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| BuB Summit to showcase gains, reforms; Abad: BuB projects empower LGUs for better public service delivery |
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
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Two years after Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) was first implemented in the 2013 National Budget, the Aquino Administration plans to extend the program’s reach and ensure the sustainability of BuB-enabled gains, beginning with a two-day summit to assess and reaffirm the program’s progress.
Under the 2015 budget, the BuB covers 1,590 municipalities and cities across the country, and is amply supported with a budget of P20.9 billion. For 2016, the Administration is proposing a budget of P24.7 billion to support the implementation of more than 14,300 BuB projects nationwide.
“In 2013, we crafted a people-centric National Budget that was guided by needs identified at the grassroots level. BuB proved critical in accomplishing that. Through the program, ordinary citizens found a voice in the budget process. BuB made it possible for local governments to listen to their constituents, so that the resulting National Budget could respond to their most urgent needs,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
“Our challenge now is to fine-tune the existing program. BuB has allowed us to accomplish much in terms of citizen participation. But we can certainly improve it further. Doing that will require us to work with stakeholders and consolidate what we’ve learned in the past three years, so that we can intensify the program’s focus,” Abad said.
The BuB summit, held at the Crowne Plaza Manila in Ortigas, Quezon City this August 24-25, brought more than a thousand participants from civil society organizations (CSOs), national government agencies (NGAs), and local government units (LGUs). Convened by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretariat, the event is supported by the departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Budget and Management (DBM), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
The summit will train the spotlight on improving the BuB planning process, as well as speeding up its implementation. More importantly, it will discuss how to enhance the partnership between LGUs and CSOs and boost local government capacity to implement BuB programs.
Stakeholders will also consider the appropriate way to communicate the goals of BuB to the public, in light of critics’ allegations that the program is being used by the Aquino Administration to their advantage in the upcoming 2016 polls.
“The BuB is meant to empower our grassroots communities and their respective local governments. That’s why we’ve made improvements to the program by allowing LGUs to directly implement projects instead of coursing them through the agencies. This also strengthens the link of accountability between our LGUs and their constituents,” the budget chief said.
The BuB approach was set up to help the Philippines attain its Millennium Development Goals of inclusive growth and poverty reduction, all while promoting good governance at the local level. This is done by increasing citizens’ access to local service delivery via a demand-driven budget planning process.
In 2013, 595 municipalities and cities took part under the BuB program with a budget of P8 billion. In 2014, the program was expanded to cover 1,225 municipalities/cities with a budget of P20 billion. |
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| We will file charges against individuals involved in ESA anomalies – Sec. Soliman |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman vowed that the Department will find out who are responsible for abusing the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program, and will file the appropriate criminal and administrative charges against these persons.
This came after Ted Failon exposed the modus-operandi of some individuals who exploit beneficiaries of ESA by exposing them to loan sharks.
Failon mentioned some cases in Estancia, Iloilo where beneficiaries were duped to loan their shelter assistance with 16 percent interest from a financier allegedly recommended by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer.
The ESA is provided to qualified families affected by Typhoon Yolanda, with P10,000 for partially damaged houses and P30,000 to those with totally damaged houses.
The ESA is released by the agency through the local government units (LGUs) as part of the rehabilitation efforts to help ‘Yolanda’ survivors rebuild their homes.
Sec. Soliman expressed her disappointment, “Naiinis akong isipin na nagtagal na ngang ibigay eh pagsasamantalahan pa nila yung pantulong sa mga nasalanta. Meron na tayong mga taong nag-iimbestiga at nangangalap ng ebidensiya (I am disappointed. I cannot accept how they can afford to take advantage of the helpless beneficiaries. We already assigned some personnel to investigate and gather the necessary evidence).”
Re-validation
On the issue that there are unqualified beneficiaries of ESA, Sec. Soliman explained that DSWD is now conducting a re-validation particularly on those families who were not in the first masterlist.
“We were told that there were families who left their place after the typhoon but have returned when they learned about the housing assistance,” Sec. Soliman said.
She added that DSWD is doing home assessments to validate the claim for totally or partially damaged houses.
“We will retrieve the cash assistance provided once proven that the beneficiaries who received these are not deserving,” she emphasized.
She also shared that they sought the help of LGUs in identifying the beneficiaries since they know who among their constituents are qualified beneficiaries.
Sec. Soliman also mentioned that ESA distribution will hopefully be completed by September 10 to prevent this from being politicized.
Spot-checking
When asked how the ESA is being audited, Sec. Soliman shared that there are two auditing levels for the program.
First is the DSWD-initiated audit done through spot checking of ESA distribution and grievance.
Second is the auditing done by the Commission on Audit (COA).
Sec. Soliman also cited the media as a partner in monitoring program implementation. She urged the media to immediately report irregularities that they know of. |
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| PH imports recover, reach highest growth for 2015 |
| Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph |
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MANILA – Philippine imports recorded its highest growth for the year at 22.6 percent in June 2015, recovering from three consecutive months of contractions since March, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported today that the spending for imported goods rose to US$5.9 billion in June 2015 from US$4.8 billion in the same month last year.
The recovery was due to significant increases in imports of raw materials and intermediate goods (49.2%), capital goods (23.8%), and consumer goods (13.1%), which made up for the continuing decline in the import value of mineral fuels and lubricants (-21.9%).
“The significant surge of import payments signals improvement in the external environment. The increase in importation of raw materials leads us to expect a sustained growth of domestic production while the acquisition of capital goods indicates positive investor confidence,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
Furthermore, the Philippines ranked first among monitored economies in East and Southeast Asia in terms of imports growth in June 2015. Except for Vietnam, all these countries registered a decline in imports for the said period.
Accounting for nearly half (48.9%) of the country’s total imports, payments for raw materials and intermediate goods posted a positive turnaround, after declining for three consecutive months, at US$2.9 billion in June 2015 from US$1.9 billion in June last year.
Moreover, payments for imported capital goods continue to pose double-digit increase for five successive months at US$1.3 billion in June 2015 from US$1.1 billion from the same month last year.
“The country’s continued robust spending on imported capital goods, particularly office, electrical and telecommunications machines and equipment, bodes well for the growth in capital formation,” the Cabinet official added.
Meanwhile, overseas spending for consumer goods grew at US$807 million in June 2015 from US$713.4 million in June last year due to the increased payments for durable goods, particularly for passenger cars and motorized cycle, which reflects an upbeat performance of the country’s automotive industry.
According to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and Truck Manufacturers Association, a total of 9,840 passenger cars were sold in June 2015. It is 19 percent higher compared to the 8,278 units sold in the comparable period last year.
“For the remaining months of the year, domestic demand is expected to prop up imports growth. While there may be a slack in consumer activities during the third quarter of the year due to low seasonal demand for consumer goods, the recovery of government spending should keep imports afloat, particularly on imported capital goods,” said Balisacan. |
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| In Singapore, Baldoz marvels how Balik-Manggagawa online eases life of OFWs; tells POLO and POEA to enhance it some more |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
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Yesterday, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz concluded her two-day official visit to Singapore, part of her observation and ocular inspection of Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO), with an instruction to Philippine Overseas Employment chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Labor Attache Ramon T. Tionloc to work closely together to further enhance the overseas employment certificate (OEC) issuance process, or popularly known as Balik-Manggagawa (BM) online system, which has eased the lives of about 75,000 OFWs who availed of it in this tiny, but affluent, city-state.
“I was here before the BM online system was installed and I saw how long the queues of OFWs obtaining their OECs were. Because of the system, the long lines are gone. What a change! I can see that our OFWs are pleased,” said Baldoz as she observed the implementation of the system at the POLO inside the Philippine Embassy compound on 24 Nassim Road.
The BM online system, which Baldoz inaugurated in October last year, allows an OFW applying for an OEC to do so online, make an appointment on the date and time of his/her own choosing, and print the certificate in the comfort of his/her home, or Internet café, or office without the hassle of traveling to get it, thus, saving him/her precious time which he/she could spend for other important activities while on vacation.
Some 75,000 OFWs in Singapore has used the system since it started, making Singapore-based OFWs the top availees of the BM online, according to Administrator Cacdac.
Baldoz observed that the issuance of the OEC through the BM online system is also faster in Singapore because the POLO has installed an automatic queue numbering system, similar to the one at the POEA.
“This should be installed in all POLOs,” she instructed Administrator Cacdac, also directing him to already develop an application so that the system will be available in mobile phone devices. Among other enhancements, Baldoz said the POEA should already allow the POLOs access to the POEA’s database of blacklisted OFWs and agencies with derogatory records to make official transactions faster.
While in Singapore, Baldoz met with Ambassador Antonio Morales and his officials whom she briefed about the newly-signed “Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas”. To Morales, she emphasized the DOLE’s commitment and support to the national policy of “one-country team approach” in the implementation of the Joint Manual under the leadership of the Ambassador as head of post.
She also met with the 330-member strong Association of Employment Agencies of Singapore, headed by K. Jeyaprema, President, reiterating during the meeting the policy thrust of the DOLE on selective and restrictive deployment of household service workers, whether to Singapore or elsewhere.
“We are reviewing our rules and regulations on overseas employment and moving towards country-specific policies. But while we have no ban on the deployment of HSWs, we would like to see more and more skilled workers and less and less HSWs deployed. We ask your cooperation. We ask you to conduct legal and ethical recruitment by selecting compliant partners in the Philippines. We urge you to be transparent by disclosing all the costs required by Singapore laws and we will do the same in the Philippines. At the end of the day, we only would want our OFWs, particularly our women workers, protected,” Baldoz said.
She also toured the privately-operated, Philippine Embassy-supported Bayanihan Center on Pasir Panjang where she was briefed about its operation by its President, Rnavir Kumar Singh, and Director Cristy M. Vicentina. The Bayanihan Center is where the Filipino Overseas Workers of Singapore (FOWS), an auxiliary arm of the Philippine Embassy and founded on 6 May 1992, conduct its 13 skills training courses for OFWs, five of which have been already aligned with the training regulations of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as Baldoz has instructed last year.
Baldoz, who observed the various on-going skills training classes in the Center, told FOWS President Rosemarie Canonizado, to work closely with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Rebecca Calzado in developing the database of trainee-graduates of the Center, particularly when the TESDA sets in motion its onsite assessment and certification at the end of August.
