Aquino urges new officers of Inner Wheel Club
District 381 to remain as government's partner in uplifting society
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
Inner Wheel Club District 381 to remain steadfast as the administration's
partner in uplifting our society and in adding vigor to the country's steady
march towards equitable progress.
"I look forward to your continued dynamism
in line with our country’s revitalization," President Aquino said in his
message to the Inner Wheel Club District 381 on the occasion of the induction
of its new officers and members on Monday.
The Inner Wheel Club is an organization of
committed women bound by friendship and dedicated to selfless service to
humanity.
The Chief Executive acknowledged the
contributions of the club to nation-building by providing the needed assistance
and undertaking special projects for the community, the youth, the elderly and
the marginalized sectors of society.
"Civic enterprises such as yours contribute
to our shared task of nation-building by supporting our communities through
charitable programs and volunteer activities. Your members today take on the
task of sustaining your organization’s dynamism in public service," the
President said.
"May your new officers guide your club in
its dedication to our nation’s sustained renewal, by bringing about more
projects geared towards revitalizing the communities you serve and the country
as a whole," President Aquino said. (js)
Malacañang underscores importance of
scrutinizing the issuances of mining permits
Malacañang underscored the importance of
scrutinizing all mining permit applications before allowing any company to
begin mining operations to ensure that they comply with regulations set forth
by President Benigno S. Aquino III’s new mining policy.
In a press briefing held in Malacañang on
Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the new mining policy,
laid down in Executive Order No. 79, allows more mining investments to come in
but regulates where and how much of our resources can be used.
“The administration recognizes any investment
and therefore it behooves the administration to study these issues properly,
especially in the light of the new EO and the light of investments in mining,”
Lacierda said.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said
the new presidential directive, which the Chief Executive signed on July 6, is
envisioned to harmonize mining policies and regulations in the country and make
players in the mining industry more transparent and accountable.
President Aquino’s directive identifies zones
closed to mining applications – either for contracts, concessions or agreements
– including areas in the National Tourism Development Plan, critical areas and
island eco-systems, prime agricultural lands covered by RA 6657, strategic
agriculture and fisheries development zones and fish refuge and sanctuaries
declared as such by the Department of Agriculture.
Mining is not allowed in areas already
identified under the existing laws on mining, agrarian and protected areas, as
well as in sites that may be determined by the Department of Environment and
natural Resources (DENR).
Mining contracts, concessions and agreements
approved prior to the issuance of the new directive remain binding provided
that companies comply with existing laws, rules and regulations, and the terms
and conditions of the grant. (rck)
Aquino maintains position not to amend 1987
Constitution at this time; orders legal teams to study basis for Charter Change
being pushed by congressional leaders
President Benigno S. Aquino III has maintained
his position that he is not amenable to amend the 1987 Constitution at this
time, as he issued a directive to his economic and legal teams to study the
underlying basis for the Charter Change being pushed by top congressional
leaders.
The Chief Executive met on Monday with Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. who sought
an audience with him to discuss their proposal to amend the economic provisions
in the Constitution, especially the limitation imposed on foreigners who want
to own property in the country.
"I received word from the President and let
me quote the President so there would be no mistake: “I stated my opposition
but we agreed to have the underlying basis studied by the economic and legal
clusters with private sector participation upon the suggestions of both the
Senate President and the Speaker,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda
said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.
"That’s basically the substance of the
meeting. The President has stated, maintained his opposition but he has agreed
upon the suggestion of the Senate President and the Speaker to have the basis
studied by the economic and legal clusters," Lacierda said.
During the meeting, Enrile and Belmonte have
reportedly outlined their proposed amendments to President Aquino. But the
President stood firm in his position that amending the Constitution is not
necessary at this time.
"And at least they heard straight from the
President that he is opposed to any amendment for now. ....But he has agreed
upon the suggestion of the Senate President and the Speaker to have the basis
studied by the economic and legal clusters," Lacierda said.
The study group is expected to convene the
soonest possible time to carry out the tasks directed by the President.
"Primarily to lay out what the
justifications are that convinced the Senate President and the Speaker to
advocate for Charter Change," he said. (js)
Aquino government welcomes report that Clark
International Airport ranked 3rd best in the world by London-based Financial
Times Business Group
The Aquino administration welcomed reports that
the Clark International Airport was ranked 3rd best airport in the world by the
London-based Financial Times Business Group, a Palace official said on Monday.
"We welcome the assessment made by the
London Financial Times Group. Certainly, we are in the process of improving our
airport facilities," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during
the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.
"That has been the commitment made by
Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas to the President and,
therefore, the said agency will exert all its best efforts to improve the
facilities of not only Clark but also the other airports," Lacierda said.
President Benigno Aquino III vowed to improve
the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Mactan Cebu International Airport and
other airports before the end of his term.
The President also assured that new airports
will be built in the different parts of the country, which includes the New
Bohol Airport in Panglao, New Legaspi Airport in Daraga and Laguindingan
Airport in Misamis Oriental.
"As you know, NAIA-1 is undergoing
rehabilitation in phases. We will be improving the facilities of NAIA-2 and
NAIA-3," Lacierda said.
The London-based Financial Times Business Group
also ranked Clark Freeport Zone 8th best freeport zone in the world.
With the Financial Times ranking, the Clark
Freeport Zone is now part of an elite list of freeport zones in the world,
including the Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dafza), the Dubai International
Financial Centre in UAE and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone in China. (js)
Malacañang announces suspension of government
offices and classes in the college level in the National Capital Region Monday
afternoon due to typhoon 'Gener'
Malacanang announced the suspension of
government offices and classes in the college level in the National Capital
Region (NCR) on Monday afternoon due to storm "Gener."
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. issued
Memorandum Circular No. 32 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
"In view of the continuing inclement
weather brought about by storm "Gener," work in government offices
and classes in the college level in the National Capital Region are herby suspended
today, 30 July 2012 from 2:30 p.m. onwards," Ochoa said.
"However, those agencies whose functions
involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness, and response
to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public
services shall continue with their operations in rendering the necessary
services," he said. (js)
