President Aquino leaves for Cambodia Summit
President Benigno S. Aquino III left Monday night to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that will be held from April 3 to 4, 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The President and his delegation left onboard a chartered Challenger 850 jet from the tarmac of the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
He was seen off by members of his Cabinet led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Cabinet Secretaries Voltaire Gazmin of Defense; Florencio Abad of Budget; Armin Luistro of Education; Ramon Paje of Environment; Leila De Lima of Justice, Rogelio Singson of Public Works; and Ramon Carandang of Communications.
Before boarding, the President said that the Summit is an opportunity to discuss with fellow ASEAN members the direction and progress the regional bloc hopes to achieve in the coming years.
He added that he will also be given the chance to showcase the readiness of the Philippines and its people to engage the members of ASEAN in its endeavors such as the implementation of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, the fight against drugs, and disaster risk reduction and management.
“Bukod sa mga paksang ito, itutulak din natin sa mapayapang paraan ang ating adbokasiya upang protektahan ang integridad ng ating teritoryo. Igigiit natin ang ating paninindigan sa implementasyon ng Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at estabilidad sa West Philippine Sea,” the President said.
He added that he would also discuss the welfare of migrant workers who have been calling for the lowering of remittance charges which will greatly help them cut costs that they can save for their families.
He also said he would meet with the Filipino community working and living in Cambodia in order to get a picture of how they are doing and in turn, tell them of developments in the Philippines.
“Sabik tayong kumustahin ang kanilang kalagayan at pakinggan ang kanilang mga kuwento. Nais nating malaman ang kanilang mga pangangailangan upang agad na makapaglatag ng paraan para matugunan ang mga ito. Ibabalita rin natin sa kanila ang magagandang nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas at kung ano ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan upang arugain ang kanilang mga pamilya,” the President said. (PCOO)
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Aquino arrives in Cambodia to attend ASEAN Summit
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here at Cambodia’s capital Monday night to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the celebration of its 45th anniversary.
The President arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport at around 10:15 pm on board the Challenger 850 aircraft from Manila.
Upon his arrival, the Chief Executive was welcomed by the officials of the Cambodian government, the director of protocol of Cambodia, the Cambodian liaison officer and the Cambodian security officer to the President.
Also on hand to welcome the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo including Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Noe Wong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the Asean Wilfrido Villacorta, and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Manuel M. Orduna.
The President will stay in Cambodia until Wednesday. He will participate with his counterparts during the summit as well as meet with the leaders of Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia for the 8th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.
He is also scheduled to meet the members of the Filipino community in Cambodia. (PCOO)
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Malacanang reassures Aquino government's commitment to develop use of alternative energy
Malacanang reassured the Filipino people of the Aquino government’s commitment to push for initiatives to develop the use of renewable energy in the country in order to lessen the effects of the fluctuating prices of petroleum products on the consumers.
In a regular media briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that government efforts to develop the use of renewable energy in the country are underway adding that the Department of Energy (DOE) has been focusing on projects concerning renewable energy.
“Upon consultation with the DOE, we were informed that patuloy po ‘yung ating pag-process ng mga projects that are targeting renewable energy,” Valte said.
She said that President Benigno S. Aquino III remains committed to pursue the use of alternative energy to support the needs of the people.
“Hindi naman po totoo na the President has forgotten his commitment to renewable energy. In Luzon alone, patuloy ang pagpa-process ng DOE ng mga projects for renewable energy,” Valte noted.
President Aquino is set to meet with power industry stakeholders in Mindanao, including key local leaders in the island, to firm up parallel tracks of immediate and medium-to-long-term solutions to the Mindanao power problem. (PCOO)
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Malacanang cites Energy Department efforts to address power shortage in Mindanao
Malacanang cited the efforts from the Department of Energy (DOE) to address the power shortage specifically in the southern Philippines adding that the power supply deficit has considerably decreased thereby narrowing the affected towns and cities within the region.
President Benigno S. Aquino III left Monday night to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that will be held from April 3 to 4, 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The President and his delegation left onboard a chartered Challenger 850 jet from the tarmac of the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
He was seen off by members of his Cabinet led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Cabinet Secretaries Voltaire Gazmin of Defense; Florencio Abad of Budget; Armin Luistro of Education; Ramon Paje of Environment; Leila De Lima of Justice, Rogelio Singson of Public Works; and Ramon Carandang of Communications.
