‘We will not ration oil’ – Lacierda
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda allayed fears that a fuel supply shortage due to a disruption in the delivery of oil from Iran would result in fuel rationing, saying this was only one of the contingency plans of the government.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Lacierda said the Department of Energy continues to look for other solutions to the possible problem such as lowering the country’s consumption of fuel.
“I spoke to Energy Secretary (Jose Rene) Almendras on that. Let me clarify: it is only a contingency plan. He does not believe, that the events in the Strait of Hormuz will worsen,” Lacierda said.
The Strait of Hormuz is the only passage for ships carrying petroleum from major oil-exporting countries on the Arabian peninsula. Recently, Iran has raised tensions with the United States about access to said waterway thereby threatening the smooth delivery of fuel to and from the peninsula.
Lacierda said the government is pushing its program to develop alternative sources of energy and will soon revitalize the Pantawid Pasada program, a fuel subsidy scheme for public utility drivers and operators.
“What we are doing right now, is that we are going to, in light of increases in oil prices, activate the Pantawid Pasada as we still have funds of about P200-million,” Lacierda said.
“Let me clarify: we are not going to start rationing oil,” he added. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang bares reactivation of Pantawid Pasada Program to cushion impact of increasing prices of petroleum products
Malacanang bared the reactivation of the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) of the Aquino government in efforts to curtail the negative effects of the increasing prices of petroleum products locally due to the irrepressible forces in the international market.
In his regular media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Energy (DOE) has set some P200 million to lessen the effects of the oil price hike under the PPP on the oil-consuming public, especially the transport sector.
“In the light of the increases in oil prices, we are going to activate the Pantawid Pasada (Program)… we still have funds there for about P200 million, so that is what we are doing right now. Just to let you know, the Dubai (oil) prices increased by six dollars per barrel that is the reason why there was an increase in the prices of oil,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda assured that the minor problems that were experienced by the concerned sector in the PPP’s first launch will surely be addressed in its reactivation.
When asked on the specific date of PPP’s reactivation, Lacierda said that he will have to confirm first from DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
“I will confirm with Secretary Almendras kung kailan ang umpisa ng Pantawid Pasada in so far as the glitches are concerned. I think based on experience maiaayos na natin ang Pantawid Pasada Program,” Lacierda noted.
He added that it will definitely be reactivated with the 200 million pesos funding to be sourced out from the Department of Energy.
“Sure na iyon, we will confirm anytime soon,” he said.
Major and independent oil players has announced and implemented another oil price hike Wednesday, with petroleum products prices going up as much as P1.75 per liter.
The increase was attributed to the ongoing tension in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, that may likely result to the closure of the Strait Hormuz which serves as a major passage way for oil tankers.
The blockade on the strait alone by Iran has already caused major concerns in the world market and has been seen as the major cause of increase in pump prices during the first week of 2012. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang says plans to rehabilitate Angat Dam are underway to address possible water shortage
Plans are underway to rehabilitate and strengthen the Angat Dam amid reports that some parts of the country may experience water shortage due to the aggravating impact of weather disturbances, a Palace official said on Wednesday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda assured that the Aquino government has started to address the concern on the possible water supply shortage in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Lacierda cited an on-going study by the World Bank to strengthen the Angat Dam and to tap other water sources. "There is a World Bank study that is being completed right now that involves water source study, as well as the maximization of the Angat Dam," he said.
Concerned government agencies, including the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), have studied the proposals to tap other water sources like the Wawa River in Marikina; Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal; the Sierra Madre and Laguna Lake with due consideration on reliability, investments; operational cost, water quality and impact on water tariffs.
"Wawa Dam has a very small capacity. And also, it is not entirely reliable,” according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. Doing the Laiban Dam will cost around a billion dollars. Wawa is a river that during the summer is low and it is not reliable in terms of volume. Secretary Singson also said that it may be cheaper but it is much smaller in capacity, in volume and it is unreliable during the dry months," he said.
The government started framing a water supply sector program or water roadmap to be implemented over the next six years.
The public was also urged to cooperate with the government's efforts to intensify water conservation as well as to protect the water resources or river basin systems. (PCOO)
.
Aquino inaugurates expanded facility of New York-based outsourcing company
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration Wednesday of the additional center of the outsourcing provider ExlService Holdings Inc. at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
In his speech during the inauguration, the President thanked the ExlService leadership for expanding its operations in the Philippines noting that its bigger operation is a good start for the country as it enters a new year.
ExlService expansion in the Philippines is a manifestation of the renewed investors’ confidence for the Philippines under the new government, the President said.
