Aquino cites Philippine Economic Zone Authority
for bringing more investments in the country; vows to foster business-conducive
environment
President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the
billions of pesos worth of investments that were poured into the country's
economic zones resulting from the efforts and hard work of the Philippine
Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as he underscored the significant increase in
investors’ confidence encouraging them to put up more shops and expand
business.
In his speech during the 17th Anniversary and
Investors’ Recognition Night of the PEZA at the World Trade Center in Pasay
City on Thursday, President Aquino thanked the dedicated people of PEZA for the
sizeable influx of investments in the country in just less than two years.
“Since we have assumed office, PEZA has
generated a total of 465 billion pesos in investments… in 17 years of PEZA,
this represents 23 per cent of all investments generated by the Authority and
this has happened in a span of less than two years,” the President said.
“I extend my congratulations to Director Lilia
de Lima who has raised this institution as if it were her own child… that child
is moving forward from its formative years into adolescence and it is
performing better than ever,” he stressed.
The President vowed the government’s continued
initiatives to foster a business-conducive environment through the eradication
of red tape and corruption.
“More than being a one-stop shop for your needs,
PEZA will be that non-stop shop… the red tape that has for so long encumbered
your operations has now been turned into the red carpet, and beneath all these
is the firm bedrock that has become the calling card of our administration: no
under-the-table deals, no graft, no corruption… only hard work, service-oriented
governance, and a level playing field for all who have come to invest,” the
President said.
“We will continue fostering a business
environment conducive to growth as this will ultimately lead to the prosperity
of each and every Filipino under the broad light of day. We are rebuilding our
country brick by brick and paving the path to equitable progress meter by
steady meter… tell your colleagues, tell your friends and tell the world…
change has set in the Philippines, we are open for business, and the road to
our mutual prosperity is wide enough for anyone who would want to join. Let us
all ride this momentum together,” he said.
With all these reforms being implemented, the
Chief Executive encouraged more investments to come in that would create more
economic opportunities for the Filipinos, and eventually improve further the
country’s economic progress.
“I am encouraging all of you to expand further
your operations… the Philippines remains open for business, and we want to
continue working with excellent partners like you. I have always been an
advocate of mutually beneficial partnerships between private institutions and
our people. After all, our partnership has never been about short-term gains,
it’s about long-term relationships,” the President said.
Present during the event were Justice Secretary
Leila de Lima, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Solicitor General Francis
Jardeleza, among others.
During the celebration, President Aquino,
assisted by PEZA Director-General Lilia de Lima, led the awarding of the 25
Economic Zone Performance Awards.
These awards include the Outstanding Exporters,
Outstanding Employers, Outstanding Community Projects, Outstanding
Environmental Performers, Hall of Fame Award, Billionaires Award and the PEZA
Golden Achievement Award.
PEZA is a government agency tasked to promote
investments, extend assistance, register, grant incentives and facilitate the
business operations of investors in export-oriented manufacturing and service
facilities inside selected areas throughout the country proclaimed by the
President as PEZA Special Economic Zones (ecozones).
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority oversees
and administers incentives to developers/operators of and locators in
world-class, ready-to-occupy, environment-friendly, secured, and competitively
priced Special Economic Zones. (PCOO)
Aquino spearheads turn-over of new housing units
to survivors of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino
III led Friday the turn-over of newly constructed permanent housing units to
the survivors of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City saying that the
government support for new houses was the result of his administration's good
governance.
Speaking during the turn-over ceremony in Bgy.
Canitoan in this city, the President said that his administration was able to
realize the gargatuan task of providing new and safer homes for the survivors
of Typhoon Sendong because of good leadership under his “Daang Matuwid” agenda.
“Nakakamit natin ang sigasig mula sa malasakit
ng mga katuwang na ahensya at kalipunan. Nahuhugot natin ang lakas mula sa
tibay ng loob at pagsusumikap ng taumbayan. Ang pinanggagalingan po ng lahat ng
ito ay mabuting pamamahala ng gobyerno at ang pagba-bayanihan ng mamamayang
Pilipino,” he said.
Considering the dangers of yearly typhoons that
hit the country, the Chief Executive said his leadership has reformed how the
government responds to the country's calamities and disasters.
He cited for instance that the government now
has readily available supplies in time of disasters and has provided P500,000
to local government units so that they have emergency funds to use when there
are calamities.
The present administration wants to show that it
really cares for its people, the President said, adding that different
government agencies are continuously working to carry out reforms in preparing
for calamities and disaster risk management.
