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Dispatch for September 17, 2014 ( Wednesday
), PIA Calabarzon PRs, 3 Weather Watch ,
6
Reg’l. Watch , 2 PNOY Speech , 14
Online News , 67 Photonews ( Sept. 15 )
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1. 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 17 September 2014
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure
Analysis for 8 am., 17 September 2014 |
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind
Analysis for 8 a.m., 17 September 2014 |
Satellite Image
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Synopsis:
At 4:00 am today, the Low Pressure Area
(LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 1,070 km east of
Visayas (13.2°N, 136.3°E).
Forecast:
Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao Region
will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy
with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will
prevail over the western section of Luzon and from the north to
northwest over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters
along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be
light to moderate coming from the southwest to west with slight to
moderate seas.
NDRRMC, 5AM:
-Gale Warning: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of southwest monsoon.
-Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the western seaboard
of Northern Luzon, which includes western coast of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos
Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
-Sea Condition: Rough to very rough
-Wave Height: 3.4 - 4.5 meters
-Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out
into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
PAGASA, 5AM:
-At 4AM today, the LPA was estimated based at 1,070 km east of Visayas.
-Eastern Visayas, CARAGA and Davao Region will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.
-Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Bottom of Form
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September 17 ,
2014 ( Wednesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Sunny
BATANGAS : Sunny
RIZAL : Sunny
QUEZON : Sunny
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PIA-4A/CAVITE:
The Dept. of Labor and Employment recently distributed 40 Food Carts to
residents of General Trias plus additional Php1,000.00 as initial
capital for every beneficiary of Food Cart Project. The amount is part
of the Php1.5 million financial assistance granted by DOLE to the
province's 6th District for livelihood projects.
PIA-4A/CAVITE:
The Prov'l Social Welfare and Development Office led the food for
growth and milk feeding program in the municipality of Ternate. Said
program is in support to the nutrition program for children in the said
town. Seven weighing scales were also granted to the municipality to
monitor the weight and help assess the health condition of children and
other constituents. Several boxes of milk were donated by Kalogris
Foundation thru Jesus King of Kings, Lord of Lords Christian Feeding
Ministries, Inc. Pres. Elizabeth L. Perez.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
Based on a report presented by NEDA Region 4A at the 3rd quarterly
meeting of the Sectoral Committee on Social Development being held today
at the Pagsanjan mun. hall basement 1, land distributed through CARP
has increased from 5,027 hectares (2011) to 6,412 hectares (2012). About
175,096 of 214,662 hectares of land under the Land Acquisition and
Distribution (81.6%) were distributed to over 114,000
farmer-beneficiaries. In addition, DAR launched 118 agrarian reform
communities and 217 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
As of January 2013, reported human trafficking cases include: 124
cases of kidney vending; 15 cases of sexual prostitution; and a number
of overseas Filipinos reported in distress, NEDA 4A reported at the 3rd
quarterly meeting of the Social Committee on Social Development being
held at the Pagsanjan municipal hall basement 1.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
In a report presented by NEDA Region 4A at the Sectoral Committee on
Social Development 3rd quarterly meeting on looming regional concerns on
child labor: 1 in 10 children from 5-17 years old are working; 203,000
of 495,000 child laborers (41%) are engaged in hazardous environment.
Meanwhile, interventions taken to address the issue include: 972 child
laborers removed from child labor and provided with educational
assistance and 107 parents of child laborers provided with skills
training and livelihood assistance amounting to P689,040.
PIA-4A/CAVITE:
About 60 retired teachers in the town of General Trias assembled at
municipal town plaza to celebrate the first year celebration of "Retired
Teachers Day." Municipal Ordinance No. 14-03 approved and signed by
Mayor Antonio Ferrer of Gen. Trias last year aimed to give utmost
importance and recognition to the retired teachers, principals, and
district supervisors (both in public and private) and encourage them to
participate in various programs and activities initiated by the local
government.
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium) President
Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday discussed with Belgian Prime Minister Elio
Di Rupo the Philippines' "Triple Action Plan" in addressing the
issues related to the conflicting claims over the South China Sea.
President Aquino and Prime Minister Di Rupo sat down for a meeting at the
Lambermont building, the premier's official residence in Brussels, to
tackle a wide range of issues, including regional security and stability.
“On matters related to regional security and stability, I have informed the
Prime Minister of our country’s Triple Action Plan in addressing the
concerns in the South China Sea, the sea known by many names in our part of
the world,” the President said.
The Triple Action Plan put forward by the Philippines is a concrete
framework aimed at easing tensions brought about by various activities of
claimants in the South China Sea.
“We urge all claimant states to agree to a cessation of activities that
escalate tension in the region,” the Chief Executive said in a statement
issued after his meeting with the Belgian leader.
President Aquino also shared with Prime Minister Di Rupo the country’s
calls for the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN-China Declaration
on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, the expeditious
conclusion of a legally-binding Code of Conduct, and the implementation of
a settlement mechanism that will bring the disputes to a final solution
grounded on international law, particularly UNCLOS.
President Aquino said the Philippines remains committed to resolving the
territorial disputes peacefully.
“The Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes
in the region, and we thank Belgium for its support in this endeavor,” he
said. PND (co)
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BRUSSELS, Belgium) President
Benigno S. Aquino III and Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo both
acknowledged the need to further strengthen the ties and cooperation
between the Philippines and Belgium under the Joint Action Plan signed by
the two countries in 2013.
In a bilateral meeting held on Tuesday at the Lambermont building in the
Belgian capital to discuss issues of mutual interest, both President Aquino
and Prime Minister Di Rupo agreed to further advance the dynamic relations
of the Philippines and Belgium and increase the prospects of cooperation.
“The Prime Minister and I acknowledged the need to deepen our cooperation
within the framework of our Joint Plan of Action, which was signed by our
respective Foreign Ministers in 2013,” the President said.
“We both look forward to seeing the realization of concrete initiatives
related to this plan, which will without doubt strengthen our partnership
in the years to come,” the Chief Executive added.
During the meeting. President Aquino also extended the heartfelt gratitude
of the Filipino people for the “generous humanitarian assistance that the
people of Belgium have extended to us in the wake of typhoon Haiyan.”
Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) struck the Philippines in
November 8, 2013 and left thousands of people dead in Eastern Visayas and a
massive damage to infrastructures.
“A reliable friend and development partner, Belgium stood in solidarity
with us during a time of extreme difficulty, and it is with sincerity that
I thank you on behalf of the Philippines,” he said.
President Aquino also thanked the Prime Minister Di Rupo and the people of
Belgium for the hospitality extended to the thousands of Filipinos living
and working here.
“May the friendship that has bonded our people grow even deeper, as our
citizens work hand in hand towards building a more prosperous Belgium,” the
Chief Executive said. PND (co)
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BRUSSELS, Belgium)
The European Union (EU) praised President Benigno Aquino III for the
reforms his administration has put in place and promised to double its
support for the administration's agenda for job creation, sustainable
energy, and judicial reforms.
In a statement issued by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy
following his meeting with President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday at the
European Council Headquarters, he promised to increase the EU's development
cooperation with the Philippines in the next six years.
“The European Union’s development cooperation with the Philippines will
more than double in the next six years,” Rompuy said. “It is increasing
from 130 million euros to 325 million euros with the focus on judicial and
legal reform, sustainable energy and job creation."
Citing President Aquino’s good governance, Rompuy believed that the
Philippines could now “boast as the fastest growing economy in Asia”.
“It is an engine of growth in its region and will progressively raise
millions of people from poverty. It was also a forerunner in democratic
transition in South East Asia and in this context I pay tribute to
President Aquino’s good governance agenda,” he said.
He noted that the fight against corruption is one of the key elements of
the Philippines’ current success.
Rompuy likewise said he and President Aquino have underlined the importance
of partnership and cooperation agreement, which will enhance relations in
many areas such as migration and disaster risk management.
“I look forward to strengthening our trade and investment relations. The
European Union is negotiating free trade agreements in the region and
remains open to start further negotiations,” he said.
At the time, Rompuy noted the valuable contribution of Filipino migrants
living and working in the region to both the Philippines and Europe.
He noted that Filipino migrants sent 2.3 billion euros back to the
Philippines in 2013.
“The European Union is the second largest source of remittances to the
Philippines and the largest employer of Filipino seafarers,” he said. PND
(jb)
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged European businessmen to invest in the
Philippines, saying there is a wealth of opportunity for investors to forge
new business partnerships in the country.
Speaking at the Conference on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Programs for
Infrastructure Projects, President Aquino told business leaders that the
transformation that is taking place in the Philippines coupled with
economic reforms have leveled the playing field for all players, making the
country a good investment destination.
“There is indeed a wealth of opportunity in the Philippines, and we hope to
forge new partnerships or even broaden the existing ones in the near
future—partnerships where all parties involved will benefit, and will
contribute to the rise of Asia’s next tiger,” President Aquino said.
“As it turns out,” the President added, “all investors needed to see was a
government dedicated to integrity and public service. We do not have to
look beyond the area of public-private partnerships in order to see the
transformation that has taken place in industry.”
As a result, the Chief Executive said, the world has taken notice of the
government’s reform efforts.
From December 2011 to September this year, the Aquino administration was
able to award some US$1.3 billion worth of projects under the PPP program.
The President also shared the solid economic achievements of his
administration, including a GDP of 6.3 percent in 2010 as opposed to the
4.3 percent recorded from 2006 to 2009.
The GDP growth of the Philippines as of the second quarter of 2014 stands
at 6.4 percent, and the government predicts the economy to hit its target
of 6.5 percent to potentially 7.5 percent GDP growth by the end of the
year.
According to the President, it has been “a very productive four years.”
“All of you know that PPPs are regarded as ideal ventures precisely because
all parties do benefit from them: private enterprise can profit by putting
their expertise and knowledge and other resources to good use; government
is able to complete large-scale projects at a more opportune time for the
benefit of the people,” he added.
“From the mere promise of reform that we gave businessmen back in 2010,
today, the results of our good governance agenda have allowed us to come so
far, as we stand in front of so many potential partners,” he said. PND (co)
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President Aquino invites EU to
monitor Bangsamoro plebiscite in 2015
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
President Benigno Aquino III has invited the European Union (EU) to monitor
the conduct of the Bangsamoro plebiscite in the Philippines next year.
The President extended the invitation to European Council President Herman
Van Rompuy during a meeting at the European Council Headquarters here on
Tuesday.
“The EU has been invited to monitor the plebiscite in Bangsamoro in 2015
and we are currently looking into that possibility,” Rompuy said during a
joint press conference with the President that followed their almost
one-hour meeting.
The EU leader praised President Aquino for his “pivotal” role in achieving
lasting peace in Mindanao.
“The European Union supports the peace process in Mindanao and I would like
to take this opportunity to commend the President for his pivotal role,”
said Rompuy.
President Aquino informed Rompuy about the submission of the draft
Bangsamoro Basic Law to leaders of Congress last September 10, which the EU
leader welcomed since it will pave the way for a greater autonomy in
Mindanao.
Aquino assured the EU of the swift passage of the bill to implement
“positive change” and end four decades of conflict in southern Philippines.
“The European Union has been one of our most valuable partners in securing
and sustaining peace in Mindanao, and we are indeed grateful for the EU’s
continued support as we tread the straight and righteous path to peace and
equitable development,” President Aquino said. PND (jb)
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European union backs peaceful
resolution to sea row
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
The European Union is supporting efforts to resolve peacefully the
territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea.
During the bilateral meeting between President Benigno Aquino and European
Council President Herman Van Rompuy at the European Council Headquarters on
Tuesday, Rompuy urged countries with conflicting claims in the West
Philippine Sea to resolve maritime disputes based on the rule of law.
“We exchanged views on the regional situation. It is essential that our
parties seek peaceful and cooperative solutions to maritime issues in
accordance with international law in particular with the UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea,” Rompuy said in a statement following the meeting.
He noted that the European Union is party to the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which calls on all parties to settle
differences by peaceful means and not resort to threat and coercion.
For his part, President Aquino welcomed Rompuy’s statement believing that
the EU could contribute a lot in ensuring peaceful and rules-based
settlement of the conflicting claims.
“As President, I believe that the EU may contribute so much more in
championing this meaningful cause—in particular, in helping convince other
parties to refrain from activities that increase tensions, clarify their
claims based on the UNCLOS, and thus submit the disputes to reasonable,
rules-based, peaceful modes of resolution, such as arbitration,” the Chief
Executive said.
Aside from the EU, Spain is also supporting calls for a peaceful resolution
to the maritime disputes.
President Aquino, in his media interview onboard chartered flight PR001
going to Belgium on Monday, said Spain Prime Minister Marianon Rajoy has
agreed to be the "voice" of the Philippines in addressing issues
in the West Philippine Sea and matters involving the welfare of Filipino
seafarers in the European Union. PND (jb)
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16 SEPTEMBER 2014.
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President
Aquino thanks Spain Prime Minister Rajoy for disaster
aid
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno
Aquino III has expressed gratitude to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy
for consistently providing help to the Philippines in times of crisis,
especially during natural disasters.
In their bilateral meeting at the Palacio de la Moncloa here on Monday,
President Aquino thanked the Prime Minister and the people of Spain for the
generous assistance they have extended to victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) has caused massive damage to Central Visayas in
November last year, killing over 5,000 people and leaving thousands other
homeless and unemployed.
President Aquino invited the Spanish government to become part of the
Philippine efforts to “build back better” typhoon-hit areas, including
Tacloban in Leyte.
The Chief Executive emphasized that the country is open to development
partnerships, either with the public or private sector.
The President likewise thanked Prime Minister Rajoy for the assistance his
country extended when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the provinces of Bohol
and Cebu in October 2013.
He also expressed appreciation for Spain’s substantial donation to the
victims of the standoff in Zamboanga City between government forces and the
Moro National Liberation Front.
The President flew to Brussels, Belgium after sitting down with Prime Minister
Rajoy. PND (jb)
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President
Aquino arrives in Belgium to meet with leaders of EC
and Belgium
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BRUSSELS, Belgium) President
Benigno Aquino III and his official delegation arrived here this afternoon
for a series of meetings with leaders of the European Commission and
Belgium.
President Aquino will kick off his three-day visit in Brussels with a
meeting with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to tackle
various issues, including the West Philippine Sea and bilateral trade and
relations.
The President is also scheduled to meet with His Majesty King Philippe of
Kingdom of Belgium to seek support for the Philippines’ application for the
Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and discuss ways to combat
illegal fishing, improve the welfare of seafarers. He will also update King
Philippe on the progress of the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.
A meeting with members of the Filipino community from Belgium and
Luxembourg to be held at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is in
the agenda of the President while in Brussels.
There are about 6,000 Filipinos living in Belgium according to recent data
of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
On his second day in Belgium, the President is also expected to meet with
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy at the European Council
headquarters and sit down with Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo at the
latter’s official residence in the Belgian capital.
The President is also scheduled to give a keynote address during the
Private-Public Partnership Infrastructure Conference and hold meetings with
several multinational companies.
He will also deliver a policy speech at Egmont Institute to mark the 50th
anniversary of the Philippines and European Union relations.
President Aquino just came from Spain following a successful visit. After
Belgium, the Chief Executive will fly to Paris, France. PND (jb)
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European Union backs Aquino administration's
peace initiatives in Mindanao
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BRUSSELS, Belgium) European
Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso lauded President Benigno S.
Aquino III’s initiatives to bring lasting peace in Mindanao.
