PIA News Dispatch - Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Aquino leads awarding rites for 15th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act

 

 President Beningo S. Aquino III led the awarding ceremonies for the late President Corazon C. Aquino (posthumous) and eight others for their valuable help and support for the realization of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) in celebration of its 15th anniversary.

 The awarding rites, which has for its theme “IPRA ay Gabay sa Kaunlaran, Isaisip, Ipabatid at Isakatuparan” was held at the GSIS Theater, GSIS Building in Pasay City on Tuesday.

 The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) honored the late President Aquino and other stakeholders from government institutions, non-government organizations, civic society organizations, peoples organizations and indigenous organizations for their valuable help and support for the realization of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.

 The late President Aquino was honored "for enshrining the policy of recognition in the Constitution and the inclusion of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) agenda in the Social Pact for Empowered Economic Development. Presidential sister Viel Aquino Dee received the plaque of recognition for the late President.

 The other IPRA advocates who were presented the awards during the event include Professor Ponciano Bennagen, IP representative to the Constitutional Commission; former Congressman Gregorio A. Andolana for legislative leadership; former Congressman Jeremias Zapata (posthumous), for legislative leadership; former Congressman William F. Claver (posthumous) for legislative leadership; the Commission on Human Rights through Atty. Nasser A. Marohomsalic for the defense of the constitutionality of IPRA; Haribon Foundation, through Atty. Ronaldo R. Gutierrez, for the defense of the constitutionality of IPRA; Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute through Executive Director Karen Tanada, for helping shepherd the drafting of the bill and Interim National Indigenous Peoples Council, for pushing a law on ancestral domains and other rights of indigenous peoples as the supreme agenda of ICCs/IPS under the Social Reform Agenda.

 The President also led the awarding of certificates of Ancestral Domain/Land Titles to beneficiaries represented by Pangalawang Pundador, Rodolfo Aguilar, Paula Langguyod, Panlima Amparay Das, Panlima Angelito Sanchez, heirs of Elizabeth Mat-an, Lydia Bidos, Dominador Galian, and Virginia Cuyan-Panganiban.

 The NCIP also allocated P5 million to educate more indigenous peoples as a means of empowering them. The NCIP started a merit-based scholarship grant to 100 youths. The President likewise awarded the certificates of scholarship grants to the youths represented by Krichelle Mei D. Carino, Edmar B. Fronda and Mylinar B. Ligligen.

 The IPRA was signed into law on October 29, 1997 by then President Fidel V. Ramos. It was hailed as a landmark legislation by government, civil society and international community

 Republic Act No. 8371 was enacted to recognize, protect, and promote the rights of the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples, as well as to establish implementing mechanisms and appropriate funds for these purposes.

 The advent of the IPRA Law has overshadowed speculations and unfounded doubts that the tribal peoples and communities in the Philippines are abandoned or neglected and that they are only meant to exist outside the periphery of development, much less part of national life.

 Indigenous Peoples are randomly distributed all over the archipelago and are beginning to exercise their rights under IPRA. PND (js)

President Aquino says government continues to craft mechanisms toward the development and empowerment of indigenous people

 

 The government continues to craft mechanisms towards the development and empowerment of the country's Indigenous Peoples (IPs), President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.

 In his speech at the 15th year of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act with the theme: IPRA ay Gabay sa Kaunlaran, Isa-isip, Ipabatid at Isakatuparan held at the GSIS Theater, GSIS Building, Pasay City on Tuesday, the Chief Executive underscored the need to improve the current system to address the needs and aspirations of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

 "Ngayong umaga, nagtitipon tayo, hindi lang para magbalik-tanaw sa mga tagumpay na ibinunga ng RA 8371, ang Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. Narito tayo upang higit pang pa-igtingin ang ating dedikasyon sa paglinang at pagbibigay-lakas sa ating mga katutubo bilang mahalagang bahagi ng ating kultura’t lipunan." President Aquino said.

 The President issued Executive Order No. 11 transferring the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Office of the President of the Philippines to ensure concerted efforts in formulating and implementing policies, programs and projects geared towards the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of the ICC/IPs.

