P-Noy: Coconet technology to save P2.5B of DPWH’s P3-B budget for slope protection
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the Department of Public Works and Highways’ program to use cocofiber or coconet to help reduce flooding and soil erosion in the country.
Keynoting the anniversary celebration of the Presidential Management Staff on Wednesday at Malacañang, the Chief Executive said the use of this highly indigenous Philippine geotextile made from discarded coconut husks will save more than two-thirds of the Department’s budget for slope protection.
He noted that during a briefing on Tuesday with the DPWH, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretaries Rogelio Singson, Proceso Alcala and Ramon Paje respectively showed him the benefits of using coconets.
“Bottomline is we will save something like P2.5-billion of the DPWH’s budget of P3-billion for slope protection,” the President declared.
He pointed out that the same technology has been used on slopes lining several areas of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and “have not had failures with it.”
According to the President, coconet is way cheaper to utilize than the concrete.
“(The concrete used to strengthen slopes) costs P2,300 per square foot while the coconet costs P180 per square foot,” the President added.
The DPWH recently said that instead of using concrete to line creeksides and embankments; cocofiber or coconets made from coconut husks are tapped to prevent flooding.
Singson said that coconet is known for its water absorption abilities and thus aids in the prevention of floods.
He explained that aside from absorbing water, geotextiles made from coconut husk reduces soil erosion. (OPS)
P-Noy cites PMS role in gov’t
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the important role of the Presidential Management Staff in his new administration particularly in his quest to transform Philippine society and eventually “ease the sufferings of our people.”
In his speech keynoting the 40th Anniversary of the agency on Wednesday the Chief Executive called on the PMS officials, staff and employees to “dedicate a little bit more so we can transform our society even that much faster and ease the sufferings of our people.”
“You’re the Presidential Management Staff. You will back up all of my decisions with the staff work which I find so essential,” the President told the close to 500 employees who were treated to breakfast after a mass which started at 10 a.m. at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall.
He exhorted them to be wary of certain quarters who would otherwise do everything in their power to maintain the status quo and go on with their crooked ways.
“There are people who would want to preserve the previous status quo. They really made hay while the sun shone and they will endeavor to get back, as much as possible, to the way it was which is detrimental to the rest of our people,” President Aquino said.
“So they will nitpick with everything and anything that we propose to do. They will put up all of the legal obstacles so as to preserve for a longer time their gains that I think are wrong,” he added.
“And it is you collectively that I will have to rely upon to give me the ammunition to battle all of this nitpicking battles that are coming our way and they’ve already started,” the President stressed.
The President expressed confidence that as long as “we maintain focus with our goals, the “good news” will continue to flow.
During his speech, the President noted the fruits of the recent official trip of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson who arrived from the United States.
There are a number of potential investors, according to the President who have expressed their intention to invest in the country. He said these prospective investments could generate “tens of thousands of jobs.”
Job generation remains the top priority of the Aquino government.
“It (outlook on the Philippines) is really that good. This will continue if we do our part. The country is so blessed, its really a question of how we govern ourselves that will really change our society, “the President said.
He expressed belief that with the help of the PMS, achieving this goal will be easier.
“In spite of all the problems that we face today, I am really, really very confident that we will transform society and the only question is how fast will we change it?” President Aquino said. (OPS)
P-Noy appoints De Quiroz to SSS; sugar planter to SRA
President Benigno S. Aquino III announced today the appointment of Emilio S. de Quiroz Jr., an economist, as chairman of the Social Security System and Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin, a small sugar planter, into the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
The President said he has signed their appointments and would be swearing them in by next week.
De Quiroz has credits in Ph.D in Economics from the University of the Philippines in 1970-1971 and obtained a masters in economics also at UP in 1969-1970. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Ateneo de Naga (cum laude) in 1965-1969.
He also has a diploma from the Central School of Planning and Statistics in Warsaw, Poland from October 1972 to March 1973.
