THUNDERSTORM WATCH #VPRSD
Issued at 9:56 AM, 19 December 2013
Thunderstorm is more likely to develop over #MetroCebu within the next 12 hours. All are advised to monitor for updates.
President Benigno Aquino on ANC
Re: Briefing for PHILDEV Partners on Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda
-Allow me to thank you in behalf of the Filipino people.
-We are deeply humbled in this outflowing of assistance.
-It is more efficient to rebuild more resiliently now than to keep reconstructing later.
-We are going to build back better.
-Every dollar funding will be used in an efficient manner.
-The damage that Yolanda has brought was extensive, that’s why I appointed Sec. Lacson
-In terms of housing as we are constructing bunkhouses, we are planning to build resilient permanent house in safe zones.
-From now until Dec. 2014, we are preoccupied with construction of
temporary housing. Larger constructions to be completed by 2017.
-We will work with private partners to attract investments in typhoon affected area.
-We are taking this chance not just to rebuild but to build back better.
- Resilient communities in safe zones being planned, improvement of farmlands, fishing villages, assets the storm destroyed.
- We must work together to mitigate the abuse of the environment that continues to result in tragedy.
- We are not settling for the mininum, we don't want them to make do.
- There is much left to do, but we know we can accomplish what we set out to do because we know we are not alone.
- Our failure means the suffering of our fellowmen, therefore, we cannot fail.
December 19 , 2013
( Thursday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Partly Cloudy
LAGUNA : Cloudy
BATANGAS : Fair Weather
RIZAL : Fair Weather
QUEZON
: Partly Cloudy
PIA
4A/BATANGAS: Muling nagbigay paalala sa publiko ang mga kapulisan na
mag-ingat habang papalapit na ang kapaskuhan upang maiwasang maging
biktima ng masasamang loob.Patuloy din ang pagpapakalat ng mga tips
upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng publiko
PIA
4A/BATANGAS:Binuksan na sa lungsod ng Batangas ang Bagong Pag asa
Transition and Rehabilitation Home for Needy Individuals na layong
makatulong sa mga nangangailangan ng mga ito.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Binuksan na sa lungsod ng Batangas ang Bagong Pag asa Transition and
Rehabilitation Home for Needy Individuals na layuning makatulong sa mga
nangangailangan ng mga ito.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Nagsagawa ang Batangas City Nutrition Council ng year end assessment
para sa mga pampublikong sekondarya sa lungsod. Layon nitong alamin ang
mga aktibidad upang mas lalong mapalakas ang programang pang nutrisyon.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Five former communist rebels surrendered to 74th Infantry Battalion in
Lopez, Quezon. The rebel returnees were identified as Salvador Penano
alias Javier, Ronaldo Bartolome alias Fred, Ventura Bartolome alias
Nick, Antonio Roncejero alias Ryan and Alberto Malijana alias JR.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The Quezon Metropolitan Water District inaugurated recently the public
water faucet in barangay Ilayang Iyam, Lucena City through its gender
and development program. Dubbed as 'Daloy ng tubig, daloy ng buhay', the
public faucet will benefit 200 indigent families of said barangay.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The city government of Lucena has proposed traffic re-routing program
recently to lessen traffic congestion in the city proper. The city
engineering office on the other hand will provide first the necessary
signage before the final implementation of traffic re-routing.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR IV-A) recently observed the
National Human Rights Consciousness Week in conjunction with the holding
of other activities connected with the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. The program aims to
promote awareness and information on human rights and laws in the
protection of women and children.
=============================================================
DZBB:
Nakauwi na ng bansa ang mga miyembro ng UN Peacekeepers na itinalaga
nitong isang taon sa Golan Heights at Liberia. Kaninang umaga ay
ginawaran ng UN Service Medals ang mga nasabing peacekeeper kung saan
332 ang galing sa Syria habang 115 naman ang mula sa Liberia. Ayon naman
kay AFP Chief Emmanuel Bautista, patuloy na magpapadala ang pamahalaan
ng tropa ng militar bilang peacekeeper sa UN.
DZBB:
Hindi bababa sa 28 OFWs mula Yemen ang nakatakdang umuwi sa Pilipinas
kasunod ng nangyaring suicide bombing doon na ikinamatay ng pitong
Pilipino. Ayon kay DoLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz, kaagad na pauuwiin ng
Pilipinas ang mga OFW sa oras na maiproseso ng Philippine Embassy sa
Yemen ang kanilang exit visas at flight booking.
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US, Philippines to cooperate in restoring Clark Veterans
Cemetery |
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US Secretary of State John Kerry announced Tuesday that the US and the
Philippine government have agreed to cooperate for the restoration of the
Clark Veterans Cemetery in Clark Field, Pampanga.
Kerry told reporters during a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert del Rosario that the Philippines and the US governments
negotiated for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the
restoration, operation and maintenance of the Clark Veterans Cemetery.
“This agreement is not just another piece of paper. It’s about upholding a
sacred promise to honor those who served and sacrificed on all of our
behalf. So I am enormously gratified that we are ensuring that the 8,600
Americans and Filipinos who are buried in the hallow ground of that cemetery
will receive the respect and the dignity that they deserve,” Kerry said.
At the same time, the American official also said he is likewise honored to
lay a wreath at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City
Tuesday morning.
The Clark Veterans Cemetery, located in the Clark Freeport Zone, is the
burial place for thousands of veterans, mainly American veterans and
Filipino Scouts who served in the US Army and who died in conflicts other
than World War II or on military bases in the Philippines. PND (as) |
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Kerry invites Philippines to join Trans-Pacific
Partnership Agreement |
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US Secretary of the State John Kerry invited the
Philippines to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement adding
he expects a Filipino delegation in Washington early next year.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement would be able to raise standards of
doing business, open up new opportunities, and convert 40 percent of the
global GDP into one economic group for improved global trade, Kerry said in
a message to the American and local businessmen in Manila Tuesday.
He also said the TPP could create millions of jobs in the Asia-Pacific
region. Kerry said the TPP will set standards for consumers and workers.
“We will welcome a Philippine delegation to Washington at the end of January
to start a technical consultation regarding this. The TPP, as I said, will
bring 40 percent of the world’s economy together into one historic high
standard trade agreement,” he told businessmen.
However, Kerry said it is up to the Philippine government to decide whether
it wants to join the trade bloc depending on its assessment of its possible
gains.
The TPP is a trade agreement among several Asia-Pacific countries aimed at
further liberalizing the economies of the region.
Kerry also said in his message that the US believes that the Philippine
economy could remain strong if the country and the US work together in terms
of trade and economic relations.
The US official acknowledged the huge potential of the Philippine economy
considering its standing as one of the strongest economies in the world
today.
The Philippines proved that kind of transformation noting free market and
free market ideas could convert the entrepreneurial spirit of every
individual, he said.
“And that is why the country’s successes send a powerful message not just
throughout the region but on a global basis,” he said. PND (as) |
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US renews commitment to Philippine security amid
tensions in Asia |
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The United States renews its commitment to the
security of the Philippines and the Asian region with the visit of US
Secretary of State John Kerry in the country.
Kerry arrived in the Philippines Tuesday morning and met President Benigno
S. Aquino III later in the day.
In a joint press conference after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary
Albert del Rosario, Kerry said the US is committed to address the most
pressing Philippine security challenge.
This is the reason why the US and the Philippines are negotiating for a
strong and enduring framework agreement that would enhance defense
cooperation between the two countries including increased rotational
presence of US forces in the Philippines, he said.
Part of this initiative is the commitment of the United States of $40
million to improve the country's capability for maritime security and
maritime domain awareness, according to Kerry.
The US government is also working to reduce tension in the territories with
maritime disputes in Asia.
To lessen tensions, Kerry said the US strongly supported the immediate
conclusion of the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea) as a key to reducing the risk of accidents and
miscalculations.
Through the code, claimants will have the responsibility to clarify their
claims and align it with international law, Kerry he added. The United
States believes it would be the best way to proceed in resolving the
disputes in the West Philippine Sea, the American official said.
Second, the US support the international dispute resolution mechanism such
as those provided in the International Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The United States strongly opposes the use of intimidation, coercion or
aggression to advance territorial claims. And I assured the foreign
secretary that the US remains firmly committed to the security of the
Philippines and the region,” Kerry said.
The US does not recognize China’s recent announcement of an air defense
identification zone (ADIZ) with its conflicting claim with Japan. China
should refrain from taking similar unilateral action elsewhere in the region
and particularly in the West Philippine Sea, he said.
The West Philippine Sea, believed to be rich in oil and natural gas
deposits, is also a major sea lane for global trade and commerce. Among the
claimant countries or states include the Philippines, China, Vietnam,
Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia. PND (as) |
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Meeting with US Secretary of State Kerry fruitful,
strengthens US-PHL ties, says Aquino |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III said he had a
productive meeting in Malacanang with visiting US Secretary of State John
Kerry who arrived in the country Tuesday.
In his message during a dinner hosted for Kerry, the President said he
appreciated the readiness of the US government to aid the Philippines in
times of distress especially after the onslaught of Typhoon "Yolanda" last
month.
“We also appreciate the fact that Secretary Kerry is here with the full
authority of the President of the United States to discuss matters that will
contribute to further strengthening the strategic partnership our nations
share,” he said.
“Our conversation today was therefore not only pleasant, but also extremely
productive, and it leaves me optimistic that, moving forward, the historic
friendship between our countries will only grow deeper and more meaningful.”
The US assistance after the typhoon’s devastation is a representation of the
friendship that the two countries have, he said.
The US government augmented the Philippine government’s humanitarian
response efforts, by generously providing relief goods and much needed aid,
the President said.
The presence of the US in relief efforts reminds the country of a time in
its history when Filipinos and Americans stood in solidarity for an
important cause such as when American and Filipino soldiers fought
shoulder-to-shoulder during World War II.
The President also expressed his gratitude to the US government for strongly
supporting the rule of law in moving towards the peaceful resolution of
tensions in the Asian region.
Kerry also has personal connection with the Philippines, being part of the
US observer delegation during the Snap Elections in 1986, President Aquino
said.
The US official advocated democracy and reform and spoke out against the
massive and blatant cheating by the Marcos dictatorship, he added.
Kerry arrived in the Philippines Tuesday for a two-day visit. He is
scheduled today to go to Tacloban City to personally see the ongoing
rehabilitation efforts there and assess if the US government needs to commit
additional assistance to the Philippines. PND (as) |
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US Secretary of State John Kerry reaffirms US
commitment to help recovery of Tacloban |
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(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) United States (US) Secretary of
State John F. Kerry reaffirmed on Wednesday the US government's commitment
to help in rebuilding the lives of the survivors of super typhoon "Yolanda"
(Haiyan).
Kerry visited on Wednesday the storm hit Tacloban City to discuss with
Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council Chairman Voltaire Gazmin, city officials and representatives of
various stakeholders on how the US can continue to contribute to the relief
and reconstruction work here.
Kerry arrived at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport where he was welcomed by
Gazmin, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Representative Ferdinand
Martin Romualdez at 10:15am together with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg,
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and other US
Embassy Manila officials, and proceeded to Department of Social Welfare and
Development Hub on Apitong Road to personally check on the relief
operations.
The US Secretary of State also visited the Tent City near the airport to
meet with the representatives of the United States Agency for International
Development to discuss the US humanitarian assistance being provided to the
Philippines.
Kerry stayed in Tacloban for almost three hours before returning to Manila
at 12:45 p.m.
Kerry began on Tuesday his 2-day visit to the Philippines. It was his first
visit as US Secretary of State.
During his visit, Secretary Kerry met with President Benigno S. Aquino III
and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. PND (js) |
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President Aquino underscores
importance of being prepared for disasters |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the
importance of being well-prepared in the event any natural calamity should
strike the country than just allowing these disasters, such as storms and
earthquakes, to run its course and then spend on rebuilding properties and
livelihood lost.
