Aquino to distribute housing units to AFP, PNP personnel
President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the distribution of housing units for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in several neighboring provinces of Metro Manila on Friday.
Topping the President’s schedule is the awarding of Certificate of Entitlement to Lot Allocations (CELAs) for AFP-PNP personnel in Bocaue Hills, Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan where he will be briefed on the salient features of the project by Vice President and housing czar, Jejomar Binay.
The Chief Executive will be turning over the housing unit door keys to 20 beneficiaries.
He will also be awarding CELAs to qualified beneficiaries for the housing units at Lake Breeze Residences in Calamba, Laguna.
Thirty door unit keys will be handed over to the beneficiaries after the President’s inspection on the row model and loftable units.
In April of this year, the President issued Administrative Order no. 9, directing the National Housing Authority (NHA) to come up with a housing program for military and police personnel nationwide.
A total of P4.2 Billion was allocated for the implementation of the program involving 20,000 housing units for the year 2011. The units will be equally divided for the AFP and PNP with funds sourced primarily from the NHA budget.
There are 12 identified project locations of the AFP-PNP housing project targeting to award 21,800 units by the end of the year.
President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the distribution of housing units for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in several neighboring provinces of Metro Manila on Friday.
Topping the President’s schedule is the awarding of Certificate of Entitlement to Lot Allocations (CELAs) for AFP-PNP personnel in Bocaue Hills, Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan where he will be briefed on the salient features of the project by Vice President and housing czar, Jejomar Binay.
The Chief Executive will be turning over the housing unit door keys to 20 beneficiaries.
He will also be awarding CELAs to qualified beneficiaries for the housing units at Lake Breeze Residences in Calamba, Laguna.
Thirty door unit keys will be handed over to the beneficiaries after the President’s inspection on the row model and loftable units.
In April of this year, the President issued Administrative Order no. 9, directing the National Housing Authority (NHA) to come up with a housing program for military and police personnel nationwide.
A total of P4.2 Billion was allocated for the implementation of the program involving 20,000 housing units for the year 2011. The units will be equally divided for the AFP and PNP with funds sourced primarily from the NHA budget.
There are 12 identified project locations of the AFP-PNP housing project targeting to award 21,800 units by the end of the year.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and PNP Chief Raul Bacalzo will also be distributing CELAs in Trece Martires, Cavite and Baras, Rizal, respectively.
Also expected to grace the event are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, other Cabinet members and officials of the AFP, PNP and the NHA.
Malacañang mobilizes concerned gov’t agencies to look into plight of Manila Zoo
Malacañang on Thursday expressed concern over the condition of the animals kept in Manila Zoo and has mobilized concerned agencies to look into the plight of country’s first and oldest zoo.
Malacañang mobilizes concerned gov’t agencies to look into plight of Manila Zoo
Malacañang on Thursday expressed concern over the condition of the animals kept in Manila Zoo and has mobilized concerned agencies to look into the plight of country’s first and oldest zoo.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they have spoken with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the local government of Manila and concerned citizens on the necessary steps to take to address this issue.
“We have taken steps again to alert the Bureau of Animal Industry, which under the provisions of Republic Act No. 8485 (The Animal Welfare Act of 1998) places animal welfare certification and regulation of zoos under the authority of the Director of Animal Industry and the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the DENR, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9147 (Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act),” Lacierda said.
He added that the BAI, thru the Committee on Animal Welfare, has been continuously engaging in comprehensive discussions with animal advocates and have come up with a plan of action to uphold the welfare of the animals.
Lacierda also expressed confidence that the local government of Manila will take action to help protect and uplift the conditions of the zoo.
“The City Mayor (Alfredo Lim) has directed the Public Recreations Bureau Chief Engineer Deng Manimbo to receive assistance and support from concerned citizens,” Lacierda said.
He noted that those who wish to help raise funds for the zoo may call telephone numbers 468-9498 and 383-6862.
“It is noteworthy that concerned citizens have expressed their willingness to assist in any way they can help the Manila Zoo improve its facilities and raise its standards,” Lacierda said.
“We are encouraged by this demonstration of public spirit on the part of our fellow citizens. It is a positive sign that the citizenry wants to be part of the solution and not just point out a problem,” he said.
The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden or Manila Zoo, a 5.5-hectare zoo located in Manila opened its doors to the public on July 25th, 1959.
It is the oldest, largest and most popular zoo in the Philippines today.
Palace allays fears over tension in West Philippine Sea
Malacanang allayed fears over the tension in the West Philippine Sea saying diplomats from claimant countries continue their dialogue to resolve the issue peacefully.
Palace allays fears over tension in West Philippine Sea
Malacanang allayed fears over the tension in the West Philippine Sea saying diplomats from claimant countries continue their dialogue to resolve the issue peacefully.
“There is nothing to be worried about now. The diplomats are speaking and talking to each other and discussing these things,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday.
Lacierda also said they are leaving the issue to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the diplomatic channels to settle it in the best interest of all the parties.
He said that there is a current consensus among the members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) who support the Philippine position to advance its Spratly claim through multi-lateral discussion and diplomatic means.
