Aquino declares September 26 of every year as
'Save Sierra Madre Day' to step up efforts for the conservation of the Sierra
Madre Mountains
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
September 26 of every year as "Save Sierra Madre Day" in a bid to step
up efforts for “the rehabilitation, reforestation, protection and conservation
of the Sierra Madre Mountains.”
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 413 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on June 19 to help boost awareness among the general public on the importance
of preserving the forest as well as protecting the natural resources of the
country.
The President noted that most of the flooding in
the country can be attributed to the continuous deforestation of the Sierra
Madre Mountains.
“On September 26, 2009, “Typhoon Ondoy” brought
upon our country continuous heavy rains that caused flooding in major cities
and also took the lives of many of our countrymen,” the President said.
"It is proper and fitting to make 26
September of every year as 'Save Sierra Madre Day' to remind our people of the
risks and dangers which a lack of concern and action for the Sierra Madre
Mountains may bring about," the Chief Executive said.
President Aquino directed all sectors of society
and the government to join hands in pursuing activities geared toward the
conservation of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range
in the Philippines. The range starts in the province of Cagayan and ends in the
province of Quezon, just east of Laguna de Bay. PND (js/11:11pm)
President Aquino inaugurates newly constructed
by-pass road in Candelaria, Quezon
LUCENA CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III led
on Monday the inauguration of a by-pass road in Candelaria, Quezon which is
designed to ease the traffic congestion and boost tourism in Quezon province.
After the ceremonial drive-through on the newly
completed project, the President was briefed by Rep. Irvin Alcala on the
salient features of the road project. The by-pass road is one of the two
projects of Rep Alcala.
The recently completed 7.5 kilometer road is a
spacious gateway to Quezon province, which also has four bridges.
In his speech in Lucena City after inaugurating
the road project, the President said 40 percent of the traffic in Maharlika
highway will be diverted to the by-pass road, easing traffic congestion in that
portion of Candelaria.
“Kaya nung tinitingnan ko yung kalsada,
siguradong makakatulong na mabawasan yung trapik dito sa papuntang Quezon at
talaga naman pong masasabi nating medyo may pagbabago na po maski umpisa pa
lang po yan,” the President said.
The chief executive said his administration has
been continuously paying attention to Quezon province in building new
infrastructures. For instance, he said that in 2011, Quezon’s Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had P1.19 billion budget. In 2012, it became
P1.43 billion and in 2013 the administration raised the budget to P2.4 billion,
he added.
If the government could save more money and
Quezon province officials spend their budget wisely, the President promised to
support additional projects in the province by raising more allocation.
“Pag buo ang tiwala n’yo, may hiningi,
makatwiran yung hinihingi, naitutulak natin na mas paspasan yan at puwede na
tayong pumunta sa ibang problema,” the President said.
Local Candelaria leaders expect that the new
road will also boost eco-tourism because of the faster and convenient travel
time particularly in the second district of Quezon. The wider and more
comfortable roads will also boost Candelaria’s growing commercial, residential
and recreational areas. PND (as/2:27pm)
President Aquino leads awarding of ‘Seal of Good
Housekeeping for Barangay Governance’ in Quezon
LUCENA CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III led
here on Monday the awarding of the Seal of Good Housekeeping for Barangay
Governance and the oath taking of new Liberal Party members in Quezon province.
The awarding for good house-keeping and
governance is one of the two projects of Quezon 2nd District Rep. Irvin Alcala.
The search, that was started in March 2011, was initiated with the help of
different non-government organizations.
Winners were selected based on the following
criteria: Good planning (25 percent), sound fiscal management (15 percent),
transparency and accountability (15 percent), valuing performance information
(10 percent), responsiveness to the public (20 percent), and policy audit and
compliance tracking system (15 percent).
The Seal of Good Housekeeping reflects the kind
of leadership and quality of public service that local government units possess
when dealing with their official transactions.
The late Interior and Local Government Secretary
Jesse Robredo launched the initiative to improve the way LGUs govern and
conduct their businesses.
After the awarding ceremonies, the President
witnessed the oath taking of LP members in Quezon. The new Liberal Party members
came from 39 municipalities and two cities in Quezon. The oath taking ceremony
of new LP members is in preparation for the 2013 election.
In his message during the awarding and oath
taking ceremony at the Enverga University gymnasium, the President mentioned
the gains and the reforms carried out by his administration in the last two
years. He also underscored the significance of Monday’s oath taking ceremony to
move the country forward.
Reforms must be implemented collectively, the
President said, adding he can’t do the job alone and he needs the backing of
the people to ensure sustainable changes in the country.
As his government completed two years in power,
the chief executive said he envisions a Philippines becoming a more progressive
and prosperous country when he steps down in 2016.
“Parati akong tinatanong, paano ang mangyayari
kapag wala na kayo? Ang daming hahalinhin sa atin na may parehong pananaw,
pareho ang dedikasyon sa ating mga mamamayan, parehong tatahak ng tuwid na daan
na hindi tayo aasa sa isang tao, sa isang grupo lang, ngunit tayo mismo
maka-aasa sa ating sarili, sa ating kapwa para mapabilis na makarating sa ating
gustong paroonan,” he said.
Joining the President during the Lucena City
events were newly appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel
Roxas, Representatives Erin Tanada, Mark Enverga, Irvin Alcala and former
senator Wigberto Tanada. PND (as/3:30pm)
