State visit of Amir to boost country’s economic relations between Kuwait
The five-day state visit of Kuwait’s Amir, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Philippines is expected to intensify economic relations and boost investments in the Philippines.
Interviewed by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) prior to the visit, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan O. Primavera said economic diplomacy is one of the current thrusts of the Aquino administration aimed at seeking potential foreign investors for Philippine development projects.
Among the Kuwaiti investments in the Philippines include the $2 billion Kuwait and Gulf Link Co. (KGL) investment in Clark Field in Pampanga, the acquisition of the Negros Navigation and interest in investing in metro rail transit (MRT) system, and Intishar's 500-hectare banana plantation in Davao, Primavera said.
Sheikh Sabah is scheduled to unveil the marker for the Sabah Al Ahmad Global Gateway Logistics City, at the Clark Export Processing Zone on Tuesday, March 27.
The Philippines opened the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Kuwait City in 2009 to boost economic cooperation in Kuwait and facilitate several business matching conferences between Filipino and Kuwaiti businessmen.
Kuwait currently hosts more than 140,000 Filipino expatriates with Filipinos ranking as the fourth largest expatriate community in that country, after the Indians, Egyptians, and the Bengalis. In 2009 Kuwait passed a labor law designed to promote the welfare of workers in its private sector.
The visiting Amir of Kuwait and the President are expected to hold bilateral meeting and witness the signing of several agreements.
Among the agreements to be signed by the two countries include: Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperation, Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Special and Official Passports, Executive Program for the Cultural Agreement for the Years 2012-2014, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Recruitment and Employment of Filipino Household Service Workers, and Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Labor Cooperation. (PCOO)
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Aquino all set to attend ASEAN summit April 3-4
President Benigno S. Aquino III faces a busy working schedule during the Lenten season as he is scheduled to visit Cambodia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on April 3 and 4, a Palace official said on Friday.
"The President will be leaving for Cambodia on Holy Monday. He will be back on Holy Wednesday," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Upon his return, the Chief Executive intends to inspect the public transport terminals, as the government is all set to carry-out contingency plans to ensure the safety of the Filipino people and tourists as the nation commemorates the Holy Week.
Last year, Lacierda said the President inspected seaport, airport and bus terminals.
"As with all Filipinos, as with all Filipino Catholics, the President will also be observing the Holy Week, but work goes on. He will continue to be working while we are on Holy Week break," Lacierda said.
Lacierda said President Aquino has yet to disclose where he would spend Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. (PCOO)
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Aquino says government already addressing Mindanao energy problems
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the government is already working on several measures to address the power shortage in Mindanao.
Mindanao is consuming more power than contracted for the region so the government is moving in barges to address the energy shortfall in addition to other plans of the government, the President said during a meeting with Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras in Malacanang.
The President met the energy chief to discuss the Mindanao power shortage. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda were also present during the meeting which was opened to members of the media.
Currently, there are two power barges that can operate to augment the energy needs of Mindanao, but the President said nobody has signed for contracts to buy electricity.
To entice power distributors to buy electricity from power-producing barges, the President said there must be an arrangement for the equitable sharing of the burden in buying more expensive energy, the President said.
There are also five other power-producing barges that can supply power in Mindanao in 2012 to 2013, the chief executive said.
The government is also constructing base plants which will take around three years to build to address the problem, he added.
The energy department said however, that construction of said hydropower plants may not be viable in the long term because of the changing rainfall pattern in Mindanao that might affect operations.
So the thrusts is to support building more coal-powered plants that can produced cheaper energy compared to solar or diesel-powered barges, Almendras said.
Solving the energy needs of Mindanao is necessary because of government’s plan to provide electricity to 36,000 sitios in the country, President Aquino said.
Also, the President said he has approved a P7-billion reforestation fund Thursday to enhance the remaining watershed areas in the country for the sustainable operation of hydropower plants.
The money will ensure that communities near watershed areas and forests will be able to plant more trees for long-term benefits. (PCOO)
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Aquino to attend 33rd Philippine National Police Academy graduation rites
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the guest of honor of the 33rd commencement exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) at the Camp Mariano Castaneda in Silang, Cavite this Saturday.
Two hundred twenty members of PNPA’s Sinagtala Class will graduate this weekend.
The PNPA was established under Section 19 of Presidential Decree 1184 and became a primary component of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) pursuant to Section 67 of Republic Act 6975.