In his speech at the Briefing for Development Partners on Reconstruction
assistance on Yolanda held at the Department of Foreign Affairs Building
along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City on Wednesday, the President vowed that
aid, international or local, would be utilized to its fullest in order to
“build back better.”
He said that the government would “prioritize resilience, rather than to
keep rebuilding” to break the vicious cycle of destruction and
reconstruction.
“Let me assure you: we know that we cannot allow ourselves to be trapped in
a vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction. We know that it is more
efficient to prioritize resilience now, rather than to keep rebuilding. This
is why we are going to build back better,” the President said.
“The task immediately before us lies in ensuring that the communities that
rise again do so stronger, better, and more resilient than before. Every
dollar of funding assistance will be used in as efficient and lasting a
manner as possible. The result of this determination: the Reconstruction
Assistance on Yolanda plan or RAY,” he added.
The President said RAY would cover five key areas of rehabilitation:
housing, infrastructure and agriculture and fisheries, livelihood and
business, and the delivery of health, education, and other essential
services.
“First, in terms of housing: as we are constructing bunkhouses to serve as
temporary shelters for families, we are planning the construction of
resilient, permanent housing communities in safe zones.
Second, infrastructure will not just be repaired or rebuilt, but will be
bolstered; built to be stronger and able to withstand the onslaught of
disasters.
Third, to revive agriculture and fisheries, which employ a large part of our
countrymen in the Visayas: government will be there every step of the
way—from restoring the viability of farmlands, to rebuilding or replacing
assets that the storm destroyed, to providing inputs to restart farming and
fishing. We will also train farmers and fishermen to give them new
skills—all this, towards greater productivity and income diversification.
Fourth, for livelihood and business, cash for work programs, the opening of
lines of credit, and mechanisms for financing and support for micro, small,
and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be made available to help Filipinos
recover, while we work with private partners to attract investments in
affected areas and build a more inclusive local economy.
Fifth, government will ensure that the delivery of health, education, and
other essential services remain constant in areas hit by Yolanda, as we
repair and rebuild affected public infrastructure. Through RAY, we are not
just settling for the minimum—we do not want our countrymen merely to make
do. We are taking this chance not just to rebuild what was destroyed, but
again more importantly, to build back better,” the President said.
The President also challenged all Filipinos to do their part in caring for
the environment in their own way in order to counter the effects of global
warming.
“Over and beyond this, I ask you to confront what I believe will be the
rising challenge of our times: the increasing risks posed to all of us by
global warming and climate change. In the aftermath of Yolanda, what we must
build is a partnership borne not only of necessity, but also of the
realization that helping all those in need—all those who suffer—must be
accompanied by reducing the risks that allow this need and this suffering to
arise,” the President said.
“Now, more than ever, we must work together to mitigate the abuse of the
environment that has resulted, and continues to result, in tragedy,
especially for the more vulnerable peoples of the world,” he added.
The President also took the opportunity to thank the international community
for their help and assistance extended to the victims of Yolanda in the
Visayas region.
“Allow me to thank you once again for being one with the Filipino people in
this time of need, from the days immediately following typhoon Haiyan, or
Yolanda, to this day, as we take on the task of rebuilding. Not just our
country but the entire world came together for Filipinos affected by
Yolanda—from the preschooler in Japan who donated his savings, to the
farmers in Haiti who raised money for their Filipino counterparts. We are
deeply humbled and thankful for this outpouring of assistance,” the
President said.
“It is because of Yolanda that we are now at this point—that we are gathered
here today. In recent years, storms of unprecedented size and strength—of
growing intensity—have seemingly become the norm, and Yolanda is only the
latest. By now, you all know that Yolanda is considered the strongest storm
to make landfall in recorded history—and this is clear in the number of
casualties, and in the families who were affected, and in the vast damage it
did to the Visayas region,” he added.
According to the President, damage wrought by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is
pegged at $12.9-billion. PND (rck) |
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US Secretary of State Kerry announces additional
humatarian aid for Tacloban |
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(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The United States is providing
additional $24.6 million in humanitarian aid to the storm-stricken
Philippines, United States (US) Secretary of State John F. Kerry said on
Wednesday.
"I'm proud to announce here in Tacloban today that the United States through
the United States Agency for International Development USAID is providing an
additional $24.6 million in humanitarian aid. Now, this is on top of $62
million that we already provided," Kerry said in his message at the Tent
City near the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here.
"And we are mindful that there is a donor conference taking place even as we
are here today," Kerry said.
Kerry assured that the US government continues to work closely with the
Philippine government to speed up the rehabilitation efforts for the
affected communities following the devastation of super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).
About 50 U.S. ships and aircraft carriers have been mobilized in the
calamity areas in Central Philippines.
The US joined the relief effort after the typhoon slammed the Philippines on
Nov. 8. PND (js) |
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President Aquino: Shelter and livelihood
remain as first priorities for Yolanda victims |
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Shelter and livelihood remain the government’s top
priorities for residents affected by super typhoon "Yolanda," President
Benigno S. Aquino III said Wednesday.
The President also said that while government figures indicate some P361
billion may be needed for recovery and reconstruction, the figure cannot be
set in stone as there are so many variables.
“Doon muna tayo sa immediate na kakailanganin natin, shelter and livelihood
ang immediate and medium term needs (We’re going to concentrate first on the
immediate needs, shelter and livelihood. Those are for the immediate and
medium term),” he said.
But he also noted there were many decisions that need be made, including
whether to build communities now in the no-build zones, the final designs of
the weather-resilient homes, and even whether to relocate the Tacloban City
airport.
For now, he said the basics cover relief and shelter, as well as the restart
of the livelihood of residents affected in the Visayas, including farmers
and fisherfolk.
The President also said this is why former Sen. Panfilo Lacson was brought
into the Cabinet, “whose sole focus is on the rehabilitation and
reconstruction effort.”
Also, he said the priority is to “get our people situated in a better
position at the soonest possible time.” PND (jl) |
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President Aquino does not consider self a lucky
charm |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said he
does not consider himself a lucky charm for Philippine bets in recent beauty
contests.
The President, in an interview with reporters, said that while he would be
thankful if others think of him to be a lucky charm, he would be
presumptuous if he considered himself as one.
“Kapal naman ng mukha ko na sabihin I'm a lucky charm to anybody. Some
people consider me a lucky charm, thank you. But I don't think I can
pronounce myself one,” he said.
He was referring to reports that some people consider him a lucky charm for
the Philippines’ recent bets to international beauty contests.
On Tuesday night, the Philippines’ Bea Rose Santiago won the Miss
International pageant in Japan, a week after the President wished her good
luck while he met with the Filipino community in Tokyo.
But the President said that while some credit him as a lucky charm for Megan
Young when she won the Miss World contest in Bali, he said he arrived there
after she had already won.
“Megan, I think, won before I arrived in Bali,” he said. PND (jl) |
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Kerry departs after two-day Philippine visit |
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US Secretary of State John Kerry departed for the US
Wednesday afternoon after completing his eight-day tour of the Middle East,
Vietnam and the Philippines.
Kerry’s plane left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday immediately after arriving from a tour of typhoon-devastated areas
in Tacloban City.
The US official arrived in Manila Tuesday for a two-day visit of the
Philippines. It was his first visit to the Philippines as Secretary of
State.
During his visit Kerry met President Benigno S. Aquino III and Secretary of
Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario discussing broadening economic and
security cooperation between the Philippines and the US. They also discussed
humanitarian assistance and disaster response and cooperation on regional
issues.
Kerry visited Tacloban City Wednesday morning to meet people affected by
Typhoon Yolanda as well as those involved in the relief effort. Tacloban
City is the epicenter of super typhoon Yolanda, which decimated towns and
villages on November 8. The storm killed more than 6,000 people and
displaced four million.
He said on Tuesday that he wanted to personally see the ongoing
rehabilitation efforts in Tacloban City and assess if there was a need for
additional US assistance. PND (as) |
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President Aquino: $40M assistance from US
on maritime security to boost capabilities of Coast Guard, PNP |
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The $40-million assistance from the United States for
maritime security will be a big boost to the Philippine Coast Guard and
Philippine National Police’s capabilities, President Benigno S. Aquino III
said Wednesday.
In an interview with media in Malacanan Palace, the President said the
amount will provide technical expertise, training and equipment for
Philippine law enforcement agencies.
“Can I just give you the fields where the help will ... come in? Shall I
quote (to be) specific: This will provide technical expertise, training, and
again, the equipment, to support our capability building for the Philippine
Coast Guard and the PNP in the areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism
and other law enforcement training,” he said.
The assistance came after President Aquino on Tuesday evening met with US
Secretary of State John Kerry in Malacañan Palace.
The Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP are tasked with patrolling the
country’s coastline, one of the world’s longest.
Kerry paid a courtesy call on the President, who hosted a dinner for him and
his party on Tuesday. Kerry, who is on a two-day visit to the Philippines,
went to Tacloban City, one of the areas hit hard by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
last November. PND (jl) |
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US Secretary of State John Kerry lauds Filipinos
for resilience and strength in the face of super-typhoon 'Yolanda' |
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(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) United States (US) Secretary of
State John F. Kerry lauded on Wednesday the Filipinos for exhibiting
resilience and strength in the face of massive destruction wrought by super
typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) on November 8.
"What is certain is it didn't break the spirit of the people here, the
resilience, the courage, the determination to rebuild and to remake...and
the truth is that what has happened here since the moment the storm passed
away, is inspiring to everybody ," Kerry said in his message at the Tent
City near the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here.
Kerry said the US government extended its sincere sympathies to the families
of over 6,000 people who perished after Yolanda slammed Central Philippines
on November 8.
"On behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people, it is my
privileged to come here today to offer our condolences to the families of
more than 6,000 who perished in the storm and to wish a very full and speedy
recovery to some 27,000 who were wounded," Kerry said.
The US government commended the leadership displayed by both the national
and local governments in implementing their programs needed to rebuild
facilities, restore social services and revive economic activities in
regions hit by Typhoon Yolanda. PND (js) |
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President Aquino: Filipinos assured of more efficient health services
with ISO award for DOH |
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Filipinos can now be assured of more efficient health
services, now that the Department of Health has earned a certification from
the International Organization for Standardization, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said Wednesday.
Speaking at the awarding of the DOH-wide ISO 9001:2008 certification at
Malacañan Palace, the President said the distinction is another concrete
sign of the government's positive transformation under his watch.
"Ano po ba ang ibig-sabihin ng tagumpay na ito para sa isang karaniwang
Pilipino? Simple lang po: Kaakibat ng repormang ito ang mas mabilis, mas
epektibo, at de-kaledad na serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa ating mga
kababayan. Dahil sa mahigpit na pagsunod sa mga pamantayan ng ISO,
napapaunlad ang proseso ng dokumentasyon, pagpaplano, monitoring, feedback,
at pagkamit sa mga target ng iba’t ibang kagawaran ng mga opisina’t ospital,
gayundin ang pagsisiguro sa ligtas, maaasahan, at de-kaledad na pasilidad o
kagamitan ng mga ito (What does an ISO certification mean to the ordinary
Filipino? Simple: this reform will ensure faster, more efficient health
services for our people. The stricter standards will improve our processes
involving documentation, planning, monitoring and feedback in rendering
quality services to our people)," he said.
In July 2012, the DOH's Quality Management System was awarded ISO 9001:2008
Certification, covering 17 offices and bureaus at the DOH and two centers
for health development.
This year, the certification was expanded to include 33 offices and bureaus
- including the Food and Drug Administration - as well as the remaining 14
centers for health development.
With this, the DOH became the first government agency under the executive
branch to have a department-wide quality management system certified to ISO
9001:2008.
