President Aquino assures that 6,000 more sitios
will be provided with electricity by yearend
Residents in the far flung regions of the
Philippines will soon join the ranks of those enjoying the benefits of having
electricity in their homes after President Bengino S. Aquino III assured that
6,007 more sitios in the remotest barangays of the country would be provided
with electricity by the end of 2012.
The President gave the assurance in his speech
keynoting the 33rd Annual General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Rural
Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) held at the Philippine Trade
Training Center in Pasay City on Thursday.
He said that after two years in office, his
administration, with the help of the Department of Energy, National
Electrification Administration and stakeholders like PHILRECA, have been slowly
but surely bringing the benefits of electrification to more and more Filipinos.
He added that from October 2011 up to July of
this year, 2,400 sitios (a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay,
the location of which may be distant from the center of the barangay itself)
have already been electrified.
The President pointed out that this feat was
made possible through good governance and the will of the Filipino people.
“Sa loob ng dalawang taon, pinatunayan natin sa
harap ng samu’t saring problema, tapat na pamamahala, ugnayan at pakikilahok ng
taumbayan ang solusyon para gawing posible ang tila dati’y imposible talaga,”
the President said.
“Ganito mismo ang ginawa natin upang mula
Oktubre 2011 hanggang Hulyo ng taong ito, napailawan natin ang halos 2,400 na
mga sitio. Kumpyansa tayong sa pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at ng mga electric
cooperatives, mapapailawan natin ang target na 6,007 sitios,” he stressed.
The President acknowledged that while there are
more needs to be done in order to bring the benefits of electricity to all,
with the help of the energy sector, its stakeholders and the Filipino people,
this gargantuan task can be done.
“Opo, sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon marami na
tayong nagawa. Subalit hindi dito nagtatapos ang tungkulin natin. Mas marami pa
tayong kayang gawin, mas marami pa tayong dapat gawin. Hangga’t may isang
paslit na gasera pa rin ang ilaw sa pagsagot ng asignatura; hangga’t may bahay
pa ring kandila ang bumbilya; hangga’t may barangay o sitio pa ring ni walang
posteng ilaw sa kanilang kalsada, patuloy tayong maghahanap ng paraan upang sa
lalong madaling panahon maging fully electrified na ang buong bansa,” the
President said.
“Sa pakikiisa ng Philreca at sa lakas na kaloob
ng taumbayan, tiwala akong magagawa natin ito,” he added. (rck)
Aquino cites invaluable role of electric
cooperatives as partner of government in its electrification program
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the
invaluable role of electric cooperatives as partners of the government in
providing electricity for all Filipinos no matter how far they are from Manila.
In his speech keynoting the 33rd Annual General
Membership Meeting of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association,
Inc. (PHILRECA) at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City on
Thursday, the Chief Executive thanked the electric cooperatives for their
support and dedication to the government’s electrification program.
“Hindi maikakaila ang malaking tungkulin na
ginagampanan ng mga electric cooperatives upang matiyak na ang mga liblib na
sitios at barangay na dati ay nangangapa sa dilim ay natatanglawan ngayon ng
pagkakataon dahil sa malawakang adbokasiya nating mapailawan ang bawat sulok ng
bansa,” the President said.
“Kaya naman, sa ngalan ng bawat Pilipinong
natutulungan ninyo, taus-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa mga pinuno, miyembro,
at sa isangdaan at labingsiyam na kasaping kooperatiba ng Philippine Rural
Electric Cooperatives Association o Philreca,” he added.
Formerly known as Federation of Electric
Cooperatives of the Philippines, PHILRECA is the apex organization of 119
electric cooperatives operating across the archipelago.
It was organized in July 1979 as a non-stock,
non-profit, and non-political organization, and registered with the National
Electrification Administration, the government agency tasked with implementing
the rural electrification program. (rck)
Malacanang says flood mitigation and relocation
are key priority programs of government to ensure safety of Filipinos
The relocation of the people living in danger
areas and the implementation of more flood mitigating programs are some of the
key priorities of the Aquino government, a senior government communications
official said on Thursday.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential
Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon
Carandang bared that over P10 billion has been allocated by the government to
pursue these projects to lessen the vulnerability of the people during typhoons
and ensure their safety in times of calamities.
“As you know may programa tayo to relocate some
of the people living in the danger areas… we’ve allocated over 10 billion pesos
to these and that work is ongoing but clearly naabutan tayo ng ulan, those
projects are ongoing and we’re hopeful that over the next few years we will see
the effects of these programs,” Carandang said.