“I congratulated President Aquino for his efforts to bring peace, stability
and development to the Philippines of which the successful accomplishment
of the Mindanao peace negotiations and signing of the Comprehensive Agreement
on Bangsamoro is a good example,” said President Barroso in speech
following his meeting with President Aquino at the European Commission
Headquarters in Brussels.
“In particular, I have congratulated President Aquino for the submission of
the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Philippines Congress on the 10th of
this month. This is a welcomed positive step forward in the overall effort
in bringing lasting peace to people in Mindanao,” President Barroso added.
At the same time, President Barroso pledged that the EU will continue its
support and assistance for the Mindanao peace plan.
“The European Union is also supporting peace and development in Mindanao,
in complement to the Government's efforts, through various development
projects worth 106 million euros. And I assured the President of our
continued support and assistance in this effort,” President Barroso said.
The EU’s support came after Spain also backed the steps taken by President
Aquino aimed at further forwarding the peace initiative in southern
Philippines, during a meeting between the Chief Executive and Spanish Prime
Minister Mariano Rajoy at Palacio de la Moncloa in Madrid.
During the bilateral meeting of the Philippine and Spanish leaders,
President Aquino conveyed the country’s gratitude for Spain’s support for
the Mindanao peace plan.
“We also value the insights on the existing Autonomous Communities in Spain
gained through the study visits of our delegates to your country. This will
help our government officials and legislators who will be involved in the
creation of the Bangsamoro political entity,” the President said.
“We hope that Spain will continue to be our partner in the development of
Mindanao,” he added.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Government of the
Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was signed on March 27
this year.
On September 10, President Aquino turned over the draft Bangsamoro Basic
Law to Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte Jr. PND (co)
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Aquino thanks the European Union
for assistance after 'Typhoon Haiyan'
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BRUSSELS, Belgium)
President Benigno S. Aquino III conveyed his appreciation to the European
Union for its assistance in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).
In his meeting with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso,
President Aquino reiterated the “profound appreciation of the Filipino
people for the solidarity that the European Union has demonstrated.”
“The overwhelming humanitarian assistance of the European Union represents
a great contribution to our national recovery and reconstruction efforts,”
the President said during the joint press conference that followed his bilateral
talks with President Barroso.
“Then as now, our partnership has served as a concrete reminder of what can
be achieved through cooperation and positive engagement. This is the
context in which President Barroso and I reaffirmed the enduring and meaningful
relations between the Philippines and the European Union,” he added.
The meeting between the two leaders was held shortly after President Aquino
arrived here for the second leg of his four-nation European trip. His visit
marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippine Embassy
in Belgium. PND (co)
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European Commission praises
Philippines for remarkable economic performance
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BRUSSELS, Belgium)
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso congratulated President
Benigno Aquino III for the remarkable economic performance of the
Philippine economy under his leadership.
President Barroso conveyed his congratulations to President Aquino during
their meeting held at the European Union Headquarters in the Belgian
capital, and said that economic reforms must continue to further advance
the competitiveness of the Philippines.
“I also congratulated the President on the remarkable economic performance
of the Philippines. At the same time, economic reforms need to continue to
increase the competitiveness and productivity of the country,” Barroso
said.
“Europe can be a partner in this process, too. Our PCA (Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement), which was signed in 2012, has allowed for an
enhanced cooperation in several priority areas,” he added.
Barroso said the European Union and the Philippines are becoming more
important to each other in terms of trade and investment rankings.
“Our trade exchanges in 2013 and 2014 were the largest in a decade,” he
told a joint press conference.
President Barroso said the European Union is the Philippines’ third largest
trading partner, as well as the largest foreign investor in the country.
European Union is also looking forward to working together with the
Philippines to further strengthen trade and investment ties, he added.
Moreover, Barroso and President Aquino also discussed the European Union
and Asia relations during their talks on Monday afternoon (Brussels time).
Barroso said the European Union actively supports regional integration
through the ASEAN and committed to forging a strong relationship with the
whole region. PND (co)
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President Benigno S.
Aquino III will address a United Nations climate summit, speak to American
businessmen, and meet with the Filipino community when he visits the United
States from September 20 to 24.
“As in all of the President’s trips abroad, the primary objectives of the
visit will be to continue to project the Philippines as an emerging economy
and investment destination in Asia; to promote the country as having an
economy with sound credentials built on the back of good governance
principles; and to highlight the country’s role as an archipelagic and
maritime nation with key advocacies in maritime security, maritime safety,
promotion and growth of the blue economy and sustainable development,”
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Andrelita Austria said during a
press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.
The President will
arrive in Boston, Massachusetts on the evening of September 20 from Berlin.
Having spent many years in Boston, he will visit old friends, Austria said,
adding that he will be honored at Boston College on September 21, and while
there, he will meet with some scholars of the Benigno and Corazon Aquino
Scholarship Foundation.
He will then attend a reception with members of the Filipino-American
community in the New York-Boston area.
On September 22, the President will meet with Representative Joseph Kennedy
III (4th District, Massachusetts), who visited the Philippines recently and
invited the President for a meeting when he visits Boston.
Later in the afternoon, the President will receive three big American
companies, and this will be followed by an interview with the National
Public Radio station, according to Austria.
He will then deliver a policy speech at the Kennedy School of Government at
Harvard University and then proceed to New York.
While in New York, the President will have a series of media interviews
with major print and television companies, Austria said.
After that, the President will join other world leaders for the UN Climate
Change Summit at the UN Headquarters.
After this, he will have a business roundtable with the US Chamber of
Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the US-Philippines Society.
Later in the afternoon, the President will speak at the World Leaders Forum
of Columbia University, and have a coffee meeting with the media.
On September 24, the President will depart New York for San Francisco.
“This was supposedly only a technical stop but we have had requests from
big business companies to meet with the President. So we have arranged for
at least two business meetings in San Francisco,” Austria said.
He then leaves for Manila and arrive on the evening of Thursday, September
25.
The President is currently on a four-nation tour of Europe, visiting Spain
and Belgium. He will then proceed to France and Germany, his last stop in
Europe. PND (as)
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President Aquino declares
observance of 'Eidul Adha' on October 6 as regular
holiday
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President Benigno S.
Aquino III has declared Monday, October 6 as a regular holiday in
observance of Eidul Adha or the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice.
The President signed on September 12 Proclamation No. 875
on the observance of Eidul Adha, one of two religious holidays celebrated
by Muslims worldwide.
Eidul Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to follow
God’s command to sacrifice his son.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos has recommended that Eidul Adha
be observed on October 6, the date set by Saudi Arabia’s highest religious
body.
The dates of the observance of the Muslim festivals of Eidul Fitr and Eidul
Adha are declared separately from other national holidays, as the
government has to wait for the recommendation of the National Commission on
Muslim Filipinos. PND (ag)
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President Aquino to highlight West Philippine Sea issue during U.S. visit
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President Benigno S.
Aquino III will advance the country's interest in the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea) when he meets with global leaders and organizations while
in the United States on September 20 to 24, a foreign affairs official said
during a press briefing at the Palace on Tuesday.
Asked if the President will talk about the West Philippine Sea at the World
Leaders Forum in Columbia University, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary
Maria Andrelita Austria said, "That is one of the advocacies that he
will be carrying in all his meetings, basically, to say why it is important
for the world community to support our endeavor in ensuring that the rule
of law is carried specifically in the West Philippine Sea."
The Philippines is one of several countries laying claim to the West
Philippine Sea, an area believed to be rich in mineral and fishery
resources and which serves as a major sea lane for global trade and
commerce.
The country has filed an arbitration case at the International Arbitral
Tribunal, asking China to clarify its claims on the West Philippine Sea.
Asked about the possibility of a meeting between President Aquino and US
President Barack Obama, as well as other leaders, Austria said no such
meeting has been arranged but it is possible that they meet at the
corridors of the United Nations Headquarters.
The practice in the UN is that leaders come and deliver their remarks, she
said.
"As of now, there are no arranged meetings. But, of course, there’s
always the possibility of chance meetings when they meet each other in the
corridors of the UN," Austria said. PND (as)
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Monday the European Union that
the Philippines is actively taking steps to combat and stop illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
President Aquino issued the assurance to European Commission President José
Manuel Barroso during their meeting at the European Commission headquarters
here in Brussels.
To show that the Philippines is serious about curbing IUUF, President
Aquino said relevant agencies have been coordinating with the European
Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to
address the matter.
The President also said that his administration even adopted last year the
National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal,
Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.
“Our relevant agencies, particularly the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources, have been in close coordination with the European Commission’s
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to address the
matter,” he said.
“In addition to this, last year, the National Plan of Action to Prevent,
Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing was
adopted by our administration,” he added.
As to the Philippines’ compliance with the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW),
the government is working closely with the European Commission’s
Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport.
“We have already laid the groundwork for an effective and sustainable
regulatory system consistent with the STCW Convention,” the President said
in a joint press conference after his meeting with the European Commission
head.
President Aquino signed Republic Act No. 10635 that established the
Maritime Industry Authority as the sole maritime administration authority
to implement and enforce the Convention. PND (co)
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President Aquino signs Executive Order to ease congestion in Port of
Manila
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President Benigno S.
Aquino III has signed an executive order that aims to ease the congestion
at the Port of Manila, a Palace official announced on Tuesday.
The President signed on September 13 Executive Order (EO) No. 172,
declaring the Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport as extensions of the
Port of Manila during port congestion and other emergency cases, Deputy
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the daily press briefing in
Malacañang,
“It is no secret to most of you that we have a problem with port congestion
and, as the EO discusses, it is one of the major factors that hinder the
free flow of goods and services passing through the ports,” said Valte.
She explained that under EO 172, foreign vessels bound for or leaving the
Port of Manila may be directed to berth either at the Port of Batangas or
the Subic Bay Freeport, and this will be considered as berthing at the Port
of Manila.
All rules and regulations being enforced at the Port of Batangas or the
Subic Bay Freeport, including berthing and other port fees, shall apply to
foreign vessels directed to berth there, she added.
According to the EO, the extension of the Port of Manila shall be lifted
once the situation in the port has returned to normal, as determined by the
Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications. PND (ag)
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President Aquino: Let's focus on duties, not politics
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
President Benigno Aquino III said his administration will not be distracted
by the early political campaigning that has started for the 2016
presidential elections, saying his mandate is to carry out his duties until
his last day in office.
In his speech before some 600 Filipinos from Belgium and Luxembourg at the
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula Monday, President Aquino said he
has instructed his Cabinet before he left for his Europe trip to continue
focusing on addressing the issues confronting the country.
“You know in our country, noise about the incoming 2016 elections has
already begun... But I will assure you: we, who have been given a mandate,
will not be swayed by political issues,” he said.
Early political campaigning, he said, will not solve a host of problems the
country is facing.
“Before I left, I made sure that our allies focus on their duties and
responsibilities, and I gave a directive to address issues such as the
traffic caused by port congestion, energy shortage issue, El Niño, and the
continuing increase in demand as our country’s economy continues to grow,”
he said.
In the past, the Chief Executive called on those engaging in early
campaigning to put their duties and obligations first before politics.
He said the administration still has one-and-a-half years to serve the
people and the government should continue to make great strides in
improving the economy and the welfare of the people.
The President has yet to choose the administration candidate for the 2016
presidential elections. PND (jb)
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President Aquino reports to his 'bosses,' cites gains from reforms
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(BRUSSELS,
Belgium) President Benigno Aquino III met with the Filipino community here
on Monday and told his “bosses” of the progress the Philippines has
achieved because of the reforms that his administration has put in place.
The President, who always refers to his constituents as his bosses,
reported to some 600 Filipinos from Belgium and Luxembourg, at the
magnificent St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral at Treurenberg Hill, that
his reform agenda is making inroads in improving the economy and fighting
corruption.
One of the key achievements of the Aquino administration, he said, is the
lifting of the European Union’s ban on Philippine airline carriers after
complying with global aviation safety standards.
Aquino said Philippine Airlines was allowed to fly to Europe again in July
2013, while Cebu Pacific was finally given the go-signal to service the
route last April.
“Now, it will be easier and more convenient for our OFWs and tourists to
fly to and from the Philippines,” he said.
The President also told the Filipino community that economic reforms have
started to pay off, citing the rise in global competitiveness ranking and
upgrade in investment grade rating by three major global rating firms of
the Philippines.
Since this administration came into office, the Chief Executive said, it
has been making headway in the fight against graft and corruption like the
filing of cases against people allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam.
He also noted that the government’s agenda of transparency and
accountability has resulted in millions of pesos in savings from various
government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways. These
savings, the President added, provided funds to build more classrooms and
expand the healthcare plan for the Filipino people under PhilHealth.
In the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao, President Aquino told the
Filipino community that the government has turned over the draft Bangsamoro
Basic Law to leaders of Congress last September 10 for appropriate action.
“We will not stop in pushing for comprehensive transformation of our
society. With our collective effort, we made the impossible possible,” President
Aquino said. PND (jb)
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15 SEPTEMBER 2014.
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(MADRID, Spain) President
Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday led the wreath-laying ceremony here at the
monument of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
President Aquino, accompanied by his official delegation, paid tribute to
Dr. Jose P. Rizal, whose monument at Avenida de las Islas Filipinas was a
replica of the one in Rizal Park in Manila.
The replica of the Rizal Monument was inaugurated on December 5, 1996 in
time for the commemoration of the 100th death anniversary of the Philippine
national hero and the centennial celebration of the country's independence
from Spain.
Following the ceremony, the Chief Executive proceeded to Colegio Nuestra
Señora de las Maravillas to meet the Filipino community here. There are around
44,000 Filipinos working and residing in Spain.
President Aquino arrived here Sunday morning for the first leg of his
eight-day visit to Europe.
This afternoon, the President met separately with former Prime Minister
Jose Maria Aznar of Spain and organizers of Madrid Fusión, an international
gastronomy gathering held annualy here.
His engagements on Sunday also include business meetings with leaders of
various companies, including Grupo Actividades de Construccion Y Servicios,
Abengoa, Calidad Pascual, Ineco, Globalvia, Acciona, and Indra at the
Intercontinental Hotel. PND (co)
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President Aquino witnesses
signing of MOU between DOT, ICEX to hold 'Madrid
Fusion' in Manila
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(MADRID, Spain) President
Benigno Aquino III on Sunday witnessed the ceremonial signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the
Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade or Instito Español de Comercio Exterior
(ICEX) for the holding of Madrid Fusión in Manila next year that will bring
together the best chefs and culinary experts from around the world.
In the MOU signed between the DOT and the ICEX at the Intercontinental
Hotel, the Philippines will host the world famous gastronomic gathering
Madrid Fusión in April 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
President Aquino witnessed the signing of the MOU between Tourism Secretary
Ramon Jimenez and his counterpart, Spain’s State Minister for Economy and
Competitiveness Jaime Garcia-Legaz.
Madrid Fusión, which is held annually in Spain, is well attended by the
elite chefs and experts in the field of culinary from across the globe to
discuss developments, global trends, evolution of taste and new food habits,
among others.
Madrid Fusión-Manila aims to showcase an encounter between Spanish and
Filipino chefs to celebrate 300 years of shared history. Next year, the
annual event will have two major components: the Gastronomy Congress and
trade exhibition. PND (jb)
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(MADRID, Spain) President
Benigno Aquino III thanked the Filipino community in Spain for supporting
the Philippine international basketball team Gilas Pilipinas during their
recent campaign at the FIBA World Cup.
During his meeting with the Filipino community here on Sunday, President
Aquino said although 'Gilas Pilipinas' did not make the next stage of the
tournament, Filipinos should still be proud of the team for playing an
impressive game.