Before boarding, the President said that the Summit is an opportunity to discuss with fellow ASEAN members the direction and progress the regional bloc hopes to achieve in the coming years.
He added that he will also be given the chance to showcase the readiness of the Philippines and its people to engage the members of ASEAN in its endeavors such as the implementation of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, the fight against drugs, and disaster risk reduction and management.
“Bukod sa mga paksang ito, itutulak din natin sa mapayapang paraan ang ating adbokasiya upang protektahan ang integridad ng ating teritoryo. Igigiit natin ang ating paninindigan sa implementasyon ng Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at estabilidad sa West Philippine Sea,” the President said.
He added that he would also discuss the welfare of migrant workers who have been calling for the lowering of remittance charges which will greatly help them cut costs that they can save for their families.
He also said he would meet with the Filipino community working and living in Cambodia in order to get a picture of how they are doing and in turn, tell them of developments in the Philippines.
“Sabik tayong kumustahin ang kanilang kalagayan at pakinggan ang kanilang mga kuwento. Nais nating malaman ang kanilang mga pangangailangan upang agad na makapaglatag ng paraan para matugunan ang mga ito. Ibabalita rin natin sa kanila ang magagandang nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas at kung ano ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan upang arugain ang kanilang mga pamilya,” the President said. (PCOO)
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Aquino arrives in Cambodia to attend ASEAN Summit
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here at Cambodia’s capital Monday night to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the celebration of its 45th anniversary.
The President arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport at around 10:15 pm on board the Challenger 850 aircraft from Manila.
Upon his arrival, the Chief Executive was welcomed by the officials of the Cambodian government, the director of protocol of Cambodia, the Cambodian liaison officer and the Cambodian security officer to the President.
Also on hand to welcome the President were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo including Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Noe Wong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the Asean Wilfrido Villacorta, and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Manuel M. Orduna.
The President will stay in Cambodia until Wednesday. He will participate with his counterparts during the summit as well as meet with the leaders of Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia for the 8th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.
He is also scheduled to meet the members of the Filipino community in Cambodia. (PCOO)
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Malacanang reassures Aquino government's commitment to develop use of alternative energy
Malacanang reassured the Filipino people of the Aquino government’s commitment to push for initiatives to develop the use of renewable energy in the country in order to lessen the effects of the fluctuating prices of petroleum products on the consumers.
In a regular media briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that government efforts to develop the use of renewable energy in the country are underway adding that the Department of Energy (DOE) has been focusing on projects concerning renewable energy.
“Upon consultation with the DOE, we were informed that patuloy po ‘yung ating pag-process ng mga projects that are targeting renewable energy,” Valte said.
She said that President Benigno S. Aquino III remains committed to pursue the use of alternative energy to support the needs of the people.
“Hindi naman po totoo na the President has forgotten his commitment to renewable energy. In Luzon alone, patuloy ang pagpa-process ng DOE ng mga projects for renewable energy,” Valte noted.
President Aquino is set to meet with power industry stakeholders in Mindanao, including key local leaders in the island, to firm up parallel tracks of immediate and medium-to-long-term solutions to the Mindanao power problem. (PCOO)
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Malacanang cites Energy Department efforts to address power shortage in Mindanao
Malacanang cited the efforts from the Department of Energy (DOE) to address the power shortage specifically in the southern Philippines adding that the power supply deficit has considerably decreased thereby narrowing the affected towns and cities within the region.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the DOE has issued Department Circular 2012-03004 directing the electric cooperatives to declare their needs on power to meet their demands.
“Mayroon po tayong update from the Department of Energy dahil sa inisyu na Department Circular ng DOE 2012-03004 which directed the electric cooperatives to nominate their needed power to supply their demands,” Valte said.
“Ngayon po, dahil dito sa circular na ito mas konti ang mga lugar na nagkakaroon ng power outage in Mindanao at ‘yung dating supply deficit natin na 360 megawatts ngayon tumatayo na lang sa 100 to 160 megawatts na deficit,” she said stressing that the DOE will continuously monitor compliance to the order to ensure proper power management.
“Patuloy ang pagmo-monitor ng DOE sa compliance with the Department Circular para masigurado na nama-manage ang deficit sa power supply,” Valte said.
“Ang mga areas na walang nae-experience na power outage ay Cotabato, Panabo, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Davao. Kasama na rin po dito ‘yung Malaybalay, Dipolog, Dapitan, Valencia, Camiguin, Digos, Tagum, Mati, Surigao, Butuan, at Cabadbaran,” she added.