"Lahat ng inisyatibang ito, nakasentro sa higit na pag-aaruga, at pagtataas
ng antas ng pagbibigay-kalinga sa ating mga Boss — ang sambayanang Pilipino
(All of these initiatives are centered on raising the standards of health
care to our bosses, the Filipino people)," the President said.
President Aquino commended the DOH's personnel for their achievement, saying
this will benefit not just the government but the citizens.
"Nawa’y ang tagumpay ninyong ito ay lalo pang magtulak sa inyong mag-alay ng
lakas at oras upang itaas ang antas ng serbisyo sa ating mga Boss (May this
achievement inspire you to continue dedicating time and energy to improving
your standards of service to our bosses)," he said.
But the President also asked the DOH not to be content with its achievement,
saying it should continue its efforts to improve its services.
"Huwag tayong makuntento sa mga napapagtagumpayan na natin ngayon. Gawin
nating permanente ang positibong pagbabagong ito ng Pilipinas para sa mga
susunod pang henerasyon (Let's not be content with what we have done. Let's
make positive change a permanent trait, to benefit future generations of
Filipinos)," he said. PND (jl) |
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President Aquino underscores stability as component
for prosperity in the region |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Philippines
is not alone in raising concerns over China’s air defense identification
zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea, adding that stability is a necessary
component for prosperity in the region.
In a media interview on Wednesday, President Aquino said that apart from the
United States, other countries, such as South Korea and Japan, also raised
concerns over the establishment of China’s ADIZ.
“Well, palagay ko maganda naman na nasabi ng America iyon, very categorical
and very clear. Hindi lang naman America... South Korea also, Japan, and
other countries,” the President said.
“Everybody wants to have stability in the region and stability is necessary
for prosperity. And one would like to think that all countries are after the
prosperity of their peoples,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and US Secretary of State John
Kerry discussed Tuesday the West Philippines Sea and China’s ADIZ, and
agreed on the primacy of the rule of law in the region and respect for the
freedom of navigation.
During the 40th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, President Aquino
called anew for a peaceful and rules-based approach in resolving territorial
disputes in the region.
“The Philippines’ call for the peace and stability in our region is
amplified by recent developments in the East China Sea, on the establishment
of an air defense identification zone, which raises concerns over
international civil aviation, safety and security,” he said.
“We all should view with greater concern recent pronouncements of Chinese
officials that China will establish other ADIZs in due course after
completing relevant preparations,’ he added. PND (co) |
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Pagtutulungan ng Estados Unidos at ng
Pilipinas ang pag-aayos sa ‘Clark Veterans Cemetery’ |
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Pagtutulungan ng Estados Unidos at pamahalaang Pilipino
ang pag-aayos ng Clark Veterans Cenetery sa Clark Field, Pampanga, alinsunod
kay US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Sinabi ni Kerry sa pulong balitaan na kasama si Kalihim Albert del Rosario
ng Ugnayang Panlabas na pinag-usapan ng mga pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at
Estados Unidos ang memorandum of understanding (MOU) upang pagtulungan ang
pag-aayos, operasyon at pangangasiwa sa Clark Field Cemetery.
“Ang kasunduang ito ay hindi isa lamang karaniwang papel. Ito ay may
kinalaman sa pag-tupad sa banal na pangakong parangalan ang lahat ng mga
naglingkod at nagpakasakit alang-alang sa ating lahat. Kaya lubos ang aking
pasasalamat na tinitiyak sa may 8,600 Amerikano at Pilipino na nakalagak sa
pinagpalang lupain ng nasabing libingan na sila ay uukulan ng karampatang
paggalang at parangal na angkop lamang iukol sa kanila,” wika ni Kerry.
Kaalinsabay nito, sinabi rin ni Kerry na malaki niyang karangalang
makapag-alay ng bulaklak sa Manila American Cemetery and Memorial sa Lungsod
ng Taguig Martes ng umaga.
Ang Clark Veterans Cemetery ay nasa Clark Freeport Zone. Dito nakalagak ang
labi ng libu-libong mga beteranong Amerikano ang karamihan at Filipino
Scouts na naglingkod sa Hukbo ng Estados Unidos at nasawi sa pakikibaka sa
mga sagupaan, hindi kabilang ang sa Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig, o mga base
militar sa Pilipinas. PND (as/zaf) |
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Hinihimok ni Kerry ang Pilipinas na lumahok sa
‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’ |
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Inanyayahan ni US Secretary of State John Kerry ang
Pilipinas na lumahok sa Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement at idinugtong na
aasahan niya ang delegasyong Pilipino sa Washington sa lilipat na taon.
Ang Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement ay magpapataas ng pamantayan ng
pagnenegosyo, magbubukas ng mga bagong pagkakataon, at magiging daan upang
ang 40 porsiyento ng global GDP ay maging isang grupong ekonomya para sa
pinabuting kalakalang pandaigdig, wika ni Kerry sa mensahe sa mga
negosyanteng Amerikano at lokal sa Maynila Martes.
Sinabi ni Kerry na Ang Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ay maaaring makalikha
ng milyun-milyong trabaho sa rehiyong Asya-Pasipiko at magtatakda ng
pamantayan para sa mga consumers at mga manggagawa.
“Aasahan namin ang delegasyong Pilipino sa Washington sa huling linggo ng
Enero para masimulan ang technical consultation hinggil sa bagay na ito. Ang
TPP, tulad nang nasabi ko na., ay magiging daan para magsama-sama ang 40
porsiyento ng ekonomya ng daigdig sa isang pamantayang makasaysayan at
mataas na pamantayan ngh kasunduan sa kalakalan,” wika ni Kerry sa mga
mangangalakal.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Kerry na ipinauubaya niya sa pamahalaang Pilipino ang
pagpapasiya kung nais nitong sumama sa blokeng kalakalan batay sa magiging
pagtaya nito sa maaaring maging pakinabang sa paglahok na gagawin.
Ang TPP ay isang kasunduang pangkalakalan ng maraming mga bansa ng
Asya-Pasipiko na ang pakay ay lalo pang maging liberal ang mga ekonomya ng
rehiyon.
Idinugtong din ni Kerry na naniniwala ang Estados Unidos na ang ekonomya ng
Pilipinas ay mananatiling malakas kung ang bansa at ang EU ay magkakatuwang
sa larangan ng kalakalan at ekonomya.
Kinilala rin ng pinunong Amerikano ang malaking potensiyal ng ekonomya ng
Pilipinas dahil sa katayuan nito bilang isa sa pinakamalakas na ekonomya sa
daigdig ngayon.
Pinatunayan ng Pilipinas, ayon kay Kerry, ang uri ng transpormasyong
nagbibigay-diin sa malayang merkado at malayang palitan ng ideya sa malayang
kalakalan ay maaaring maging daan upang lalong sumigla ang entrepreneurial
spirit ng bawa’t tao.
“At iyan ang dahilan, kaya ang tagumpay ng bansa ay nagpapahatid ng
makapangyarihang mensahe hindi lamang sa buong rehiyon, kundi pati na sa
buong daigdig,” sabi ni Kerry. PND (as/zaf) |
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Inulit ng Estados Unidos ang pangako sa kapanatagan
ng Pilipinas sa gitna ng tensiyon sa Asya |
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Inulit ng Estados Unidos ang pangako sa kapanatagan ng
Pilipinas at ng rehiyon ng Asya sa pagdalaw ni US Secretry of State John
Kerry sa bansa.
Martes ng umaga dumating si Kerry sa Pilipinas at kinahapunan ay nakipagkita
sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.
Sa pinagsanib na pulong balitaan pagkatapos ng pulong nila ni Kalihim Albert
del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas, sinabi ni Kerry na may pangako ang Estados
Unidos sa Pilipinas na tutugunan nito ang pinakamahalagang hamon sa
kapanatagan ng Pilipinas.
“Ito ang dahilan kaya ang Estados Unidos at ang Pilipinas ay nag-uusap para
sa isang malakas at pangmatagalang framework agreement na magpapalakas ng
tulungang pantanggulan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa, kabilang na ang dagdag
na rotational presence ng lakas ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas,” sabi ni
Kerry.
“Bahagi nito ang pangako ng Estados Unidos na $40 milyon para mapahusay ang
kakayahan ng Pilipinas sa maritime security and maritime domain awareness,”
sabi pa ni Kerry.
Sinisikap din ng pamahalaang Amerikano na mabawasan ang tensiyon sa mga
teritoryo na may maritime dispute sa Asya.
Ayon kay Kerry, matatag ang suporta ng EU na matapos agad ang ASEAN-China
Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) bilang susi sa
pagbabawas ng panganib sa mga sakuna at mga maling kalkulasyon.
Sa pamamagitan ng kodigo, ang mga naghahabol ay magkakaroon ng saguting
liwanagin ang kanilang paghahabol at ibatay ito sa pandaigdig na batas, ayon
pa kay Kerry. Idinugtong niya na naniniwala ang Estados Unidos na ito ang
pinakamainam na paraan para matapos ang sigalot sa West Philippine Sea.
Ikalawa, sinuportahan ng EU ang mekanismo ng paglutas sa pandaigdig na
sigalot na tulad nang nakatadhana sa International Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
dugtong pa ni Kerry.
“Mahigpit na tinututulan ng Estados Unidos ang panghihimasok, pananakot o
panlulupig para isulong lamang ang paghahabol sa teritoyo. At tiniyak ko sa
Kalihim ng Ugnayang Panlabas na nananatiling matatag ang paninindigan ng
Estados Unidos sa kapanatagan ng Pilipinas at ng rehiyon.
Hindi kinikilala ng EU ang pahayag kamakailan ng Tsina na air defense
identification zone (ADIZ) kaugnay ng sigalot nito sa Hapon. Dapat iwasan ng
Tsina ang paggawa ng kahalintulad na hakbang saan mang rehiyon.
Ang West Philippine Sea ay pinaniniwalaang mayaman sa mga mina ng natural
oil at gas. Isa rin itong pangunahing daang dagat para sa kalakalang
pandaigdig. Kabilang sa mga bansang naghahabol dito ay kinabibilangan ng
Pilipinas, Tsina, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan at Indonesia. PND (as/zaf) |
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Makabuluhan na lalo ang ugnayan ng Estados
Unidos at Pilipinas ang pakikipagpulong niya kay Kalihim Kerry, sabi ng
Pangulo |
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Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na
makabuluhan ang pulong nila sa Malacanang ng panauhing US Secretary of State
John Kerry na dumating sa bansa Martes.
Sa mensahe niya kaugnay ng hapunang handog kay Kerry, sinabi ng Pangulo na
ikinasiya niya ang kahandaan ng pamahalaan ng Estados Unidos na tulungan ang
Pilipinas sa panahon ng suliranin, lalo na nang salantain ng napakalakas na
bagyong "Yolanda" noong isang buwan.
“Nagpapasalamat kami na narito si Kalihim Kerry na may lubos na
kapangyarihan ng Estados Unidos para matalakay ang mga bagay na makatutulong
upang lalo pang palakasin ang magandang pagsasamahan ng ating mga bansa,”
wika ng Pangulo.
“Ang pag-uusap namin kanina ay hindi lamang mainam, kundi kapaki-pakinabang
pa na naging daan para lalong bumuti ang makasaysayang pagkakaibigan ng
ating mga bansa at maging ibayo itong maging makahulugan,” sabi pa ng
Pangulong Aquino.
Idinugtong ng Pangulo ang napakalaking tulong ng Estados Unidos matapos
tayong salantain ng bagyo at iyon ay katibayan ng pagkakaibigan ng dalawang
bansa.
Dinagdagan ng pamahalaan ng Estados Unidos ang ginagawang tulong ng
Pilipinas sa mga biktima ng bagyo sa pamamagitan ng ibinigay na relief goods
at iba pang mga kailangan.