“We may not have won the championship, but a lot of people were impressed
by the amazing skill of our Filipino athletes,” Aquino said in Filipino.
He said the Philippines may have the shortest players in FIBA but it did
not stop the team from giving a tough fight against powerhouse teams such
as Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Croatia.
“Nobody can say that our team fell short in showing their determination,
excellence and their heart [in every game] that’s why we are proud of
that,” the Chief Executive said.
The President said he was glad that Filipinos even from other countries
flew to Spain to show their support for the Philippine basketball team.
'Gilas Pilipinas' won the hearts of many by playing hard and inspiring
games in the FIBA World Cup.
The Philippine team won its last game against Senegal, the country’s first
victory in the world basketball stage after nearly four decades. PND (jb)
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President Aquino highlights country's gains at meeting with Filipino
community
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(MADRID, Spain)
President Benigno Aquino III outlined the administration’s achievements in
fields of economy, tourism, education and infrastructure when he met with
the Filipino community at the Colegio Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas here
on Sunday.
Speaking before at least 700 Filipinos, President Aquino shared the
accomplishments of the administration in the last four-and-a-half years of
good governance and transparency.
“All of the changes that we have been enjoying were results of restored
trust and confidence of the people to the government and their selves brought
about by fair system and good governance,” the President said.
Aquino cited the continuing robust economy of the Philippines, which
resulted in the upgrade of credit ratings to investment grade status by
three major credit rating agencies despite challenges brought about by
Typhoon Yolanda, the Zamboanga siege, Bohol earthquake, among others.
Once called the “sick man of Asia,” the Philippines is now hailed as
“Asia’s rising star and bright spot” as the economy grew by 6.4 percent in
the second quarter of 2014 to beat neighbors Thailand and Indonesia and to
be at par with Malaysia, Aquino said.
“In September, based on the Global Competitiveness Report of the World
Economic Forum, we jumped to 32 spots, the highest since 2010,” the
President told the Filipino community.
The Chief Executive likewise noted progress in the tourism sector that
would make it possible to achieve 10 million tourist arrivals in the last
two years of his term until 2016.
He said Filipinos should expect more flights to Europe and the United
States following the upgrade of the Philippines to Category 1 status by the
US Federal Aviation Authority.
“Our invitation to the entire world: We are not just open for business,
it’s more fun in the Philippines,” President Aquino said.
The President also noted that infrastructure developments, including
construction and repairs of major roads and public transportation
facilities are in full swing.
He also cited the construction and improvements of major expressways in the
country including the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), the
Subic-Clark-Tarlac North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway. And
by the end of 2014 and next year, TPLEX will be extended up to Urdaneta,
Pangasinan and Rosario, La Union, respectively.
“This means ‘LEX' (less) anxiety for the people,” the Chief Executive said.
He also mentioned other major infrastructure projects such as the Cavite
LRT extension, upgrade of airports and seaports, construction and
development of the Clark Green City in Central Luzon, which will be bigger
than the Bonifacio Global City, and the bus rapid transit project in Cebu.
President Aquino likewise noted the construction of more classrooms for
educational improvement and housing units for the military and police authorities.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, he said, has so far assisted some
4.1 million indigent Filipinos back home.
The President also relayed the good news in Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority’s improved placement rate, PhilHealth’s wider health
plan coverage, as well as the Department of Science and Technology’s
enhanced weather forecasting facilities.
“We don’t wait for the so-called trickle down effect. The benefits to the
people, just like how the famous line of my sister Kris goes: Now na!,” he
said. PND (jb)
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A Malacañang
official said there has so far been zero casualty, as Typhoon Luis left the
Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday.
“So far, there has been a zero casualty and that is … our aspirational
goal. Hopefully, this becomes a reality, but we are still assessing the
situation and also the aftermath of Typhoon Luis,” Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing at the Palace on
Monday.
Secretary Lacierda attributed this to the experiences gained by the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) from each
disaster that it encounters, as well as to improved weather forecasting.
“Because of the improved weather forecasting, we are able to identify
immediately the path that the storm is going to take, and for that, we are
able to inform the LGUs (local government units) concerned,” he said.
He added that the LGUs are equipped to inform the local residents
immediately if any danger zone needs to be evacuated.
“Based on a lot of experience, based on our NDRRMC structure, we are able
to respond proactively, with the end in view of minimizing casualties or
damage to the country,” Lacierda said. PND (ag)
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(MADRID, Spain)
President Benigno S. Aquino III invited Spanish businessmen to invest in
the Philippines, saying major achievements of his administration in the
economic front and in the fight against corruption have prepared the
country to be an investment haven in Asia.
“As the Spanish economy shows encouraging signs of recovery, I believe that
this is an opportune time to invite you to invest in a resurgent economy,”
President Aquino told the Networking with the Philippine Business
Delegation event here.
In wooing potential investors, the Chief Executive highlighted the
country’s strong economic growth record, noting that from 2010 to 2013, the
Philippines registered an average growth of 6.3 percent.
He said the investment grade status from Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s and
Fitch Group and the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report
that cited the Philippines as the most improved country since 2010 are
proof enough that the Philippines is a sound investment destination.
Even various publications and reputable organizations have referred to the
Philippines as “Asia’s bright spot” or “Asia’s rising tiger.”
The President said anti-corruption efforts to cut red tape would make it
easier for businesses to set up shop in the Philippines, while reforms to
liberalize industries would open more investment potentials.
“All of this, we have to stress, is only the beginning. Our focus has
always been on inclusive growth, which necessarily means prioritizing our
greatest resource, the Filipino people,” President Aquino said.
Acknowledging that the Filipino people are the country’s greatest resource,
the President said his administration has been focusing on improving the
lives of the poorest of the poor.
The President said the government has succeeded in improving the plight of
around 2.5 million Filipinos above poverty line. He also said the
government is now focusing on pushing the “near poor” away from the poverty
line.
“Indeed, we are working to go from strength to strength. Moving forward, we
continue to invest in infrastructure, to develop key industries like
manufacturing, and to expand the coverage of social services, healthcare,
and education—so that more Filipinos can take part and contribute to this
economic resurgence,” President Aquino said.
“We are determined to prove to the world an important truth about our
country: In the Philippines you will find a place where the government is
focused on investing on its greatest resource, its people; a nation where
entrepreneurs are viewed as partners, and where everyone works to prove
that, for tourists and businesses alike: Es más divertido en las
Filipinas,” he said. PND (co)
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Top
Spanish firms keen on investing in the
Philippines, says Coloma
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(MADRID, Spain)
Spain’s leading companies have expressed interest to invest in the
Philippines and participate in various Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
projects of the Aquino administration, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday met with business leaders from
various companies as part of efforts to enhance trade and investment
partnerships with Spain.
“The President briefed them on the country’s strong economic growth record
that has been built on a platform of good governance that assures a level
playing field and favorable investment returns,” Coloma said.
President Aquino, joined by his official delegation, held talks with the
executives of the engineering company Grupo Actividades de Construccion y
Servicios (ACS), during which the Spanish group has “expressed interest in
participating in renewable energy (solar and wind) projects in the
country,” Coloma said.
Another company, Abengoa, which is engaged in innovative sustainable
technology solutions in the energy and environment sectors, has expressed
interest to bid in the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, according to
Coloma.
The President also held talks with officials of Calidad Pascual, a
family-owned dairy company that manufactures and markets more than 200
dairy products, fruit juices and desserts.
Coloma said Calidad Pascual plans to establish a manufacturing facility in
the country by 2016 if it reaches the target sales of 3 million kilograms
of pasteurized yogurt in the Philippine by end-2015. The planned
manufacturing facility would bring in an initial $8 million in investments.
He said that in 2013, sales of Calidad Pascual in the Philippines reached 1
million kilograms with a total value of $3.7 million.
Ineco, another Spanish firm engaged in infrastructure projects such as
aviation, railways, roads, urban transport and ports, has expressed
interest to bid in the Integrated Transport System Project-South Terminal
and the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway-Dike Project under the PPP program.
President Aquino also held separate meetings with the executives of
Globalvia, Acciona and Indra Sistemas.
In the meting, Indra Sistemas, a consulting and technology firm, told the President
that it plans to strengthen its software solutions factory to become the
main production center for the ASEAN region, as well as increase the number
of its employees to more than 2,000 in the next four years. PND (co)
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16
SEPTYEMBRE 2014
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Pinasalamatan ng Pangulong
Aquino si Punong Ministro Rajoy ng Espanya sa tulong nang salantain ng
kalamidad ang bansa
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(MADRID, Espanya)
Nagpasalamat ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III kay Punong Ministro
Mariano Rajoy ng Espanya sa palaging pagtulong sa Pilipinas sa panahon ng
krisis, lalo na sa panahon ng mga kalamidad.
Sa pulong nila ng Punong Ministro sa Palacio de la Moncloa dito Lunes, pinaabot
ng Pangulong Aquino ang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa Punong Ministro at sa
mga mamamayan ng Espanya sa kagandahang-loob na pagtulong sa mga biktima ng
Bagyong Yolanda.
Napakalaki at malawak ang pinsalang iniwan ng Bagyong Yolanda sa Gitnang
Kabisayaan noong nakalipas na Nobyembre na ikinasawi ng 5,000 katao at
libu-libong pamilya ang nawalan ng tahanan, kabuhayan at hanapbuhay.
Inanyayahan ng Pangulo ang pamahalaan ng Espanya na maging kabalikat sa
sinisikap ng Pilipinas na “maging higit na mabuti” ang buhay ng mga tao sa
mga pook na sinalanta ng bagyo, kabilang na ang Lungsod ng Tacloban sa
Leyte.
Binigyang diin ng Punong Tagapagpaganap na bukas ang bansa sa balikatang
pangkaunlaran maging sa publiko o pribadong sektor man.
Pinaabot pa rin ng Pangulo kay Punong Ministro Rajoy ang pasasalamat sa
tulong na ibinigay sa Pilipinas nang yanigin ng 7.2 lakas ng lindol ang mga
lalawigan ng Bohol at Cebu noong Oktubre 2013.
Hindi rin nakaligtaang banggitin ng Pangulo ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob
ng Pilipinas sa tulong na ibinigay pa rin ng Espanya sa mga naging biktima
ng Zamboanga City standoff ng mga kawal ng pamahalaan at ng Moro National
Liberation Front.
Pagkatapos ng pulong nila ni Punong Ministro Rajoy, lumisan na ang
Pangulong Aquino patungong Brussels, Belgium na ikalawang bansang ng Europa
na sasadyain niya sa biyaheng ito. Sabado ng hating-gabi nang umalis ang
Pangulo sa Pilipinas patungong Espanya. PND (jb/zaf)
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Dumating na ang Pangulong Aquino sa Belgium para makipagpulong
sa mga lider ng EC at Belgium
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
Dumating na rito ngayong hapon ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III at ang
kanyang opisyal na delegasyon ukol sa mga pulong na nakatakdang gawin niya
at ng mga lider ng European Commission at Belgium.
Sisimulan ng Pangulong Aquino ang tatlong araw na pagdalaw niya sa Brussels
sa pamamagitan ng pulong nila ng Pangulong Jose Manuel Barroso ng European
Commission upng talakayin ang iba-ibang isyu, kabilang na ang tungkol sa
West Philippine Sea at kalakalan at pagsasamahan.
Nakatakda ring makipagpulong ang Pangulo sa Kanyang Kamahalan Haring
Philippe ng Kaharian ng Belgium upang hingan ng suporta sa aplikasyon ng
Pilipinas para sa Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) at sa mga
paraan kung paano masusugpo ang ilegal na pangingisda at kung paano pang
mapabubuti ang kalagayan ng mga magdaragat. Ipababatid din ng Pangulo kay
Haring Philippe ang progreso ng ginagawang prosesong pangkapayapaan sa
Mindanao.
Pagkatapos ay makikipagkita ang Pangulo sa komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa
Belgium at Luxembourg na idataos sa Katedral ng St. Michael at St. Gudula.
May 6,000 Pilipino ang naninirahan sa Belgium, alinsunod sa data ng
Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas.
Sa ikalawang araw ng Pangulo sa Belgium, nakatakda siyang makipagpulong
kina Pangulong Herman Van Rompuy ng European Council sa tanggapan ng
nasabing sanggunian at kay Belgian Prime Minister Elio de Rupo sa opisyal
na tahanan nitong huli sa kapitolyo ng Belgium.
Magiging panauhing mananalumpati rin ang Pangulong Aquino sa Public-Private
Partnership Infrastructure Conference at makikipagpulong din siya sa mga
pinuno ng iba-ibang multinational companies.
Tampok naman ng ika-50 anibersaryo ng ugnayan ng Pilipinas at European
Union ang talumpati ng Pangulo sa pagtitipong gaganapin sa Egmont
Institute.
Dito sa Brussels, Belgium tumuloy ang Pangulo pagkaraan ng matagumpay na
pagdalaw niya sa Espanya. Pagkagaling sa dito, ang Pangulo ay tutuloy sa Paris,
Pransiya. PND (jb/zaf)
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Kinatigan ng 'European Union' ang kapayapaang isinusulong ng
administrasyong Aquino para sa Mindanao
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Jose Manuel Barroso ang ginagawang pagsisikap ng
Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III upang magkaroon ng tunay na kapayapaan sa
Mindanao.
“Binabati ko ang Pangulong Aquino sa mga pagsisikap niyang makamtan ang
kapayapaan, kapanatagan at kaunlaran sa Pilipinas na ang pinakamainam na
halimbawa ay ang negosasyon sa kapayapaan sa Mindanao at ang paglagda sa
Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro,” wika ng Pangulong Barroso sa
talumpati pagkaraan ng pulong nila ng Pangulong Aquino sa Punong Tanggapan
ng European Commission dito sa Brussels.
“Ang pagbati ko sa Pangulong Aquino ay lalo na sa ginawa niyang paghaharap
ng draft Bangsamoro Basic Law sa Kongreso ng Pilipinas ika-10 ng buwang
ito. Napakalaking positibong hakbang ito sa pangkalahatang pagsisikap na
magkaroon ng tunay na kapayapaan para sa mga mamamayan ng Mindanao,”
dugtong pa ng Pangulong Barroso.
Kaalinsabay nito, nangako ang Pangulong Barroso na ipagpapatuloy ng
European Union ang suporta at tulong sa panukalang kapayapaan sa Mindanao.
“Itinataguyod din ng European Union ang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa Mindanao
bilang agapay sa mga pagsisikap ng Pamahalaaan, sa pamamagitan ng mga
proyektong pangkaunlaran na nagkakahalaga ng 106 milyong euros. Tinitiyak
ko sa Pangulo ang ating patuloy na suporta at pagtulong sa pagsisikap na
ito,” dugtong pa ng Pangulong Barroso.
Ang suporta ng European Union ay dumating matapos katigan ng Espanya ang
mga hakbang na ginawa ng Pangulong Aquino tungo sa pagsusulong pa ng
kapayapaan sa katimugang Pilipinas sa pagitan ng Punong Tagapagpaganap at
ng Punong Ministro Mariano Rajoy ng Espanya sa Palacio de la Moncloa sa
Madrid.
Sa pulong ng mga lider ng Pilipinas at Espanya, nagpasalamat ang Pangulong
Aquino sa suporta ng Espanya sa panukalang kapayapaan sa Mindanao.
“Pinahahalagahan din namin ang pag-unawa sa umiiral na Autonomous
Communities ng Espanya na bunga ng masusing pag-aaral ng mga dumalaw na
delegado namin sa inyong bansa. Makatutulong ito sa mga pinuno at
mambabatas ng aming pamahalaan na magiging bahagi ng paglikha ng Bangsamoro
political entity,” dugtong pa ng Pangulo.
