PNoy revises guidelines on suspension of classes, gov’t work due to disasters
President Benigno S. Aquino III has expanded the existing protocol on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government due to typhoons to include flooding, calamities and other weather disturbances in order to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Thursday the President issued Executive Order No. 66 on January 9, streamlining and simplifying the procedures for the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government offices due to calamities.
“This presidential issuance is an assertion of the State’s declared policy to institutionalize measures that will ensure that the general public, including students and state workers, will be safe from needless hazards and that their lives and limbs will be safeguarded,” Ochoa said.
EO 66 has set the following guidelines in the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government:
• Signal No. 1 - Classes at the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
• Signal No. 2 - Classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
• Signal No. 3 - Classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
President Aquino also directed the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to issue weather forecasts through various media outlets, including radio and television, not later than 10 p.m. of the previous day and 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation or suspension of classes and work.
The President, however, said that in the event where there are classes and work in the morning and suspension of classes and work is only effective in the afternoon, PAGASA should issue the forecast not later than 11 a.m. of the said day.
At the same time, EO 66 provides that in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAGASA, the local chief executives shall implement localized cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in coordination with the weather bureau and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), particularly in flood-prone or high risk areas.
The local chief executives serve as chairpersons of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).
EO 66 sets the announcements of the cancellation or suspension not later than 4:30 a.m. of the same day or not later than 11 a.m. for suspension of classes and work in the afternoon. The announcement should be made through different media outlets, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locality.
In areas affected by disasters other than typhoons, classes in all levels in both public and private schools and government work shall only be cancelled or suspended upon the declaration by the President of a state of calamity on recommendation of the NDRRMC.
The concerned LDRRM Office must then be responsible for the announcement of the suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas in coordination with the NDRRMC through various media outlets available under the circumstances.
EO 66 tasks the NDRRMC to immediately inform the Office of the President (OP), through the Executive Secretary, of any or all cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas.
President Aquino, nevertheless, directed government agencies directly involved in disaster risk reduction and management to maintain the operations of their respective offices to ensure the continuity of the delivery of public service. The heads of the concerned government agencies shall determine which of their respective divisions or units shall maintain its operations.
These government offices are the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Departments of National Defense, the Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Science and Technology, Health, Public Works and Highways, and Education, among others, which operations the President or the NDRRMC may deem necessary.
The OP, through the Executive Secretary, shall have concurrent authority with the NDRRMC to cancel or suspend classes and work in government offices during disasters, the EO stated. (PCOO)
.
Aquino urges Filipinos to help promote use of renewable energy, cites importance of addressing massive problem of climate change
President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged the major stakeholders in the energy sector to work hand in hand with the government in efforts to promote and implement the use of renewable energy as he stressed the importance of addressing the massive problem of climate change that is hounding not only the Philippines but also the rest of the world.
In his speech during the “1st Philippine BioEnergy Conference at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park in Manila, Thursday, President Aquino said that the success of saving Mother Earth lies in the unity of the people from all sectors of society to ensure a better environment for the next generations to enjoy.
“Working together, we can make the year brighter for many Filipinos, and for many people around the world. With your help, we can have more houses capable of switching on lights to welcome each New Year. With more emphasis on Renewable Energy resources, we can even make our own small contribution to addressing the massive problem that is climate change,” the President said.
“And if all of us—from different sectors and countries—can pull together and succeed, then we will indeed have brightened more than houses; we will have lit a beacon of hope, that humanity may thrive in communion with the Earth for many more generations to come,” he added.
The Chief Executive also noted that renewable energy has always been a key consideration towards achieving the vision of a greener and more vibrant Philippines.
He expressed elation in seeing the sector’s stakeholders gathered and united in discussions to formulate more options that may lead to using renewable energy resources, like bioenergy that is beneficial to the environment and the people.
At present, the President said, nearly 39 percent of the country’s energy requirements are being sourced out through renewable sources such as hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass.
