Education system must produce patriotic, pro-reform Filipinos – Coloma says
A relevant educational system should produce Filipinos who have willingness to become part of the country’s march towards reform and progress, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a message during a book launching ceremony in Makati City.
Coloma was one of the attendees to the book launching of former Education Secretary Mona Valisno on Wednesday at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
Valisno’s book, which assesses the country’s educational system in the past several decades, is entitled: “The Nation’s Journey to Greatness: Looking Beyond Five Decades of Philippine Education.”
“As we celebrate the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in a few days it may be good to remind ourselves that we all have a stake in the future of our country. If the education system is truly relevant it should produce Filipinos who are not only talented or gifted but are willing to participate and contribute to the progress of our country,” Coloma said.
“Kailangan po nating tumaya sa kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan. Kailangan po nating tumaya sa Pilipinas Natin,” he said.
Valisno’s book has shared a wealth of knowledge and experience on the significant developments that shaped and gave substance to Philippine education, the PCOO Chief.
He acknowledged that the country hasn’t achieved its goal of making the Philippines globally competitive because of the weaknesses in the educational system.
This is the reason why the Department of Education (DepEd) has been vigorously implementing the educational reforms highlighted by the K+12 program noting that aside from Myanmar, the Philippines is the only Asean country that hasn’t implemented the 12-year basic education program.
Coloma however stressed that despite the weaknesses of the education system in the country, the Philippines can still be proud of the global Filipinos who are truly world-class, earning compensations more than the country’s national per capita average.
He likewise said that President Aquino is proud of the local products of the Philippines, for instance the Coach production facility in his home province of Tarlac, even inviting investors to put their money in the province.
The President also boasts of the modular production facility of the AG&P in Batangas that supplies assembled parts intended for oil rigs and refineries, Coloma said adding that it manifests the ingenuity, professionalism and dedication of the Filipino work force.
“This just goes to show that if we implement honest to goodness educational reforms such as those proposed by Dr. Valisno in her book, then our country and people can attain even greater heights, excellence and economic prosperity,” he said.
Aside from all these, Coloma said that Filipinos also have to have faith in themselves to achieve greatness in the future.
The book written by Valisno is a comprehensive assessment on the reforms, successes and weaknesses of the Philippine education through five decades and five presidents; from President Ferdinand Marcos to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It also offers recommendation and action plans to be carried out to reform the education system.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the scholarship fund of poor but deserving students to be managed by the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).
Valisno, a seasoned and multi-awarded educator, started as a classroom teacher and rose from the ranks to become the secretary of education. Her contributions and experience in the field had been recognized locally and abroad. (PCOO)
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Aquino to lead turn-over of housing units for military personnel in Trece Martirez, Cavite
President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to turn over on Friday thousands of housing units to military personnel under the Aquino government’s initiatives to address the primary housing needs of low-salaried men in uniform and making it one of the highlights of the 26th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25.
As part of the series of events lined up for the EDSA celebration on Saturday, President Aquino will be going to Trece Martires in Cavite to lead the ceremonies for the distribution of some 21,000 housing units to military personnel serving as a symbolic act to commemorate the collaboration between civilian and military forces during the non-violent revolt of the Filipinos against the dictatorship in 1986.
The housing program was being implemented under Administrative Order 9 “Directing the National Housing Authority to Formulate, Implement and Manage a Housing Program for the Military and Police Personnel”, which was issued on April 11, last year.
The project will not only benefit military and police personnel in Luzon but also those who are in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The Chief Executive has previously distributed a considerable number of housing units and Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELA) to beneficiaries from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Sultan Kudarat.
The amortization schedule of the housing program provides for staggered payments over 30 years.
In the first five years, beneficiaries need only pay P200 a month for a standard row house that will gradually increase to P809.53 during the 26th to the 30th year allowing them to use and allot more of their income for the other needs of their families including education, health, and other similar basic concerns.
During the event, the President will also be having a “Skype” (online) conversation with Commissioner Ogie Alcasid and the volunteers engaged in building the housing units intended for the “Sendong” victims in Cagayan de Oro City.
Other activities that will likewise take place on Friday as part of the EDSA celebration include the “Edsa Service Day,” where members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) will be doing acts of public service around Metro Manila encouraging volunteerism and highlighting the importance of service for others.
The scouts will be directing traffic and help the people cross the streets, among others.
A musical concert will also be held in Cagayan de Oro City featuring OPM and local artists to acknowledge the efforts of the volunteers in rebuilding the city after being hit by typhoon “Sendong’ late last year.
