Aquino attends birthday bash of Erap
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the
invaluable traits of former president Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada that has
inspired the Filipinos in times of hardships and trials as he wished the former
president the best of health during his diamond birth anniversary celebration.
In his message during Erap’s birthday
celebration at the Le Pavilion Metropolitan Park in Pasay City, Thursday
evening, President Aquino acknowledged Estrada’s unique character of dealing
with the emotions of the common people and giving them hope to surpass
challenges.
“Niyakap kayo ng masang Pilipino at malinaw sa
lahat ang dahilan nito… taglay ninyo ang kakayahang tukuyin ang kanilang pulso
at kurutin ang kanilang puso,” the President said.
“Sa panahon na matumal ang pag-asa, marami ang
napanghinaan ng loob na magsumikap sa buhay... kumapit ang masa kay Erap. Dahil
sa inyo, napanatag ang loob ni Juan dela Cruz, nagkaroon siya ng kakampi upang
harapin ang mga pagsubok sa buhay at nagkaroon siya ng Erap na nakatindig at
lumalaban para sa katuparan ng kanyang mga pangarap,” he added.
The Chief Executive said that the former
president’s legacy will forever linger in the minds of the people which will
push them to strive further to attain progress.
“Kaya naman, sa pagbibigay lakas at pag-asa sa
mga Pilipino, habang-buhay nang nakatatak si Erap sa kanilang isip at puso...
sa inyo pong kaarawan wala kaming ibang hiling kung hindi ang inyong magandang
kalusugan at marami pang taon na magbibigay ng inspirasyon sa bayan, muli
maraming salamat at maligayang kaarawan po,” President Aquino noted.
During the event, President Aquino shared a
table with the celebrator Estrada who turned 75, Senate President Juan Ponce
Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator
Jinggoy Estrada and Presidential sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky
Aquino-Abellada and Kris Aquino.
Present were Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago,
Sergio Osmena III, Gregorio Honasan, Vicente Sotto III, Ramon “Bong” Revilla
Jr., Edgardo Angara and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Also in attendance were cabinet secretaries led
by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,
Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs
Ronald Llamas, among others. (PCOO)
.
Aquino signs law creating additional regional
trial courts in Laguna
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into
law a legislation creating additional branches of regional trial court (RTC) in
Laguna in a bid to unclog court dockets in the province and speed up the
dispensation of justice, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on
Friday.
According to Ochoa, the President signed on
April 17, 2012 Republic Act No. 10162 to amend Batas Pambansa Blg. 129,
otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, and address the
lack of RTCs in Laguna that impedes the resolution of cases.
There is no RTC in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, and
litigants have to travel to adjacent Biñan Cityand Cabuyao municipality in
order to attend criminal, civil and special proceeding cases.
“There is a necessity for the establishment of
the additional RTCs in Laguna, particularly in Sta.Rosa City, in order to free
from pending cases the dockets of existing RTC branches in Laguna. Eventually,
the addition of two more branches will increase the rate of resolved cases,”
Ochoa explained.
RA 10162 originated from the House of
Representatives under House Bill No. 4488, which tasks the Supreme Court to
assign the branch number of the newly-created RTC branches in the Fourth
Judicial Region.
It also tasks the chief justice and the Secretary
of the Department of Justice to immediately include in the Supreme Court’s
program the operationalization of the additional RTC branches. Under the new
law, funding for this will be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.
RA 10162 takes effect 15 days following its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general
circulation. (PCOO)
Aquino declares April 26 as special non-working
day in San Jose, Batangas in celebration of its 247th Founding Anniversary
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
April 26, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the
municipality of San Jose in Batangas in commemoration of its 247th Founding
Anniversary.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 368 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on April 19, 2012, to give the people of San Jose the full opportunity to
celebrate and participate in the occassion with appropriate ceremonies.
The town of San José de Malaquing Tubig was
established on April 26, 1765. The municipality, presently known as San Jose,
is now a first class municipality in the province of Batangas. (PCOO)
.