The government projects that the biomass sector’s contribution will increase from 39 megawatts of energy in 2010 to more than 300 megawatts by 2015.
The President said that this increase will also provide 89 thousand more jobs for the people apart from the stimulation of local economies that would create even more economic opportunities.
“Our projections also indicate that, in achieving this goal (biomass sector’s increase), around 89,000 more jobs will be generated for Filipinos. These of course have a multiplier effect, because citizens with sources of income become empowered consumers, who can stimulate local economies and create even more jobs,” President Aquino said.
“The effects of advancing the biomass sector will also reach close to 577,000 farm families who can benefit, for example, by gaining additional income through the sale of agri-waste or forest residues that can be used in the development of biomass resources,” he added.
Also present during the event apart from the major energy players were other government officials led by Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.
With the theme, “Green Investments, Providing Solutions towards Energy Sustainability”, the event envisions a vibrant and profitable agribusiness sector in the country, promoting more green industries such as agribusiness, biofuel feedstock production and processing as well as the production of high value commercial plantation crops.
The two-day international convention aims to introduce the current status of the bioenergy industry and its latest developments, projects, and research initiatives currently undertaken, as well as its relevance to climate change and ecological balance as well as to the investment opportunities in the bioenergy sector to contribute in the economic growth of the country. (PCOO)
.
Palace vows aggressive spending thrust
The Aquino government vowed to continue its aggressive spending this year as it eliminates leakages in the way it disburses public money, a Palace spokesman said on Thursday.
During a press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda fended off criticisms saying the administration underspent in 2011 as reflected in the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington’s No. 1 think tank.
The government was also criticized for having lower trade freedom rating.
“We’ve been accused of underspending. But our government spending has been efficient in the sense that we have eliminated leakages and that’s seen in the way that we spent for last year. You can expect that our government spending, while it has started, will still maintain the same kind of standard that we will continue to weed out leakages in our spending,” Lacierda said.
“You can expect high government spending this year as we already have… as Secretary Butch Abad had announced”
With regards to improving the country’s trade freedom performance, Lacierda said the Aquino government will rationalize the grant of tax holidays to companies investing in the Philippines.
“We are looking at how we could rationalize the tax incentives in this country. We have tried to hasten business registration and all these are part of the trade freedom,” he said.
According to this year’s Index of Economic Freedom, the Philippines scored 57.1 on economic freedom, making its economy the 107th freest in the 2012 Index. Its score is 0.9 point higher than last year, with a significant improvement in business freedom.
The country ranks 19th out of 41 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and its overall score is slightly below the world and regional averages. Despite the challenging global economic environment, the Philippine economy has been on a steady path of economic expansion, the index observes.
The index uses 10 benchmarks that gauge the economic success of 184 countries around the world. These benchmarks include property rights, freedom from corruption, government spending, fiscal freedom, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, investment freedom and financial freedom.
The Index of Economic Freedom is an annual guide published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation. For over a decade, both organizations have tracked the march of economic freedom around the world with the influential economic index. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang says Aquino government remains committed to achieving inclusive growth, reducing poverty and making progress in fiscal management
The Aquino government has remained committed to the goal of achieving inclusive growth and succeeded to build on the gains of the anti-government campaign and reduce poverty and even made progress in fiscal management, a Palace official said on Thursday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement in response to criticisms hurled by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo against President Benigno S. Aquino III's government.
In a paper titled "It's the economy, student," Pampanga Rep. Arroyo blamed Aquino's "politics of division" for pulling down the Philippine economy to only 3.2% growth in the third quarter of 2011, well below the downgraded forecasts and the 7% growth recorded when she stepped down.
"What growth was she talking about in her administration? That was not inclusive growth. We’re talking about inclusive growth in our administration here. We have hastened the pace of justice," Lacierda said, adding that "Ang sinasabi niya we have not come up with new ways. We have not come up with new ways of corruption that’s why we are driving away (corruption). We’re curbing corruption, we are finding ways of improving the justice system here in the country," Lacierda said.
