PCCI submits 10-point agenda to President Aquino
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to convene the Legislative Economic Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) so he can present the sector’s 10-point priority agenda to enhance business competitiveness.
The agenda, part of the 36th PBC Resolutions read by Benjamin Philip Romualdez, conference chairman, includes: a) crafting a National Industrialization Plan; b) a National Infrastructure Development Plan with a Public Private Partnership Framework; c) defining key energy and power objectives in terms of supply reliability and quality, rate/tariff, competitiveness and sustainability; d) ensuring stability and consistency of policies for the mining industry.
It calls for the modernization of agriculture with the full implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (Republic Act 8435) and a review of the entire Philippine tax system.
The PCCI also called for investment promotions for the tourism industry and the adoption of the Business Permits and Licensing System as an integral part of the government’s business process reform initiatives.
Business leaders also want a full implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 as well as a review of existing trade agreements.
Romualdez said President Aquino’s first 100-Day report cited among others that procurement contracts earlier approved are now keenly reviewed, with a number of contracts cancelled and subjected to new bidding resulting in substantial savings in public works and agriculture projects. More efficient use of funds has allowed government savings to be channeled to social services.
“With the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s grant of $434-M to the Philippine Government, efforts to reduce poverty by addressing corruption and building and rehabilitation of infrastructure, which will improve access of farmers, fisherfolk, cottage industries, micro and small enterprises to markets, will further raise the economic profile of the country,” Romualdez said.
Propelling the country on a growth trajectory are the global competitiveness ranking which climbed four notches, following a series of progressive decline; GDP growth in the first and second quarter of the year at 7.2 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively; renewed investors’ confidence in government; record-high stock market index at 4,196.73 points; strengthening peso; and, steady prices of good, Romualdez said. (PCOO)
President Aquino to keynote joint IFHNOS and PSO-HNS conventions
President Benigno S. Aquino will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the joint opening ceremonies of the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) and the Philippine Societies of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (PSO-HNS) conventions that will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pasig City on Sunday, October 17.
The President will be joined by Health Secretary Enrique Ona, and welcomed by Dr. Josefino Hernandez, PSO-HNS president and Dr. Jatin Shah, IFHNOS founder.
The President’s attendance to this event is supportive of the group’s advocacy to provide treatments in oncology, the branch of medicine that deals with tumors, including the study of their development, diagnosis, treatment and prevention; and otolaryngology, the branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
The IFHNOS is a global organization established through cooperation of national and regional Societies and Organizations in the Specialty of Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology with membership from national and regional multidisciplinary organizations, representing 65 countries.
The PSO-HNS meanwhile, is a nationally recognized association of certified specialists of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery engaged in the relentless pursuit of excellence of service, training, research and public information to all people in the Philippines with professionalism, dignity, compassion and honesty to promote camaraderie among its members.
The PSO-HNS, which is celebrating its 54th annual convention, will highlight the pressing issues, both academic and clinical, in the form of debates during the convention.
There will be around 700 participants to the joint convention composed of foreign and local medical practitioners in the fields of otolaryngology, head and neck oncology and surgery. (PCOO)
Aquino names envoys to Cambodia, Brunei
President Benigno S. Aquino has appointed Noe Wong as Ambassador to Cambodia and Nestor Ochoa as ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.
The President also appointed Vicente T. Hualdo Jr. as Commissioner representing the shipping sector of the Cebu Port Authority along with Engr. Ben Acol; Arturo R. Barit, representing the cargo handling sector and Atty Joselito Pedaria; Engr. Carlos G. Co and Engr. Dennis Villamor, representing the business sector. The Cebu Port Authority is under the Department of Transportation and Communication.
Last October 12, the President confirmed his appointment of Manila Electric Co. chairman Manuel Lopez as the ambassador to Japan, vice Domingo Siazon Jr. who held the post during the Ramos administration before becoming Secretary of Foreign Affairs under President Estrada. Lopez is the second member of the influential Lopez clan to be part of Aquino's administration.
The President retained Mercedes Tuason as the Philippine ambassador to the Vatican. (PCOO)
Palace tells candidates for barangay/S.K. positions: Being elected is not the only way to serve the people
Malacanang cautioned the candidates for the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 25 not to resort to violence and killings “as this is just an election and being voted upon is not the only way to be of service to the people.”
In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said “we should not resort to violence or other undesirable means just to be elected into office as serving the people does not end with getting elected.”
Go slow and do not be too emotional or excited as this might distract your focus. Let us all work together to ensure that the coming election will be clean and that the results will reflect the genuine sentiments of the voters, Valte added.
Last week, President Aquino ordered Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Raul Bacalzo to look into the killing of a candidate for kagawad and put the perpetrators before the bar of justice so that no other similar incidents will happen as the elections near.
Bacalzo said the President asked him to impose stricter measures to ensure that such poll violence will not occur again. (PCOO)
