Aquino declares every third week of March and October as Design Week of every year
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared every third week of March and October of every year as Design Week Philippines as he underscored "the need to highlight the creativity and design capability of the Filipinos to bring in opportunities for economic development towards viable trade benefits."
The Chief Executive issued Proclamation No. 277 on October 20, 2011 as part of the government’s bid to promote Filipino creativity with the aim to present, demonstrate and showcase the country's products.
"Creativity, together with knowledge and access to information, has been declared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as a powerful engine of economic growth and promotes development," the President said.
"There is a need to organize activities that will create local and global awareness about the uniqueness of Philippine creativity and design by showcasing the wealth of different product innovations and craftsmanship, through trade exhibitions, festivals, workshops and conferences," he added.
To ensure that benefits are maximized from such activities, the President said a concerted effort of both government and the private sector is necessary to address various issues and concerns towards sustaining the development and promotion of the country's’ design capability.
The President tapped the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) as the lead implementing agencies in the conduct of activities that will promote the Philippines as a Design Destination in Asia.
"In time with the DTI-CITEM’s signature show, the Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers' Exchange (FAME) International, “Design Week Philippines” shall be held twice a year as the platform to showcase the application of creativity and design capability of local manufacturers and design professionals that would bring in buyers locally and worldwide to source their products and inspirations," the President said.
He tapped the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as co-organizers of the “Design Week Philippines” celebration.
The President, likewise, called on Philippine designers, artists and design training institutions, associations and all other entities involve in the design industry, both from the government and the private sector, to collaborate with DTI-CITEM and PDDCP in the observance of Design Week Philippines by organizing fitting activities. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared every third week of March and October of every year as Design Week Philippines as he underscored "the need to highlight the creativity and design capability of the Filipinos to bring in opportunities for economic development towards viable trade benefits."
The Chief Executive issued Proclamation No. 277 on October 20, 2011 as part of the government’s bid to promote Filipino creativity with the aim to present, demonstrate and showcase the country's products.
"Creativity, together with knowledge and access to information, has been declared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as a powerful engine of economic growth and promotes development," the President said.
"There is a need to organize activities that will create local and global awareness about the uniqueness of Philippine creativity and design by showcasing the wealth of different product innovations and craftsmanship, through trade exhibitions, festivals, workshops and conferences," he added.
To ensure that benefits are maximized from such activities, the President said a concerted effort of both government and the private sector is necessary to address various issues and concerns towards sustaining the development and promotion of the country's’ design capability.
The President tapped the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) as the lead implementing agencies in the conduct of activities that will promote the Philippines as a Design Destination in Asia.
"In time with the DTI-CITEM’s signature show, the Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers' Exchange (FAME) International, “Design Week Philippines” shall be held twice a year as the platform to showcase the application of creativity and design capability of local manufacturers and design professionals that would bring in buyers locally and worldwide to source their products and inspirations," the President said.
He tapped the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as co-organizers of the “Design Week Philippines” celebration.
The President, likewise, called on Philippine designers, artists and design training institutions, associations and all other entities involve in the design industry, both from the government and the private sector, to collaborate with DTI-CITEM and PDDCP in the observance of Design Week Philippines by organizing fitting activities. (PCOO)
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Aquino welcomes President Sang of Vietnam in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III led other government officials in welcoming Vietnamese President Truong Tan San upon his arrival at Malacanang for a three-day State Visit aimed at further strengthening the 35-year old bilateral ties between the Philippines and Vietnam.
President Sang and his official delegation arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City via a Vietnam Airlines chartered flight at 1 p.m. on Wednesday where they were welcomed by Philippine government officials led by Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jeril Santos, and Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Angel Honrado.
Others present were officials and employees of the Vietnamese Embassy and members of the Vietnamese community in the country.
At 3 p.m., President Sang was given arrival honors at the Malacanang Grounds. Later, the Vietnamese leader proceeds to the Malacanang Palace where he was received by President Aquino and some members of his cabinet led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Finance Secretary Cezar Purisima, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary Del Rosario, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Presidential Protocol Chief Ambassador Miguel Perez-Rubio, Amb. Santos and Asec. Lazaro.
President Sang also signed at the Palace’s official guestbook at Malacanang’s Reception Hall.
Following the guestbook signing, the Vietnamese leader proceeded to the adjacent Music Room where he paid a courtesy call on President Aquino.
Aquino welcomes President Sang of Vietnam in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III led other government officials in welcoming Vietnamese President Truong Tan San upon his arrival at Malacanang for a three-day State Visit aimed at further strengthening the 35-year old bilateral ties between the Philippines and Vietnam.
President Sang and his official delegation arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City via a Vietnam Airlines chartered flight at 1 p.m. on Wednesday where they were welcomed by Philippine government officials led by Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jeril Santos, and Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Angel Honrado.
Others present were officials and employees of the Vietnamese Embassy and members of the Vietnamese community in the country.