His last position from May 2004 to December 2008 was executive vice president of the Bank of the Philippine Islands as group head for insurance companies, in charge of insurance and insurance-related companies of BPI that includes Ayala Life Assurance Inc. (life insurance), Ayala Plans (pre-need), BPI-MS Insurance Corp. (non-life insurance), BPI Bancassurance (both life and non life insurance).
Prior to BPI, he occupied high positions in the former Far East Bank and Trust Co, Asian Merchant Finance Inc. and was an assistant director for Resource Management Office of the Presidential Economic Staff in 1971-1974, under the Office of the President.
Bautista-Martin, a resident of Silay City, Negros Occidental, obtained a Program Development Management Course at the Asian Institute of Management in 1987. She finished her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Santo Tomas in 1982.
Her last position was secretary-treasurer of the Asociacion de Hacenderos Silay-Saravia Inc. in 2001 where she was also a managing director from 2001 to present and director from 1998 to present. She was also a chairperson of the AHSSSI Planters Multi Purpose Cooperative.
She also was chairperson and director of the Silay Saravia Railways Cooperative from 2002 to present; the BJB Agro Industrial Company Inc. as general manager and corporate administrator from 1986 to present; the Sugar Industry Foundation Inc. board of trustee; the Lanatan Agro Industrial Inc. corporate administrator and attorney in fact and the Mulawin Real Estate Corporation corporate administrator and attorney in fact.
Her civic activities include: Associate Missionaries of the Assumption, Philippines (AMA Phil.) as its president; SIMAG Foundation Inc., president from 2002 to present; Kabuhi Foundation Inc. –Silay City as director from 1990 to present; Planters Against Plunder of the Sugar Industry (PAPSI) as director/secretary from 1988 to present; Silay Parish Council as member of the finance committee; Silay City Government Planning Council, member; Silay Development Council, member from 2001 to present; Bacolod Chamber of Commerce, member of Provincial Economic Development Council, 1987 to present, among others. (OPS)
P-Noy endorses youth representation in Barangay council
President Benigno S. Aquino is optimistic that the youth will have a more pro-active role in governance with the proposal to have one youth representative in the Barangay council instead of the customary eight in the Sanggunian Kabataan.
In a press briefing at the new executive building in Malacañang today, the President said the proposal to have a sectoral representative voted by the youth to the Barangay Council will give the sector equal participation in advancing their advocacies.
The Chief Executive said that in a lot of areas, the members of the Sanggunian Kabataan are treated as second class citizens by the Barangay Council. He said that having a youth representative in the Barangay Council will give the sector the same privilege as any other kagawad.
The President disclosed that he had already tasked the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to optimize the youth’s participation in governance.
Earlier President Aquino endorsed the proposal calling for the abolition of the SK council to save government additional expenses. (OPS)
Gov’t considering open skies policy in view of PAL dispute
The government is considering the implementation of an open skies policy if operations of the country’s flag carrier is crippled by a strike.
In a news briefing, President Benigno S. Aquino III said that being the dominant carrier in the country, Philippine Airlines provides a necessary service that impacts on tourism and commerce.
“The government will be forced to adopt a policy that will have the side of the riding public in mind, the greater population rather than the interest of one corporation,” he said when asked what the government options are should the impasse between PAL and its employees continue.
“We are very close to implementing an open skies policy if it’s necessary, which was also done in the late 1990s,” he said.
The President said that while he understands the issues between PAL management and the labor unions, the interest of the riding public is government’s priority as they will be inconvenienced by the disruption of a critical service.
He reiterated his earlier appeal to both the PAL management and labor to come up with solutions to their problems as he reminded them that they have an obligation to the people.
“I would like to reiterate my appeal to both the management and labor components that they are embued with national interest…we recognize that both sides have issues but at the same time the primary issue that I will have to side with is the interest of the riding public which is the bigger population of the country,” he said.
The Chief Executive stressed that the government cannot allow any disruption in the movement of goods and people due to PAL’s non-operation so it has been exploring options such as allowing other local and foreign airlines to serve the routes that PAL fails to service.