He reiterated the President's resolve for "a transparent, accountable government, worthy of the people's trust" to push the country's economy forward in 2012.
“The Aquino administration has always aspired for an economy where the growth powered by private enterprise is felt by a larger number of people,” Lacierda stressed.
Lacierda also lashed back at Arroyo who criticized the President for weak infrastructure spending and the slow rollout of public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
"We’ve been accused of underspending. Our government spending has been efficient in the sense that we have eliminated leakages. We will continue to weed out leakages in our government spending. And you can expect high government spending this year as we have already…as Secretary Butch Abad has already announced," he said.
Economic experts said the President also made good progress in practical fiscal management, which spawned savings, job creation, and higher rice production in 2011.
"The political analysis of former President Arroyo is not in tune or is not in consonance with the optimistic analysis of business investors, business analysts abroad. We are being rated as one of the top three areas to invest in this year and there are plenty of growth opportunities in this region," he said.
"In our fight against poverty, we have increased the beneficiaries in the conditional cash transfer (CCT). What we’ve done is a marked improvement from the past administration. A greater number of people are now beneficiaries of the CCT program. We have provided employment for the greater number of people through the various agencies that’s why there’s going to be massive infrastructure spending and we are going to show growth to our tourism which is going to be happening this year and also to agricultural productivity," he said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino leads 2011 The Outstanding Filipinos awards rites in Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III honored the awardees of this year’s search for The Outstanding Filipinos (TOFIL) in ceremonies held at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace on Thursday.
The TOFIL Awards pays tribute to the country’s men and women, 41 years and above of age, who have contributed significantly to the upliftment of the lives of their fellow Filipinos.
The 2011 awardees are: Dr. Jesus Estanislao for Governance; Jose Pardo for Business; Dr. Ramon Nery for Government and Public Service; Sylvia Pendon for Entrepreneurship; and Dr. Emerlinda Ramos for Education.
In his speech, the President lauded the awardees for striving to be the best they could be by continuing to challenge themselves to do more and never settling for mediocrity.
“Sa kaso po ng mga pinaparangalan natin, hindi sila nakuntento sa “pwede na;” hindi sapat sa kanila ang “okey na iyan.” Patuloy nilang hinahamon ang kanilang kakayahan – at ito ang katangiang bumukod sa kanila sa karamihan. Ganitong uri ng kadakilaan ang kinkilala natin ngayong hapon,” the President said.
Estanislao, a former Finance Secretary and accomplished academic, is known for his role in carrying out successful fiscal reforms during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino.
Pardo, a former Trade and Industry Secretary and current chairman of the Philippine Stock Exchange, is being cited for pioneering the franchising model in the country.
Nery is being awarded for his untiring work in the poorest province of Mindanao, where he initiated a host of reforms to improve the services of public hospitals and alleviate the ailing healthcare situation.
Pendon is being cited for pioneering the organic food movement in Palawan and her efforts for strengthening the country’s cottage industry by introducing Philippine handicrafts to the world thereby creating a lucrative export market that we still benefit from today.
Roman deserves recognition for her accomplishments, not only for being the first woman president of the University of the Philippines, but also for being a model in education for more than 30 years.
“Tulad ng karamihan, bawa’t isa sa kanila ay nangarap din. Subalit hindi sila tumigil sa pangarap lamang. Mulat silang bawat munting adhikain ay may kaakibat na kaukulang pagkilos at sakripisyo, ng masusing paghahanda at puspusang dedikasyon,” the President said.
