Aquino leads launching of Philippines Business Registry System
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the launching Friday of the Philippines Business Registry System (PBRS) in Makati City which is aimed at streamlining business registrations in the country and eliminating red tape.
The PBRS is a web-based system that will serve as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who want to transact or register their businesses. The computerized registration systems will link several agencies so that applicants can register businesses even without their presence.
Interlinked government agencies under the PBR system include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), Social Security System (SSS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Through the PBRS, sole proprietors can now register their business names, generate or validate their tax identification number (TIN) and get employer registration numbers from the SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG Fund.
One of the local government units (LGU) connected with the system is Quezon City. Caloocan and Mandaluyong are expected to connect to the system in the coming months.
The launching ceremony is the first phase of the PBR program. This year, more LGUs and other regulatory offices will connect to the system.
The PBR is one of the government’s priority projects to streamline business registration process and eliminate red tape. Through the PBRS, the Aquino administration hopes that the country will be more attractive to investors and will improve its ranking in the global business competitiveness.
During the launching rites, the President had a briefing on the actual client applications. He also witnessed the awarding of citation certificates to the five heads participating agencies that include SEC chairperson Teresita Herbosa, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Darlene Berberabe, BIR Deputy Commissioner Lilia Guillermo, SSS president and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros Jr.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya also joined the President during the event. (PCOO)
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Malacanang maintains there are no plans for American military bases in the country
The Philippines and the United States will hold joint military drills to improve the defense capabilities of the two countries, but there are no plans to re-establish vast American military bases in the country, a Palace official said on Friday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang said there are no discussions on bringing back permanent U.S. military bases in the country.
"None of these initiatives involve any kind of basing arrangements similar to what we had prior to 1991. Hindi po tayo nag-iisip na magbalik ng US bases similar to Subic and Clark prior to 1991. What we’re really looking at is to enhance our defense cooperation," Carandang said.
The exercises aim to improve RP-US combined planning, combat readiness, and interoperability and enhance security relations to respond to threats that include terrorists, pirates and smugglers, or dealing with natural disasters.
He averred that they are still in the process of detailed planning to ensure the success of the scheduled military exercises called the 2012 Balikatan.
"The Aquino administration, since it came into office, has been working very hard to enhance our defense capabilities, particularly our maritime capabilities. We’re doing this in cooperation not just with the United States, but also with Australia and other Asian neighbors. So that’s part and parcel of our efforts to enhance our defense capabilities," he said.
The Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" exercises have mostly been done around northern Luzon in the past years. For this year, the Philippines and the US are planning to hold the joint military exercises in Palawan.
The Balikatan is an annual RP-US bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Carandang assured that the exercises will be held within the undisputed Philippine territory.
The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to close major U.S. military bases in the country. (PCOO)
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Aquino leads launching of Bureau of Corrections ten-year Roadmap at New Bilibid Prison
President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the various continuing efforts of the government to implement essential reforms in the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to provide a sense of hope to those undergoing rehabilitation.
In his speech during the launching of the BuCor 2022 Road Map and Stakeholders Fellowship at the New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Muntinlupa City, Friday, President Aquino said that the bureau should be identified as a source of “Hope” by the inmates as they prepare to face the challenges outside the penitentiary.
“Ito na nga po ang magiging bagong mukha ng bilibid: pag-asa… na pagkatapos nilang pagbayaran ang mga maling nagawa nila sa nakaraan, may pagkakataon silang magkaroon ng maayos na trabaho at disenteng pagkakakitaan dahil handa na silang humakbang tungo sa bagong buhay at kinabukasan,” the President said.
“Ito ang pag-asang hatid ng ating sistemang koreksyonal … ito ang pagbabago na ipinangako natin noon na tinutupad natin ngayon bilang isang makatarungan, maunlad at makataong bansa sa tuwid na daan… Sa paglulunsad natin ng Bureau of Corrections roadmap itutulak natin ang ating sistemang koreksyonal tungo sa tuwid na daan kung saan ang tanging layunin ng bilibid at ng bilangguan sa Pilipinas ay ang tiyakin ang makabuluhang rehabilitasyon at pagbabagong buhay ng mga bilanggo upang sila ay maging handa sa kanilang pagbabalik bilang bahagi ng kalakhang lipunan,” he added.
