Aquino calls on overseas Pinoys to help in nation building
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on Filipino experts in science and technology, education, agriculture and other fields crucial to development to embark on projects that will facilitate the transfer of skills and knowledge to government agencies, local academe and communities.
The call was issued by the Chief Executive to Filipino experts working overseas during Thursday’s question and answer portion of his report to the nation on his accomplishments in the first 100 days of his administration.
The Filipinos in San Francisco, California, represented by Engineer Emmanuel Siazon of Silicon Valley, asked the Chief Executive how they can help the Aquino Administration.
Through the LinKaPil or Lingkod Sa Kapwa Pilipino program, the President said Filipino skilled workers, entrepreneurs and professionals working abroad are encouraged to support government projects specifically in livelihood development, education, health, welfares, small skills infrastructure and technology and skills transfer.
The President noted that out of 100 pupils in Grade 1,only two take up engineering or a science or technology course.
“The problem with that is we cannot improve our industries such as the semi-conductor sector where we are only manufacturers not inventors,” the President said.
He further noted that these handful of Filipino science and technology experts find overseas job opportunities to put into practice the academic knowledge they acquired in the Philippines.
The LinKaPil encourages the conduct of training/seminar-workshops in various fields of expertise, and extend volunteer service in government and non-government agencies, or rural communities. (PCOO)
Aquino determined to instill good leadership
REINA MERCEDES, Isabela: President Benigno S. Aquino III admitted Friday that the biggest challenge facing him is how to prevent a return to the old system, of government racked by rampant corruption in public service.
In an interview at the ceremonial switching-on and inauguration of Reina Mercedes Corn Processing Center at Maharlika Highway, Barangay Nappaccu here, the President said he is determined to erase the bad image of government by instilling good leadership.
The President admitted it is impossible for him and even for his detractors to change the attitude of everybody specifically the system that has been in the country for the last ten years.
He cited as an example the aborted plan to dredge Laguna Lake and dumping of the collected waste to certain parts of the lake. He believes it is not the solution to preventing flash floods similar to that which killed hundreds of people at the height of typhoon Ondoy in September last year.
“Maski sinong Grade 5 or Grade 6 pag nakitang ito ang gagawin, ganito ang pamamaraan, kung paano yung matching objectives talagang hindi logical at hindi papasa sa kanila,” he explained noting that this is the reason why he ordered the shelving of an P18.5 billion dredging project.
He instead, ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Laguna Lake Development Authority to conduct a study and draw appropriate actions that would ensure the solution of the problem.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the upcoming La Niña phenomenon, the President said he had already tasked all Local Government Units to start their preparations especially in those areas with high risks of possible landslides and flashfloods. (PCOO)
Poll wants Aquino to focus on jobs creation, good governance
Jobs creation and good governance—the top priorities of President Benigno S. Aquino III -- jibe quite well with the results of a recent survey on what the people want the Chief Executive to focus on.
A nationwide poll conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Sept.28 to 29, showed majority of Filipinos want the Chief Executive to focus on job generation and livelihood programs as well as eradicating corruption.
The survey was conducted 10 days before the President reported to the nation his accomplishments in the first 100 days of his administration.
On Thursday, in his “Report Sa Boss,” the President stressed that his government’s first priority is jobs creation. He cited the $2.4 billion new investments he brought home from his recent working visit to the United States, which he said would create 43,000 jobs.
“That is only the beginning. If we do not let the investors pass through the eye of the needle, we can convince businessmen to invest in the Philippines which will result in more jobs,” he said in the vernacular.
He added that his 100 day-old campaign against corruption has restored business confidence in the Philippines, yielding tens of thousands of new jobs, massive savings in government funds and better economic growth.
The PIA survey involved face-to-face interviews with 629 sectoral leaders, including elected officials, businessmen, religious, media, and the uniformed services.
Of those polled, 78 percent said jobs and livelihood should be on top of the government’s priority list, while 66 percent considered the fight against corruption as of utmost importance.
More than half (59 percent) of the respondents also urged the administration to improve access to quality education even as almost the same number (57 percent) recommended the implementation of measures that will control the spiraling of prices of basic goods.
“The people’s wish list is being addressed and the Aquino administration aims to fulfill its social contract with the Filipino people,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said.
The survey also shows that people (34 percent) see President Aquino’s integrity, simple lifestyle, and the people’s continued trust in him as his strongest point even as almost the same number (33 percent) considered his handling of the Manila hostage incident as his weakest point during his first 100 days.
He was praised for the investments generated during his trip to the United States (10 percent) and the prudent spending (6 percent) being practiced by his administration.
