Aquino keynotes 111th year celebration of Manila Bulletin
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the commemorative activities marking the 111th anniversary of “one of the most enduring journalistic institutions in the country” – the Manila Bulletin, in ceremonies held at the broadsheet’s main office in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.
In his speech keynoting the historic event, President Aquino, who was joined by MB chairman Don Emilio Yap as well as local government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and media practitioners, commended the paper’s longevity as he looked forward to its next 111 years of journalistic excellence.
“For over a century, the Manila Bulletin witnessed the difficult periods in our history—chronicling the valiant battles our nation has fought, surviving the ownership changes from American to Filipino publishers, and only becoming even stronger for these challenges. No publication has seen this country through five republics, and thus, your history has already become entwined with ours,” the President said.
“I am confident that Manila Bulletin will be around for the next 111 years. Don Emilio Yap has shown that this publication is heading in the right direction, with his dedication to the Filipino people through his work, not just as a newspaper man, but also as a philanthropist - directly giving our countrymen needed assistance,” he added.
He vowed to “partner with you and give you good, honest news to report” by continue doing my utmost best in fulfilling my responsibilities to this nation.”
“I am here to make the lives of each and every Filipino easier - I am here to make your job easier. You have vowed to put “good news here,” and I will personally partner with you and give you good, honest news to report, especially now that we have restored a transparent relationship with the people,” the President said.
“We will no longer be terrorized by the darkness that once engulfed the country; we have finally reached the daylight burning bright at the end of the tunnel,” he stressed.
“Let me give you the most important piece of good news today: in good and in bad weather, this administration will always be on the side of the Filipino people,” the President said. (PCOO)
Filipinos deserve a good, honest media – Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of having a good and honest media, one that not only dwells on the trivial issues but on the relevant ones as well.
In his speech keynoting the 111th Anniversary of Manila Bulletin on Wednesday at its main office in Intramuros, Manila, the President said Filipinos deserve no less than this.
“I always make it a point to remind our friends in media to help elevate the level of discourse in our country. And while I accept that there are certain things about my private life that will always be of interest to the public, it would be better if you give the same amount of attention to issues that matter as well,” the President said.
The President lamented that instead of highlighting the P29-billion worth of government owned and controlled corporations’ dividend that went into the country’s coffers last week, media chose to “speculate about whether I will have a date this Valentine’s Day.”
“It was discouraging,” the President said.
He, however, said that he believed in media’s ability to weed out the relevant issues from the not.
“I believe in your (media’s) ability to discern what is relevant, the same way I believe in our people, that they are capable of rebuilding this country,” the President said.
“What our country asks of us is simple: that the media remain fair, that the people work hard while maintaining their calm demeanor, and that our public servants do their jobs with honesty and competence. These are very challenging things, but if we hold strong and remind ourselves of our dreams of this country reaching its actual potential, then what can we not do?” he added. (PCOO)
Aquino swears in EDSA People Power Commission officials
President Benigno S. Aquino III swore in the officials of the Edsa People Power Commission (EPPC) tasked to promote the ideals of the bloodless and the very first people power revolution in the country.
In simple mass oath taking rites at the Premier Guest House of the Palace on Thursday, the President led the new officials led by its chairman, Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, Jr. in taking their oath of office to formally assume their respective positions at the EPPC.
Other members of the Commission who took their oath of office include actor-singer-composer Ogie Alcasid, advertiser Emily Abrera, Christopher Carrion, Milagros Kilayko, former Trade Secretary Jose Pardo, and former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chairman Cesar Sarino.
Executive Order No. 82. (s. 1999) created the EDSA People Power Commission to institutionalize the legacy of the EDSA People Power Revolution, rooted in the same spirit that brought Filipinos to freedom a century ago.
As a dedicated organization, the EPPC was established specifically to institute appropriate means, activities and concerted action that will serve to enshrine EDSA People Power as a continuing and permanent source of inspiration for future generations.
EDSA People Power was a historic uprising in February 1986 that toppled the decades-old Marcos regime and catapulted Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the President’s mother, to the presidency that time.
On December 22, 2010, President Aquino issued Executive Order No. 17, which streamlines the role of the commission and whittled down the number of its members from 25 to just seven.
Earlier, American book author Stephen Mansfield paid a courtesy call to the President to express support to his administration and the programs being implemented for the people.
The New York Times bestselling author and popular speaker Mansfield, who is also an evangelical leader, was accompanied by wife Beverly and some evangelical leaders of the Victory Church of the Philippines.
The religious leaders include Bishop Emmanuel Carlos, Bishop J. Raymund Mora, Bishop Jonel Milan, Pastor Ferdinand Cabiling, Pastor William Steven Murrell, Anastacio Escosar, Jr., and former Guam Governor Felix Camacho.
