PIA Dispatch - Thursday, April 14, 2011

Remain true to your sworn duty – Aquino tells government prosecutors

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- President Benigno S. Aquino III challenged government prosecutors to remain true to their sworn duty to uphold the law without fear or favor and not be swayed by the promise of riches.

In his speech keynoting the opening ceremonies of the 23rd National Convention of the Prosecutors' League of the Philippines held at the KCC Convention Center here, the President said it is incumbent upon all government prosecutors to do their jobs in fulfilling their responsibilities to the Filipino people.

"I have the mandate of the people because they placed their trust in me but all of you should remember that this mandate extends to all of you as well. It is your responsibility, as much as it is mine, to do what the Filipino people expect of you," the President said.

He told the more than 1,000 PLP members who attended the event that the national government was working hard to provide them the means to "do your job well."

Aside from increasing the Department of Justice's allotment for prosecution service, the President has also fully supported the protection of the prosecutors through the holding of bilateral security orientations and the expeditious release of their firearm license applications.

"This is why, as we go about fixing what needs to be fixed, our administration is making it a point to allow you to do your jobs to the fullest of your capacities. Hindi po kayo pinababayaan ng inyong gobyerno. In fact, we have increased the Department of Justice's allotment for prosecution service by more than P260-million in the General Appropriations Act of 2011," the President stressed.

"We are also concerned about the dangers you face, especially when taking on high-profile cases. Your work is an important part of our corruption campaign and we cannot allow mere intimidation to stop us from doing our jobs. That is why, last February, the European Union-Philippine Justice Support Programme, together with the DoJ, conducted a Security Orientation, which was attended by 50 prosecutors from Region 1, and we are hoping to conduct more of them in the coming months," he added.

"Likewise, the DoJ, Philippine National Police and PLP have signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will prioritize the firearm license applications of our prosecutors," the President added.

The President noted, however, the importance of protecting state witnesses and the so-called whistleblowers whom he said are "exposed to similar dangers" experienced by prosecutors.

He pointed out that by "increasing the budget of the witness protection program by almost 80 percent, from around P84-million to P151-mullion...will allow us to protect a total of 640 witnesses and whistleblowers."

"We have likewise prioritized two bills in the 11th Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council that pertain to whistleblowers and witnesses: acts that will improve their production and benefits," the President said.

"These projects and initiatives are meant to show you that the government considers your role integral in our reform agenda," he said.

"You have performed well in the past year with limited resources and now that we have added resources, we hope that you can perform better," the President said.

He vowed to work harder in order to serve as an inspiration to all prosecutors in order for them to do their job well.

"Alam naman po ninyong pinipilit nating linisin ang hanay ng mga prosecutor. Sabay nito, nananatiling bukas ang isipan ng pambansang gobyerno sa mga hinaing ng mga tapat nating prosecutor. Patuloy kaming kakayod upang mas magampanan pa ninyo nang maayos ang inyong mga trabaho - ang makamit ang hustisya nang walang kargang takot at pag-alala sa seguridad ng bawat isa sa inyo," the President said. (PCOO)


Aquino lauds higher conviction rate of government prosecutors

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded national prosecutors on Thursday for the increase in the number of convictions it recorded in the past 10 months saying this is a direct result of the reforms being implemented by his Administration to bring about change in government.

In his speech keynoting the opening ceremonies of the 23rd National Convention of the Prosecutors' League of the Philippines at the KCC Convention Hall here, the President said that through the efforts of our national prosecutors, the conviction rate has jumped from 14 percent in July 2010 to 25 percent at present.

"Bilang mga prosecutor, alam kong mulat kayo sa kakayahan ninyong mag-ambag para sa pagbabago," the President said.

"Patunay dito ang tumataas na conviction rate sa mga naisasampang kaso. Ang minana nating 14 porsyento noong Hulyo ay agad nating napa-angat sa 25 porsyento sa loob lamang ng halos sampung buwan," he added.

