Aquino signs two bills into law to strengthen
government capability to identify and prevent illegal financial transactions
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed two
bills into law to enhance transparency and accountability, a Palace official
announced on Monday.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwn
Lacierda said the Chief Executive signed the bills into law entitled “An Act To
Further Strengthen The Anti-Money Laundering Law” and “The Terrorism Financing
Prevention And Suppression Act of 2012."
"Both will strengthen the capability of
government to identify and prevent financial transactions related to illegal activities
and those that undermine global security," Lacierda said.
"These qualify as two out of three reforms
needed for the country’s compliance with the international standards set by the
Financial Action Task Force of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development," he continued.
Lacierda, likewise, said the signing of the
measures is an affirmation of the administration’s commitment to accountability
and transparency which is a cornerstone of President Aquino's governance. (js)
Aquino urges Filipinos to participate in
government’s environment program
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
Filipino people to participate in the government’s environment protection and
preservation programs in efforts to restore the country’s bountiful natural
resources and avert the adverse effects of calamities and climate change.
In his speech during the 25th anniversary of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the Heroes Hall of
the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, the President urged the people to defend the
environment against some unscrupulous groups abusing it and reciprocate
nature’s benefits to them.
“Panahon na para ibalik natin sa kalikasan ang
pag-aarugang ibinigay niya sa atin. Panahon na para patunayang karapat-dapat
tayo sa mga biyayang handog sa atin ng mundong ito. Tayo naman ngayon ang
magtatangol sa ating mga likas na yaman, kaya dapat lamang na bawat isa sa atin
ay mag-ambag para sa tagumpay ng National Greening Program (NGP). Maliban sa
nailalayo tayo nito sa peligrong dulot ng climate change, may direktang tulong
din ang NGP sa kabuhayan ng mga kababayan nating naninirahan sa kabundukan,”
the President said.
The Chief Executive noted the important role of
the DENR and its mandate to protect the environment which, he said, leads to
the preservation of the country’s democracy and freedom.
“Pagkalipas ng dalawampu’t limang taon, hindi pa
rin nagmamaliw ang prinsipyong pinag-uugatan ng mandato ng Department of
Environment and Natural Resources --- na sa masigasig na pangangasiwa ng
pamahalaan, ang paglago ng ating demokrasya ay nakasalalay sa pagyabong at
pangangalaga ng ating likas-yaman,” he said.
The President said that he has already directed
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje to step up the efforts
in caring for the environment in order to achieve the Aquino government’s
pro-environment programs.
“Kaya naman sa tuwid na daan, agad nating
inatasan ang DENR, sa pamumuno ni Kalihim Ramon Paje, na doblehin ang pagkayod
para manumbalik ang sigla ng ating kalikasan. Mantakin po ninyo, ang minana
nating sakop ng kagubatan, 15.8 million hectares. Mahigit kalahati po nito, o
mahigit walong milyong ektarya, ay nakatiwangwang at paubos na. Ayon po sa
DENR, kung aampunin lang natin ang usad-pagong na reforestation program ng
nakaraang administrasyon, kaunti lang naman ang kakailanganin nating taon para
matapos, aabutin tayo ng 280 years bago maisaayos ang mga nasirang kagubatan,”
the President stressed.
President Aquino also underscored the urgency of
implementing such initiatives focusing on the country’s natural resources to
ensure its benefits for the people.
“Kung hindi tayo kikilos para isalba ito, para
na rin nating isinuko ang buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ng milyun-milyong
Pilipino,” the President said.
“Bilang tugon, inilunsad natin ang National
Greening Program—ang pinakamalawak na reforestation program sa kasaysayan ng
ating bansa. Kung 750,000 ektarya ang nataniman ng puno ng DENR sa nakalipas na
25 taon; sa NGP, dodoblehin natin ito sa loob lamang ng anim na taon. Sa unang
taon pa lang ng NGP, malinaw na ang bunga ng ating pagbabayanihan umabot ng
89.6 million seedlings ang ating naitanim sa halos 128,600 ektaryang lupain
bago matapos ang 2011,” he said.
