Aquino goverment attends to needs of earthquake victims in Visayas region
Malacanang assured that the Aquino government is exerting all out efforts to attend to the needs of the victims in the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that jolted several provinces in the Visayas region on Monday as it echoed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call to the people to stay calm and cooperate with the concerned authorities in their respective area.
In a statement he read during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that various government agencies were already directed by the President to perform their duties and services to the people.
“The President is deeply concerned about our countrymen in the affected areas. He is focused on ensuring that services resume at the soonest possible time. He appeals to everyone to remain calm and to cooperate with the authorities as they work to bring these areas back to normaly,” Valte said.
“President Aquino has already ordered concerned agencies to activate their response teams to aid the victims. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have placed their quick response teams on standby ready for deployment, and have at least 2,000 family packs ready for augmentation. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) units have initiated evacuation efforts, search and rescue operations; and helped in relief operations, alongside the assets of the Philippine Navy (PN),” she said adding that “together with the affected local government units (LGUs), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has been conducting Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) in the affected areas, as instructed by the President”.
Valte further said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been conducting clearing and re-routing operations in roads and bridges rendered impassable.
Rehabilitation efforts, she added, are also underway for infrastructure that has been substantially damaged apart from the continuous work being done by the Department of Energy (DoE) to restore power in the affected areas.
Valte likewise said the continued monitoring efforts of the NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) on the situation in the areas of concern to make sure that advisories and bulletins will be disseminated properly and on time.
“The NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the DOST-PHIVOLCS and their corresponding regional offices will continue to monitor the situation and disseminate advisories and bulletins to the public, particularly to coastal communities in Negros Oriental and Cebu that need to be watchful of sea level changes due to aftershocks,” Valte said.
As of 12:30, Tuesday morning, the NDRRMC has already accounted 15 fatalities, 52 injured, and 29 missing individuals following the destructive natural calamity.
Recent reports bared the powerful quake hit a narrow strait between the provinces of Cebu and Negros which caused damage to buildings and other infrastructure and brought down the power supply in the area.
The Philippines is situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a belt around the Pacific Ocean where friction between shifting tectonic plates that usually causes frequent occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activities. (PCOO)
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Aquino declares Feb. 13 as special non-working day in Paranaque City
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared February 13 which falls on a Monday as a special non-working day in the city of Paranaque in commemoration of its 14th cityhood anniversary.
In Proclamation No. 329 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 3, the President issued the declaration to give the people of Paranaque City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.
Parañaque City was converted as the 11th city in Metro Manila in 1998.
The name "Parañaque" is derived from the phrase "para na aque," which was commonly used in the past when people wished to disembark from kalesas (horse-drawn carriages). (PCOO)
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Aquino welcomes new International Maritime Organization Secretary General
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Koji Sekimizu, the new Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who called on him in Malacañang on Tuesday.
Joining the President in welcoming Sekimizu were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Emerson Lorenzo.
In an interview, Baldoz said Sekimizu informed the President of his organization’s support to further develop the country’s maritime industry.
“He (Sekimizu) expressed willingness to help develop (the Philippines’) maritime industry,” Baldoz said.
She added that another meeting is being scheduled where stakeholders could discuss and iron out the details of this initial meeting. (PCOO)
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Aquino confers order of Sikatuna on outgoing French ambassador
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday conferred the Order of Sikatuna on outgoing French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties between France and the Philippines.
Aquino conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu, Grand Cross (Gold Distinction) to Ambassador Mozota during his farewell call on him at Malacanang Palace.
The distinction was given to de Mozota for his outstanding efforts in strengthening the relations of France and the Philippines particularly on trade, culture and science and technology.
De Mozota, who was born in Paris in 1948, holds a bachelor’s degree in international law and a diploma in advanced political science.
He began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with an assignment at the Embassy of France in New Delhi before he joined the Office for Asia-Oceania Affairs in Paris.
Before he assumed his post as French ambassador to the Philippines, he was the Ambassador of France to Brunei.
De Mozota was also conferred the national orders of Germany, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Nepal. (PCOO)
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On the President’s trip to Dumaguete on his birthday tomorrow
In keeping with the values of servant leadership espoused by his family, President Aquino will spend his birthday tomorrow in Dumaguete City, one of the areas most affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the Visayas yesterday.
He will inspect damaged areas and meet with our countrymen affected by the calamity, as well as with the government workers who are providing much needed relief operations on the ground.
President Aquino has been keeping abreast of the situation since the earthquake struck yesterday morning. Agencies and departments are implementing his instructions concerning the disaster relief and information-dissemination operations. Two helicopters have been sent by the East Mindanao Command; another two helicopters have been sent by the West Mindanao Command; the Philippine Coast Guard has dispatched one helicopter and one islander aircraft, as well as two Coast Guard vessels which have joined a Philippine Navy vessel delivering provisions by sea to affected areas.
The DSWD Region 7 office has provided 2,000 family packs, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, boxes of canned goods, tents, mats, blankets and mosquito nets to Negros Oriental. The President is in touch with Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the 1st District of Negros Oriental concerning four cities and municipalities in her district badly hit by the recent earthquake: Guihulngan City, the municipalities of La Libertad, Tayasan, and Jimalalud. Rep. Limkaichong has arranged for the delivery of 400 bags of rice from the NFA for residents. We encourage private citizens to assist by means of donations in the form of food, water, and clothing in aid of these areas. Adonation desk is set up at the DSWD Field Office VII located at M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. Its hotline number is (032) 232-1192.