During the call at the Yellow Room also at the Premier Guest House, Pastor Mansfield presented two of his best-selling books to the Chief Executive as gifts, namely, the “Pope Benedict XVI, His Life and Mission” and “The Faith of George W. Bush. (PCOO)
Aquino signs E.O. No. 23 declaring moratorium on cutting, harvesting of timber and creating anti-logging task force
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday signed Executive Order No. 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests, and creating the anti-illegal logging task force.
EO 23 revokes, amends and/or modifies all executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances which are inconsistent with the said EO.
In signing the EO, the Chief Executive directed to prohibit itself the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from issuing logging contracts/agreements in all natural and residual forests such as Integrated Forest Management Agreements (IFMA), Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreements (SIFMA), Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) and other agreements/contracts with logging components in all natural and residual forests in the country.
Likewise, the DENR is prohibited from issuing or renewing tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide except for clearing of the road right of way by the Department of Public Works and Highways, site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from the said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal.
The EO further stated that the tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Right Act may be allowed subject to existing guidelines of the DENR.
Existing IFMas, SIFMAs, CBFMAs and other agreements and contracts shall be reviewed and evaluated by the DENR and immediately terminate contracts and agreements of those who violated twice the terms and conditions of their contracts / agreements and existing forest laws, rules and regulations, and if the holders of these contracts/agreements engage in logging activities in any natural or residual forest.
According to the same EO the DENR shall strictly implement a forest certification system in accordance with the United Nations standards and guidelines so as to ascertain the sustainability of legal sources and chain of custody of timber and wood products nationwide.
The DENR shall close and not allow the sawmills, veneer plants and other wood processing plants to operate if they fail to present proof of sustainable sources of legally cut logs for a period of at least five years within one month once the EO on illegal logging takes effect.
The EO further orders the DENR, through the Department of Agriculture-DENR- Department of Agrarian Reform Convergence Initiative, to develop a National Greening Program (NGP) while the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education shall initiate the educational drive campaign.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall help in the establishment of communal tree farms for firewood and other purposes and the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall identify the upland farmers covered by the NGP as priority beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program.
On the other hand, the Department of Budget and Management shall provide the necessary funds for the production of quality seedlings for the NGP from available funds of the government and the private sector.
Other sectors and agencies are also ordered to raise funds for tree planting activities.
The DepEd shall be the priority recipient of all confiscated logs.
The DENR Secretary shall chair the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and the members shall include the secretaries of the Interior and Local Government and National Defense, the Chief of the Philippine National Police and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or their authorized representatives.
The Task Force was tasked to enforce and lead the anti-illegal logging campaign and ensure the implementation of the EO under the supervision of the DENR.
It shall also assist the DENR in the implementation of other environmental laws.
The DBM shall provide the DENR P10 million as initial budget for the Task Force and the release of additional funds has to be approved by the President. (PCOO)
President Aquino lauds successful public-private partnership to provide water to southern Manila residents
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the successful partnership between the public and private sectors to supply fresh, safe and potable water to residents in the southern part of Metro Manila.
Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) teamed up with the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to put up a state-of-the-art water treatment plant that will provide fresh, safe and potable water to Maynilad customer-residents in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa City.
Built at a cost of P1.4-billion, the treatment plant, the first water treatment facility that taps into Laguna Lake as an alternative water source to Angat Dam, uses a multi-stage process of dissolved air flotation, microfiltration, reverse osmosis and chlorination to rid water of impurities and organisms harmful to health.
In his speech keynoting the inauguration of the newly-constructed water treatment plant in Putatan, Muntinlupa City this afternoon, the President said this facility was a testament to the consortium’s initiative not only to supply the water needs of residents but also a solid step forward towards conserving our natural resources.
“Once again we have proven that the public-private partnership initiative has been instrumental in not only providing the needs of Filipinos but conserving our natural resources as well,” the President said.
“Maynilad has partnered with the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Department of Natural Resources in committing to provide clean and stable water supply for our country,” he added.
“Through state-of-the-art facilities, water taken from Laguna Lake will undergo a thorough filtration process to ensure that it comes out clean and safe to drink by our loved ones,” the President said. (PCOO)
Aquino may tap former COA auditor Mendoza’s services
President Benigno S. Aquino III hinted that he may have need for the services of former Commission on Audit auditor Heidi Mendoza but clarified that he would have to ask her first if she would accept any government position.
Mendoza is a resource person at an ongoing Senate and Congressional inquiry into alleged anomalies in the disbursements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines funds.
On several occasions during the nationally televised inquiry, Mendoza revealed that she wanted to go back to her quiet and peaceful life, far from the hullabaloo of the expose she is currently involved in.
Fully aware of her predicament, President Aquino said he would ask Mendoza if she would want to work under his administration.
“I will ask her. I would rather not force somebody to accept. She has already stated the stress that she and her family has undergone,” the President said.
“She has already contributed and if she’s willing to contribute more, then I say why not?” he added. (PCOO)
