transforming themselves into
effective convergence hubs of the government’s employment facilitation
services with grassroots-based network now that the occasion of the 14th
National PESO Congress is drawing near.
This year’s Congress theme is “PESO for the ASEAN Integration, 2015 and
Beyond,” which will be held on 22-24 October 2014 at the SMX Convention
Center in General Santos City.
The annual PESO Congress is a venue for PESO managers to learn, exchange
ideas, and showcase best practices on employment facilitation. The awarding
of the Best PESO in the provincial, highly urbanized city, and component city
categories is one of the highlights of the annual PESO Congress.
The conduct of the PESO Congress is in line with efforts of the government to
strengthen public-private sector partnerships in the pursuit of President
Benigno S. Aquino III's overarching goal to nurture and develop the country's
human resources, push back joblessness in the grassroots, and strengthen labor
and employment facilitation in the country.
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CSC
issues
clarification on release of PNP Chief’s SALN
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The Civil Service Commission
denounced yesterday claims made by the Volunteers Against Crime and
Corruption that the Commission is “covering up” for Philippine National
Police Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima when the government agency
allegedly withheld initially issuance of the police officer’s Statement of
Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN).
The Commission clarified that as provided under Republic Act No. 6713 or the
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the
SALN of the PNP Chief is submitted to the Office of the President. Thus, when
a request was made with the Commission for the PNP chief’s SALN, it was
referred to the Office of the President. R. A. No. 6713 provides that
“National Executive Officials, heads of government owned-and-controlled
corporation with original charters and their subsidiaries, and state colleges
and universities; and officers of the Armed Forces from the rank of colonel
or naval captain” should file and submit their SALN to the Office of the
President.
“The law also explicitly states that what is submitted to the CSC are the
SALN of all other central officials and employees of departments bureaus and
agencies of the National Government, including the Judiciary and
Constitutional Commission and Offices, as well as Government-owned and
Controlled Corporations and their subsidiaries; appointive officials and
employees of the legislature; all other central officers below the rank of
Colonel or Naval Captain as well as civilian personnel of the AFP; and all
other uniformed and non-uniformed central officials and employees of the PNP,
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection,” the
Commission said.
The CSC stressed that in the interest of transparency and aware of public
interest on the lifestyle check of policemen, the Commission went over 21,595
and 22,448 SALN submitted by the PNP central office in 2012 and 2013,
respectively, and found that Director General Purisima’s SALN was
inadvertently included in the bulk transmittal. As soon as it retrieved the
said SALN, the CSC furnished the requesting party a copy.
“The SALN is a public document and the Commission has no intention of
obstructing any legitimate investigation that requires its release or
issuance,” it stressed, adding that the CSC itself promotes integrity and
transparency in public service as it has filed cases on violation of SALN
rules against a number of public officials and employees, in coordination
with the Department of Finance through its Revenue Integrity Protection
Service (RIPS).
“If a document is available and set procedures in requesting for it are
followed, the Commission has no reason for withholding its release”, CSC
pointed out. “It is disheartening to note that some sectors cloak with doubt
and suspicion our move of observing the law and of going the extra mile in
attending to requests.”
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DBM pumps P565-M into water systems;
Abad: Covers water needs of poorest provinces
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The Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) has approved the release of P565 million to the Local Water
Utilities Administration (LWUA) for the continued development of potable
water supply systems covering the poorest provinces in the country.
The fund release—sourced from LWUA’s Regular Appropriations under the 2014
National Budget—will support efforts on water source development and the
construction of pumping stations and pipe lines.
The P565 million will also cover the development of Level III water supply
systems, or the actual service connection of the individual households to the
water supply.
“Ensuring better access to quality health services—such as safe drinking
water—is one of the keystones of our development agenda. This applies most
especially to our poorest provinces, where there isn’t enough potable water
to go around,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
The P565-million fund release will support the development of water supply
facilities in a total of 38 water districts in 10 provinces. A water district
is defined by LWUA as a local corporate entity that operates and maintains a
water supply system in one or more provincial cities or municipalities.
The 10 provinces covered in the fund release are Abra, Kalinga, Masbate,
Camarines Sur, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del
Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao Del Sur.
“We have given the LWUA the go signal to develop these water systems and
bring reliable and sustainable water supply services to communities in need.
In the short-term, we’re after the the immediate improvement of health and
sanitation conditions in these areas. Ultimately, our goal is—as always—to
enhance the overall standard of living for the country’s poorest,“ he added.