“Umaasa kaming ipagpapatuloy ng Espanya ang pagiging kabalikat namin sa
pagpapaunlad sa Mindanao,” pahayag pa ng Pangulo.
Nilagdaan na noong Marso 27 ng taong ito ng Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at ng
Moro Islamic Liberation Front ang Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro.
Noong Setyembre 10, ang draft Bangsamoro Basic Law ay ibinigay na ng
Pangulong Aquino kina Pangulong Franklin Drilon ng Senado at Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. ng Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan. PND (co/zaf)
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Pinasalamatan ni Aquino ang European Union sa tulong sa Pilipinas
pagkaraan ng bagyong 'Haiyan'
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(BRUSSELS, Belgium)
Pinasalamatan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang European Union sa
pagtulong sa Pilipinas matapos pinsalain ng napakalakas na bagyong “Haiyan”
(Yolanda) noong isang taon.
Sa pag-uusap nila ni Pangulong Jose Manuel Barroso, pangulo ng European
Union, inulit ng Pangulong Aquino ang “taos-pusong pasasalamat ng
sambayanang Pilipino sa ipinakitang pagdamay ng European Union.”
Ang walang katulad na makataong pagtulong ng European Union ay kumakatawan
sa napakalaking tulong upang makabangon ang aming bansa at magawa ang
kailangang rekostruksiyon,” sabi pa ng Pangulong Aquino sa pinagsanib
nilang pulong balitaan pagkatapos ng pulong nila ng Pangulong Barroso.
“Tulad nang dati, ang ating pagtutulungan ay nagsilbing matibay na
tagapagpagunita kung ano ang magagawa natin sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan
at pagkakaisa. Ito ang simulaing pinatunayan ng Pangulong Barroso at ng
inyong lingkod sa matitibay at makabuluhang ugnayan sa pagitan ng Pilipinas
at ng European Union,” wika pa ng Pangulong Aquino.
Ang pulong ng dalawang lider ay ginanap matapos dumating ang Pangulong
Aquino rito sa ikalawang yugto ng kanyang apat na bansang biyahe sa Europa.
Ang pagdalaw ng Pangulo ay itinapat sa pagdiriwang ng ika-50 anibersaryo ng
pagkatatag ng Embahadang Pilipino sa Belgium. PND (co/zaf)
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President
Benigno S. Aquino III’s Statement during a joint press conference in Brussels
with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso
European
Commission Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
16 Sept 2014
President of the European
Commission José Manuel Barroso, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen:
I wish to extend my gratitude to President Barroso and our friends in the
European Union for the warmth and hospitality they have extended to me and my
delegation on my very first visit to Brussels.
This visit comes at an opportune time, as the Philippines and the European
Union commemorate 50 fruitful years of friendship that has had a very
positive impact on the lives of our countrymen.
President Barroso, allow me to reiterate the profound appreciation of the
Filipino people, for the solidarity that the European Union has demonstrated,
particularly in supporting our peace process and in helping us build back
better and safer in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. The overwhelming
humanitarian assistance of the European Union represents a great contribution
to our national recovery and reconstruction efforts. Meanwhile, the European
Union, again, deserves nothing less than our heartfelt gratitude for its
continued support and steadfast commitment to the Mindanao peace process. The
participation of the EU—whether as a member of the International Monitoring
Team or as a partner in development as signified by the financial aid you
have provided to the Mindanao Trust Fund—has served as another source of
strength, as the Filipino people tread the straight path to a just and
lasting peace.
Then as now, our partnership has served as a concrete reminder of what can be
achieved through cooperation and positive engagement. This is the context in
which President Barroso and I reaffirmed the enduring and meaningful relations
between the Philippines and the European Union.
Earlier today, President Barroso and I discussed a wide range of issues of
mutual interest.
I told President Barroso that the Philippines remains committed to advancing
a peaceful, rules-based resolution to the disputes in the South China Sea,
which is a sea known in our region by many names. Like the European Union, we
believe that the only viable and effective solution is one that is based on
international law—and in particular, under the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. This is the basis for the arbitral proceedings
we initiated last year. We also continue to work with ASEAN and with China
towards the early conclusion of a legally binding Code of Conduct in the
South China Sea.
On matters related to fisheries, I assured President Barroso that the
Philippines is actively undertaking measures to effectively combat and put a
stop to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing or IUUF. Our relevant
agencies, particularly, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, have
been in close coordination with the European Commission’s Directorate-General
for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to address the matter. In addition to
this, last year, the National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing was adopted by our
administration.
As regards the Philippines’ compliance with the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, or
STCW, we informed President Barroso that we are working closely with the
European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport. We have
already laid the groundwork for an effective and sustainable regulatory
system consistent with the STCW Convention. To this end, I have signed
Republic Act No 10635 establishing our Maritime Industry Authority, or
MARINA, as the sole maritime administration authority to implement and
enforce the Convention, in the Philippines.
On the economic front, President Barroso and I reiterated our commitment to
deepen our partnership, while the continued preferences offered to the
Philippines by the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences Scheme have
significantly improved our trade relations. We know fully well that enhanced
trade and investment partnership will open more doors of opportunity for our
respective citizens.
President Barroso, our meeting today reflects the sincere commitment the
Philippines and the European Union have demonstrated in enabling our citizens
to be productive members of the global society. These past 50 years, the
Philippines and the European Union have worked together to strengthen
cooperation and consolidate our efforts, towards the realization of our
shared values and aspirations. I believe we will continue to do so as we
address the many complex challenges of the 21st century.
I am confident that the Philippines’ relations with the European Union will
continue to be productive, strong, and vibrant. And as we work closer, may we
be even more committed to achieving our shared vision for our citizens: to
build a Philippines and a European Union, where, indeed, no one is left
behind.
Thank you, and good day.
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President
Benigno S. Aquino III’s Speech during his meeting with the Filipino Community
in Belgium
Cathedral of St.
Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium
15 Sept 2014
Mga kababayan, ito po ang second
stop sa aking biyahe dito sa Europa. Kagagaling po natin kaninang umaga sa
Espanya, at sa Miyerkules naman po ay tutungo na tayo sa Pransya, bago
lumipad tungo naman sa Alemanya. Matapos po nito, liipad tayo tungong Boston,
New York, San Francisco, sa Estados Unidos.
Ang suma-total po ng mga engagements sa atin pong pupuntahan sa biyaheng ito
ay konti lang po: 86 lang po ang mga engagements namin dito sa mga susunod na
13 araw. Subalit tulad po ng lahat ng ating naging biyahe, iisa lang ang
layunin ng mga pagbisitang ito: ang isulong ang interes ng mamamayang
Pilipino.
Para magawa ito, nakikipagpulong, at makikipagpulong tayo sa mga pinuno ng
mga bansa, sa mga negosyante at institusyon upang mapatibay ang ating
pakikipag-ugnayan, at maipamalita ang mga tagumpay na nakamit natin.
Siyempre, sa lahat po ng mga lakad na ito, ang paborito po nating bahagi sa
ganitong mga biyahe, ay ang pakikipagkita sa mga kababayan nating
nakikipagsapalaran sa iba’t ibang mga bansa.
Talaga hong, kumbaga telepono, alam ninyo—siyempre iyong biyahe ho, 15 hours
po mula Maynila hangang Madrid, tapos ho ay hindi naman ako nakakatulog a
eroplano talaga. Pinatulog ako doon sa hotel nang 30 minutes bago magumpisa
lahat ng meeting. Pero pag nakikita ko ang ating mga kababayan na talagang
masiglang-masigla, ay full charged na ho tayo: parang cellphone. Maraming
salamat po sa inyong lahat. [Palakpakan] Baka mayroong matagal-tagal nang ‘di
nauwi, hayaan po ninyo tayong magbahagi sa inyo ng mga pagbabagong tinatamasa
ng ating bayan.
Taong 2009, nakita ng ICAO, o iyong International Civil Aviation
Organization, na marami raw pong “significant safety concerns” sa ating
aviation industry. Kaya po noong taong 2010, pinagbawalan ng European Union
ang ating mga eroplanong na bumiyahe sa Europa. Nagtalaga nga po tayo ng
bagong pinuno ng ating Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines;
nagpakitang-gilas si Director General William Hotchkiss III, dahil sa 2013,
inalis na ng ICAO ang ipinataw nitong significant safety concern sa bansa.
Sinundan ito ng pagpayag ng EU na muling lumipad ang Philippine Airlines
patungong Europa noong July of 2013; April 2014 naman po nang payagan ang
Cebu Pacific. Direkta na po ang biyahe ng PAL mula Maynila hanggang London.
Nandiyan na ang oportunidad para sa mga Philippine carriers na paramihin pa
ang mga biyahe sa Europa. Ang ibig sabihin po nito, ngayon, mas dadali at mas
darami pa ang biyahe ng ating mga OFW, pati na rin ng mga namumuhunan ng mga
turista.
Isa pa po: Dati tinawag tayong “Sick Man of Asia.” Noon, sa mata ng mundo,
para bang may sakit ang Pilipinas na kailangan munang pagalingin bago
magkaroon ng kumpiyansa ang ibang bansa na mamuhunan o makipag-ugnayan sa
atin. Ngayon po binansagan tayong “Asia’s Rising Tiger”; malayo na sa dating
imahen na sakitin. Bago nga po tayo bumiyahe, muling itinaas ng World
Economic Forum ang ating competitiveness ranking: ika-52 na po tayo sa 144
ekonomiyang sinuri. Simula nga po nang maupo tayo, 33 hakbang na ang iniangat
natin, ang pinakamataas na pag-angat sa mga ekonomiyang nasa ulat ng World
Economic Forum mula noong 2010. Datos na po ang nagsasabi: Sa halos apat na
taon pa lang natin sa administrasyon, 20 na po iyong tinatawag na positive
credit ratings actions na ang nakuha natin. Noong nakaraang taon nga po, sa
unang pagkakataon, binigyan tayo ng investment grade status ng pinakatanyag
na credit rating agencies tulad ng Moody’s, Fitch, at Standard and
Poor’s—sila po ang tatlong pinakatanyag na credit rating agencies sa buong
mundo. Pagdating ng Mayo ngayong 2014, nabilib uli ang Standard and Poor’s at
binigyan tayo ng panibagong upgrade. Ang laging bagsak ng grade natin dati,
pinalitan nila ng investment grade status na tayo ngayon.
Ano po ang implikasyon nito? Dahil investment grade na tayo, mas mababa ang
risko sa mga namumuhunan. Mas maliit ang interes na kailangan nating ialok sa
mga hihiraman ng pondo—kaya nga po, ang hindi na natin kailangang ibayad sa
interes, maaari na nating itutok sa ating mga programang panlipunan. Sa
madaling salita po, mas malaki din po ang kumpiyansang mamuhunan sa ating
bansa, at nababawasan ang kaba ng mga negosyante. Sa pagpasok ng puhunan,
dadami ang negosyo, at dadami rin ang magbubukas na trabaho’t oportunidad
para kina Juan at Juana dela Cruz.
Balikan din po natin: Hindi po ba, dati, parang nasanay na ang mga kababayan
na sa kabi-kabilang scam at eskandalo sa ating gobyerno. Baka hindi pa ho
natin nakalimutan: dumating si “Hello Garci,” sinabayan ng Fertilizer Fund
Scam, may milyun-milyong pisong pabaon sa mga nagreretirong heneral, at iba
pa. Ganyan po ang Pilipinas na ating dinatnan. Pero dahil sa tiwalang
ipinagkaloob ng mamamayang Pilipino, at sa paninindigan natin sa matuwid na
pamamahala, naging posible po ang pagbabago.
Nagmumula po ito sa panunumbalik ng integridad bilang pangunahing haligi ng
pamamahala. Narinig na po ninyo malamang ang ating batayang prinsipyo: Kung
walang corrupt, walang mahirap. Ito mismo ang pundasyon ng mga repormang
ipinapatupad natin. Isinasara na natin ang mga espasyo para gumawa ng hokus
pokus, at tinitiyak na ang mga institusyon ay nakatutok lamang sa kapakanan
ng taumbayan, imbes na para sa interes ng iilan lamang. Siyempre po, kasama
dito ang pagpapanagot sa mga tiwali, at matagal na nagpapasasa sa mga butas
sa ating sistema.
Noong Setyembre at Nobyembre ng nakaraang taon, naisampa na ng Ombudsman ang
mga unang kaso sa ilang mga dawit sa Pork Barrel Scam, at ngayon nga ay
nakapiit na ang ilan sa mga personalidad na sangkot. Kasama na po rito ang
tatlong senador na itinuturo ng nakalap na ebidensiya. Sila po ay dadaan sa
proseso, at obligasyon ng Ombudsman na patunayan ang ebidensyang nakalap
nila. Kung masiguro naman pong nagkasala sila sa taumbayan, mananagot sila.
Malinaw po: malawak ang lambat ng isinusulong nating katarungan, at hindi
natin paliligtasin, lalo na iyong malalaking isda.
Malaki na rin po ang ipinagbago ng mga ahensiyang dati ay nagpapainit sa
ating mga ulo sa tuwing mababanggit sa balita. Tingnan na lang po natin ang
DPWH: 27 billion pesos na po ang natitipid ng ahensyang ito dahil sa mas
episyente at mas matapat ang mga proseso. Sa mga GOCC naman po, o
government-owned or controlled corporations: kung maaalala ninyo, iniulat ko
sa inyo noong aking unang SONA, may ilang mga institusyong nababaon na nga sa
utang, pero hindi pa rin nahihiyang magpaulan ng bonus sa kanilang mga opisyal.
Noong bago tayo maupo sa puwesto, P9 billion ang average na taunang
remittance nitong mga GOCCng ito; 27.4 billion pesos na po ang taunan nilang
dibidendong ibinabayad ngayon. Ang GOCC, nakita po ninyo: tinotoo ang
trabaho, lalo ng GCG. At ang resulta: tatlong ulit ang dinagdag sa pondo na
pwede nating gamitin sa tinatawag na social services.
Sa pangongolekta naman po ng buwis, nasa P40 billion po kada taon ang
nadagdag na nakokolekta ng BIR. Linawin ko lang po ito: Nagawa natin ito nang
hindi tayo nagdadagdag ng bagong buwis, except po iyong sin tax, na ang
layuning ay magpababa sa konsumo ng sigarilyo at alak. Si Commissioner
Henares po, tinotoo ang kanyang trabaho, at sinigurong ang dapat magbayad ng
buwis ay magbabayad ng tamang buwis. Ngayon nga po: 536 na ang naisampang
kaso sa mga umiiwas magbayad ng tamag buwis. Ang total po na sinisingil natin
sa kanila, 78.11 billion pesos.
Pati po ang mga kababayan natin sa Mindanao na matagal na napabayaan,
binibigyan na rin natin ng nararapat na atensiyon at suporta. Ibinalik po
natin ang tiwala sa negosasyon, at ngayon nga ay nagbukas na sa atin ang
pinto patungo sa isang Mindanao na mas maunlad at malaya sa hidwaan. Nitong
nakaraang Miyerkules lang po, naisagawa na natin ang ceremonial handover ng
panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law. Inaasahan nating maipapasa ang batas na ito
sa lalong madaling panahon.
