Sunday 2 September 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Saturday, September 1, 2012


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.)