Sunday 19 February 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, February 19, 2012

Aquino leads 33rd Aurora province foundation anniversary celebration

BALER, Aurora:
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Sunday the 33rd foundation anniversary of Aurora province which also marks the 124th birth anniversary of Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon.

In his message during the celebration, the President said the tragic death of the wife of former president Manuel L. Quezon shows that marginalizing the people in society results to violence and rebellion. The death of Dona Aurora Quezon is a sad part of the country’s history, when people resorted to violence to air their grievances, he said.

The former first lady was killed by the Hukbalahap, a leftist armed group that fought the government.

“Ito nga po ang maaaring kahantungan kapag naitsapuwera ang taumbayan sa sistema. Kapag naiiwan si Juan dela Cruz sa laylayan ng lipunan. Nagrerebelde sila at namamayani ang karahasan at maraming inosenteng buhay ang naaapektuhan,” the President said in his speech.

To give the people their voice, he said his administration pushes reform and works to improve the economy. He noted that in the last decade, the past administration created doubt in government, describing it a decade of abuse of power and wrongdoing.

When he led the journey towards the righteous path, he said the people’s mandate is clear: to lead a government that champions justice and accountability to the people. A government that makes wrongdoers accountable for their misdeeds, while achievers were given just rewards, the President said. He added that any economic achievements by the government must be felt by the people especially the needy.

Aurora province must also benefit from the ongoing reforms in government, the President. He said that with good governance, he expects a more improved tourism industry as a result of better security and warm hospitality of the people.

“Isa po itong Aurora kung saan bawat mamamayan ay ganadong makikiiisa sa pagpapabuti ng lipunan dahil mulat silang mayroon silang pamahalaang tapat at nakatutok lamang sa pagbibigay serbisyo sa ikabubuti ng bayan,” he said.

The Aquino administration is sincere, he said, in spearheading better education, health care, and fighting corruption so that Filipinos have wider opportunities in life.

“Maibabalik na natin ang sigla at kaunalran sa ating bayan. Patuloy po nating isabuhay at pahalagahan ang pamana ni Dona Aurora sa atin,” “Nangangahulugan po na ang Aurora ay handa na sa pagbubukang-liwayway. At sa ating mabuting pamamahala at pagkakaisa, tinitiyak na po natin ang isang maliwanag at maunlad na bukas sa atin pong bansa.”

Aside from joining the people of Aurora in their annual celebration, the President also inaugurated the Aurora Memorial Hospital constructed with the help of the Japanese government.

Also present during Sunday’s event were Sen. Edgardo Angara, Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Baler Mayor Arturo Angara, Health Sec. Enrique Ona and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe. (PCOO)

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Aquino inaugurates P594-million Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler

BALER, Aurora:
President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated Sunday the newly constructed Aurora Memorial Hospital (AMH) in this municipality to improve the medical services of the government to the residents of Aurora province.

Speaking before the people of Aurora during the inauguration, the President said the construction of the P594-million hospital signifies the strong ties between the Philippines and Japan. He noted that despite the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last year, the Japanese government continued to fund the project.

He thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for helping the Philippines for several decades that strengthens the friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

“Today, I’m certain that this project will only strengthen our strategic partnership and foster deeper cooperation and friendship between our nations. Again our very sincerest thanks,” the President said.

The President also encouraged the people of Aurora to remember the legacy of the former first lady Dona Aurora Quezon and draw inspiration from her.

“Bukod-tangi po ang ospital na pinapasinayaan natin ngayon at hindi lamang nito taglay ang pangalan at alaala ni Dona Aurora Quezon, isa ring itong kongretong hakbang sa pagsusulong ng kanyang adbokasiya upang mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga kababayan,” he said.

“Isa rin itong simbolo ng kaunlaran para sa inyong probinsya. Isang patunay sa lalong umiigting ninyong kakayahang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng inyong mga nasasakupan.”

The President also thanked Sen. Edgardo Angara and Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo for working hard to construct the new hospital for the benefit of the people of Aurora. The President vowed to contribute to the hospital’s operations by providing medicines and other equipment.

The new hospital could accommodate 800 patients a year with its 50-bed capacity. According to the Provincial Health Office, AMH could treat a wide range of diseases from the current 7,000 patient-days to 13,000.

Hospital officials said upgraded facilities and equipment in addition to the deployment of medical specialists could enhance diagnosis of patients and medical care especially in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology.

The new facility also has equipment for dental services, physical therapy, radiology, laboratory, central supply and sterilization room, emergency room and for an eye-ear-nose-throat (EENT) unit. The hospital is also hiring anaesthesiologists, surgeons, gynecologists, pediatricians and general physicians to augment its medical team.

Aside from providing medical services to the people of Aurora, the AMH leadership tied up with the University of the Philippines-Manila for the training of medical and nursing students.

Joining the President during the inauguration include Sen. Edgardo Angara, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Health Sec. Enrique Ona, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe. (PCOO)