Aquino attends 2012 Ramon Magsaysay awarding
ceremony
President Benigno S. Aquino III attended Friday
the 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Award expressing his admiration to the winners of this
year’s award as he hopes that the awardees continue their work for the benefit
of the Asian people.
“I believe that each and every person who hears
your stories will find reason to be more hopeful about the prospects of all
humankind. As President of this country, let me tell you --- we admire your
work, and I am hopeful that you continue helping improve the world that we
collectively live in,” the President said in his message during the awarding
ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center.
“As my people have assured me, so do I assure
you: You are not alone. We are all allies in striving to live up to the example
set by President Ramon Magsaysay, with his big heart, his honest mind, his
sound instincts, his virtue of healthy impatience, and his abiding love for the
common man,” he added.
The President also remembered Interior and Local
government Secretary Jesse Robredo, also a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, who served
his countrymen following the visions of the late Philippine president.
He described Robredo as “unassuming,
unpretentious, and a very effective” leader who kept himself close to the
people. Although busy doing his duties as a government official, the late
secretary remained a simple husband and father to his family, the President
noted.
The nation suffered a great loss when Robredo
died, the President continued, noting however that Friday’s awarding ceremonies
would remind the people that there are still excellent, like-minded individuals
continuing to work here in the Philippines or in other countries for the
benefit of the greater number of people.
“And, truly, that is the greatest tribute we can
make to the memory of a great man, the late President Ramon Magsaysay and all
past winners of this award—getting back to work, and fulfilling, in our own
small ways, their grand vision for the world,” he said.
Among the 2012 Ramon Magsaysay awardees include
Chen Shu-Jui (Taiwan), Kulandei Francis (India), Syeda Rizwana Hasan
(Bangladesh), Yang Saing Koma (Cambodia), and Romulo Davide (Philippines)
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was created in 1957,
the year the late President Magsaysay died in a plane crash in Cebu. President
Magsaysay was well-loved for his simplicity and humility, passion for justice
and his advancement of human dignity.
The Philippine government, the trustees of the
Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) established the Award to honor his memory and
perpetuate his example of integrity in public service and pragmatic idealism
within a democratic society.
The Magsaysay award program pursues the mission
of “honoring greatness of spirit in selfless service to the peoples of Asia.”
The award is given to persons - regardless of race, nationality, creed or
gender - who address issues of human development in Asia with courage and
creativity, which have improved their societies.
Currently, the Ramon Magsaysay Award program is
managed by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) board of trustees
composed of nine Filipinos serving staggered four-year terms. (as)
Aquino issues proclamation 459 declaring
regular, special holidays for 2013
President Benigno S. Aquino III issued
Proclamation 459 declaring regular holidays, special non-working holidays and
special holiday for schools for the year 2013.
The following regular holidays and special days
for the year 2013 shall be observed in the country:
Regular Holidays for 2013 are as follows:
New Year’s Day - January 1 (Tuesday)
Maundy Thursday - March 28
Good Friday - March 29
Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Tuesday)
Labor Day - May 1 (Wednesday)
Independence Day - June 12 (Wednesday)
National Heroes Day - August 26 (Last Monday of
August)
Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Saturday)
Christmas Day - December 25 (Wednesday)
Rizal Day - December 30 (Monday)
Special (non-working) Days
Black Saturday - March 30
Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Wednesday)
All Saints Day - November 1 (Friday)
Additional special (non-working) days
December 24 (Tuesday)
December 31 (Tuesday)
Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 25
(Monday)
The proclamations declaring national holidays
for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after
the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in
accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon
Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient, the
proclamation read. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall
inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.
The proclamation, signed by the President August
16, shall take effect immediately and the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) shall promulgate its implementing guidelines. (as)
Cooperation needed to prepare major cities from
strong earthquakes, says Malacanang
Preparing Metro Manila for earthquakes needs
concerted efforts from every family, communities, and government agencies noted
a Palace official following reports a strong earthquake rocked central
Philippines last Friday,
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
was asked in a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan how prepared
Metro Manila is for a major quake.
Valte Noted that such things depend on the
cooperation of each family, noting the importance of disaster preparedness
drills. She also appealed to the public to check their homes and offices to
assess the structural integrity of the buildings.
“Meron ba kayong mga family protocols in place
kapag nagkakaroon po ng ganitong sitwasyon? Alam ba ng mga miyembro ng ating
pamilya kung ano ang gagawin kung magkaroon ng malakas na lindol? Ang atin pong
laging ina-advocate ay preparedness also starts at home,” she said.