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Last
Updated:
24 SEPTEMBER 2014
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the City of
New York, walking across Park Avenue with Cabinet Secretary Jose
Almendraz. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III with Lee Bollinger,
President Columbia University after the program of the World Leaders
Forum Tuesday (September 23) at the Low Library Rorunda of the Columbia
University. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech
at the Columbia University World Leaders Forum Tuesday (September 23) at
the Low Library Rotunda of the Columbia University. (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Robert Vinas / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the business
roundtable with the CEO's and senior officials from the US Chamber of
Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US-Philippine Society
held at the Omni Berkshire Place here. (Photo by Robert Vinas /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(President Benigno S. Aquino III answers inquiries of CEO's and
officials from the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business
Council in a roundtable conference at the Omni Hotel her on Tuesday
(September 23). The roundtable conference aims to facilitate smooth
business transactions between US companies and the Philippines. (Photo
by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III meets with Her
Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands United Nations Secretary-General
Special Advocate during their billateral meeting on the sideline of the
United Nation Climate Change Summit held at the UNb Headquarters here on
Tuesday (September 23). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III exchanges views
with the President of Republic of Serbia during their billateral meeting
on the sideline of the United Nation Climate Change Summit at the UN
Headquarters here on Tuesday (September 23). (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers his
speech during United Nation Climate Change Summit held at the UN
Headquarters here on Tuesday (September 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan
Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III attends the
United Nation Climate Change Summit at the UN Headquarters here on
Tuesday (September 23). The United Nations Climate Change Conferences
serves as the formal meeting to assess progress in dealing with climate
change. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(Boston, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III visits their
former residence at 175 Washington Avenue here on Monday (September 22).
(Photo by Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(Cambridge, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers
his speech at a public forum at the Kennedy School of Government,
Harvard University on Monday (September 22, 2014). The forum was
attended by students and members of the Harvard community. (Photo By
Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(Cambridge, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III signs the
official guest book at the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard
University on Monday (September 22). (Photo by (Ryan Lim / Malacanang
Photo Bureau) |
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(Cambridge, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III was the
scheduled speaker (as shown in poster) at the Kennedy School of
Government in Harvard University on Monday (September 22). (Photo by Gil
Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Aquino III and Representative
Joseph P. Kennedy III shared pizza at Bill’s Pizzeria in Beacon St. in
Newton Center here. The President arrived Saturday evening for a
five-day working visit to the United States. (Photo By Robert Vinas /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Aquino III greets the owner
and family members of Bill’s Pizzeria where he met with Representative
Joseph P. Kennedy III. The President arrived here Saturday evening for a
five-day working visit to the United States. (Photo By Robert Vinas /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Aquino III greets members of
the Filipino Community at the Heights Room of Boston College. The
President came to the college Campus on Sunday (September 21) following
his arrival for a five-day working visit to the United States. (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Aquino III graces the
convocation and the presentation of the recipients of the Benigno and
Corazon Aquino Scholarship held at the Boston College Robsham Theater.
The President Aquino visited the Boston College on Sunday (September 21)
as well as met with the Filipino-American community here. President
Benigno S. Aquino III arrived Saturday evening for a five-day working
visit to the United States. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo
Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Aquino III meets American
Ambassador to the Philippine Philip S. Goldberg at the St. Ignatius
Church, Boston College Campus where he attended mass with Filipino
community Sunday. The President arrived here Saturday evening (September
20) for a five-day working visit to the United States. (Photo by Robert
Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Aquino III delivers his speech
during the convocation and the presentation of the recipients of the
Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship held at the Boston College
Robsham Theater. The President Aquino visited the Boston College on
Sunday (September 21) as well as met with the Filipino-American
community here. President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived Saturday evening
for a five-day working visit to the United States. (Photo By Ryan Lim /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BERLIN, Germany) President Benigno S. Aquino III visits a Berlin train
station Saturday, (September 20) as part of his European tour. Among the
President's delegation are PPP project investors. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is welcomed
by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia upon arrival at the Boston Logan
International Airport here on Saturday (September 20). Photo by Robert
Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is welcomed
by Permanent Representative to the United Nation upon arrival at Boston
Logan International Airport here on Saturday (September 20). (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BOSTON, Massachusetts) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is welcomed
by Defense and Armed Forces Attache Capt. Elson Aguilar upon arrival at
the Boston Logan International Airport here on Saturday (September 20).
(Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(BERLIN, Germany) President Benigno Aquino III delivers his message
during the awarding ceremonies held at the Philippine embassy here on
Saturday (September 20). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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Please email us at
pcoo.edp@gmail.com
if you need a copy of last week's photo releases of
PNOY
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