Ang maagap na pagtungo rito ng mga Amerikanong tutulong sa atin ay
nagpapagunita sa yugto ng kasaysayan natin na ang mga kawal-Amerikano at mga
Pilipino ay magkatuwang na sumagupa sa mga kalaban noong Ika-2 Digmaang
Pandaigdig.
Nagpasalamat ang Pangulo sa pamahalaang Amerikano sa matatag na
paninindigang mamayani ang pag-iral ng batas tungo sa mapayapang kalutasan
ng tensiyon sa rehiyon ng Asya.
Si Kerry ay may personal na ugnayan sa Pilipinas dahil bahagi siya ng
tagamasid na delegasyong Amerikano noong Snap Elections´ng 1986, sabi pa ng
Pangulong Aquino.
Isinulong ng pinunong Amerikano ang demokrasya at reporma at nagsalita laban
sa malawakang dayaan sa ilalim ng diktaduryang Marcos, dugtohg ng Pangulo.
Dumating si Kerry sa Pilipinas Martes para sa dalawang araw na pagdalaw.
Nakatakda siyang magtungo sa Lungsod ng Tacloban Miyerkoles upang makita ang
ginagawang rehabilitasyon doon at alamin kung kailangan pa ang karagdagang
tulong ng Pilipinas. PND (as/zaf) |
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Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Aquino ang
halaga ng kahandaan sa kalamidad |
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Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang
halaga ng pagiging tunay na handa sakaling may kalamidad na daraan sa bansa
sa halip na pabayaan ang mga kalamidad na ito, tulad ng mga bagyo at lindol,
na manalanta at pagkatapos ay gugulan ang pagtatayo ng mga nawasak na
ari-arian at napinsalang kabuhayan.
Ito ang sinabi ng Pangulo sa Briefing for Development Partners on
Reconstruction assistance on Yolanda na idinaos sa gusali ng Kagawaran ng
Ugnayang Panlabas sa Roxas Boulevard, Lungsod ng Pasay Miyerkoles.
Nangako ang Pangulo na ang mga tulong, pandaigdig o lokal man ang pinagmulan,
ay puspusang gagamitin upang “higit na matatag na mga gusali at bahay ang
maitayo.”
Ayon sa Pangulo, uunahin ng pamahalaan ang pagtiyak ng matatag, sa halip na
magtayo na lamang nang magtayo ng kapalit ng mga nawasak upang hindi na
magpatuloy ang pagtatayo at kapag nasira, magtatayo na namang muli.
“Titiyakin ko sa inyo na hindi natin dapat payagan ang ating mga sarili na
mabitag sa hindi tamang pagkawasak at rekostruksiyon pagkatapos. Alam nating
lahat na sa panahong ito, ang dapat nating bigyang diin ay unahin ang tibay,
sa halip na magtayo na lamang kahit paano. Sa ganitong paraan, ang maitatayo
natin ay magiging higit na matibay,” sabi ng Pangulo.
“Ang sagutin natin ngayon ay nakasalig sa pagtiyak sa mga komunidad na
muling itatayo na magiging higit na matibay, mainam at matatag kaysa dati.
Bawa’t dolyar na pondong-tulong sa atin ay gagamitin lamang nang masinop at
sa paraang tunay na magtatagal at hindi muling magigiba agad. Ang bunga ng
paninindigang ito ay: Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda plan o RAY,” sabi
ng Pangulo.
Ipinaliwanag ng Pangulo na ang RAY ay sasaklaw sa limang mahalagang saklaw
ng rehabilitasyon: pabahay, imprastraktura at pagsasaka at pag-iisda,
kabuhayan at negosyo, at ang paglilingkod sa larangan ng kalusugan,
edukasyon at iba pang mahalagang serbisyo.
Una, sa pabahay: ang mga ginagawa nating bunkhouses ay pansamantalang
tuluyan lamang ng mga pamilya. Ang balak natin ay pagtatayo ng pamayanang
may matibay, palagiang mga bahay sa mga pook na ligtas sa panganib.
Ikalawa, ang mga imprastraktura ay hindi kukumpunihin o gagawin lamang,
kundi titiyaking matibay at hindi maigugupo ng daluyong ng mga kalamidad.
Ikatlo, pasisiglahin ang pagsasaka at pag-iisda na magbibigay ng hanapbuhay
sa marami nating mga kababayan sa Kabisayaan: ang pamahalaan ay mananatiling
nakasubaybay sa bawa’t hakbang na gagawin—mula sa pagbabalik ng mga bukirin,
sa pagkukumpuni o pagpapalit ng mga bagay na iwinasak ng bagyo, sa
pagkakaloob ng mga kagamitang para masimulan ang pagsasaka at pangingisda.
Sasanayin natin ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa mga bagomg
kaalaman at kahusayan—lahat nang ito ay patungo sa ibayong produksiyon at
pagkita sa iba-ibang paraan ng mga gawain.
Ikaapat, para sa kabuhayan at negosyo: cash-for-work program, ang pagbubukas
ng pautang at mekanismo sa pamumuhunan at suporta sa micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) upang matulungan ang mga Pilipino na makabangon, habang
katuwang ang mga private partners upang makaakit ng puhunan sa mga pook na
nasalanta at nang magkaroon ng higit na maunlad na lokal na ekonomya.
Ikalima, titiyakin ng gobyerno ang pangangalaga sa kalusugan, edukasyon at
iba pang mahalagang mga serbisyo at iba pang kailangan sa mga pook na
sinalanta ni Yolanda habang ating kinukumpuni at ginagawa ang mga nasirang
mga imprastraktura. Sa pamamagitan ng RAY, hindi ang pinakakaunti ang
iniisip natin—hindi natin gustong basta pagtiyagaan lamang ng ating mga
kababayan ang mga puwede na. Sasamantalahin natin ang pagkakataong ito hindi
para itayo lamang ang mga nawasak, kundi higit sa lahat, gagawin natin ang
higit na mainam na matatag at matibay,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Hinamon ng Pangulo ang bawa’t Pilipino na makibalikat sa pangangalaga sa
kapaligiran sa ano mang maaari nilang iambag upang masagkaan ang epekto ng
global warming.
Nagpasalamat ang Pangulo sa international community sa kanilang tulong at
pagdamay sa mga biktima ng Yolanda sa Kabisayaan, lalo na ang isang bata sa
Hapon na ang naipon niyang pera ay ibinigay sa mga biktima ng bagyo sa
Pilipinas, gayundin ang mga magsasakang taga-Haiti na nangilak ng perang
pantulong sa kapuwa nila magsasakang Pilipino.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na dahil sa Yolanda, namulat sa katotohanan ang
lahat na tila mandin palakas nang palakas ang mga sumasagang bagyo sa bansa
at ang Yolanda ang natala bilang pinakamalakas na bagyo sa kasaysayan sa
dami ng nasawi at sa bilang ng mga pamilyang nasalanta nito na umabot na sa
$112.9 bilyon. PND (rck/zaf) |
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Dagdag pang tulong para sa Tacloban, inihayag ni US
Secretary of State Kerry |
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(LUNGSOD NG TACLOBAN, Leyte) Magbibigay pa ng
karagdagang $24.6 milyon na tulong ang Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas dahil sa
malubhang pinsalang inabot ng bansa sa napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda."
Ito ang ipinahayag ni US Secretary of State John Kerry sa mensahe sa Tent
City rito na hindi kalayuan sa Paliparang Daniel Z. Romualdez.
“Karangalan kong ipahayag dito sa Tacloban ngayon na magbibigay pa ng
karagdagang $24.5 milyon ang United States Agency for International
Development (USAID). Ito ay bukod pa sa $62 milyong naipagkaloob na una,”
wika ni Kalihim Kerry nang dumating dito Miyerkoles.
“Alam namin na mayroon ngayong idinaraos na donor conference habang tayo ay
narito ngayon,” dugtong ni Kerry.
Tiniyak ni Kerry na patuloy na puspusang makikibalikat ang pamahalaang
Amerikano sa pamahalaang Pilipino upang mapabilis ang mga ginagawang
rehabilitasyon sa mga pook na malubhang sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong
Yolanda.
Sinabi ni Kerry na may 50 bapor at air craft carriers ang pinatulong sa mga
nasalantang pook sa Gitnang Pilipinas. Maagap na sumaklolo ang Estados
Unidos matapos salantain ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda ang Silangang
Kabisayaan at ilang bahagi ng Timog Luzon noong Nobyembre 8. PND (js/zaf) |
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Pabahay at kabuhayan ang uunahin para sa mga
biktima ng 'Yolanda'—Aquino |
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Matutuluyang bahay at kabuhayan ang nananatiling
pangunahin sa pamahalaan para sa mga taong nabiktima ng napakalakas na
bagyong "Yolanda," sang-ayon sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Miyerkoles.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na bagaman tinatayang aabot sa P361 milyon ang
kailangan para sa pagbabagong tatag at rekostruksiyon, maaari pa itong
magbago.
“Doon muna tayo sa pangunahing kailangan natin na tulad ng pabahay at
kabuhayan ng mga biktima,” wika ng Pangulo.
Ayon sa Pangulo, marami pang bagay na dapat pagpasiyahan, kabilang na kung
muli bang magtatayo ng mga bahay sa mga pook na no-build zones ngayon, ang
pinal na disenyo ng mga weather-resilient homes at kung ililipat ba ang
Paliparan ng Lungsod ng Tacloban sa ibang lugar.
“Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga pangunahing cover relief and shelter, gayundin ang
pagsisimula ng trabaho ng mga taong nabiktima sa Kabisayaan, kasama na ang
mga magsasaka at mga mangingisda ang uunahin.
Sinabi ng Pangulong Aquino na ito ang dahilan kaya ang dating Senador
Panfilo Lacson ay kinuha sa Gabinete “upang ang pagtuunan lamang ng pansin
ay ang gagawing rehabilitsyon at rekostruksiyon.”
Binanggit din ng Pangulo na ang pangunahing dapat gawin ay “mailagay ang
ating mga kababayan sa higit na magandang katayuan sa lalong madaling
panahon. PND (zaf) |
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Hindi itinuturing ng Pangulong Aquino na 'agimat’ ang
sarili |
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Tahasang sinabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III
Miyerkoles na hindi niya itinuturing ang kanyang sarili na isang "agimat"
(lucky charm) para sa mga Pilipina na lumaban sa mga katatapos na iba-ibang
timpalak-kagandahan.
Sa panayam ng mga reporter, sinabi ng Pangulo na bagaman nagpapasalamat siya
kung iniisip ng iba na agimat siya, ayaw niyang magmagaling na isa nga
siyang agimat.
“Kapal naman ng mukha ko na sabihing ako ay agimat (lucky charm) kanino man.
Kung may ilang tao na nagtuturing sa akin na agimat, salamat, subali’t hindi
ko maubos-maisip na sabihing ako nga ay gayon,” wika ng Pangulo.
Ang tinutukoy ng Pangulo ay ang mga balita na may mga taong nagpapalagay na
agimat o pampasuwerte siya sa mga kandidata ng Pilipinas sa ilang nilahukang
pandaigdig na timpalak-kagandahan.
Noong Martes ng gabi, si Bb. Pilipinas Bea Rose Santiago ay nagwagi sa
timpalak-kagandahang Miss International na sa Hapon idinaos, isang linggo
matapos sabihin dito ng Pangulo na hangad niya ang magandang kapalaran ng
dalaga nang magkita sila sa pagtitipon ng mga Pilipino sa Tokyo.
Gayunman, sinabi ng Pangulo na may ilan na nagsabi sa kanya na lucky charm
siya ni Megan Young nang magwagi ang dalaga bilang Miss World sa
timpalak-kagandahang idinaos sa Bali, Indonesya gayong tapos na ang timpalak
at nanalo na si Megan nang dumating siya roon.
“Palagay ko, bago ako dumating sa Bali, nanalo na si Megan,” wika ng Pangulo.
