Aquino honors TOWNS awardees
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday vowed that his administration will continue to exert efforts to protect the dignity of women through the implementation of just and fair laws.
In his message at the awarding ceremony for the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang, the President noted that there are many existing laws on the protection of women that are not implemented fairly and properly.
Thus, the President said he will ask Congress to review the existing laws on the protection of the rights and privileges of women.
He also expressed support for the creation of local committees on anti-trafficking against women with the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Justice as lead agencies.
“I believe this would be an effective measure to stop abuse and violence against women,” the President, speaking in Filipino, stressed.
The Chief Executive is optimistic that a localized implementation of the Magna Carta of Women will push through.
“This means the provisions of the said law will be implemented at the local level and strengthen solutions to the concerns of women,” he added.
The President also said he will work on closing the gap between men and women and achieve gender equality particularly in education by 2015.
He also reiterated his pro-choice stand on reproductive health stressing that he hopes parents will use their conscience in planning their family.
At the same time, the Chief Executive called on the 2010 TOWNS awardees to be government’s partner in protecting the rights of women and children, and those who have less in life.
The President led the giving out of awards to the 11, not just 10 winners, this year. They are Ma. Stella Alabastro-Quimbo for Health Economics, Therese Badoy for Alternative Education, Arlene Bag-ao for Alternative Law, Kara Patria David for Broadcast Journalism, Laura David for Oceanography, Jo Enrica Enriquez for Anti-Trafficking of Women, Therese Fernandez for Social Entrepreneurship, Ma. Regina Alampay for Organizational Psychology, Carmela Lapitan for Medicine, Marissa Romero for Science and Technology and Myla Villanueva for Information and Communications Technology.
These women have shown exceptional talent and devotion to their career and have rendered exemplary service to the nation. (PCOO)
No plans for Cabinet revamp--Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III has no plans to change the members of his official family for now.
In an interview after he led the awarding of the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS), the President stressed that his cabinet has just gotten a positive rating compared to a negative rating the last time a survey on their performance was conducted.
“So, why should we have a cabinet revamp at this time when the people are happy with their performance?” he said.
The Chief Executive added that he is satisfied with the performance of most of his cabinet secretaries. He cited Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson as those “performing better than expected.”
As to the other cabinet members, the President said he would like to call their attention for improvements in their performance.
“But for the most part, I am very happy that they have been assisting me in addressing all these problems in the country,” he added.
The President also said that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje will remain as acting secretaries, while Rosalinda Baldoz has been appointed as Secretary of Labor and Employment. (PCOO)
Aquino leads unveiling of Lopez marker
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of the public-private partnerships particularly with media play a crucial role in encouraging people to actively participate in national decision making and improving the lot of the less fortunate.
The President led the unveiling of the marker of the ELJ Communications Center at the ABS-CBN compound Thursday night in Quezon City in commemoration of the 82nd birth anniversary of its late chairman Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. and recognizing the winners in this year’s Gawad Eugenio Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2010.
The President also witnessed the launch of ABS-CBN’s Christmas campaign “Ngayong Pasko, Magniningning ang Pilipino” which is expected to rekindle the light of unity and honor the Filipinos’ commitment to change.
Aside from entertainment, stories and noteworthy documentaries, the President said the network has greatly influenced viewers in raising public awareness particularly on issues of development and accountability.
The President said the media has played a crucial role particularly in encouraging the people actively participate in national decision making such as the notable program “Bayan Mo, I-patrol Mo, Ako ang Simula,” which gives the public a chance to serve as watchdogs of governance.
The President said this is what he stated in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) when he called on the people to actively participate and become part of the solution to the country’s problems.
“Companies such as yours also play a vital part in fulfilling our administration’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals particularly in poverty reduction and the improvement of public lives. We need to further strengthen public-private partnerships and it is in your businesses’ corporate social responsibility programs where government efforts can be supplemented in order to fill the gaps especially in hard to reach areas,” the President said.