The PNPA was created to provide education and training of the three uniformed bureaus of the Department of the Interior and Local Government the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
The educational institution is committed to develop cadets into public safety service officers imbued with professional competence, management leadership skills, sound moral character befitting of a professional law enforcer and officers.
The philosophy of the Philippine National Police Academy is to instill strong democratic ideals, concepts and processes practiced as a way life through academic freedom, honor system, and respect for authority and human rights.
Other officials expected to join the President during the graduation exercises will be Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo, PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome, PNPA director Police Senior Supt. Nestor Fajura, and Philippine Public Safety College President Ruben Platon. (PCOO)
Aquino welcomes Amir of Kuwait to Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III warmly welcomed His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, who began his five-day State Visit to the Philippines, to Malacañang on Friday.
The Amir, who arrived with his delegation at the Palace grounds at around 5:30 p.m., was accorded full military honors by members of the Presidential Security Group honor guards.
He was then ushered into the Malacañang Palace, as is customary with visiting Heads of State, to sign in the Palace Guest Book prior to the Expanded Bilateral Meeting with the President.
The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the economic, cultural, and friendly relations between the two countries. In the course of their meeting, the Amir extended a personal invitation to the President for him to visit Kuwait.
The Philippines opened the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Kuwait City in 2009 to boost economic cooperation and facilitate several business matching conferences between the Filipino and Kuwaiti businessmen.
Kuwait currently hosts more than 140,000 Filipino expatriates with Filipinos ranking as the fourth largest expatriate community in that country, after the Indians, Egyptians, and the Bengalis. In 2009 Kuwait passed a labor law designed to promote the welfare of workers in its private sector.
The President wished the Amir a successful visit as he welcomed him to the Philippines. (PCOO)
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Aquino confers Order of Lakandula on visiting Amir of Kuwait
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred Friday the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Collar (Supremo) on His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, who arrived in the Philippines for a five-day State Visit.
The Order of Lakandula is an Order of political and civic merit awarded in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to leadership, courage and resolve in the service of the people.
The Order of Lakandula is conferred upon a Filipino or foreign citizen who demonstrated strong dedication for the welfare of society and whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people.
The order is also being given to persons who devoted their lives for the peaceful resolution of conflict and to those who fostered mutual understanding, cultural exchange, justice and dignified relations among individuals.
The Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Collar (Supremo) is conferred upon individuals who dedicated their lives for the preservation and defense of the democracy of the country. It is also being conferred upon to former or incumbent heads of state and of government.
Upon receiving the Order of Lakandula, Sheikh Sabah, who is in the country for a five-day State Visit, also conferred on President Aquino the Mubarak Al Kabeer Medal.
After the conferment rites, the President hosted a State Dinner for the visiting Amir of Kuwait at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall. (PCOO)
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Aquino and Amir of Kuwait witness signing of agreements between Phl and Kuwait
President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber, the Amir of Kuwait, witnessed on Friday the signing of four agreements aimed at further strengthening the growing relations between the Philippines and Kuwait in ceremonies held in Malacañang.
The Amir, who is on a five-day State Visit to the Philippines, arrived with his delegation in the country Friday afternoon.
The Amir’s visit to the country is upon the invitation of President Aquino to reaffirm the commitments of the two countries in reinforcing ties and in strengthening cooperation.
The agreements that were signed covered understandings on agriculture and fisheries, labor cooperation, the easing of visa requirements and a program for cultural cooperation.
The Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Special and Official Passports (signed between Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, deputy head of the council of ministers, minister of foreign affairs and minister of state for the affairs of the council of ministers) aims to facilitate the entry of holders of these passports into the two countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperation (signed between Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, deputy head of the council of ministers, minister of foreign affairs and minister of state for the affairs of the council of ministers) establishes a general framework for cooperation in these fields to foster sectoral development and enhance agri-related trade and investment.
The Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Labor Cooperation (signed between Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Minister Anas Khaled Al Sabah, Minister of Commerce and Industry) promotes cooperation and coordination in the field of labor and encourages both countries to share knowledge through the regular exchange of visits and consultations.
The Executive Program for Cultural Agreement for the 2012 to 2014 affirms the cultural cooperation between the two countries signed in September 1997 to promote the exchange of information, experience and materials in the fields of culture and the arts.