Aquino government set to pour in P8.3 billion
more for developmental projects in ARMM
Malacanang bared the Aquino government’s plans
of investing more funds in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to
provide more basic services for the people and ensure the realization of
uplifting the standards of their living as embodied in President Benigno S.
Aquino III’s social contract with the Filipinos.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Friday,
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO)
Secretary Ramon Carandang said that part of the President’s meeting with ARMM
officials at the Palace on Thursday was the discussion on the implementation of
various development projects in ARMM that will be funded by the national
government on top of the region’s regular budget.
“If you recall some months ago, it was announced
that on top of the regular budget of ARMM, the government would be willing to
put additional funds, about 8.3 billion pesos, into development projects in
ARMM,” Carandang said.
“We want to put more money into ARMM for
development projects. We are hoping that the projects will be completed during
the term of (ARMM) Officer-in-Charge Mujiv Hataman…and the funds will come from
the national government,” he added.
Carandang further said that the government’s
developmental initiatives would include infrastructure, water system and school
buildings, among others.
“These would be projects like infrastructure,
potable water, school buildings… iyong mga bagay na kulang sa ARMM for the
longest time, we want to be able to provide some kind of development assistance,”
Carandang noted.
The implementation of such efforts will be
carried out through the concerted actions of various concerned government
agencies that include the Department of Health, Department of Public Works and
Highways and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which are
all committed to realize the social and economic development plans of the
Aquino administration.
The ARMM is one of the country’s highly
resource-rich areas located in the Mindanao island group which is composed of
predominantly Muslim provinces that include Basilan (except Isabela City),
Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. With Cotabato City as its
regional capital, it is the only region that has its own government.
The ARMM was first created on August 1, 1989
through Republic Act No. 6734 (otherwise known as the Organic Act) in pursuance
with a constitutional mandate to provide for an autonomous area in Muslim
Mindanao. (PCOO)
.
Recent reforms sustain growth momentum of
semiconductor, electronics industries, says Aquino
LAPU-LAPU CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III
said he sees a brighter future for the country’s semiconductor and electronics
industries as the reforms he has initiated in government start to bear fruits.
Addressing the general meeting of the
Semiconductors and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) and
the 17th World Electronics Forum (WEF) at the Mactan Shangri-La Island Spa and
Resort here Friday, the President said the industry was able to thrive despite
the gloomy business environment in the past.
“And now finally the stars are aligning, now
that the road block in the path of progress is finally removed I can only
imagine the greater heights your industry can achieve that you built in the
momentum that the entire country is experiencing right now,” he said.
During the initial year of the Aquino
administration, SEIPI’s data shows the tremendous industry growth in 2010 and
2011. To sustain this growth momentum, the President said his administration
initiated several reform measures to support the industry.
The present educational system is designed to
make Filipino workers more competitive at a higher value chain, the President
said. The K12 system, which will begin this June is a long-term solution that
can address the students' goals to become globally competitive, he said.
Another is the targeting system that enables the
Filipino workforce supply specialists to industries that demand them, the chief
executive said.
The government has also earmarked P50 million
for Tesda’s training-for-work scholarship program to train more than 9,000
workers in partnership with SEIPI, the President said.
As the country develops its infrastructures in
the coming years, it would mean greater industry expansion for the benefit of
the people as well as the businesses, President Aquino said, noting that this
will go hand in hand with the effort of the administration to reform the
bureaucracy.
“All of these efforts are bricks that build upon
the foundation of a truly, just and equitably progressive society. Every pillar
in our economic agenda includes inclusive growth, job generation, empowered
enterprises, solid investors’ confidence—all of these are built on the bedrock
of a stable system where outcomes are predictable.”
“We build these through good governance, by
setting good examples and not by being influenced by bribes or favors or
illogical decisions.”
These reforms are initiated through instilling
integrity across all sectors, he said by making sure that actions have
consequences and that those who have erred will be held accountable.
At the same time, the President highlighted the
Filipinos’ ability to rise from every challenge, noting that his government
will face future challenges with a strong determination to succeed.
“My government is determined to beat any challenge
that might arise in your industry with equal resilience and equal fervor. You
can continue to count on my administration’s active support on semiconductor
and electronics industries,” he said.