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech
at the awarding of the DOH-Wide ISO 9001:2008
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Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace
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18 Dec 2013
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Salamat ho. Maupo ho tayong lahat. Magandang hapon po sa lahat.
Secretary Ike Ona; Mr. Antonio Kalaw of the DAP; Atty. Alex Padilla; Mr.
Renato Navarette; Mr. Paul Bagatsing; Ms. Heidi Mateo; Ms. Judy Hall;
recipients of the ISO 9001:2008 Certificates; fellow workers in government;
honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan:
Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. [Audience: Magandang hapon po.]
Parang masigla ho yata ‘yung right side.
Pinapaalala lang kay Sec. Ike na hindi pa buo ang ating mga dapat gawin sa
larangan ng kalusugan. Just in case mayroon pa hong hindi may alam, nanalo
ho ‘yong ating kandidato sa Miss International. Tama ho ba?
Bago naman ho n’on–Miss World. So, siyempre tulad ho n’yo, noong narinig
natin ang balita, masaya po ako. [Noong] dinner po para kay Secretary Kerry
nang dumating ang balita sa amin, natutuwa kami, at lahat ng nandoon ay
natuwa. Pagdating ko ho sa bahay—si-share ko lang ho sa inyo ito—mayroon
hong nagtext sa akin. Mayroon raw ho itong nagte-Twitter, ang pangalan n’on
ay “Heckler” something. So, nakasabi doon, “Talagang napakaraming maganda sa
Pilipinas.” Natuwa naman ako. Tapos, ang dagdag niya, “Kaya ikaw PNoy wala
ka nang dahilan.”
Sabi ko, “Kasalanan pa pala ako dito.” Kaya naman buti mayroon tayo nitong
ISO saka ‘yong kanina atin pledging donation para sa Yolanda—talagang very
well attended. So, okay lang naman na mang-heckle ka na hangga’t gusto mo,
basta tuloy lang kaming magtatrabaho po dito.
Isang kongkretong patunay po ang pagtitipon natin ngayong hapon sa
tuloy-tuloy na positibong transpormasyon ng ating pamahalaan. Kinikilala po
natin ang pagkakaloob ng ISO 9001:2008 Certificates sa ilang tanggapan ng
Department of Health, kabilang na ang Regional Offices, DOH-Retained
Hospitals, at ang Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sila ang mga opisinang
nagpakitang-gilas sa paglilingkod-bayan sa ilalim ng isang Quality
Management System (QMS) na hindi lamang itinataas ang kaledad ng serbisyong
pangkalusugan, kundi nagpapamalas din ng tuwid at malinis na pamamahala sa
ating mga kababayan.
Tunay nga pong pambihira ang tagumpay na ito ng DOH. Ang kanila pong
kagawaran ang kauna-unahang ahensiya ng ating Executive Branch na nagkaroon
ng department-wide Quality Management System [applause] na nasa ilalim nga
po ng ating ISO certification. Suma-total, nasa 33 opisina na po mula sa
kanilang central at regional offices ang sertipikado, idagdag pa rito ang
anim na DOH Medical Centers, pati na rin ang FDA. Ang target naman po nila:
64 pang DOH hospitals ang maging sertipikado pagdating ng 2015. Kung gusto
niyong 2014, okay rin po sakin ‘yan.
Ano po ba ang ibig-sabihin ng tagumpay na ito para sa isang karaniwang
Pilipino? Simple lang po: Kaakibat ng repormang ito ang mas mabilis, mas
epektibo, at de-kaledad na serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa ating mga
kababayan. Dahil sa mahigpit na pagsunod sa mga pamantayan ng ISO,
napapaunlad ang proseso ng dokumentasyon, pagpaplano, monitoring, feedback,
at pagkamit sa mga target ng iba’t ibang kagawaran ng mga opisina’t ospital,
gayundin ang pagsisiguro sa ligtas, maaasahan, at de-kaledad na pasilidad o
kagamitan ng mga ito.
Minsan po mahirap mag-Tagalog nang kaunti, ano?
Lahat ng inisyatibang ito, nakasentro sa higit na pag-aaruga, at pagtataas
ng antas ng pagbibigay-kalinga sa ating mga Boss—ang sambayanang Pilipino.
Nagpapasalamat po ako sa bumubuo ng DOH, sa pangunguna siyempre ng ating
walang kapagurang Secretary Ike Ona [applause]— na magpapakita ng gilas rin
po sa sports fest ng gabinete, ‘di lang namin malaman kung kailan itutuloy,
balita ko po’y siya ang pointguard sa basketball —at sa bawat sangay ng
gobyernong kinikilala natin sa araw na ito. Ang inyong wagas na paglilingkod
ang patuloy na nagbibigay-lakas, hindi lamang sa akin at sa inyong
pamahalaan, kundi lalo’t higit, sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan.
Nawa’y ang tagumpay ninyong ito ay lalo pang magtulak sa inyong mag-alay ng
lakas at oras upang itaas ang antas ng serbisyo sa ating mga Boss.
Sa huli, ang pag-angat ng isa ay pag-angat ng lahat. Habang ang bawat isang
Pilipino, anumang landas ang kanyang pinipiling tahakin— kawani man sa isang
pampublikong institusyon, empleyado sa isang malaking korporasyon, o
karaniwang Pilipinong kumakayod sa ilalim ng tirik na araw—ay nagsusumikap
upang higitan ang kanyang kakayahan at abutin ang kanyang pinakapotensyal,
hindi lamang niya magagawang paunlarin ang sarili, magagawa niya ring
makiisa sa pag-aangat sa buong bansa.
Sa loob lamang ng mahigit tatlong taon sa tuwid na daan, nagawa nating
ibangon mula sa pagkakadapa ang ating bayan. Ngayong humahakbang na tayo
tungo sa kaunlaran, patuloy nawang mag-ambag ang bawat isa upang higit pa
itong mapaarangkada. Huwag tayong makuntento sa mga napapagtagumpayan na
natin ngayon. Gawin nating permanente ang positibong pagbabagong ito ng
Pilipinas para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon.
Bago po ako magtapos: Alam n’yo kausap ko po ang mga writers ko, sabi ko
‘wag naman lahat ng salita mag-uumpisa sa “n,” sa “k,” sa “p,” magkakasunod.
Baka puwede nating ayusin nang kaunti. Sample ko po sa kanila parati, ‘yong
sa Tagalog, ‘yong mayroon hong foreigner na makikinig sa atin. ‘Di ba ‘yung
“kakaba-kaba ka ba” [laughter] at saka ‘yung “bababa ba?” Sabi ng isang
foreigner, minsan statement, kung minsan question, dapat papakingan mo kung
mabilis. Anyway, three and a half na po akong pinapahirapan ng aking mga
writer. Okay lang po iyan. Pero sa dulo po, nandoon na naman iyong mga “n,”
“n,” “n.”
Anyway po mga kasama, alam n’yo simple lang ho, ‘pag nagre-report sa atin
ang bawat kawani, lalo na noong natapos ‘yong Yolanda or maski anong sakuna,
ang hirap po dahil alam ko kung gaano kahirap ‘yong pinagdaanan ng lahat.
For instance, 140 or 150,000 food packs had to be prepared everyday just for
Region 8. So, bibilin mo ‘yung ire-repack. I-organize mo ‘yong volunteers.
Itatayo mo ‘yong lugar. Ta-transport mo: factory to repacking center,
repacking center to transportation hubs to the affected areas. ‘Tas
sasabihin nila, “Sir, ganito na karaming food packs ang nagawa namin.” And
it is an accomplishment. I will not take that away from anybody, but then I
tell them, “How many people are we supposed to be servicing? How many days
have lapsed, and it is not enough that we went at one point or we went
twice. There has to be somebody to address their needs and if we are able to
do it, why not do it?” Papakapal na ho ako ng mukha, para sa bayan naman po
ito: May nagawa na ho kayo. Kinikilala na iyan; ang ganda ng achievement.
Pero alam po natin marami pa tayong kailangan gawin. ‘Yong magagawa natin
ngayon, bakit natin pagpapaliban pa bukas? At bawat isang bagay na nagawa
n’yong hong maganda, may taong kapwa natin Pilipinong nakinabang at
nabawasan ‘yung pinagdadaanan. Sana ‘yun po maging supsyenteng [sufficient]
motibasyon o pagtulak sa atin na talagang maghanap pa ng lalo mas maraming
paraan na paano nga ba natin marating ‘yong gusto natin paroonan sa lalong
madaling panahon.
Ngayon po, tinitignan rin po ako ng ating mga chef at mga waiter, may
nakahanda yata si Secretary Ona ng kaunting selebrasyon para sa inyo. ‘Pag
tumagal po ako dito, baka matuyo ‘yung kesong puti. Eto na lang ho ang
magagawa ko para medyo sumaya naman po tayo nang kaunti dito sa Kapaskuhang
ito. Last thing na lang ho: May kapatid ako na sumunod sa akin, si Viel.
Sabi niya sa akin, siguro mga two weeks ago, “Alam mo, naaawa na ako sa’yo.”
Sabi ko, “Bakit ka naaawa sa akin?” “Kasi ang problema mo, ‘di na naman
sunod-sunod eh, patong-patong.” Napansin ko, oo nga ‘no. Kasi ang
sunod-sunod, problema, natapos, may panibago. Pero ‘pag patong-patong,
inaayos mo pa lang ‘yung isang problema, mayroon nang kasama. Pero babalik
ako doon, kung mayroon man tinuro ang buhay ho natin sa atin, at tayong
lahat palagay ko nakaranas ng ganoon, hindi raw tayo bibigyan ng Diyos na
hindi natin kaya.
Sa tulong n’yo, kakayanin nating lahat ito.
Magandang hapon po. Maraming salamat sa inyo. |
|
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|
President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the briefing for Philippine
Development Partners on Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda
|
DFA Building, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
|
18 Dec 2013
|
|
Good morning.
Allow me to thank you once again for being one with the Filipino people in
this time of need, from the days immediately following Typhoon Haiyan, or
Yolanda, to this day, as we take on the task of rebuilding. Not just our
country, but the entire world came together for Filipinos affected by
Yolanda—from the preschooler in Japan who donated his savings, to the
farmers in Haiti who raised money for their Filipino counterparts. We are
deeply humbled and thankful for this outpouring of assistance.
It is because of Yolanda that we are now at this point—that we are gathered
here today. In recent years, storms of unprecedented size and strength—of
growing intensity—have seemingly become the norm, and Yolanda is only the
latest. By now, you all know that Yolanda is considered the strongest storm
to make landfall in recorded history—and this is clear in the number of
casualties, in the families who were affected, and in the vast damage it did
to the Visayas region.
Your help is all the more necessary today because, in confronting the
escalating effects of climate change, the resources of countries like the
Philippines will be strained to the limit. Let me assure you: we know that
we cannot allow ourselves to be trapped in a vicious cycle of destruction
and reconstruction. We know that it is more efficient to prioritize
resilience now, rather than to keep rebuilding. This is why we are going to
build back better.
The task immediately before us lies in ensuring that the communities that
rise again do so stronger, better, and more resilient than before. Every
dollar of funding assistance will be used in as efficient and lasting a
manner as possible. The result of this determination: the Reconstruction
Assistance on Yolanda plan, or RAY.
It will not be easy. As shown by the earlier briefing, the damage Yolanda
has wrought is extensive, with 12.9 billion US dollars in damage and losses.
This is why I have appointed former Senator Panfilo Lacson as the
Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery—to focus solely on
the task at hand and see that our goals are met.
This is also why recovery and reconstruction will be done in cumulative,
overlapping phases to meet immediate needs, and to make the transition not
just towards full normalcy, but to an improved state. We project that by the
first quarter of next year, the need for humanitarian response will be
filled. From now until December 2014, we will be preoccupied with critical,
immediate investments, such as the rebuilding and repair of infrastructure
and the construction of temporary housing. Larger investments will be spread
over multiple years, and will hopefully be completed by 2017, if not
earlier.