“We are bringing the assessment and certification services of the DOLE onsite in pursuit of the instruction of President Benigno S. Aquino III to ‘transform all government offices abroad into centers of care and excellence,” she said.
Baldoz also visited in Singapore the Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) on 243 Holland Road, and assured the 13 distressed OFWs housed at the shelter, a few of whom could not be immediately repatriated because they are involved in various police cases, of government support to their plight. She urged them to make use of their time in the MWOFRC to hone their skills so they can use these to establish their livelihoods and earn income when they finally return to the Philippines.
In her official activities in Singapore, Baldoz was accompanied by Philippine Overseas Labor Office chief, Labor Attache Tionloc, Assistant Labor Attache Merlisa Mendizabal, and Welfare Officer Rosana Siray, and MWOFRC coordinator Rosalin Lavin. Undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido; POEA Administrator Cacdac; OWWA Administrator Calzado; ILAB Director Saul de Vries; and Labor Communications Director Nicon F. Fameronag joined Baldoz in her Singapore official trip. From Singapore, she will go to Malaysia before capping her observation and ocular inspection with a visit to Brunei. |
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| POLO welfare office assisted 10 distressed OFWs in Saudi Social Welfare office in Dammam |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
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Following a visit to the Saudi Social Welfare Administration office in Dammam in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, Welfare Officer Dayang Dayang Sitti K.G. Jaafar of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) has reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that all of the 10 distressed female OFWs at the SSWA are well and in high spirits, although some of them are facing charges for various offenses.
“Our POLO has been regularly visiting the SSWA for follow-up on cases of our distressed OFWs. I am happy to report that from 21, the number of distressed OFWs at the office has gone down to 10,” Jaafar said in her report.
Of the 10 distressed OFWs, Jaafar said four are ready to be repatriated anytime soon and they are just awaiting airplane tickets from their foreign placement agencies.
The four are Marietta Bathan, Alva Peron San Miguel, Filomena T. Calimpusan, and Liezel A. Pendon. All the four have already exit permits. One of the four, Alva Peron San Miguel was supposed to have left for the Philippines earlier if not for the mistake of a SSWA staff who cancelled her “exit visa” via Bahrain.
“The SSWA director was very apologetic about the mistake and said it was unintentional,” Jaafar said.
One distressed OFW at the SSWA, Glyna M. Medrano, has no travel document and this has been requested from the Assistance to Nationals Unit at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Another distressed OFW, Analou A. Nadas, was working in Qatar but was brought to Saudi Arabia by her sponsor, and she absconded and reported to the police before she was endorsed to the SSWA.
The remaining distressed OFWs, Raina Ayaon, Mary Grace Sumcio, Analiza Layug, and Rosemarie L. Asigorado are facing charges for various offenses. These OFWs, according to Jaafar, are waiting for the resolution of their cases.
“The SSWA officials always tell us during our regular follow-ups of these cases to wait for the normal course of Saudi Arabia’s court processes, so we cannot do anything other than to wait,” she said. |
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| More relief on the way for Ilocos Norte LGUs |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sent today some 13,600 family food packs to Ilocos Norte, which was heavily battered by Typhoon Ineng.
Two Philippine Navy Ships, BRP Batac carrying 7,212 family food packs, and BRP Ivatan loaded with 6,388 packs, left Sangley Point in Cavite City at around 6:00 am today for Currimao, Ilocos Norte, to deliver the goods.
These are apart from the food packs initially prepositioned to the different local government units (LGUs) of Ilocos Norte. To date, DSWD has already provided P447,527 worth of relief assistance to the province.
As of 5am today, around 115,506 food packs have already been prepositioned to the various LGUs in Regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) where ‘Ineng’ dumped heavy rains and caused land slides.
Of these, close to 20,000 packs have been distributed by LGUs to affected families. DSWD disaster teams continue to assist LGUs in disaster relief operations.
As of press time, a total of 55, 216 families or 232, 692 persons have been affected. A total of 217 families or 819 persons continue to stay in 14 evacuation centers managed by LGUs.
In Region I, Ilocos Norte still has 11 evacuation centers and one in Ilocos Sur. All evacuation centers in Region II have been closed. In CAR, Benguet still has two evacuation centers.
A total of 2,405 houses have been damaged of which 122 and 2,283 were totally and partially damaged, respectively.
DSWD teams are conducting rapid assessment to determine the extent of the disaster and to identify interventions that may been implemented to help the affected families return to their normal functioning. |
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| Valencia City Credit Surety Fund launched today |
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Valencia City Government, together with other stakeholders, seal today a social covenant that will bring the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to economic progress. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) creating the Valencia City Credit Surety Fund (Valencia CSF) will be held at Jocel’s Garden Venue, Valencia City. This will be led by BSP’s Monetary Board Member Valentin A. Araneta and Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, in collaboration with the participating cooperatives and partner institutions. Valencia CSF is the 13th CSF established in Mindanao and 43rd nationwide.
Valencia CSF aims to help cooperatives and MSMEs in Valencia City gain easier access to bank credit even without collaterals. CSF is essentially a public-private partnership which links the key players of the economy into a unified purpose of empowering the MSME sector.
The Valencia City Government, through Mayor Huervas, pledged to contribute P2.0 million while the 12 cooperatives which signified their intention to join the CSF in the city committed an aggregate of P2.2 million to the Fund. The Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund, Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines, have also expressed strong support to the Valencia CSF.
As of 30 June 2015, the total accumulated loans approved by lending banks under the CSF Program amounted to P1.8 billion, of which P1.5 billion have already been released to 14,591 beneficiaries nationwide.
The CSF Program also provides training to enhance capabilities of participating cooperatives and MSMEs in the areas of financial and risk management, entrepreneurship and business management and credit appraisal and monitoring. Moreover, to ensure availability of funds in the banking system for CSF loan beneficiaries, the BSP allows banks to rediscount loans granted under the CSF program. |
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| The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas honors its stakeholders in Region Vll |
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
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Monetary Board Member Armando L. Suratos led the awards ceremony for stakeholders of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Region Vll during the annual appreciation lunch held at the Banking Hall, BSP Cebu Regional Office, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City on 25 August 2015.
Philippine Tonan Corporation was chosen as the Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms for the Business Expectations Survey (BES) in Region Vll. J.O. Construction, Inc. was recognized as the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms in Region Vll. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - Region Vll received the award for Outstanding Partner for Source of Information for the Report on Regional Economic Developments. The Outstanding Credit Surety Fund (CSF) was conferred on the Cebu Credit Surety Fund. Each awardee received the “Dynamic Balance, Philippine Eagle” trophy crafted by visual artist and multi-awarded sculptor, Mr. Ferdinand Cacnio.
The awards ceremony attests to the successful alliances that have helped the BSP maintain price and financial stability and ensure an efficient payments and settlements system. Stakeholders of the BSP in the National Capital Region were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony at the BSP Main Office on 14 July 2015. This year’s stakeholders’ awards in Region VII marks the 12th time that the BSP has awarded stakeholders in the region and is the fifth in a series of 12 regional events for this year. |
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| DPWH resumes Magallanes repair |
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) resumed the repair and strengthening works for Magallanes Interchange in Makati City, starting last August 21, 2015 with the removal and installation of expansion joints at Stage 1 covering Manila to Alabang segment.
Rogelio L. Singson said that the DPWH and contractor J. D. Legaspi Construction has considered the project's impact to vehicular traffic by working one lane at a time to keep the other lane open for public use.
Road repair clearance from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) allows DPWH contractor to work on the structure on weeknights from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The series of repair works done in stages at Magallanes Interchange that also includes the Ayala to Roxas Boulevard (Stage 2), Alabang to Ayala (Stage 3), Ayala to Manila/Alabang (Stage 4) and Roxas Boulevard to Ayala (Stage 5) which has an overall accomplishment of 82 percent will restore the structural integrity of the bridges for the safety of travelling public.
To restore structural integrity of Magallanes Interchange, retrofitting activities includes epoxy injection on top and bottom of slab and application of glass fiber and skim coat at 2nd level structure for Stages 1, 3, and 4 and 3rd level structure for Stages 2 and 5.
The Magallanes Interchange is a four-level interchange in Makati City, serving as the junction between the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) since 1975. |
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| PNP crime laboratory: Poisoned victims in Las Piñas positive for Oxalic Acid |
| Source: http://pnp.gov.ph |
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Couple victims poisoned in Las Piñas City on July 9, 2015 were found to be positive for Oxalic Acid.
According to PNP Crime Laboratory (PNPCL) Acting Director, Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Aranas, the victims’ cadaver identified as Jose Maria C. Escano, 51 years old, Manager of RAYMED Pharmaceutical, and Juliet Y. Escano, 51 years old, Branch Manager of Security Bank were tested positive for Oxalic Acid based on the findings of forensics from the PNP Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
In a report from the PNP CL on August 6, 2015, PSSupt Aranas confirmed that “Toxicology examination conducted on the collected items and stomach contents of the victims gave POSITIVE result to the test for the presence of Oxalic Acid”.
During the process of the scene right after the incident was discovered by witnesses, the SOCO Team from Southern Police District Crime Laboratory Office, led by PSInsp Elena U. Medina, recovered one plastic bottle of Tropicana Juice drink, two (2) red Gulp paper cups, one small transparent plastic cup (containing suspected vomit), two (2) plastic green traws, one (1) black plastic trash bin, and 35 pieces of assorted receipts.
In addition to the report, Autopsy Examination revealed that the cause of death of Mr. And Mrs. Escano was “shock secondary to ingestion of toxic substance”.
According to PSSupt Aranas, Oxalic Acid is a poisonous, colorless substance and will not be easily determined when dissolved in water or beverages.
“About 10 µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter) of oxalic acid is considered dangerous amount. The average human body contains approximately four (4) liters of blood, therefore, it will only take about 40mg of oxalic acid to poison a human body which can potentially lead to a person’s death.” PSSupt Aranas added. |
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| Department of Finance and Bureau of Customs clarify way forward on Balikbayan Boxes issue |
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
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24 August 2015– The President met with the Secretary of Finance and the Commissioner of Customs this afternoon. He emphasized that OFW families view the balikbayan box as an integral part of the family relationship to nurture loved ones at home and as a tangible sign of their love and concern for their family members.He also emphasized the reality that more often than not, the only people who know what are in the boxes are the people who send them and the family members who receive them. But there have been instances when unscrupulous individuals have used balikbayan boxes to break the law, and placed the greater community at risk. For example, gun parts, ammunition and gun accessories were found in 7 balikbayan boxes, 81,529 tablets of anti-anxiety drugs were misdeclared as food supplements in November 2014, 413 Casio G-Shock watches, and even a custom Harley Davidson Chopper motorcycle of a Hollywood scriptwriter in 2011, among other high end car parts, were also delivered through balikbayan boxes.
