Tuesday 8 November 2011

PIA News Dispatch - Tuesday, November 8, 2011

President aquino ensures 2% of DA budget for organic agricultural programs

TARLAC: President Benigno S. Aquino III directed the Department of Agriculture to ensure that two percent of its annual budget be allocated for the implementation of it’s programs and policies on organic agriculture.

The President gave the directive in his speech at the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference at the Aquino Center of Hacienda Luisita here.

“Inaasahan ko ang tuloy-tuloy na pagdodoble-kayod ng Department of Agriculture sa pagbuo at pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya at programa na magpapabilis sa pag-unlad ng organic farming sa bansa, sa ilalim ng kanilang National Organic Agriculture Program,” the President said.

“Katuwang naman ang Department of Budget and Management, sisiguruhin natin na mailalaan ng DA ang hindi bababa sa dalawang porsiyento ng kanilang taunang budget sa pagpapatupad sa nabanggit na programa, alinsunod sa RA 10068,” he added.

Republic Act 10068, otherwise known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, strengthens the State's policy to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines.

The President is promoting organic agriculture as a means to address the issue of food security in the country.

“Habang pinapalawak natin ang access ng bawat pamilya sa sapat na pagkain, kailangan din nating pag-igtingin ang pagpapalaganap ng mga kaalaman at teknolohiya na magpapanumbalik sa kalusugan ng mga lupang sakahan,” the President said.

“Dito pumapasok ang halaga ng organic agriculture,” he added.

The President said that through organic agriculture, farmers are ensured of cumulatively conditioning and enriching the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources, and further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public.

He added that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has determined that organic agriculture has the potential to increase farm productivity thereby increasing farmers' wages and provide food for all.

“Makakatulong din ito sa pagbaba ng gastos sa pagsasaka,” the President added. (PCOO)

.
Aquino awaits busy schedule in Bali, Indonesia

A busy schedule awaits President Benigno S. Aquino III at the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Bali, Indonesia from November 17 to 19.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio said in a pre-departure briefing at Malacanang on Tuesday, that the President will have a series of meetings where he will promote the advocacies of the country for ASEAN.

The 19th Asean Summit will formally start in the morning of November 17 which will be followed by the Plenary and Retreat Sessions and the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting with the Asean Business Advisory Council.

The Agreements and Declarations to be signed by the Asean Ministers which will be witnessed by the Asean Leaders include the Agreement on the Establishment of the Asean Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center), the Declaration on Asean Unity in Cultural Diversity: Towards Strengthening the Asean Community.

The Asean Leaders will also sign the Bali Declaration on the Asean Community in a Global Community of Nations.

The first day’s side event will feature the 2011 Asean Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) Asean Fair.

Topping the activities on Friday (Nov. 18) are the Asean-China Commemorative Summit followed by the Launching of the Asean-China Center, the 14th Asean-Japan Summit and the 14th Asean-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit.

There will also be the 14th Asean Plus Three Summit and the 3rd Asean – United States of America Leaders’ Meeting wherein the Philippine plays as the coordinator.

On its final day (Nov. 19), the activities include the 4th Asean – United Nations Summit, the 9th Asean – India Summit and the 6th East Asia Summit (Plenary and Retreat Sessions). (PCOO)

.
Aquino appoints Bautista Army chief

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Major General Emmanuel Bautista as the next commanding general of the Philippine Army. Bautista will replace Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, who is set to retire on November 13 when he reaches the 56-year mandatory retirement age.
President Aquino will lead the 54th Philippine Army change of command and testimonial review in honor of Ortiz at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“He will be the 54th Commanding General of the Philippine Army and will assume command on November 9,” said Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced in a statement on Tuesday. “He will be the second Commanding General of the Philippine Army to be appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III.”

Bautista is currently the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. He is responsible for Internal Peace and Security Operations in Region VI and the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor in Region VII.

“His record has been exemplary, both in the field and in staff positions. Bautista has been decorated seven times in combat,” Valte said of Bautista, noting that he was also responsible for the formulation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan, Bayanihan.

“He shepherded the development of the plan from its conceptualization, development, writing, launching and implementation. He was able to mobilize the participation of different stakeholders in the planning process. The plan involves innovative approaches and paradigm shifts and is now the blueprint of the AFP in winning the peace,” she said.

Bautista is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981. He is a graduate of the Joint & Combined Warfighting Course at the Joint Forces Staff College, Virginia, USA; the Grade II Staff and Tactics Course in New Zealand; and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

“With his appointment, the President believes that the Philippine Army will be able to build on the foundation of reforms instituted by Bautista’s predecessors in the Philippine Army, and will continue these reforms while orienting the Army to be a force for the maintenance of peace,” Valte said. (PCOO)

.
Aquino leaves for Indonesia to attend 19th ASEAN Summit

President Benigno S. Aquino III will embark on a three-day trip to Bali, Indonesia to attend the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from November 17 to 19, a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a pre-departure briefing at Malacanang on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio said that apart from his ASEAN counterparts, President Aquino will also be meeting with the leaders of Asutralia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and the United States (US), and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

“President Aquino will be attending the 19th Asean Summit, the Asean-China Commemorative Summit, the 14th Asean-Japan Summit, the 14th Asean-ROK Summit, the 14th Asean Plus Three Summit, the 3rd Asean-US Leaders’ Meeting, the 4th Asean-U.N. Summit, the Asean Leaders’ Meeting with the Asean Business Advisory Council, the 9th Asean-India Summit and the 6th East Asia Summit,” Usec. Basilio said.

The Philippines also welcomes the finalization of the Guidelines on the implementation of the DOC of Parties in the West Philippine Sea.

During the said events, the President will focus on Philippine advocacies for Asean, which are aligned with the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, namely political-security, economic diplomacy and assistance to nationals. These advocacies include Maritime Security and the transformation of the West Philippine Sea to a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) with respect to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration of Conduct (DOC). It will be recalled that during the 18th ASEAN Summit last May in Jakarta, Indonesia, President Aquino offered a framework for pursuing the ZoPFF/C.

In his speech at the 18th Asean Summit last May in Jakarta, President Aquino underscored the main purpose for the creation of Asean in 1967 which aims for the “creation of a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region”.

The President stressed that it is paramount for Asean-member countries to remain committed to its community-building goals to realize an Asean Community by the year 2015. (PCOO)

.
Aquino enjoins all to support activities for 2011 National Government Employees’ Week

President Benigno S. Aquino III has enjoined all government officials and employees to support the activities for the 2011 National Government Employees' Week on December 4 to 10, 2011.

The Chief Executive issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 24 on October 27, 2011 to accord recognition to the invaluable services rendered by government employees and underscore their contributions to nation building.

For this year’s celebration, the theme is Kawani ng Gobyerno: Kaakibat sa Pagbabago.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1130 dated November 11, 1997, the first week of December of every year is marked as the National Government Employees’ Week. The proclamation also aims to encourage government employees to achieve efficiency in public service.

"In this regard, officials and employees in all departments, bureaus and agencies of the national government, including government owned and controlled corporations and financial institutions, state universities and colleges, as well as local government units and employees’ organizations are hereby enjoined to observe and participate in appropriate activities for a meaningful observance and celebration of National Government Employees’ Week in coordination with other concerned agencies," the President said. (PCOO)