Aquino vows government's commitment to improve the country's water management system, urges concerned agencies to come up with master plan
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed the government’s commitment to employ the best programs and policies in the water sector in efforts to improve the delivery of basic needs and services to the Filipino people as he urged the concerned inter-agency committee to immediately come up with a master plan for the efficient management of the utility.
In his speech during the “Water Loss 2012 Conference and Exhibit” at the Isla Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Monday, the President bared the various strategic initiatives of the government to improve water management. He noted the use of scientific methods and various consultations to formulate an effective plan.
“In October of 2011… after consultations with my Cabinet, I signed an Executive Order creating an inter-agency committee on the water sector headed by no less than the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary. The committee is tasked to design and recommend a master plan for our water sector which I am told they are finalizing right now… to Secretary and water czar Babes Singson and everyone else involved, I look forward to seeing your proposal on my desk hopefully before the end of the Lenten season,” the President said.
“We want to integrate our management of water resources from planning to developing and finally, to implementing programs. We want a totally scientific process, we want accurate data and solid analysis because only through these can we make the right decisions… Another crucial principle is in play here today as we consult with stake holders, we want to talk to people like you and we want to hear what civil society has to say so that we can craft policies that give birth to real-life solutions,” he added.
The Chief Executive encouraged everyone to take part in making the country’s water systems more efficient to ensure sufficient supply of water for the people.
“The government alone cannot improve the water sector totally… we need to engage stakeholders who are ready and willing to make our water systems in this country more efficient,” the President said.
Water Loss 2012 is intended to present and discuss the latest developments, strategies, techniques and applications of international best practices in Non-Revenue Water Management.
The Conference is the sixth event in a series of International Water Association water loss reduction specialty conferences, following the successful "Water Loss 2010" that was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in June 2010.
Organized by the International Water Association and co-hosted by Manila Water Company, Inc. (Manila Water) and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), the event involves water loss experts from 30 countries to discuss and present technical papers of the latest trends, developments, strategies, techniques and applications of international best practices in Non-Revenue Water management.
Also present at the conference were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Maynilad Water Chairman Manuel Pangilinan and International Water Association-Water Loss Specialist group chairman Timothy Waldron. (PCOO)
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Aquino declares March 8 as special non-working day in Compostela Valley
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared March 8, 2012 which falls on a Thursday, as a special non-working day in the province of Compostela Valley in celebration of its 14th Foundation Day and the 5th Bulawan Festival.
In Proclamation No. 332 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 9, the President issued the declaration to give the people of Compostela Valley the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.
The province of Compostela Valley used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8470. The law was subsequently ratified through a plebiscite conducted in the 22 municipalities of the province.
On the other hand, Bulawan Festival is a way of expressing their thanksgiving for a peaceful governance, plentiful harvest, prolific resources and promising future ahead. (PCOO)
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Malacañang says Comelec has started implementing measures to remove ghost voters in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started taking steps to purge the voters’ lists in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to ensure fraud-free elections in 2013, a Palace official said.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Comelec started implementing measures to remove ghost voters in the ARMM.
"Di ba ang mahalaga po dito sa ARMM, apart from introducing the reforms in governance, is also electoral reforms. Nililinis talaga iyong listahan ng botante kasi alam natin dito sa ARMM may mga ghost voters, and that’s what chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. is doing," he added.
On June 30, 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law the bill postponing last year's ARMM elections and for voting to be synchronized with the national and local elections in 2013.
Republic Act 10153 mandates that the next ARMM elections for the regional governor, vice governor and members of the regional legislative assembly shall be held simultaneously with the midterm elections on the second Monday of May 2013.
Succeeding regular elections in the ARMM will be held on the same date every three years. (PCOO)
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Aquino underscores importance of kindergarten education in child's school and adult life
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of kindergarten in a child’s life, saying this “first step” in the education process would better prepare him for the next levels of schooling and thus provide him vast opportunities to improve his life.
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed the government’s commitment to employ the best programs and policies in the water sector in efforts to improve the delivery of basic needs and services to the Filipino people as he urged the concerned inter-agency committee to immediately come up with a master plan for the efficient management of the utility.
In his speech during the “Water Loss 2012 Conference and Exhibit” at the Isla Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Monday, the President bared the various strategic initiatives of the government to improve water management. He noted the use of scientific methods and various consultations to formulate an effective plan.
“In October of 2011… after consultations with my Cabinet, I signed an Executive Order creating an inter-agency committee on the water sector headed by no less than the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary. The committee is tasked to design and recommend a master plan for our water sector which I am told they are finalizing right now… to Secretary and water czar Babes Singson and everyone else involved, I look forward to seeing your proposal on my desk hopefully before the end of the Lenten season,” the President said.
“We want to integrate our management of water resources from planning to developing and finally, to implementing programs. We want a totally scientific process, we want accurate data and solid analysis because only through these can we make the right decisions… Another crucial principle is in play here today as we consult with stake holders, we want to talk to people like you and we want to hear what civil society has to say so that we can craft policies that give birth to real-life solutions,” he added.