Present during the event were Executive Secretary
Paquito Ochoa Jr., Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary
Sonny Coloma Jr., Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman,
former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and DENR Secretary Paje.
During the event, Paje signed a Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) with Gov. Hataman on Forest Boundary Delineation worth P44
million and Cadastral Survey worth P377 million.
Another MOA was inked on the “Adopt-an-Estero
Program" between the DENR and 36 partner corporations.
Paje also turned over the National Greening
Program check to ARMM Gov. Hataman.
Culminating the celebration was President
Aquino’s viewing of the initial four “Trash Boats” at the Pasig River loading
area which were designed to collect trash in bodies of water. The DENR said that
an additional 20 units of the boat will be used in clean-up activities in
various areas.
The President also led the ceremonial planting
of the 100 millionth seedling of the NGP. It came from the seed of Tindalo tree
that was planted by President Manuel L. Quezon in 1938. Today, the 65-year old
Tindalo tree stands at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Tindalo is a hardwood species used for railroad
ties, high grade furniture, beams, house construction, doors, interior works,
handicrafts, musical instruments, etc. (jcl/1:20 p.m.)
Ochoa: EO to harmonize national, local mining
policies
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on
Tuesday that a final draft of the proposed executive order (EO) on mining had
already been submitted to President Benigno S. Aquino III for his approval.
Ochoa said that thorough consultations with all
the stakeholders and other processes involved in the drafting of the proposal
had been fulfilled, as he expressed hope that the recommended EO will be able
to harmonize the conflicts in the mining policies between the national and
local governments.
“There are mechanisms in the proposal that are
on the way forward, as this proposed EO hopes to strike a balance between
interests or supposedly conflicting interests between the mining industry and
the environment, among others,” the Executive Secretary pointed out.
“It (proposed EO) also made an attempt to
harmonize the seemingly conflicting laws, rules and regulations, particularly
national laws and local laws,” Ochoa also said. “Hopefully, with that we will
be able to put some order in approving and in handling mining applications.”
Ochoa added that there were some suggestions in
the proposed EO, which was based on the resolution of the economic and climate
change clusters, for Congress to pass appropriate laws to further strengthen
the mining industry without compromising the preservation and protection of the
environment.
“There are things we cannot cover in the EO and
can only be achieved through legislation,” he explained.
Ochoa likewise mentioned the possible creation
of a mining council under the proposed EO, but declined to elaborate pending
the approval of the new policy by the Chief Executive.
It will be recalled that President Aquino had
sought a comprehensive review of the existing mining policies and the mining
state of the mining industry vis-à-vis environmental degradation, safety
issues, and dislocation of indigenous peoples.
Aquino urges DENR employees to continue serving
through environment protection programs
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the
employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to
continue their conscientious service to the people through various programs
focused on environmental protection as he assured support to the department’s
initiatives that will benefit the Filipino citizenry.
In his speech during the 25th Anniversary of the
DENR at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino
expressed belief that the anniversary celebration will serve to inspire the
people to create and implement more pro-environment programs to preserve the
country’s natural possessions.
“Nananalig po akong ang nakaraang dalawampu’t
limang taon ng DENR ay magsisilbing inspirasyon upang lalo pa ninyong pagbutihin
ang pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at likas-yaman. Naka-atang sa inyong balikat
ang sabay na pagbabantay at pagbabalanse sa mabilis na pag-usad ng lipunan, at
sa mabuting lagay ng ating kalikasan,” the President said.
“Mulat tayo sa bigat ng tungkuling ito, kaya’t
makakaasa kayong basta para sa kapakanan ng kapaligiran, at para sa kaligtasan
ng taumbayan, hindi tayo magdadalawang-isip na ibigay ang mga pangangailangan
ng DENR. Nasa likod ninyo ako palagi. Kung wala ako sa likod ninyo, siguradong
nasa harap po ninyo ako, pinapangunahan ang ating laban para sa atin pong
kapaligiran,” he added.
The Chief Executive asked for the people’s
cooperative efforts to indulge in effective programs to care for the
environment.