Military camps and police headquarters will also be open to the public on February 24 until February 25. Free entrance will be given to the public for the museums inside the camps. (PCOO)
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Malacanang says arraignment of Arroyo brings Filipinos one step closer towards attaining closure to controversies hounding the country during previous administration
Malacanang said the arraignment of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday in connection with the electoral sabotage charges brings the Filipinos one step closer towards attaining closure to the many controversies that have hounded our country during the previous administration.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda assured the public that it is the goal of the Aquino government to give Arroyo a day in court under a fair and impartial system of justice.
"At this time of reckoning, it is incumbent upon all of us to remain vigilant and observe this process as it unfolds. We must remain mindful of how in the past there were those who moved heaven and earth to prevent this day from arriving," Lacierda said.
A relevant educational system should produce Filipinos who have willingness to become part of the country’s march towards reform and progress, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a message during a book launching ceremony in Makati City.
Coloma was one of the attendees to the book launching of former Education Secretary Mona Valisno on Wednesday at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
Valisno’s book, which assesses the country’s educational system in the past several decades, is entitled: “The Nation’s Journey to Greatness: Looking Beyond Five Decades of Philippine Education.”
“As we celebrate the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in a few days it may be good to remind ourselves that we all have a stake in the future of our country. If the education system is truly relevant it should produce Filipinos who are not only talented or gifted but are willing to participate and contribute to the progress of our country,” Coloma said.
“Kailangan po nating tumaya sa kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan. Kailangan po nating tumaya sa Pilipinas Natin,” he said.
Valisno’s book has shared a wealth of knowledge and experience on the significant developments that shaped and gave substance to Philippine education, the PCOO Chief.
He acknowledged that the country hasn’t achieved its goal of making the Philippines globally competitive because of the weaknesses in the educational system.
This is the reason why the Department of Education (DepEd) has been vigorously implementing the educational reforms highlighted by the K+12 program noting that aside from Myanmar, the Philippines is the only Asean country that hasn’t implemented the 12-year basic education program.
Coloma however stressed that despite the weaknesses of the education system in the country, the Philippines can still be proud of the global Filipinos who are truly world-class, earning compensations more than the country’s national per capita average.
He likewise said that President Aquino is proud of the local products of the Philippines, for instance the Coach production facility in his home province of Tarlac, even inviting investors to put their money in the province.
The President also boasts of the modular production facility of the AG&P in Batangas that supplies assembled parts intended for oil rigs and refineries, Coloma said adding that it manifests the ingenuity, professionalism and dedication of the Filipino work force.
“This just goes to show that if we implement honest to goodness educational reforms such as those proposed by Dr. Valisno in her book, then our country and people can attain even greater heights, excellence and economic prosperity,” he said.
Aside from all these, Coloma said that Filipinos also have to have faith in themselves to achieve greatness in the future.
The book written by Valisno is a comprehensive assessment on the reforms, successes and weaknesses of the Philippine education through five decades and five presidents; from President Ferdinand Marcos to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It also offers recommendation and action plans to be carried out to reform the education system.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the scholarship fund of poor but deserving students to be managed by the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).
Valisno, a seasoned and multi-awarded educator, started as a classroom teacher and rose from the ranks to become the secretary of education. Her contributions and experience in the field had been recognized locally and abroad. (PCOO)
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Aquino to lead turn-over of housing units for military personnel in Trece Martirez, Cavite
President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to turn over on Friday thousands of housing units to military personnel under the Aquino government’s initiatives to address the primary housing needs of low-salaried men in uniform and making it one of the highlights of the 26th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25.
As part of the series of events lined up for the EDSA celebration on Saturday, President Aquino will be going to Trece Martires in Cavite to lead the ceremonies for the distribution of some 21,000 housing units to military personnel serving as a symbolic act to commemorate the collaboration between civilian and military forces during the non-violent revolt of the Filipinos against the dictatorship in 1986.
The housing program was being implemented under Administrative Order 9 “Directing the National Housing Authority to Formulate, Implement and Manage a Housing Program for the Military and Police Personnel”, which was issued on April 11, last year.
The project will not only benefit military and police personnel in Luzon but also those who are in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The Chief Executive has previously distributed a considerable number of housing units and Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELA) to beneficiaries from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Sultan Kudarat.
The amortization schedule of the housing program provides for staggered payments over 30 years.
In the first five years, beneficiaries need only pay P200 a month for a standard row house that will gradually increase to P809.53 during the 26th to the 30th year allowing them to use and allot more of their income for the other needs of their families including education, health, and other similar basic concerns.