The Chief Executive encouraged everyone to take part in making the country’s water systems more efficient to ensure sufficient supply of water for the people.
“The government alone cannot improve the water sector totally… we need to engage stakeholders who are ready and willing to make our water systems in this country more efficient,” the President said.
Water Loss 2012 is intended to present and discuss the latest developments, strategies, techniques and applications of international best practices in Non-Revenue Water Management.
The Conference is the sixth event in a series of International Water Association water loss reduction specialty conferences, following the successful "Water Loss 2010" that was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in June 2010.
Organized by the International Water Association and co-hosted by Manila Water Company, Inc. (Manila Water) and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), the event involves water loss experts from 30 countries to discuss and present technical papers of the latest trends, developments, strategies, techniques and applications of international best practices in Non-Revenue Water management.
Also present at the conference were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Maynilad Water Chairman Manuel Pangilinan and International Water Association-Water Loss Specialist group chairman Timothy Waldron. (PCOO)
.
Aquino declares March 8 as special non-working day in Compostela Valley
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared March 8, 2012 which falls on a Thursday, as a special non-working day in the province of Compostela Valley in celebration of its 14th Foundation Day and the 5th Bulawan Festival.
In Proclamation No. 332 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 9, the President issued the declaration to give the people of Compostela Valley the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.
The province of Compostela Valley used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8470. The law was subsequently ratified through a plebiscite conducted in the 22 municipalities of the province.
On the other hand, Bulawan Festival is a way of expressing their thanksgiving for a peaceful governance, plentiful harvest, prolific resources and promising future ahead. (PCOO)
.
Malacañang says Comelec has started implementing measures to remove ghost voters in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started taking steps to purge the voters’ lists in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to ensure fraud-free elections in 2013, a Palace official said.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Comelec started implementing measures to remove ghost voters in the ARMM.
"Di ba ang mahalaga po dito sa ARMM, apart from introducing the reforms in governance, is also electoral reforms. Nililinis talaga iyong listahan ng botante kasi alam natin dito sa ARMM may mga ghost voters, and that’s what chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. is doing," he added.
On June 30, 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law the bill postponing last year's ARMM elections and for voting to be synchronized with the national and local elections in 2013.
Republic Act 10153 mandates that the next ARMM elections for the regional governor, vice governor and members of the regional legislative assembly shall be held simultaneously with the midterm elections on the second Monday of May 2013.
Succeeding regular elections in the ARMM will be held on the same date every three years. (PCOO)
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Aquino underscores importance of kindergarten education in child's school and adult life
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of kindergarten in a child’s life, saying this “first step” in the education process would better prepare him for the next levels of schooling and thus provide him vast opportunities to improve his life.
In his speech during the formal presentation of the Kindergarten Education Act in Malacañang on Monday, the President said that it is imperative that a child undertake a year of kindergarten as it is at this point in a child’s life where his mind is at its most active.
He added that all children from age five will now enjoy the benefits of kindergarten with the passage of this law.
“Ngayon po, sa pagsasabatas natin ng Kindergarten Law, tinitiyak na nating hindi malalampasan ang napakahalagang hakbang na ito. Bahagi na po ng ating basic education curricula, o ng ating K to 12 Program, ang Kindergarten,” the President said.
“Ibig-sabihin, lahat ng mga mag-aaral sa mga pampublikong paaralan, simula sa darating na School Year 2012-2013, ay kailangan nang dumaan sa preschool bilang panimula ng kanilang pormal na pag-aaral,” he added.
He stressed that the government’s advocacy to provide education for all remains a top priority of his administration, as this will provide the people’s ability to improve their lives.
“Kaya naman, asahan po ninyo: patuloy na maglalatag ang pamahalaan ng makabuluhang reporma upang higit na maiangat ang antas ng edukasyon sa bansa. Katuwang ang DepEd, patuloy nating isusulong ang mga hakbang sa pagsasakatuparan ng K to 12 program,” the President said.
Republic Act No. 10157, otherwise known as “An Act Institutionalizing the Kindergarten Education into the Basic Education System and Appointing Funds Thereof,” makes kindergarten an integral part of the basic education system of the country.
Beginning school year 2012 to 2013, kindergarten education shall apply to the elementary school system being the first stage of compulsory and mandatory formal education. (PCOO)
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Aquino to keynote Congress of Private Educational Associations
President Benigno S. Aquino III will keynote the 4th National Congress of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) that will be held at the Quadricentennial Pavillion of the University of Santo Tomas on Tuesday, February 28.
The President will be joined by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Joel Villanueva and COCOPEA chairperson Jose Paulo Campos.
COCOPEA is comprised of the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU), Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU) and the Technical-Vocational School Associations of the Philippines (TEVSAPHIL).
This year’s congress with its theme “Reforming Philippine Education: Issues, Challenges and Solutions,” aims to examine current reform initiatives in Philippine education, scrutinize the legislative agenda of the 15th Congress, and identify priority issues and challenges of these reforms.
Participants also hope to develop actions and strategies to effectively respond to these priority issues and challenges. (PCOO)
