PIA Dispatch - Monday, April 4, 2011

Aquino swears in more gov't officials

President Benigno S. Aquino III swore in newly-appointed government officials in various government agencies both in the civilian and military service.

In simple ceremonies on Monday at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacanang Palace, the Chief Executive administered the oath of office to General Ricardo David as Acting Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) under the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Also sworn into office is Lt. General Eduardo Oban Jr. as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), replacing David as AFP head.

Before his assumption into office as Acting Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, Gen. David spent over 30 years in the military service. He was the commander of the Northern Luzon Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines, an AFP unit that oversees the security and preserves the peace in the communities of North and Central Luzon.

David is the 27th BI Commissioner from the year 1940 to the present.

The Bureau has the sole authority to enforce and administer immigration and alien registration laws including the admission, registration, exclusion, deportation and repatriation of aliens. It also supervises the immigration into and emigration from the Philippines of aliens.

Born in 1955 in the town of San Fernando, Pampanga, David graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1977. He began his illustrious military career as a second lieutenant in the Philippine Army.

The new AFP chief, Gen. Oban hails from Castilla, Sorsogon and a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) belonging to PMA Class “Matapat” of 1979. He served as Director for Operations of the 5th Fighter Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). He finished his master’s degree in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific in 2005.
Oban is the third Chief of Staff to come from the Air Force since 1996. He also played a major role in the negotiation with Magdalo rebels involved in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003. He assumed AFP’s top post on March 7, 2011

Other officials sworn into office were Erwin Chua Andaya, Commissioner, representing Visayas, of the National Youth Commission (NYC), Office of the President (OP); Georgina P. Nava, Commissioner, representing Luzon, NYC-OP; Earl P. Saavedra, Commissioner, representing Mindanao, NYC-OP; Percival V. Cendaña, Commissioner-at-Large, NYC-OP; Nora C. Oliveros, Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, OP; Fernando L. Mesa, Assistant Director-General, National Security Council Seretariat,OP; Ofelia Arellano-Marquez, Chairperson, Central Board of Assessment Appeals of the Department of Finance; Alfredo Tolentino Assistant Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways; Ester A. Aldana, Assistant Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government and Nelson Acebo, Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Also part of the list of newly-promoted military officials include Vice-Admiral Alexander P. Pama, Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy (PN); Lt. Gen. Arthur I. Tabaquero, Commander, EastMinCom; Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez, VC, Philippine Navy; MGen. Ramiro A. Alivio, TNIG, PN; MGen. Elmir S. Dela Cruz, DCS for AFP-CEIS J6; MGen. Romulo M. Bambao, C, Isafp; MGen. Nonato Alfredo T. Peralta Jr., Supt., Philippine Military Academy (PMA); Rear Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, CNS,PN; BGen. Mariano A. Veloria, Comdr, 53 EBDE, Philippine Army (PA); BGen. Samuel L. Narbuada, ADCS for Intelligence, BGen. Alex N. Albano, Comdr, AresCom, PA; BGen. Arnolfo Atendido, ADC, 7ID, PA; Commodore Isabelo H. Gador, Chief, OLA; Commodore Geronimo L. Aganon, DC, NASSCOM; BGen. Ramona P. Go, ADCS for PERS, J1; Commodore Caesar C. Taccad, Comdr, NFNL, PN; BGen. Maximo G. Caro, Comdt, CCAFP,PMA; BGen. Lito S. Tabangcura, Cmdr, AFPResCom and Commo Wenefredo B. Banua, Chairman, PN BAC. (PCOO)


Aquino considers expansion of fuel subsidy for farmers, fisherman

President Benigno S. Aquino III is studying the possible expansion of the coverage of the fuel subsidy to include other vulnerable sectors such as farmers and fishermen who also use fuel for their livelihood.

“There have been proposals (to expand the coverage of fuel subsidy). We will look into it,” the President said in an interview after he administered the oath of office of newly-appointed officials on Monday at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.

The President said that thorough study has to be done on farm implements and fishing boats to avoid double registration.

On Thursday last week, the President approved a P500-million fuel subsidy to public utility jeepneys and tricycles to cushion the impact of the series of fuel price increases that reduced the daily income of drivers.

The President said the subsidies will be in lieu of fare increases.

The subsidy will not cover buses because the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board granted them a provisional P1-fare increase starting March 29.

The President said the government will distribute “Smart cards” that will entitle holders of PUJ and tricycle franchises to fuel discounts.

He said the measure will be reviewed after one month. The government may add, remove or decrease the amount of subsidy depending on the price of crude oil in the world market. (PCOO)


Gov't deploys 10,000 new nurses to poor communities nationwide

Some 10,000 new registered nurses was hired by government and set to be deployed for community service nationwide as part of the national government's effort to help poor communities have access to medical consultations and routine check-ups, President Benigno S. Aquino III said in Iloilo on Friday.

The President said 10,000 registered nurses will be deployed in the different villages or remote barangays where the rate of poverty incidence is high.

He said the nurses had already completed their one-year training under the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Services where they underwent six months comprehensive training at their respective rural health units and another six months exposure at hospitals.

The President said the nurses will be given P8,000 allowance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme of the national government designed to help poor families.

He added that another multi-national company, which he did not mention the name of the company because the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is currently coordinating with them, is set to hire 20,000 Filipino registered nurses. (PCOO)