On the part of government, Valte said the
Department of Public Works and Highways started assessing the structural
integrity of government buildings after a strong quake hit Japan.
Also in the aftermath of the Japan earthquake,
Valte said local government units have been instructed to check the buildings
in their jurisdiction to make sure they are prepared once a huge earthquake
hits.
“Huwag nating kalimutan ang mga natutunan natin
mula din sa Japan pagkatapos noong naging trahedya sa kanila. Sana hindi
matigil ang preparedness awareness, hindi kung kailan lang nagkakaroon ng
ganitong pangyayari. Sana tuloy-tuloy ‘yan,” she said.
With regards to the response of the government
to Friday’s quake, Valte said government agencies were able to immediately get
information from the affected areas.
The government also activated regional offices
of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure immediate
response once LGUs make requests for assistance.
Interior and Local government Secretary Mar
Roxas, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda rushed to the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) office to make sure that
vulnerable provinces make the necessary preparations.
A magnitude 7.6 quake struck the Samar coast
late Friday, killing one person in a house collapse and knocking out power in
several towns.
Residents fled their coastal homes during the
powerful earthquake but some returned home soon after the quake, as hundreds,
still feeling nervous from the temblor, remained in evacuation centers as of
Saturday, according to authorities. (as)
Aquino cites unity as key to national progress
President Benigno S. Aquino III called for the
people’s continued support to the government as he stressed the importance of
unity in achieving greater heights towards sustainable national progress.
In greeting the Maharaja USA Inc. on the
occasion of their 34th Anniversary Grand Ball, Saturday, President Aquino urged
the members to keep their patriotic spirit burning and preserve the Filipino
national heritage alive even if they were in a foreign land.
“Our unity is what will drive our people to
greater progress. May you continue to stand with us, as Filipinos under one
banner, demonstrating our excellence, dedication, and integrity in this era of
daylight and hope,” the President said.
“Your organization continues to bring support to
your hometown of Macabebe, Pampanga, exemplifying your deep connection with our
roots and identity as Filipinos. As you endeavor to participate as valuable
members of your respective communities in the United States, the will to uphold
our national heritage remains strong and reinforces our solidarity with our
countrymen. May this event keep the Filipino spirit vibrant in your milieu,
with your members sustaining the passion and pride of our homeland. I wish you
a warm and meaningful celebration. Mabuhay kayong lahat,” the Chief Executive
continued.
Founded in 1978, the Maharajah USA, Inc. is a
Christian faith-based non-profit organization that aims to promote fellowship
and foster social activities for the Filipino-American community in retaining
their identity through cultural programs and workshops, and to ultimately raise
awareness and support for the struggles of their families and friends in the
Philippines.
The group continues to make a difference by
building a sense of kinship within the Filipino communities in the United
States and by continuing to support the organization’s various programs for the
schools, churches, towns & people of Macabebe. (jcl/2:00 p.m.)
Aquino underscores importance of education in
attaining national progress
President Benigno S. Aquino III stresses the
importance of education and a well-informed citizenry in maintaining the
country’s progress and development as embodied in the Aquino government’s
social contract with the Filipino people.
In his message to the Children’s Museum and
Library Inc. on the occasion of their 33rd Annual National Grade School
Convention and 54th Annual National Convention of (High School) Junior Members
and Teacher Advisers, Saturday, President Aquino noted the advantage of keeping
the people abreast with the advanced methods of learning and the latest
techniques in ensuring literacy.
“Education is one of the cornerstones of our
society, and an educated citizenry is the pillar of our institutions. Now, in
this globalized milieu, it is important that we keep our people abreast of new
technologies and modern pedagogical approaches, to be at par with the rest of
the world. Your two conventions serve as a venue for your students and teachers
to uphold the responsibilities that go with availing yourself of our
increasingly interconnected global milieu,” the President said.
“May your participants continue to demonstrate
their passion and excellence in their endeavors, and may they be able to
nurture their creativity and critical thinking as they take part in our shared
task of maintaining our country’s pride in the community of nations,” he added.
The Chief Executive assured the government’s
unwavering efforts to attain national progress as he encouraged the people to
take the cudgels in reaching such goal.
“We in government remain steadfast in fulfilling
our objective of positive national transformation. Let us pursue our collective
dreams and embody the ideals of hope, confidence, excellence, and
integrity—values that will serve as our tools in securing a globally
competitive Philippines,” President Aquino said. (jcl/1:20 p.m.)