RAY considers both the here and now and the future in a number of key areas.
First, in terms of housing: as we are constructing bunkhouses to serve as
temporary shelters for families, we are planning the construction of
resilient, permanent housing communities in safe zones. Second,
infrastructure will not just be repaired or rebuilt, but will be bolstered;
built to be stronger and able to withstand the onslaught of disasters.
Third, to revive agriculture and fisheries, which employs a large part of
our countrymen in the Visayas: government will be there every step of the
way—from restoring the viability of farmlands, to rebuilding or replacing
assets that the storm destroyed, to providing inputs to restart farming and
fishing. We will also train farmers and fishermen to give them new
skills—all this, towards greater productivity and income diversification.
Fourth, for livelihood and business, cash for work programs, the opening of
lines of credit, and mechanisms for financing and support for MSMEs will be
made available to help Filipinos recover, while we work with private
partners to attract investments in affected areas and build a more inclusive
local economy. Fifth, government will ensure that the delivery of health,
education, and other essential services remain constant in areas hit by
Yolanda, as we repair and rebuild affected public infrastructure. Through
RAY, we are not just settling for the minimum—we do not want our countrymen
merely to make do. We are taking this chance not just to rebuild what was
destroyed, but again, to build back better.
Over and beyond this, I ask you to confront what I believe will be the
rising challenge of our times: the increasing risks posed to all of us by
global warming and climate change. In the aftermath of Yolanda, what we must
build is a partnership borne not only of necessity, but also of the
realization that helping all those in need—all those who suffer—must be
accompanied by reducing the risks that allow this need and this suffering to
arise. Now, more than ever, we must work together to mitigate the abuse of
the environment that has resulted, and continues to result, in tragedy,
especially for the more vulnerable peoples of the world.
There is indeed much left to do for all of us in the months and years ahead,
but we are undaunted; we know that we can accomplish all that we have set
out to do. The reasons for this confidence? First, because we know that we
are not alone—we have the support of the thousands who worked to alleviate
the suffering of Yolanda’s victims, and we have partners in your
governments, organizations, and people. The second and most important reason
can be found in the attitude of the thousands of volunteers and relief
workers I saw—an attitude that states, with the utmost certainty, “Our
failure means the suffering of our fellowmen and therefore we cannot fail.”
Typhoon Yolanda would be a calamity in the truest sense of the word indeed
if it rendered us incapable of coming to the aid of those in need—if the
enormity of the task ahead is enough to dissuade us from doing all we can do
to improve the plight of affected Filipinos, and to work with others to
ensure that no other people need suffer through such a tragedy again.
The weeks immediately following the typhoon showed that this is not the
case. The response of so many, both here and abroad, made clear that hope,
goodwill, and generosity are present, above all—that there is no shortage of
people who will work alongside us in this effort. These spur our
determination to see RAY to completion. These fuel our drive to build back
better, not just the towns and damaged infrastructure, but the very lives of
those affected by Yolanda. These require us to be more proactive in our
efforts to manage the effects of climate change, not just for today, but
also for the future, producing a stronger, more resilient Philippines, and,
ultimately, a stronger, and more resilient world.
Thank you, once again, for all your support. And I bid all of you a good
day. |
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===============================================
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| Barangay chairman, treasurer convicted of
malversation |
| Source:
http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
|
The Office of
the Ombudsman won the criminal charges filed against a barangay
chairman and a barangay treasurer in Tondo, Manila for
misappropriating public funds in 2001.
In a 10-page Decision, Presiding Judge Dinnah C. Aguila-Topacio of
the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, Branch 42, found Chairman
Leo C. De Guzman, and Treasurer Violeta F. Arendela, both of
Barangay 95, Zone 8, District 1, Tondo, guilty beyond reasonable
doubt of the crime of Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217 of
the Revised Penal Code) and Falsification by a Public Officer
(Article 171 of the RPC).
De Guzman and Arendela were each sentenced to suffer the penalty of
one year and one day of prision correctional as minimum to eight
years and one day of prision mayor as maximum for the crime of
Falsification; and for the crime of Malversation, 12 years and 10
days of reclusion temporal as minimum to 17 years and four months of
reclusion temporal as maximum.
The court found that in September 2001, De Guzman and Arendela
malversed the barangay funds worth P157,850.93 and converted the
same to their own personal use or benefit.
In order to secure the release of monetary privileges in the form of
additional honoraria, wages and reimbursements, De Guzman and
Arendela falsified a barangay resolution by cutting the signatory
portion of a 2000 Sangguniang Barangay (SB) Resolution and attaching
it to a new resolution which was photocopied and filed after using
correction fluid to erase certain entries such as the date and
travelling expenses.
They made it appear that the resolution was unanimously passed,
approved and signed by all members of the Barangay Council on April
15, 2001 when in truth they never participated, approved or signed
the same.
The Disbursement Vouchers showed that De Guzman approved the amount
which were received by Arendela and himself, respectively, to
advance the payment for barangay tanods as well as street sweeper
allowances, additional and travelling expense.
The General Payroll, on the other hand, showed how the claims were
allegedly spent and who received which amount.
Two of the defense witnesses, Federico Dionisio and Romeo Simbol, a
street sweeper and barangay tanod, respectively, even admitted to
having received their compensation in 2001.
“The accused (De Guzman and Arendela) thus clearly permitted the
said witnesses to take public funds even when the resolution, which
was the basis thereof was without any color of authority,” the
ruling stated.
“Based on the evidence presented, the accused are liable for the
charges brought against them. The court’s stance is not swayed by
the testimony of both accused in open court, which consisted mostly
of a denial of the crime imputed against them.” |
|
|
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| Php361 billion needed for Yolanda recovery,
reconstruction -- NEDA |
| Source:
http://www.neda.gov.ph |
|
MANILA --- The
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) today said the
Yolanda recovery and reconstruction will require a total of PhP361
billion in investments.
The estimated total investment requirements for recovery and
reconstruction shall cover shelter and resettlement (PhP183.3 B),
public infrastructure (PhP28.4 B), education and health services
(PhP37.4 B), agriculture (PhP18.7 B), industry and services (PhP70.6
B), local government (PhP4 B) and social protection (PhP18.4B).
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said this amount
will be disbursed over four years, in line with a phased, cumulative
and flexible implementation of the Reconstruction Assistance on
Yolanda (RAY) Plan.
“The government has allocated about PhP34B for the critical
immediate actions, which are now underway. Another PhP100 billion is
forthcoming in 2014,” Balisacan said.
Investment Requirements for Recovery and Reconstruction (PhP
Billion)
“RAY is the government’s strategic plan to guide the recovery and
reconstruction of the economy, lives and livelihoods in the affected
areas,” Balisacan said, adding that the plan aims to restore the
economic and social conditions of the said areas at the very least
to their pre-typhoon levels and to a higher level of disaster
resilience.
Balisacan said that the design of RAY and its estimated investment
requirements are based on the results of the damage, loss and needs
assessment using data from national government agency-led sector
teams. In some cases, upward adjustments were made to fully reflect
the costs of integrating disaster-resilient standards into the
reconstruction needs for some sectors, as well as to address
estimated income losses in agriculture enterprises, and to provide
adequate social protection.
“We are espousing the build back better principle to make affected
communities more resilient and sustainable,” Balisacan said.
Estimated Recovery and Reconstruction Needs
The NEDA Director General said the total damage and loss from
Typhoon Yolanda has been initially estimated at PhP571.1 billion.
This, he said, includes physical assets, reductions in production,
sales and income as well as the value of increased operating costs
resulting from the disaster.
Balisacan explained that the sector-level damage and loss
assessments are based on United Nations Economic Commission for
Latin America and the Carribean’s (UN-ECLAC) Handbook for Estimating
the Socioeconomic and Environmental Effects of Disasters, an
internationally recognized post-disaster assessment methodology.
“Using this methodology, we defined damage as the total or partial
destruction of physical assets. Loss, on the other hand, is defined
as the change in economic flows which refers to loss of incomes,
revenues or operational costs. Needs means the overall recovery and
reconstruction requirements for the public and private sector in the
short and medium term,” he further explained.
Damage and Loss by Sector and Type of Ownership
He said that typhoon Yolanda caused damage and loss to
infrastructure (PhP33.98 B), agriculture (PhP62.11 B), industry and
services (PhP116 B), education (23.9 B), health (PhP5.57 B), housing
(PhP 325.24 B), local government (PhP4.3 B). About 90 percent of the
total damage and loss has fallen on the private sector with the
remaining 10 percent on the public sector.
He stressed that the government will be strategic in its financing
interventions and will mobilize other sources of funds that are now
being made available by development partners and the private sector.
Balisacan emphasized that RAY is a credible basis for eliciting
support from the donor community.
“It is important that we have a plan immediately in place. RAY shall
also guide our development partners and the private sector in
assessing and analyzing financing gaps, determining which sectors or
areas to focus their assistance on, considering their respective
country partnership strategies,” the economic planning secretary
said. |
|
|
|
| DSWD resumes cash payout to CCT families in Capiz |
| Source:
http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
|
Iloilo City –
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here
announced that it has started to release on December 11 the cash
grants of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries from the
16 municipalities and one city of Capiz in Western Visayas.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the cash grants
would be a great help to the beneficiaries in meeting their food and
personal needs as they rebuild their lives from the aftermath of
‘Yolanda.’
A total of P77,069,900 has been alloted for the cash grants of
36,432 households covering the months of September to October.
The compliance of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to the program’s
conditionalities on education and health and attendance in Family
Development Session are the basis of the amount of cash grants given
to the households.
Capiz is one of the areas heavily affected by the typhoon. DSWD-Field
Office VI reported that some 133,626 houses were damaged in the
province as of December 16.
For more details on the payout, beneficiaries may coordinate with
their Municipal Link.
Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the Philippine
national government that invests in the health and education of poor
households primarily of children 0-14 years old. |
|
|
|
| DOLE agencies sign MOU with Provincial Government
of Ilocos Norte |
| Source:
http://www.owwa.gov.ph |
|
The Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with DOLE agencies
-- Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and
Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the local chief executives of
all the municipalities of Ilocos Norte on November 25, 2013 at the
Provincial Capital’s Session Hall to establish information campaign
against illegal recruitment, recruitment violators and human
trafficking.
Present during the MOU signing were DOLE Asst. Regional Director
Florence Marie Ulep, Atty. Jesus Gabriel C. Domingo and Lydia M.
Espinosa of POEA, TESDA Provincial Director Feliza A. Carag and OWWA
RWO I Regional Director Ma. Luisa S. Reyes and Governor Imee R.
Marcos of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte.
Both the DOLE participating agencies and the provincial government
of Ilocos Norte are hoping that thorough information dissemination
will help protect overseas job seekers in the region from the modus
operandi of illegal recruiters operating in the area. Gov. Marcos
even suggested that one way of intensifying the campaign and abating
incidences of the crime is to bring in good employers providing
overseas employment in her province. |
|
|
|
| OWWA to proceed with Pamaskong Salubong for
Vacationing OFWs |
| Source:
http://www.owwa.gov.ph |
|
Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs) arriving on December 18, 19 and 23 to spend
the holidays in the country with their loved ones are in for a
surprise once they enter the country’s international airports. They
may bring home Christmas goodies or major prizes courtesy of the
DOLE Pamaskong Handog Para sa OFWs.
The Pamaskong Handog Para sa OFWs is a series of heart-warming
activities for the OFWs and families done every December. One of its
highlights, the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) was
recently concluded with two of the 34 model OFW family regional
winners declared as national awardees. The OFW Family Day, a
merriment of games, gifts, performances and cash prizes for the OFW
Family Circles and traditionally conducted in all the 17 regions of
the country, underwent stern austerity measures with the recent
spate of natural calamities. Only a few number of OWWA’s regional
welfare offices proceeded with the festivity but with constraint to
sympathize with the hapless victims.
