Aquino says retail convention serves to further
strengthen industry players and stockholders’ role in nation building and
progress
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the
holding of the 7th Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention at the
World Trade Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, saying the event provided
industry players, members and stockholders a chance to improve and manage more
effectively their businesses for increased profits through exchanges and
interactions with experts, top managers and producers.
In his speech keynoting the event, the President
also said the retail convention showcases the important role retailers and
small store owners play towards nation building and progress.
“Sa ika-pitong pagkakataon, muling magsisilbing
entablado ang programang ito upang kilalanin ang mahalagang papel ng mga
negosyante ng micro, small and medium enterprises sa kaunlaran ng ating
ekonomiya,” the President said.
He pointed out that the retail industry plays a
significant role in the nation’s overall economic health as it comprised 13
percent or P1.3-trillion out of the Philippines’ P9.7-trillion gross domestic
product (GDP) for 2011.
“Tandaan po natin: marami sa sektor na ito ay
nagmumula sa micro, small and medium enterprises, o sa mga maliliit na
negosyong tulad ng mga sari-sari store,” the President said.
He added that because of this important role,
retail companies such as the Puregold Price Club, Inc., owner of the famous
retail chain Puregold and lead convenor of the event, has provided its members,
store owners and stakeholders a chance to improve on their business.
“Dito, personal niyong makakaharap at makakausap
ang mga kapwa ninyo negosyante, maging ang inyong mga trade suppliers at
product manufacturers. Pagkakataon po ito para makipag-ugnayan at magbahagi ng
mga ideyang pangkaunlaran sa isa’t isa,” the President said.
“Sa pamamagitan naman ng mga training, seminar,
at workshop, maaaring mapayabong ang inyong kaalaman at kakayahan sa
pagnenegosyo. Matuturuan kayong mas maging epektibo na sa tamang pamamalakad ay
mapalago ninyo ang inyong mga tubo,” he added. (PCOO)
Aquino declares June 6 as special non-working
day in Zamboanga del Norte in celebration of its 60th Foundation Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 6 which falls on a Wednesday as a special (non-working) day in the
province of Zamboanga del Norte in celebration of its 60th Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 380 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on Monday, May 14, to give the people of Zamboanga del Norte the full
opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate
ceremonies.
Zamboanga Representative Roseller Lim authored
the bill that divided the province of Zamboanga into the provinces of Zamboanga
del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
On June 6, 1952, the bill became the Republic
Act No. 711 that created the Province of Zamboanga del Norte with Dipolog as
the capital town and the Province of Zamboanga del Sur with Pagadian as its
capital. (PCOO)
Aquino assures sari-sari store owners of
continued government assistance
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured
sari-sari store owners, micro, small and medium enterprise advocates and
entrepreneurs of continued government support in their endeavors in order for
them to effectively run their respective businesses.
In his speech keynoting the 7th Tindahan ni
Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention held at the World Trade Center in Pasay
City on Wednesday, the President told the participants that they could count on
the government as a partner in the upliftment and betterment of their lives.
And this, the President said, has started with
the easing of requirements needed to put up a small business.
He pointed out that the usual practice of having
to go from office to office just to get the required papers to register a
business has now been made easy through the Philippine Business Registry and
Business Name Registration System.
“Hindi po ba’t noon, kulang na lang ay
tumambling ka patungo sa iba’t ibang opisina, sa iba’t ibang sulok ng ating mga
bayan para lang makakuha ng mga papeles tulad ng PAG-IBIG at SSS? Imbes na
gobyerno po ‘nung araw ang tutulong sa inyo, parang sila pa ang naghahatid ng
perwisyo. Ngayon po, napabilis na natin ang mga proseso para sa business
registration sa pamamagitan ng ating Philippine Business Registry at Business
Name Registration System,” the President said.
He added that the simple task of getting a
business permit is now undergoing tweaking and fine-tuning in order to make it
easier.
“Mayroon na rin po tayong SME Caravans na
nag-iikot sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa upang mahikayat ang ating mga
kababayan na magnegosyo o kaya ay mapalago ang kanilang kasalukuyang negosyo.
Sa katunayan, mula po Abril ng 2011, umabot na sa dalawampu’t apat na lugar sa
iba’t ibang panig ng bansa ang nabisita ng naturang Caravan. Halos
labing-walong libong Pilipino po ang nakiisa sa atin dito,” he added.
The President said that the easing of rules and
requirements of putting up a business in the country has been felt around the
world and is seen with the increasing confidence international business
communities have on the country to invest here.
“Maging ang ibang bansa, ramdam na rin ang
pagbabago sa Pilipinas. Dahil sa mabuting pamamahala, patuloy na tumataas ang
kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante—lokal man o dayuhan—na mamuhunan sa atin pong
bayan,” the President said.
He enjoined all Filipinos to make their dreams
for themselves and their families a reality by investing their skill anjd
fortitude in becoming a business owner and entrepreneur.
“Ang pangarap, magsimula man sa pira-piraso, ay
posibleng makamit kapag tinambalan ng sigasig at pagsusumikap. Sama-sama po
nating paunlarin ang ating bayan tungo sa mas masaganang kinabukasan,” the
President said. (PCOO)
Aquino extends his support for Jessica Sanchez;
hopes that the Filipino-Mexican singer 'reaches the top'
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday threw
his support to 16-year old Filipino-Mexican-American singing sensation Jessica
Sanchez, hoping that “she reaches the top” in her ongoing ‘Idol’ journey.
The President Aquino said he was “very happy” to
find out that Sanchez made it to the Top 3 of the US hit television show
“American Idol” which is now on its 11th season given the tremendous amount of
support she has garnered from various communities.