On the other hand, 19 percent of those polled pointed to factionalism in the Cabinet and appointment of underserving/corrupt officials as one of his low points during the same period.
The survey wants President Aquino to prosecute officials linked to various anomalies (48 percent); stop jueteng and other illegal gambling activities (45 percent); pursue peace initiatives (44 percent); and fast track vital infrastructure projects (43 percent).
“The survey also gives us a clear idea of what the Boss wants. I am sure the President will respond in the best possible way he can,” Coloma said. (PCOO)
Palace explains vehicles purchase for DSWD
Malacañang explained on Friday that the P24 million budget for the procurement of 17 units of pick up trucks for the Department of Social Welfare and Development comes from the 2010 allotment and will be used for the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS) and conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs of the department.
In a news briefing Friday morning, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said there is no budget appropriation for said vehicles in the 2011 budget.
“If you recall, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad mentioned that for the reformed budget of 2011, we are not going to purchase new vehicles,” Lacierda explained.
The bidding, he said, will be on Oct. 26 but this early, the DSWD is already starting to accept bids, he added.
Lacierda said DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman “has nothing to do with the bidding nor does she head the bids and awards committee.”
The vehicles, he added, will be used to monitor the implementation of KALAHI-CIDDS and CCT centers so that by the start of 2011 all regional KALAHI and CCT centers must have their own vehicles, Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the DSWD’s vehicles purchases were 12 vehicles in 2004 and four in 2009. For 2010, the DSWD will purchase 17 pick ups, not SUVs (sport utility vehicles) as previously reported. Of the 17, 14 will be deployed to the regional offices for CCT monitoring and implementation while the rest will be for the national housing targeting system.
He said the decision to purchase pick ups is that “they last longer” and can go through all terrain roads. (PCOO)
Palace explains cuts in 2011 budgets of State Colleges, Universities
Since the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997 allows State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to retain and utilize their income, their budgets for 2011 has been cut to P23.4 billion.
This was the explanation given by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda during a press briefing Friday morning in response to the lightning protest staged by University of the Philippines students during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s First 100 days report to the nation at the La Consolacion College in Mendiola.
Lacierda said the governing boards of chartered SUCs can retain and disburse any income generated by them from tuition fees and other charges under the 1997 law.
The SUC boards are authorized to fix tuition fees and other necessary school charges while adopting and implementing a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students, Lacierda said.
As of end 2009, SUCs, as a group, had P19.1 billion in cash balances, the largest of P11.9 billion belonged to UP and the smallest at P191.047 million to Mountain Province Polytechnic College, Lacierda said.
“That is the reason why SUCs and UP can use the income they generate and implement and adopt the socialized scheme for the tuition fees,” he added.
While their budgets may have been reduced, there are internally-generated incomes that they retain which do not go to the general fund. “They are allowed to retain and use these funds for their purposes,” Lacierda said.
He said the Palace is not aware if the SUCs are prudently using these earnings. “All we are saying is that the law provides for them to fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges and at the same time adopt and implement socialized schemes,” Lacierda added.
The incomes augment whatever budget is appropriated to them, Lacierda explained.
The Presidential Spokesperson said contrary to perception, the proposed budget for SUCs is actually an increase of P2.4 billion or by 11.3 percent over the 2010 budget and the increase is due to higher allocation for personal services to support the requirements of the salary standardization law. But the budget for MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) was cut.
Lacierda cited as example the income from the UP Techno Hub, which does not go back to the general fund but can be used by the UP. Even SUCs without real estate properties derive income from their operation, which they can use.
Similarly, the judicial branch has what is called the Judiciary Development Fund income, which does not revert to the national treasury but can be used for its purposes.
Lacierda asked the students to go to their boards, “as they are entitled to under the law” and inquire how the incomes are being used by the university. “It’s good for them to consult their boards and ask how much income was generated for the year and what purposes they will be earmarked for.” (PCOO)
Aquino orders DA, state universities and colleges to teach farmers modern agri technology
REINA MERCEDES, Isabela: President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered on Friday all state universities and colleges as well as the Department of Agriculture to help agriculture professionals, farmers and growers use modern technology to produce high quality seeds.
The Chief Executive issued the directive in his speech keynoting the closing ceremony of the three-day 7th Philippine National Corn Congress at the compound of the P500 million state-of-the-art Reina Mercedes Corn Processing Center (RM-CPC), the biggest post harvest facility in the country and probably in South East Asia.
He also encouraged the private sectors and non-government organizations to support the government’s effort to develop the agriculture sector, especially the corn industry.