Meanwhile, the Paskong Salubong remains. During the breakfast press
con held on December 13, 2013, OWWA Administrator Carmelita S.
Dimzon announced that the gesture to welcome vacationing OFWs coming
in for the season with songs and gifts will carry on as usual though
not with the same grandiosity as in previous years as the allotment
for the activity was also diverted to the logistics used for relief
assistance.
Nine OFWs arriving in the morning of December 18, 19, and 20, picked
at random, will bring home major prizes with their return to their
loved ones. |
|
|
|
| BSP issues 10-Piso Bonifacio Commemorative coin |
| Source:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
|
The Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) today announced the circulation of a ten-piso
legal tender coin to highlight the nationwide celebration of the
150th birth anniversary of Filipino patriot Gat. Andres Bonifacio.
The BSP has previously issued P1-piso legal tender commemorative
coins for the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ greatest heroes, Andres
Bonifacio was a dynamic leader who founded the Katipunan, the
nationalistic society that ignited the flames of the revolution
which led to the declaration of Philippine independence in 1898.
The portrait of the Father of the Philippine revolution is etched on
the obverse of the coin, along with the markings, “150 years,”
“Republika ng Pilipinas” and “2013.” The reverse side, meanwhile,
features the BSP seal, the signature of the hero, the Bonifacio
monument and the markings, “150 years,” “1863-2013” and “Dangal at
Kabayanihan.”
The BSP will produce 10 million pieces of the Bonifacio
commemorative coin which has the same size (26.5-millimeters in
diameter) and weight (8.70 grams) as the ten-piso coin currently in
circulation.
The issuance of the coin was recommended by the BSP’s Monetary Board
and approved by the Office of the President. |
|
|
|
| DOLE lauds 'Be Careful With My Heart' for
kasambahay portrayal |
| Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
The
Department of Labor and Employment, headed by Secretary Rosalinda
Dimapilis-Baldoz, has lauded 'Be Careful With My Heart', the ABS-CBN
daytime blockbuster series starring Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria,
for its favorable and wholesome portrayal of Filipino kasambahays
and for its dramatization of positive values related to employment.
"The TV series, 'Be Careful With My Heart', exemplify the positive
values and good working relationship between an employer and a
kasambahay," Secretary Baldoz said in explaining the DOLE's
commendation of the TV program.
Baldoz, who herself admits being a keen follower of the TV program,
awarded a plaque of recognition to the daytime TV series for serving
as a staunch advocate of decent work for kasambahay. The awarding
was made during the celebration of the DOLE's 80th Foundation
Anniversary at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon
City. Sta. Maria and Yap, who sang the show's theme song, "Please Be
Careful With My Heart" during the celebration, received the plaque
of appreciation on behalf of the program.
"We recognize 'Be Careful with My Heart' for embodying the positive
values and work ethics unique to the Filipino worker and the
employer," the inscription on the plaque of appreciation reads. It
was signed by Secretary Baldoz.
The story of the wildly popular TV show revolves around Sta. Maria's
lead role as Maya and her employer, Ricky (Richard Yap), but it also
portrays several other employer-employee relationships, including
that of Gloria Sevilla, a veteran actress, who plays Manang Fe,
Ricky's nanny since he was a young boy. The rest of the kasambahays
in the show also have good relationships with their employers. |
|
|
|
| In Western Visayas, DOLE receives P13.467-M
in pledges for SPES |
| Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
| In Western
Visayas, DOLE receives P13.467-M in pledges for SPES Iloilo City –
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday
expressed satisfaction after she received a report of Department of
Labor Employment Regional Office No. 6 saying it has received
P13.467 million in pledges, mostly from state universities and
colleges (SUCs) and local government units (LGUs), for the
implementation of the SPES. The amount is expected to increase by
the end of December 2013 as more partners are sending in their
pledges. DOLE Region 6 recently held joint pledging sessions with
its partners in the five provinces of Region 6 for the successful
implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students
(SPES) and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) in 2014.
The pledging sessions were conducted to get the commitment of
partners in ensuring the proper implementation of these programs and
allocation of funds as well as the provision of early assistance to
families affected by super typhoon Yolanda. DOLE Region 6 Director
Ponciano M. Ligutom appealed to private companies to avail of the
SPES program next year by employing poor but deserving students
during summer or Christmas vacation, or any time of the year for
students in the tertiary, technical or vocational level. “Consider
this as part of your corporate social responsibility as you will be
helping indigent students or out-of-school youth who intend to
pursue their education, earn income to support or continue their
studies,” Ligutom said. As incentive, employers shall pay only 60%
of a student-beneficiary’s salary or wage based on the existing wage
rate in Region 6 while the remaining 40% will be paid by the DOLE.
Ligutom enjoined employers to conduct a thorough screening of
applicants and evaluation of their documents to ensure that they get
qualified students. He reminded them to submit immediately the
student’s complete pre and post-employment documents to fast track
the processing and releasing of the DOLE’s 40% counterpart. The DOLE
Region 6 has some P51.4 million unliquidated cash advances based on
COA findings in 2012. To improve the liquidation rate, it concluded
meetings with local chief executives and accountants of concerned
LGUs in 2012 and adopted the “no liquidation, no livelihood grant”
policy. Ligutom urged partners such as the LGUs, academic
institutions, NGOs and POs to submit their proposals early next year
for possible funding. On the other hand, he reminded anew those with
unliquidated cash advances to speed up their liquidation to avail of
the livelihood program and provide employment to unemployed and
other target beneficiaries, especially the affected workers whose
livelihood were lost or damaged due to super typhoon Yolanda. The
2014 budget for DILP increased by more than 100% from P21.9 million
in 2013 to P49.6 million based on the DOLE’s 2014 National
Expenditure Program (NEP). END/Amalia N. Judicpa, DOLE Region 6
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| New drainage line to end flashflooding in
Sta Cruz-Recto Area |
| Source:
http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
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Wanting
to end flash flooding that stuck commuters and motorists in the
past, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is
installing new bigger reinforced concrete pipe alongside with the
on-going reconstruction of Rizal Avenue project in Sta. Cruz,
Manila.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that the DPWH North Manila
District Engineering Office is short of completing the
implementation of road and drainage improvement project which in the
coming days will ultimately be felt and appreciated by the people to
outweigh the inconvenience being experienced at present.
Earlier, DPWH North Manila District Engineering Office has sought
the support of owners of underground utilities which has to be
relocated to accommodate the installation of the new anti-flood
structure.
A major component to the replacement of concrete pavement from C.M.
Recto Avenue to Ronquillo Street southbound is the installation of
48 inches in diameter of drainage pipe to the design invert
elevation including construction of reinforced concrete manhole.
Installation of new drainage pipe culverts will facilitate the
draining of floodwater in Plaza Sta. Cruz with connecting drainage
line from Gil Puyat Street, Evangelista Street and C.M. Recto
Avenue.
Full blast activities for the project which is a major route for
public utility jeepneys is affected by the only intermittent works
allowed due to water, electric, and communication lines.
Following series of complaints from affected motorists, Secretary
Singson directed the DPWH North Manila District Engineering Office
to advise underground utility companies to work simultaneously with
the DPWH contractor Flordes Construction and Trading given order to
further expedite the completion of the project.
"Although the progress of work is on a positive slippage of more
than seven (7) percent as it already 72 percent complete, we want to
finish the project soonest as we are sensitive to the plight of the
commuters affected by this road improvement works”, added Singson. |
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| Roxas orders crackdown on illegal firecrackers |
| Source:
http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
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Interior
and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today directed the
country’s governors, mayors and barangay executives to strictly
enforce existing laws prohibiting the sale of firecrackers and other
pyrotechnic devices that may cause injuries or death during the
celebration of the Yuletide season.
Roxas, at the same time, instructed the Philippine National Police
(PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to conduct
“intensified joint inspections” of manufacturing sites and
warehouses to avoid disaster in stockpiling of firecrackers and
pyrotechnic devices.
Based on the 2012 Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance, Roxas noted
that several local government units in the National Capital Region
recorded the highest number of firecracker-related injuries.
In separate memorandum circulars handed down by the DILG chief,
Roxas reminded provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and
barangay captains as well as the PNP thru Director General Allan
Purisima and the BFP thru Chief Sup’t. Carlito Romero of their roles
and responsibilities under Republic Act 7183 or An Act Regulating
the Sale, Manufacture, Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic
Devices in accordance with Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 or
the Local Government Code of 1991.
RA 7183 limits the manufacture, distribution, sale and use to a
limited number of firecrackers and pyrotechnics to promote public
health and safety.
For firecrackers, accredited manufacturers with appropriate business
permits and licenses are allowed to produce “baby rockets”, “bawang”,
“small trianggulo”, “pulling of strings”, “paper caps”, “el diablo”,
“Judah’s belt”, “sky rocket or kwitis”, and other types with limited
explosive contents.
For pyrotechnics, those allowed are “mabuhay”, “Roman candle”, “trompillo”,
“whistle device”, “butterfly”, “foundation”, “jumbo regular”, “luces”,
“sparklers”, all kinds of pyrotechnic “pailaw”.
Roxas instructed the local officials to coordinate with the PNP and
BFP to prevent the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of
“deadly” firecrackers and pyrotechnics and devices that lead to
tragic deaths, injuries or cause destructive fires particularly
during the Christmas and New Year revelries.
Under the law, certain firecrackers and pyrotechnics including
“atomic big”, “trianggulo”, “super lolo”, “giant whistle bomb” and
other types of firecracker with more than 0.2 grams or more 1/3
teaspoon of explosives, are prohibited.
The order specifically mentioned the danger of using improvised
guns, particularly “boga” made of polyvinyl chloride pipe which
became popular among Christmas and New Year revellers.
Roxas asked the Provincial Government, through the Governor, to
order the city and municipal LGUs to take the lead in conducting
information campaign against the use of deadly firecrackers within
their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Roxas advised local officials to convene their respective Peace and
Order Councils and approve measures ensuring the safety of their
constituents, including the designation of “manufacturing zone”,
“display center” or “firecracker and pyrotechnic zones”, and
“fireworks exhibition zone.”
The manufacturing zone, under section 7 of RA 7183, should be 300
meters away from the nearest residential area, while display centers
should be separated from each other with firewall and
fire-prevention equipment such as fire extinguisher put in place.
Smoking, testing of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, and anything that
could trigger fire should be kept away from these zones. |
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| PHL Permanent Representative to the UN attends
back-to-back Filipino events on her first week in Geneva |
| Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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18 December
2013 - Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, the new Philippine Permanent
Representative to the United Nations and Other International
Organizations in Geneva, hit the ground running as she graced two
back-to-back Filipino Community events in her first week in Geneva.
Ambassador Rebong attended the Year-End Thanksgiving and Christmas
events of the Filipino Catholic Community in Geneva (FCCG) and the
Come to Jesus Fellowship International (CTJFI), two of the largest
faith-based Filipino groups in Geneva, held on December 14 and 15
respectively.
She expressed her appreciation to the Filipino migrant groups for
their continued support to kababayans in the Philippines, especially
in the wake of the recent Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) which devastated
Visayas in November.
Ambasador Rebong assured them that her doors are always open to
members of the Filipino community and that the Philippine Mission to
the UN in Geneva continues to lend support to the community’s
various activities and programs. She thanked them for being the best
ambassadors of Philippine culture, values and traditions.
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| UN appoints PHL’s COA Chairperson Pulido Tan to
Independent Audit Advisory Committee |
| Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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18 December
2013 - The United Nations has appointed the Philippines’ Chairperson
of the Commission on Audit Ms. Maria Gracia Pulido Tan to the
Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC), a subsidiary body of
the General Assembly (GA) mandated to assist the GA in its oversight
responsibilities.