“Having even a total or partial open skies policy, which was done in the late 1990s, is already being studied. There are already certain airlines that will make up for the slack in case the PAL is not in a position to fulfill its obligations,” he said.
The President stressed though that in case an open skies policy is adopted the government will make sure that all the technical details will be met. (OPS)
Aquino receives US Admiral Willard in Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Admiral Robert Willard, Commander of the US Pacific Command, during a courtesy call on Wednesday afternoon at the Premiere Guest House in Malacañang.
Admiral Willard is accompanied by his Executive Assistant Capt. Mike Smith and US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas.
Also present were Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Ricardo David and Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino.
Earlier, Willard also visited the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Willard has already conducted several visits in the country as part of the US-Philippines security cooperation and partnership particularly in combating terrorism. (OPS)
Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino si US Admiral Willard sa Malakanyang
Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III si Admiral Robert Willard, Kumander ng US Pacific Command, sa Premiere Guest House ng Malakanyang hapon ng Miyerkoles.
Kasama ni Admiral Willard ang kanyang Executive Assistant Capt. Mike Smith at si Embahador Harry Thomas ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas.
Dumalo sa pagkakataong ito ang Chief-of-Staff Ricardo David ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas at si Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino ng Tanggulang Bansa.
Unang nagtungo si Willard sa punong tanggapan ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa Kampo Aguinaldo, Lungsod ng Quezon.
Ilang ulit nang dumalaw sa Pilipinas si Willard kaugnay ng tulungang pangkapanatagan ng Estados Unidos at ng Pilipinas, lalo na sa larangan ng pagbaka sa terorismo. (OP)
Pinag-aaralan ng gobyerno ang 'open skies policy'
Pinag-aaralan ng pamahalaan ang pagpapatupad ng open skies policy sakaling matuloy ang welga ng mga kawani ng Philippine Airlines, ang flag carrier ng bansa.
Tahasang sinabi ito ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa press briefing na ginanap sa Malakanyang.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang Philippine Airlines ang nangungunang kompanya ng eroplano sa bansa at nagkakaloob ng mahalagang serbisyong may kaugnayan sa turismo at komersiyo.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na mapipilitan ang gobyerno na magtakda ng patakarang makabubuti sa mga taong sumasakay sa eroplano sa halip na kapakanan lamang ng isang korporasyon.
Ayon sa Pangulo, bagaman nauunawaan niya ang isyu sa pagitan ng pangasiwaan ng PAL at ng unyon ng manggagawa, ang kapakanan ng riding public ang uunahin ng pamahalaan sapagka’t sila ang mapeperwisyo nang malaki sa pagkawala ng mahalagang serbisyong ito.
Inulit niya ang naunang pakiusap sa pangasiwaan ng PAL at sa manggagawa na lutasin ang kanilang mga problema kasabay ng paalaalang may pananagutan sila sa taong bayan.
Tiyakang sinabi ng Pangulo na nakikiusap siya sa magkabilang panig na lutasin ang problema nila, subali’t ang pangunahing isyu rito ay ang kapakanan ng mga sumasakay sa eroplano na malaking bahagi ng populasyon natin.
Tiniyak ng Pangulo na hindi mapapayagan ng gobyerno na hindi maibiyahe ang mga kalakal at ang mga tao dahil hindi makalipad ang mga eroplano ng PAL kaya pinag-aaralan na ng gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng pahintulot sa ibang lokal at dayuhang airlines na serbisyuhan ang rutang maaapektuhan ng bantang welga.
“Pinag-aaralan na ang buo o bahagi lamang na open skies policy na gaya nang ginawa noong 1990s at may ilan nang kompanya ng eroplano na handang magbiyahe sa mga ruta ng PAL na hindi nila maserbisyuhan,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Idinugtong ng Pangulo na sa open skies policy, titiyakin ng pamahalaan na lahat ng mga technical details ay tutugunan. (OP)
Isusulong ni P-Noy ang kinatawan ng kabataan sa sangguniang barangay
Umaasa ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na ang kabataan ay magkakaroon nang higit na mainam na pamamahala kung magkakaroon sila ng isang kinatawan sa Sangguniang Baranggay sa halip ng walong kabataan sa Sangguniang Kabataan.
