President Aquino leads launching of global online prayer movement
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday night the ceremonial launching of a global online prayer movement during the 33rd anniversary celebration of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.
The Chief Executive was the first to log a prayer at JIL’s website during the launching. JIL founder and spiritual director Bro Eddie Villanueva joined the President during the event.
“Binabati ko po ang Jesus is Lord Movement sa inyong ika-tatlumpu’t tatlong anibersaryo. Sa pangunguna ni Bro. Eddie Villanueva, binibigkis ninyo ang maraming Pilipino sa iba’t ibang sulok ng mundo para sa paglilingkod sa Diyos at sa bayan,” the President said in his message to JIL members.
The President also expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people for supporting his administration in its agenda for reform and change.
“Nawa’y ipagdasal po ninyo ang ating bansa at ang ating pamahalaan sa krusada nitong tuldukan ang pagdurusa ng nakakarami nating mga kababayan; na bigyan tayo ng sapat na lakas upang gawin ang tama, upang maiparamdam sa ating mamamayan ang positibong bunga ng ating mga reporma, at maipagkaloob sa mga Pilipino ang serbisyong karapat-dapat lang naman nilang matamasa,” he said.
President Aquino acknowledged the importance of praying, citing the Filipino nation’s experience in the toppling the Marcos dictatorship through the historic EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 in which collective praying became the major tool in fighting for change.
The country will continue towards the righteous path as long as the people are behind his leadership, the President said, adding that the nation can overcome all the challenges even those who resist reforms.
The prayer movement, dubbed “God Bless the Philippines” encourages all Filipinos to say a prayer at 12 o’clock everyday or at any other time convenient and practical wherever they may find themselves anywhere in the world to verbally utter the words “God Bless the Philippines.”
Joining the President during the event were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Sec. Gen. Joel Villanueva, Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) representatives Atty. Sherwin Tugna and Chona Cruz-Gonzales, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Bocaue Mayor Jon Jon Villanueva. (PCOO)
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President Aquino’s peace adviser says Basilan incident won’t affect Mindanao peace talks
Peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue this November despite the bloody incident in Al Barka, Basilan that resulted to the deaths of 19 government soldiers, the President’s peace adviser said on Saturday.
“Wala pa yung details pero sa basa natin ngayon ay matutuloy yun (peace talks). We are confident there will be a face-to-face informal discussion—hindi ito full panel meeting within the month,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said in an interview over government-run station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
Both panels meet in Malaysia in early November this year, Deles said, the government will raise the Basilan clash issue with their MILF counterparts as the government seeks justice for those who were killed.
At the same time, Deles said the Philippine government will discuss the issue thoroughly with the MILF to avoid similar incidents from happening again in the future.
Deles also reiterated the all-out justice approach of President Aquino being carried out against criminal groups in Mindanao, noting that while the government pursues bandit groups the peace talks with the MILF will continue.
“Ihinihiwalay o nililinaw yung pag-uusap doon sa MILF at kinikilala na may significance lalung-lalo na sa leadership ng MILF na gusto talagang makahanap ng pangmatagalang solusyon sa problema sa Mindanao. Ito ay hiwalay doon sa pagtutugis sa criminal elements na paminsan-minsan ay nagkakaroon ng paghahalo doon sa mga MILF forces on the ground,” she said.
Deles said that it’s possible for the government to carry out law enforcement while at the same time protecting the gains of the peace process and seeking accountability for those who are responsible in the Al Barka incident.
While the government and the MILF both rejected the proposals they submitted, Deles remains hopeful about the ongoing negotiations saying there are still common grounds that both panels can work on.
“Nakikita natin that there are common grounds between the two so ang sinasabi mag-usap para pag-usapan kung papaano ipagpatuloy itong substantive agenda, na ito talaga ang gusto nating habulin. Para magkaroon ng agreement that will be the… pangmatagalang solusyon dito,” Deles said. (PCOO)
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Aquino issues Memorandum Order No. 25 reconstituting the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning
President Benigno S. Aquino III has reconstituted the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning (IATCTP) tasked to formulate comprehensive and integrated transport plans as part of the government's efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth in the country.
The Chief Executive issued Memorandum Order No. 25 on October 26, 2011 in view of the need to reconstitute the committee that will enhance cooperation and coordination among the various government agencies involved in transport programs and projects to avoid duplication of efforts.
"The transportation infrastructure has the biggest share in the country’s infrastructure investment program and will continue to be among the critical drivers of the country’s economic growth," President Aquino said in the MO.
The President tasked the IATCTP to formulate standards and guidelines for the preparation of agency plans for transport development.
"It shall develop a transport information system to provide the information needs of all transport planning and other relevant agencies," he said.
The committee is tasked to coordinate the conduct of studies, researches and data-gathering on various aspects of the transport sector.
According to the President, the committee which shall serve as a forum for the resolution of operational problems of transport agencies shall provide the National Economic and Development Authority Board Committee on Infrastructure (NEDA-Board INFRACOM) with up-to-date information needed in the review and evaluation of transport plans and projects.
"The Committee shall submit to the NEDA Board INFRACOM any issues/concerns that require adoption/resolution by the latter," he added.
The President designated the Deputy Director-General of the NEDA-National Development Office as chairperson of the IATCTP.
He, likewise, designated the Assistant Director-General of the NEDA-National Development Office and the Directors of NEDA-Infrastructure Staff; NEDA-National Planning and Policy Staff; NEDA-Project Monitoring Staff and the University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS) as members.
Also designated as members are the Heads of Planning Service/Unit of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The new MO shall take effect immediately and shall supersede Memorandum Order No. 473 that was signed in 1974. (PCOO)
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Aquino to attend to paper works during holidays, visits parents’ grave on Oct. 31
President Benigno S. Aquino III will keep himself busy with paper works while observing ‘Undas’ or ‘All Saints Day’ this long weekend, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Saturday.
The President has no official schedule beginning October 29 (Saturday) to November 01 (Tuesday) but he is expected to visit the grave of his deceased parents at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City on Monday, October 31.
Valte said President Aquino and his family opted to schedule their visit on the 31st so as not to cause any inconvenience to the people who also have plans to offer prayers and flowers to the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and President Corazon C. Aquino.
She added that the President along with his Cabinet officials and government agencies that are tasked to ensure the peace and order and public safety will not take a day off during the holidays but will instead monitor the situation in the country.
“Ang Pangulong Aquino naman po…’pag nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na walang pasok, normally either nag-uuwi ho ‘yan ng mga briefing papers niya—‘yung mga papeles, ‘yung mga paperwork… He takes advantage of the time that he has to review papers,” Valte said over government-run radio station dzRB.
President Aquino will be expecting reports from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Philippine National Police (PNP) with respect to road safety and the traffic situation for the welfare of the public traveling to and from the provinces, the Palace official said.
Valte also said the Department of Health in partnership with some non-government organizations will be providing medical teams to assist people in highly-congested public cemeteries.
“Hindi po maiiwasan ‘yan dahil maraming tao, mayroon hong mga mahihilo, mayroon pong baka hindi masyadong maganda ang pakiramdam so nag-partner din po ang DOH doon sa ibang mga NGO na nagbibigay ng mga ganitong klaseng assistance,” she said.
Valte, likewise, informed the public that the DOTC may be contacted through its hotline: 7890 in case they would need assistance while on the road, adding that the national emergency number 117 is prepared to take phone calls for any security and emergency issues that may arise anytime. (PCOO)