 "Dahil sa Executive Order No. 11, mas masigasig nating nabibigyan ng kaukulang atensyon ang mga karapatan, pangangailangan at hangarin ng mga katutubong Pilipino. Mas mabilis na rin nating natutugunan ang kanilang mga hinaing ukol sa mga patakaran at programang nangangailangan ng maagap na koordinasyon at pagpapatupad, lalo na sa usapin ng ancestral domains," he said.

 The President reiterated the government's commitment to uphold the rights and aspirations of indigenous people as mandated by the IPRA adding that it is working to grant more certificates of Ancestral Domain/Land Titles to the legitimate beneficiaries.

 "Gayunpaman, pitong titulo pa lamang ang naipapamahagi natin sa ating administrasyon. Aminado po tayong sa unang tingin, mabagal ito, subalit kailangan nating maging mulat na hindi lang distribusyon ang obligasyon ng pamahalaan. Tungkulin nating linisin ang mga agiw, at tapalan ang mga butas ng nakagisnang sistema," he said.

 "Bawal po ang “puwede na” sa tuwid na daan, kaya tinitiyak nating ang bawat proseso sa pagpapatitulo ay dumadaan sa tamang mga hakbang. Oras na mapatag na natin ang mga lubak, tiyak na mas bibilis ang proseso, at mas matiwasay na makakamit ng ating mga katutubo ang mga lupaing pamana na karapat-dapat nilang pakinabangan," he said.

 According to the President, the government also recognizes the inherent rights of the indigenous people and their cultural communities to self-governance and empowerment and cultural integrity.

 "Ngayon, sa tuwid na daan, tungkulin nating iwasto at tiyaking may dignidad at paggalang ang pagtanaw at pakikitungo natin sa mga katutubo. Bilang inyong Pangulo—at higit sa lahat, bilang inyong kapwa Pilipino—mananatiling bukas ang aking pintuan sa inyong mga mungkahi para sa pagpapanday ng mga bagong paraan upang mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga katutubo nating kababayan," he said.

 He noted that government continues to uphold social justice and human rights to achieve genuine peace.

 "Noong 1986, sa EDSA, mapayapa nating pinabagsak ang diktaturya. Noong huling pampanguluhang halalan, isinatinig ng mahigit labinlimang milyong Pilipinong tapusin na ang kurapsyon at kahirapan, at nitong buwan lamang, nilagdaan ng pamahalaan at ng MILF ang kasunduang bubuo sa Bangsamoro upang wakasan ang apat na dekada ng karahasan sa rehiyon, at maghatid ng liwanag at pag-asa sa Mindanao," he said.

 "Sinisiguro ko po sa inyo: walang imposible sa nagkakaisang Pilipino. Hangga’t namamayani ang katarungan at kapayapaan sa bawat sulok ng lipunan; hangga’t integridad at katapatan lamang ang tumitimon sa ating mga lingkod-bayan; hangga’t respeto, malasakit at pagkakapantay-pantay ang nananaig sa bawat puso ng mamamayan, tinitiyak ko po sa inyo, walang hindi magagawa ang lahing Pilipino," he said.

 Among those who attended the event were Justice Secretary Leila de Lima; Congressman Teddy Baguilat; Government Service Insurance System chairman Daniel Lacson; National Commission on Indigenous Peoples chair Zenaida Pawid, Commissioner Conchita Calzado; Commissioner Rene Sarmiento; IPRA advocates and members of the indigenous cultural communities; recipients of the certificates of ancestral domain titles/ancestral land titles and scholarship grants, as well as fellow workers in government. PND (js)

Malacanang extends sympathies, support to Americans and Filipino-American communities affected by  Hurricane ‘Sandy’ in Eastern Seaboard of the United States

 

 Malacanang expressed sympathies and extended support to the American people, especially to the Filipino-American communities, who are being seriously affected by Hurricane “Sandy” saying that the Aquino government is confident that they will surpass the catastrophe through prayers and faith in Divine Providence.