Therefore it is incumbent on the State to uphold its duty to protect our people. But in doing so there should be no contradiction between the need to ensure the implementation of the law, the promotion of the security of the country, and the rights and privileges of our people.
At present there are an estimated 1,500 containers of Balikbayan Boxes a month, translating to around 18,000 containers a year, or around 7.2 million boxes. Inspections are made on the basis of actual intelligence of a potential violation or threat. To ensure that this is done in a manner that maximized public safety while assuring the broader public that their boxes are not subject to unauthorized tampering, the President has instructed the Bureau of Customs to immediately do the following:
First, there will be no random or arbitrary physical inspection of balikbayan boxes. Moving forward, all containers of balikbayan boxes should undergo mandatory x-ray and K-9 examination–at no cost to the sender or the OFW. Only in cases where there are derogatory findings from the x-ray or K-9 examination will there be a physical inspection of goods.
Second, in the event of a physical inspection, the Bureau will request that an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representative or a designated officer of an OFW Association be present, with provisions for CCTV monitoring of the inspection areas.
Employees who violate these protocols and engage in pilferage will be prosecuted and punished. We encourage the public to submit videos and photographic evidence of illegal acts to the Commissioner of Customs.
In this manner we are confident that public concerns will be addressed while enhancing the State’s capacity to fulfill its obligation to our people. In the coming days, the Bureau of Customs will be holding a demonstration or walkthrough of this system for the media so that the public can see how it works. |
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| Nigerian government donates US$300,000 and housing materials to PHL government to support Post-Haiyan rehabilitation efforts |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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24 August 2015 - Ambassador Buba Tekune, Charge d’Affaires of the Federal Government of Nigeria turned over to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, a donation amounting US$300,000.00 (equivalent to PH14,000,000.00) and housing/construction materials to support the Government’s Post-Haiyan rehabilitation efforts and to benefit the Filipino victims of Typhoon Haiyan in a turnover ceremony held at the DSWD on August 19.
The simple ceremonial turnover was also attended by DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera, Mr. Murtala Jimoh, Senior Counsellor/Head of Chancery of the Nigerian Embassy, Director Leilani S. Feliciano, Director, Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Middle East and African Affairs, and some members of the Philippine media.
In his message, Charge d’Affaires Tekune stated that the financial (cash donation) and material assistance given reflects the Nigerian Government’s sincere desire to forge long-lasting bonds with the Philippines and the Filipino people. He added that the donation is also an expression of the Nigerian Government’s solidarity with and compassion for the victims of the November 2013 super typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan that caused unfortunate death and destruction in the Central Philippines.
After the turnover of the check and the signing of the deeds of donation, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Soliman conveyed the Philippine Government’s deep gratitude to the Nigerian Government for its generous donation which was given three months shy of the second anniversary of the typhoon in her acceptance message. |
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| Philippines participates in first ever Asia Pacific Day in Poland Parliament |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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24 August 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw participated in the first ever Asia Pacific Day recently held in Poland’s Sejm (Parliament) which featured a conference on the relations between Poland and the Asia Pacific region as well as a cultural event.
In her welcome remarks, the Marshall (Speaker) of the Sejm Hon. Malgorzata Kidawa-Bionksa stressed that Poland is a good location for Asian investors and is an ideal gateway to the European market.
Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, a key advocate of stronger relations between Poland and the countries of the Asia Pacific region, expressed the hope that the conference would increase the awareness of Polish stakeholders about the new challanges and opportunities which the region presents. He drew attention to the fresh market opportunities which the region’s economic dynamism has opened.
Internationally renowned analyst Mr. Robert Kaplan stressed that Poland should pay greater attention to Asia because it is the “home of great powers,” has an “international high profile,” and because “traditional geopolitics is being played out there in an era of globalization.” He noted the current regional tensions due to the competing claims over the South China Sea.
The conference was followed by a cultural event where country promotion booths were opened to the public and showcased the folk dances of the participating countries. The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw used the event as a platform to promote Philippine tourism, trade and investments. Philippine dried mangoes and promotional bags were the embassy’s “give-aways.” |
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| Gov’t pushes Sugarcane block farms for Agrarian Reform beneficiaries |
| Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph |
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The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently forged an agreement with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to improve the income of agrarian reform beneficiaries in 99 sugarcane block farms.
DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes said “the sugarcane block farming project involves the consolidation of awarded lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with three hectares or less to be integrated into 30 to 50 hectares through different schemes such as partnership, joint venture, and sharing while preserving individual ownership.”
Under the contract, the DAR will contribute P424.6 million while the SRA will give P30 million to support the implementation of project activities in the 99 sugarcane block farms.
“These funds will be used for the provision of farm equipment, farmers’ trainings, construction of farm-to-mill roads and establishment of livelihood activities,” said De los Reyes.
“Based on our experience, block farming doubles farmers’ yield and lowers their farming costs,” said SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin.
Martin said the project was first pilot-tested in 19 sugarcane block farms in Luzon and Visayas in 2012. “Applying our program to these sugar plantations led to an average of 29 percent increase in productivity,” said Martin.
“These pilot farms harvested an average of 65.29 tons of cane per hectare during crop year 2013-2014, up from the previous average yield of 50.78 tons per hectare upon the program’s implementation in 2012,” stressed Martin.
The sugarcane block farm project will be implemented over a three-year period starting this June and will cover 99 sugarcane block farms in Cagayan, Isabela, Tarlac, Pampanga, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Sur, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Leyte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur and North Cotabato. |
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| Road IT PPP attracts foreign, local prospective bidders |
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph |
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Foreign and local investors attended the Pre-Qualification Conference of the Road Transport Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Project (Phase II). Twenty-eight prospective bidders were present to inquire on the technical and financial requirements and bidding process of the IT project.
The Department of Transportation and Communications and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board started inviting companies to pre-qualify and bid for the Php 298 million PPP project last July 30, 2015.
The project will upgrade the existing Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) including the computerization of its manual processes, the development, supply and operationalization of its network infrastructure (hardware) and database, and applications (software).
The computerization efforts will help clean up existing data of the LTFRB, enhance data collection and processing. It is also envisioned to effect integration within the LTFRB and among related agencies. As a result, this will lessen the processing time for its transactions, promote and improve access to public information and provide channels for feedback.
Another IT project that the government is set to roll out is the Php 1.59 billion Civil Registry System Information Technology Project (Phase II).
This project is implemented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It aims to computerize the civil registry operations of the PSA and is designed to collect, access, store, maintain and manage civil registry documents and the specimen signatures of all city and municipal registrars using imaging technology. |
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| President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the "Gathering of Friends" |
| Cebu Coliseum, Sanciangko St., Cebu City, Cebu |
| 24 Aug 2015 |
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Umpisahan ko ang aking talumpati na talaga namang ikinagagalak ko na ang dami ng ating mga kasamahan [na] simula’t simula, hanggang ngayon nandito pa. Nandiyan po si Tita Nonie Uy, nasa ating harapan pero asawa po niya at tatay ko ang mga unang nagkasama, sinuportahan ang aking ina, at tinulungan tayo; si Manong Mokring Barcenas dito po sa bandang kaliwa, Constitutional Conventional pa lang ipinaglalaban na ang tama, hanggang ngayon talagang masigasig na masigasig na talagang ipinaglalaban pa rin lahat.
Kanina po narinig natin si Vice Mayor Rey Calooy ng Libagon, Southern Leyte. Noong araw po tumutulong sa atin sa kampanya, ngayon po siya na ang tumakbo. Next year ho retirado na ako, meron nang mga kahalinhin tulad ni Rey.
Kadalasan ho sinasabi sa akin, salamat dito, salamat diyan. Kanina binanggit ‘yung salamat sa bottom-up budgeting. Parati ko hong sinasabi, huwag n’yo akong pasalamatan. Kumbaga, ako ‘yung inulo sa bala ng kanyon, ako ‘yung gagawing dart board nung mga walang tigil bumatikos na akala ninyo ang gagaling. Akin lahat ‘yon, pero hindi ko ho magagawa ito kung wala kayong lahat. At kayong nakita kong nandito pa kayong lahat, talagang lumalakas po loob ko.
Ito, alam naman ninyo, ni minsan ho hindi ako nagsinungaling sa taumbayan, lalo na sa inyo, kayong aking mga kakampi. Ito hong pagtitipon natin ngayon, tingnan n’yo sabi nila, “Hati-hati na sila. May nakadilaw, may naka-orange, may naka-green, may naka-red. Palagay ko nagkakamali sila. ‘Yung naka-orange ho, tingin ko, mustard; dark yellow. ‘Yung orange namang nasobrahan ng konti, papunta na rin ‘yan. ‘Yung green ho, pinili nilang green, apple green. Puwedeng tawaging yellow green.
Pero siguro ho ang importante dito, ‘yang mga camera ng ating media, mamaya titingnan ng ating mga crowd. Kayo ho ‘pag may narinig na audio na may taong pumapalakpak, nakikita ‘yung taong pumapalakpak. May napanood kasi akong nagtipon kamakailan, may pumapalakpak, ‘yung tao pumapaypay. Di ko ngayon alam kung magkaiba ‘yung venue nung pumapaypay at pumapalakpak. Pero huwag na natin pag-usapan ‘yon. Wala tayong pakialam do’n.
Noon pong nakaraang Martes, bumiyahe tayo ng Naga para sa ikatlong anibersaryo ng pagpanaw po ni Secretary Jesse Robredo. Doon po, ginunita natin ang kanyang buhay, at kasama ang ating Gabinete at iba pang kasangga, nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataong makakuwentuhan ang ating mga kababayan. Doon po sa pagpupulong, may benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya ang nagtanong sa akin, at ang tanong po niya: Paano ko raw kaya masisigurong magpapatuloy ang programang nagdadala sa kanya ng pag-asa, kahit–at ito po ang pinakaimportante, o lalo na–sa pagbaba ko sa puwesto?