“Higit sa lahat, ang saklaw ng mga nais nilang makamit ay hindi lamang para sa kanilang sarili, kundi para sa mas nakakarami – para sa organisasyong kanilang kinabibilangan, para sa kanilang mga pamilya, at higit sa lahat, para sa bayan,” he added. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III has expanded the existing protocol on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government due to typhoons to include flooding, calamities and other weather disturbances in order to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Thursday the President issued Executive Order No. 66 on January 9, streamlining and simplifying the procedures for the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government offices due to calamities.
“This presidential issuance is an assertion of the State’s declared policy to institutionalize measures that will ensure that the general public, including students and state workers, will be safe from needless hazards and that their lives and limbs will be safeguarded,” Ochoa said.
EO 66 has set the following guidelines in the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government:
• Signal No. 1 - Classes at the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
• Signal No. 2 - Classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
• Signal No. 3 - Classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
President Aquino also directed the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to issue weather forecasts through various media outlets, including radio and television, not later than 10 p.m. of the previous day and 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation or suspension of classes and work.
The President, however, said that in the event where there are classes and work in the morning and suspension of classes and work is only effective in the afternoon, PAGASA should issue the forecast not later than 11 a.m. of the said day.
At the same time, EO 66 provides that in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAGASA, the local chief executives shall implement localized cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in coordination with the weather bureau and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), particularly in flood-prone or high risk areas.
The local chief executives serve as chairpersons of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).
EO 66 sets the announcements of the cancellation or suspension not later than 4:30 a.m. of the same day or not later than 11 a.m. for suspension of classes and work in the afternoon. The announcement should be made through different media outlets, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locality.
In areas affected by disasters other than typhoons, classes in all levels in both public and private schools and government work shall only be cancelled or suspended upon the declaration by the President of a state of calamity on recommendation of the NDRRMC.
The concerned LDRRM Office must then be responsible for the announcement of the suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas in coordination with the NDRRMC through various media outlets available under the circumstances.
EO 66 tasks the NDRRMC to immediately inform the Office of the President (OP), through the Executive Secretary, of any or all cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas.
President Aquino, nevertheless, directed government agencies directly involved in disaster risk reduction and management to maintain the operations of their respective offices to ensure the continuity of the delivery of public service. The heads of the concerned government agencies shall determine which of their respective divisions or units shall maintain its operations.
These government offices are the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Departments of National Defense, the Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Science and Technology, Health, Public Works and Highways, and Education, among others, which operations the President or the NDRRMC may deem necessary.
The OP, through the Executive Secretary, shall have concurrent authority with the NDRRMC to cancel or suspend classes and work in government offices during disasters, the EO stated. (PCOO)
.
Aquino urges Filipinos to help promote use of renewable energy, cites importance of addressing massive problem of climate change
President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged the major stakeholders in the energy sector to work hand in hand with the government in efforts to promote and implement the use of renewable energy as he stressed the importance of addressing the massive problem of climate change that is hounding not only the Philippines but also the rest of the world.
In his speech during the “1st Philippine BioEnergy Conference at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park in Manila, Thursday, President Aquino said that the success of saving Mother Earth lies in the unity of the people from all sectors of society to ensure a better environment for the next generations to enjoy.
“Working together, we can make the year brighter for many Filipinos, and for many people around the world. With your help, we can have more houses capable of switching on lights to welcome each New Year. With more emphasis on Renewable Energy resources, we can even make our own small contribution to addressing the massive problem that is climate change,” the President said.
“And if all of us—from different sectors and countries—can pull together and succeed, then we will indeed have brightened more than houses; we will have lit a beacon of hope, that humanity may thrive in communion with the Earth for many more generations to come,” he added.
The Chief Executive also noted that renewable energy has always been a key consideration towards achieving the vision of a greener and more vibrant Philippines.
He expressed elation in seeing the sector’s stakeholders gathered and united in discussions to formulate more options that may lead to using renewable energy resources, like bioenergy that is beneficial to the environment and the people.
At present, the President said, nearly 39 percent of the country’s energy requirements are being sourced out through renewable sources such as hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass.
