Sunday 30 September 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Saturday, September 29, 2012

Aquino swears in Roxas as new DILG head

President Benigno S. Aquino III swore in on Saturday former senator Manuel Roxas II in Malacanang as the new secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) replacing the late Secretary Jesse Robredo who died last August.

The President appointed Roxas to head the DILG to continue the reforms left by Robredo at the department. Robredo died in a plane crash on August 18.

Roxas, the former secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications, was succeeded by another Aquino ally, Rep. Joseph Abaya. Roxas and Abaya were confirmed by the Commission on Appointments last September 19.

In a press conference at the Palace after his oath taking, Roxas said his initial move is to submit his leave of absence as the president of the Liberal Party (LP), expecting the President will accept it. The LP has a mechanism, as to who will replace him as party president, he said.

Roxas noted that he had asked the President for him to leave the LP to avoid conflict of interest while he serves as the DILG secretary.

When he starts as DILG chief on Monday, Roxas said he’ll first assess the needs of the department—one for the local government units and one for peace and security. The new DILG secretary underscored the importance of making sure that necessary structures are there for the department to function effectively.

Roxas said the primary instruction of the President is to ensure peace and security in the country particularly as the government prepares for the midterm election in May next year.

“So ipapa-prioritize natin ang laban sa pagsugpo sa kriminalidad. And parallel to this ay yung pagpapalakas, pagpapatibay sa mga LGUs dahil sa paghatid ng programa ng gobyerno ang LGUs ang talaga namang nasa frontline,” Roxas told reporters.

Roxas also made an assurance that he’ll continue Robredo’s programs on LGUs that ensure transparency in their transactions to gain public trust in government at least at the local level.

It is necessary because the national government allots around P300 billion to local government units each year, and they must be held accountable to the people on how they spend their money. PND (as/2:12pm)


Palace says police already augmented security to protect foreign nationals in Metro Manila

Malacanang made an assurance on Saturday that foreign nationals, particularly Americans, shall remain safe in Metro Manila despite a statement released by the US embassy calling its citizens to exercise extreme caution while in the metropolis.

The US Embassy in Manila advises its citizens that a threat against American citizens in metropolitan Manila, specifically the Pasay City neighborhood, has been detected by reliable security forces. The US Embassy said in its statement that the threat remains in effect until October 10, 2012.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has already beef up security in Metro Manila to ensure peace and security amid protest actions by Muslims against a controversial film.

“We spoke with General Espina of the NCRPO yesterday and security has been augmented kahapon pa. So, bago pa lumabas ‘yung balitang ‘yan nag-augment na ng security ang NCRPO particularly to the US facility along Roxas Boulevard,” Valte said. “As a matter of precaution we have already augmented security.”

Since the assumption of Gen. Leonardo Espina as the NCRPO chief, the public could notice increased police visibility in the metropolis, Valte said adding the Philippine National Police is also implementing a new system of areas of responsibility.

The PNP now strictly carries out eight-hour shifts for police personnel and require them to observe a two-minute response time when the public calls for police assistance, the Palace official said.

Asked by reporters about the government’s plan to protect the public from the continuing protests, Valte said they haven’t seen mass actions becoming violent.

“Let’s be fair. So far the protests have been very peaceful and have been very orderly,” she said. PND (as/2:36pm)