Aquino hosts dinner for 'common folk' in Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III capped off the commemoration of the 113th year of Philippine Independence by hosting a dinner for the “common man” in Malacañang Sunday night.
The President had dinner with some 300 teachers, nurses, students and beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program located from nearby cities at the grounds fronting the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañang Complex last night.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang said the President wanted to share celebrating Philippine Independence Day with the “ordinary” Filipino as the reason for the dinner.
“Gusto ni Presidente na maramdaman ng ordinaryong Pilipino ang selebrasyon at makasama sila sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan,” Carandang said.
Ana Asma, a 39-year old parent, leader and CCT beneficiary from Baseco in Manila said she was happy to be allowed the privilege of dining in the company of the President.
She joined some 100 other beneficiaries of the CCT program and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in enjoying dinner with the President.
Donabelle Lucena, a nurse currently employed under the government’s RN Heals (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement And Local Service) said she and her colleagues were star struck after personally meeting the President.
Upon his arrival at around 7 p.m, the President went from table to table to shake hands and pose for the ever important photo-op.
Dinner fare consisted of pancit guisado, crab relyeno, kare-kare, chicken barbeque, fresh lumpia, lechon and leche flan for desert.
The President was joined at the Presidential table by Social Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma.
Entertainment was provided by Filipino rock band Moonstar88.
A 10-minute fireworks display followed the last set of the band which elicited applause and awe from those present. (PCOO)
Malacañang confident there is peaceful resolution to conflict in West Philippine Sea
Malacanang reiterated its confidence for a peaceful, multilateral settlement of the contested claims in the West Philippine Sea, as it called on all concerned parties to refrain from issuing statements that would impede the resolution of the issue.
In an official statement delivered during a press briefing at the Palace on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda stressed that the government is very confident that a peaceful resolution of the issue can be achieved.
“We would like to emphasize right now that we are confident and hopeful that a peaceful resolution will be achieved on this matter… we were able to speak with the Chinese Ambassador yesterday and he also reiterated the Chinese position, they have the same position calling for a peaceful resolution on the West Philippine Sea,” Lacierda said.
“When asked on the specific measures being done by the government, Lacierda said that the Department of Foreign Affairs, as the lead agency on the matter, is in constant communication with the Chinese Embassy.
“Discussions are ongoing between the Chinese Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs,” said Lacierda, noting that coordination between the two entities continue.
Lacierda underscored that the Philippine government has been following laws concerning international claims and disputes.
“Since 1935 all administrations have abided by a constitutional provision adopting the principles of international law for the settlement of international claims and disputes,” Lacierda said.
“The Philippine Government has been clear and consistent with respect to its position on our national territory. The administration has always asserted that it will dismiss any claim to what are considered integral parts of Philippine territory, such as the Recto (Reed) bank in western Palawan,” Lacierda said.
“The administration has also always called for a peaceful, multilateral settlement with regard to contested claims in the West Philippine Sea, along the lines of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and applicable international laws, notably the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS),” Lacierda noted.
Lacierda, however, made it clear that the government is also focused on the improvement of military capabilities to further strengthen measures to safeguard the national territory and economic zones.
“Concerning our defense posture, the administration is determined to improve the capabilities of our military and Coast Guard to enable the effective patrol and protection of our national territory and Exclusive Economic Zone,” Lacierda explained.
The West Philippine Sea covers an area of more than 648,000 sq miles (1.7 million sq km), containing more than 200 mostly uninhabited small islands, rocks and reefs. It borders China and Taiwan to the north, Vietnam to the west, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore to the south and southwest, and the Philippines to the east.
It is the shortest route between the Pacific and Indian Ocean and has some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, mostly of raw materials, such as crude oil from the Gulf to East Asian countries. More than half of the globe’s oil tanker traffic pass through it. The sea holds valuable fishing grounds, and as-yet largely unexploited oil and natural gas fields. (PCOO)
Aquino launches National Renewable Energy Program
The Philippines moves towards attaining energy self-sufficiency with the formal launching of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel on Tuesday.
No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead energy and environment leaders, partners and stakeholders in bringing to the fore the country’s commitment to the full development and use of the country’s renewable energy resources consistent with Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act.
The historic event will include the ceremonial turnover by Energy Secretary Jose Almendras of the first published copy of the NREP to the President symbolizing the formal launch of the program.
The President will then turnover the NREP book to a child-participant symbolizing the government’s commitment to look after the environment and care for the future of the next generation.
The NREP contains a framework for action, existing and future measures, instruments and policies for the promotion of renewable energy as well as a roadmap which will guide efforts towards actualizing the market penetration targets of each renewable energy source in the country.
In launching the NREP, the Department of Energy seeks to increase the momentum for renewable energy development, anchored on strategic partnerships.