“Simple lamang po ang hiling namin sa inyo:
ituon natin ang ating lakas at atensyon sa pagbuo ng makabuluhan, epektibo, at
kapaki-pakinabang na programa para sa kapakanan ng ating inang kalikasan at ng
taumbayan,” the President said.
“Bilang mga lingkod-bayan, may mga mandatong
ipinagkatiwala sa atin, kaya naman tuparin natin ito nang matapat, at may
dangal. Ito ang magdidilig sa mga ipinunla nating reporma; ito ang
magpapa-usbong sa inalagaan nating demokrasya; at dito magmumula ang mabungang
kinabukasan na ipapamana natin sa mga susunod na Pilipino. Sa tulong ng DENR at
ng bawat isa sa atin dito, tiyak na mapapayabong natin ito,” he concluded.
(jcl/1:55 p.m.)
Aquino allots P5-M for DENR endowment fund
President Benigno S. Aquino III has earmarked
P5-million to be given to the newly-established Endowment Fund in the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which aims to provide
ready assistance to the families and dependents of employees killed in the
performance of their duties.
In his speech during the 25th anniversary of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the Heroes Hall of
the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino underscored the need to
extend assistance to DENR employees who died in the line of duty in connection
with the government’s anti-illegal logging campaign through the newly-formed
“Environmental Heroes Foundation”.
“Iyong foundation na itinayo ninyo –
Environmental Heroes Foundation – kailangan naman po talagang kalingain natin,
kaya inaatasan ko na rin po si Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa na kumuha sa
Presidential Social Fund ng five million (pesos) na idagdag,” the President
said.
The Chief Executive added that he will instruct
the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) to create a task force which will focus on penalizing not only the
culprits but also the big personalities behind their unlawful activities.
“Siyempre, lahat ho tayo matutuwa kung ‘di na
madadagdagan ang kailangang tulungan nitong pondong ‘to. Pabubuuin ko rin po,
sa tulong ng joint na task force po ng PNP at saka ng NBI, na manigurado hindi
lang mahuli ang salarin na actual na nagpapatay, pero pati na rin ang mga nasa
likod po nila at talagang ipa-follow up natin ang progreso ng mga kaso sa
kanilang mahuhuli,” President Aquino noted.
On June 8, 2012, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and
former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno led in launching the Endowment
Fund at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City.
The launching ceremony was highlighted by the
signing of the Articles of Incorporation of the Alay sa Anak ng Bayan (ALAB) ng
Kalikasan Foundation, Inc.
ALAB is a non-stock, non-profit organization
that will be responsible for the management of the endowment fund. Its Board of
Trustees include Paje, Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales, GMA Network chairman and
CEO lawyer Felipe L. Gozon, Civil Service Commission chairman Francisco Duque
III and Puno, who is the chairman of the Board.
Based on its Articles of Incorporation, the ALAB
ng Kailkasan Foundation shall have the primary purpose of promoting the welfare
of the children, or in their absence, minor siblings and the parents 65 years
old and above of officials and employees of the DENR who are killed or rendered
permanently disabled as a result of, or in connection with their discharge of
official functions relating to the lawful implementation and enforcement of
environment and natural resources laws, rules and regulations, by providing
financial assistance in the form of grants for education and/or in-kind related
material support, and to promote the protection and development of said
beneficiaries.
DENR records show that since the start of the
massive campaign against illegal logging, eight (8) DENR employees have already
given up their lives for the protection of the environment while six (6) have
been hurt in various incidents of ambush. (jcl/2:22 p.m.)
Aquino declares June 21 as special non-working
day in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 21, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in Pagadian
City in the province of Zamboanga del Sur in celebration of its 43rd Charter
Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 401 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on June 11 to give the people of Pagadian the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Pagadian became a chartered city on June 21,
1969 by virtue of Republic Act No. 5478. The city is the capital of Zamboanga
del Sur. (js)
President Aquino to keynote convention of ARMM
local executives
DAVAO CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III will
keynote a meeting of local executives of the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao being held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here on Wednesday.