“One is further flood mitigation, second is
relocation… I think that’s been announced in the past hindi pa tayo natatapos
dun, that’s not going to happen overnight... so we can expect at least for the
next few months we will continue to help communities living in these areas,” he
added.
Carandang further noted that the Aquino
government, through its various concerned agencies, has been coordinating to
assess the situation and formulate the necessary actions to be taken for the
safety of the people.
“What we’ve seen from the storms over the last
few days is that it looks as if more work can be done… what we’ve seen over the
last two days is that the zero casualty remains an aspiration that we’re
working for... We will have an assessment of this and we will take appropriate
actions based on the assessment,” Carandang said.
When asked on the administration’s political
will to implement these programs considering the coming elections next year,
Carandang assured that it will never be a factor for the national government.
“As far as the national government is concerned
‘yung elections is not going to be a factor, these people are living in areas
which could put them in danger next time there’s a storm and that is going to
be the primary consideration, so we will coordinate with the local governments,
we will listen to their concerns but the number one priority will be to
continue and perhaps even hasten our efforts to relocate these families,”
Carandang stressed.
Over the past week, Metro Manila and some
provinces in Northern and Southern Luzon were greatly affected by the recent
weather disturbances.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the continuous rains brought by typhoon
‘Gener’ (international name: Saola) has left at least 23 people dead and five
injured.
It added that some 49,118 families or 234,487
persons have been affected by the recent typhoon.
The NDRRMC report also revealed that a total of
1,172 houses were damaged with 31,457 families or 156,681 individuals taking
shelter in evacuation centers.
In its continuous contingency efforts for the
typhoon victims, the government has already provided P1.530 million worth of
assistance to the different regions of the country.
The destruction caused by “Gener” was placed at
P2.130 million based on the initial estimate of the government. (jcl/1:40 p.m.)
President Aquino approves creation of Mindanao
Power Monitoring Committee
President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued
Executive Order No. 81 creating the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC)
to facilitate all initiatives aimed at improving the energy supply in the
southern region.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on
Thursday that under E0 81 signed by President Aquino July 30, the coordinating
body will monitor, harmonize and integrate recommendations designed to address
the concerns of the Mindanao power industry sector.
“The President approved the formation of the
MPMC since there is a need for a team or a body that will study the feasibility
of recommendations to address the power situation in Mindanao,” Ochoa said. “It
will ensure that coordination and monitoring are in place to better the power
situation in Mindanao.”
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA),
which was established under Republic Act No. 9996 and is currently chaired by
Luwalhati Antonino, will oversee the MPMC. The coordinating body also serves as
the secretariat.
Other members of the MPMC are the Department of
Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification
Administration, National Power Corporation and the Power Sector Assets and
Liabilities Management Corp. Representatives from the Mindanao Electric Power
Alliance and Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives are likewise
enjoined to become members of the committee.
The President directed the MPMC to develop a
database on pertinent information regarding the power sector in Mindanao,
assess the energy situation in the region and evaluate the viability of the
recommendations put forward following the Mindanao power summit, among others.
Government agencies, including state-owned and
-controlled corporations, are asked to assist the MPMC to help it carry its
mandate.
According to Ochoa, initial funding for MPMC
will come from the contingent fund and other sources that may be determined by
the Department of Budget and Management. The subsequent budget will be
incorporated in the regular appropriation for MinDA.
EO No. 81 takes effect immediately upon its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
TOP
Palace asks claimant countries in West
Philippine Sea to observe previously agreed declaration to ease tensions
Malacanang has asked claimant countries in the
West Philippine Sea to observe the declaration previously agreed by all parties
to prevent the escalation of tensions in the disputed territory.
In a media briefing in Malacanang on Thursday,
Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and
Strategic Planning Office said the Philippine government is not aware of the
area in the West Philippine Sea that the People’s Republic of China is going to
bid out for exploration.
There was a report saying that China plans to
bid out oil blocks in portions of the West Philippine Sea.
Carandang was asked by reporters about the
country’s position in case China allows exploration of areas that are part of
the territories being claimed by the Philippines.
“We’re not sure what areas specifically that
China plans to bid out. So if they are in areas that are disputed like the
Kalayaan Group of Islands where there are other claimants like the Philippines,
Brunei, Malaysia, and then Taiwan and Vietnam, then I understand that the Code
of Conduct while it’s not binding, the spirit of it is that countries will not
take any efforts to increase tensions,” he said.
“And so we would remind our friends, not just
China that, in the spirit of the Code of Conduct, it might be better not to
take actions that would raise tensions.”
The Palace official also mentioned the bidding
to be held on Monday by the Philippine government to open up some areas within
the country’s jurisdiction for energy exploration
The areas to be bidded out for exploration are
within Philippine territory and are not being contested, he said.