The President said that the reforms initiated in the BuCor include the construction of new buildings in various detention facilities in the country to help in decongesting the penitentiary and the continuous launching of livelihood programs that could help the inmates not only in supporting their families financially but also in their skills development.
“Layon nating tapusin na ang mga araw ng mga seldang maihahambing sa lata ng sardinas, hangad nating wakasan na ang pagbabalewala sa kalusugan at karapatan ng mga nakabilanggo… nais nating putulin na ang talamak na kuntyabahan at palakasan ng may mga impluwensyang tao.”
At present, the Chief Executive said, around 20 thousand were detained in the New Bilibid Prison which only has a capacity to confine nine thousand people.
“Siyam na libo lang po dapat ang kapasidad ng New Bilibid Prison subalit sa kasalukuyan humigit kumulang dalawampung libong katao po ang nakakulong dito,” the President said.
He added that the government is considering the transfer of the facilities in a much better location.
“Kaya naman kasalukuyan nang inaayos ang planong paglilipat ng New Bilibid Prison sa mas angkop na lokasyon upang ito ay maging isang mas malawak at mas epektibong koreksyonal na pasilidad,” President Aquino added.
“Patuloy tayong naglulunsad ng iba’t-ibang programang pangkabuhayan sa mga kulungan na maaari nilang (inmates) kapulutan ng bagong mga abilidad at karunungan,” he said.
President Aquino also said that he has already directed the Department of Justice to expedite the processing of data that will be included in the National Justice Information System that serves as data base of records from various agencies of the government.
Also, the government is pushing for the BuCor modernization bill which aims to further train and enhance the capabilities of the BuCor personnel.
Also present during the event were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Bureau of Corrections Director Gaudencio Pangilinan, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr., among others.
The Bureau of Corrections Strategic Plan: “BuCor 2022” aims to improve public safety; provide humane, decent and secured inmate environment; provide an expanded inmate post-release opportunities; professional and accountable corrections administration and an improved resource management system. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the launching Friday of the Philippines Business Registry System (PBRS) in Makati City which is aimed at streamlining business registrations in the country and eliminating red tape.
The PBRS is a web-based system that will serve as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who want to transact or register their businesses. The computerized registration systems will link several agencies so that applicants can register businesses even without their presence.
Interlinked government agencies under the PBR system include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth), Social Security System (SSS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Through the PBRS, sole proprietors can now register their business names, generate or validate their tax identification number (TIN) and get employer registration numbers from the SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG Fund.
One of the local government units (LGU) connected with the system is Quezon City. Caloocan and Mandaluyong are expected to connect to the system in the coming months.
The launching ceremony is the first phase of the PBR program. This year, more LGUs and other regulatory offices will connect to the system.
The PBR is one of the government’s priority projects to streamline business registration process and eliminate red tape. Through the PBRS, the Aquino administration hopes that the country will be more attractive to investors and will improve its ranking in the global business competitiveness.
During the launching rites, the President had a briefing on the actual client applications. He also witnessed the awarding of citation certificates to the five heads participating agencies that include SEC chairperson Teresita Herbosa, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Darlene Berberabe, BIR Deputy Commissioner Lilia Guillermo, SSS president and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros Jr.
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya also joined the President during the event. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang maintains there are no plans for American military bases in the country
The Philippines and the United States will hold joint military drills to improve the defense capabilities of the two countries, but there are no plans to re-establish vast American military bases in the country, a Palace official said on Friday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang said there are no discussions on bringing back permanent U.S. military bases in the country.
"None of these initiatives involve any kind of basing arrangements similar to what we had prior to 1991. Hindi po tayo nag-iisip na magbalik ng US bases similar to Subic and Clark prior to 1991. What we’re really looking at is to enhance our defense cooperation," Carandang said.
The exercises aim to improve RP-US combined planning, combat readiness, and interoperability and enhance security relations to respond to threats that include terrorists, pirates and smugglers, or dealing with natural disasters.
He averred that they are still in the process of detailed planning to ensure the success of the scheduled military exercises called the 2012 Balikatan.