After the signing rites, the President then hosted a State Dinner in honor of the Amir and his delegation at the Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (PCOO)
The five-day state visit of Kuwait’s Amir, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Philippines is expected to intensify economic relations and boost investments in the Philippines.
Interviewed by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) prior to the visit, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan O. Primavera said economic diplomacy is one of the current thrusts of the Aquino administration aimed at seeking potential foreign investors for Philippine development projects.
Among the Kuwaiti investments in the Philippines include the $2 billion Kuwait and Gulf Link Co. (KGL) investment in Clark Field in Pampanga, the acquisition of the Negros Navigation and interest in investing in metro rail transit (MRT) system, and Intishar's 500-hectare banana plantation in Davao, Primavera said.
Sheikh Sabah is scheduled to unveil the marker for the Sabah Al Ahmad Global Gateway Logistics City, at the Clark Export Processing Zone on Tuesday, March 27.
The Philippines opened the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Kuwait City in 2009 to boost economic cooperation in Kuwait and facilitate several business matching conferences between Filipino and Kuwaiti businessmen.
Kuwait currently hosts more than 140,000 Filipino expatriates with Filipinos ranking as the fourth largest expatriate community in that country, after the Indians, Egyptians, and the Bengalis. In 2009 Kuwait passed a labor law designed to promote the welfare of workers in its private sector.
The visiting Amir of Kuwait and the President are expected to hold bilateral meeting and witness the signing of several agreements.
Among the agreements to be signed by the two countries include: Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperation, Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Special and Official Passports, Executive Program for the Cultural Agreement for the Years 2012-2014, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Recruitment and Employment of Filipino Household Service Workers, and Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Labor Cooperation. (PCOO)
.
Aquino all set to attend ASEAN summit April 3-4
President Benigno S. Aquino III faces a busy working schedule during the Lenten season as he is scheduled to visit Cambodia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on April 3 and 4, a Palace official said on Friday.
"The President will be leaving for Cambodia on Holy Monday. He will be back on Holy Wednesday," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Upon his return, the Chief Executive intends to inspect the public transport terminals, as the government is all set to carry-out contingency plans to ensure the safety of the Filipino people and tourists as the nation commemorates the Holy Week.
Last year, Lacierda said the President inspected seaport, airport and bus terminals.
"As with all Filipinos, as with all Filipino Catholics, the President will also be observing the Holy Week, but work goes on. He will continue to be working while we are on Holy Week break," Lacierda said.
Lacierda said President Aquino has yet to disclose where he would spend Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. (PCOO)
.
Aquino says government already addressing Mindanao energy problems
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the government is already working on several measures to address the power shortage in Mindanao.
Mindanao is consuming more power than contracted for the region so the government is moving in barges to address the energy shortfall in addition to other plans of the government, the President said during a meeting with Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras in Malacanang.
The President met the energy chief to discuss the Mindanao power shortage. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda were also present during the meeting which was opened to members of the media.
Currently, there are two power barges that can operate to augment the energy needs of Mindanao, but the President said nobody has signed for contracts to buy electricity.
To entice power distributors to buy electricity from power-producing barges, the President said there must be an arrangement for the equitable sharing of the burden in buying more expensive energy, the President said.
There are also five other power-producing barges that can supply power in Mindanao in 2012 to 2013, the chief executive said.
The government is also constructing base plants which will take around three years to build to address the problem, he added.
The energy department said however, that construction of said hydropower plants may not be viable in the long term because of the changing rainfall pattern in Mindanao that might affect operations.
So the thrusts is to support building more coal-powered plants that can produced cheaper energy compared to solar or diesel-powered barges, Almendras said.
Solving the energy needs of Mindanao is necessary because of government’s plan to provide electricity to 36,000 sitios in the country, President Aquino said.
Also, the President said he has approved a P7-billion reforestation fund Thursday to enhance the remaining watershed areas in the country for the sustainable operation of hydropower plants.
The money will ensure that communities near watershed areas and forests will be able to plant more trees for long-term benefits. (PCOO)
.
Aquino to attend 33rd Philippine National Police Academy graduation rites
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the guest of honor of the 33rd commencement exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) at the Camp Mariano Castaneda in Silang, Cavite this Saturday.
Two hundred twenty members of PNPA’s Sinagtala Class will graduate this weekend.
The PNPA was established under Section 19 of Presidential Decree 1184 and became a primary component of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) pursuant to Section 67 of Republic Act 6975.