Sa totoo lang po, napaisip tayo sa tanong na ito. Sa isang banda kasi, nagalak tayo dahil kinikilala niya at kinikilala ng iba pa nating mga kababayan sa benepisyong hatid ng ating mga programa, gaya ng Pantawid Pamilya. Ikinagagalak ko rin po ang oportunidad na pamunuan ang pagbubukas ng pinto ng pagkakataon para sa ating mamamayan, lalo na doon po sa pinakanangangailangan. Sa kabilang banda naman po, talagang nais po nating mabawasan ang agam-agam nila sa kinabukasan, at tiyakin sa kanilang magpapatuloy ang atin pong serbisyo.
Habang tayo na nga po’y lumalapit sa halalan ng 2016, mas nagiging karaniwan ang ganitong klaseng mga tanong, hindi lang sa mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya, pero pati na sa marami pang ibang nakikinabang sa positibong transpormasyong dala ng Daang Matuwid. Ito pong paglawak ng oportunidad at pagbaba ng unemployment; itong mga all-time high sa direct investments, pati na ang credit ratings upgrades kung saan sa unang pagkakataon sa ating kasaysayan ay nakamit natin ang investment grade status; ang mga ipinapatayong imprastruktura sa buong bansa, kabilang na ang Cebu Bus Rapid Transit dito sa inyong lungsod; ang makabagong kagamitan para sa ating unipormadong hanay; ang pagsugpo sa katiwalian at paghaharing muli ng katarungan; ang pagbabawi natin sa ating pambansang dangal. Sa lahat ng pagbabagong ating naipunla dahil sa mandatong handog ng ating mga Boss noong 2010, nakikita natin ang nabubuong sentimyento: Dapat siguruhing hindi masasayang ang mga ito, sa halip ay ipagpatuloy pa upang lalong lumago at magbunga para sa mga susunod na salinlahi.
Ang sa akin lang po, kung Daang Matuwid ang nagdala sa atin ng transpormasyon, marapat lamang tayong manatili dito. At ang napakalaking sangandaan nga pong kinakaharap natin ay ang halalan sa susunod na taon, na tumatayong referendum para sa lahat ng ating pinagsikapan. Ang tanong: Tama ba ang direksiyong tinatahak natin? Di ba tama ang usigin at panagutin ang mga nangakong maglilingkod, pero inapi lang tayo at nagkasala sa atin? Di ba tama na ituloy ang pag-angat ng ekonomiya at ang mga serbisyong nagpapalawak ng kakayahan at oportunidad? Para sa mga gaya kong makatwiran ang pananaw, dapat lang pong ituloy natin at lalo pang ipaarangkada ang ating mga nasimulang reporma. Ang tanging susi po at ang may tangan ng kapangyarihan para maisakatuparan ito, walang iba kundi ang ating mga Boss: ang taumbayan.
Ngayon nga po, nakikita naman nating nagsisimula na ang tunggalian para sa hahalili sa atin. May mga nagdeklara na, at may malapit nang magdeklara ng kandidatura. Merong sigurado tayong ipagpapatuloy ang ating nasimulan dahil nakasama na natin; na talagang nakita kung saan sinsero at hindi po oportunista.
Meron ding namang tiwala tayong kahanay natin sa maraming paraan–sa mabuting hangarin at tiwala. Tayo po ay wala namang duda sa kaniyang kakayahan. Ako naman po ay naniniwala sa mabuti niyang intensiyon, kaya nga po tayo nagsisikap na makasama siya upang ipresenta sa publiko ang isang nagkakaisa at malakas na tandem. Ang maganda pa nga po, kung magiging kasama natin ang taong ito, mahahasa at mabibigyang-lalim ang kanyang kaalaman at karanasan, at ang mabuting intensiyon ay talaga naman pong mapapagyaman pa ng sapat na kasanayan sa pamamahala. Lalo pong lalakas ang ating pag-asang maski pa sa 2022 ay patuloy pa rin ang Tuwid na Daan.
Pero huwag po natin kalimutan, hindi lahat ng naghahangad pumalit sa atin, kasama natin sa Daang Matuwid. Sa kabilang banda, meron din namang klarong-klaro na ang pinagsasasabi ay taliwas sa Daang Matuwid; na sabi nga po ng iba ay tila nagsamantala lang sa pakikisama sa Daang Matuwid. Dagdag pa nila, ‘yun daw limang taon niyang pinapalakpakan, ngayon tinatawag na niyang palpak. Ang tanong nga: Kailan ba siya naging totoo, sa limang taon ng pagpuri, o bukas makalawa pa dahil hanggang sa ngayon hindi pa yata makatotoo ang sinasabi?
Kung ang usapan po ay ang susunod na halalan, siyempre po, di natin maiwasang isipin: Pagdating sa mga masalimuot na problema, pagdating sa mga hamon na kailangan ng matinding political will, pagdating sa lawak ng kaalaman at estratehiya, kanino po ba tayo babaling? Wala naman po siguro sa inyong nag-iisip pang ibalik tayo sa daang baluktot. Doon ba tayo sa baka kayang ipaglaban ang tama? Papanig ba tayo doon sa baka kayang ipagpatuloy ang Daang Matuwid? Siguro naman po walang papanig sa atin doon sa talagang sisirain na’ng lahat ng nagawa ng Tuwid na Daan.
Ang paniniwala ko po, masyadong malaki ang nakataya para ipagkatiwala sa “baka maipagpatuloy ang Daang Matuwid,” at lalo naman po siguro doon sa “hindi magpapatuloy sa Daang Matuwid.” Doon na po tayo sa siguradong ipagpapatuloy ang lahat ng nasimulan natin. At sa tingin ko po, alam na alam na ninyong lahat kung sino ang aking tinutukoy at walang iba ‘yan kundi si Mar Roxas na kasama natin ngayon.
Alam ko po, marami sa atin ang nakakakilala na sa kanya; alam natin ang tunay niyang pagkatao, labas sa kung nakatutok lang ang kamera, at labas sa mga paninira ng mga taong pilit siyang ibinababa. Alam natin na si Mar, may integridad, maaasahan, at malalim ang kaalaman. Pero batid din po natin: Hindi lahat ng tao, mulat sa tunay na pagkatao ni Mar. Tulad ko, hindi niya naging ugaling magtaas ng sariling bangko. Sa Tagalog po, ibig sabihin nun, kada may nagawa kang kapiraso, kailangang purihin mo ang sarili mo nang sampung beses. Sa amin pong pananaw, tahimik lang na ginagampanan ni Mar ang sinumpaan niyang tungkulin sa taumbayan, at hindi naman kailangang ipagbanderang “dapat pasalamatan n’yo ako,” di ho ba? Ang trabaho po natin ngayon: Siguruhing makikita ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino ang katotohanang si Mar ang karapat-dapat at siguradong magtutuloy ng Daang Matuwid.
Mulat din po ako: Maaaring may ilang nag-aalinlangan pa rin kay Mar—hindi dahil sa kanyang kakayahan o katapatan, pero dahil magiging masalimuot ang laban na ipakilala siya sa ating mga kababayan upang maiakyat ang kanyang mga numero.
Ang masasabi ko po sa inyo: Hindi laging madali ang paggawa ng tama, at kung ikukumpara nga po sa atin ngang mga pinagdaanan nitong mga nakaraang taon, alam kong kayang-kaya nating magtagumpay. Di ba, lahat po ng bagay na mahalaga, dapat ipaglaban, at dapat pagsikapan? Ang masisiguro natin, kapag tayo’y nagtiyaga, kapag pinili natin ang tama, tiyak may ihahain tayong bagong nilaga. [Palakpakan] Maipapangako ko po sa inyo, kasama ninyo ako sa pagtatrabaho; iaambag ko ang lahat ng kaya kong iambag; hindi ko po iiwan si Mar.
Batid ko rin po: Ang mga Cebuano, alam na alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng pagtahak sa Daang Matuwid. Panahon pa ng aking ina, ipinakita na ninyo ang pakikiisa sa mabuting pamamahala, at naging haligi kayo ng pambansang suporta para labanan at iwaksi ang diktadurya. Kayo nga pong mga Cebuano ang kumupkop sa aking ina noong simula ng EDSA. Talaga naman pong panatag ang loob ko noon; sa piling ng ating mga kababayan dito, alam kong nasa mabuting kamay at ligtas ang aking ina sa anumang panganib. Naaalala ko rin po: Isang buwan matapos paslangin ang aking ama, unang beses ko pong magsalita sa publiko, dito po nangyari sa Cebu, doon po sa Fuente Osmeña.
Pagbaba ko po ng eroplano ng PAL noong panahon na iyon, ‘yung babaan ay nasa buntot. Sa baba po noong eroplano, ang naghihintay [ay] AVSECOM. Ang mga nasentensiyahang pumatay sa aking ama, mga taga-AVSECOM. Napalingon ‘yung crew ng PAL, lumingon sa akin at nagsabi sa akin, “Good luck po sa inyo.”
Pero sa totoo lang po, ang ipinamalas nga pong matinding suporta at sigasig ng mga taong nakahalubilo ko, para pong damang-dama kong nakalaya na noon, 1983 pa lang, ang bansa sa Batas Militar; at dito po nangyari sa Cebu ‘yan. Pagkatapos din po ng diktadurya, patuloy ninyong ipinadama ang inyong pagkalinga. Nang lumapit ako sa inyo nang tumakbo ako bilang Senador at Pangulo, kasama si Tita Margot na nag-house-to-house, naroon po ang inyong di-nagmamaliw na tiwala’t suporta. Sa nakaraang limang taon naman ng ating administrasyon, ipinakita ninyong talagang kahanay kayo sa agenda ng pagbabago. Nang humagupit naman ang Yolanda, apektado man kayo, lalo na sa Bantayan Island, kusang-loob kayong nakipagtulungan at dumamay para mapalawak ang paghahatid ng ayuda sa napakaraming naapektuhan ng kalamidad, sa pangunguna po ni Governor Junjun Davide.
Di-biro po ‘yung Yolanda, alam n’yo ‘yan. At si Junjun Davide po ang isa sa mga nagbawas ng problema ko. Una kong tanong, “Junjun, kumusta na ang Cebu?” Sagot sa akin, “Okay pa naman ho kami dito. ‘Yung Bantayan lang ho ang pupuntahan namin. Mukhang iyon ho ang tinamaan.” Pero pagkatapos po noon, nandoon na siya. Sabi niya, “Handa na po ‘yung mga volunteers natin para mag-repack para doon sa itutulong sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng Yolanda, tulad po ng Leyte.”
