PIA Dispatch - Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Aquino to keynote 23rd National Convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – President Benigno S. Aquino III will visit this province on Thursday (April 14) to keynote the 23rd National Convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines that is being held at the KCC Convention Center here from April 13 to 15, 2011.

Joining the President for the event will be Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Transportation Secretary Jose De Jesus and Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo.

Upon his arrival, the President and his party will be welcomed by local officials led by General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, and Prosecutors League of the Philippines president and chairman Jonathan Lledo.

Members of the PLP hold annual conventions to update its members on the latest in criminal investigation and prosecution.

This year’s convention will center discussions on, among others, Republic Act 10071 or the Prosecution Service Act of 2010.

The Act created the National Prosecution Service (NPS) which will be responsible for the preliminary investigation and prosecution of all cases involving violations of the country’s laws.

The PLP is a non-stock, non-sectarian and non-political association of active and former public prosecutors and prosecuting attorneys in the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice. (PCOO)


Busy schedule awaits Aquino in General Santos City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A full day awaits President Benigno S. Aquino III when he visits this province on Thursday (April 14).

The President’s schedule will officially begin at 9:30 a.m. when he will be the Guest of Honor and Speaker at the 23rd National Convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines, an annual gathering of some 2,000 members of the PLP to appraise themselves on the latest in criminal prosecution and investigation.

The three-day convention, which starts Wednesday, is being held at the KCC Convention Center here.

After his speech, the President will then proceed to Barangay Baluntay, Alabel in Sarangani Province to witness the turn over ceremony of the Banana Chips Processing Facility of the Baluntay Women’s Association.

The project includes the establishment of a building and provisions for equipment and supplies and trainings worth P450,000 from the international donors.

Around 60 percent of USAID’s total assistance for the Philippines goes to Mindanao, focusing on peace and security, economic growth, governance, health and education.

Between 2001 and 2008, USAID provided approximately $345 million to reinforce Philippine government efforts to secure a lasting peace and build a better life for the people of Mindanao.

President Aquino will then meet with Philippine Bio Sciences Company, Inc. (PhilBio) country manager and CEO Don Mariano Dia who will brief the Chief Executive on the biogas production of the Philippine Bio Alternative Power Generation facility of Bibiana Farms and Mills, Inc. at Barangay Katangawan, in this City.

PhilBio specializes in the development and implementation of BIOGAS and BIOMASS technologies for energy utilization in the Philippines.

The President is also expected to attend the multi-stakeholders conference at Sun City suites where he will respond to the presentation on the SOCCSKSARGEN Development Priority Projects presented by GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Costudio and representatives of the Region 12 Development Council. (PCOO)


Aquino observes ‘Balikatan 2011’ exercises at Fort Magsaysay

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the military activities here under the “Balikatan 2011” focusing on revitalizing the inter-operability of the Philippines and United States military forces in post-conflict response through the conduct of disaster rehabilitation and rural development projects.

Upon his arrival, President Aquino was welcomed by Hon. Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, Commander of the US forces, Col. Manuel Ramos, Commander of Combined Armed Forces (CARFOR)-Philippine side and Col. Anthony Camacho, CARFOR Commander-US side.

The Chief Executive was immediately ushered to his designated seat at the Range 2 of the military camp to observe the exercises, which include a convoy live firing and mass casualty evacuation demonstration activities by the elements of the CARFOR of the Philippine Army and United States Army.

Also in attendance were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. and Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang.

The 2011 “Balikatan Exercises” started on April 5 and will run until April 15. It is the 27th in the series of bilateral exercises conducted every year to serve as venue for joint and combined training between the Philippines and United States military forces.

The “Balikatan Exercises 2011” was officially opened in ceremonies held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. The military exercises will include medical and dental missions, field training exercises and explosive ordinance training.

It also includes Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP), Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program, Veterinary Civic Action Program (VETCAP), and Community Relations (ComRel) activities to be conducted in Central Luzon.

Around 800 people composed of RP-US Armed Forces, members of the Philippine Commission For Visiting Forces Agreement, officers from the US Embassy, Joint US Military Assistance Group, AFP, Philippine Army, 7th Infantry Division (ID) and Southern Command (SOCOM), International Observers and other guests graced the event. (PCOO)


Aquino launches e-trikes in Mandaluyong City

The national government is eyeing to build some 20,000 units of electric tricycles or e-trikes as part of the long-term solutions towards a sustainable, energy-efficient transport model for the country, President Benigno S. Aquino III announced today.

The Chief Executive made the announcement in his speech during the formal launching and ceremonial turn-over of the 20 units of electric tricyles to Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. The 20 units of e-trikes will be distributed to 49 Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) by the city government.

“Umpisa lamang ito, Mandaluyong lang ang nanguna. Ang balak natin ay magpagawa pa ng 20,000 e-trikes. Magsisilbing hudyat ito sa pagbubukas ng mga makabagong lokal na industriya na magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga mamamamayan. Manganganak ito ng marami pang mga negosyo,” the President said.

The President also informed the public that the continued oil price hikes in the world market clearly affected developing countries like the Philippines.

He noted that, as of yesterday, the imported crude oil hit to $109 per barrel in the world market, compared to $83 per barrel in the same period of 2010, due to the continued political unrest in the Middle East.

“I’m happy to note that we have found one such solution in the electric tricycle project which falls under the energy sufficiency project of the Department of Energy (DOE) supported by the Asian Development Bank. This is our long term solution to the recurring problems of high oil prices and our dependence on imported oil,” he stressed.

According to the President, “the only way we can insulate ourselves from external shocks such as high oil prices is to implement long term-solutions that ensure energy sufficiency and sustainability for us and for future generations of Filipinos.”

At present, over 3.5 million motorcycles and tricycles are currently operating in the Philippines, producing more 10 million tons of harmful gases or carbon dioxide and using close to $5 billion of imported crude oil each year.

By shifting from tricycle to electric, the President expects to “reduce air pollution level and increase the income of trike drivers.”

“Sa madaling salita walang matatalo sa proyektong ito. Hindi na maaapektuhan ang mga tricycle drivers dahil sa pabigla-biglang pagtaas sa presyo ng langis. May matitipid pa ang mga driver,.lalaki pa ang halaga ng kanilang tinatawag na take home pay. Hindi lang iyan mababawasan na ang matinding polusyon na nakakaapekto sa ating kalusugan,” he added.

The President described “this electric tricycle project as a “humble beginning towards that ambitious end.”

The new Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded e-trikes utilize lithium ion batteries and it is approximately 40 kilos in weight. While the cost of lithium batteries is almost double that of the lead acid batteries, their operational life is 15 times longer. Currently, e-trikes costs from P185,000 up to P200,000.

Kunio Senga, director general of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, said the 20 e-trikes are part of an ADB-funded project to introduce energy-efficient transportation alternatives in the Philippines

“Working together, we can give Manila cleaner air, bluer skies, and a more livable environment,” Senga said adding that the Philippines is now a leading role in Asia in supporting green transportation alternatives. (PCOO)