“Since I assumed office many expressed confidence on our country. But like I’ve said in inaugurations like this there is no greater expression of confidence than actually doing business here,” he stressed.
“Rest assured that as you continue doing business here, we will continue doing what we can to make things easier for you,” he said.
The Chief Executive expressed confidence that ExlService, like other business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, would be able to hire enough qualified personnel that is why the government launched the industry based training-for-work scholarship program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The program provides free training to potential BPO workers in the contact center, software development, animation and medical transcription sectors, the President said.
He reported that as of January 4, 2012, the government released more than P140 million of the P500 million allocated for the BPO sector under the disbursement acceleration program, which is equivalent to over 23,000 scholarships.
The government also continues to work with the Business Process Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) for the training and job generation program, the President said.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is also working to improve the English proficiency of the country’s college students in preparation for BPO and call center jobs, he added.
To create more jobs outside Metro Manila, the President said, the government has been promoting next wave cities initiative to expand call center and BPO locations in the country that include the cities of Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, he said.
“We are doing what we can for the BPO sector because we believe that your success goes hand in hand with national development. Your continued confidence has allowed us to be a global leader in the industry,” the President said.
As long as there are people who lack job opportunities and as long as there is prevalence in poverty, the government will continue to work to improve the lives of the people, the President said.
“We will strive to become even better, to have more streamlined processes, to have an even more skilled work force, to create an even more viable economic space so that we will be leaders in this industry in the foreseeable future,” he said.
ExlService, a New York-based outsourcing and transformation services company, delivers highly complex operations in insurance, healthcare, customer service, finance, accounting and legal support services.
ExlService’s expanded facility is expected to create 1,000 high-level jobs in the rapidly growing BPO industry. Its pioneer site in the Philippines currently employs more than 1,500 professionals. (PCOO)
.
Aquino orders security and police officials to work on a plan that minimizes terror threats
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he has instructed the security and police officials to work on a plan that will minimize threats to civilian population as well as government installations pose by terrorist organizations.
“I took the opportunity at the change of command ceremonies in Villamor yesterday to talk to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the director general of the Philippine National Police, the Secretary of National Defense and Secretary of Interior and Local Government precisely to work on a plan to minimize threats such as this,” the President said in an interview after spearheading an inaugural event of an outsourcing company in Pasay City on Wednesday.
“I gave them quite a number of directions, including perhaps to study the possibility---if there is a need, as you know we have elections next year.”
The President was asked by the media about the latest report on the security situation in the country.
The President said he wanted to know whether the attack on Cotabato City Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema was election-related, noting that the attack on Sema maybe a call on the government to implement operations that will ensure peaceful elections next year.
The President said the alert level in Metro Manila will stay as long as the suspected terrorists who were allegedly sent to the metropolis remain at large.
Government security forces are still looking for all of the suspects after previous raids yielded negative results, the President said.On Tuesday, the Palace defended the President’s announcement of a terror plot in Manila during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
On Sunday, President Aquino ordered law enforcement agencies, including the military, to step up its efforts to maintain peace and order as millions of devotees converged in Quiapo, Manila for Monday‘s (January 9) celebration.
The President said intelligence reports over the past few months have apprised them of the intentions of lawless elements to create disruptions in Metro Manila particularly during the Feast of the Black Nazarene. (PCOO)
.
Aquino says no need to lobby against US bill targeting BPO operations
President Benigno S. Aquino III said there is no need for the Philippines to lobby against an anti-outsourcing proposal in the US that may affect Philippine jobs considering it’s an election year in America.
“I am made to understand that this was an issue that was brought up during the last elections in America. And from that time, which is four years ago, up to now, the situation hasn’t changed. Perhaps, there isn’t that much of a need yet,” the President said in response to a question about the US bill.
Palace reporters interviewed the President in Pasay City following the inauguration of an expanded site of a New York-based outsourcing company operation in the Philippines.
The President said he’s considering the election season in the US and it is not surprising that American politicians would resurrect such proposals to gain public support.
“We have to take into account that this is an election year, perhaps those are election-related statements. At the end of the day, like any other country, America would want to make their companies more effective, competitive . . . and if outsourcing is one of the keys towards that, then I would presume it will continue. Well, hopefully it will not change because it is one of our sunrise industries,” he said.
Under US House Bill 3596 otherwise known as the Call Center and Consumers Protection bill, call center operators will be required to identify their location, giving US callers the option of choosing a US-based operator.
The bill also seeks to punish companies that will employ call center agents located in other countries by making them ineligible for grants and guaranteed loans from the federal government.