“Pinapatunayan po natin na kapag sinabi nating
walang iwanan, ay talagang wala pong iwanan. Kasama ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng
gobyerno, patuloy nating sinusulong ang mga reporma at inobasyon para
paigtingin ang kahandaan laban sa kalamidad at bawasan ang pinsalang dulot
nito,” he stressed.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) reported that more than 1,500 new housing units were turned over Friday
in Cagayan de Oro City. Of that figure, 1,200 were in Bgy. Canitoan here in
this city.
Two hundred families from Bgy. Macasandig are
the first occupants of the Indahag Phase 1 resettlement site, which was also
awarded on the same day.
The DSWD, the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), together with the city government and its partners, are
currently working to complete additional homes for the typhoon survivors.
Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman reported
to the President that they are targeting to relocate 8,000 typhoon survivors
and provide them new houses by August this year.
The government has also started relocating
affected residents from a ‘tent city’ to their new housing units in the
Calaanan relocation site this week.
The development of the relocation sites was
realized through tie ups with the DSWD, the local government of Cagayan de Oro
and the DPWH.
The DSWD funded the construction of the houses
while the city government of Cagayan de Oro and the DPWH developed the
relocation site.
Each quadruplex housing unit, measuring 40
square meters, costs around P70,000, according to the DSWD. The National
Housing Authority also contributed additional P40,000 with the help of the
Habitat for Humanity.
Aside from having permanent shelters, the
beneficiaries also received livelihood assistance worth P975,000 from the
government. The money will be released through the associations organized by
the beneficiaries.
Also present during the turn-over ceremony were
Vice President Jejomar Binay, Representatives Benjo Benaldo and Rufus
Rodriguez, National Housing Authority chief Chito Cruz, Cagayan de Oro City
Mayor Vicente Emano, and NDRRMC administrator Benito Ramos. (PCOO)
Education reforms and better business climate to
help youth prepare for the future, says Ochoa
The Aquino administration is pursuing education
reforms along with improving the economy to create more employment
opportunities for Filipino graduates, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
said on Friday.
In a speech during the commencement exercises of
the Quezon City Polytechnic University (QCPU), Ochoa said creating a better
business climate and implementing reforms in education are among the key
priorities of President Benigno S. Aquino III to equip and empower the youth in
dealing with the demands of the future.
One of the reforms, Ochoa said, is the K+12
(Kindergarten plus 12 years) basic education, the flagship education program of
the administration launched by the President last Tuesday, which aims to
improve the quality of education in the country and make high school graduates
more employable.
“Under the leadership of President Aquino, the
government is doing all it can to help the youth become better prepared to face
the challenges of tomorrow,” the Executive Secretary noted.
Adding two years to the country’s basic
education, will “increase capabilities among students who opt to work after
graduating from high school,” Ochoa added.
Ochoa also told QCPU graduates that aside from
the education reforms, the government is pursuing steps to improve the economy to
boost opportunities and jobs for students when they graduate.
Such initiatives are producing positive results
for the economy, Ochoa said, and one of which is in the stock market which
produced another record high on Wednesday.
He also told the graduates that in 2011,
approved foreign direct investment grew by 30.6 percent to P256.1 billion—the
highest recorded level in 16 years.
The electronics industry, which is one of the
country’s major exporters, was able to hire more workers last year, with employment
climbing 6 percent to 530,000 in 2011 from the previous year. Overall, Ochoa
said, the Department of Labor and Employment reported a total of 1.1 million
new jobs created last year.
“Recent developments show that the government is
making progress in improving the investment and business climate so that we can
draw in more investors and produce more jobs,” Ochoa stressed.
“These are encouraging signs and are also
examples of how government can help your parents provide young men and women
like yourselves the opportunities for better lives. But, like most
opportunities, these can only be given—it is up to you to make the most of
these opportunities,” Ochoa said. (PCOO)
Aquino urges Filipinos to enliven spirit of
volunteerism for the success and development of the country
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: President Benigno Aquino
III urged the Filipino people to enliven the spirit of volunteerism for the
success and development of the country stressing that the government’s function
is to serve not only the seat of power in Manila but also the entire country as
a whole.
In his speech during the turn-over rites of some
1,200 new homes to the survivors of Typhoon Sendong on Friday in Bgy. Canitoan
in this city, the President said that key government agencies are partners of
the people in volunteerism.
“Sa bawat araw nga po ng ating panunungkulan,
hindi natin kinakalimutang itinatag ang gobyerno para maglingkod sa bayan at,
malinaw po, ang pamahalaan ay hindi lang para sa Maynila, hindi lang para sa
Malacañang, kundi para sa lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas. Pinapatunayan natin na
ang pambansang gobyerno ay tunay ngang pambansa,” he said.
