Palace says gov’t agencies providing assistance to victims of flash floods
Malacañang said that government agencies are providing the necessary assistance to mitigate the effects of the recent flashfloods in Northern Luzon.
In a radio interview on Saturday, Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has P12.9 million worth of standby fund.
She added that some P5.8 million were already released for food and non-food items for the victims particularly in Cagayan and Isabela which were the hardest hit by flashfloods and heavy rains caused by the tail-end of a cold front.
“Our people are on the ground and they are already rendering assistance to the victims of the recent flash floods,” Valte said.
Valte also urged the public to immediately relay to the DSWD, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) or to the local government units concerned any vital information such as flooding and landslides that could help authorities immediately respond in the affected area.
Some 40,000 individuals were brought to evacuation centers and at least 10 deaths reported particularly in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela as a result of the heavy rains in the region.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the cold front could bring in more rains in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon which could cause flashfloods and landslides.
The weather bureau said rains are also expected in the Visayas and Mindanao areas due to an inter-tropical convergence zone. (PCOO)
Aquino to bestow Order of Golden Heart to comedian Dolphy
President Benigno S. Aquino III will bestow on actor-comedy king Rodolfo Quizon, popularly known as Dolphy on Monday the Grand Collar Order of the Golden Heart award at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.
This was announced on Saturday by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan.
“The conferment is in recognition of the life achievement of Mr. Quizon both in terms of his show business career where his comedy has brought joy to millions but this is importantly his well-known philanthropy and encouragement of charitable and good causes,” Valte said.
This includes the Dolphy-Aid para sa Pinoy Foundation, which gives scholarships to children of overseas Filipino workers, she said.
Valte added that the Order of the Golden Heart gives official recognition to Filipinos or foreigners “who have rendered distinguished services or given noteworthy monetary of other material aid, encouragement to the campaign for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social and economic conditions of the Filipino masses and for volunteerism in the service of the Filipino masses.”
Valte said the first recipient of the award, which was established by then President Ramon Magsaysay in 1954, was US blind author, Helen Keller in 1955.
Dolphy openly endorsed Aquino’s political rival, Senator Manny Villar in the May 2010 elections. (PCOO)
Review of Visiting Forces Agreement not linked to travel advisories
There is no connection between the recent travel advisories and the government plan to review the outmoded Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said today.
“There is no connection between the travel advisories on the review of the VFA, the internal review of the VFA,” Valte said during a radio interview on Saturday morning.
In a similar radio interview on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, also downplayed speculations that the plan to review the VFA is in any way connected to the travel advisories on a possible terrorist attack in the Philippines.
Last October 1, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 9 reorganizing the Presidential Commission on the VFA to reassess and get maximum benefits from the bilateral pact which was ratified in 1999.
Last November 2, the US State Department warned its nationals of possible terror plots in the country.
The warning came after an attempt to smuggle a bomb destined for the US was foiled by American authorities triggering fears that the al-Qaida group was attempting another terror campaign.
Five other countries have also issued travel advisories to its citizens in the Philippines, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and France.
Valte said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is exhausting diplomatic channels to urge these countries to reconsider the issuance of said travel advisories.
At the same time, Valte said the government does not take the matter lightly and has already taken measures to tighten security on public places, airports and seaports.
“Again this is a call for vigilance on the part of our people, vigilance for our safety and those around us,” Valte said. (PCOO)