The government projects that the biomass sector’s contribution will increase from 39 megawatts of energy in 2010 to more than 300 megawatts by 2015.
The President said that this increase will also provide 89 thousand more jobs for the people apart from the stimulation of local economies that would create even more economic opportunities.
“Our projections also indicate that, in achieving this goal (biomass sector’s increase), around 89,000 more jobs will be generated for Filipinos. These of course have a multiplier effect, because citizens with sources of income become empowered consumers, who can stimulate local economies and create even more jobs,” President Aquino said.
“The effects of advancing the biomass sector will also reach close to 577,000 farm families who can benefit, for example, by gaining additional income through the sale of agri-waste or forest residues that can be used in the development of biomass resources,” he added.
Also present during the event apart from the major energy players were other government officials led by Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.
With the theme, “Green Investments, Providing Solutions towards Energy Sustainability”, the event envisions a vibrant and profitable agribusiness sector in the country, promoting more green industries such as agribusiness, biofuel feedstock production and processing as well as the production of high value commercial plantation crops.
The two-day international convention aims to introduce the current status of the bioenergy industry and its latest developments, projects, and research initiatives currently undertaken, as well as its relevance to climate change and ecological balance as well as to the investment opportunities in the bioenergy sector to contribute in the economic growth of the country. (PCOO)
.
Palace vows aggressive spending thrust
The Aquino government vowed to continue its aggressive spending this year as it eliminates leakages in the way it disburses public money, a Palace spokesman said on Thursday.
During a press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda fended off criticisms saying the administration underspent in 2011 as reflected in the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington’s No. 1 think tank.
The government was also criticized for having lower trade freedom rating.
“We’ve been accused of underspending. But our government spending has been efficient in the sense that we have eliminated leakages and that’s seen in the way that we spent for last year. You can expect that our government spending, while it has started, will still maintain the same kind of standard that we will continue to weed out leakages in our spending,” Lacierda said.
“You can expect high government spending this year as we already have… as Secretary Butch Abad had announced”
With regards to improving the country’s trade freedom performance, Lacierda said the Aquino government will rationalize the grant of tax holidays to companies investing in the Philippines.
“We are looking at how we could rationalize the tax incentives in this country. We have tried to hasten business registration and all these are part of the trade freedom,” he said.
According to this year’s Index of Economic Freedom, the Philippines scored 57.1 on economic freedom, making its economy the 107th freest in the 2012 Index. Its score is 0.9 point higher than last year, with a significant improvement in business freedom.
The country ranks 19th out of 41 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and its overall score is slightly below the world and regional averages. Despite the challenging global economic environment, the Philippine economy has been on a steady path of economic expansion, the index observes.
The index uses 10 benchmarks that gauge the economic success of 184 countries around the world. These benchmarks include property rights, freedom from corruption, government spending, fiscal freedom, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, investment freedom and financial freedom.
The Index of Economic Freedom is an annual guide published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation. For over a decade, both organizations have tracked the march of economic freedom around the world with the influential economic index. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang says Aquino government remains committed to achieving inclusive growth, reducing poverty and making progress in fiscal management
The Aquino government has remained committed to the goal of achieving inclusive growth and succeeded to build on the gains of the anti-government campaign and reduce poverty and even made progress in fiscal management, a Palace official said on Thursday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement in response to criticisms hurled by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo against President Benigno S. Aquino III's government.
In a paper titled "It's the economy, student," Pampanga Rep. Arroyo blamed Aquino's "politics of division" for pulling down the Philippine economy to only 3.2% growth in the third quarter of 2011, well below the downgraded forecasts and the 7% growth recorded when she stepped down.
"What growth was she talking about in her administration? That was not inclusive growth. We’re talking about inclusive growth in our administration here. We have hastened the pace of justice," Lacierda said, adding that "Ang sinasabi niya we have not come up with new ways. We have not come up with new ways of corruption that’s why we are driving away (corruption). We’re curbing corruption, we are finding ways of improving the justice system here in the country," Lacierda said.