The meeting, dubbed the ARMM LGU (local
government unit) Convention on Local Governance, will tackle various issues
concerning the ARMM regional government such as: transparency and
accountability in governance, corruption, socio-economic development and peace
and security.
It specifically aims to: harmonize regional and
local efforts towards good governance, improve the relationship between
regional government and the local government units, come up with a better
strategy to form an alliance between the national, regional and local
government units; and serve as venue to present the regional government
priority programs and policies.
The President is expected to hand over ARMM’s
first Seal of Good Housekeeping Award to five first- to third- class
municipalities who have qualified to receive incentives and funding support for
being governance-compliant LGUs.
The awardees among ARMM local government units
include: Datu Odin Sinsuat, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Upi — all in Maguindanao --
and Wao in Lanao del Sur.
Sixth-class municipal awardees are Pandami,
Panglima Estino, both in Sulu, Mamasapano, Guindulungan, Talayan, Paglat,
Sultan Mastura and Datu Saudi Ampatuan — all in Maguindanao.
Joining the President will be Interior and Local
Secretary Jesse Robredo, Mindanao Development Authority Lualhati Antonino and
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman. (rck)
Aquino steps up drive against illegal logging
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the
administration remains committed to pursue its anti-illegal logging campaign to
ensure the restoration and preservation of the country’s forests for the
benefit of the future generations.
In his speech during the 25th Anniversary of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the Heroes Hall of
the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, President Aquino said he has directed various
concerned agencies that include the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ) and the DENR to put behind bars those who
will be proven abusing the forests through illegal logging.
“Alam po niyo umabot po sa atin na tila may
hindi naniniwala na talagang seryoso tayo doon sa ban sa logging. Tuluy-tuloy
pa ho ang pagtotroso, mayroon pa hong mga kakuntsaba na miyembro ng pamahalaan.
Tutal naman po diretso tayong hinahamon, Tinatanggap ko po ang hamon. Inaatasan
natin ang mga kalihim ng DILG, DOJ, at DENR na magtulong at pag-isipan,
planuhin, gawin kung paano pa mapapaigiting ang ating kampanya laban sa illegal
logging at maniguradong ang mga conviction ay maparami pa,” the President said.
The Chief Executive warned those who are
involved in illegal logging activities to face the consequences of their
actions under the present government.
“Siguro uutusan na rin natin ang Bureau of
Corrections na maghanda ng mga dagdag na lugar doon para makapagbakasyon na
‘ang mga akala’y nagbibiro ako,” the President said.
With all these efforts being implemented,
Presient Aquino said that he will be expecting from the concerned agencies on
the status of the anti-illegal logging program.
“Inaasahan ko rin na tuwing buwan na may nire-report
sila sa akin, parami nang parami ang mga nahuhuli at naco-convict hanggang
maubos na po sila at magbakasyon lahat sa Bureau of Corrections,” the President
said. (jcl/1:37 p.m.)
Govt prepared for typhoon Carina’s entry, Palace
says
Malacanang said government agencies concerned
with disaster response and relief operations have made several preparations for
tropical storm Carina projected by the weather bureau to affect northern and
central Luzon.
In a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday,
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that according to the
projections of Pagasa, Regions I and II and CAR will be affected by the
tropical storm because of the southwestern monsoon.
“In those following regions, the DSWD has already
standby funds and a stockpile of relief goods. Also, the DOH has prepositioned
medicines and medical supplies in the amount of P400,000 each for Region I and
Region II,” Valte said.
DSWD’s total standby fund and stockpile for
Region I is P2.4 million and for Region 2 the available money is P5.6 million.
For Cordillera Administrative Region, the total standby fund is P 1.3 million.
The Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) has also activated its quick response team and has heavy equipment for clearing
operations on standby and ready for mobilization in landslide prone areas, she
added.
The assets of the Philippine National Police,
the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines are also on standby and ready for mobilization, Valte continued.
Emergency response teams are prepared for
possible evacuation, as well as search and rescue operations, according to
Valte. (as/3:02pm)