"Sagisag ito na ramdam ninyong mga prosecutor na seryoso sa pagpupursigi nating lumaganap ang hustisya at katotohanan," the President said. (PCOO)


Aquino leads turn-over of Banana Chips Processing Facility

SARANGANI PROVINCE - President Benigno Aquino III joined Thursday local officials in this province for the turn-over of the Banana Chips Processing Facility to the Baluntay Women’s Association (BAWA) in Barangay Baluntay, Alabel, Sarangani Province here.
“Ito pong pag-turn over natin ng banana chips processing facility sa Baluntay Women’s Association ay isang tagumpay. Hindi lamang sa inyong mga taga-Sarangani hindi lamang sa mga ahensyang tumulong sa inyong maitayo at magawa ito ngunit para na rin sa lahat ng Pilipino,” President Aquino said in a speech on Thursday during the turn over ceremony.

“Ang maganda pa nito kapag iprinoseso natin ang mga saging na Cardaba at idinaan sa pasilidad para gawing banana chip at banana pretzels, tumataas po ang halaga nito. Hindi lamang natin itinataas ang kalidad ng ating mga produkto, naiaangat din natin ang kita ng ating mga manggagawa,” he said.

The president said the operation of the new production facility for Baluntay will uplift the living condition of the people living in the area.

He said the facility has a very good potential and may expand in the future and will encourage the association to nurture it very well.

The chief executive also acknowledged the contribution of United States Agency for International Development's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) as well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ACT for Peace Program in realizing the project for Baluntay women adding that the two organization have helped a lot in uplifting the lives of Filipinos in Mindanao.

The banana processing facility is a project by the USAID and the UNDP United is intended for former combatant reintegration (FCR) assistance activity of USAID-GEM.

The Baluntay Women’s Association was organized in 1992 when Alabel municipality and the local Department of Agrarian Reform office provided livelihood projects for women agrarian reform beneficiaries. In 2007 the BAWA was introduced to backyard type banana chip snacks.

Presently, BAWA produces about 12.5 thousand kilos of banana chips per year earning gross income of around P340,000. After moving into the new facility the association is expected to quadruple its production of banana chips to about 50,000 kilos a year and could gain gross income of about P1.4 million. (PCOO)


Palace open to increase the amount of fuel subsidy to jeepneys and tricycles

Malacanang said on Thursday it is open to increase the amount of fuel subsidy to affected transport sectors once the Department of Energy (DOE) gets the exact number of target owners of passenger jeepneys and tricycles.

“The amount of subsidy ay puwedeng dagdagan depende sa number of jeepneys and tricycles,” Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing on Thursday at Malacañang.

Lacierda said the list of registered public utility jeepneys and tricycles are now under validation by the DOE.

On the release of “Smart Cards,” Lacierda informed the public that the May 1-2 target date for the dissemination of cards to jeepney and tricycle operators is possible after the procurement and bidding process was completed Wednesday.

“Nagkaroon na ng bidding process at may mga sponsors na magbabayad doon sa pagpapagawa ng mga Smart cards. So, in effect walang ilalabas na pondo ang gobyerno sa pagpapagawa ng cards, were just finalizing the agreements sa mga sponsors,” Lacierda said.

With that development, he said, the entire P450 million fund for the Pantawid Pasada assistance program is intact and the savings for the printing of cards can now be funneled directly to the jeepneys and tricycles.

Each Smart card will carry a load of P1,050 per card (P35 per day) and will be issued to some 268,245 public utility jeepney (PUJ) franchise holders nationwide, while almost 1 million tricycle drivers will get P150 fuel subsidy each (P5 per day)

On April 1, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 32 instituting the Public Transport Assistance Program, aptly known as “Pantawid Pasada” to subsidize a portion of the average consumption of jeepney and tricycle drivers amid escalating fuel costs. (PCOO)


PSU to award honorary Doctor of Laws degree to ES Ochoa

PUERTO PRINCESA - Citing his pro-development programs and outstanding contributions in public service, the Palawan State University (PSU) will confer upon Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. the honorary degree Doctor of Laws at its 37th Commencement Exercises on April 15.

