Palace reiterates call against use of firecrackers
Malacanang reiterated its appeal to the public against the use of firecrackers during the New Year celebration because of the risks the commodity poses.
“Again to reiterate our appeal: ang wish ko lang po sa ating mga kababayan ay sana pagpasok po ng 2012 ay kumpleto lahat ng ating paa at kamay. Huwag po nating salubungin nang merong dalamhati o hindi magandang pangyayari ang pagpasok ng bagong taon,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Thursday.
Early this week, President Benigno S. Aquino III appealed to the public to refrain from using firecrackers to prevent injuries and loss of lives during the New Year celebration as he cited a large number of victims injured by using firecrackers during the past years.
Asked by reporters if the Palace would support a total ban on the use of firecrackers, Valte said it depends on the legislatures to decide. At the same time, she said there are existing local ordinances that completely prohibit the use of firecrackers such as in Davao City.
The Palace would study any proposal calling for a total ban for the use of firecrackers, Valte said. “Titingnan po muna natin kung ano yung mga parameters,” she said.
In anticipation for the possible emergencies during the New Year celebration, the Department of Health (DOH) is doing an assessment for its response to emergency situations, Valte said. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also started taping the guns of police personnel to prevent them from using their firearms.
“Nag-a-update po araw-araw ang DOH doon sa mga firecracker-related injuries and ang PNP [Philippine National Police] naman po natin, ginawa na po nila yung yearly na pagte-tape nung kanilang mga firearms para siguraduhing wala po tayong mga miyembro ng kapulisan na magpapaputok ng kanilang baril ngayong Bagong Taon,” Valte said.
Valte added that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo is doing rounds to monitor the sale of firecrackers to make sure that dealers comply with government regulations and prevent them from selling prohibited firecrackers.
In his message, the Chief Executive said he is fully supporting the DOH’s campaign dubbed as APIR - Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction which is aimed at reducing firecracker-related injuries in the country.
The President, likewise, encouraged everyone to observe the APIR campaign for their own safety.
Also, the President issued a directive to the PNP to strictly enforce the law on firecrackers and pyrotechnics and arrest not only the sellers but also the revelers using the merchandise. (PCOO)
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Aquino vows government’s efforts to further improve country’s economy, uplift lives of Filipinos
President Benigno S. Aquino III reassured the government’s resolute efforts to further improve the country’s economy and uplift the standards of living of the people as he expressed thanks to the Filipinos for their unwavering support and confidence in his administration.
In his New Year message, the President said that the present administration is bent in overcoming all the trials along the way stressing the very important role of cooperation between the government and the citizenry in achieving sustainable progress and development in the years to come.
He encouraged the people to cherish and acknowledge the blessings the country has received in the past year and to give gratitude to the Divine Providence.
“Salamat po sa patuloy ninyong pagsuporta at pagtitiwala. Manalig po kayong hindi kailanman kukupas ang matingkad nating hangarin na umasenso ang Pilipinas at ang mga Pilipino,” President Aquino said.
“Hindi tayo patitisod sa nais pa ring umagrabyado sa mga Pilipino. Sa bayanihan ng ating pamahalaan at mamamayan, wala pong makakahadlang sa ating pag-angat at sa tuloy-tuloy na katuparan ng ating mga pangarap. Magpasalamat at bigyang-halaga po sana natin ang mga grasya ng Panginoon ngayong taon,” he added as he expressed hopes for better opportunities in the coming year.
“Hangad ko pong makatamasa pa ng maraming biyaya at tagumpay ang mas nakararaming pamilyang Pilipino...” the President said.
The Chief Executive noted the considerable reforms that were accomplished following his assumption into office in 2010, which, he said, pertains to eradicating corruption, poverty alleviation, fair and efficient service of justice and inclusive economic progress and development for all, among others.
“Sa mahigit isa’t kalahating taon nang pagbagtas natin sa tuwid na landas, nakikita na natin ang pagbangon ng bansa, mula sa malubhang katiwalian at kahirapan. Unti-unti na po tayong nagtatagumpay laban sa mga problemang ating dinatnan” the President said.
“Gaano man po katindi ang pagpipilit na magtanim ng agam-agam sa ating isipan, wala naman po sigurong makakapag-dudang nagbago na talaga ang Pilipinas. Ngayon po, ibinabalik na natin ang piring ng katarungan. Ang kaunlaran ay natatamasa hindi lamang ng mayaman at makapangyarihan, ramdam na rin ng mas nakakarami nating kababayan,” he added.
These reforms, the President said, have resulted to a more active citizenry, participating and cooperating in government programs towards improvement.
He also said that in welcoming the new year, the government will be focusing on programs to expedite the creation of better opportunities for the people.
Nakikita naman po natin ang bunga ng ating ipinunlang mga reporma: may maalab na sigla at pag-asa, mataas na kumpiyansa, at malawak at mas maraming mga oportunidad sa bansa. Ang taon na papasok ay hindi lamang pagpapatuloy ng ating naumpisahang mga reporma, ngunit ng mas mabilis pang pagbabago… Isang masaganang Bagong Taon po sa ating lahat,” the President said. (PCOO)