The PNPA was created to provide education and training of the three uniformed bureaus of the Department of the Interior and Local Government the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
The educational institution is committed to develop cadets into public safety service officers imbued with professional competence, management leadership skills, sound moral character befitting of a professional law enforcer and officers.
The philosophy of the Philippine National Police Academy is to instill strong democratic ideals, concepts and processes practiced as a way life through academic freedom, honor system, and respect for authority and human rights.
Other officials expected to join the President during the graduation exercises will be Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo, PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome, PNPA director Police Senior Supt. Nestor Fajura, and Philippine Public Safety College President Ruben Platon. (PCOO)
Aquino welcomes Amir of Kuwait to Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III warmly welcomed His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, who began his five-day State Visit to the Philippines, to Malacañang on Friday.
The Amir, who arrived with his delegation at the Palace grounds at around 5:30 p.m., was accorded full military honors by members of the Presidential Security Group honor guards.
He was then ushered into the Malacañang Palace, as is customary with visiting Heads of State, to sign in the Palace Guest Book prior to the Expanded Bilateral Meeting with the President.
The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the economic, cultural, and friendly relations between the two countries. In the course of their meeting, the Amir extended a personal invitation to the President for him to visit Kuwait.
The Philippines opened the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Kuwait City in 2009 to boost economic cooperation and facilitate several business matching conferences between the Filipino and Kuwaiti businessmen.
Kuwait currently hosts more than 140,000 Filipino expatriates with Filipinos ranking as the fourth largest expatriate community in that country, after the Indians, Egyptians, and the Bengalis. In 2009 Kuwait passed a labor law designed to promote the welfare of workers in its private sector.
The President wished the Amir a successful visit as he welcomed him to the Philippines. (PCOO)
.
Aquino confers Order of Lakandula on visiting Amir of Kuwait
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred Friday the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Collar (Supremo) on His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, who arrived in the Philippines for a five-day State Visit.
The Order of Lakandula is an Order of political and civic merit awarded in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to leadership, courage and resolve in the service of the people.
The Order of Lakandula is conferred upon a Filipino or foreign citizen who demonstrated strong dedication for the welfare of society and whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people.
The order is also being given to persons who devoted their lives for the peaceful resolution of conflict and to those who fostered mutual understanding, cultural exchange, justice and dignified relations among individuals.
The Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Collar (Supremo) is conferred upon individuals who dedicated their lives for the preservation and defense of the democracy of the country. It is also being conferred upon to former or incumbent heads of state and of government.
Upon receiving the Order of Lakandula, Sheikh Sabah, who is in the country for a five-day State Visit, also conferred on President Aquino the Mubarak Al Kabeer Medal.
After the conferment rites, the President hosted a State Dinner for the visiting Amir of Kuwait at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall. (PCOO)
.
Aquino and Amir of Kuwait witness signing of agreements between Phl and Kuwait
President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber, the Amir of Kuwait, witnessed on Friday the signing of four agreements aimed at further strengthening the growing relations between the Philippines and Kuwait in ceremonies held in Malacañang.
The Amir, who is on a five-day State Visit to the Philippines, arrived with his delegation in the country Friday afternoon.
The Amir’s visit to the country is upon the invitation of President Aquino to reaffirm the commitments of the two countries in reinforcing ties and in strengthening cooperation.
The agreements that were signed covered understandings on agriculture and fisheries, labor cooperation, the easing of visa requirements and a program for cultural cooperation.
The Agreement on the Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic, Special and Official Passports (signed between Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, deputy head of the council of ministers, minister of foreign affairs and minister of state for the affairs of the council of ministers) aims to facilitate the entry of holders of these passports into the two countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperation (signed between Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, deputy head of the council of ministers, minister of foreign affairs and minister of state for the affairs of the council of ministers) establishes a general framework for cooperation in these fields to foster sectoral development and enhance agri-related trade and investment.
The Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Labor Cooperation (signed between Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Minister Anas Khaled Al Sabah, Minister of Commerce and Industry) promotes cooperation and coordination in the field of labor and encourages both countries to share knowledge through the regular exchange of visits and consultations.
The Executive Program for Cultural Agreement for the 2012 to 2014 affirms the cultural cooperation between the two countries signed in September 1997 to promote the exchange of information, experience and materials in the fields of culture and the arts.
After the signing rites, the President then hosted a State Dinner in honor of the Amir and his delegation at the Malacanang's Rizal Hall. (PCOO)