During the event, the President will also be having a “Skype” (online) conversation with Commissioner Ogie Alcasid and the volunteers engaged in building the housing units intended for the “Sendong” victims in Cagayan de Oro City.
Other activities that will likewise take place on Friday as part of the EDSA celebration include the “Edsa Service Day,” where members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) will be doing acts of public service around Metro Manila encouraging volunteerism and highlighting the importance of service for others.
The scouts will be directing traffic and help the people cross the streets, among others.
A musical concert will also be held in Cagayan de Oro City featuring OPM and local artists to acknowledge the efforts of the volunteers in rebuilding the city after being hit by typhoon “Sendong’ late last year.
Military camps and police headquarters will also be open to the public on February 24 until February 25. Free entrance will be given to the public for the museums inside the camps. (PCOO)
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Malacanang says arraignment of Arroyo brings Filipinos one step closer towards attaining closure to controversies hounding the country during previous administration
Malacanang said the arraignment of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday in connection with the electoral sabotage charges brings the Filipinos one step closer towards attaining closure to the many controversies that have hounded our country during the previous administration.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda assured the public that it is the goal of the Aquino government to give Arroyo a day in court under a fair and impartial system of justice.
"At this time of reckoning, it is incumbent upon all of us to remain vigilant and observe this process as it unfolds. We must remain mindful of how in the past there were those who moved heaven and earth to prevent this day from arriving," Lacierda said.
Lacierda stressed that accountability escapes no one under the present administration.
"This is the very foundation of the rule of law: The scales of Justice should tip towards no one; her blindfold must continue to shield the system from being susceptible to the temptations of pandering to those with power and influence," he said.
The Pasay City Regional Trial Court branch 112 set on Thursday Arroyo's arraignment in connection with the electoral sabotage charges filed against the former president by the Commission on Elections for allegedly manipulating the 2007 senatorial elections in Maguindanao. (PCOO)
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Aquino leads 26th Edsa People Power Revolution Anniversary Celebration Saturday
President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead Saturday morning the 26th Anniversary Celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution at the People Power Monument in Edsa that will include flag-raising ceremony and Salubungan.
Representatives from different sectors of society will offer their commitments during the program.
After the events in Edsa, the President will proceed to Rizal Park in Manila to attend the unveiling of the statue of Jaime Cardinal Sin, one of the major figures during the Edsa Revolution in February 1986.
The Edsa anniversary celebration will be capped with a concert in Iligan City featuring original Pilipino music (OPM) artists who volunteered to perform for the benefit of the victims of the Typhoon Sendong.
They will also honor volunteers coming from different parts of the country who assisted communities affected by the typhoon.
According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the Aquino government wants to strengthen the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos, the driving force in the peaceful revolt in 1986.
The Edsa People Power Commission has lined up several activities in 26 different venues all over the country for the celebration that will focus on volunteerism, unity and concern in achieving national progress.
The theme for this year’s celebration will be “Ano ang iyong Taya Para sa Pilipinas Natin.”
The Filipino nation celebrates Saturday, February 25, the 26th year of the bloodless revolt known as the Edsa People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorship for former strongman president Ferdinand Marcos. (PCOO)
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Malacanang elated over forthcoming canonization of second Filipino Saint
Malacañang expressed elation over the scheduled canonization of another Filipino faithful who dedicated and offered his life in serving others and for the propagation of God’s gospel saying that the event serves as proof of the Filipinos’ spirituality and piousness.
In a regular media briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod as the country’s second saint gives honor to the Filipinos as a Catholic nation.
“As Catholics we are very proud and very blessed to have another Filipino Saint and this is going to be our second Filipino saint,” Lacierda said.
He further said that Vatican’s declaration of Blessed Calungsod to sainthood shows the bravery of the Filipino people.
“This is an honor for the Filipinos and it also showcases the bravery of the Filipino spirit, Christian spirit in the light of persecution,” Lacierda noted.
Following the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican has recently announced the canonization of the 17th century Visayan martyr Calungsod which is slated on October 21 of this year, making him the second Filipino saint after San Lorenzo Ruiz who was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 18, 1987.
Born in 1655 in Cebu, the lay cathecist Calungsod died in Guam while trying to defend his fellow mission worker, Jesuit priest and now Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores. Calungsod died at the age of 17.
They were attacked by natives using spear and machete. After being killed, their bodies were tied together and thrown into the sea.
Blessed Calungsod was beatified by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000 and since then, Cebuanos have been offering prayers for his intercession. (PCOO)
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Aquino government assures contingency measures to keep Filipinos in Syria safe
The Aquino government assured that contingency measures are being implemented to keep overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino citizens safe in light of the continuing political tension in Syria, a Palace official said on Thursday.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continue to appeal to Filipinos to heed the government's offer for voluntarily repatriation.