 In a statement during a regular press briefing at Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Filipinos are one in offering prayers for the safety of those who are presently being hammered down by the natural calamity.

 “As Hurricane Sandy batters the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, we extend our sympathies and support to all those affected by this calamity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who are facing these difficult times, among them the Filipino-American community,” Valte said.

 “The devastation caused by the storm continues to unfold, but we are confident that the resolve of the American people to overcome this catastrophe remains steadfast, strong, and unbending,” she added.

 Recent reports noted that Hurricane Sandy was one of the biggest storms that ever hit the United States. It was initially spotted to hit the gambling resort of Atlantic City in New Jersey with strong winds and heavy rains on Monday forcing evacuations in the area and shutting down transportation.

 Over three million people were left without electricity due to the rise of floodwaters in several areas.

 The Philippine embassy said that there were no Filipinos affected by the calamity as of early Tuesday. PND (jcl/1:50 p.m.)

President Aquino leads 21st anniversary of the Bureau of Fire Protection

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday led the 21st anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) acknowledging the significant reforms sown by the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo which are now being continued by his successor, Manuel Roxas, towards the improvement of the said agency.

In his speech, President Aquino recounted how BFP was transformed from an agency once hounded by controversies involving some officials who went awry to an institution with servicemen that would dare risk their lives in order to save the lives of Filipinos from danger.

The President said he understands the perils that firemen are facing in their line of duty which is why the government is working hard to complement their efforts and sacrifices by providing their needs in terms of equipment and additional benefits.

In line with this, President Aquino cited the considerable steps taken by Secretary Robredo during his incumbency which, he said, allowed the bureau to acquire 76 Austrian Rosenbauer 1,000-gallon water pumper fire trucks through a loan agreement between the government and the UniCredit Bank of Austria.

He announced that 12 out of these arriving 76 Rosenbauer fire trucks will be ready for use by December of this year and the remaining 64 units shall be delivered to the bureau by next year.

The President, moreover, expressed gratitude to Kim Jong Kee of the Korean Federation of Fire Associations (KFFA) for the four fire trucks they contributed which, will be a great help to communities that are in need of these equipment for their disaster response operations.

He also lauded the DILG-BFP for successfully signing a convergence program called “Buying a Living Tree System” with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Panatag tayo sa pawis at panahon na ididilig ng mga piling komunidad, katuwang ang iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan, maaalagaan at mapapayabong pa natin ang ating mga likas na yaman. Gayundin, sa handog nitong hanapbuhay, mapagiginhawa natin ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan,” the President said.

The Chief Executive reiterated that the government will keep on pushing for its housing project for the members of the BFP to give them the respite and relief they so deserve. He said the administration is targeting to distribute about 1,800 to intended beneficiaries by August 2013.

 “Sa mga benepisyaryo nito, hindi lamang mapapababa sa dalawandaang piso kada buwan ang ibabayad ninyo para sa bahay, paglaon, magiging pag-aari ninyo na rin ang naipatayong tahanan, at tayo po’y nag-uumpisa pa lang. Bago matapos ang taong ito, inaasahan na ring makumpleto ang procurement ng dagdag pa ninyong mga kasangkapan—tulad ng coat, trouser, bota, helmet, at iba pa. Naniniwala pa rin po tayo, kakambal ng mas maayos na kagamitan ang mas mabuting kakayanan sa paglilingkod,” he stressed.

“Tinanong ko ulit kay Secretary Roxas, kausap ko ang inyong OIC—ilista natin, ano ba talaga ang mga kailangan n’yo? Hindi ko naman masasabi sa inyong matulog kayo ngayon, bukas ide-deliver na, pero palagay ko kakayanin kong harapin kayo bawat isa at masabing, ‘Hindi kami titigil hanggang mapuno ang inyong kakulangan at talaga namang madama na n’yo na talagang kayong kumakalinga sa lipunan ay kinakalinga rin ng lipunan,’ he emphasized.

The President Aquino recognized that continuing the reforms implemented by the late Secretary Robredo is both a “challenge” and an “opportunity” adding that it’s up to the BFP under the supervision of Secretary Roxas to uphold these developments.