US call centers that would fail to report its relocation to an offshore location to the Labor Department within 60 days will be penalized. (PCOO)
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda allayed fears that a fuel supply shortage due to a disruption in the delivery of oil from Iran would result in fuel rationing, saying this was only one of the contingency plans of the government.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Lacierda said the Department of Energy continues to look for other solutions to the possible problem such as lowering the country’s consumption of fuel.
“I spoke to Energy Secretary (Jose Rene) Almendras on that. Let me clarify: it is only a contingency plan. He does not believe, that the events in the Strait of Hormuz will worsen,” Lacierda said.
The Strait of Hormuz is the only passage for ships carrying petroleum from major oil-exporting countries on the Arabian peninsula. Recently, Iran has raised tensions with the United States about access to said waterway thereby threatening the smooth delivery of fuel to and from the peninsula.
Lacierda said the government is pushing its program to develop alternative sources of energy and will soon revitalize the Pantawid Pasada program, a fuel subsidy scheme for public utility drivers and operators.
“What we are doing right now, is that we are going to, in light of increases in oil prices, activate the Pantawid Pasada as we still have funds of about P200-million,” Lacierda said.
“Let me clarify: we are not going to start rationing oil,” he added. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang bares reactivation of Pantawid Pasada Program to cushion impact of increasing prices of petroleum products
Malacanang bared the reactivation of the Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) of the Aquino government in efforts to curtail the negative effects of the increasing prices of petroleum products locally due to the irrepressible forces in the international market.
In his regular media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Energy (DOE) has set some P200 million to lessen the effects of the oil price hike under the PPP on the oil-consuming public, especially the transport sector.
“In the light of the increases in oil prices, we are going to activate the Pantawid Pasada (Program)… we still have funds there for about P200 million, so that is what we are doing right now. Just to let you know, the Dubai (oil) prices increased by six dollars per barrel that is the reason why there was an increase in the prices of oil,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda assured that the minor problems that were experienced by the concerned sector in the PPP’s first launch will surely be addressed in its reactivation.
When asked on the specific date of PPP’s reactivation, Lacierda said that he will have to confirm first from DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
“I will confirm with Secretary Almendras kung kailan ang umpisa ng Pantawid Pasada in so far as the glitches are concerned. I think based on experience maiaayos na natin ang Pantawid Pasada Program,” Lacierda noted.
He added that it will definitely be reactivated with the 200 million pesos funding to be sourced out from the Department of Energy.
“Sure na iyon, we will confirm anytime soon,” he said.
Major and independent oil players has announced and implemented another oil price hike Wednesday, with petroleum products prices going up as much as P1.75 per liter.
The increase was attributed to the ongoing tension in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, that may likely result to the closure of the Strait Hormuz which serves as a major passage way for oil tankers.
The blockade on the strait alone by Iran has already caused major concerns in the world market and has been seen as the major cause of increase in pump prices during the first week of 2012. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang says plans to rehabilitate Angat Dam are underway to address possible water shortage
Plans are underway to rehabilitate and strengthen the Angat Dam amid reports that some parts of the country may experience water shortage due to the aggravating impact of weather disturbances, a Palace official said on Wednesday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda assured that the Aquino government has started to address the concern on the possible water supply shortage in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Lacierda cited an on-going study by the World Bank to strengthen the Angat Dam and to tap other water sources. "There is a World Bank study that is being completed right now that involves water source study, as well as the maximization of the Angat Dam," he said.
Concerned government agencies, including the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), have studied the proposals to tap other water sources like the Wawa River in Marikina; Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal; the Sierra Madre and Laguna Lake with due consideration on reliability, investments; operational cost, water quality and impact on water tariffs.
"Wawa Dam has a very small capacity. And also, it is not entirely reliable,” according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. Doing the Laiban Dam will cost around a billion dollars. Wawa is a river that during the summer is low and it is not reliable in terms of volume. Secretary Singson also said that it may be cheaper but it is much smaller in capacity, in volume and it is unreliable during the dry months," he said.
The government started framing a water supply sector program or water roadmap to be implemented over the next six years.
The public was also urged to cooperate with the government's efforts to intensify water conservation as well as to protect the water resources or river basin systems. (PCOO)
.
Aquino inaugurates expanded facility of New York-based outsourcing company
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration Wednesday of the additional center of the outsourcing provider ExlService Holdings Inc. at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
In his speech during the inauguration, the President thanked the ExlService leadership for expanding its operations in the Philippines noting that its bigger operation is a good start for the country as it enters a new year.
ExlService expansion in the Philippines is a manifestation of the renewed investors’ confidence for the Philippines under the new government, the President said.
