Tuesday 11 September 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Tuesday, September 11, 2012


President Aquino witnesses signing of Memorandum of Agreement between DBM, DepEd and GSIS to restore benefits of teachers

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement between the Departments of Budget and Management (DBM), Education (DepEd) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in ceremonies held in MalacaƱang on Tuesday.

The MoA, signed by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara, aims to implement a realistic and equitable solution to the “chronic issue” of unpaid premiums by restoring the benefits of nearly 800,000 active and inactive employees of the DepEd since July 1997.

Under the agreement, the DBM will settle P6.92-billion of premium-in-arrears representing the government share and expedite payment by advancing P3.46-billion or half of the total amount. In return, the GSIS, through its Board of Trustees, will condone P14-billion of accrued interest as well as grant a five percent discount on the principal.

GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara said that with the signing of this MoA, DepEd employees will soon enjoy a proportionate increase in their eligible benefits, higher loanable amounts and potentially, increased retirement benefits.

He added that retired and inactive employees of DepEd may also receive higher pensions as the GSIS will recalculate their benefits and refund any amount that was deducted and will adjust their pensions accordingly.

Joining the President were GSIS chairman Daniel Lacson, Jr., Senator Edgardo Angara, Manila 6th District Representative Rosenda Ocampo, and Alliance of Concerned Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio, among others.

Also present were Teachers’ Dignity Coalition chairman Benjo Basas, Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA) president Mario Ramirez, DepEd-NEU national president Atty. Domingo Alidon and Manila Public School Teachers Association (MPSTA) president Benjamin Valbuena. PND (rck/11:34am)


President Aquino to lead ‘Bakas Parangal’ awarding ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo Wednesday

President Benigno S. Aquino III will join the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council in paying tribute to the brave men and women whose heroic acts led to the discovery of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in Masbate City and helped save the lives of those affected by the recent onslaught of the southwest monsoon in Luzon and the Visayas last month.

The President, who will be joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos, will lead in the presentation of Bakas Parangal awards that will be held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday.

The Bakas Parangal is given in three categories namely: Bakas Parangal ng Kadakilaan- given to honor the noble service of units or groups and organizations who participated in rescue efforts despite the obvious hardships of the situation; Bakas Parangal ng Kabayanihan- given to the leader of a unit or group that exhibited exemplary acts of heroism; and Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan- given to individuals who exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery by extending assistance to those in need in times of disaster.

The President will present the third category to the members of Task Force Kalihim and the agencies and private groups who rose beyond the call of duty to assist their fellow countrymen affected as the country was pummeled by the southwest monsoon.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said the Bakas Parangal awards would serve as a reminder that the selfless acts during times of need would not remain unrecognized. PND (rck/1:23am)


Aquino upbeat about continuing reforms at the Bureau of Immigration

President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed the support of his administration to continuing reforms at the Bureau of Immigration noting the benefits of these changes to the country’s business and tourism sectors.

Speaking at the 72 anniversary of the BI at its head office in Manila on Tuesday, the President said he fully backs BI’s Development Plan until 2016 particularly by pushing the new Philippine Immigration Act to protect the country from trafficking in persons, transnational crimes, illegal drugs and terrorism.

Part of these changes also include building new facilities for the BI, modernizing the way BI conducts its business and hiring new personnel to augment the bureau’s services, he said.

“Sa pangunguna nina Kalihim Leila de Lima, at Commissioner Ricardo David, tiwala tayong sa lalong madaling panahon—diinan ko lang po—sa lalong madaling panahon, maisasakatuparan ang ating mga adhikain,” the President said.

“Mahalagang patatagin ang ugnayan ng Bureau of Immigration at ng mga katuwang nitong ahensya sa ilalim ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya upang maabot ang buong potensyal ng pagtatanggol at pagbabantay sa ating bayan.”

The President also reminded the BI leadership and its employees to always remember that their main obligation is to serve the people and not themselves, adding the guiding principles of his administration is to lead the nation towards the righteous path.

The chief executive also made an appeal to the BI to shun corruption and to do its duty with dedication noting that allowing criminals to enter and get out of the country conveniently put the Filipino public at risk.

The President cited the case of South Korean fugitive Kim Tae Dong who was able to flee last December although there were immigration officials guarding him at the hospital.

Also, the President wondered how former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother, suspects in the killing of a radio commentator, were able to get out of the country despite being well-known public figures and having highly publicized case.

“Ipakita po sana nating ginagampanan ng Bureau of Immigration ang kanilang trabaho, at tiyaking hindi makakatuntong ng Pilipinas ang mga taong tulad nito. Tandaan lang po nating bawat pagkakamali ay maaaring magdulot ng peligro sa buhay at seguridad ng kapwa Pilipino,” he said.

A reformed immigration system has a lot of benefits for the country, the President said. With better services from the Immigration office, the government can easily achieve the 10 million tourist arrivals it is targeting.

At the same time, he said that by guarding the country’s entry and exit points, the government can ensure the security of every Filipino. This will make sure that only those who have good intentions can enter the Philippines, he said. PND (as/3:41pm)


Malacanang confirms resignation of DILG Undersecretary Puno 'effective immediately'

President Benigno S. Aquino III has accepted the resignation of Undersecretary Rico E. Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) after working for the administration for more than two years.

“Last Friday, former DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno submitted his letter of resignation to the President, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. The President has accepted Mr. Puno’s resignation effective immediately,” Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Puno’s resignation letter was submitted through Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. last Friday, as the President and his official delegation left for Vladivostok, Russia to attend the 20th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

In his two-page statement released on Tuesday, Puno said that he believes he has effectively done his duties and responsibilities as DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order, thanking the Chief Executive for his trust and confidence.

“I believe that I have carried out my assigned duties to the best of my abilities. Moving forward, I have resigned as DILG Undersecretary to support the President’s decision to give a free hand to the incoming Secretary in forming a new team. I wish to thank President Aquino for his trust and confidence in giving me the opportunity to serve our country and people,” the statement read.

Puno has been controversial during the past weeks following allegations that he tried to enter the offices and condominium unit of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo last August 19.

The former DILG official said he opted to remain silent despite all the allegations because he was "duty-bound to act with restraint and circumspection, even when subjected to personal attacks in the mass media." PND (as/jcl 5:39 p.m.)