Mula po noong una tayong bumista sa ibang bansa, hanggang ngayon, talagang
palaging puno ng papuri ang lahat ng kausap natin tungkol sa ating mga
kababayang nakipagsapalaran sa labas ng bansa. Siyempre po, maraming salamat
po talaga sa inyong lahat—kayong mga nandito at sa iba pang panig ng Europa
at ibang bansa sa buong mundo—sa mga naabot niyo, at sa aabutin pa ninyo,
pati na rin sa marangal na pagdadala ng pangalan ng ating bayan, saanman kayo
napupunta. Uulitin ko po: Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat sa ngalan ng
ating Inang Bayan.
Yung atin lang pong kabilang panig dito, titingnan-tingnan ko rin ho kayo
kung minsan. Baka naman sabihin niyo ‘di kayo kasama sa usaping ‘to.
May tanong po, at yung mga unang biyahe’y tinatanong ko sa aking sarili:
Bakit ang Pilipino, kapag inilabas mo sa Pilipinas, nagpapakitang-gilas?
Kasama na yung Team Gilas. Dumating nga po tayo sa kaisipan: Ang Pilipino,
bigyan mo ng tamang kondisyon, ilagay mo sa tamang situwasyon, tiyak,
talagang ipapakita ang kanyang husay at kakayahan.
Kaya nga po: Buong-buo pa rin ang tutok ng inyong pamahalaan sa mga nasa
laylayan ng lipunan; mula po sa edukasyon, kung saan napunuan na natin ang mga
pagkukulang sa classroom, hindi lang yung minana nating 66,800, pero pati na
rin yung idadagdag dahil sa K to 12 program.
Napuno na rin po natin yung kakulangan sa textbook at upuan; nabili pa natin
yung libro sa mas mababang halaga. Sa kalusugan naman po, kung saan dumarami
ang mga benepisyaryo ng PhilHealth, at pati na rin po ang mga sakit na
sinasaklaw o puwede nang maipagamot nang libre ng ating mga kababayang
maralita; hanggang sa mga programa po tulad ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program—alam ho niyo ito, itong program na ho ito ay nagbibigay ng tinatawag
na cash stipend sa ating mga kababayan ngang nasa laylayan nga ng lipunan,
kapalit ng pagsigurong nilang mababakunahan ang mga sanggol, mananatili sa
paaralan ang kanilang mga anak, at ang mga inang nagdadalang-tao ay
nagpapacheck-up nang regular.
‘Yan pong pamumuhunan natin diyan ay patunay na ang gobyerno ay nasa panig ng
mas nangangailangan at nagbubunga na po ang mga ito: Sa huling pagtatala pong
ipinaabot sa atin, nakitang pong 2,500,000 Pilipino ang nakaalpas na sa
tinatawag na poverty line. Ngayon nga po, sunod-sunod din ang mga inisyatiba,
para yung mga tinatawag na near-poor, yung mga nakalampas na ay tuluyan nang
lumayo sa tinatawag na poverty line, para hindi sila bumalik na mabuhay sa
ilalim ng poverty line, dahil lamang sa biglaang pagdating ng sakit o sakuna.
Huwag din po nating kalimutan: Papasok tayo sa susunod na taon sa tinatawag
na demographic sweet spot, kung saan ang bulto ng ating populasyon ay papasok
sa working age. Kapag sila po’y sumasahod na, ang perang kinikita nila ang
siyang iikot sa ating ekonomiya, at magpapatuloy ng ating pag-angat.
Ibig-sabihin po noon, yung mga pinopondohan natin, lalo na diyan sa Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program, tinulungan mong makapagtapos—dati pong grade
school, ngayong pinalawak na natin hanggang high school—’pag nakatapos ng
high school, ang dagdag na kita ay tinataya pong higit 40 percent ang lamang
kaysa kung grade school lang ang natapos.
So dumadagdag ang oportunidad, dinadagdagan mo ang kakayahan ng ating mga
kababayan para makilahok doon sa pag-angat at pag-dami nitong mga oportunidad
na ito. Dulo po, panalo po ang buong bansa. Sa totoo lang po—kaya baka
guluhin ko po yung ating mga writer, babasahin ko na lang ang kanilang sinulat:
Hindi po dapat masayang ang pambihirang pagkakataong ito. Ang gusto natin:
planado kung paano natin masusulit ang pabukas na lahat ng pagkakataong ito.
Hindi po natin dinadaan sa tsamba ito. Hinahanap natin kung anong mga sektor
ang malaki ang ambag sa ekonomiya, at tuloy ang pamumuhunan natin sa
taumbayan, upang mabigyang-lakas ang bawat Pilipino.
Malinaw po: Tayong mga Pilipino—saanmang panig ng mundo—ang gumawa ng
pagbabago, at patuloy na gumagawa ng pagbabagong ito. Tayo rin ang magtutuloy
nito. Hindi po tayo titigil sa pagsusulong ng malawakang transpormasyon sa
ating lipunan. Ang mga dahilan kung bakit dati ay para bang napilitang umalis
ang ating mga kababayan—gaya ng katiwalian, kawalan ng oportunidad, at siklo
ng kahirapang tila ba hindi na mabali-bali—ay binubura na natin simula pa
noong unang maupo tayo sa puwesto. Natural, puspusan ang pagkontra ng mga
nakinabang sa dating kalakaran. Pero hindi po tayo magpapadaig sa kanila.
[Naubo] Naingit ho ako tuloy dun sa kumanta kanina. [Tawanan] Mukhang walang
limitasyon ang kaniyang boses. [Palakpakan]
Alam po ninyo, doon po sa atin, medyo nagsisimula na ang ingay tungkol sa
eleksyon sa darating na 2016. Nasa kultura na po yata natin ang pagiging
excited sa halalan, at totoo nga pong may ibang medyo mas excited na rin
talaga.
Ang masasabi ko po sa inyo—kaming mga nabigyan ng mandato ay hindi
magpapadala sa usapang pulitika. May mga suliraning hindi masosolusyonan ng
pangangampanya. Bago nga po tayo umalis, siniguro natin na ang mga kasangga
nating dapat nakatutok sa kani-kanilang mga tungkulin, at may direktiba
tayong binitawan—halimbawa na po itong isyu ng trapik mula sa port
congestion; o ang isyu ng enerhiya, na pinapangambahan nga po nating
magkulang dahil sa El Niño at patuloy na pagtaas ng pangangailangan dahil
umuunlad nating ekonomiya. Hindi naman po ako manghuhula, pero sa tantsa ko
po ay may dalawang uri ng kandidatong lilitaw sa eleksyon. Iyon pong mga
kasangga natin at alam nating magtutuloy sa lahat ng ating naipunla—mula po
sa larangan ng reporma, sa pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya, at sa pag-aaruga sa
ating mga kababayan. Sila ang magsasabi, “Itutuloy ko, at pagagandahin pa
lalo ang nasimulang transpormasyong ito.”
Yung kabilang banda naman, ang pangalawang uri ng kandidato: Ang walang
gumawa kundi kumontra at tumutol sa lahat ng ipinaglaban nating reporma.
Dahil tumututol sila, iisa lang ang ibig-sabihin: Kontra sila sa mga tamang
ginawa natin; kontra sila sa mga nakakamit na nating tagumpay sa tuwid na
daan. Kung sasabihin nga po nilang sang-ayon sila sa mga darating na araw, at
itutuloy nila ang mga tagumpay natin dito sa tuwid na daan, siyempre may
katanungan pong papasok sa isip natin: Kung sang-ayon kayo, bakit naman kayo
kumokontra pa? Bakit hindi na lang kayo nakiambag? Bakit hindi na lang kayo
makiambag upang mapabilis at mapalalim ang pagbabago?
Tanong po sa sambayanan—Sa mga taong dati kontra na silang magpapatuloy,
tanong ko po sa iyo: Handa po ba tayong sumugal sa mga kontrang ito? ‘Di po
ba, mas sigurado ang pagpapatuloy kung papanig tayo sa mga nakikita natin
ngayong ngayon pa lang ay kitang-kitang nakikiambag na?
Ang hamon sa atin ngayon: pangalagaan at suportahan ang isa’t isa, saan man
tayo magkita. At kapag nagpatuloy ang paghakbang natin sa tuwid na landas,
darating tayo sa isang bukas kung saan ang pagkakataon, bukas sa Pilipino, sa
loob ng Pilipinas; maaabot natin ang isang lipunan kung saan ang nais umuwi,
ay makakauwi na talaga at masasabing, “Ganito, ganito ang Pilipinas na aking
pinangarap.”
Mga kasama, sigurong magandang balikan ko kung saan ako nagsimula. Siyempre
maraming gabay at aral na aking tatutunan sa aking mga magulang. Naaalala ko
po ang sabi ng aking ama, sabi noong panahon Batas Militar, itinanong ko,
“Dad, kung tayo ang nasa tama, bakit tila kakaunti ang kakampi natin.” Ang
sagot niya sa akin, “Alam mo, sa dami ng kalayaan sa loob ng isang
demokrasya, yung pangunahing kalayaang kailangang makamtan ay kalayaan mula
sa kagutuman. Kung tayo’y walang tutok kung hindi malaman kung saan kukunin
ang susunod na kakainin, wala nang ibang importante kundi kung paano mapuno
ang tiyan ng ating pamilya, lalo na ng ating mga anak.” At talaga pong
natanim sa aking palaisipan ‘yang kaniyang sinabi noong pinakamadilim na
parte noong Martial Law.
At habang tayo’y naupo nga ho, babalikan ko ‘yung sinabi ko sa inyo kanina.
Bakit ang Pilipino, ilabas mo ng Pilipinas, talaga namang nagtatagumpay.
Bakit hindi magawa ng Pilipino na magtagumpay sa sariling bansa—at iyan pong
isang tumutulak talaga sa atin. Kaya itong nangyayari sa ating ngayon, ulitin
ko sa inyo, planado. Darating ang negosyante, mamumuhunan, magtatayo ng
pabrika. Yung pabrika, walang makuhang empleyado, dahil hindi handa. Kayo po,
palagay ko, may mga kaibigan, kamag-anak, na minsan pumasok sa isang kurso,
tulad sa Nursing, dahil sinabi sa kanyang pumasok, “Maraming trabaho sa
Nursing.” Nung nag-graduate, wala nang trabaho sa Nursing. Ang masakit, bago
noon, nag-physical therapist muna, dahil maraming physical therapist na
trabahong kailangan. Nag-graduate dun, pumasa ng board exam, lumipat sa
Nursing, dahil nawala na yung trabaho sa Physical Therapy—pagka-graduate sa
Nursing, wala na namang trabaho sa Nursing.
Tama ho ba? Kaya ho ginawa natin, hindi puwedeng ganiyan. Makipag-ugnayan
tayo sa industriya; kausapin natin, “Ano ba kailangan niyo?” Para naman yung
nagsikap na magkaroon ng kaalaman, angkop sa mga oportunidad na papasok—at
nagkakaroon na po tayo ng tagumpay diyan.
Yung TESDA po, nung nag-umpisa tayo, 28.5 percent ng mga graduates nila ang
nagkakaroon ng trabaho. Ngayon po, nasa 65.8 percent na po ang may tiyakang
trabaho sa pangkalahatan. May mga sektor po nang maabutang 91 hanggang 93
percent—halos tiyak, dumaan ka sa TESDA, may trabaho kang maganda
patutunguhan. Meron pa nga hong isa, noong na-interview, napunta ho yata siya
sa Middle East, sabi niya sa kanyang interview, “Ako ‘di nakapagtapos ng
kolehiyo, pero dito, tignan mo iyong mga nasa opisina namin, mayroong
enhinyero, mayroong business management graduate, at kung ano-ano. Lahat
yan,” ka niya “na tituladong tao, tumatawag sa aking ‘Sir’. Pero ako, hindi
tapos.”
So, ulitin ko lang po: iyong pagpundar natin sa TESDA, unang taon pa lang
nagtratrabaho, pag nagbayad ng kanilang buwis, sa witholding tax, maski sa
minimum na tax base: bayad na iyong pinuhunan ng estado. Ibig sabihin po:
balik ang kapital ng estado, balik iyong pagkakataon magbigay iyong susunod
na opportunidad na pagandahin iyong kanyang situwasyon. Hindi ho nawawala sa
tongpats, hindi napupunta sa kickback.
So, ang dulo po nito—at babalikan ko po ulit ang aking ama—ang hirap po
maniwala noong panahon ng kadiliman ng martial law na darating ang panahong
magkakaroon tayo uli ng demokrasya. Dumating po ang ating ina na nagpatuloy
ng kanyang laban, at naibalik nga ang demokrasya.
Siguro, tingin ko po sa trabahong ipakita sa inyo kung bakit ang demokrasya
talaga ang pinakatamang systema, at tayo, noog magtulungan—ano ba
ibig-sabihin ng tayo’y magtulungan? Hindi naman ako nagbago noong panahong
nasa oposisyon ako. Pareho iyong pinaglalaban ko. Pero binigyan ninyo ako ng
mandato, at ipinakita ko sa inyo, sa pagtutulong natin, iyong dating
imposible, talaga naman pong naging posible na. Ang kailangan po, ay huwag
naman tayo magbago. Baka naman gayahin natin si Juan Tamad.
Si Juan Tamad ho, iyong litrato noong kabataan ko, nasa ilalim ng puno,
hinihintay bumagsak yung bayabas. At sa totoo lang ho, napagisip ako: Pag
nahulog iyang bayabas na iyan, iyon ba ay sobrang hinog na o bulok na, kaya
nahulog mula sa puno? Bakit ko namang hihintayin na sobrang hinong o sobrang
bulok, kung puwede mo namang pitasin sa tamang oras? Obligasyon po ng
gobyernong ibigay sa inyo ang oportunidad na iyan. Kayo naman ho ang
humuhubog ng gobyernong gagawa niyan. Sa pagtutulungan natin—ulitin ko lang
ho—iyong dating imposible, posible na. Puwede nang mangarap uli.
Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po.
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16 SEPT 2014
- Ex-COMELEC supervisor indicted for SALN violation
- MRT-3 upgrading and buy-out
happening in parallel
- Government hiring 32 Project Managers to fast-track
E-Government
- DPWH installed warning signs,
undertakes immediate clearing on "Typhoon Luis" affected
infrastructure
- BIR collection for August 2014
grew by P9.45 billion
- DOLE's NCMB settles PM case at MCU-FDT Medical
Foundation; 58 workers receive P348-K in separation benefits
- PH second among 15 EPS countries in efficiency in
sending workers to South Korea
- Senator Loren Legarda represents Philippines in WAW!
Tokyo 2014
- PhilRice prepares farmers for El
Niño
- New Mobile App for farming developed
- DAR to build P37.8-M infra
projects for Cagayan farmers
- September 2014 Respiratory Therapist Licensure
examination results released in two (2) working days
- August and September 2014
Metallurgical Engineer Licensure examination results released on the last
day of examination
- PDIC to continue processing claims of Rural Bank of
Oroquieta (Misamis Occidental) depositors
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Lintang Bedol, former
provincial election supervisor of the Commission on Elections – Cotabato,
Maguindanao faces criminal indictment for not filing his Statements of
Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
In a six-page Resolution, the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao
approved the filing of charges against Bedol for violation of Section 8 of
Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees).
Investigation shows that Bedol has not filed his SALN for five years since
2002.
Bedol justified his non-filing of SALNs by claiming that all election
documents and his personal files including his 2005 and 2006 SALNs were
stolen when his office at the Capitol Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao was ransacked
in May 2007.
“Such claim even strengthened his indictment as why would respondent simply
store the SALNs among his personal documents and not file them with the
Office of the Ombudsman or COMELEC Manila,” the Resolution states.