Valte said that the energy government officials and the major stakeholders are presently in Mindanao to further discuss every possible means to address the energy problem in the region.
“Nandoon ngayon ang mga representate ng Kagawaran ng Enerhiya sa Grand Regal Hotel sa Davao City for a stakeholders meeting para patuloy na mapag-usapan ang mga hakbang na dapat gawin dahil sa sitwasyon sa kuryente sa Mindanao,” Valte said. (PCOO)
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Malacanang assures government moving to address concerns in case NOKOR missile launch pushes through
Malacañang on Tuesday assured Filipinos that the government is moving to address the concerns about the safety of the people should North Korea (NOKOR) pushes through with its planned missile launch next week.
Apprehensions remain high that debris from the missile may hit the country in the event that Pyonyang decides to continue its planned launching this month.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) is in the middle of preparations with concerned agencies to ensure that no Filipinos are hurt when this planned missile launch happens.
“The NDRRMC will be meeting with concerned agencies today to map out a plan in case the launch pushes through,” Valte said.
She said that although experts have projected the missile’s trajectory to not hit any part of the country, the NDRRMC is not taking any chances and wants to make sure that that event does not happen.
“That is a concern that is already being addressed by the NDRRMC, as well as the other agencies that need to pitch in for this effort,” Valte said. (PCOO)
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Aquino reiterates country's position on contested West Philippine Sea
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III reiterated the position of the Philippine government on the drafting of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) saying that the claimant countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must first agree among themselves before conducting a dialogue with China.
“The position of the Philippines is that identifying of the fundamental elements should be internal among ASEAN. To begin with, it is against our policy of maintaining Asean’s centrality… we would and should engage China after the COC is finalized among us here, members,” President Aquino said during the Plenary Session of the 20th Asean Summit here.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario issued the statement during the Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting here in Cambodia regarding the country’s position on the Spratly issue. He said the West Philippine Sea issue should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the international law.
Del Rosario also reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment towards peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
The regional grouping commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Asean and China signed the declaration a decade ago.
At present, a working group of the Asean senior officials are working to identify the main elements of the regional Code of Conduct before coming up with a draft.
The Code of Conduct must contain guidelines to be followed by stakeholder-states that are in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In the previous Asean summit, President Aquino proposed the creation of a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFFC) in the West Philippine Sea.
The President is in Cambodia attending the 20th Asean Summit as well as the 45th anniversary of the regional organization. This morning (Tuesday), he joined fellow Asean leaders during the summit opening and the plenary session. He’ll fly back to Manila Wednesday evening. (PCOO)
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Aquino and other ASEAN leaders support several declarations during ASEAN Summit Plenary Session
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with the other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted several declarations and documents during the Plenary Session of the 20th ASEAN Summit here in Cambodia’s capital.
Among the declarations and documents adopted by the leaders include the Asean Phnom Penh declaration, the Phnom Penh agenda, the declaration for drug-free Asean by 2015, and the concept paper of the global movement of moderates.
The latter, backed by Malaysia, is aimed at preventing the rise of extremism in the region.
Prime Minister Hun Sen, the chair of the 20th ASEAN Summit, said the Malaysian-proposed concept could serve as a roadmap not only by the ASEAN governments but also by political parties and civil society organizations.
All the declarations and documents supported by the ASEAN leaders during Tuesday’s plenary session will be included in the statement to be made by the current summit chair at the end of the 20th ASEAN Summit. (PCOO)
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Aquino expresses support for Asean’s fight against illegal drugs
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III joined his fellow leaders in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in their fight against illegal narcotics agreeing to get rid of the drug menace by 2015.
In his message during the Plenary Session of the 20th Asean Summit here at Cambodia’s capital, the President expressed his support for the Asean's, as well as the international community’s fight against substance abuse.
“We strongly support regional and multilateral efforts against the production distribution, trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs which threatens the health and well-being of our peoples,” he said during the session.
“The Philippines believes that enhanced regional cooperation and information-sharing, drug profiling and the provision of more capacity building programs in areas or law enforcement, as investigation of drug-related cases is critical to achieving a drug-free Asean by 2015.”
The President also said he hopes that his statement for a drug-free Asean will further promote and create more cooperation between Asean member countries for sharing best practices, strengthening capabilities and increased coordination in identifying and neutralizing international trafficking syndicates.