The appointment makes Chairperson Pulido Tan the first Filipino to
serve in the five-person IAAC since its establishment in 2007.
Chairperson Pulido Tan will serve a three-year term of office
beginning on January 01, 2014.
The Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, chaired by Deputy
Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations Janne
Taalas, decided during its 24th session today to appoint Chairperson
Tan to the position after noting her nomination by the Government of
the Philipines’ as well as the Asia-Pacific Group’s endorsement of
Chairperson Tan’s nomination.
The Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, welcomed the appointment saying it
was “proof positive of the confidence placed by the international
community in the experience and expertise of nominees from the
Philippines.”
“Chairperson Pulido Tan will bring to the Committee her wide-ranging
experiences and deep expertise which will certainly help the IAAC in
the fulfillment of its mandate,” Ambassador Cabactulan added.
The Committee is responsible for advising the General Assembly on
the scope, results and effectiveness of audit and other oversight
functions, especially the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS);
on measures to ensure management’s compliance with audit and other
oversight recommendations; and on various risk management, internal
control, operational and accounting and disclosure issues.
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| Bridge construction for agri communities gets
P2-B boost; Abad: Bridge to connect beneficiaries to mainstream
markets |
| Source:
http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
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As part of the
support services continuously provided by the Aquino administration
to Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) nationwide, the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) has released funds in the amount of P2
billion for the “Tulay ng Pangulo Para Sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo
Project“ (TPPKPP).
Released to and sourced from the Department of Public Works and
Highways’ (DPWH) budget for FY 2013, the amount will cover bridging
materials and related foreign materials that include h-piles and
reinforcing steel bars, all of which have already been delivered
nationwide.
The bridge program will link various ARCs to mainstream economic
venues and promote development potentials through the construction
and installation of pre-fabricated modular steel bridges.
“The Aquino Administration in keen on sustaining its efforts to ramp
up rural and country-side development by continuously providing
assistance to our agrarian reform communities and beneficiaries
nationwide. The latest release for the construction of this bridge
will continue to open opportunities for agribusiness development by
linking our farmers to markets where they can sell their produce, as
well as connect agri-communities to other commercial areas to
encourage greater and more productive trade. This is all alongside
the government’s other support interventions aimed to improve the
production and income of our farmers,” said DBM Secretary Florencio
“Butch” Abad.
Jointly implemented by the DPWH-Bridge Management Cluster (BMC) and
the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the TPPKPP covers the
construction and installation of 418 pre-fabricated steel bridges in
selected ARCs nationwide.
Out of this number, Abad reported that DAR has already endorsed a
total of 287 bridges for completion. This includes 47 bridge
projects in the Visayas region, specifically for regions VI and VII,
where families were greatly affected by Typhoon Yolanda.
“As we implement agri-oriented projects to support our farmers and
advance agrarian reform, we continue to mobilize additional
assistance and recovery efforts to areas ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda.
This latest release will complement ongoing and forthcoming
rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Visayas region,
where we are striving to reestablish sustainable livelihood and
restore the area’s vibrant economy the soonest possible time,” Abad
added. |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III attends
the Briefing for Philippine Development Partners on Reconstruction
Assistance on Yolanda at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, Department of
Foreign Affairs Building in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Wednesday
(December 18). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del
Rosario and Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (Photo by
Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers
his speech during the Briefing for Philippine Development Partners on
Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini,
Department of Foreign Affairs Building in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on
Wednesday (December 18). Also in photo are Socio-Economic Planning
Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Presidential Assistant for
Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III listens
to the message of United States Secretary of State John Kerry during the
dinner at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on
Tuesday (December 17). The visit to the Philippines is his first visit
as Secretary of State. (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and
United States Secretary of State John Kerry lead the ceremonial toasts
during the dinner at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan
Palace on Tuesday (December 17). The visit to the Philippines is his
first visit as Secretary of State. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Robert VIñAS /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes
United States Secretary of State John Kerry before the state dinner at
the Aguinaldo State Dinning Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday
(December 17). The visit to the Philippines is his first visit as
Secretary of State. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Robert Viñas/ Malacañang
Photo Bureau) |
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United States Secretary of State John Kerry signs the Palace Guest Book
at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace during the visit to the
Philippines on Tuesday (December 17). The visit to the Philippines is
his first visit as Secretary of State. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang
Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with United States
Secretary of State John Kerry during the courtesy call at the
President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 17). The
visit to the Philippines is his first visit as Secretary of State.
Secretary Kerry will also visit Tacloban City to meet people affected by
Typhoon Yolanda as well as those involved in the relief effort. (Photo
by Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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United States Secretary of State John Kerry, escorted by Foreign Affair
Secretary Albert Del Rosario, signs the Palace Guest Book at the
Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 17). The
visit to the Philippines is his first visit as Secretary of State.
Secretary Kerry will also visit Tacloban City to meet people affected by
Typhoon Yolanda as well as those involved in the relief effort. (Photo
by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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United States Secretary of State John Kerry is welcomed by Foreign
Affair Secretary Albert Del Rosario at the Reception Hall of the
Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 17). The visit to the Philippines
is his first visit as Secretary of State. Secretary Kerry will also
visit Tacloban City to meet people affected by Typhoon Yolanda as well
as those involved in the relief effort. (Photo by Robert Viñas/
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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United States Secretary of State John
Kerry leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery
and Memorial in Global City, Taguig on Tuesday (December 17). (Photo by
Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers arrival statement at the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport on Sunday (December 15) from Tokyo, Japan
where the Chief Executive attended the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.
(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III (second from left),
together with other Asean leaders with their respective spouses bid
goodbye during the gala dinner hosted by Japan Prime Misister Shinzo Abe
at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan Saturday (December 14). The
ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit will be the culminating event to a full
year of activities commemorating 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Prime Minister
Shinzo and Madame Abe at the reception area before the start of the gala
dinner hosted by the Japanese Prime Misister at the Imperial Hotel on
Saturday (December 14). The ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit is the
culminating event to a full year of activities commemorating 40 years of
ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) president & chief executive
officer Takeshi Kunibe during the courtesy call at the Kaede Room of the
Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN –
Japan Commemorative Summit. The call highlight the Aquino
administration’s thrust on good governance and sound economic management
and thank the officials of SMBC in supporting Philippine investment
promotion activities in Japan. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’
number one trade partner and provider of official development assistance
as well as the second major source of approved investments and third
source of tourist arrivals. In photo are SMBC’s deputy president Hiroshi
Minoura, managing director Yasuyuki Kawasaki and director & general
manager Shosuke Mori and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (PLDT powered
by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Sumitomo Mitsui
Banking Corporation (SMBC) president & chief executive officer Takeshi
Kunibe during the courtesy call at the Kaede Room of the Imperial Hotel
on Saturday (December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan
Commemorative Summit. The call highlight the Aquino administration’s
thrust on good governance and sound economic management and thank the
officials of SMBC in supporting PH investment promotion activities in
Japan. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one trade partner and
provider of official development assistance as well as the second major
source of approved investments and third source of tourist arrivals. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with NIDEC
chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer and Nidec
Sankyo Corporation chairman Shigenobu Nagamori during the meeting at the
Kaede Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14) at the
sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit. In 2012, Japan was
the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official
development assistance as well as the second major source of approved
investments and third source of tourist arrivals. Also in photo is Nidec
Sankyo Investor Relations general manager Masahiro Nagayasu. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) – Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes NIDEC
chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer and Nidec
Sankyo Corporation chairman Shigenobu Nagamori during a meeting at the
Kaede Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14) at the
sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit. In 2012, Japan was
the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official
development assistance as well as the second major source of approved
investments and third source of tourist arrivals. (PLDT powered by
SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III receives Sumitomo Metal
Mining Company Ltd. (SMMC) chairman and representative director Nobumasa
Kemori during the Meeting at the Kaede Room of the Imperial Hotel on
Saturday (December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan
Commemorative Summit. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one
trade partner and provider of official development assistance as well as
the second major source of approved investments and third source of
tourist arrivals. Also in photo are SMMC’s president and representative
director Yoshiaki Nakazato and director & senior managing executive
officer Takeshi Kubota. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III receives Sumitomo Metal
Mining Company Ltd. chairman and representative director Nobumasa Kemori
during the meeting at the Kaede Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday
(December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative
Summit. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one trade partner and
provider of official development assistance as well as the second major
source of approved investments and third source of tourist arrivals. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates Advisor to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special Advisor to Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) president and former JICA president Dr. Sadako
Ogata after conferring on her the Order of Sikatuna with a rank of Datu,
Katangiang Ginto (Grand Cross, Gold Distinction) at the Yamabuki Room of
the Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14, 2013) at the sidelines of
the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit. Dr. Ogata was cited for her
dedicated leadership of the JICA, contributing to the overall social and
economic development of the PH at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Also in
photo are husband Shinjuro Ogata, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del
Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Transportation and
Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (PLDT powered by SMART)
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Order of
Sikatuna with a rank of Datu, Katangiang Ginto (Grand Cross, Gold
Distinction) on Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special
Advisor to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president and
former JICA president Dr. Sadako Ogata during the courtesy call at the
Yamabuki Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14) at the
sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit. Dr. Ogata was cited
for her dedicated leadership of the JICA, contributing to the overall
social and economic development of the Philippines. The Order of
Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of
the Philippines. Also In photo are husband Shinjuro Ogata, Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima
and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Advisor to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special Advisor to Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) president and former JICA president Dr. Sadako
Ogata and husband Shinjuro Ogata during the conferment ceremony of the
Order of Sikatuna at the Yamabuki Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday
(December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative
Summit. The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit
of the Republic of the Philippines. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by
Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries
with advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special Advisor to
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president and former JICA
president Dr. Sadako Ogata during the conferment ceremony of the Order
of Sikatuna at the Yamabuki Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday
(December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative
Summit. The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit
of the Republic of the Philippines. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by
Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes advisor to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special Advisor to Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) president and former JICA president Dr. Sadako
Ogata during the conferment ceremony at the Yamabuki Room of the
Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN –
Japan Commemorative Summit. The Order of Sikatuna is the national order
of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines. Also in photo is
JICA president Akihiko Tanaka. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil
Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Order of
Sikatuna with a rank of Datu, Katangiang Ginto (Grand Cross, Gold
Distinction) on Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Special
Advisor to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) president and
former JICA president Dr. Sadako Ogata in a ceremony at the Yamabuki
Room of the Imperial Hotel on Saturday (December 14) at the sidelines of
the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit. Dr. Ogata was cited for her
dedicated leadership of the JICA, contributing to the overall social and
economic development of the Philippines. The Order of Sikatuna is the
national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S.
Aquino III along with fellow regional leaders offers a toast during the
luncheon meeting hosted by Keidanren and the Japan Chamber of Commerce
and Industry at the Golden Room of the Keidanren Kaikan on Saturday
(December 14) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative
Summit, the culminating event to a full year of activities commemorating
40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S.
Aquino III along with fellow regional leaders attends the luncheon
meeting hosted by Keidanren and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry at the Golden Room of the Keidanren Kaikan on Saturday
(December) at the sidelines of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit,
the culminating event to a full year of activities commemorating 40
years of ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan
Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S.
Aquino III listens to the discussions during Session 1 of the ASEAN –
Japan Commemorative Summit at the Hagoromo-no-ma Room of the Akasaka
State Guest House on Saturday (December 14, 2013). The ASEAN-Japan
Commemorative Summit will be the culminating event to a full year of
activities commemorating 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S.
Aquino III participates in the exchanges during the Session 1 of the
ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit at the Hagoromo-no-ma Room of the
Akasaka State Guest House on Saturday (December 14, 2013). The
ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit will be the culminating event to a full
year of activities commemorating 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S.
Aquino III greets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upon arrival for
Session 1 of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit at the Hagoromo-no-ma
Room of the Akasaka State Guest House on Saturday (December 14). The
ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit will be the culminating event to a full
year of activities commemorating 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations. (PLDT
powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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