Bedol further claimed that he did not file his SALN in 2007, 2008, and
2009 as he went into hiding due to threats made on his life to prevent him
from reporting to the media the anomalies during the elections in 2007.
However, it was determined that Bedol was no longer a public official
in 2007 as he has been absent without official leave since 2007 and
resurfaced only in 2011.
Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713 states that all public officials and
employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath
of their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests
including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under eighteen (18)
years of age living in their households.
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MRT-3 upgrading and buy-out happening
in parallel
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DOTC Sticks to Improvement Project Timelines,
Pursues EVBO Separately
With a pipeline of much-needed improvement projects for the Metro Rail
Transit III (MRT-3) system on the plate of the Department of Transportation
and Communications (DOTC), the transport department is fast-tracking their
implementation as it pursues the buy-out of the railway separately, so as not
to delay any further the relief that riders deserve.
“The modernization and upgrading of MRT-3 is critical in order to improve our
services to passengers in terms of both safety and convenience. Most of these
projects will be completed in 2015 to 2016 under current timelines, which is
why we are already pursuing them separately from the buy-out,” said DOTC
Secretary Jun Abaya.
“We need to work together in the interest of MRT-3 riders. Government is
still finalizing the details of its buy-out plan, but we will bring this to
the private owner as soon as it is completed. The buy-out will pave the way
for our long-term plans, which is intended to deliver not only a decent MRT-3
system to the public, but one that we can look forward to taking,” he added.
Earlier this month, the DOTC formed a transition team composed of engineers
and staff of the MRT-3 Office and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to
work with and closely monitor regular maintenance works on the system. This
move is meant to give government a direct role in ensuring that safety
requirements are met and protocols are properly followed on a daily basis, in
the interest of the riding public.
At the same time, the DOTC and MRT-3 Office are either procuring or
implementing the following improvement projects to ensure medium- to
long-term safety, reliability, and convenience of the transit line.
48 New Train Cars and Tap-and-Go Ticketing
Major upgrades that are already underway are the addition of 48 brand-new
train cars and the automation of the railway’s ticketing system.
The new train cars are the crucial solution to long lines, as they will
increase passenger capacity by 66%. This means that the current 3-car
configuration will be made into 4-car sets, and they will arrive at
2.5-minute intervals instead of the current 3 minutes.
The prototype unit of the new train cars will be tested on the system by
August 2015, and once approved, 3-4 new units will be delivered every month
thereafter. While complete delivery of the 48 train cars will be accomplished
in December 2016, each monthly delivery will already afford partial relief to
riders.
Meanwhile, the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) project is also
underway, with partial operations at the MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1
and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) starting in July 2015. This contactless or tap-and-go
ticketing scheme, which will cut queuing time and speed up line transfers,
will be fully operational by September 2015.
Other Improvement Projects in the Pipeline
The DOTC has set out its timelines for the improvement program as follows:
PROJECT
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DESCRIPTION
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PROCUREMENT COMPLETION
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PROJECT COMPLETION
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Conveyance Facilities
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This will make all elevators and
escalators operational by replacing obsolete systems.
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Dec. 2014
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Mar. 2015
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Rail Replacement
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Portions of the rail will be
replaced with new pieces to maximize train speed and improve safety.
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Nov. 2014
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Apr. 2015
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Traction Motors Replacement
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Train engine motors will be
replaced to maximize the use of the train cars and improve service
reliability.
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Nov. 2014
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May 2015
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Signaling System
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Upgrading of signaling and
software systems to improve reliability and enhance passenger safety.
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Sept. 2014
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Phase 1 –
Apr. 2015
Phase 2 –
Sept. 2015
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Ancillary Systems
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This will allow the 48 new train
cars to be integrated into the system by adding depot parking facilities,
power substations, and others.
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Dec. 2014
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Sept. 2015
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New Radio Communications System
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Replace the entire radio
communications system to improve operations coordination.
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Dec. 2014
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June 2015
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North Avenue Footbridge
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Construction of an additional
footbridge at the North Avenue station to accommodate queues.
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Jan. 2015
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Sept. 2015
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Train Overhaul
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Repair of 72 existing train cars
(2 cars per month) as part of maintenance for better facilities and
improved safety.
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Dec. 2014
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Dec. 2017
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Equity Value Buy-Out in the Works
Government’s long-term plan for the MRT-3 is to implement an Equity Value
Buy-Out (EVBO) of the system’s private sector-owner Metro Rail Transit
Corporation (MRTC) pursuant to the Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT) Concession
Agreement.
Under Executive Order No. 167 s. 2013, the DOTC and the Department of Finance
(DOF) are tasked to implement the EVBO, to put an end to the ongoing
arbitration case in Singapore between the DOTC and the MRTC. This will also
terminate the Concession Agreement, end government’s obligation to pay
billions of pesos in equity rental payments to MRTC annually, and transfer
ownership over the MRT-3 to government. The DOTC is seeking a P 53-Billion
appropriation in the 2015 budget for the EVBO.
Once the buyout is complete, the transport agency may then bid out an
operations and maintenance (O&M) contract for the line, thereby tapping
private sector efficiency and customer service orientation for operational
needs, while retaining regulatory functions for passenger protection with
government.
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Government hiring 32 Project Managers to
fast-track E-Government
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Manila, Philippines - The
Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications
Technology Office (DOST-ICT Office) is hiring 32 project managers to
fast-track the implementation of several medium to large scale eGovernment
projects inline with the eGovernment Masterplan (eGMP) and the Medium Term
ICT Harmonization Initiative (MITHI).
eGovernment allows for more efficient, transparent and effective governance
and delivery of public services through the use of ICT. With eGovernment,
more government services will be available online and will minimise the
tedious need to queue for government services that usually take hours of
citizen's valuable time.
Among the essential e-government projects to be implemented by these Project
Managers are those under the Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil)
project, which aims to interconnect government agencies and automate
processes for faster and more efficient public service. The project itself is
composed of interconnected projects that include infrastructure, systems and
applications, and shared services. At least 10 of these projects are either
complete or nearing completion. These are the fiber optic network, data
centers, cloud computing, government email, public key infrastructure, forms
generator, online
payment system, document and record management system, government web
hosting, and project tracking and management.
Among the IT projects in the pipeline outside iGovPhil are the Government
Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), the National
Payroll System, and the Human Resources Asset Management and Procurement.
These Project Managers shall form part of the corps of Chief Information
Officers (CIOs) who will be deployed in frontline Government agencies
managing vital eGovernment services.
Applicants need to have minimum of three years experience in managing medium
to large scale ICT projects in the public or private sector. They must also
be willing to be assigned to government agencies other than the DOST- ICT
Office. Interested professionals may visit the ICT Office website for
details.
About DOST-ICT Office - The Information and Communications Technology Office
of the Department of Science and Technology is the Philippine Government's
lead agency on ICT related matters. Its primary thrusts are in the ICT
Industry Development, eGovernment, ICT policy development, Internet for all
and Cybersecurity.
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DPWH installed warning signs,
undertakes immediate clearing on "Typhoon Luis" affected
infrastructure
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Concerned Regional and District
Engineering Offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in
Typhoon “Luis” affected areas have installed warning signs on damaged
national roads including those declared closed to traffic.
Situational report obtained from maintenance point persons in the field by
DPWH Bureau of Maintenance revealed that as of 6 AM today (September 15,
2014), the Calacaban Section of Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Tue
(KM389+100) in Mountain Province is closed to traffic due to landslide with
DPWH crew and equipment deployed for immediate clearing as soon as workers’
safety is assured.
The Cabagan Overflow Bridge in Sta. Maria, Isabela and Cabatangan River
Section of Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road in the Province of Aurora were also both
closed to vehicular traffic due to flood waters.
In Nueva Ecija, strong current of flood waters washed out and rendered closed
to traffic the detour road at KM173+500 in Barangay Sabit, Cuyapo forming
part of Nueva Ecija-Pangasinan Road.
Flood waters of 1.0 meter high has restricted the movement of all types of
vehicle at KM303+400 in Mabini-Caranglaan Section of Pangasinan-Zambales Road
in Pangasinan while KM578+000 in Paraiso Ni Juan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and
KM396+500 of Pangasinan-La Union Road are both one lane passable following
the occurrence of slides.
Slides have also occurred at intermittent section along Ilocos Sur-Abra Road
and Tagudin-Cervantes Road in Ilocos Sur but open to all types of vehicles.
To immediately attend to repair and improvement of calamity damaged
infrastructure, Secretary Rogelio L. Singson through Department Order 96
dated September 11, 2014 directed the immediate submission by the Regional
Directors and District Engineers factual ground validation of damages to DPWH
projects for request for funding.
All calamity reports has to be reviewed by the Regional Director within two
(2) days from receipt of final report from the ground before forwarding the
duly validated report together with supporting documents to the office of
Secretary Singson.
Among the supporting documents are the endorsement of the Regional Director,
program of work and detailed unit price analysis, project profile, site
location map, captioned and dated pictures, and certification by the Regional
Director and District Engineer that the project is actually damaged by the
particular calamity or disaster.
Calamity damage reports on infrastructure are categorized in three (3)
priority groups: Priority 1 – involves immediate rehabilitation of collapsed
bridges, cut road sections, breached seawalls and dikes, and uproofed or
totally destroyed public buildings to quickly restore mobility and ensure the
safety of the affected aeras; Priority 2 – involves ordinary repair works
such as patching potholes, resurfacing of washed out roads and slightly
destroyed flood control structures; and Priority 3 – involves minor repair
work or improvement to prevent further deterioration.
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BIR collection for August 2014 grew
by P9.45 billion
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For the month of August 2014, the
BIR collected P127.56 billion in tax revenues, P9.45 billion or 8.01% more
than collections made in August 2013.
For August 2014, collections from BIR operations amounted to P125.02 billion,
P8.82 billion or 7.59% more than collections made in August 2013.
Collections from non-BIR operations amounted to 2.55 billion, P636 million or
33.29% more than the collections made in August 2013.
Collections by the Regional Offices amounted to P42.09 billion, or P3.93
billion or 10.3% more than the collections made in August 2013. While
collections by the Large Taxpayers Service amounted to P82.93 Billion,P4.89
or 6.26% more than collections made in August 2013.
“The performance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue was affected by the low
income tax payments received for the 2nd quarter of taxable year 2014 which
can be attributed to lower corporate income of large corporations, which
could also be brought about by the port congestion experienced during the
past months,” BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said.
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DOLE's
NCMB
settles PM case at MCU-FDT Medical Foundation; 58 workers receive P348-K in
separation benefits
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The National Conciliation
and Mediation Board, an attached agency of the DOLE, yesterday reported to
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that its office in
the National Capital Region has settled through conciliation a preventive
mediation case between MCU-Dr. Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation, Inc.
and its union, MCU-FDT Medical Foundation Employees Association, thereby
restoring harmony and productivity between management and the company's
employees.
"We are pleased to report that the preventive mediation case filed by
the employees’ union against the company, on account of unfair labor practice
due to alleged non-payment of CBA benefits to workers on the 1st year of
their CBA amounting to P10,000 for each employee, has been finally
settled," Executive Director Reynaldo Ubaldo reported.
The union is an affiliate of the Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW) and the
certified bargaining agent of the 384 employees of MCU-FDT.
The terminated /resigned workers filed the preventive mediation case on 13
August with allegations of massive violation of the workers’ right to proper
payment of remuneration and separation benefits. As a response the management
refuted such allegation, stating that the workers are not entitled to the CBA
benefits. The workers further repudiated the management’s allegation
insisting that their separation claims are valid and reasonable under the
circumstances.
On 29 August, after just two conciliation conferences facilitated by the
NCMB-NCR, the parties mutually agreed that the 58 workers who were terminated
and have voluntarily resigned as of 15 March 2014 shall be granted P6,000
each in separation benefits.
Baldoz commended the RCMB-NCR conciliator-mediator Estelita S. Bautista for
facilitating the expeditious settlement of the dispute through the
established mediation-conciliation procedures of NCMB.
“The workers expressed satisfaction on the settlement of their individual
claims,” said Ubaldo in his report. He said the aim of these conciliation
procedures is to safeguard the rights and protection of workers in mutually
agreed arrangements and at the same time balance the legitimate needs of the
employers.
“I am pleased that once again, the DOLE RCMB's strengthened conciliation
process has led to the settlement of a dispute that would have been harmful
to the company and its workers. Conciliation is really a fast and
cost-effective mode of resolving labor disputes and facilitating
settlement," commented Baldoz, noting that more and more cases are being
settled through conciliation-mediation to the benefit of more workers.
“It is our pledge to ensure that our policies, programs and activities are
consistent, coherent, and in harmony with the 2011-2016 Labor and Employment
Plan promoting better business environment and inclusive growth through
decent and productive work,” She added.
The MCU-Dr. Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation is a non-stock non-profit
educational institution with an adjunct tertiary hospital primarily engaged
in providing medical and health services. It is currently located at EDSA,
Caloocan City. It employs 600 workers represented by the Human Resource
Department Manager, Perseverania Lecaroz and assisted by Atty. Ernesto Tabao.
On the other hand, MCU- Dr. Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Employees
Association is the sole and exclusive bargaining representative of its 384
rank-and-file employee-members.
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PH
second
among 15 EPS countries in efficiency in sending workers to South Korea
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With process cycle time of 50 days
PH second among 15 EPS countries in efficiency in sending workers to South
Korea With a process cycle time of 50 days, the Philippines places second to
Nepal in terms of efficiency in sending OFWs to South Korea under the
Employment Permit System (EPS). This was the report to Labor and Employment
Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz of Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac on his participation at the 10th year
anniversary celebration of the EPS in Seoul, South Korea. “The data
highlights presented by the Human Resource Development Korea (HRD Korea)
covering all 15 countries participating in the EPS place the Philippines in a
very positive light,” said Cacdac in his report. Countries participating in
the Korea EPS are Vietnamn, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Mongolia,
Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, and
East Timor. The Philippines, according to Cacdac, has placed fourth place in
deployment, with 39,418 OFWs deployed as of date. The top three countries that
have deployed more workers to South Korea than the Philippines are Vietnam,
Thailand, and Indonesia which, according to Cacdac, may be due to the fact
that they deploy agricultural and construction workers, in contrast to the
country which deploys workers mostly to the manufacturing sector. In terms of
the number of illegal stayers, the Philippines has reduced the number of
illegal stayers, decreasing the number over the last three years from 30.6
percent in December 2012 to only 19.6 percent in June this year. Commenting
in Cacdac’s report, Baldoz said the POEA’s Government Placement Branch should
work on the challenge to cut down its process cycle time of sending workers
to South Korea from 50 days “to less than 45 days, even to 30 days”. She also
said the POEA must intensify some more its advocacy campaign among EPS
workers for them to obey the Korean Law that requires them to go back to the
Philippines after their EPS sojourn. While in South Korea for the anniversary
celebration, Cacdac met with HRD Korea representative to the Philippines
Jeong Eun Hee, HRD Korea President Park Young-bum, Philippine Ambassador to
South Korea Raul Hernandez, and Philippine Labor Attache to Seoul Felly Bay.
He also had a chance to visit the new HRD Korea headquarters in Ulsa, a
three-hour train ride from Seoul. Cacdac was accompanied to Seoul by PEOA
Regional Center Mindanao Director Carolina Agdamag.
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16 September 2014 - Senator Loren
Legarda represented the Philippines in the World Assembly for Women (WAW!