The President continues to appeal for citizens to cooperate with the authorities, and to keep in mind that public safety must be kept the highest priority. This is an unusual situation which calls for the utmost responsibility, particularly in disseminating information. It does no one any good to sensationalize the situation. (PCOO)
Malacanang assured that the Aquino government is exerting all out efforts to attend to the needs of the victims in the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that jolted several provinces in the Visayas region on Monday as it echoed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call to the people to stay calm and cooperate with the concerned authorities in their respective area.
In a statement he read during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that various government agencies were already directed by the President to perform their duties and services to the people.
“The President is deeply concerned about our countrymen in the affected areas. He is focused on ensuring that services resume at the soonest possible time. He appeals to everyone to remain calm and to cooperate with the authorities as they work to bring these areas back to normaly,” Valte said.
“President Aquino has already ordered concerned agencies to activate their response teams to aid the victims. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have placed their quick response teams on standby ready for deployment, and have at least 2,000 family packs ready for augmentation. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) units have initiated evacuation efforts, search and rescue operations; and helped in relief operations, alongside the assets of the Philippine Navy (PN),” she said adding that “together with the affected local government units (LGUs), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has been conducting Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) in the affected areas, as instructed by the President”.
Valte further said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been conducting clearing and re-routing operations in roads and bridges rendered impassable.
Rehabilitation efforts, she added, are also underway for infrastructure that has been substantially damaged apart from the continuous work being done by the Department of Energy (DoE) to restore power in the affected areas.
Valte likewise said the continued monitoring efforts of the NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) on the situation in the areas of concern to make sure that advisories and bulletins will be disseminated properly and on time.
“The NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the DOST-PHIVOLCS and their corresponding regional offices will continue to monitor the situation and disseminate advisories and bulletins to the public, particularly to coastal communities in Negros Oriental and Cebu that need to be watchful of sea level changes due to aftershocks,” Valte said.
As of 12:30, Tuesday morning, the NDRRMC has already accounted 15 fatalities, 52 injured, and 29 missing individuals following the destructive natural calamity.
Recent reports bared the powerful quake hit a narrow strait between the provinces of Cebu and Negros which caused damage to buildings and other infrastructure and brought down the power supply in the area.
The Philippines is situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a belt around the Pacific Ocean where friction between shifting tectonic plates that usually causes frequent occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic activities. (PCOO)
.
Aquino declares Feb. 13 as special non-working day in Paranaque City
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared February 13 which falls on a Monday as a special non-working day in the city of Paranaque in commemoration of its 14th cityhood anniversary.
In Proclamation No. 329 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 3, the President issued the declaration to give the people of Paranaque City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.
Parañaque City was converted as the 11th city in Metro Manila in 1998.
The name "Parañaque" is derived from the phrase "para na aque," which was commonly used in the past when people wished to disembark from kalesas (horse-drawn carriages). (PCOO)
.
Aquino welcomes new International Maritime Organization Secretary General
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Koji Sekimizu, the new Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who called on him in Malacañang on Tuesday.
Joining the President in welcoming Sekimizu were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Emerson Lorenzo.
In an interview, Baldoz said Sekimizu informed the President of his organization’s support to further develop the country’s maritime industry.
“He (Sekimizu) expressed willingness to help develop (the Philippines’) maritime industry,” Baldoz said.
She added that another meeting is being scheduled where stakeholders could discuss and iron out the details of this initial meeting. (PCOO)
.
Aquino confers order of Sikatuna on outgoing French ambassador
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday conferred the Order of Sikatuna on outgoing French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties between France and the Philippines.
Aquino conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu, Grand Cross (Gold Distinction) to Ambassador Mozota during his farewell call on him at Malacanang Palace.
The distinction was given to de Mozota for his outstanding efforts in strengthening the relations of France and the Philippines particularly on trade, culture and science and technology.
De Mozota, who was born in Paris in 1948, holds a bachelor’s degree in international law and a diploma in advanced political science.
He began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with an assignment at the Embassy of France in New Delhi before he joined the Office for Asia-Oceania Affairs in Paris.
Before he assumed his post as French ambassador to the Philippines, he was the Ambassador of France to Brunei.
De Mozota was also conferred the national orders of Germany, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Nepal. (PCOO)
.
On the President’s trip to Dumaguete on his birthday tomorrow
In keeping with the values of servant leadership espoused by his family, President Aquino will spend his birthday tomorrow in Dumaguete City, one of the areas most affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the Visayas yesterday.
He will inspect damaged areas and meet with our countrymen affected by the calamity, as well as with the government workers who are providing much needed relief operations on the ground.
President Aquino has been keeping abreast of the situation since the earthquake struck yesterday morning. Agencies and departments are implementing his instructions concerning the disaster relief and information-dissemination operations. Two helicopters have been sent by the East Mindanao Command; another two helicopters have been sent by the West Mindanao Command; the Philippine Coast Guard has dispatched one helicopter and one islander aircraft, as well as two Coast Guard vessels which have joined a Philippine Navy vessel delivering provisions by sea to affected areas.
The DSWD Region 7 office has provided 2,000 family packs, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, boxes of canned goods, tents, mats, blankets and mosquito nets to Negros Oriental. The President is in touch with Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the 1st District of Negros Oriental concerning four cities and municipalities in her district badly hit by the recent earthquake: Guihulngan City, the municipalities of La Libertad, Tayasan, and Jimalalud. Rep. Limkaichong has arranged for the delivery of 400 bags of rice from the NFA for residents. We encourage private citizens to assist by means of donations in the form of food, water, and clothing in aid of these areas. Adonation desk is set up at the DSWD Field Office VII located at M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. Its hotline number is (032) 232-1192.
The President continues to appeal for citizens to cooperate with the authorities, and to keep in mind that public safety must be kept the highest priority. This is an unusual situation which calls for the utmost responsibility, particularly in disseminating information. It does no one any good to sensationalize the situation. (PCOO)