The Philippine government had mapped out repatriation plans to ensure the safe transport of Filipinos trapped in the so-called danger zones in Syria back to the country.
"The DFA has been very proactive in their stance. They have requested the citizens to voluntarily repatriate themselves. So the DFA continues to do that in all areas where there are OFWs, they have made it a strong point to urge them to repatriate," he said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario had already deployed to Syria a Rapid Response Team composed of the DFA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to help out in the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in conflict areas especially in Homs, a city in Western Syria.
The DFA raised crisis alert level 4 in Syria on December 22, and have enjoined Filipinos in the country to go home in light of the escalating tensions there. Under crisis alert level 4, mandatory repatriation at Philippine government's expense will be implemented.
The Philippine Embassy continues to closely monitor developments in the country. (PCOO)
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Aquino appoints Sempio-Diy as Associate Justice of Court Appeals
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Quezon City regional trial court Judge Maria Elisa Sempio-Diy as the new Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA).
Sempio-Diy replaces Bienvenido Reyes who was appointed to the Supreme Court, according to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda during the regular press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday.
"Judge Maria Elisa Sempio-Diy is the daughter of the family law expert, former Court of Appeals Justice Alicia Sempio-Diy. She is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila with an AB Psychology degree in 1986 and her Bachelor of Laws Degree from San Beda College, she ranked third in the graduating class," Lacierda said.
Sempio-Diy served as Quezon City RTC Judge from 2005 until her appointment to the Court of Appeals (CA).
"And before that, she was an MTC Judge in Quezon City from 2001 to 2005," Lacierda said.
Lacierda also announced the appointment of Carmelo Santiago as member of the Board of Directors representing the foreign Investors in the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority or APECO.
Santiago's term will end on June 16, 2014. (PCOO)
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Govt carries out short, long-term plans to address unemployment
The government has been carrying out both short and long-term strategies to address the unemployment in the country particularly matching workers with skills needed in the job market, a Palace official said.
In a press conference in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the long-term strategy is the implementation of the K+12 program or Kindergarten plus 12 years.
The Department of Education’s K+12 program aims to make basic education sufficient enough so that anyone who graduates can be gainfully employed and have a productive life.
On the other hand, the short-term plans include providing skills training to people by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Lacierda said.
“That’s why we have TESDA, after you graduate from high school, you can go and avail of the scholarship provided by TESDA,” he said.
Lacierda said President Aquino always emphasizes the problem on job mismatches in the country and once it is solved more people can join the labor force.
“That’s the reason why we need to address that mismatch between skills and jobs. That’s being addressed now,” Lacierda said.
The labor department has been implementing several initiatives this year such as the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) to employ 1.2 million jobseekers in 2012.
PESOs play an important role in the pursuit of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s 22-point labor and employment agenda the overarching goal of investing on the country’s top resource and human resource to make the country competitive.
It also responds to the goals of President Aquino’s social contract with the Filipino people and the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016, as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.
The plan envisions inclusive growth that massively creates local jobs, sustains real economy enterprises, produces decent work outcomes, and empowers the people to defeat poverty. (PCOO)
Govt carries out short, long-term plans to address unemployment
The government has been carrying out both short and long-term strategies to address the unemployment in the country particularly matching workers with skills needed in the job market, a Palace official said.
In a press conference in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the long-term strategy is the implementation of the K+12 program or Kindergarten plus 12 years.
The Department of Education’s K+12 program aims to make basic education sufficient enough so that anyone who graduates can be gainfully employed and have a productive life.
On the other hand, the short-term plans include providing skills training to people by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Lacierda said.
“That’s why we have TESDA, after you graduate from high school, you can go and avail of the scholarship provided by TESDA,” he said.
Lacierda said President Aquino always emphasizes the problem on job mismatches in the country and once it is solved more people can join the labor force.
“That’s the reason why we need to address that mismatch between skills and jobs. That’s being addressed now,” Lacierda said.
The labor department has been implementing several initiatives this year such as the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) to employ 1.2 million jobseekers in 2012.
PESOs play an important role in the pursuit of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s 22-point labor and employment agenda the overarching goal of investing on the country’s top resource and human resource to make the country competitive.
It also responds to the goals of President Aquino’s social contract with the Filipino people and the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016, as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.
The plan envisions inclusive growth that massively creates local jobs, sustains real economy enterprises, produces decent work outcomes, and empowers the people to defeat poverty. (PCOO)