He reiterated the President's resolve for "a transparent, accountable government, worthy of the people's trust" to push the country's economy forward in 2012.
“The Aquino administration has always aspired for an economy where the growth powered by private enterprise is felt by a larger number of people,” Lacierda stressed.
Lacierda also lashed back at Arroyo who criticized the President for weak infrastructure spending and the slow rollout of public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
"We’ve been accused of underspending. Our government spending has been efficient in the sense that we have eliminated leakages. We will continue to weed out leakages in our government spending. And you can expect high government spending this year as we have already…as Secretary Butch Abad has already announced," he said.
Economic experts said the President also made good progress in practical fiscal management, which spawned savings, job creation, and higher rice production in 2011.
"The political analysis of former President Arroyo is not in tune or is not in consonance with the optimistic analysis of business investors, business analysts abroad. We are being rated as one of the top three areas to invest in this year and there are plenty of growth opportunities in this region," he said.
"In our fight against poverty, we have increased the beneficiaries in the conditional cash transfer (CCT). What we’ve done is a marked improvement from the past administration. A greater number of people are now beneficiaries of the CCT program. We have provided employment for the greater number of people through the various agencies that’s why there’s going to be massive infrastructure spending and we are going to show growth to our tourism which is going to be happening this year and also to agricultural productivity," he said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino leads 2011 The Outstanding Filipinos awards rites in Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III honored the awardees of this year’s search for The Outstanding Filipinos (TOFIL) in ceremonies held at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace on Thursday.
The TOFIL Awards pays tribute to the country’s men and women, 41 years and above of age, who have contributed significantly to the upliftment of the lives of their fellow Filipinos.
The 2011 awardees are: Dr. Jesus Estanislao for Governance; Jose Pardo for Business; Dr. Ramon Nery for Government and Public Service; Sylvia Pendon for Entrepreneurship; and Dr. Emerlinda Ramos for Education.
In his speech, the President lauded the awardees for striving to be the best they could be by continuing to challenge themselves to do more and never settling for mediocrity.
“Sa kaso po ng mga pinaparangalan natin, hindi sila nakuntento sa “pwede na;” hindi sapat sa kanila ang “okey na iyan.” Patuloy nilang hinahamon ang kanilang kakayahan – at ito ang katangiang bumukod sa kanila sa karamihan. Ganitong uri ng kadakilaan ang kinkilala natin ngayong hapon,” the President said.
Estanislao, a former Finance Secretary and accomplished academic, is known for his role in carrying out successful fiscal reforms during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino.
Pardo, a former Trade and Industry Secretary and current chairman of the Philippine Stock Exchange, is being cited for pioneering the franchising model in the country.
Nery is being awarded for his untiring work in the poorest province of Mindanao, where he initiated a host of reforms to improve the services of public hospitals and alleviate the ailing healthcare situation.
Pendon is being cited for pioneering the organic food movement in Palawan and her efforts for strengthening the country’s cottage industry by introducing Philippine handicrafts to the world thereby creating a lucrative export market that we still benefit from today.
Roman deserves recognition for her accomplishments, not only for being the first woman president of the University of the Philippines, but also for being a model in education for more than 30 years.
“Tulad ng karamihan, bawa’t isa sa kanila ay nangarap din. Subalit hindi sila tumigil sa pangarap lamang. Mulat silang bawat munting adhikain ay may kaakibat na kaukulang pagkilos at sakripisyo, ng masusing paghahanda at puspusang dedikasyon,” the President said.
“Higit sa lahat, ang saklaw ng mga nais nilang makamit ay hindi lamang para sa kanilang sarili, kundi para sa mas nakakarami – para sa organisasyong kanilang kinabibilangan, para sa kanilang mga pamilya, at higit sa lahat, para sa bayan,” he added. (PCOO)
