Palace elated over improved business confidence as indicated by latest survey of Bangko Sentral
Malacanang welcomed on Friday the latest results of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey showing improved business confidence index despite the recent US credit rating downgrade and the ongoing debt concerns in Europe.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, “We are encouraged by the results of the third quarter Business Expectation Survey of the BSP showing a 34.1 percent increase in business confidence in the current quarter and a 53.9 percent increase in the next quarter.”
“The increased optimism displayed by businesses is a sign of confidence in the Aquino administration and in the renewed vitality of the Philippine economy, which puts us on the path of surmounting the challenges posed by recent events that indicate economic instability in Europe and in the US,” he said.
Laicerda said, “The results of the BSP survey show that the vigor of an economy is as much dependent on the optimism displayed by businesses, as it is on fundamentals and sound economic policies.”
“We want to build on this optimism; and in the next few years, our administration will continue to expand the reforms we have already instituted and the firm foundations we have put in place to realize the administration’s vision of sustainable and equitable economic growth,” he said.
The higher business optimism is based on expectations that the domestic economy will remain resilient despite the recent US credit rating downgrade and the ongoing debt concerns in Europe, according to the BSP.
President Aquino receives winners of the 2011 Magsaysay awards
President Benigno S. Aquino III received this year’s winners of a prestigious award-giving body that recognizes personalities and groups whose lives and work paint a portrait of remarkable change and achievement, addressing issues of human development in Asia with courage and creativity and transforming their societies for the better.
The winners, composed of five individuals from Cambodia, India, Indonesia and a group from the Philippines, paid a courtesy call to President Aquino at the President’s Hall of Malacanang Palace, Friday. They were gladly congratulated by the Chief Executive along with Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.
The 2011 Ramon Magsaysay awardees include a Filipino group, the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) that was given recognition for their collective vision, technological innovations and partnership practices to make appropriate technologies improve the lives and livelihood of the rural poor in the country’s upland communities and elsewhere in Asia.
Harish Hande from India was given recognition for his passionate and pragmatic efforts to put solar power technology in the hands of the poor through a social enterprise that brings customized, affordable, and sustainable electricity to India’s vast rural populace, encouraging the poor to become asset creators.
The holistic, community-based approach to pesantren of Hasanin Juaini of Indonesia creatively promoted values of gender equality, religious harmony, environmental preservation, individual achievement and civic engagement among young students and their communities.
Koul Panha from Cambodia was honored for his determined and courageous leadership in a sustained campaign to build an enlightened, organized and vigilant citizenry who will ensure fair and free elections – as well as demand accountable governance from elected officials – in the country’s nascent democracy.
Nileema Mishra from India, was recognized for her purpose-driven zeal to work tirelessly with villagers in Maharashtra, India organizing them to successfully address both their aspirations and adversities with collective action and heightened confidence in their potential to improve their own lives.
The efforts of Tri Mumpuni from Indonesia was honored for her determination to promote micro hydropower technology, catalyze needed policy changes and ensure full community participation in bringing electricity, as well as the fruits of development to the rural areas of her country.
Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay and is given annually to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.
The winners, dubbed as Asia’s living heroes, join 284 other laureates who have received the region’s highest honor to date. Each of them receives a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay and cash prize.
The awardees will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award during the Presentation Ceremonies to be held on August 31, Wednesday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Aquino honors outstanding teachers, soldiers, policemen of 2011 Metrobank Foundation
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the conferment of awards for the awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Inc.’s outstanding teachers, soldiers and policemen for this year.
In his speech during the awarding ceremony on Friday in Malacanang, the President said teachers, soldiers, and policemen are unsung heroes that contribute greatly to nation building and peace and security.
“Tiwala ako na ang pagkilalang ito ay lalo pang magtutulak sa bawat isa sa inyo na magsikap upang higitan pa ang mga narating na ninyo at magpatuloy sa pagiging ispirasyon sa kapwa Pilipino,” the President said in thanking this year’s awardees.
The President said his administration is focusing in three areas to make these public servants more effective in their fields of expertise.
First, the government is giving them equipment and necessary support particularly soldiers, the chief executive said. This includes modernization of equipment and training, he said citing the arrival of the Hamilton Class cutter recently for the use of the Philippine Navy.
Second, the government boosts the confidence of the soldiers, teachers and policemen by providing them decent shelter and other supports, the President continued.
And third, the promotion of transparency in the government institutions, ensuring that every peso is spent wisely for the benefit of the people, he added.
This year’s awardees for the Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) elementary category
were Marcela Jingco of Angeles Elementary School (Angeles City); Lora Anar of Bukidnon State University (Malaybalay City); Dr. Teodora Conde of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School (Sta. Cruz, Manila); and Djhoane Aguilar of Panabo Central Elementary School (Panabo City).
For secondary category the winners were Dr. Chelo Tangan of Cagayan National High School (Tuguegarao City); Buenaventure Luces of Lusacan National High School (Tiaong, Quezon); Vilma Ambat of Baguio City National High School (Baguio City); and Maricel Franco of Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya).
Dr. Jericho Thaddeus Luna of the University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM) and Dr. Allan de Guzman of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) were the awardees for the higher education category.
The soldiers from the Philippine Navy, Army, and Air Force who were named 2011 awardees in The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) were Col. Daniel A. Lucero, MSgt. Sixto P. Navarrosa, Chief MSgt. Billy C. Benebile all from the Philippine Army; Col. Alexander F. Balutan, TSgt. Rommel Carbon, Data Processor 3 Jairus M. Cenabre all from the Philippine Navy; Col. Raul del Rosario, MSgt. Maria Teresa M. Bitong, MSgt. Nelson S. Mercado all from the Philippine Air Force, and Col. Alexis Tamondong from the Technical Services.
For the Country’s outstanding Policemen in the Nation’s Service (COPS) the winners were PO3 Rodel Alcano, SPO2 Helen dela Cruz, Chief Insp. Delia Ingalla, SPO4 Emmanuel Isiang, PSupt. Steve Ludan, SPO1 Manuel Padlan, PO2 Rina Salaya, and PSupt. Samuel Turla.
The awards were given by the Metrobank Foundation Inc, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati Metro.
The Metrobank Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, was established by its chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979.
The foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its programs such as the COPS, SOT, TOPS, the Metrobank Math Challenge (MMC) and College Scholarship Program (CSP) and the Metrobank Foundation Professional Chair Lectures in partnership with the Supreme Court and Philippine Judicial Academy.
The Foundation also has a grants program that assists non-government organizations (NGOs) and government in the fields of education, healthcare and the arts.(PCOO)