“Ang ating pagtutulungan po ang magiging puhunan natin upang matiyak ang pangmatagalang food security, at mas matatag na ekonomiya ng bansa,” the President pointed out.
He expressed optimism that the culmination of the 7th corn congress will serve as a signal for all stakeholders to unite and further enhance the agricultural sector.
“Wala pong duda: ang mga binhi ng pagbabago na ating itinanim ngayon ay magbubunga ng magandang kinabukasan, na aanihin at ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Napakaganda na po ng ating nasimulan; ituloy po natin ang sama-samang pagtahak sa tuwid na landas,” he said.
The President cited Dr. Alfonso Uy, president and chairman of the Mindanao Grain Processing Co., Inc., for selecting Reina Mercedes town to host the 30-hectare Corn Processing Center for the benefits not only of the small farmers but the whole of Region 2, as well.
The 7th Philippine corn congress is a three-day event organized by the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc., in conjunction with the celebration of World Food Month and the Launching of the Reina Mercedes Post Harvest Facility and Corn Processing Center.
The Corn Congress is an annual gathering of more than 3000 small corn farmers and leaders, government and private sector agricultural technicians and other private sector industry stakeholders.
The RM-CPC was established to improve agricultural efficiency, increase farming income, develop long-term food security and promote social justice not only among the farmers of Isabela but also for the whole region. (PCOO)
De Lima in Cotabato to probe nurse’s gang rape case
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino is so concerned over the gang rape of a volunteer nurse in Maguindanao that he ordered Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to see for herself what is happening there.
In a press briefing Friday morning, Lacierda clarified earlier claims by the Philippine Nurses Association that the Aquino administration is giving the reported gang rape case a “cold shoulder treatment.”
The President, according to Lacierda, asked Secretary de Lima to monitor the case closely because “allegedly there are influential people there who are involved in the case.”
“President Aquino asked Secretary de Lima, who in fact is in Cotabato right now to discuss the case with the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and State Prosecutors,” Lacierda said.
When the nurses held a rally at Mendiola, he said, the President was in Tagaytay but the letter (from the PNA) was received and Presidential Communications and Strategic Development Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang met with them that day.
“It is not true that we are not giving the gang rape case the attention due it. In fact, the President has personally tasked Secretary de Lima to monitor the case. These things are not taken for granted since rape is a heinous crime,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)
Enough funds for OFWs’ legal relief, says Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III today said there are enough funds for the legal requirements of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) wanting to go back home.
The President bared this in a video conference with a Filipino medical practitioner in Saudi Arabia during the First 100 Days Town Hall Meeting at the La Consolacion Gym in Mendiola, Manila on Thursday.
“Meron hong pondo na talagang nakalaan para maihire iyong tamang mga lawyers para naman ho matugunan hindi lang po sa Saudi pero sa ibat-ibang parte po ng mundo,” he said.
The President pointed out that the Assistance to Nationals Fund (ANF) for OFWs under the proposed P10.9-billion proposed fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was reduced to support his administration’s austerity policy and properly address the country’s projected P325-billion budget deficit this year.
While there is a reduction in budget, the President said his administration will ensure that there are no leakages in the disbursement and use of government funds.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na iyong ating budget, bawat piso ay mapunta sa kanyang pakay at hindi ho mapunta sa kung ano-ano hong tinatawag sa ingles na leakage, iyong pagwawaldas. So, maski mas kaunti, mas marami pa ring magagawa dahil mas sisiguraduhin natin iyong paggastos ho niyan,” he explained.
The President cited the 25 percent savings generated from the typhoon rehabilitation fund of the Department of Public Works and Highways where only P600 million from the programmed budget of P900 million was spent due to his administration’s efficient use of government funds.
While OFW remittances contribute considerably to the national coffers, the President said that government can easily augment the fund assistance for OFWs with the expected bigger savings next year due to the efficient disbursement of funds.
The President disclosed that King Abdullah bin Abdulazziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia has granted a six-month amnesty to illegally staying foreigners including OFWs allowing them to go home without punishment from Sept. 25 this year to March 23 next year.
The President said he has already directed the Department of Labor and Employment to conduct an investigation particularly on the activities of illegal recruiters who deploy OFWs even to war-torn areas.
“Nakatutok rin tayo doon sa mga situwasyon na nalalabag iyong ating mga batas, for instance, iyong deployment to areas na war-torned. Iyon ay talagang pinaiimbestigahan ko paano na-deploy diyan, paano nailagay sa alanganin ang ating mga kababayan,’ the President said. (PCOO)
