Thursday 9 February 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, February 9, 2012

Aquino cites Chinese-Filipino Business Club members as invaluable partners of government in nation building

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the members of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Incorporated (CFBCI) for being invaluable partners with government in nation building.

In his speech keynoting the CFBCI’s 7th Biennial Convention on Thursday at the Manilia Hotel, the President said the group’s unwavering compassion and continued engagement to help in government efforts to improve the lives of the people was key to the success of this endeavor.

“Your organization (CFBCI) is among those who did not waver in their resolve to help this country. Ever since your establishment in 1998, you have been doing what you can to support this nation,” the President said.

He noted that the group’s aid was as far-reaching and diverse as to help improve the Philippine National Police’s mandate to protect the people through the CFCBI’s donation of thirty motorcycles that will “help us strengthen our police force’s law enforcement capabilities” to providing services to the community that help in economic development.

“The Chinese-Filipino Business Club, Inc., or the CFBCI, has also been very helpful on the economic front, supporting the government in its efforts to create jobs and strengthen the economy. You have actively undertaken trade missions and tax consciousness campaigns, among other projects,” the President said.

He thanked CFBCI for being “responsible corporate citizens” in spearheading talks with government officials about projects such as drug consciousness campaigns, and book drives for the less fortunate.

“For this, I extend my gratitude to all the members and the board of the CFBCI. Your members are some of the most successful businessmen in the country, and you could have simply focused your efforts on turning in even larger profit margins for your companies, but instead you’re here, intent on giving back to the community,” the President said.

“These initiatives of yours can only be good for your businesses. After all, a good community is vital to fostering a good business environment,” he added. (PCOO)

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Malacanang says government doing everything to save lives and help quake victims in Negros Oriental

Malacanang defended from criticisms government response in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Negros Oriental saying the government will do everything to save human lives and help the victims recover from the tragedy.

The government was being criticized for the slow conduct of rescue operations in the devastated areas in the Guihulngan City and La Libertad in Negros Oriental.

“You have to take into consideration the physical difficulties there. Ina-assess ng DPWH ang mga lugar ngayon, kausap ko si Secretary Babes Singson kanina at sinabi nga n’ya na ina-assess nila. Marami na silang na-assess yung kalye, yung market,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in an interview in Malacanang on Thursday.

“So we are going to do everything possible to make sure that their lives would go back to normal,” he added. Lacierda also said saving human lives is a priority of the government adding that the lives of the people are valuable.

President Benigno S. Aquino III celebrated his 52nd birthday on Wednesday visiting disaster areas in Negros Oriental, assessing the damage as well as overseeing ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts.

The Chief Executive issued several directives to various government agencies working to help the victims recover from the tragedy. He ordered that roads and bridges must be repaired or rerouted so that basic goods could reach the victims, particularly food, water, medicines and clothing.

The police and the military were also instructed to provide security and maintain order as relief workers distribute goods to the victims. The police and the military are also expected to secure stores as they start regular operations.

The government also announced more than P5-million budget to fund cash-for-work program that will help residents get employment and at the same time rebuild their communities.

According to the figure released by the provincial government of Negros Oriental on Wednesday, 26 persons died in the quake with 50 still missing. The quake also resulted to about P665 million worth of damage to infrastructure and affected economic activity in the province.

A separate figure from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said more than 12,000 families were affected by Monday’s earthquake. (PCOO)

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Aquino to inaugurate Lufthansa Technik Philippines’s new maintenance facility Friday


President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the inauguration of the Lufthansa Technik Philippines’s new maintenance hangar for Airbus aircraft in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Friday.

The maintenance hangar, located at Macro Asia Special Economic Zone inside the Villamor Airbase, is intended for Airbus A380 aircraft.

Upon his arrival at the venue, the President will simulate operating an Airbus A380 aircraft. He will then pull the throttle that will signal the opening of the new maintenance hangar.

After his speech, the President will tour the existing hangar servicing the Airbus A380 aircraft.

Friday’s inauguration of Lufthansa Technik Philippines’s new maintenance hangar is considered a milestone in the Philippine aviation industry, making it one of the world’s nine locations capable of maintaining, repairing and overhauling the Airbus A380, the biggest aircraft in the world today.

For more than a decade, Lufthansa Technik Philippines, a German-Filipino joint venture, has placed the Philippines in the global aviation map by having German-technology, precision, and innovation in addition to Filipino craftsmanship.

