2012 National Budget earliest to be signed since 1986
The National Budget for 2012, which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday, (December 15), is the earliest government appropriations law approved since Philippine democracy was restored in 1986.
In his speech following the signing, the President said that this day should go down in history as a first in the 25 years of Philippine democracy.
“Kanina lang ay nasaksihan ninyo ang ating paglagda sa ating budget, ang pinaka-maagang pagsasabatas sa taunang budget mula ng mabawi natin ang demokrasya nuong 1986,” the President said.
“Tunay pong makasaysayan ang araw na ito,” he added.
The earliest budget enactments for the four other Philippine Presidents who came before him are as follows: Corazon Aquino – December 18, 1986; Fidel Ramos – January 6, 1993; Joseph Estrada – December 30, 1998; and Gloria Arroyo – January 21, 2002.
President Aquino thanked the people who worked doubly hard to prepare the 2012 budget namely: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the Department of Budget and Manangement.
In a statement, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the early signing of the budget meant that government could immediately implement its programs and key infrastructure projects even on the first day of the New Year.
“In contrast to 2011 when infrastructure spending was delayed, we intend to begin 2012 on a very strong note,” Abad said.
“The swiftness of the budget signiong also means that the government can hit the ground running with its programs, starting with key infrastructure projects. It also reinforces the President’s commitment to his Social Contract with the Filipino people and underscores our mission to ensure economic development and transparent government spending,” he said. (PCOO)
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Aquino receives foreign businessmen in hotel management in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III received a group of foreign businessmen concentrating in hotel management and operations that could possibly consider investing in the country and help pump up the local tourism industry, which will eventually open more employment opportunities for the Filipino people.
Seasoned hotelier Michael Sengol, chief executive officer (CEO) of Meritus Hotels and Resorts, paid a courtesy call on President Aquino at the Music Room of the Malacanang Palace on Thursday morning. He was accompanied by fellow businessmen that include Albert Teo, CEO of Amara Holdings, Mustaq Ahmad, managing director of Mohamed Mustafa and Samsuddin Corporation and banker Bill Foo.
Also present during the event were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz and Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya.
Sengol has devoted over 30 in hotel operating and corporate office levels with renowned hotel brands that include the Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Millennium & Copthorne.
His forte lies in areas such as pre-opening hotels, monitoring and ensuring project functionality and viability, implementing cost management while enhancing revenue opportunities, effective yield management techniques, and developing comprehensive training programs. (PCOO)
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Malacanang welcomes Labor Force Survey showing decline of unemployment rate in the country
Malacanang welcomed on Thursday the recent Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO) showing the decline of the unemployment rate in the country for October this year from 7.1 percent to 6.4 percent.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the decrease of the unemployment rate shows that the government’s efforts to create an environment where business can grow are bearing fruit.
“In concrete terms, this translates to 2.1 million new jobs, more than double the 1 million jobs created by October of last year. For the entire 2011, the Labor Force Survey says 1.2 million new jobs have been created,” Lacierda said.
“These job numbers reflect a sustained optimism and investment in our country despite the economic turmoil being experienced in other parts of the world. Clearly our efforts to create an environment where business can grow are bearing fruit,” he added.
The latest Labor Force Survey released today indicated that the country’s unemployment rate for the month of October dropped to 6.4 percent from 7.1 percent in the same period last year.
The National Capital Region posted the highest unemployment rate at 10.4 percent while Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) posted the lowest at 2.3 percent, according to the survey.
“Job creation is one of the most concrete ways in which the Aquino administration is fulfilling its promise to combat poverty and to empower our countrymen,” Lacierda said.
“In stark contrast to the irresponsible rhetoric yesterday of those who have been called to account for their official impunity, the government continues its job—with dedication to upholding the true interests of the people,” he said. (PCOO)
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Aquino signs General Appropriations Act for 2012 into law
President Benigno S. Aquino signed into law the P1.8-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2012 in ceremonies held on Thursday in Malacañang.