As an active partner of government, the President also acknowledged the networks’ enlightening and social programs including the efforts of Gina Lopez, chief of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, for conducting successful events such as the recent Run for Pasig River.
The President thanked ABS-CBN corporation and its different foundations “for being an active and driven partner as we transform our society for the benefit of all Filipinos.”
The President said the legacy of Geny Lopez is very much alive as well as the company’s commitment and determination to push the country forward.
The President said sacrifice, walking the right path and serving others before one’s self is the true meaning of Christmas.
With the Philippines known to have the longest Christmas in the world, the President said the company’s theme this year will continue to uplift the Christmas celebration of every Filipino family.
In his welcome remarks, Gabby Lopez III, chairman and CEO of ABS-CBN Corporation, described the President as a “true public servant” whose mission is truly in the service of the Filipino.
“It is by grace that we have President Aquino himself to honor this dedication ceremony. It is by grace that we have a President who stands before us, a true public servant, a President who has dedicated his office in the spirit of true public service,” Lopez said.
Manuel Lopez, chairman of the Lopez Group of Companies, said the President reintroduced integrity, honor and love of country while restoring the dignity and pride of Filipinos.
He vowed full support for the President’s success particularly in implementing consistent policies and a level playing field for business.
“We are more confident now than ever in your administration, Mr. President, that we can thrive and succeed in our collective vision of a progressive Philippines,” he said.
Among those who welcomed the President were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Lopez group of Companies chairman emeritus Oscar Lopez, ABS-CBN managing director Gina Lopez, and ABS-CBN president and COO Charo Santos-Concio. (PCOO)
Aquino to ask for reconsideration of travel advisories
President Benigno Aquino III will discuss with several foreign leaders their concerns on the safety of their citizens in the Philippines when he attends the 18th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Japan next week.
In a media interview in Malacanang on Friday, the President said the government has been communicating with the embassies of the Unites States, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and France which have issued travel advisories warning their respective citizens of possible terror plots in several areas in Mindanao including Metro Manila.
The President said the Philippines will request in the most diplomatic way for a reconsideration of such advisories particularly if there is no concrete basis.
The President said the issue could be raised with the foreign leaders when he attends the 18th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Yokohama, Japan slated on Nov. 12-15.
“We will be meeting with a lot of them for the APEC visit by next week,” the President said.
As it is, he said the Philippines does not consider the matter lightly and government security forces are now preemptively monitoring the possible entry of terrorists including linkage with domestic terror groups “to prevent them from carrying out any plans.”
The six foreign embassies issued their travel advisories this week after an alleged “cargo bomb" from Yemen destined to the United States was foiled last week and triggered fears that the terrorist group al-Qaida was launching another terror campaign. (PCOO)
Aquino seeks to cushion export industry from strong peso
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday assured the local export industry that his administration is looking at ways to cushion them from the impact of the continued appreciation of peso.
“We are aware of the effects of the appreciation of the peso not just on the electronics industry but on the export industry as a whole. Our economic managers are looking at ways to cushion our local industry from its impact,” the President told the chief executive officers of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI).
In his speech at the Heroes Hall of Malacanang, the President appealed to neighboring countries to help mitigate the effects of the strong peso so that the export industry will not be affected.
He told the top honchos of SEIPI that he will personally relay his appeal in the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit slated this month in Yokohama, Japan
“We are determined to strengthen the electronics industry through our aggressive investment industry promotions,” he said.
Being an effective partner in building for rural development and climate change mitigation, the President vowed to support SEIPI provided the Filipino people and the country’s natural resources are not taken advantage of.
The President admitted that the country’s potential to be a competitive economic player in Asia lies on its own ability to shift to a global approach in development and invest in economic partnership agreement with other nations.
He pointed out that “through the active cooperation between government and private entities, all these efforts are geared towards our pursuit of a progressive self-sufficient economy.”
“The positive outlook we now have on the Philippine economy will benefit you and the entire nation in the long run,” he added. (PCOO)