“This is not part of what is generally
considered disputed territory. Hindi ito kasama ng Spratlys, hindi ito kasama
ng Kalayaan Islands. This is part of Philippine territory so we don’t see any
problem with that,” Carandang said.
Carandang also made an assurance that the
Philippine government will protect exploration companies that will work in the
area, adding that the government will exercise its right as a sovereign country
to bid out licenses.
“And if those people who have licenses need
protection, we will provide them to the best of our ability,” he said.
With regards to the standoff in the Panatag
Shoal, Carandang assured the public that all efforts are still being undertaken
to find a peaceful, legal and diplomatic solution to the disputes happening
over the West Philippine Sea. (as/2:09pm)
Aquino receives NBA champion Miami Heat head
coach Erik Spoelstra in Malacanang
President Benigno S Aquino III received Miami
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra during a courtesy call in Malacanang on
Thursday.
Spoelstra met with the President after holding a
welcome-back press conference at the Marriott Hotel Manila on Thursday.
This is Spoelstra’s fourth visit to the country.
He arrived in Manila along with the Larry O’ Brien trophy as part of the NBA
Trophy Tour.
The Miami Heat clinched the NBA championship
with a 121-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder last June, winning the finals
series 4-1.
Spoelstra was born on November 1, 1970 in
Evanston, Illinois. He is the first Filipino-American head coach in the NBA, as
well as the first Filipino-American head coach of any North American
professional sports team.
The NBA champion coach grew up in Portland,
Oregon, where he graduated from Jesuit High School in 1988 and from the
University of Portland in 1992. At the Jesuit High School, Spoelstra excelled
in basketball posting high records in assists, three-points and free throws.
At the University of Portland, Spoelstra was the
Pilots’ starting point guard for four years and was named the West Coast
Conference Freshman of the Year.
After graduation from college, he spent two
years as a player/coach for TuS Herten (later the Herten Ruhr Devils), a German
professional team.
From 2001 to 2008, Spoelstra served as assistant
coach/director of scouting for the team. He coached the Miami Heat to 90 wins
and two playoff runs in his two years as coach.
Spoelstra joined the Miami Heat staff in 1995 as
the team’s video coordinator. In April 2008, Spoelstra was named successor to
Pat Riley as head coach of Miami Heat.
His father, Jon Spoelstra, was an NBA executive
for the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Buffalo Braves and New Jersey
Nets. His mother, Elisa Celino is from San Pablo, Laguna in the Philippines.
Spoelstra’s grandfather, Watson, was a Detroit
Tigers beat writer for many years. (as/4:17pm)
Aquino exhorts the Filipino youth to participate
in nation-building
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the youth
to participate in nation-building by showing compassion and generosity and
extending hands to fellowmen to help revitalize the country's progress and
development.
During the awarding ceremonies of the Ten
Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang
on Thursday, the Chief Executive asked the youth to look after the welfare of
fellow Filipinos to attain a brighter future.
"Binigyan ka ng biyaya ng Dios, binigyan ka
ng pagkakataon. Anong gagawin mo sa pagkakataon na ito? Tayo ba ay tutungo sa
pangsarili natin o pwede tayo tumingin sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa," he
said.
The President feted 10 students from among the
30 national finalists who were recognized for their academic and professional
excellence, leadership and social responsibility anchored on good moral values.
The TOSP 2012 awardees are Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco
Abante from the Ateneo de Manila University, Angelita Adajar Bombarda from the
De La Salle University, Jerome Ven David from De La Salle University-Manila,
John Michael Flores Dellariarte from Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Daniel
Philip Villaranda Dy from Ateneo de Naga University, Jay-R Mesa Mendoza from
University of Rizal System-Morong Campus, Ruthell Angusto Moreno from West
Visayas State University, Maria Janua Bacolod Polinar from Central Mindanao
University, Kurt Gerrard Tiu See from De La Salle University-Manila, and Juan
Carlo Pe Tejano from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
This year, around 243 entries were submitted for
regional screening, 87 of which were screened by the assembly to select the top
30 finalists.
Aside from the Ten Outstanding Students of the
Philippines (TOSP), the Chief Executive also congratulated all 30 finalists.
The Chief Executive called on the youth to
remain committed to initiating and inspiring endeavors for the country's
progress.
The TOSP continuously recognizes the best
students through the auspices of RFM Foundation, Inc. with the cooperation of
the Commission on Higher Education, and National Bookstore among others.
Anchored on promoting integrity, excellence,
fear of God and service as a way of life to produce competent future leaders,
the TOSP was established on June 19, 1961, the centennial birth anniversary of
national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr. (js)