The Board of Regents of PSU, a premier higher learning institution in Region IV-MIMAROPA, has unanimously endorsed Ochoa as the one and only recipient of honoris causa for this year because of "his drive and exemplary work,'' according to Commissioner Nona Ricafort of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), although the university is entitled to choose two per school year.

Conferment of honoris causa is an academic exercise which exhibits the admiration and appreciation of an academic institution to an honoree, and based on the charter of PSU, its Board of Regents is empowered to award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of their exceptional contribution in the field of education, public service, arts, science and technology or in any field of specialization within the academic competence of the university.

“As demonstrated during his term as assistant secretary and city administrator then to former Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, (Ochoa) was instrumental in the planning and strategizing (of) various major projects and activities that brought glaring progress to Quezon City and its people,” Ricafort said.

As an outstanding government official with sterling qualities and impressive leadership and management credentials, Ricafort added, Ochoa “has rightfully earned this doctorate degree through his determination, persistence and faith, as shown in his long years of success and achievements."

In a letter to CHEd Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, PSU President Teresita Salva said Ochoa had "exuded dedication in the attainment of liveable communities in the country in the context of good governance, empowering communities to be free from poverty and injustices, and equality in access to government development efforts."

Salva also told CHEd that Ochoa’s “notable achievements (are) worthy of emulation and praise for exemplifying in his deeds the tenets of service, a principle for which PSU stands and lives by.” (PCOO)


Holy Week to remain a work week for P-Noy

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - For many Filipinos, Holy Week is a time to reflect and ponder on the passion and death of Jesus Christ, a time for family bonding and a time to take a much needed break from the daily grind.

Not for President Benigno S. Aquino III.

In an interview with members of media during his inspection of the PhilBio Alternative Power Generation Facility of the Babiana Farms and Mills here on Thursday, the Chief Executive said his Holy Week schedule would be like any work week he’s been having since he assumed office close to 10 months ago - hectic.

He said that he would dedicate this year’s observance of Holy Week to making sure that all Filipinos travelling to their respective provinces would arrive safely at their respective destinations.

“So ako po iyong tutulong magbantay na merong sasakyan lahat ng patungo kung saan, kung barko, kung bus o eroplano; manigurado na rin po akong maayos iyong paglalakbay nila papunta at pabalik,” the President said.

He added that his choice to work on Holy Week is also because some of his Cabinet members had already asked permission top take some time off during the Lenten break.

“Kaya ako natatawa kasi maraming nagpaalam na magbabakasyon, sa Cabinete for instance, madadagdagan ako ng mga isang lingo dahil sa kanila at hindi naman tayo maka-hindi sa kanila dahil talaga namang puspusan sila at talagang buhos ang kakayahan nila at pagod,” the President said.

He pointed out however that should his work schedule on Good Friday be light, he may opt to spend half of it for himself.

“Sa madaling salita po kung sakasakaling may bakasyon ako o kung malamang hindi masyadong kumikilos ang Good Friday...kalahati po siguro nun akin, iyong iba ho sa bayan ulit,” the President said. (PCOO)


Aquino assures support for SOCSKSARGEN region

GENERAL SANTOS CITY: President Benigno Aquino III assured the leaders of Region 12 or the South Cotabato Sultan Kudarat Sarangani General Santos (SOCSKSARGEN) area of his support for the region even as he ask them to work hand-in-hand with the national government.

“I think ideally in any region, that’s why we have the development council, then as much as possible I want to agree to whatever you prioritize. Taking ourselves as one unit,” the President told the participants of Region 12 multi-shareholders meeting at Sun City Suites in this city.

The President said there must be partnership between the national government and the SOCSKSARGEN areas so that infrastructure projects are realized more easily than setting unspecified goals.

At the same time, the Chief Executive also said that regional projects must start from the grassroots level to know the real condition of the people rather than setting plans that come from the national level.

“I hope that in the regional, and with your cooperation, we will get that point, we have that plan to a large view, we will have some inputs. I would want it would be generated from the grassroots rather than from the top. You know better the needs of your people, the urgency of your particular needs rather than from the NEDA office,” he said. (PCOO)