At 3 p.m., President Sang was given arrival honors at the Malacanang Grounds. Later, the Vietnamese leader proceeds to the Malacanang Palace where he was received by President Aquino and some members of his cabinet led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Finance Secretary Cezar Purisima, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary Del Rosario, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Presidential Protocol Chief Ambassador Miguel Perez-Rubio, Amb. Santos and Asec. Lazaro.
President Sang also signed at the Palace’s official guestbook at Malacanang’s Reception Hall.
Following the guestbook signing, the Vietnamese leader proceeded to the adjacent Music Room where he paid a courtesy call on President Aquino.
Present during the call from the Vietnamese side were Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Binh Minh, Culture - Sports and Tourism Minister Hoang Tuan Anh, Trade Minister Vu Huy Hoang, vice chairman of the President's office Giang Son and Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Nguyen Vu Tu.
For the Philippine side, in attendance were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Secretary Del Rosario, Secretary Gazmin, Secretary Roxas, Ambassador Perez-Rubio and Ambassador Santos.
The 62-year old President Sang was a senior member of the Politburo, the executive committee of the ruling Communist Party. He became State President following a vote of the National Assembly last July. (PCOO)
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Philippines, Vietnam sign 4 bilateral agreements
The Philippines and Vietnam have signed four bilateral agreements aimed at further enhancing cooperation in naval, coast guard and tourism as well as an agreement on a collaborative blueprint of specific bilateral projects to be undertaken until 2016.
The agreements were signed during the State Visit of Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang to the Philippines, which began with a call on President Bengino S. Aquino III in Malacañang on Wednesday.
President Sang’s State Visit marks the 35th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.
The agreements are: 1) Philippine-Vietnam Action Plan 2011-2016; 2) Philippine-Vietnam Tourism Cooperation Plan 2012-2015; 3) Memorandum of Understanding between PH and VN Navies for the Enhancement of Mutual Cooperation and Information Sharing; and, 4) Memorandum of Agreement on the Establishment of a Hotline Communication between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Vietnam Maritime Police.
In his speech, President Aquino underscored the importance of the signing of the four agreements saying it shows that “our governments can work closely together, and our peoples can engage each other more deeply and actively.”
We both agred to continue to strive toward a more comprehensive relationship with an eye toward achieving enhanced total cooperation,” the President said.
The President expressed confidence that our meeting this afternoon have helped set our two countries on a sure and steady path toward a more positive, dynamic and nurturing friendship that will best serve the mutual interest of Filipino and Vietnamese peoples. (PCOO)
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Aquino, President Sang agree rules-based approach essential to resolving West Philippine Sea conflicts
The Philippine government managed to get Vietnam’s support with respect to its Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZOPFFC) framework towards resolving territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea (otherwise known as East Sea or South China Sea).
The West Philippine Sea was among the topics expected to be raised by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his scheduled bilateral meeting on Wednesday with Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang who is on a three-day state visit to the country.
In his statement jointly issued with that of his Vietnamese counterpart before the media, President Aquino said they “agreed that a rules-based approach” is essential towards resolving the longtime disputes between the claimant countries of the West Philippine Sea.
“We agreed that a rules-based approach, adhering to international law especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is essential to the pursuit of a peaceful resolution of these issues through multilateral dialogue and consultations,” President Aquino said.
“We also emphasized the importance of the full implementation of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed in 2002 by the ASEAN countries and China,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, for his part, said in a chance interview with Palace reporters that Vietnam saw the Philippines ZOPFFC approach as “as a constructive initiative—a very proactive one—that would, in fact, complement and give substance to the implementing rules of the DOC”.
“What we committed to do was embrace the approach of (one), looking for a peaceful resolution, (two), pursue a rules-based regime, (third), to do this on a multilateral basis, and (fourth) to observe the DOC and also incorporate the ZOPFFC framework that the Philippines had introduced so that it can further strengthen the implementing guidelines of the DOC,” Del Rosario explained.
The Foreign Affairs Secretary added that Vietnam was “positive” about the Philippines’ longstanding proposal for all the claimant countries to settle their disputes before the UNCLOS.
“What we said was that the process of settling the issue—the West Philippine Sea issue—would be subjected to a rules-based regime and by that we mean international law, specifically UNCLOS,” Del Rosario said.
The Foreign Affairs Secretary said that the Philippines is actually working on “a new initiative” in relation to its ZOPFFC framework in an apparent bid to get the support of more ASEAN countries on our country’s position on the issue.
Del Rosario said he is not yet at liberty to reveal more details about this fresh approach by the Philippines but he said it’s “a new initiative to moving forward so that it’s able to substantiate the DOC implementing guidelines.”
“As I mentioned to you, in the beginning alone we did not have a total consensus because there were two parties that were absent from the vetting session,” he told reporters as he appealed to them to just wait until it is officially unveiled by him in the upcoming ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting that will be held in Bali, Indonesia next month.
“I think that you should wait for it and I think you should see the merits of this initiative. I think what we’re intending to do here is to use the ZOPFFC as a means to be able to move the issue and find some means of settling the claims,” added the Foreign Affairs Secretary. (PCOO)