“Ang akin naman pong panawagan, huwag tayong
magsawa sa pagbabayanihan. Sama-sama po nating abutin ang mas maliwanag na
kinabukasan para sa ating bayan,” he stressed.
According to the Chief Executive, the turn- over
ceremony will not be possible without the support of the Department of Social
Welfare and Development, the National Housing Authority and many other
government agencies.
The President also thanked the Habitat for
Humanity and other organizations that assisted the typhoon survivors in Cagayan
de Oro City in building their new homes.
One of the government support mentioned by the
President includes the Self-employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran or SEAK of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Also, the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) started carrying out its
training-cum-production program for around 600 residents of Cagayan de Oro City
and Iligan City, he said.
The President noted that under the program,
typhoon survivors will be given construction-related trainings such as masonry,
plumbing, welding, and electrical installations.
More than 1,500 new houses were turned over Friday
to beneficiaries throughout Cagayan de Oro City. The government targets to
relocate all 8,000 typhoon survivors by August this year. (PCOO)
Aquino asks residents of Cagayan de Oro City to
help in protecting Science and Technology equipment
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY : President Benigno S.
Aquino III urged residents here on Friday to help the government in protecting
the equipment to be installed by the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) as part of its Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH)
against people who may steal and sell them.
DOST’s project NOAH was just launched recently
in an effort to improve the country’s flood warning system in which 600
automated rain gauges along with 400 water river censors are about to be
established in 18 major river systems and its watersheds nationwide.
President Aquino expressed concern over some
people who have the impudence to pilfer such equipment after they are set up by
the government since these are made of steel that can be sold in junkshops.
“Syempre po automated, nakikusap po ako,
magtulungan po tayo dito. Mayroon ho tayong ibang kababayan ‘nung nakita itong
mga gauges at censors, ang nakita bakal na pwede ibenta por kilo, nawala ang
ating weather gauge at censor. Tulungan po ninyo kaming hulihin ang mga walang
konsensyang taong ito,” the President said in his speech.
According to the President these equipments
would enable the country’s weather bureau to be more specific and more timely
in its predictions on the amount of rainfall that a typhoon may unleash to
avoid a tragedy similar to what happened in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and
Iligan late last year.
“Iisa pa rin po ang layunin natin para sa mga
kababayan nating biktima ng kalamidad -- ang pagbutihin ang kanilang kalagayan,
ang pangalagaan ang kanilang kapakanan, at ang handugan sila ng mas malawak na
pagkakataon sa kaunlaran,” he stressed. (PCOO)
Malacanang says law enforcement agencies beef up
security for Asian Development Bank meeting
Malacanang said on Friday that the country's law
enforcement agencies and concerned government agencies are beefing up security
preparations to ensure the safety and protection of all foreign and local
officials who will attend the 45th Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting
which will take place on May 2-5 at the Philippine International Convention
Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
"Nagkaroon na po ng several coordination
meetings between the agencies concerned with security measures," Deputy
Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing
in Malacanang on Friday.
Around 3,000 policemen from the National Capital
Regional Police Office (NCRPO) were tapped to handle the perimeter security at
the airport and hotels where the delegates will be checked in, and at the PICC
in Pasay City.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA) will open “courtesy lanes” for delegates.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said alternate
truck routes could be utilized by trucks from May 2-5, from 4am to 9pm. This
will be strictly implemented during the four-day ADB conference.
Finance ministers and central bank governors,
representatives from international organizations, private sector, civil
society, and global media are expected to attend the ADB’s annual meeting.
The Asian Development Bank which was established
in 1966 and based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the
Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth,
and regional integration. (PCOO)
Government’s ‘Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program’ beneficiaries already reached over 3-million
The Aquino government’s Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program has already extended assistance to over three million
households as of March as it pursues its economic and social reforms aimed at
alleviating the plight of impoverished families, a Palace official said
on Friday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday that the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that the number of Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program household-beneficiaries already reached 3,029,374.
"As of March 21, 2012, meron na pong
3,029,374 households that are now enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
program. About 97.56 percent po ‘yan noong target natin for 2012," Valte
said.
"Out of the total households, meron pong
7,537,942 children aged between 0 (‘yung bagong panganak) hanggang 14 years old
na covered po noong program. Kalahati ng mga households na ito ay mula sa
Mindanao, while 33.96 percent ay galing sa Luzon at 22.78 percent mula sa
Visayas," she said.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the
Conditional Cash Transfer program of the Aquino administration through the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) aims to immediately
mitigate the burden of the poor families amid the global crisis.
Apart from the significant increases in school
enrolment of poor children, the program improves the number of child
immunization and prenatal medical care.
The government expanded the coverage of the
program to reach out to more poor families across the country. (PCOO)