Lufthansa Technik Philippines’s $30-million new investment is expected to expand the company’s capacity, create more local jobs and contribute to nation building. (PCOO)

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Aquino names Escudero as member of U.P. Board of Regents and new officials of the judiciary

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Evelina Buencamino Guevara-Escudero as member of the University of the Philippines-Board of Regents, a Palace official said on Thursday.

During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Escudero replaced Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr. Escudero's term will expire on February 18, 2014.

Lacierda also announced other appointments to the judiciary.

President Aquino appointed Judge Marlo B. Campanilla as presiding judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 83 in Caloocan City. Prior to his appointment, Campanilla served as the 4th Manila Assistant City Prosecutor since 2002.

Lacierda said Judge Dennis J. Rafa was appointed to MTC Branch 84 in Caloocan City. A graduate of Bachelor of Laws from the Manuel Luis Quezon University (MLQU), Rafa served as Makati Prosecutor II since 2007 until his appointment to Caloocan MTC Branch 84.

Judge Michael V. Francisco was designated as the presiding judge of the MTC Branch 85 in Caloocan City. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines and practiced law in several private law firms.

Judge Lourdes Grace Barrientos-Sasondoncillo was appointed to MTC Branch 86 Caloocan City. Prior to her appointment, she worked as Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer I in the Office of the Ombudsman. She also worked in various banks and was a part-time faculty law professor in various schools. (PCOO)

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Second U.S. warship to arrive in the country this year – Malacanang

The United States government will deliver a second warship to the Philippines within this year to guard the country’s waters, a Palace official said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters in an interview in Malacanang that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin made an assurance that the said warship from the US will arrive within this year.

But Lacierda reiterated that the country’s neighbors shouldn’t worry about the acquisition of another warship noting that the Philippine military is just beefing up its defense capabilities.

“They shouldn’t be concerned because primarily it’s about protecting our external waters. That shouldn’t be a concern for our neighbors because primarily it’s for the protection of our waters,” he said.

The government commissioned last December the BRP Gregorio del Pilar after getting it from the US Coast Guard. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the Philippines’ first Hamilton-class cutter, arrived in the country in August last year. The warship is the Navy’s largest ship at 380 feet long.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar was deployed by the Navy in the West Philippine Sea. Defense officials said more ships to be acquired by the government will secure the energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan.

During the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last November, she assured that the US would provide the Philippines second warship for its Navy.

Also members of the US Congress who visited the country last month said they would support the country’s plan to acquire more warships from the US. (PCOO)

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Aquinio invites CFBCI to invest in agriculture, tourism and infrastructure sectors

President Benigno S. Aquino III invited members of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Incorporated (CFBCI) to invest in the top three industries the government will be keenly focusing on this year, saying that they stand to earn a profit should they decide to do so.

The President extended the invitation to the CFBCI members to invest in the agriculture, tourism and infrastructure sectors during his speech keynoting the CFBCI’s 7th Biennial Convention at the Manila Hotel on Thursday.

The CFBCI is one of the major business organizations in the Philippines whose main goal is to improve the lives of all Filipinos by assisting the government in its economic development program.

“In light of your corporate stewardship, allow me to extend another invitation for those of you who want to help and profit even more. A few weeks ago, I attended the Arangkada Forum, and I spoke about the administration’s focus this year on three specific sectors namely agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure,” the President said.

“We have identified these sectors as the ones that can provide the most employment for those in the margins of society. They are also sectors that offer plenty of opportunities for businesses like yours to enter. Our national budget has been aligned to provide massive support to these three sectors, and I invite all of you to capitalize on these opportunities, while at the same time taking a larger role in creating jobs and helping stimulate the economy,” he added.

He pointed out that by partnering with government in the development of these sectors early on would ensure a “win-win” situation with “plenty of opportunities to profit and the psychic returns go on top of the monetary gains.”

“Getting involved now will give your companies plenty of opportunities to profit, and the psychic returns go on top of the monetary gains. It is indeed a win-win situation: you will profit, and at the same time allow our people to live even more dignified lives through the jobs that will be generated,” the President said.

“You will empower the communities you operate in, and make certain that the momentum of the Philippine economy will pick up, and be sustained,” he added. (PCOO)