“All of these are crucial to achieve a drug-free Asean by 2015,” the Chief Executive said.
Also joining the President in his stance against illegal drugs are the leaders of Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
While supporting the fight against illegal drugs, Malaysia’s leader expressed reservations in completely eliminating the problem in three years, noting the time is short for the regional organization to achieve its goal.
For instance, he said that although his country imposes the harshest punishment for drug dealers and producers, Malaysia hasn’t totally solved its drug problem.
Also during the Plenary Session, the Asean leaders adopted the declaration for a drug-free Asean in the next three years. They also supported several declarations and documents such as the Phnom Penh declaration, the Phnom Penh agenda, and the concept on international movement of moderates.
Aside from attending the Asean summit, the President will also have a dialogue with his counterparts in the 8th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit. He will also meet the members of the Filipino community here in Cambodia before his departure for Manila on Wednesday. (PCOO)
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ASEAN leaders want lifting of sanctions on Myanmar
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will come up with a common position as they meet at the 20th Asean Summit to ask the international community to lift all the sanctions imposed on Myanmar following a historic parliamentary by-vote in the Asian country.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the chairman of the 20th Asean Summit, said during the Plenary Session that many Asean leaders agreed to come up with a group position regarding sanctions imposed on Myanmar.
The Asean leaders will come up with a common stand on the issue when they wrap up the summit on Wednesday.
Delivering his message during the Plenary Session at the Peace Palace on Tuesday, President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulated the leadership of Myanmar for its historic by-election last Sunday.
“May we first comment on the by-elections of Myanmar, we would like to congratulate President Thein Sein on the very welcome development in his country under his very able leadership. The opening up of their political system enhances their long-term stability, which in turn enhances regional stability,” President Aquino said.
Asean leaders meeting in Cambodia for a two-day summit welcomed Myanmar’s orderly elections that appeared to give opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi her first seat in parliament.
To show its willingness to reintegrate to the global community, Myanmar’s leaders freed hundreds of political prisoners, welcomed the opposition back to the political fold and eased media restrictions. As a reward, Asean members promised Myanmar in November to become the bloc’s chairman in 2014.
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar compose the Asean. (PCOO)
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Philippines committed to ensure regional food security, says Aquino
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III told his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that the Philippine government has already ratified the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) agreement that will strengthen food security in the region.
“As an indication of our shared desire to bring about better quality of life for our peoples, I am pleased to inform you that the Philippines has ratified the Asean Plus Three Rice Reserve Agreement in March 2012,” the President said during the Plenary Session of the 20th Asean Summit here in Cambodia.
The Philippines is looking forward for the implementation programs under the initiative for the benefit of the people in the Asian region.
Asean’s partners in the agreement include China, Japan and South Korea, which have committed to finance the rice reserve agreement.
Under the pact, Asean members and China, Japan and South Korea are to disburse $1 million respectively to put up an endowment fund.
Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam contribute $107,500, respectively while Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar allot $83,000 each.
The agreement calls for the 13 countries to provide rice stock of 787,000 tons as buffer for sudden instabilities in rice supply and production. (PCOO)
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Regional unity needed to halt nuclear proliferation, says President Aquino
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: The Philippines remains committed in achieving a nuclear-free Asian region and is actively participating in efforts to stop nuclear proliferation and to achieve disarmament, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
Speaking during the Plenary Session of the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit here in Phnom Penh, the President said: “We can further protect our peoples by working together towards that concrete plan of action with the aim of sustaining cooperation on non-proliferation and disarmament.”
“Towards this end, the Philippines will host the inter-sessional meeting on disarmament in Manila next year as co-chair of the Asean Regional Forum on Inter-Sessional Meeting on non-proliferation and disarmament.”
One of Asia’s regional concerns is the nuclear ambitions of North Korea. Last month, President Aquino appealed to the government of North Korea to call off its planned missile launch, saying it posed serious risks to the lives of the people as well as the stability, peace and prosperity in the region. He said the missile launch was a needless provocation.
Asean leaders meeting at the 20th Asean Summit here are expected to raise the issue of North Korea’s planned missile launch scheduled mid-April.
Aside from expressing Philippine support for the goals of the Asean, President Aquino also made commitments to fighting illegal drugs, human trafficking, ensuring food security, and resolving the West Philippine Sea issue. (PCOO)