"The Aquino administration, since it came into office, has been working very hard to enhance our defense capabilities, particularly our maritime capabilities. We’re doing this in cooperation not just with the United States, but also with Australia and other Asian neighbors. So that’s part and parcel of our efforts to enhance our defense capabilities," he said.
The Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" exercises have mostly been done around northern Luzon in the past years. For this year, the Philippines and the US are planning to hold the joint military exercises in Palawan.
The Balikatan is an annual RP-US bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Carandang assured that the exercises will be held within the undisputed Philippine territory.
The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to close major U.S. military bases in the country. (PCOO)
.
Aquino leads launching of Bureau of Corrections ten-year Roadmap at New Bilibid Prison
President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the various continuing efforts of the government to implement essential reforms in the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to provide a sense of hope to those undergoing rehabilitation.
In his speech during the launching of the BuCor 2022 Road Map and Stakeholders Fellowship at the New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Muntinlupa City, Friday, President Aquino said that the bureau should be identified as a source of “Hope” by the inmates as they prepare to face the challenges outside the penitentiary.
“Ito na nga po ang magiging bagong mukha ng bilibid: pag-asa… na pagkatapos nilang pagbayaran ang mga maling nagawa nila sa nakaraan, may pagkakataon silang magkaroon ng maayos na trabaho at disenteng pagkakakitaan dahil handa na silang humakbang tungo sa bagong buhay at kinabukasan,” the President said.
“Ito ang pag-asang hatid ng ating sistemang koreksyonal … ito ang pagbabago na ipinangako natin noon na tinutupad natin ngayon bilang isang makatarungan, maunlad at makataong bansa sa tuwid na daan… Sa paglulunsad natin ng Bureau of Corrections roadmap itutulak natin ang ating sistemang koreksyonal tungo sa tuwid na daan kung saan ang tanging layunin ng bilibid at ng bilangguan sa Pilipinas ay ang tiyakin ang makabuluhang rehabilitasyon at pagbabagong buhay ng mga bilanggo upang sila ay maging handa sa kanilang pagbabalik bilang bahagi ng kalakhang lipunan,” he added.
The President said that the reforms initiated in the BuCor include the construction of new buildings in various detention facilities in the country to help in decongesting the penitentiary and the continuous launching of livelihood programs that could help the inmates not only in supporting their families financially but also in their skills development.
“Layon nating tapusin na ang mga araw ng mga seldang maihahambing sa lata ng sardinas, hangad nating wakasan na ang pagbabalewala sa kalusugan at karapatan ng mga nakabilanggo… nais nating putulin na ang talamak na kuntyabahan at palakasan ng may mga impluwensyang tao.”
At present, the Chief Executive said, around 20 thousand were detained in the New Bilibid Prison which only has a capacity to confine nine thousand people.
“Siyam na libo lang po dapat ang kapasidad ng New Bilibid Prison subalit sa kasalukuyan humigit kumulang dalawampung libong katao po ang nakakulong dito,” the President said.
He added that the government is considering the transfer of the facilities in a much better location.
“Kaya naman kasalukuyan nang inaayos ang planong paglilipat ng New Bilibid Prison sa mas angkop na lokasyon upang ito ay maging isang mas malawak at mas epektibong koreksyonal na pasilidad,” President Aquino added.
“Patuloy tayong naglulunsad ng iba’t-ibang programang pangkabuhayan sa mga kulungan na maaari nilang (inmates) kapulutan ng bagong mga abilidad at karunungan,” he said.
President Aquino also said that he has already directed the Department of Justice to expedite the processing of data that will be included in the National Justice Information System that serves as data base of records from various agencies of the government.
Also, the government is pushing for the BuCor modernization bill which aims to further train and enhance the capabilities of the BuCor personnel.
Also present during the event were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Bureau of Corrections Director Gaudencio Pangilinan, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr., among others.
The Bureau of Corrections Strategic Plan: “BuCor 2022” aims to improve public safety; provide humane, decent and secured inmate environment; provide an expanded inmate post-release opportunities; professional and accountable corrections administration and an improved resource management system. (PCOO)