Sa press briefing sa New Executive Building sa Malakanyang, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang mungkahing maglagay ng sectoral representative na iboboto ng kabataan sa Sangguniang Baranggay ay magbibigay ng patas na paglahok ng sektor para isulong ang kanilang kapakanan.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na mahalagang magkaroon ang kabataan ng kinatawan sa Sangguniang Baranggay, at ang kanilang sektor ay magkakaroon ng pribilehiyo na tulad ng iba pang kagawad.
Inihayag ng Pangulo na inatasan na niya ang Presidential Management Staff (PMS) at ang Kagawaran ng Interyor at Lokal na Pamahalaan (DILG) na puspusang palahukin ang mga kabataan sa kani-kanilang mga lugar.
Una rito, isinulong ng Pangulong Aquino ang mungkahing buwagin na ang Sanguniang Kabataan upang makatipid pa ang pamahalaan sa mga gugulin. (OP)
Itinalaga ni P-Noy si De Quiros, Jr. sa SSS, si Bautista-Marin sa SRA
Itinalaga ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang ekonomistang si Emilio S. de Quiroz, Jr. bilang chairman ng Social Security System (SSS) at si Ma. Regina Bautista-small sugar planter, sa Sugar Regulatory Board at nakatakdang manumpa sa tungkulin sa isang linggo.
Si De Quiroz ay may credits para sa PH.D sa Economics mula sa Pamantasan ng Pilipinas noong 1970-1971 at may masters in economics din sa UP 1996-1970. Tapos siya ng Bachelor of Arts in Economics sa Ateneo de Naga (cum laude) 1965-1969.
May diploma siya mula sa Central School of Planning and Statistics sa Warsaw, Poland mula Oktubre 1972 hanggang Marso 1973.
Executive vice president siya ng Bank of the Philippine Islands noong Mayo 2004-Disyembre 2008 at humawak ng mga kompanya ng seguro ng BPI gaya ng Ayala Life Assurance Inc., Ayala Plans, BPI-MS Insurance Corp at BPI Bancassurance. Humawak din siya ng tungkulin sa Far East Bank and Trust Co., Asian Merchant Finance, Inc. at Resource Management Office ng Presidential Economic Staff –1971-1974 sa ilalim ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo.
Samantala, si Bautista-Martin ay taga-Silay City, Negros Oksidental, tapos ng Program Development Management Course sa Asian Institute of Management noong 1987 at tapos ng Bachelor of Science sa Physical Therapy sa Pamantasan ng Santo Tomas noong 1982.
Naging Kalihim-ingat-yaman siya ng Silay Saravia Railways Cooperative mula 2002, tagapamahala at corporate administrator sa BRB Agro Industrial Company mula 1986 hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Kagawad ng Sugar Industry Foundation, corporate administrator ng Lanatan Agro Industrial at corporate administrator ng Mulawin Real Estate Corporation.
Kasapi siya ng maraming samahang pambayan na gaya ng Associate Missionaries of Assumption Philippines, SIMAG Foundation, Inc., Kabuhi Foundation Inc.-Silay City; Planters Against Plunder of the Sugar Industry, Bacolod Chamber of Commerce, Silay Parich Council. Silay City Government Planning Council, Silay Development Council at Provincial Economic Development Council. (OP)
Mahalaga ang PMS sa pagbabago ng lipunan at pagbuti ng buhay - P-Noy
Mahalaga ang papel na gagampanan ng Presidential Management Staff (PMS) sa hangarin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na baguhin ang lipunan at bawasan ang karalitaan.