Last year, the Philippine electronics industry
accounted for more than $24 billion of exports or more than half of the total
Philippine exports, and invested $2.4 billion in the country.
It is the biggest export industry in the
Philippines having a direct employment of 530,000, which include engineers,
technicians and operators. More than four million Filipinos benefit from this
sector. (PCOO)
.
Government committed to ongoing talks with China
on Scarborough Shoal issue
The Aquino government remains committed to
ongoing consultations with the People's Republic of China (PROC) toward a
peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Philippine's Panatag Shoal (Scarborough
Shoal) situation, a Palace official said on Friday.
Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang issued the statement during
the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday following news reports that
China reportedly rejected the Philippines’ proposal to bring to the
International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) the dispute over the Panatag
Shoal (Scarborough Shoal).
"We continue to discuss the issue with the
Chinese government. The Philippine government is determined to find a peaceful
solution to this," Carandang said.
He reiterated that the country exercises full
sovereignty and jurisdiction over the rocks of Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag).
"But we’re also equally determined to
assert our sovereignty over what is our territory," Carandang said, noting
that Bajo de Masinloc is not part of the Spratlys.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said
Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine territory and part of
the Municipality of Masinloc, Province of Zambales. It is located 124 nautical
miles west of Zambales and is within the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) and Philippine Continental Shelf.
Carandang said the government remains confident
that the ownership dispute between the country and China would be resolved
through diplomatic, legal and peaceful means.
"And I’d like to add also, while this issue
has immediate implications for us and for China, it also has long-term
implications for the rest of the region—for stability in the region," he
said.
"In the immediate sense, this is an issue
between the Philippines and China. But, in the end, this is an issue that has
implications not just for the Philippines but also for other countries who are
interested in navigating the South China Sea or, as we call it, the West
Philippine Sea. So this is really an international issue," he said. (PCOO)
.
Aquino to ask Energy Regulatory Commission to
review power generation rates increase
LAPU-LAPU CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III
said he will ask the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to review whether the
69 centavos per kilowatt increase in the power generation rates is warranted.
“The temporary solution is that we will be
making the appropriate… Congress first, then also the Executive will be making
the appropriate representations with the ERC to review this particular
decision,” the President said in a forum during the 17th World Electronics
Forum and general meeting of the Semiconductors Electronics Industries of the
Philippines Inc. in Mactan Shangri-la Island Spa and Resort here Lapu-Lapu
City.
“We are cognizant of the fact that the price of
electricity in this country is a major deterrent to further investments and we
are trying to accelerate the process where the benefits under the EPIRA law
will be realized the soonest so that we can have more competitive electricity
rate structure within the country.”
The law that created the ERC is about roughly
about 10 years old and has become the subject of proposed amendments, the
President said.
The industry also was not able to start the
Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), which is supposed to bring down the
prices of electricity in the country.
WESM is a venue where electricity made by
power-producing companies are centrally coordinated and traded like any other
commodity in the market of goods with a level playing field.
At the same time, the President said they are
also encouraging more power generating companies to set up their plants to
address the power needs of the country.
The government is trying to accelerate the
process where there is an abundant supply of energy, and with WESM in place,
competition can thrive, he said. (PCOO)
.
Government addressing concerns of country's hog
raisers and pork producers
The Aquino government is addressIng the major
needs and concerns of the country's hog raisers and pork producers, a Palace
official said on Friday.
Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang made this statement during
the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday following the reported
concerns of several hog farmers over pork importations affecting the industry.
Backyard hog farmers said pork imports led to
the displacement of some 20% of hog farmers in the country in just three years.
They said this development has forced many backyard farmers to suspend and even
close down operations.
"The DTI (Department of Trade and Industry)
is dealing with that and we hope the DTI can resolve these issues at the soonest
possible time," Carandang said.