Paalala ko lang po, 44 sa 81 probinsiya natin ang apektado ng bagyong Yolanda, kaya’t napakalaking tulong po talaga ng mga Cebuano upang tugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan. Kaya nga po, dito sa darating na referendum sa Daang Matuwid, kumpiyansa ako na ang mga Cebuano, patuloy na maninindigan para sa tama.
Klarong-klaro po: Kailangan nating ipagpatuloy ang pagbubuklod tungo sa malawakang kaunlaran. Ang tanong ko nga lang po: Sang-ayon ba kayo sa mga nagsasabing itigil na lang natin ang benepisyong natatanggap ng mahigit 4.4 milyong kabahayan sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program? Ngayong taon po, 333,673 ang unang batch na nagtapos sa high school sa tulong din po ng ating Pantawid Pamilya Program; [palakpakan] kabilang sila sa unang batch ng ating mga benepisyaryo sa pinalawak na Pantawid Pamilya. Ang maganda pa po diyan, 13,469 sa kanila ang tumanggap ng honors at iba’t ibang gantimpala noong nag-graduate sa kani-kanilang high school. May makakapagsabi po ba, na kung inihinto natin ang programang ito, nakapagpatuloy kaya sila ng pag-aaral? Sila po ang kabataang muntik nang mawalan ng pagkakataong itaguyod ang magandang kinabukasan kung hindi lang nabigyan ng pagkakataon. Sa kabila nito, meron pa ring may ganang batikusin ito; na dapat daw itong imbestigahan dahil may leakage ang programa na ito. Pero ang totoo, ang datos na ginagamit nila, 2009 pa pala. Paalala ko lang po sa kanilang nagbubulag-bulagan at nagbibingi-bingihan: Pangulo po ako 2010–second half na po ng 2010. Di ko pa ho responsibilidad noong 2009 ‘yan. Ibang Pangulo po yata ang dapat nilang singilin. At ang tanda ko nga ho, ‘yung bumabatikos sa akin, kasama na ng isang nagdeklarang tatakbo bilang presidente. Baka doon na lang sila magtanong.
Dito naman po sa Cebu, papayag po ba kayong matigil na lang ang ating mga programang tulad sa pang-imprastruktura, kung saan mahigit P22.8 billion na ang naipagkaloob mula 2011 hanggang sa kasalukuyan?
Tingnan po natin. Noong 2005 hanggang 2010, ang average annual budget ng DPWH dito sa Cebu: P1.6 billion. Sa unang limang taon po natin sa puwesto, umabot ng average na P4 billion mula–ulitin ko po–sa P1.6 billion. [Palakpakan] Ngayong taon po, pumalo na sa P7 billion ang budget ng ahensiya, at sa susunod na taon, pag inaprubahan ng Kongreso, ang panukalang budget natin sa DPWH para sa Cebu, P9 billion po. Di-hamak naman pong mas malayo ang kaya nating marating sa pondong ito. Mayroon ho ba kayang nagsasabing dapat bumalik tayo sa P1 billion na lang?
Kung babalikan din po: Noong nakaraan, naging kontrobersiyal din ang overpriced lamps na binili ng nakaraang liderato para sa mga lampara patungo sa inyong Convention Center. Ayon po sa ulat, bawat lampara ay nagkahalaga ng P224,000. Mahal ho pala ng lampara, dahil ngayon po gumagawa tayo ng socialized housing sa halagang iyan. Gusto ba nating maulit ang ganitong baluktot na pamamalakad? Malinaw naman po kung saan tayo dapat pumanig.
Ididiin ko po: Nakamtan natin ang mga tagumpay sa nakalipas na limang taon dahil sa matinong pamamalakad, at nang hindi nagtatakda ng bagong buwis maliban sa Sin Tax. Anuman pong mayroon tayo ngayon ay naabot natin dahil sa pag-aambagan. Di po ba: Hindi ko naman mag-isang sinagupa ang mga tiwali; nagtatagumpay ang ating pakikipaglaban dahil nasa likod ko kayo at ang bawat disenteng Pilipino. Nagtatagumpay ang ating mga inisyatibang iwaksi ang kahirapan dahil sa inyong suporta, at dahil sa matinong pagpapatupad ng mga direktiba sa iba’t ibang antas ng pamahalaan. Nagtatagumpay ang ekonomiya dahil kasama natin ang mga pribadong sektor at ang sektor ng manggagawa na nagpapakita ng kumpiyansa sa ating agenda ng reporma. Tiwala sa kapwa Pilipino, tiwala sa Daang Matuwid: Iyan ang susi upang maabot ang dakilang potensiyal ng ating lahi.
Alam po n’yo, ipagdiinan ko lang po’ yung budget. Noong araw, pareho lang naman ang pagkakataon namin ang kayang ipagkaloob sa inyo na tinawag pa kayong “country” nila. Pinakamataas na po yata ‘yung P1.6 billion. Kami naman po ay napababa na natin ‘yung debt to GDP ratio, kaya hindi naman natin masasabing lalo pang pinalawak ‘yung utang. Hindi rin tinaasan ang buwis n’yo, pero mula P1.6 billion, nag-average ng P4 billion, nasa P7 billion ngayon, P9 billion next year. Siguro naman ho, dalawa ang dapat nating malaman diyan: Malayo ang nararating sa tamang paggugol. Pero ‘yung mas importante po ‘yung pangalawa: Na ang gumawa nito, kayo ang gumawa ng susi para maiwasto ang sistema, mapunta sa inyo ang dapat na nalalagay sa inyo.
Mas kaunti na ang binigay sa inyo noon, napupunta pa sa kung ano-anong bulsa. Maliban sa kapakinabangan n’yo, sino kaya ang magsasabing balik tayo sa dati?
Kumpiyansa po ako: Balang-araw, babalikan natin itong sangandaan na ito, at sasabihin natin: Hindi ako umatras sa hamon; ginawa ko ang nararapat; nakiambag ako sa pagpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid. Nandoon ako noong simula, at tumulong ako sa pagpapatuloy nito, tungo sa katuparan ng kolektibong pangarap ng sambayanang Pilipino.
Alam po n’yo, kanina nabanggit ‘yung ating mga kinatawan mula sa BPO, o ‘yung mga Business Processing Outsourcing center. Ang nagtayo po niyan, baka nakalimutan na natin, si Mar Roxas. Mga 15 years ago, bilang kalihim ng DTI, ipinasok ‘yan. Noong nag-umpisa, mga ilang daan ang nagtrabaho diyan. Noong Setyembre po noong taong lumipas, 2014, umabot ako sa isang milyong diretsong empleado ang BPO sector. Ngayon po, mayroon pang factor na tinatawag na multiplier factor na 3.5 to 4. Ibig sabihin, bawat diretsong employee ng BPO, mayroong nagmamaneho ng taxi, mayroon ‘yung gumawa ng mga condominium para sa kanila, mayroon ‘yung tumatao sa convenience store. ‘Yun po ‘yung dagdag na trabaho dahil may BPO diyan. Ang magandang balita po, sabi nga ng isang malaking BPO, noong nag-umpisa kami, sabi niya, ang target nila makaabot ng 30,000 na empleado bago ako matapos sa termino. Noong huli pong nakapanayam siya, at medyo matagal-tagal na ‘yon, ang sabi niya sa akin ay nasa 50,000 na po ‘yung iisang kumpanya sa na-hire nila. Pero ang pinakamagandang balita niya sa akin, doon lang po sa Maynila, magkaroon lang ng building na nasa EDSA, at malapit sa sakayan, kayang-kaya raw niyang punuin maski gaano kalaki ‘yung building na ‘yun. Ganoon po ang kumpiyansa ng industriyang ito kaya next year po, 1.3 million na ang sinasabing empleado, $25 billion ang itutulong sa ating ekonomiya.
‘Yung Tsuneishi na mayroong shipyard dito sa Cebu, kada makausap ko sila, parating sinasabi sa akin: Fully booked ang orders nila sa pagpagawa ng mga barko. ‘Yung isa pa hong kumpanya, ibinalita sa atin ng TESDA, Hanjin ang ngalan, Korea, nasa Subic po. Sila raw po ay kailangan ng 2,000 welder sa susunod na tatlong buwan dahil ‘yung ginagawa raw ho klaseng barko doon sa Korea na sampu, ang kanilang parent company gusto nila gumawa ng dalawampu kada taon dito sa Subic. At sila po’y tuwang-tuwa nga sa atin.
Noong Labor Day ho, kanina nandito ang ating kapatid na may kapansanan. Doon po marami tayong problemang dala-dala, pero nung nakita natin na merong training program para mabigyan ng kabuhayan ang ating mga kababayan na talagang may kapansanan, idinesenyo ‘yung programa, pati equipment mino-modify, at talagang pati ‘yung machine works pinapasukan nila. Talagang sabi ko, mukhang wala na nga yata tayong problemang hindi kaya laktawan kung sama-sama tayo.
So, mga kasama, bago po ako magtapos, papunta na tayo sa halalan. Maraming magbibidahan, maraming magyayabang, maraming batikos, maraming putik na itatapon. Darating na naman ‘yung panahong sasabihin ng lahat, “Napakaingay na naman ng sitwasyon.” Siguro paalala lang: Tingnan natin kung saan nanggaling ‘yung nangako para malaman natin kung saan tayo dadalhin ng kanyang mga pangako. At doon po, sa anumang sukatan, ako po’y nagdesisyon matagal na, si Mar Roxas ho talaga ang dapat magtimon sa atin.
