Thursday 31 May 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, May 31, 2012


Aquino declares July 16 as special non-working day in Cordillera Administrative Region in celebration of its 25th Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared July 16, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the Cordillera Administrative Region in celebration of its 25th Foundation Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 391 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 29, 2012 to give the people of the Cordillera Administrative Region the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

President Aquino granted the request of the Regional Development Council-Cordillera Administrative Region to declare July 16 instead of July 15 which falls on a Sunday as a special (non-working) day in the region.

In July 15, 1987, Executive Order No. 220 was issued creating the Cordillera Administrative Region consisting of the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and the Mountain Province. (PCOO)

Malacanang cites country’s GDP growth in first quarter of 2012; says it’s the highest growth rate in entire ASEAN region

Malacanang bared the significant growth in the country’s economy that were attributed to the continued confidence by the private sector on the Aquino administration, including the increase in exports and the increase in expenditures by the Filipino people.

In a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte read a statement on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2012 which, she said, was the highest in Asia and in the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

“The Philippine economy grew by 6.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2012. The better than expected economic growth was due to sustained private sector confidence and accelerated government spending. There were healthy increases in the services sector, complemented by growth in exports and increases in household consumption expenditures,” Valte said.

“The first quarter GDP figure validates the optimistic outlook of the President and his economic team. It is the highest first quarter GDP growth in a non-election year since 2006; the second highest in Asia; and the highest growth rate in the entire ASEAN region for this period,” she added.

“We are confident that the positive trajectory of our GDP growth will be sustained in the latter quarters of this year, which has traditionally demonstrated more robust and dynamic economic performance. Moreover, this affirmation of our country’s steady advance toward inclusive growth comes at the heels of Moody’s Investors Service upgrade of our credit outlook to positive from stable. All indications point to the global economy’s continued confidence in the Philippines, as well as to a more optimistic outlook within the country,” Valte explained.

At the height of these achievements, Valte assured that the government will continue to pursue its reform agenda and efforts to ensure the improvement of the lives of the Filipinos.

“The hard work continues, on the firm foundations of these recent achievements. As the Aquino administration has been resolute in carrying out its agenda of reform and in institutionalizing good governance, it will continue to be equally steadfast in translating our economy’s gains into employment opportunities, programs geared toward poverty alleviation, and the systemic improvement of the way of life of Filipinos,” Valte noted. (PCOO)

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Palace announces approval of two major projects

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved on Wednesday two projects for implementation, Malacanang announced on Thursday.

The NEDA Board, chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III met on Wednesday in Malacanang.

During the regular press briefing in Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that out of the eight projects discuss during the meeting the board approved only two.

The first project is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway Project, the Phase 2 of the Expressway project which has a total project cost of P15.8 billion.

The second project is the National Sewerage and Septage Management Program, a project in a pilot phase, which has a total capital cost of P26.3 billion.

Two weeks ago, the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC CabCom) of the NEDA Board approved five projects on transportation, infrastructure and health worth P32.67 billion aimed at building and rehabilitating vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and hospitals.

The NEDA Board, chaired by the President, is the country’s highest development planning and policy coordinating body. The board is comprised of various Cabinet secretaries, the president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The ICC, which is one of the interagency committees of the NEDA Board, evaluates the fiscal, monetary and balance-of-payments implications of major national projects. (PCOO)

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Aquino receives Iraqi Foreign Minister in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III received on Thursday Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari during a courtesy call in efforts to advance the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Iraq.

The meeting was held at the Music Room of MalacaƱang Palace. Foreign Minister Zebari was joined by Iraq Ambassador to the Philippines Wadee Batti Hanna Al-Batti.

Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto F. del Rosario and Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Zebari arrived in the country for a three-day official visit from May 31 to June 2 upon the invitation of Secretary del Rosario.

Del Rosario and the Foreign Minister of Iraq are expected to discuss wide-ranging bilateral issues, including the convening of the 7th Philippines-Iraq Joint Commission Meeting this year.

During his visit to Iraq last January 29, 2012 Sec. del Rosario extended the invitation to Minister Zebari.

"The Foreign Minister’s visit is an important milestone in Philippine-Iraq relations as it is the first visit of an Iraqi Foreign Minister to the Philippines," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

There is an estimated 279 Filipinos registered with the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad and 192 in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region. (PCOO)

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Aquino to attend International River Summit in Iloilo City

President Benigno S. Aquino III is visiting Iloilo City on Friday to attend the First Philippine International River Summit, inspect ongoing projects in the city and distribute health cards and land certificates to the poor beneficiaries.

Upon his arrival, the President will proceed to Jaro, Iloilo City for the international river summit. He will lead the inauguration of the new Iloilo City Hall and will be briefed on different ongoing projects in the city.

The President will likewise lead the awarding of PhilHealth cards and certificate of lot awards to residents affected by the river development project.

The Chief Executive will also inspect the Iloilo River Esplanade Project in Bgy. San Rafael, Iloilo City.

The Philippines is presently holding the First Philippine International River Summit which started last May 30 and ends on June 1 at the Centennial Resort and Convention Center in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The summit is part of the continuing effort of the government to effectively manage the country’s rivers and river basins.

The meeting, with the summit theme “My River, My Life,” will focus on four major issues such as governance, biodiversity conservation and management, climate change, disaster risk management and quality water management.

Leading experts in the field of river management, aquatic biodiversity and global climate change from the US, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other Asian countries are meeting in Iloilo City to share sustainable river basin management practices that can be replicated by other cities.

The Iloilo City river summit is the first ever in the Philippine initiative that seeks to provide a global platform for action on environmental, economic and social issues confronting rivers and river basins.

The global forum serves as a venue for leading experts, scientists, policy makers and local leaders to identify challenges, opportunities and best practices for effective river and river basin management.

The summit will particularly focus on rivers in the urban centers that are supportive to the attainment of sustainable cities.

Joining the President during the event will be Sen. Franklin Drilon, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor and other local Iloilo leaders. (PCOO)