He likewise said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has proposed for a rules-based regime in the conduct of claimant countries in the West Philippine Sea.
President Aquino may bring up the issue with his Chinese counterpart if the planned trip to China materializes, Lacierda stressed.
Earlier, Malacanang welcomed reports that said both China and the Philippines agreed to work together to ensure peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea following the visit of Secretary del Rosario to China a week ago.
It was reported that the Philippines and China agreed to preserve their broad relations by not letting disputes over territory in the West Philippine Sea affect diplomatic ties.
Del Rosario and his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also agreed that the two countries would work together to ensure stability in those waters.
Aside from China, the Philippines and Vietnam, other claimant countries include Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The Spratlys, a chain of barren, largely uninhabited islands, reefs and banks in the West Philippine Sea, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. It also has busy sea lanes for global trade and commerce.
Malacañang says Catholic Church is government’s partner in promoting welfare of Filipinos
Malacanang said the Catholic Church is a partner in promoting the welfare of the Filipinos as it looked forward to work together with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) under the leadership of its new president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
Malacañang says Catholic Church is government’s partner in promoting welfare of Filipinos
Malacanang said the Catholic Church is a partner in promoting the welfare of the Filipinos as it looked forward to work together with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) under the leadership of its new president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
During a press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda described the relations between the Aquino government and the Catholic Church as “good.”
“The Catholic Church is a fellow stakeholder in promoting the welfare of the Filipino people,” Lacierda said following the election of Palma as the new CBCP president during the 103rd Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila last July 9.
Lacierda expressed the belief that with the election of Palma and other new officers of the CBCP will enable for the government “to renew its cordial relation with the Church.”
“We in fact would like to extend a hand of friendship to the Church. We are both after the welfare of the Filipino people and we should work together for transparency,” Lacierda.
According to the CBCP Statutes, Palma will assume his position as CBCP president on December 1, 2011. He will succeed Tandag Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar, who did not seek reelection.
The CBCP website posted that the new CBCP President comes from the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo.
Palma was ordained to the priesthood on August 21, 1976 and named Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu on November 28, 1997. At age 47, he was ordained to the episcopacy and named bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog on January 13, 1999. He became Archbishop of Palo on March 18, 2006 and later appointed Archbishop of Cebu on October 15, 2010.
Elected new CBCP Vice President is Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
Dumaguete Bishop John Du was elected Treasurer succeeding Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco.
The assembly also elected Msgr. Joselito Asis, then assistant secretary general and assistant treasurer, as Secretary General succeeding Msgr. Juanito Figura who will now return to the Archdiocese of Jaro.
Aquino vows to continue to implement reforms despite opposition from critics
CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday assured bishops, missionaries and members of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) that he will continue to do his job of implementing true reforms despite opposition from critics.
Aquino vows to continue to implement reforms despite opposition from critics
CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday assured bishops, missionaries and members of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) that he will continue to do his job of implementing true reforms despite opposition from critics.
Addressing the 29th Biennial National Assembly of the PCEC at Hotel Vida here in Clark, the President said that his administration is committed to help uplift the poorest of the poor, improve the economy and implement good governance up to the end of his term in 2016.
“Makakaasa kayo sa ngalan ng pananagutan, pagmamalasakit at mabuting layunin sa kapwa, isinapuso ng ating gobyerno na gawin parati ang tama,” the President said.
“Ipapaubaya na lamang natin sa Panginoon ang ginagawa nila sa ating paghadlang sa pagtahak ng tuwid na daan. Patuloy tayong magtatrabaho at hindi na sila ang poproblemahin pa dahil pag-asenso ng Pilipino ang ating inaasikaso at hindi ang kumbinsehin silang nagbubulag-bulagan at nagbibingi-bingihan,” he stressed.
The President noted that as of June 2011 almost 2 million families have benefited from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) which are being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Citing the PCEC commitment to help the government in the implementation of 4Ps and CCT, the President assured them that his administration will further expand the program and increase the registered beneficiaries up to 2.7 million families in the first quarter of 2012.
“Lalo pa ho natin dadagdagan ito sa mga susunod na taon sa 2012 another 700,000 families will be included. At higit pa pong magiging epektibo ang implementasyon ng 4Ps dahil sa pag-agapay ng PCEC sa DSWD,” he added.
On the drive to curb corruption in the public service, the President emphasized that the campaign is now in its final chapter and vowed that in the soonest possible time graft charges will be filed against corrupt officials in the past administration.
He explained that all charges to be filed will be based on evidences collated and not on hearsay testimonies.
“Iyong laban natin sa korupsyon, papunta na po tayo sa huling yugto o final chapter. Magsasampa na po tayo ng mga sakdal sa kinauukulan. Talagang ibubuhos natin ang ating kakayahan para magkaroon ng conviction at makulong ang may sala.Baka akala ng mga kalaban natin pinipersonal natin sila, excuse me hindi natin sila pini-personal,” the President said.
Meanwhile, PCEC national director Bishop Efraim Tendero told the President that all bishops and missionaries have unanimously agreed to tie up with the government and help his administration in poverty alleviation, national peace program, values formation, and its program of good governance.