Magandang hapon. Maraming salamat sa inyo po. |
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| President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech during a briefing on the major infrastructure projects in Cebu |
| Equipment Management Division, DPWH VII, Sergio Osmeña Blvd., Corner V. Sotto, Cebu City |
| 24 Aug 2015 |
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Pasensiya na ho kayo, kanina pa ako nakapansin–kung titingnan ho natin ‘yung graph na pinakita kanina ni Babes Singson–noong 2000 na ito raw po ay country noong aking pinalitan, ang level ho kasi ayan: P2 billion noong 2010, at saka bahagyang umangat noong 2011. Baka may magsabi ho, “Noong 2011, ikaw na Presidente, bakit hindi umangat ‘yung budget?” Simple lang ho ‘yun: ‘Yung budget ho noong 2011, ginawa na rin ho ng pinalitan ko. ‘Yung 2010 kasi, well June 30, 2010 ako umupo. ‘Yung SONA is the last Monday in July, so ‘yung pagitan ho ng pag-upo ko, pag-deliver ng SONA, mga isang buwan. Tapos mayroong constitutional mandate na kailangan i-submit ‘yung budget, one month after ng SONA. So, ‘yung buong proseso ng pagtatawag ng budget call–tatawagin lahat ng departamento, ano ba’ng kailangan n’yong budget, paghahatian ‘yung revenue, etc, mga apat na buwan minimum ang tinatakbo niyan. Sa madaling salita po, ‘yung 2011 budget, ang nagawa lang namin doon [ay] hanapin ‘yung pinakakuwestiyonableng mga transaksiyon o mga potensiyal na puwedeng pagmulan ng mga korupsiyon. At iyon ang pinagtatatanggal po natin.
Masasabi ho natin, noong 2012 na talagang aming budget, nasa P3 billion mahigit na. Tapos last year ho ay nasa P7 billion na tayo mahigit. At next year ho, P9 billion. Ito, Cebu lang ho ‘to; so P9 billion. Ngayon, gusto kong idagdag lang din ho, na ‘yung P7 billion this year, P9 billion next year, hindi ho napupunta doon sa mga lamparang pagkamahal-mahal ‘yan ah. Importante ho, ano ba ang pangangailangan ng mga taga-Cebu at karatig na mga lugar dito sa inyong region, para talagang mapalago at mapaginhawa ang inyong buhay? So pinakita naman kanina ni Babes Singson, lahat itong mga proyekto… Puwedeng makita ‘yung kabilang tarpaulin?
Siyempre ‘yung Sinulog ho, alam na alam na natin ‘yan; pero ‘yung butanding, ngayon ko lang pala narinig ‘yan. Pupunta pala tayo dito, sa Oslob, at lahat ng other areas na ito. Sa next year po, binabalak kong dalawin isa-isa niyan, siguro mga bandang July 2. Puwede na ho ako next year na madalaw ‘tong mga lugar na ‘to. Baka naman dapat August 25. Puwede rin ho ako, August 25 next year. Baka kaibigan ko po ‘yung governor dito next year. Ano na lang po ako, turista. Maii-tour na namin itong lugar na ‘to.
Ngayon, gusto ko lang ring purihin, alam n’yo itong Regional Director n’yong si Ador Canlas, galing ho sa amin ‘to, kapwa ko Kapampangan ‘to. Mukhang talagang tagasunod ko: Unahin ang kapwa bago sarili. Ngayon bakit ko ho nasabi ‘yon? Pansinin po n’yo ‘yung mga jalousie dito, kulang. Doon din ho sa kabilang building; tapos pati ‘yung kisame din ho doon eh. ‘Yung gilid ho ng bubong medyo… Ador, hindi ko alam kung disenyo [ay] kumukurba o lumulundo na ‘yun. Ngayon, doon ho sa makikita ninyo sa kabilang building, parang wala na talagang jalousie. Siguro patunay lang ho iyan: Bago intindihin ang sarili, intindihin muna ang kalakhan, di ba?
Pero Babes, sa P9 billion naman siguro puwede tayong magtabi ng konti para makumpleto ‘yung jalousie dito. [Tawanan] Sa bagong budget ho, isasama na raw ‘yan. Siguro pa ‘yung yerong ‘yan.
Alam n’yo, kung palagay n’yo maayos akong magbihis, dahil kay Kris ‘yan at saka kay Paul Cabral. Kung ako lang ho, kung ano’ng mukhang ayos diyan, puwede na. So hindi tayo masyado doon sa burloloy, ano ba ‘yung importante? Pero dahil ito DPWH, lalo na ‘yung mga mukhang… Di ko alam kung saan nanggaling ‘yung [sulog ho ‘yang] yero diyan eh. Pero ulit, hindi dahil sa kapabayaan ‘yan dahil ‘yung dinaanan ko namang mga kalsada kanina ay talagang maaayos naman ho ang dating, pati ‘yung mga plano tulad doon sa UN Avenue. ‘Yung UN Avenue, medyo masikip na intersection. Kung magagawa natin either overpass o underpass, at mukhang may plano na tungkol doon, magkasundo-sundo lang lahat ng ating opisyales, talagang mapapagaan ‘yung trapiko diyan. Kung mauna ‘yon bago ‘yan, okay rin ho siguro. Baka naman next year, pagbalik ko ng August 25 na turista na lang ako, hingan pa ako ng kontribusyon sa jalousie dito, pero okay rin ho iyan.
Bago ho ako nakarating dito, dumaan tayo at nag-inspeksiyon sa ilang bahagi ng inyong probinsiya. Talaga pong kitang-kita na kung gaano kaganda at kaunlad dito po sa inyo, partikular na sa larangan ng imprastruktura. Sabi ko nga po kay Sec. Babes Singson, tinagurian nating Man of Steel and Concrete: Good job, pero ‘wag ka sanang maging kampante. Marami pa tayong tatapusing proyekto sa kalakhang bansa sa huling bahagi ng ating termino. Kailangan pa rin natin ang siyento porsiyentong lakas at dedikasyon para magtuloy-tuloy ang arangkada natin sa Daang Matuwid.
Unahin po natin ang rehabilitasyon ng Serging Osmeña Boulevard, Port Corridor sa Cebu City. Mula nitong June 25, 2015 po, 100 percent complete na ang pagsasakongkreto ng dalawa’t kalahating kilometrong kalsadang ito. Ang benepisyo po nito: Bumilis ang biyahe papunta sa mga pantalan dito sa Cebu, at naging mas maginhawa ang paglalakbay doon ng mahigit 9,000 Pilipino kada araw.
Sinilip din po natin ang isa sa mga pangunahing kalsada sa Lapu-Lapu City at Cordova-Mactan Circumferential Road. Patuloy po nating isinasaayos ang daang ito, na may kabuuang 28 kilometro ang haba, at pinapalawak ang mga congested nitong bahagi na walang problema sa right of way.
Napakalaking tulong po nito sa lalong paglago ng turismo sa Cebu; lalo pa’t mapapaginhawa nito ang biyahe mula Mactan International Airport, patungo sa mga world-class n’yong tourism sites. Oras na makumpleto, ang dating biyaheng Cebu City-Mactan na tumatagal ng isa’t kalahating oras, sabi po sa akin magiging isang oras na lang. Kung magiging mas mababa pa sa isang oras, malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa inyo. Ang makikinabang po rito: tinatayang 21,282 katao kada araw.
Idagdag na rin ho natin ang ginagawang rehabilitasyon ng kalsada mula Brgy. Curva sa Medellin patungong Brgy. Poblacion sa Daanbantayan. Tutumbok ang kalsadang ito sa Maya RoRo Port, patungong Malapascua Island sa Medellin hanggang Daanbantayan. Oras na makumpleto, ang travel time mula Daanbantayan papuntang Cebu City na inaabot ng tatlong oras, magiging dalawa’t kalahating oras na lang. Kabilang po ang proyektong ito sa tinatawag nating DOT-DPWH Tourism Convergence Road Project, na layuning mapaginhawa ang biyahe ng mga turista sa inyong magagandang destinasyon.
Alam po ninyo, sa kabila ng mga proyektong atin nang naisasakongkreto, may nagagawa pa ring bumanat sa atin. May nagsabi nga po: Hindi raw natin binigyang-pansin ang imprastruktura sa Cebu. Parang gusto ko hong iabot sa kanya itong mga briefer na atin pong inaaral at naging makumpleto ang kanyang datos. Mula sa mga kalsada at tulay, mga estrukturang pang-flood control; sa paliparan, pantalan, hanggang sa farm-to-market roads at pangangailangang pang-irigasyon—ang nailaan po nating pondo para sa programang pang-imprastruktura dito sa Cebu, mula 2011 hanggang sa kasalukuyan, pumalo na po sa mahigit P22.848 billion. Ito po ba ang tinatawag nilang itinaboy at hindi tinutukan ang Cebu?
Siguro ho, sa kababayan nating itong hindi nakakakita na nangyayari at hindi nagbabasa ng datos, baka dapat ambagan ko siya ng bagong salamin para makita niya. Problema lang po, ‘yung taong nagbubulag-bulagan, maski gaano kagandang salamin ibigay natin, wala pa ring makikita. Kaya kung siya ho ay gustong manirahan sa sarili niyang mundong siya ang lumikha, problema na po niya iyon. Pero paalala po natin, libre ang pagamot. Ibahin po nila tayo dito sa Daang Matuwid, ang ating mga proyekto’t programa: purpose-driven at need-driven. Hindi nakabatay sa reward o pabuya.
Nakausap ko na rin po si Governor Junjun. Balita niya sa akin, may plano raw na magtayo ng isang center for industry and trade exposition sa Mandaue, para ipunin ang manufacturers ng furniture dito sa Cebu. Alam po n’yo, ilalapit natin ito sa airport itong tinatayang center. Ano ba’ng purpose ng center? May darating na buyer, patatakbuhin natin kaliwa’t kanan sa lalawigan ng Cebu para makita kung ano ang nandiyan. Iba ho ‘yung litrato sa computer terminal, iba ‘yung ‘pag nakikita ninyo ang kalidad ng trabaho, di ho ba? Minsanan, makikita niya ang kakayahan ng mga taga-Cebu. Siguro mapapabilis lalo ‘yung kanyang pag-iimport nitong mga ine-export ng Cebu. At ‘yan nga po ay hindi mahirap na proyekto, konti lang ho ang kakailanganin nating pondo dahil meron tayong kasanggang Junjun Davide diyan, si Mayor Jonas na isa ring pasimuno po nito, ay nakakasigurado tayong mabilis ang proyektong ‘yan dahil hindi mapupunta kung saan-saan ang pondo.
Kukunin ko na rin po ang pagkakataong ito para magpasalamat sa mga boss nating Cebuano. Naalala ko, kahit napinsala ng Bagyong Yolanda ang Bantayan Island at ilan pang bahagi ng Cebu, naging matatag pa rin kayo at isa pa nga sa nagsilbing repacking hubs sa kalakhang bansa para makatulong tayo, lalo na sa ating mga kababayang sa ibang lugar nasalanta ng Yolanda. Sa ngalan ng bawat Pilipinong inyong natulungan: Daghang salamat ka ninyong tanan. Nakauban namo sa tarong nga dalan.
