Aquino declares September 26, as "Save Sierra Madre Day"
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared September 26, 2011 as Save Sierra Madre Day.
Proclamation No. 233 was signed on August 10, 2011 by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. to step up efforts for “the rehabilitation, reforestation, protection and conservation of the Sierra Madre Mountains.”
The President noted that most of the flooding can be attributed to the continuous deforestation of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
“On September 26, 2009, “Typhoon Ondoy” brought upon our country continuous heavy rains that caused flooding in major cities and also took the lives of many of our countrymen,” the President said.
President Aquino said the proclamation will help boost awareness among the general public on the importance of preserving the forest as well as protecting the natural resources of the country.
The Save Sierra Madre Day coincides with the day the deadly typhoon Ondoy brought devastation to Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.
The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. The range starts in the province of Cagayan and ends in the province of Quezon, just east of Laguna de Bay. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared September 26, 2011 as Save Sierra Madre Day.
Proclamation No. 233 was signed on August 10, 2011 by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. to step up efforts for “the rehabilitation, reforestation, protection and conservation of the Sierra Madre Mountains.”
The President noted that most of the flooding can be attributed to the continuous deforestation of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
“On September 26, 2009, “Typhoon Ondoy” brought upon our country continuous heavy rains that caused flooding in major cities and also took the lives of many of our countrymen,” the President said.
President Aquino said the proclamation will help boost awareness among the general public on the importance of preserving the forest as well as protecting the natural resources of the country.
The Save Sierra Madre Day coincides with the day the deadly typhoon Ondoy brought devastation to Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.
The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. The range starts in the province of Cagayan and ends in the province of Quezon, just east of Laguna de Bay. (PCOO)
Aquino keen on National Broadband Network but not revival of
NBN-ZTE deal
While he noted a need for a national broadband network, President Benigno S. Aquino III made it clear that he is not in favor of reviving the controversial NBN-ZTE broadband project for the government.
During a chance interview in Malacanang, President Aquino said that there is a need for a broadband and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently “inventorying what we have” as the basis for the broadband network.
“Now, if there is need to engage the telcos, which was my position, they are already ready as far as a broadband is concerned,” he said after the oath-taking of appointed government officials, and generals and flag officers.
“So [as for] reviving something similar to the ZTE, no way. Pero utilizing what we already have to meet the needs, and that is currently being assessed, the plan is being drawn up by DOST,” the president stressed.
The controversial P330-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between the Philippines and China’s ZTE Corp. was cancelled in 2007 after news about anomalous government contracts came out.
“Coincidentally, nag-report ang DOST kung gaano kamali iyong ZTE na project at kung gaano ka-obsolete by the time it would have been set up,” President Aquino added.(PCOO)
While he noted a need for a national broadband network, President Benigno S. Aquino III made it clear that he is not in favor of reviving the controversial NBN-ZTE broadband project for the government.
During a chance interview in Malacanang, President Aquino said that there is a need for a broadband and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently “inventorying what we have” as the basis for the broadband network.
“Now, if there is need to engage the telcos, which was my position, they are already ready as far as a broadband is concerned,” he said after the oath-taking of appointed government officials, and generals and flag officers.
“So [as for] reviving something similar to the ZTE, no way. Pero utilizing what we already have to meet the needs, and that is currently being assessed, the plan is being drawn up by DOST,” the president stressed.
The controversial P330-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between the Philippines and China’s ZTE Corp. was cancelled in 2007 after news about anomalous government contracts came out.
“Coincidentally, nag-report ang DOST kung gaano kamali iyong ZTE na project at kung gaano ka-obsolete by the time it would have been set up,” President Aquino added.(PCOO)
Aquino swears in Tourism secretary, other new appointees, generals and flag officers of AFP
President Benigno S. Aquino III has sworn into office a group of newly-appointed government officials led by Tourism Secretary Ramon Reyes Jimenez Jr. as well as several generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In simple ceremonies held at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacanang Palace, Monday morning, Secretary Jimenez took his oath of office before the President as acting Secretary for the Department of Tourism (DOT) followed by several newly-appointed officials of the government.
Other officials who were administered oath include Ambassador Leslie Gatan, Philippine Ambassador to Canada-Department of Foreign Affairs; Eduardo Batac, Undersecretary of Department of National Defense; Ibarra Gutierrez III, Undersecretary for the Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs; Jose Mari Oquinena, Undersecretary for Special Concern-Presidential Communications Operations Office; Ernesto Ramel Jr., Assistant Secretary for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs; Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero, Assistant Secretary- Presidential Communications Operations Office; Christian Robert Lim, Commissioner-Commission on Elections; Ma. Josefina dela Cruz, Postmaster General-Philpost; Ramon Liwag, Admiral, Philippine Coastguard-Department of Transportation and Communications; Gregorio Ramon Tingson, Commissioner-at-large-National Youth Commission under the Office of the President; Jennifer Lagbas, Commissioner representing the Business and Industry Sector-Philippine Commission on Women under the Office of the President; Atty. Abdullah Mangotara, Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration-Department of Justice and Robert Nomar Leyretana, Acting Deputy Administrator, Land Registration Authority-Department of Justice.
The Generals and Flag Officers who took their oath before the Chief Executive were MGen. Anthony Alcantara, Lieutenant General; Commodore Honorio Balanon Jr., Rear Admiral; Commodore Armando Guzman, Rear Admiral; BGen. Joel Marayag, MajorGeneral; BGen. Noel Coballes, Major General; Col. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, Brigadier General; Col. Danilo Fabian, Brigadier General; Col. Reynaldo Torres, Brigadier General; Col. Teodoro Cirilo Torralba, Brigadier General; Capt. Jose Renan Suarez, Commodore; Capt. Jesus Millan, Commodore; Col. Edgar Fallorina, Brigadier General; Capt. Romeo Santiago Nebres, Commodore; Col. AugustoTolentino, Brigadier General; Col. Leonido Bongcawil, Brigadier General; Col.Leo Cresente Ferrer, Brigadier General and Capt. Rufino Tiangco, Commodore.(PCOO)
Aquino set for two more foreign travels
President Benigno S. Aquino III will embark on two foreign travels in the coming weeks aimed at promoting the country for possible new investments that will enhance the government’s efforts to effect change and development for the country and the Filipino people.
In an ambush interview following the Oathtaking Ceremonies of newly-appointed government officials, generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacanang Palace, Monday, President Aquino confirmed his scheduled trips to the United States and Japan as he assured the people of bringing home another batch of “good news” concerning the country’s economic progress.
The Chief Executive said that first on the list of his itinerary is the trip to Washington and New York upon the invitation of US President Barrack Obama for the partnership in open governance.
“There are two, America and Japan. America will be first… it’s Washington and New York. We are going… on President Obama’s invitation for the partnership for open governance. I think, I will be talking also before the World Bank there,” the President said.
President Aquino said that the US event also involves 12 other participating countries from various parts of the world and two from Asia – Indonesia and the Philippines.
When asked on the details of his Japan trip, the President said that it will be an official visit.
President Aquino returned home on Saturday evening from a very successful five-day State Visit to the People’s Republic of China bringing home billions-of-dollars-worth of new investments, newly-signed developmental agreements between the two countries and the peaceful resolution on issues in the West Philippine Sea.(PCOO)