“Syempre matutuwa ka naman doon na number three
na yata ngayon saka ‘yung naso-solicit niyang support from the communities that
are eagerly watching her, ano, wish her well. Hopefully she really reaches the
top,” the President said in a recent interview with Bombo Radyo Philippines.
Malacañang through Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte over the weekend expressed confidence on Sanchez’s
chances of becoming the next ‘American Idol’ owing to the momentum she has
gained and the overwhelming support of her fans.
“Final three na ito and we really are hoping for
the best. We are wishing her the best of luck in this final stretch at sana po
‘yung susunod na American Idol ay magiging si Jessica Sanchez,” Valte said.
Sanchez was born and raised in Chula Vista,
California. Her mother, Editha, is a Filipina who traces her roots from Bataan.
Her father, Gilbert, on the other hand is a Mexican-American who serves in the
US Navy.
She has consistently wowed the judges and fans
all over the world by delivering stunning performances week after week in the
‘Idol’ stage including Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, Beyonce’s
“Sweet Dreams”, and Jennifer Holliday’s “And I Am Telling You”.
After surviving last week’s elimination, Sanchez
becomes the lone female contestant vying to become this year’s ‘American Idol’.
She was recently given a hero’s welcome during her visit to her Chula Vista
hometown which is part of the show’s tradition for its Top 3 contestants.
Sanchez is expected to sing three songs during
Top 3’s performance night this Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). She, along with
the two other remaining contestants (Phillip Phillips and Joshua Ledet), will
be competing for America’s votes before moving on to the show’s finale on May
23. (PCOO)
Aquino certifies as urgent Sin Tax Reform Bill
President Benigno S. Aquino III has certified as
urgent the Sin Tax Reform Bill that seeks to increase taxes on cigarettes and
alcohol products.
“Kakapirma ko po ng certification na urgent,”
the President announced during his exclusive interview with Bombo Radyo
Philippines aired on Wednesday morning.
House Bill 5727 or Sin Tax Reform Bill was
recently passed by the House Committee on Ways and Means. The bill, authored by
Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, will restructure alcohol and
cigarette taxes.
The President said that the measure will
strengthen the current tax structure and will also help the tobacco farmers to
sell their products for more competitive prices.
“Yung sitwasyon ho sa tobacco, for instance, ay
nagkaroon ng merger—‘yung dalawang dating magkalaban, naging isa na lang na
malaki. At ‘yung batas, ‘yung kasalukuyang batas, sinisigurado ang monopolya
nitong kaisa-isang natira. Parang nadi-discourage ‘yung lahat ng ibang mga
players na pwedeng maging competitive. Ang epekto po sa magsasaka, iisa lang
ang bebentahan... paano mo mapapaangat ang presyo ng ibebenta mong produkto
kung iisa lang ang bumibili? Talagang magkakaroon tayo ng sitwasyon na ayaw mo,
huwag mo,” he explained.
President Aquino added that the restructuring of
the sin tax system will bring in additional revenues to the government that can
be used to fund public healthcare and provide livelihood assistance to farmers.
“Now, ang paniwala namin, pagtaas nitong buwis
na ito dadagdag ng mga 33 billion pesos ang paghahatian ng lahat ng
tobacco-growing areas at naka-earmark na,” he said. “Pero mapupunta ito doon sa
health-related na activities at meron din para sa pagsuporta sa livelihood
nitong mga magsasaka na nandyan sa tobacco.”
“In short, tinutulungan natin ‘yung magsasaka in
the sense na merong ibang bibili ng tobacco mo, hindi—ulitin ko nga—hindi ho
iisang grupo. Iisa na lang ang bumibili ng tobacco at pwede niyang sabihin kung
ano ang presyo niya at wala kang pupuntahang iba,” he added.
The President said that the measure will also
create a more level playing field in the tobacco market adding that the bill
will also discourage alcohol and tobacco use.
“Tapos ito nga ho, sin product, ako po’y aminado
naninigarilyo ako, gusto rin nating i-discourage dahil malaki ang gastos sa
health nito at isama na rin natin ‘yung inumin,” he said. (PCOO)
Ochoa: PNoy grants P3-M to CSFI scholarship
program
President Benigno S. Aquino III has granted a
P3-million assistance to the scholarship program of the Congressional Spouses
Foundation Inc. (CSFI), Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on
Wednesday.
The monetary support, Ochoa said, will be taken
from the Presidential Social Fund and is hoped to boost CSFI’s scholarship
program which complements government initiatives to make education more
accessible to the youth.
According to Ochoa, the government is determined
to implement reforms and improve the country’s educational system, as well as
provide the less-privileged with the means to send their children to school. He
also cited the support of Congress to the Aquino administration in realizing
its goals to empower Filipinos, especially the youth, through better quality of
education.
“In the President’s first two years in office,
the budget for education has received substantial increases, increases that
will allow us to address teacher and classroom shortages,” Ochoa said.
The additional funds, he said, will be used to
hire 13,000 more teachers; construct, repair or rehabilitate 45,231 classrooms;
and purchase more than 2.53 million school desks and chairs.
“To complement these budget increases, our
conditional cash transfer program will focus on monitoring household-beneficiaries
to ensure attendance of their children in day care and kindergarten for those
ages 3 to 5, and in primary and secondary schools for those ages 6 to 14,” he
added.
Ochoa also underscored the importance of
education to help the youth achieve their dreams and as a crucial component to
push the nation towards progress and development.
Initially, the CSFI has awarded scholarships to
100 high school graduates nationwide. (PCOO)