Tokyo 2014) held from September 12 to 13 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was
jointly hosted by four organizations - the Government of Japan, KEIDANREN (Japan
Business Federation), Nikkei Inc., and the Japan Institute of International
Affairs, and supported by the Japan Center for Economic Research. The
estimated 1,100 participants included political, business and opinion leaders
from countries across the world.
The Assembly opened on September 12 with statements from Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe, International Monetary Fund Chair Christine Lagarde and
former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and a dialogue with the First
Lady of Japan, Akie Abe, and former First Lady of the UK, Cherie Blair.
In a meeting of distinguished women leaders in Asia with Prime Minister Abe
following the opening program, Senator Legarda, the only Philippine
participant in the high level symposium, stressed the need to address the
vulnerability of women to disasters. She highlighted the opportunities for
the Philippines to enhance partnership with Japan in disaster risk reduction
(DRR) and management, and recognized the important role of women as Japan
continually provides a venue for important global DRR initiatives,
particularly through the hosting of the First UN World Conference on DRR in
Kobe in 2005 that brought about the Hyogo Framework for Action, and the Third
UN World Conference on DRR set next year in Sendai, Japan.
At the high-level meeting on September 13, the Senator delivered the opening
statement for a group discussion on “A Society where Self-Determination of
Women is Assured.” She stressed the importance of countries making
gender-sensitive and risk-sensitive policies, plans and programs to empower
women as part of the overall development strategy.
She recommended concrete examples by introducing Philippine laws on women as
model legislation that could be adopted by other countries to operationalize
gender mainstreaming and empowerment, particularly the Anti-Violence Against
Women and Their Children Act; Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act;
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act; Magna Carta on Women; and
Executive Order 273, which mandates government agencies to incorporate and
reflect Gender and Development (GAD) concerns in planning and budgeting.
Senator Legarda said that women can be frontliners in climate and disaster
resilience efforts, stressing that to empower women is to reduce their
vulnerability to disasters. Her call was echoed by Naoko Ishii, Chairperson
of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), who also expressed support to the
Philippines’ efforts in the management and conservation of its 100 protected
areas; and by Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development
Programme, who said that more women should lead in disaster risk management,
prevention, relief and rehabilitation programs.
The event succeeded in making recommendations on key issues in promoting women’s
active roles in the economy, and the common issues relating to women
throughout the world. Prime Minister Abe urged participants to work on these
commitments in their respective countries and invited them to the WAW! Tokyo
2015 to sustain the momentum and progress in women empowerment and gender
equality initiatives.
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Help the rice farmers cope with
the onslaught of El Niño through adequate information.
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country`s lead agency in
rice science and development, had produced and rolled out information
materials on El Niño to equip the farmers with better chances of adapting to
the warmer-than-usual phenomenon.
Jaime A. Manalo IV, Development Communication Division head, said print,
modules, audio, and videos are uploaded in the agency`s website and were
distributed to the regional information officers of the Department of
Agriculture across the country.
Manalo said that brochures and leaflets on El Niño-ready varieties and the
science of the phenomenon, which was explained in simple, non-technical way
were also distributed.
“We know the power of information. Let`s make the farmers be prepared!
Download the materials from
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/index.php?page=resources&page3=elnino and
share them in the social media,” he said.
Farmers in highly vulnerable areas are also informed through forum. In
Isabela, farmers were briefed on Alternate Wetting and Drying, a water-saving
technology where rice fields are alternately flooded and drained.
Manalo also encouraged the rice tillers to contact the Farmers` Text Center
(0920-911-1398) should they want to know more about El Niño and the
technologies that can reduce the losses brought about by the phenomenon.
(PhilRice Development Communication Division)
Reference: Mr. Jaime A. Manalo IV
OIC, Development Communication Division
TRUNKLINES: 63 (44) 456-0277, 0920-970-2629
Help Desk: (044) 456-5387 Text Center: 0920-911-1398 E-mail:
prri.mail@philrice.gov.ph
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Farming gets more high-tech with
the mobile applications (app) being developed by information technologists in
Nueva Ecija, the country’s rice granary.
Android mobile app that can do three functions: measure farm area, calculate
fertilizer needs, and assess nitrogen deficiency garnered the Most Innovative
Application and the Special Jury Award during the recent AGRI-Hackathon
hosted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
“With this app, estimates will be lessened. It is important for the farmers
to know their exact farm area to optimize it; while fertilizer application
must also be accurate for crop’s health and to avoid unnecessary fertilizer
expenses,” developers Jermaine M. Germino and Michael L. De Guzman said.
The mobile app also incorporated the principles of Leaf Color Chart (LCC) or
the four-stripped plastic “ruler” used in assessing nitrogen status of rice
plant.
Germino and de Guzman, instructors of the Nueva Ecija University of Science
and Technology (NEUST), said that instead of comparing the color of the
leaves with the ruler, the farmer will now take photos of the leaves for the
app to analyze.
“In seconds, accurate assessment will be generated,” they said.
Meanwhile, the E-Survey app by team Agrisive of the Central Luzon State
University was given the Best Research and Survey Management Application.
This application contains an e-form that respondents fill up based on the
researchers’ information needs.
The I-Tanim of the I-Tech team from NEUST also received the Best Farmer
Information Technology Application. I-Tanim is an e-book in a single app
containing the LCC, PalayCheck, tutorials on selecting seeds, and
mini-encyclopedia on plant disorders.
The mobile applications are being further developed.
AGRI-Hackathon is a competition for information technologists to create
either web or mobile app. Microsoft Philippines, Eqela, Blackberry,
Freelancer, and PhilRice sponsored the event. (PhilRice Development
Communication Division)
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DAR to build P37.8-M infra projects
for Cagayan farmers
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Farmers in Rizal, Cagayan Province
lauded the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for building them a communal
irrigation system and a post-harvest facility worth P37.8 million that are
meant to maximize farm productivity and increase their income.
DAR Regional Director Marjorie Ayson said she expects a big economic turn-around
for Rizal, one of the poor municipalities in Cagayan, once these farm-support
projects are completed as they would enable farmers to double, even triple,
cropping seasons and seek their market value for their harvests.
“The farmers are now experiencing a prolonged dry spell because of the El
Nino phenomenon. The lack of rainfall stunted the growth of rice, leading to
low harvest and sub-standard quality because the rice failed to fully
develop,” explained Ayson.
Ayson said, the construction of the communal irrigation project in Barangay
Mauanan, Rizal, would irrigate 140 hectares of rice fields. The construction
started on July 7, 2014 and is targeted to end in April next year.
“This irrigation project will help the farmers produce high-grade quality
rice. They will also be able to maximize planting seasons to three times
annually,” added Ayson.
Another project currently under construction is the Malaueg Savings and
Trading Cooperative (Malasatco) post-harvest facility in the agrarian reform
community (ARC) of Malaueg, in Rizal. The facility will consist of a
60-square meter warehouse with a 2,000-cavan capacity, a 48-square meter
office, and a 450-square meter solar dryer.
“With this post-harvest facility, the 476 agrarian reform beneficiaries of
Malaueg ARC, would soon have a proper place to store their harvested crops.
Spoilage would be minimized if not averted,” said Ayson, adding that it would
also allow them to wait for fair market value of their harvest.
“At present, the Malasatco post harvest facility is about 30 percent complete
with the local government of Rizal shouldering the cost of backfilling and
perimeter fencing of the facility. It [post-harvest facility] is expected to
be completed and be operational this coming November,” said Ayson.
The infrastructure projects are funded by the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (Jica) and being implemented by the DAR under the third phase of the
Agrarian Reform Infrastructure and Support Project (ARISP III).
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September 2014 Respiratory Therapist
Licensure examination results released in two (2) working days
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The Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) announces that 382 out of 618 passed the Respiratory
Therapist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Respiratory Therapy in
Manila this September 2014.
The members of the Board of
Respiratory Therapy who gave the licensure examination are Julita V. Toledo,
Chairman; Senen O. Teope and Jesus M. Espinas, Members.
The results were released in two
(2) working days after the last day of examination.
Registration for the issuance of
Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be
on September 24 & 25, 2014. Those who will register are required to bring
the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal,
current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture
(colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered
documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to
pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450
for 2014-2017. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in
the Roster of Registered Professionals.
The date and venue for the
oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination
WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
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August and September 2014 Metallurgical
Engineer Licensure examination results released on the last day of
examination
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The Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) announces that 38 out of 51 passed the Metallurgical
Engineer Licensure Examination given by the Board of Metallurgical
Engineering in the cities of Manila and Davao from August 26-28, 2014 and
September 12-14, 2014, respectively.
The members of the Board of Metallurgical Engineering are Agustin M. Fudolig,
Chairman and Juancho Pablo S. Calvez, Member.
The examination was held using the Walk-in Examination System (WES). The WES
is a user-friendly, desktop, windows-based and competency-based computerized
testing system that will enable an applicant to take a licensure examination
anytime, anywhere.
Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and
Certificate of Registration will start on Tuesday, September 16, 2014. Those
who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath
Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula),
2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete
nametag), 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete
nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and 1 short brown envelope
with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and
Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2014-2017. Successful examinees should
personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals, prior
to the oathtaking ceremonies.
The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination
as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will
be held before the Board on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 6:00 o’clock in the
evening at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila or on Saturday,
October 04, 2014 at 3:00 pm in the afternoon at Macapagal Ancestral Homes,
Timoga, Iligan City
Registration for membership with the Society of Metallurgical Engineers of
the Philippines (SMEP) will be on September 19 and October 4, 2014.
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PDIC to continue processing claims of
Rural Bank of Oroquieta (Misamis Occidental) depositors
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The Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation (PDIC) announced that it will continue to receive and process
deposit insurance claims from depositors of the closed Rural Bank of
Oroquieta (Misamis Occidental) at the PDIC Claims Counter, 4th Floor, SSS
Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City. Claims may
also be filed through mail.
PDIC conducted the onsite claims settlement operations (CSO) for the closed
Rural Bank of Oroquieta at the bank's premises and completed the CSO on
August 8, 2014.
PDIC sent notices of payment to depositors with aggregate deposits amounting
to P13.7 million involving 3,286 accounts. Filing of claims for these
accounts with balances of P50,000 and below is waived by PDIC. Meanwhile,
PDIC paid 702 claims during the onsite CSO involving 623 accounts for a total
amount of P51.6 million deposits.
As of August 8, 2014, PDIC has yet to receive deposit insurance claims for
2,176 accounts that require the filing of claims. The total amount of
deposits covered by these outstanding accounts is P13.3 million.
When filing deposit insurance claims, depositors are advised to personally
present their duly accomplished Claim Form, original evidence of deposit, and
two (2) valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor. Depositors
may also file their claims through mail and enclose the same set of document
requirements.
Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of
their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a
duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional
requirement, with the Claim Form signed by the parent. Claimants who are not
the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy
of a notarized Special Power of Attorney. In the case of a minor depositor,
the SPA must be executed by the parent.
The procedures and requirements for filing deposit insurance claims are
posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Form and format of the
Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website.
In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for
filing deposit insurance claims in the closed Rural Bank of Oroquieta is on
July 22, 2016. After said date, PDIC, as Deposit Insurer, shall no longer
accept any deposit insurance claim.
For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department
at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph.
Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at
1-800-1-888-PDIC (7342).
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Last
Updated:
15 SEPTEMBER 2014
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a souvenir
photo with His Majesty Felipe VI, King of Spain during the audience at
the Palacio de la Zarzuela in Carretera El Pardoon Monday (September
15). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets His Majesty Felipe
VI, King of Spain during the audience at the Palacio de laZarzuela in
Carretera El Pardoon Monday (September 15). (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the Spanish Prime
Minister Mariano Rajoy upon arrival at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Av
Puerta de Hierrofor a bilateral meeting on Monday (September 15). (Photo
by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the Spanish Prime
Minister Mariano Rajoy upon arrival at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Av
Puerta de Hierrofor a bilateral meeting on Monday (September 15). (Photo
by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the Spanish Prime
Minister Mariano Rajoy upon arrival at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Av
Puerta de Hierrofor a bilateral meeting on Monday (September 15). (Photo
by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the Spanish Prime
Minister Mariano Rajoy upon arrival at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Av
Puerta de Hierrofor a bilateral meeting on Monday (September 15). (Photo
by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Luis Castilla
Camara, CEO of Acciona during a series of business meetings held at the
Escornial Centro room of the Intercontinental Hotel here Sunday
(September 14). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Globalvia
Executive President Javier Perez Portea during a series of business
meetings held at the Escorial Norte Room of the Intercontinental Hotel
here on Sunday (September 14). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III Meets with former
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar at the Intercon Hotel here on
Sunday (September 14). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with several
business firms here on Sunday (September 14), in one of his activities
in his working visit to Europe. Also in photo are members of the
Philippine delegation, among them Sec. Transportation and Communications
Joseph A. Abaya, Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario, Department of
Agriculture Sec Proceso Alcala, Trade and Industry Sec. Gregory Domingo. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message
during his meeting with the Filipino community at the Colegio Nuestra
Senora de las Maravillas here on Sunday (September 14). The President
will first visit Spain, then proceed to Belgium, France and Germany for
two days each. Also in photo are members of the Philippine delegation,
among them Sec. to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Sec. Transportation
and Communications Joseph A. Abaya, Trade and Industry Sec. Gregory
Domingo Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario, Department of
Agriculture Sec Proceso Alcala, and Communications Secretary Herminio
Coloma, Jr. (Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) Members of the Filipino community here wave the
Philippine Flag greeting the arrival of President Benigno S. Aquino III
to lead the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal monument here on
Sunday (September 14). The President will first visit Spain, then
proceed to Belgium, France and Germany for two days each. (Ryan Lim /
MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno S. Aquino III is joined by Councilor
Isabel Martinez-Cubells of the Ayuntamiento de Madrid during the
wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal monument here on Sunday (September
14). The President will first visit Spain, then proceed to Belgium,
France and Germany for two days each. (Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo
Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III greets the Filipino
community during the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal monument here
on Sunday (September 14). The President will first visit Spain, then
proceed to Belgium, France and Germany for two days each. (Gil Nartea /
Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III leads the
wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal monument here on Sunday (September
14). The President will first visit Spain, then proceed to Belgium,
France and Germany for two days each. (Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is welcome by staff
members of the Philippine Embassy upon arival at the Intercon Hotel
here. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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(MADRID, Spain) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is welcomed by
Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas and Juan Sunye Deputy
Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
upon arrival at Torrejon Airbase. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang
Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III reviews the honor guards during the
send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II
on Saturday (September 13). The President is embarking on a four-nation
official tour of Europe from September 13 to 20, before proceeding to
New York to attend the Climate Summit 2014 on September 23. (Photo by
Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his departure statement during
the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal
II on Saturday (September 13). The President is embarking on a
four-nation official tour of Europe from September 13 to 20, before
proceeding to New York City to attend the Climate Summit 2014 on
September 23. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
agenda-setting with dialogue partners meeting with reformists and
like-minded public servants from government and civil society at the
Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace Friday, (September 12). Also in photo
are Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacanang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
agenda-setting with dialogue partners meeting with reformists and
like-minded public servants from government and civil society at the
Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace Friday, (September 12). (Photo by Lauro
Montellano Jr./ Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, with House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and
Senate President Franklin Drilon at the start of the agenda-setting with
dialogue partners meeting at Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace Friday
(September 12), attended by reformists and like-minded public servants
from government and civil society. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang
Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the delegation from Temasek
International and Temasek Foundation during the courtesy call at the
Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (September 11. The
call is headed by its president Theng Kiat Lee. Temasek is an investment
company based in Singapore. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Exequiel Supera /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the launching
of the 420-Megawatt Pagbilao lll Power Plant Project at the Fairmont
Hotel in Makati City, Thursday (September 11).Together with the
President in photo are Antonio Muraza, President of Aboitiz Power
Corporation; Jon Ramon Aboitiz, Chairman of Aboitiz Equity Ventures;
Secretary Jericho Petilla of the Department of Energy; Erramon Aboitiz,
CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation; Naomi Hirose, President of Tokyo
Electric Power Company and Mamoru Sekiyama, Vice Chairman of Marubeni
Corporation. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the launching
of the 420-Megawatt Pagbilao lll Power Plant Project at the Fairmont
Hotel in Makati City, Thursday September 11 p(2014). Together with the
President, Erramon Aboitiz CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation, Naomi
Hirose President of Tokyo Electric Power Company and Mamoru Sekiyama
Vice Chairman of Marubeni Corporation. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang
Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the launching
of the 420-Megawatt Pagbilao lll Power Plant Project at the Fairmont
Hotel in Makati City, Thursday (September 11). Together with the
President, Antonio Muraza President of Aboitiz Power Corporation, Jon
Ramon Aboitiz Chairman of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Secretary Jericho
Petilla of the Department of Energy, Erramon Aboitiz CEO of Aboitiz
Power Corporation, Naomi Hirose President of Tokyo Electric Power
Company and Mamoru Sekiyama Vice Chairman of Marubeni Corporation.