Parang may konting mali ho yata ‘yung Cebuano ko doon. Sa susunod ho, hindi si Babes Singson ang tatanungin ko kung paano mag-Cebuano. Ngayon ko lang ho naalala, Ilokano nga pala si Babes Singson.
Good news naman po, mula kay Secretary Chito Cruz, ang ating bagong talaga po sa HUDCC: 1,951 units na pabahay na nagkakahalagang P546 million ang ginagawa na sa limang bayan dito sa Cebu para sa mga naapektuhan ng Yolanda. Siyempre po, doble kayod pa tayo para madagdagan ito. Mga boss, sa sandaling panahon pa lang ng ating panunungkulan, talagang nakikita natin: Walang imposible kapag nagkakapit-bisig ang lokal at pambansang pamahalaan sa paghahatid ng tapat at mabuting serbisyo sa ating mga boss. Dagdag ko po, ‘pag nakikita ng mga boss ang totoong serbisyo, talaga namang naasahan nating damayan tayo at hindi tayo nag-iisa.
Habang umuunlad ang Cebu, nandito naman ang inyong gobyerno, tinatapatan ito ng kinakailangan ninyong imprastruktura para magtuloy-tuloy ang inyong pag-arangkada at pag-asenso. Alam ko po, noon pa man talagang kasabay na natin ang Cebu sa pagbagtas sa Daang Matuwid. Tiwala naman ako sa mga darating na panahon, higit pa tayong magtutulungan para marating ang nagkakaisa nating hangarin para sa isang mas maunlad na Pilipinas.
Balik-tanaw lang po tayong kaunti: Noong dumating po ‘yung EDSA Revolution, nasaan po ang aking ina? Di ho ba nandito sa Cebu at inyong pinangalagaan. Noong ako’y naman po tumakbo bilang Senador at Presidente, ako po’y binigyan ninyo ng mandato na siyang naging tulay para naman magawa natin ang lahat ng nagawa na natin sa lumipas na limang taon.
Kadalasan po sa mga araw na ‘to, may nagtatanong ho sa akin, paano ko raw ho ba gagarantiyahan na ‘yung nangyayari ay magpapatuloy? Siyempre po, sa June 30, tanghali, hindi na po ako pangulo next year. ‘Yung garantiya ko po ay siguro garantiya lang na boboto ako nang tama.
Siguro naman ho ‘yung boto ko, isa lang ako sa isandaang milyong Pilipino. Kailangan po natin lahat, tama ang desisyon. Kung tama ang direksiyon natin sa lumipas na limang taon, ‘pag tinanong ako [kung] paano ko magagarantiya, siguro ang sagot ho diyan: Tayo ang maggagarantiya ng ating direksiyon. Tayo ang gumawa ng kasalukuyan, tayo ang gagawa ng kinabukasan.
Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. |
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| President Benigno S. Aquino III's Media Interview during the Briefing on the Major Infrastructure Projects in Cebu |
| Equipment Management Division, DPWH VII, Sergio Osmeña Blvd., Corner V. Sotto, Cebu City |
| 24 Aug 2015 |
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JEN ANTIPORDA/DYMR-RADYO NG BAYAN: Good afternoon, Mr. President.
In the recent Global Competitive Index, the Philippines ranked 52nd out of 144 participating countries. This is an improvement of the country’s 59th rank back in 2013. And in the five years of your administration, Mr. President, the country has gained 33 places, the largest over the period among all countries studied.
My question is: How can the government sustain these, especially after the Presidential elections next year?
PRES. AQUINO III: Well, I think the answer is very simple. Iyong... the things that we are doing are working and are being recognized, not only in the country but also outside of the country. So, my premise is what we are doing right now is just a stepping stone towards greater heights that we can achieve. They will be building—the next of the administration will be building upon those things that we have set, in place already now. A lot of the PPP projects, for instance, that we started will be finished by the incoming administration.
So, the basic answer is: Do not change course; do not reverse course, especially; do now go back to where it was. And it’s fortunate we’re here in Cebu, you had the Convention Center with the very famous lamps; that I think has not been replicated in this administration.
So, again, what we’re doing, is working. What we think will happen in the next administration - with continuity - is an acceleration of that which has been already done. Iyong... the analogy I like to use is: think of a truck that has stalled; and when you start pushing it, just to get over the inertia - the ability of the truck to stay stationary. Once you overcome that, then continuing this motion is an easier task rather than to get just this started.
Thank you for the question, thank you for the good news. Nobody has told me that we have increased again in the Global Competitive Index. Perhaps I should tell the economic managers that if it’s good news, they can also forward it right away.
ROWENA CAPISTRANO/DYRF-CEBU: Maayong udto, Mr. President, or good afternoon. The Supreme Court recently granted bail for Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile. How will this affect the government’s campaign against the corruption?
PRES. AQUINO III: Iyong pinakaimportante ayon kay Secretary Leila ‘no—kasi parang ang plunder na isa sa mga kaso and supposed to be non-bailable. Ngayon doon sa pagiging non-bailable, marami dito sa mga non-bailable na asunto, puwede lang mabigyan ng piyansa ‘pag mababa iyong ebidensiya, iyong mahina iyong ebidensiya. Ang importante yatang tignan natin doon sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema, ay wala silang binabanggit tungkol doon sa ebidensiyang hinarap at tila nakasentro doon sa edad at kalagayan ng kalusugan ni Senator Enrile.
So, maaapektuhan ba? Hindi. Tuluy-tuloy ang kampanya natin. Tapos nag-file na naman ang DOJ, the NBI, sa Ombudsman ng pangatlong set ng kaso. Hindi ho nahihinto at tuloy pa rin iyong paglilitis. Ulitin ko, iyong piyansa ay hindi... ‘di ba, mayroon rin sigurong nagsasabi, “oh iyan ebidensiya na mahina iyong...” parang pruweba na mahina iyong ebidensiya. So, nilinaw noong desisyon na hindi pinag-uusapan – sa aking pang-unawa – iyong kalibre o iyong kalidad noong ebidensiyang inilahad. At bagkus, ‘di ba, iyong kalusugan at edad ni Senator Enrile ang binigyan ng punto.
Ngayon may mga nagkukwestiyon rin – ako’y hindi abogado, gusto kong uulitin lang iyong kanilang kuwestiyon na parang wala doon sa mga batas natin iyong grounds na iyon. So kadalasan, ‘pag clemency sa akin pumupunta iyan bilang Pangulo at kadalasan naman rin—hindi, puwede lang akong makialam ‘pag nagkaroon na ng tinatawag na final conviction.
GENALYN KABILING/MANILA BULLETIN: Good afternoon Mr. President. Sir, the Bureau of Customs is drawing flak from OFWs and other groups for its plan - random inspection of Balikbayan Boxes. Do you support this measure or will you ask the BOC to stop, or at least review this new proposal?
PRES. AQUINO III: Ngayong hapon magre-review kami. I called Secretary of Finance Cesar Purisima and the BOC Commissioner Bert Lina to a meeting me as soon as I get back to Manila and to review this whole proposal. Initially, ang sabi po nila sa atin, ‘pag mayroon raw isang container lulan ay puro Balikbayan Box, iisa lang ang deklarasyon kung ano laman noong... parang pagkasabi sa akin medyo maraming Balikbayan Box kada container. Okay.
Iyong pangunahing layunin nito ay makatulong doon sa kampanya natin laban sa mga iligal na droga. Tapos, marami na rin tayong balita na nagpupuslit ng bala, mga baril. Mayroon pa raw nag-dismantle ng motorsiklo na tinatawag nilang ‘big bikes’ ‘no, hinati-hati sa ilang kahon para makaiwas rin doon sa dapat na bayarang multa.
Ang paliwanag nila sa akin, X-ray raw ho ang gagamitin sa pagsiyasat nitong mga Balikbayan Box at pagkatapos noon iyong mga may kahina-hinalang mapapakita noong X-ray, iyon lang ang bubuksan na physical. Tapos, idinagdag na magkakaroon tayo ng mga independent na observers sa Customs para bantayan iyong proseso para matanggal iyong agam-agam na pagnanakaw.
Ngayon, iyon ang unang palitan namin ng pananaw ni Secretary Purisima, at mamayang hapon hinihintay ko iyong mas komprehensibong briefing tungkol doon sa hinahabol nilang…or sa mga layunin nila dito sa pagpapalabas nitong panukalang ‘to.
GENALYN KABILING/MANILA BULLETIN: Sir, mensahe na lang sa mga OFW na natatakot, kasi baka daw abusuhin iyong ganitong sistema.
PRES. AQUIINO: Iyong sa mamayang hapon pipilitin nating ilagay lahat ng safeguards para walang abuso. Pero palagay ko naman ho, wala naman sigurong magmumungkahi na huwag na nating tingnan; dahil trabaho ng Customs iyon na pangalagaan iyong inaangkat dito sa ating bansa. Wala naman sigurong nagsasabing, “Sige, basta ‘pag Balikbayan Box eh puwede nang maipuslit iyong droga; puwede nang mailabas iyong bala, pulbura, piyesa ng baril, iyong baril mismo.” Baka naman totoo nga iyong pati iyong motorsiklo nahanap. Ayaw naman nating pumasok iyon.
Tulungan natin iyong Customs na gawin iyong kanilang trabaho at siguraduhing … dapat naman hong siguraduhin ng gobyerno na wala namang, ‘di ba, iyong wala namang karapatan ang taumbayan na mapipinsala dito sa paghahabol ng pangangalaga ng kapakanan ng lahat.
ANDREO CALONZO/GMA NEWS ONLINE: Hi, sir. Sir, what are the prospects of still having Senator Grace Poe as Secretary Mar’s running mate at present?
PRES. AQUINO: Iyong umaasa pa rin kami hanggang sa ngayon ‘no. Hindi naman napuputol iyong lines of communication, mas bihira na kaming nag-uusap ngayon. Nailahad na naman namin - iyong magkabilang panig - kung ano talaga ang, ‘di ba, parang layunin. Sang-ayon naman si Senator Grace dahil marami sa…kung man hindi lahat ng nangyayari ngayon ay dapat ipagpatuloy.