In a bid to make the country’s hog industry
competitive in the export market, President Aquino earlier said the government
and industry stakeholders, along with farmers, should partner to reduce the
cost of producing hogs, particularly the cost of animal feeds and its main
ingredient, yellow corn.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala relayed
the message of President Aquino to the hog raisers during the 21st Annual
convention of the National Federation of Hog Raisers and the Pork Producers
Federation of the Philippines on Thursday (April 19) in Mandaue City.
President Aquino said the hog raisers should
have a direct linkage or partnership agreement with corn farmers. He assured
that the government continues to provide assistance to hog raisers by
implementing policies.
He also said that hog raisers can avail of the
needed capital from the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
The President cited other recent policies and
initiatives to further prop up the hog industry, including the issuance of the
Department of Agriculture's Administrative Order No. 5 and 6.
Administrative Order No. 5 pertains to rules and
regulations on hygienic handling of newly slaughtered meat in meat markets,
while Administrative Order No. 6 contains the rules and regulations on hygienic
handling of chilled, frozen and thawed meat in the market.
He said the two Administrative Orders were
issued to further strengthen the country’s “food control system” and ensure
that meat sold in markets are hygienic and of high quality.
The Chief Executive said meat and animal
products should conform with international standards. He instructed the DA to
set aside funds to upgrade its national animal diagnostic at meat laboratories,
particularly those in major livestock production areas.
There are ongoing negotiations to export chilled
and frozen pork to the Middle East, Malaysia, and Japan, and frozen chicken to
South Korea, according to the President.
He said the DA through the Bureau of Animal
Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service will spearhead a system-wide
and product-specific export accreditation process to ensure that the country's
meat products for exports are of high quality. The system will also protect
domestic meat products from undue competition due to smuggling, undervaluation
and misdeclaration of illegally-imported commodities. (PCOO)
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Aquino: NAIA 3 fully operational in less than
two years
LAPU-LAPU CITY: The Ninoy Aquino International
Airport Terminal 3 will be fully operational in a year and a half, President
Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday.
“I understand between a year and a half it will
be fully operational,” President Aquino said during the general meeting of the
Semiconductors Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) and the
17th World Electronics Forum at Mactan Shangri-la Island Spa and Resort here.
“There’s a memorandum of understanding already
with the Takenaka group to finish the portion of the work that has been set
aside.”
An issue was raised on Friday’s event about the
need to solve some concerns regarding NAIA 3 so more investments can come in
and for tourism to flourish in the Philippines.
The President said that with regards to legal issues
that involve .NAIA 3 were practically complete.
Recent reports said that at least three foreign
airlines are moving their operations to NAIA 3 by 2013, which should free up
the congested NAIA1 terminal.
Among these airlines include Delta Airways, Cathay
Pacific and Emirates. They will join local carriers currently operating at NAIA
3.
NAIA-3 is currently the home to Gokongwei-led
budget carrier Cebu Pacific, as well as the Philippine Airlines’ budget
airline, Air Philippines. (PCOO)
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Aquino says countries must work together to
attain development
LAPU-LAPU CITY: Mutual cooperation is the key
towards sustainable economic growth between countries and this is the current
thrust of the government to ensure national progress, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said on Friday.
The President was asked during the 17th World
Electronics Forum and the Semiconductors Electronics Industries of the
Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) general membership meeting here on how to strengthen
trade relations between the Philippines and the US.
“We have one philosophy and that is all of us,
all governments, want to improve the standards of living of their people, and
the key to stability is the ability to be able to look at your partners' or
neighbors’ growth as part and parcel of your own growth,” he said.
“So whenever we deal with any other state, with
any other country, the drive has to be mutually beneficial. It cannot be
starting from what’s in it for us, to the exclusion of the other party’s
interest.”
Countries must share knowledge, technologies,
best practices and they must be fair in terms of support to their respective
industries, the President said.
But the President underscored the need of
achieving inclusive growth in the country whenever it deals with another
country and as it develops its own industries.
Currently, the government is devoting its
attention to education, aiding the poor and empowering the labor force, the
President said.
He particularly mentioned the ongoing
conditional cash transfer program and additional allocation for the Department
of Education to ensure more graduates who are equipped will necessary gain
knowledge as they enter the labor market. (PCOO)