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the launching
of the 420-Megawatt Pagbilao lll Power Plant Project at the Fairmont
Hotel in Makati City, Thursday (September 11). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan
/ Rey Baniquet / Lauro Montellano, Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll leads the pressing of the button to
start the ceremonial countdown on the target completion date of the
420-Megawatt (MW) Pagbilao lll Power Plant Project at the Fairmont Hotel
in Makati City, Thursday (September 11). Together with the President,
Jon Ramon Aboitiz Chairman of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Secretary Jericho
Petilla of the Department of Energy, Erramon Aboitiz CEO of Aboitiz
Power Corporation, Naomi Hirose President of Tokyo Electric Power
Company and Mamoru Sekiyama Vice Chairman of Marubeni Corporation.
(Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano, Jr./ Rey Baniquet /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll leads the pressing of the button to
start the ceremonial countdown on the target completion date of the
420-Megawatt (MW) Pagbilao lll Power Plant Project at the Fairmont Hotel
in Makati City, Thursday (September 11). Together with the President,
Antonio Muraza President of Aboitiz Power Corporation, Jon Ramon Aboitiz
Chairman of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Secretary Jericho Petilla of the
Department of Energy, Erramon Aboitiz CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation,
Naomi Hirose President of Tokyo Electric Power Company and Mamoru
Sekiyama Vice Chairman of Marubeni Corporation. (Photo by: Benhur
Arcayan/ Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Spain
Ambassador Luis Antonio Calvo during the presentation of credentials at
the President's Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, (September
10). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ambassador Dr. Gamini Samaranayake
during the presentation of credentials at the President's Hall of the
Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, (September 10). (Photo byBenhur Arcayan/
Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Czech
Republic Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa during the presentation of credentials
at the President's Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, (September
10). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the turnover
ceremony of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law at Rizal Hall in Malacañan
Palace, Wednesday (September 10) .The Bangsamoro Basic Law tops the list
of priority measures endorsed by the Aquino administration. ( Photo by
Gil Nartea/ Rey Baniquet/ Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll witnesses Bangsamoro Transition
Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqb hand over of the draft Bangsamoro Basic
Law to Senate President Franklin Drilon during the turnover ceremony at
Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, Wednesday (September 10).The Bangsamoro
Basic Law tops the list of priority measures endorsed by the Aquino
administration. Witnessing are Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Speaker
of the House Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and Executive Secretary Paquito
Ochoa, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll witnesses Bangsamoro Transition
Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqbal hand over of the draft Bangsamoro
Basic Law to Senate President Franklin Drilon during the turnover
ceremony at Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, Wednesday (September 10).The
Bangsamoro Basic Law tops the list of priority measures endorsed by the
Aquino administration. Witnessing is Speaker of the House Feliciano
Belmonte, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the turnover
ceremony of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law at Rizal Hall in Malacañan
Palace, Wednesday (September 10).The Bangsamoro Basic Law tops the list
of priority measures endorsed by the Aquino administration. Also in
photo are Secretary Teresita Quinto-Deles, Chairman Mohagher Iqbal,
Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker of the House Feliciano
Belomnte, Jr. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech during the turnover
ceremony of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law at Rizal Hall in Malacañan
Palace, Wednesday (September 10).The Bangsamoro Basic Law tops the list
of priority measures endorsed by the Aquino administration. Also in
photo are Secretary Teresita Quinto-Deles and Chairman Mohagher Iqbal.
(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll witnesses Bangsamoro Transition
Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqbal hand over of the Draft Bangsamoro
Basic Law to Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte,Jr and Senate
President Franklin Drilon during the turnover ceremony at Rizal Hall in
Malacañan Palace, Wednesday (September 10).The Bangsamoro Basic Law tops
the list of priority measures endorsed by the Aquino
administration.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll witnesses Bangsamoro Transition
Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqbal and Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles
hand over of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law to Speaker of the House
Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President Franklin Drilon during the
turnover ceremony at Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, Wednesday
(September 10).The Bangsamoro Basic Law tops the list of priority
measures endorsed by the Aquino administration.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/
Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll witnesses Bangsamoro Transition
Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqbal hand over of the draft Bangsamoro
Basic Law to Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.during the
turnover ceremony at Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, Wednesday
(September 10). The Bangsamoro Basic Law tops the list of priority
measures endorsed by the Aquino administration. Witnessing are Secretary
Teresita Quintos-Deles, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Executive
Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll graces the Asean Business Awards
Philippines held at New World Hotel in Makati City,Tuesday (September
9).The Asean Business Awards Philippines aims to recognize outstanding
local enterprises and use its platform to spread knowledge about the
ASEAN Economic Community. Also in photo is Manuel V. Pangilinan,
Chairman of Asean Business Advisory Council Philippines (Photo by
BenhurArcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll delivers his speech at the Asean
Business Awards Philippines held at New World Hotel in Makati
City,Tuesday (September 9).The Asean Business Awards Philippines aims to
recognize outstanding local enterprises and use its platform to spread
knowledge about the Asean Economic Community. (Photo by Gil Nartea |
BenhurArcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the exhibit area upon arrival for
the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting
and launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the SMX
Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The
event aims to rally PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the
idea of inclusive business on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn,
palm oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro.
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Business for
Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao
Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the SMX Convention Center in
Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally
PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive
business on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and
rubber, as well as possible |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and
launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the Function
Hall 3, SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao
City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally PBSP members and
other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive business,
specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and
rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. Also in photo
are, PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa, Trade and Industry Secretary
Gregory Domingo, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati
Antonino, PBSP Mindanao Regional Committee chairman Paul Dominguez,
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo by Lauro
Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and
launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the Function
Hall 3, SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao
City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally PBSP members and
other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive business,
specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and
rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. (Photo by
Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Business for
Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao
Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the SMX Convention Center in
Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally
PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive
business, specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm
oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. Also in
photo are PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa, Trade and Industry
Secretary Gregory Domingo, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson
Luwalhati Antonino, PBSP Mindanao Regional Committee chairman Paul
Dominguez, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo
by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Business for
Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao
Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the SMX Convention Center in
Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally
PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive
business, specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm
oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. Also in
photo are Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati Antonino
and PBSP Mindanao Regional Committee chairman Paul Dominguez. (Photo by
Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the exhibit area upon arrival for
the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting
and launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program at the SMX
Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The
event aims to rally PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the
idea of inclusive business on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn,
palm oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro.
(Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as AIM-RVR Center for
Corporate Social Responsibility Advisory Board chairman Dato Paduka
Timothy Ong and Board Member Ramon del Rosario, Jr. present the medals
and plaques to the 2014 Asian CSR awardees during the 13th Asian Forum
on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) at the Rizal Grand Ballroom
of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati Cityon Wednesday night
(September 03). The conference theme this year is: “Building Resilient
Communities: How Business, Government, and Social Enterprises Can Work
Together.” AFCSR is the largest annual conference on corporate social
responsibility (CSR) in the region. It was launched in 2002 by the Asian
Institute of Management-Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. (AIM-RVR) Center for
Corporate Social Responsibility, one of the first research centers in
Asia concentrating on corporate responsibility issues. (Photo by Robert
Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 13th
Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) at the Rizal
Grand Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on
Wednesday night (September 03). The conference theme this year is:
“Building Resilient Communities: How Business, Government, and Social
Enterprises Can Work Together.” The AFCSR is the largest annual
conference on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the region. It
was launched in 2002 by the Asian Institute of Management-Ramon V. del
Rosario, Sr. (AIM-RVR) Center for Corporate Social Responsibility, one
of the first research centers in Asia concentrating on corporate
responsibility issues. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Robert Viñas /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as AIM-RVR Center for
Corporate Social Responsibility Advisory Board chairman Dato Paduka
Timothy Ong and Board Member Ramon del Rosario, Jr. presents the medals
and plaques to the 2014 Asian CSR awardees during the 13th Asian Forum
on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) at the Rizal Grand Ballroom
of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati Cityon Wednesday night
(September 03). The conference theme this year is “Building Resilient
Communities: How Business, Government, and Social Enterprises Can Work
Together.” The AFCSR is the largest annual conference on corporate
social responsibility (CSR) in the region. It was launched in 2002 by
the Asian Institute of Management-Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. (AIM-RVR)
Center for Corporate Social Responsibility, one of the first research
centers in Asia concentrating on corporate responsibility issues. (Photo
by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by AIM-RVR Center for
Corporate Social Responsibility Advisory Board chairman Dato Paduka
Timothy Ong and Board Member Ramon del Rosario, Jr., upon arrival for
the 13th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) at the
Rizal Grand Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on
Wednesday night (September 03). The conference theme this year is
“Building Resilient Communities: How Business, Government, and Social
Enterprises Can Work Together.” The AFCSR is the largest annual
conference on corporate social responsibility in the region. It was
launched in 2002 by the Asian Institute of Management-Ramon V. del
Rosario, Sr. (AIM-RVR) Center for Corporate Social Responsibility, one
of the first research centers in Asia concentrating on corporate
responsibility issues. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Robert Viñas /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the Foreign Chamber Council
of the Philippines (FCCP) officers for a photo souvenir during the
oathtaking ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on
Wednesday(September 03). The set of FCCP officers are (from left) Edward
Ling FCCP Vice Chairman Internal Affairs, Ramesh Genomal FCCP Vice
Chairman External Affairs, Abdulgani Macatoman FCCP Vice Chairman-Trade
And Commerce, Ram Sitaldas FCCP Executive Vice Chairman, Philip Chien
FCCP Chairman, Ferdinand Sarfati FCCP Vice Chairman-Ways and Means, and
Petteri Makatalo FCCP Vice Chairman Social Responsibility, Eddie B H Yeo
FCCP Vice Chairman Tresury and Michael Lin FCCP Vice Chairman Media And
Information. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III inducts into office the Foreign Chamber
Council of the Philippines (FCCP) officers in a ceremony at the
President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (September 03).
The set of FCCP officers are (from left) Philip Chien FCCP Chairman, Ram
Sitaldas FCCP Executive Vice Chairman,Ferdinand Sarfati FCCP Vice
Chairman-Ways and Means, Abdulgani Macatoman FCCP Vice Chairman-Trade
And Commerce,Ramesh Genomal FCCP Vice Chairman External Affairs, Edward
Ling FCCP Vice Chairman Internal Affairs,Eddie B H Yeo FCCP Vice
Chairman Tresury, Michael Lin FCCP Vice Chairman Media And Information
and Petteri Makatalo FCCP Vice Chairman Social Responsibility. (Photo by
Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly
appointed government officials in a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall of
the Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly
appointed National Peace and Order Council officials in a ceremony at
the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). Also in
photo is Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza. (Photo by
Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in
government officials for a photo souvenir after administering the oath
in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday
(September 01). Also in photo are Interior and Local Government
Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis
Jardeleza. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. /
Marcelino Pascua /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in
Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Jose Favia for a photo souvenir
after administering the oath in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the
Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates National Youth Commission
(NYC) Commissioner-at-Large Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III after
administering the oath in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan
Palace on Monday (September 01). Also in photo are Interior and Local
Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and TV host/actress Marian Rivera.
(Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the launching of Ligtas sa Tigdas
at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign at the Department of Health (DOH)
Convention Hall in San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila City on Monday
(September, 01). With the theme “Ligtas sa Tigdas: Magkaisa, Magpabakuna,"
this nationwide campaign is a follow-up to the 2011 Measles Rubella
Supplemental Immunization Activity to interrupt current transmission of
measles in the country. Also in photo are Health Secretary Dr. Enrique
Ona and Health Undersecretaries Dr. Teodoro Herbosa and Dr. Janette
Garin. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the launching of Ligtas sa Tigdas
at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign at the DOH Convention Hall in San
Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila City on Monday (September 01). With
the theme “Ligtas sa Tigdas: Magkaisa, Magpabakuna," this nationwide
campaign is a follow-up to the 2011 Measles Rubella Supplemental
Immunization Activity to interrupt current transmission of measles in
the country. Also in photo are Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona and
Health Undersecretaries Dr. Teodoro Herbosa and Dr. Nemesio Gako. (Photo
by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the launching of Ligtas sa Tigdas
at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign at the DOH Convention Hall in San
Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila City on Monday (September 01). With
the theme: “Ligtas sa Tigdas: Magkaisa, Magpabakuna,” this nationwide
campaign is a follow-up to the 2011 Measles Rubella Supplemental
Immunization Activity to interrupt current transmission of measles in
the country. Also in photo are Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona and
Health Undersecretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the launching
of Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign at the DOH
Convention Hall in San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila City on Monday
(September 01). With the theme: “Ligtas sa Tigdas: Magkaisa, Magpabakuna,"
this nationwide campaign is a follow-up to the 2011 Measles Rubella
Supplemental Immunization Activity to interrupt current transmission of
measles in the country. Also in photo are Health Secretary Dr. Enrique
Ona and Health Undersecretaries Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Dr. Janette Garin
and Dr. Nemesio Gako. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the launching of Ligtas sa Tigdas
at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign at the DOH Convention Hall in San
Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila City on Monday (September 01). With
theme: “Ligtas sa Tigdas: Magkaisa, Magpabakuna,” this nationwide
campaign is a follow-up to the 2011 Measles Rubella Supplemental
Immunization Activity to interrupt current transmission of measles in
the country. Also in photo is Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona. (Photo
by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as Health Secretary Dr.
Enrique Ona leads the ceremonial “patak” of oral polio vaccine during
the Launching of Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign at
the DOH Convention Hall in San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila City
on Monday (September 01). With the theme: “Ligtas sa Tigdas: Magkaisa,
Magpabakuna," this nationwide campaign is a follow-up to the 2011
Measles Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity to interrupt current
transmission of measles in the country. Also in photo are Health
Undersecretary Dr. Janette Garin and Health Assistant Secretary Dr.
Enrique Tayag. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates Randy Halasan from the
Philippines as being one of the 2014 Ramon Magsaysay awardees during the
presentation ceremonies Sunday (August 31) at the Cultural Center of the
Philippines in Pasay City, Philippines. Established in 1957, the Ramon
Magsaysay Awards is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the
region's equivalent to the Nobel Prize. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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Please email us at
pcoo.edp@gmail.com
if you need a copy of last week's photo releases of
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