Ito ang binigyang diin ng Pangulo sa ika-40 anibersaryo ng PMS Miyerkules ng umaga at nanawagan siya sa mga pinuno, tauhan at kawani ng PMS na pag-ibayuhin pa ang paglilingkod nila para mabago ang lipunan at mapabilis ang pagpawi sa pagdurusa ng ating mga kababayan.
Sinabi ng Pangulo sa may 500 halos na kawani ng PMS sa Heroes Hall na sila ang susuhay at gagawa ng mga bagay na kaugnay ng lahat ng kanyang mga pasiya.
Binabalaan din ng Pangulo ang mga kawani na mag-ingat sa mga taong gagawin ang lahat ng makakaya nila upang huwag magkaroon ng pagbabago at nang maituloy ang mga tiwali nilang mga gawain.
Ayon sa Pangulo, ang PMS ang aasahan niyang magbibigay sa kanya ng ’sandata para magamit’ sa pagbaka sa magtatangkang humadlang sa kanilang sinimulan nang gawain.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang magandang gagawin ng PMS ang siyang tunay na babago sa ating lipunan kaya dapat manatiling nakatuon ang pansin ng lahat sa kanilang dakilang hangarin.
Binanggit ng Pangulo ang report nina Kalihim Cesar Purisima ng Pananalapi at Kalihim Rogelio Sing-son ng Pagawaing Bayan na kagagaling lamang buhat sa Estados Unidos, tungkol sa maraming imbestor na ibig mamuhunan sa Pilipinas na magiging daan para makalikha ng libu-libong trabaho.
Ang paglikha ng trabaho ay nangungunang hangarin ng administrasyong Aquino.
Tahasang sinabi ng Pangulo na sa kabila ng mga problemang kinakaharap ngayon, naniniwala siya na mapagbabago ang lipunan na mabilis na magagawa kung pag-iibayuhin nang lahat ang kanilang pagsisikap alang-alang sa hangaring wakasan ang pagdurusa ng taong bayan. (OP)
Malaking katipiran ang coconut technology, sabi ni P-Noy
Pinuri ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang programa ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan (DPWH) na gumamit ng cocofiber o coconet para mabawasan ang pagbaha at pagkaanod ng lupa.
Sa pagsasalita sa anibersaryo ng Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Miyerkoles ng umaga sa Malakanyang, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang paggamit ng geotextile na gawa sa karaniwang itinatapon lamang na bunot ng niyog ay magiging daan para matipid ang mahigit na 2/3 ng badyet ng DPWH para sa pangangalaga sa dalisdis ng bundok.
Binanggit ng Pangulo na sa briefing noong Martes kasama ang DPWH, Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka at Kagawaran ng Kapaligiran at Likas na Kayamanan, iniulat nina Kalihim Rogelio Singson, Proceso Alcala at Ramon Paje sa kanya ang benepisyong makukuha sa paggamit ng coconet.
“Ang ibig sabihin nito,” sabi ng Pangulo, “makatitipid tayo ng P2.5 bilyon sa P3 bilyong badyet ng DPWH para sa slope protection.”
Niliwanag ng Pangulo na ang teknolohiya ring ito ang ginamit sa slopes lining ng maraming bahagi ng Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) at ‘matagumpay ito dahil hindi natibag ang slopes lining.
Sinabi pa ng Pangulo na ang coconet ay napakamurang gamitin kaysa sa kongkreto dahil ang kongkreto sa slopes ay P2,300 isang square foot ang halaga habang ang coconet ay P180 isang square foot lamang.
Sang-ayon sa DPWH, sa halip kongkreto ang gamitin sa gilid ng mga sapa at embankments, coco-fiber o coconet na galing sa bunot ng niyog ang ginamit para maiwasan ang pagbaha.
Ayon kay Singson, kilala ang coconet sa husay nitong sumipsip ng tubig kaya naiiwasan ang pagbaha.
Idinugtong ni Singson na bukod sa pagsipsip ng tubig, ang geotextiles na gawa sa bunot ng niyog ay nagiging daan para maiwasang matangay ng tubig ang lupa. (OP)
