Aquino approves budget preparation schedule
In keeping with his government’s record of being the only administration in 11 years to have enacted the national budget on schedule, President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved a new budget preparation schedule to ensure that the proposed 2012 spending bill likewise, gets passed on time.
In a statement, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the First Budget Call for the 2012 national budget will be issued in January to ensure its submission to Congress a day after the President delivers his State of the Nation Address in July next year.
“The 2011 Reform Budget, the first financial blueprint of the Aquino administration, was enacted on time, the first time it has happened in 11 years,” Abad said adding, “We are committed to making sure that the subsequent budgets under this government will be passed on time.”
In the past, the Budget Call was usually issued in April or in May of the year prior to the fiscal year of the budget. The Constitution mandates that the Executive submits the proposed budget to Congress within 30 days after session opens in August.
Abad noted that the budget preparation calendar to be issued with the First Budget Call will be marked by consultations by six pilot government agencies and civil groups by February 2011.
“This new consultative budget preparation process is in line with the Aquino government’s commitment to ensure good governance through citizen’s participation,” Abad said.
The six government agencies involved in the consultative process are: the Departments of Education, Health, Social Welfare and Development, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform and Public Works. (PCOO)
Aquino confident PH economy to continue to grow in 2011
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence that the country’s economy will continue to grow next year as evidenced by the stringent efforts of the government to uplift the standard of living of the Filipino people.
The Chief Executive, in an interview on Thursday following the commemoration of the 114th martyrdom of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila said that businesses in the country will continue to grow gradually improving the unemployment and underemployment rate for the better.
The President assured that the government has been exhausting necessary steps to expedite processes in totally solving issues that hamper economic growth.
For instance, the President cited the expansion of an international relationship management firm in Manila which has five-major expansions throughout the country, the newest in San Lazaro near the University Belt.
Convergys has provided 20,000 job opportunities for the Filipinos.
“If you remember we went to a company called Convergys not too long ago. They opened a new facility in San Lazaro. The first day they had to acquire a new office in addition to the one that they had contracted. From then on, they continue to grow in a period of one month”, the President said.
“So that I think is a total reference of what we should be expecting”, he added.
When asked about his new year’s resolution, the President said he wishes to maintain good health and gain more strength to pursue more projects for the benefit of the people. (PCOO)
Aquino leads commemoration of 114th martyrdom of Rizal
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the nationwide flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies in simple rites commemorating the 114th martyrdom of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila.
The event, which has for its theme “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan”, was organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and took place on Thursday at the park’s main flagpole area in the presence of Rizal’s descendants.
Also in attendance were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Cayetano Paderanga.
The Chief Executive, assisted by Vice President Binay and Mayor Lim, also led the unveiling of the official Rizal@150 logo which kicks off a year-long celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero on June 19, 2011.
The commemoration of the 114th martyrdom of Dr. Rizal concludes a three-day lecture series conducted at various Rizal Shrines in Calamba, Laguna and in Talisay, Dapitan.
Dr. Rizal, one of the foremost reformists of his time, awakened nationalist consciousness among his countrymen to end the more than three centuries Spanish colonization in the country.
During that time, natives of the Philippines were not called Filipinos, instead they were called indios. They were regarded as belonging to the “inferior races” and could not possibly expect to rise beyond the limit nature had endowed them.
Rizal came up with the name “Indios Bravos” as manifestation of pride in being a Filipino. Members pledged to be the best that they could, to win the admiration of foreigners, particularly the Spaniards, in terms of intellect and physical prowess.
The national hero made headlines through his literary works, mainly the novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, both were used as a vehicle to arouse patriotism of his fellow Filipinos.
His life and works were an inspiration to the nationalist movement led by the “katipuneros”.
Rizal stood as one of the great products of the Malay race. His peaceful means of reform made him Asia’s first modern non-violent proponent of political reforms. He led in the rejection of colonialism and the emergence of the new Asian nations. (PCOO)
Aquino taps DFA and DOLE to monitor 7 Pinoys abducted by Somali pirates
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the families and relatives of seven Filipino crew of MV EMS River who were recently seized by Somali pirates that his administration is doing its utmost best to ensure the safety and welfare of the victims.
The Chief Executive issued the assurance in an ambush interview after he spearheaded the flag-raising and wreath laying ceremonies on Thursday commemorating the 114th death anniversary of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park, in Manila
“We are now cooperating with concerned authorities. I am confident that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are continuously doing their job to check the conditions of our countrymen seized by the pirates,” the President said.
According to the President, the Philippine government is reiterating its call to all concerned countries to unite and act in order to address and stop the hijacking activities of the Somali pirates.
“This is not only the problem of the Philippines, this is a worldwide problem,” he said.
The MV EMS River, a German owned cargo ship, was with one Romanian and seven Filipinos were seized by the Somali pirates approximately 175 miles (280 kilometers) northeast of the port of Salalah in Oman.
The cargo ship was carrying petrol from Greece to the United Arab Emirates when they were hijacked by the pirates. (PCOO)