So, wala kaming pinagtatalunan sa prinsipiyo at kung saan pa natin dapat dalhin iyong bansa. So kami, sa koalisyon, hindi lang nung Liberal, ay talagang umaasa pa rin na magkasama-sama lahat ng puwersang gustong magpatuloy sa nangyayari ngayon.
ANDREO CALONZO/GMA NEWS ONLINE: Sir, related po. Senator Grace said recently that some administration allies are behind the attacks against her. So what do you say to this? Is there truth that some of your allies are behind this?
PRES. AQUINO: Siguro baka ano eh…hindi natin maiwasan na talagang tumakbo siya bilang senador, kung tatakbo siya bilang pangulo o pangalawang pangulo, ‘no, na mas nakasentro, ‘di ba, iyong mga aktibidades. Pag senador ka kasi - ilan ba ang tumatakbo kada taon mga…kada may eleksyon, siguro hindi bababa sa tatlumpu. So nakakalat iyong tanong sa tatlumpu.
So, sa akin lang siguro baka dapat isipin, number one, inaakit namin siya tapos gagawa kami ng black propaganda. Parang … kung saka-sakaling makuha namin siya sasagutin namin yung black propagandang ginawa namin. So, wala yatang sense iyon. At wala naman sigurong nag-aakusa sa amin na mahina magplano. So, tignan na lang natin sa praktikalan: Gagawa iyong mga kasamahan natin ng ganiyan, na para bang …para bang…kunwari hindi mo gusto iyong ilong mo, puputulin mo iyong ilong mo, magiging pogi ka. Hindi siguro.
So, siyempre panahon ng katakut-takot na intriga, mga katakut-takot na disinformation, at lalabas din naman iyong katotohanan. Pero ulit, siguro gusto ko lang pagdiinan: Ano ang pakinabang namin kung gagawa kami ng ganoong bagay?
ANDREO CALONZO/GMA NEWS ONLINE: Sir, one last. One of your allies at the House of Representatives is calling on you to run as Secretary Mar Roxas’ running mate. So magiging role reversal daw po for 2016.
PRES. AQUINO: Habang tinatanong mo sa akin iyan parang nakikita ko na iyong mga kapatid ko naiiyak na, at iyong mga pamangkin ko humahagulgul na. At ultimo na lang si Yolly, na aking kasamahan sa bahay, ay baka naman magretiro bigla. Iyong kung gagawin ko na rin naman lahat nung trabaho, siguro dapat sumang-ayon na ako doon sa mungkahing pagtingin ng Konstitusyon ulit at term extension. Pero paniwala ko nga dito, dapat talagang – sa akin ‘no, personal – iyong naniniwala ako doon sa measure of success is your ability to train your successor. Iyong kami lumilipat na doon sa idea na personalidad ang dapat nating itulak kada kampanya, kung hindi dapat plataporma.
So katulad nga ngayon, sinasabi namin, iyong paglilipat kay Secretary Mar ay paghabol namin ng tinatawag na “continuity.” Tandaan ninyo noong una akong tumakbo, sabi sa akin ng mga nagmumungkahing tumakbo ako, “hindi naman namin inaasahan na malulutas mo lahat ng problemang dadatnan mo, pero sana maumpisahan mo iyong proseso.” Ngayon kung, ‘di ba, kung … hindi naman sa pagtataas ng bangko ‘no – alam ninyong hindi ko gawain iyon – pero kung sa atin parating iaasa iyan, baka hindi tayo nakakatulong doon sa manigurado na tuluy-tuloy itong arangkadang nangyayari sa ating bansa.
ROICES NAGUIT/TV5: Mr. President, just going back to the SC decision granting a bail for Senator Enrile. Have you ordered a review on this? And following this ruling po kasi, there are renewed calls for the SC to allow CGMA to post bail din po.
PRES. AQUINO: Sorry, allow who?
ROICES/TV5: CGMA, to post bail?
PRES. AQUINO: I think hindi na ako kailangang mag-utos eh. Secretary Leila has I think spoken rather eloquently on the topic, and others ‘no - to include the dissenting opinions expressed by the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court. Iyong kay GMA naman, huwag nating kalimutan iyong hospital arrest in itself is a privilege; and she’s under a hospital arrest to ensure that whatever available remedies, cures, therapies are needed are given in a very timely passion, okay. Ngayon, pag inuwi na ba natin sa bahay ibig sabihin noon wala nang kalusugan—wala nang isyu sa kalusugan. Kung wala nang isyu sa kalusugan, bakit nasa ospital pa. So, I think, I’ll have to ask for an update, pero the way I understand it yung lahat ng dapat at puwedeng gawin ginagawa na para i-ensure iyong kanyang kalusugan.
Ulitin ko lang, ‘no, iyong mga kaso, one of the cases is plunder eh. And plunder is not bailable. So, ang tanong ko lang dito, nandoon na nga iyong ugali ng Pilipino na, ‘di ba, madali daw magpatawad, maunawain, iyong madaling mag-simpatsiya sa mga taong may…katulad niyan, may karamdaman. Pero ang tanong ko nga lang ho dito: Ano ho ba dapat ang ipapakita natin sa kasalukuyang sambayanan at lalo na sa susunod na salinlahi. Sa akin ho kasi importante na may ginawa kang krimen, kailangang pagbayaran.
Sabi ko nga nuong nag-uumpisa kami kay Secretary, and amongst others, and I think bago ko in-appoint na Associate Justice si Chief Justice ngayon and the others that I interviewed. Iyong success natin in terms of fighting…parang making the rule of law felt, ‘no, is hindi tayo makasampa ng kaso lang, pero kailangan nang may convictions.
So, para bang okay na ba iyon, inasunto lang natin, puwede na? Or dapat ba manigurado tayo na—kagaya iyon kaso electoral fraud eh, binago iyong desisyon ng sambayanan. Doon nagmumula lahat ng pag-exercise ng power sa ating pong bansa. So kailangan kung mabigat ang krimeng ginawa mo, eh may mabigat rin naman dapat kaparusahan. Kung hindi para bang sinabi na rin natin sa lahat ng nag-iisip, ‘no, “gawin ninyo kung ano ang gusto ninyo at basta makapangyarihan ka, may salapi ka, malulusutan mo lahat.” Eh kung ganoon ang mensahe natin, paano kaya natin babaguhin iyong lipunan.
ROICES/TV5: Sir, relatedly. Your thoughts lang on the resolution passed by your House allies, or your allies in the House of Representatives passing this resolution asking or urging the Sandiganbayan to grant house arrest for the former President. Ano po ang basa ninyo dito?
PRES, AQUINO: Baka iyong, one, kulang ng impormasyon. Number two, baka iyon nga, ang daming lumapit. Siyempre nandoon na lahat eh, babae iyong pinag-uusapan, karamihan ng mga miyembro natin ng ating Kamara de Representate ay lalaki; iyong pagiging gentleman, maunawain, etc., walang mawawala. Pero baka pag tinanong natin isa-isa nung pumirma, baka marami diyan mag dalawang isip: ‘Teka muna, ganoon pala ang ibig sabihin nito.’ With all due respect to all of them, ‘no, pero baka...pag tinanong lang ‘no, ano ba ang value dadalhin siya sa bahay? IIalayo mo doon sa pagamutan. Kung ang dahilan nga nasa pagamutan siya dahil may isyu siya sa kalusugan. So ano ang magagawa doon sa bahay na hindi magagawa ng ospital. Bakit ilalayo mo pa sa gamutan.
ROICES/TV 5: Sir, meron po ba kayong mensahe sa mga mambabatas, especially in the House of Representatives, na in the past weeks, since your SONA, wala pong quorum. So, ano pong magiging effect nito sa passage ng Bangsamoro Basic Law and the budget?
PRES. AQUINO: Well, napakarami talagang mga batas na importante. Number one, iyong budget; number two iyong BBL. At lahat naman ng mga kasamahan natin diyan, nanggaling tayo diyan. Iyong naiintindihan natin may pressure rin na makakauwi sa distrito at makita ng kanilang mga constituents. Pero palagay ko at the end of the day ang pangunahing trabaho nila ay gumawa ng batas at itong mga batas na ito napakaimportante sa ikabubuti ng atin buong bansa. So, ako ay nakakasigurado na pagdating ng oras na kailangan talagang pagbotohan itong mga panukalang ito ay maglilitawan lahat, lampas-lampas doon sa quorum.
ROICES/TV 5: Sir, last na lang po. Will there a Cabinet revamp…soon?
PRES. AQUINO: Roices, pag sinabi mong revamp, meron ka kasing pinapalitan dahil hindi maayos ang performance ano. Pero magkakaroon ng pagpapalit, dahil sa Oktubre meron tayong mga kasamahan na tatakbo, nandiyan na si Mar Roxas, nandiyan si Francis Tolentino, nandiyan si Joel Villanueva. Medyo marami-rami sa ating Gabinete ang tatakbo. At hindi lang naman iyong Cabinet level ‘no, may mga ilan pang kawani ng gobyerno na nag-resign dahil nga may balak tumakbo sa 2016. So, revamp? Mali siguro yung term na revamp, ‘no. Pero kailangan nating magtalaga ng mga taong namumuno nitong iba’t-ibang ahensiya na walang balak tumakbo, at magkakaroon ng bagong mukha.
ROICES/TV5: Pero definitely, Mr. President, wala po itong kinalaman kung sino iyong susuportahan nila sa 2016, since ilan daw po sa Cabinet ang nagsabi na posibleng iba po iyong suportahan nila?
PRES. AQUINO: Alam mo talo mo ako. Nakakausap ko iyong Gabinete ko madalas. Kamakailan lang nagkaroon kami ng Cabinet meeting tungkol sa El Niño at saka sa budget performance, wala namang nagpahiwatig sa akin na may susuportahan silang iba. Walang nagpahiwatig, walang nagparamdam, walang nagpadala ng anonymous letter. So, baka naman…tanungin mo ulit iyong nagsasabi sa iyong ilan ang hindi susuporta, baka pag tinanong mo na magbigay ng pangalan, sasabihin niya, “you will know after the elections.”
ROICES/TV 5: Thank you, Mr. President.
USEC MARFIL: Thank you, Roices. Thank you, Mr. President. At maraming salamat, mga kasama sa media. Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. |
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| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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