In the presence of legislators from both Houses led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte by his side and government officials, employees and media, the President signed what he calls the “Results-Focused Budget of 2012” that aims to allow his administration to fulfill its Social Contract with the Filipino people.
To achieve this, the President said that the Social Services sector, will receive 31.3 percent or P568.6-billion of the total budget.
“Patuloy po nating binibigyang-prayoridad ang mga serbisyong makapag-aahon sa mga kababayan natin sa kahirapan. Nakalaan ang mahigit tatlumpung porsiyento ng pangkalahatang Budget natin sa Social Services Sector, na nagkakahalaga ng 568.6 billion pesos,” the President said.
“Bahagi nito ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, na pinaglaanan natin ng 39.5 billion pesos upang maabutan natin ng conditional cash transfer ang tatlong milyon sa pinakamahihirap na pamilyang kababayan natin. Katuwang nito, patuloy tayong nagpupundar sa kakayahan at kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The President also said that the Education sector would receive the largest appropriation of P238.8-billion to allow the agency to hire 13,000 teachers and build some 43,000 more classrooms; while the Health sector would receive P44.4-billion to fund the Health Insurance Subsidy for 5.2 million beneficiaries and hire 13,000 more medical personnel.
The Infrastructure and Agricultural sector, the President said, would each be allocated P255.2-billion and P53.3-billion, respectively, for the construction of roads, bridges, airports, ports and irrigation systems; and to ensure the country’s goal to be rice-sufficient by 2013.
The President assured the Filipino people that every peso of the National Budget spent would be used wisely.
“Ang bawat pisong ating gugugulin sa susunod na taon ay sisiguruhin nating magdudulot ng kongkreto at masusukat na resulta na mapapakinabangan ng mahihirap nating mga kababayan,” the President said. (PCOO)
The National Budget for 2012, which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday, (December 15), is the earliest government appropriations law approved since Philippine democracy was restored in 1986.
In his speech following the signing, the President said that this day should go down in history as a first in the 25 years of Philippine democracy.
“Kanina lang ay nasaksihan ninyo ang ating paglagda sa ating budget, ang pinaka-maagang pagsasabatas sa taunang budget mula ng mabawi natin ang demokrasya nuong 1986,” the President said.
“Tunay pong makasaysayan ang araw na ito,” he added.
The earliest budget enactments for the four other Philippine Presidents who came before him are as follows: Corazon Aquino – December 18, 1986; Fidel Ramos – January 6, 1993; Joseph Estrada – December 30, 1998; and Gloria Arroyo – January 21, 2002.
President Aquino thanked the people who worked doubly hard to prepare the 2012 budget namely: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the Department of Budget and Manangement.
In a statement, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the early signing of the budget meant that government could immediately implement its programs and key infrastructure projects even on the first day of the New Year.
“In contrast to 2011 when infrastructure spending was delayed, we intend to begin 2012 on a very strong note,” Abad said.
“The swiftness of the budget signiong also means that the government can hit the ground running with its programs, starting with key infrastructure projects. It also reinforces the President’s commitment to his Social Contract with the Filipino people and underscores our mission to ensure economic development and transparent government spending,” he said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino receives foreign businessmen in hotel management in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III received a group of foreign businessmen concentrating in hotel management and operations that could possibly consider investing in the country and help pump up the local tourism industry, which will eventually open more employment opportunities for the Filipino people.
Seasoned hotelier Michael Sengol, chief executive officer (CEO) of Meritus Hotels and Resorts, paid a courtesy call on President Aquino at the Music Room of the Malacanang Palace on Thursday morning. He was accompanied by fellow businessmen that include Albert Teo, CEO of Amara Holdings, Mustaq Ahmad, managing director of Mohamed Mustafa and Samsuddin Corporation and banker Bill Foo.
Also present during the event were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz and Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya.
Sengol has devoted over 30 in hotel operating and corporate office levels with renowned hotel brands that include the Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Millennium & Copthorne.
