President Aquino cites role of Air Force in effort to effect change in government
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Philippine economy is ready to soar stable and high as he expressed appreciation and recognized the unified stand of Filipinos to fully effect change and achieve progress.
In his speech during the Philippine Air Force Aviation Cadet and Officer Candidate Alumni Association (PAF-ACes) awarding ceremonies at the Manila Hotel on Saturday night, the President said the strong showing of the peso, the restored investor confidence and our positive march towards economic progress was the result of a unified effort to bring about genuine change.
The President said he salutes and joins the dedication, patriotism and sacrifices of the men and women of the PAF who continue to provide quality public service and do their best despite their outmoded air assets and equipment.
He also cited other graduates of the PAF flying school now in the private sector who are also helping our tourism efforts while at the same time showcasing the world-class caliber of Filipino pilots here and abroad.
According to the Chief Executive he recently directed a study to implement an open skies policy to strongly promote tourism and increase the inflow and outflow of goods and services that will open up other economic opportunities for the people.
To complement this, the President said the public-private partnership program (PPP) include the renovation and modernization of the tourism airports in Bohol, Puerto Princesa City, Legazpi City and Laguindingan airport in Mindanao.
Aside from acquiring new air assets and surveillance equipment as part of the AFP modernization program, the President added that soon more modern engines and assets such as combat utility helicopter and basic trainer aircrafts will be provided for the PAF.
The President said the AFP, the Government Service Insurance System, and the Department of Budget and Management are now collectively finding ways to improve the faster release of pensions and ensure other benefits are given the retirees and enlisted personnel of the AFP.
”Fasten your seatbelt Pilipinas, tuloy-tuloy na ang arangkada natin sa tuwid na paliparan,” the President said.
The President also led in honoring 17 PAF aviation cadets that include Rona Guevarra, the first Filipina military pilot to join the civilian air industry.
The President also awarded the Golden Eagle Merit Medallion to PAF pilot Arnold Ando for his heroism in the rescue of 7 wounded comrades during an encounter with Communist terrorists last May despite difficult weather and terrain conditions in Davao del Sur.
Assisting the President were PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, PAF-Aces president Maj. Gen. Artemio Orozco and PAF-Aces chairman Rolando Capacia.
In behalf of the PAF-Aces and as responsible citizens, Orozco and Capacia pledged their support and join the President’s vision for change, citing his effort in fighting corruption and poverty for the common good as an example of professionalism and patriotism as demonstrated by the son of their honorary member, the late President Corazon Aquino.
Also present during the event was former PAF chief retired Brig. Gen. Antonio Sotelo, one of the heroes of the 1986 people power revolution, who restored the PAF's high professional standards by instituting the "no flight, no pay" policy for all rated officers that revived the merit system as the basis for promotion and laid the groundwork for the re-modernization of the PAF. (PCOO)
Malacanang lauds Tabuena for winning silver in golf
Malacañang lauded a Filipino golfer for bagging a silver medal in the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
In an interview over government-run radio station DzRB Radyo ng Bayan Sunday, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte congratulated teenage golfer Miguel Luis Tabuena for winning a silver medal in the golf competition of the 16th Asian Games on Saturday at the Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou, China.
The 16-year-old Tabuena, the reigning South California Junior Professional Golfers Association overall champion, won the second silver medal for the country and the first Asian Games silver medal in golf since 1998.
He scored six-under 272 to be at nine strokes behind gold medalist Kim Meen Whee of South Korea while Hung Chien Yao of Chinese Taipei was a stroke behind to settle for the bronze medal.
Valte also congratulated the other Filipino athletes who won in the quadrennial sporting event.
The Philippine taekwondo team won four more bronze medals. In the semifinals, John Paul Lizardo settled for the bronze in the 54 kilogram category after a loss against Kim Seong Ho of South Korea. Paul Romero in the 58 kilogram category, and Tsomlee Go and Kirstie Elaine Alora in the 63 kilogram category and 73 kilogram category, respectively.
The Philippines currently sits at 15th place with two gold, two silver and eight bronze medals in the Asian Games. (PCOO)