The NREP brings to a higher plane of action the country’s renewable energy agenda, thus bringing the country a step closer to its vision of sustainable energy for more people. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III capped off the commemoration of the 113th year of Philippine Independence by hosting a dinner for the “common man” in Malacañang Sunday night.
The President had dinner with some 300 teachers, nurses, students and beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program located from nearby cities at the grounds fronting the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañang Complex last night.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang said the President wanted to share celebrating Philippine Independence Day with the “ordinary” Filipino as the reason for the dinner.
“Gusto ni Presidente na maramdaman ng ordinaryong Pilipino ang selebrasyon at makasama sila sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan,” Carandang said.
Ana Asma, a 39-year old parent, leader and CCT beneficiary from Baseco in Manila said she was happy to be allowed the privilege of dining in the company of the President.
She joined some 100 other beneficiaries of the CCT program and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in enjoying dinner with the President.
Donabelle Lucena, a nurse currently employed under the government’s RN Heals (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement And Local Service) said she and her colleagues were star struck after personally meeting the President.
Upon his arrival at around 7 p.m, the President went from table to table to shake hands and pose for the ever important photo-op.
Dinner fare consisted of pancit guisado, crab relyeno, kare-kare, chicken barbeque, fresh lumpia, lechon and leche flan for desert.
The President was joined at the Presidential table by Social Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma.
Entertainment was provided by Filipino rock band Moonstar88.
A 10-minute fireworks display followed the last set of the band which elicited applause and awe from those present. (PCOO)
Malacañang confident there is peaceful resolution to conflict in West Philippine Sea
Malacanang reiterated its confidence for a peaceful, multilateral settlement of the contested claims in the West Philippine Sea, as it called on all concerned parties to refrain from issuing statements that would impede the resolution of the issue.
In an official statement delivered during a press briefing at the Palace on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda stressed that the government is very confident that a peaceful resolution of the issue can be achieved.
“We would like to emphasize right now that we are confident and hopeful that a peaceful resolution will be achieved on this matter… we were able to speak with the Chinese Ambassador yesterday and he also reiterated the Chinese position, they have the same position calling for a peaceful resolution on the West Philippine Sea,” Lacierda said.
“When asked on the specific measures being done by the government, Lacierda said that the Department of Foreign Affairs, as the lead agency on the matter, is in constant communication with the Chinese Embassy.
“Discussions are ongoing between the Chinese Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs,” said Lacierda, noting that coordination between the two entities continue.
Lacierda underscored that the Philippine government has been following laws concerning international claims and disputes.
“Since 1935 all administrations have abided by a constitutional provision adopting the principles of international law for the settlement of international claims and disputes,” Lacierda said.
“The Philippine Government has been clear and consistent with respect to its position on our national territory. The administration has always asserted that it will dismiss any claim to what are considered integral parts of Philippine territory, such as the Recto (Reed) bank in western Palawan,” Lacierda said.
“The administration has also always called for a peaceful, multilateral settlement with regard to contested claims in the West Philippine Sea, along the lines of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and applicable international laws, notably the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS),” Lacierda noted.
Lacierda, however, made it clear that the government is also focused on the improvement of military capabilities to further strengthen measures to safeguard the national territory and economic zones.
“Concerning our defense posture, the administration is determined to improve the capabilities of our military and Coast Guard to enable the effective patrol and protection of our national territory and Exclusive Economic Zone,” Lacierda explained.
The West Philippine Sea covers an area of more than 648,000 sq miles (1.7 million sq km), containing more than 200 mostly uninhabited small islands, rocks and reefs. It borders China and Taiwan to the north, Vietnam to the west, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore to the south and southwest, and the Philippines to the east.
It is the shortest route between the Pacific and Indian Ocean and has some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, mostly of raw materials, such as crude oil from the Gulf to East Asian countries. More than half of the globe’s oil tanker traffic pass through it. The sea holds valuable fishing grounds, and as-yet largely unexploited oil and natural gas fields. (PCOO)
Aquino launches National Renewable Energy Program
The Philippines moves towards attaining energy self-sufficiency with the formal launching of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel on Tuesday.
No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead energy and environment leaders, partners and stakeholders in bringing to the fore the country’s commitment to the full development and use of the country’s renewable energy resources consistent with Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act.
The historic event will include the ceremonial turnover by Energy Secretary Jose Almendras of the first published copy of the NREP to the President symbolizing the formal launch of the program.
The President will then turnover the NREP book to a child-participant symbolizing the government’s commitment to look after the environment and care for the future of the next generation.
The NREP contains a framework for action, existing and future measures, instruments and policies for the promotion of renewable energy as well as a roadmap which will guide efforts towards actualizing the market penetration targets of each renewable energy source in the country.
In launching the NREP, the Department of Energy seeks to increase the momentum for renewable energy development, anchored on strategic partnerships.
The NREP brings to a higher plane of action the country’s renewable energy agenda, thus bringing the country a step closer to its vision of sustainable energy for more people. (PCOO)