His forte lies in areas such as pre-opening hotels, monitoring and ensuring project functionality and viability, implementing cost management while enhancing revenue opportunities, effective yield management techniques, and developing comprehensive training programs. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang welcomes Labor Force Survey showing decline of unemployment rate in the country
Malacanang welcomed on Thursday the recent Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics Office (NSO) showing the decline of the unemployment rate in the country for October this year from 7.1 percent to 6.4 percent.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the decrease of the unemployment rate shows that the government’s efforts to create an environment where business can grow are bearing fruit.
“In concrete terms, this translates to 2.1 million new jobs, more than double the 1 million jobs created by October of last year. For the entire 2011, the Labor Force Survey says 1.2 million new jobs have been created,” Lacierda said.
“These job numbers reflect a sustained optimism and investment in our country despite the economic turmoil being experienced in other parts of the world. Clearly our efforts to create an environment where business can grow are bearing fruit,” he added.
The latest Labor Force Survey released today indicated that the country’s unemployment rate for the month of October dropped to 6.4 percent from 7.1 percent in the same period last year.
The National Capital Region posted the highest unemployment rate at 10.4 percent while Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) posted the lowest at 2.3 percent, according to the survey.
“Job creation is one of the most concrete ways in which the Aquino administration is fulfilling its promise to combat poverty and to empower our countrymen,” Lacierda said.
“In stark contrast to the irresponsible rhetoric yesterday of those who have been called to account for their official impunity, the government continues its job—with dedication to upholding the true interests of the people,” he said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino signs General Appropriations Act for 2012 into law
President Benigno S. Aquino signed into law the P1.8-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2012 in ceremonies held on Thursday in Malacañang.
In the presence of legislators from both Houses led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte by his side and government officials, employees and media, the President signed what he calls the “Results-Focused Budget of 2012” that aims to allow his administration to fulfill its Social Contract with the Filipino people.
To achieve this, the President said that the Social Services sector, will receive 31.3 percent or P568.6-billion of the total budget.
“Patuloy po nating binibigyang-prayoridad ang mga serbisyong makapag-aahon sa mga kababayan natin sa kahirapan. Nakalaan ang mahigit tatlumpung porsiyento ng pangkalahatang Budget natin sa Social Services Sector, na nagkakahalaga ng 568.6 billion pesos,” the President said.
“Bahagi nito ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, na pinaglaanan natin ng 39.5 billion pesos upang maabutan natin ng conditional cash transfer ang tatlong milyon sa pinakamahihirap na pamilyang kababayan natin. Katuwang nito, patuloy tayong nagpupundar sa kakayahan at kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The President also said that the Education sector would receive the largest appropriation of P238.8-billion to allow the agency to hire 13,000 teachers and build some 43,000 more classrooms; while the Health sector would receive P44.4-billion to fund the Health Insurance Subsidy for 5.2 million beneficiaries and hire 13,000 more medical personnel.
The Infrastructure and Agricultural sector, the President said, would each be allocated P255.2-billion and P53.3-billion, respectively, for the construction of roads, bridges, airports, ports and irrigation systems; and to ensure the country’s goal to be rice-sufficient by 2013.
The President assured the Filipino people that every peso of the National Budget spent would be used wisely.
“Ang bawat pisong ating gugugulin sa susunod na taon ay sisiguruhin nating magdudulot ng kongkreto at masusukat na resulta na mapapakinabangan ng mahihirap nating mga kababayan,” the President said. (PCOO)
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Aquino declares 18-day suspension of military operations with communist rebels
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared an 18-day suspension of military operations with communist rebels in the spirit of Christmas.
The ceasefire will take effect Friday, December 16 and ends on January 2 next year, according to the Chief Executive during an interview after the ceremonial signing of the 2012 Budget at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacañang on Thursday.
"There will be suspension of military operations starting Friday until January 2, on the advice of both the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Department of National Defense," the President said.
The President directed the military troops to suspend their offensive operations and return fire only in self-defense.
The government panel was instructed by the President to remain focused in pursuing the path to peace towards a just and honorable settlement of the decades-old conflict. (PCOO)