“Since I assumed office many expressed confidence on our country. But like I’ve said in inaugurations like this there is no greater expression of confidence than actually doing business here,” he stressed.
“Rest assured that as you continue doing business here, we will continue doing what we can to make things easier for you,” he said.
The Chief Executive expressed confidence that ExlService, like other business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, would be able to hire enough qualified personnel that is why the government launched the industry based training-for-work scholarship program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The program provides free training to potential BPO workers in the contact center, software development, animation and medical transcription sectors, the President said.
He reported that as of January 4, 2012, the government released more than P140 million of the P500 million allocated for the BPO sector under the disbursement acceleration program, which is equivalent to over 23,000 scholarships.
The government also continues to work with the Business Process Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) for the training and job generation program, the President said.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is also working to improve the English proficiency of the country’s college students in preparation for BPO and call center jobs, he added.
To create more jobs outside Metro Manila, the President said, the government has been promoting next wave cities initiative to expand call center and BPO locations in the country that include the cities of Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, he said.
“We are doing what we can for the BPO sector because we believe that your success goes hand in hand with national development. Your continued confidence has allowed us to be a global leader in the industry,” the President said.
As long as there are people who lack job opportunities and as long as there is prevalence in poverty, the government will continue to work to improve the lives of the people, the President said.
“We will strive to become even better, to have more streamlined processes, to have an even more skilled work force, to create an even more viable economic space so that we will be leaders in this industry in the foreseeable future,” he said.
ExlService, a New York-based outsourcing and transformation services company, delivers highly complex operations in insurance, healthcare, customer service, finance, accounting and legal support services.
ExlService’s expanded facility is expected to create 1,000 high-level jobs in the rapidly growing BPO industry. Its pioneer site in the Philippines currently employs more than 1,500 professionals. (PCOO)
.
Aquino orders security and police officials to work on a plan that minimizes terror threats
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he has instructed the security and police officials to work on a plan that will minimize threats to civilian population as well as government installations pose by terrorist organizations.
“I took the opportunity at the change of command ceremonies in Villamor yesterday to talk to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the director general of the Philippine National Police, the Secretary of National Defense and Secretary of Interior and Local Government precisely to work on a plan to minimize threats such as this,” the President said in an interview after spearheading an inaugural event of an outsourcing company in Pasay City on Wednesday.
“I gave them quite a number of directions, including perhaps to study the possibility---if there is a need, as you know we have elections next year.”
The President was asked by the media about the latest report on the security situation in the country.
The President said he wanted to know whether the attack on Cotabato City Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema was election-related, noting that the attack on Sema maybe a call on the government to implement operations that will ensure peaceful elections next year.
The President said the alert level in Metro Manila will stay as long as the suspected terrorists who were allegedly sent to the metropolis remain at large.
Government security forces are still looking for all of the suspects after previous raids yielded negative results, the President said.On Tuesday, the Palace defended the President’s announcement of a terror plot in Manila during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
On Sunday, President Aquino ordered law enforcement agencies, including the military, to step up its efforts to maintain peace and order as millions of devotees converged in Quiapo, Manila for Monday‘s (January 9) celebration.
The President said intelligence reports over the past few months have apprised them of the intentions of lawless elements to create disruptions in Metro Manila particularly during the Feast of the Black Nazarene. (PCOO)
.
Aquino says no need to lobby against US bill targeting BPO operations
President Benigno S. Aquino III said there is no need for the Philippines to lobby against an anti-outsourcing proposal in the US that may affect Philippine jobs considering it’s an election year in America.
“I am made to understand that this was an issue that was brought up during the last elections in America. And from that time, which is four years ago, up to now, the situation hasn’t changed. Perhaps, there isn’t that much of a need yet,” the President said in response to a question about the US bill.
Palace reporters interviewed the President in Pasay City following the inauguration of an expanded site of a New York-based outsourcing company operation in the Philippines.
The President said he’s considering the election season in the US and it is not surprising that American politicians would resurrect such proposals to gain public support.
“We have to take into account that this is an election year, perhaps those are election-related statements. At the end of the day, like any other country, America would want to make their companies more effective, competitive . . . and if outsourcing is one of the keys towards that, then I would presume it will continue. Well, hopefully it will not change because it is one of our sunrise industries,” he said.
Under US House Bill 3596 otherwise known as the Call Center and Consumers Protection bill, call center operators will be required to identify their location, giving US callers the option of choosing a US-based operator.
The bill also seeks to punish companies that will employ call center agents located in other countries by making them ineligible for grants and guaranteed loans from the federal government.
US call centers that would fail to report its relocation to an offshore location to the Labor Department within 60 days will be penalized. (PCOO)