“Nag-iwan na ng bakas ang kanyang mga tsinelas—tanda ito sa layo na ng ating narating, at sa layo pa ng ating lalakbayin. Umaasa ako sa bawat isa sa inyo – kasama kayong tatahak sa tapat at tuwid na landas ng pagseserbisyo-publiko. Wala nang hilahan, wala nang atrasan, pasulong lang ang ating hakbang tungo sa kaunlaran,” President Aquino said. PND (hdc)

Malacanang welcomes Nielsen Company’s Survey ranking the Philippines second in Global Consumer Confidence

 

 The Philippines ranked second in a Global Consumer Confidence Survey conducted by the Nielsen Company, a Palace official said.

 In a statement issued on Tuesday, Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the latest survey represents a two-point increase in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter this year.

 With a score of 118, the Philippines comes second only to India and Indonesia which both share the top spot with 119 among 58 countries surveyed.

 "The bullish consumer sentiment shows a positive attitude towards the Philippine economy, one bright spot in only 12 countries that registered “more optimism” out of the 58 surveyed," Valte said.

 Valte pointed out that the survey’s index notes that a score of 101 and higher indicates more optimism while a score of 100 and lower means more pessimism.

 She said the Philippines bested Thailand by 6 points and Malaysia by 13 points. Singapore with a score of 98 and Vietnam with 87 both measured below the index of 100. PND (js)

PIA News Dispatch - Monday, October 29, 2012

President Aquino to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting in Laos from November 5 to 6

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) that will be held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) from November 5 to 6, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

 In a briefing held in Malacañang, DFA Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso said the President’s attendance to the ASEM 9, his first since assuming Office, “signals the Philippines’ renewed focus on Europe and reaffirms the importance of the region as an economic and political partner."

 She said President Aquino is expected to “exchange views with counterparts from the two regions on the Eurozone crisis, trade and investment facilitation, energy and food security, disaster management, counter-terrorism, migration, and regional issues” during the two-day Summit.

 According to the DFA official, Europe is the Philippines’ third largest trade partner after North America and Asia with trade pegged at $13-billion for about 12 percent of Philippine total trade to the world in 2011.

 She added that P33.3-billion of investments also came from the European Union during the same period, primarily from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

 Aside from this, Buensuceso said, the President will showcase to his counterparts the various reforms implemented to rid the government of corruption and improve the lives of the Filipino people.

 “The President will also highlight the country’s accomplishments in good governance and inclusive growth, while calling for an enhanced Asia-Europe economic partnership in the face of global economic and financial uncertainties,” Buensuceso said.

 “He will also underscore the importance of upholding the rights of migrant workers, especially at this time of socio-economic difficulties in a number of host countries in Europe,” she added.

 As of 2011, there are 746,701 Filipinos living and working in Europe.

 The Asia-Europe Meeting is a dialogue process started in 1996 with the main objective of forging a comprehensive partnership between Asia and Europe. It is currently composed of 48 partners – all 10 ASEAN countries, 9 other Asian countries, the 27 member-states of the European Union, the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat.

 The ASEM is the only forum where Europe and Asia engage one another at the highest levels of government to discuss international issues of common concern and to formulate mutually beneficial cooperation on region-to-region basis.

 This year’s theme is “Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity.” PND (rck)

President Aquino to hold  bilateral meetings at the sidelines of the 9th Asia-Europe meeting in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic republic in November

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III will hold bilateral talks with seven European countries at the sidelines of the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM9) that will be held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic from November 5 to 6, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

 In a press briefing, DFA Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso said the President will be holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the European Council, European Commission, Italy, Norway, Poland and Switzerland.

 She said that the topics to be discussed between the President and his counterparts from Europe will cover maritime training, defense, finance, disaster risk reduction and management, economic cooperation and education.

 Aside from this, Buensuceso said, the President will also “touch base” with the Filipino community in Laos numbering around 300.

 The Asia-Europe Meeting is a dialogue process started in 1996 with the main objective of forging a comprehensive partnership between Asia and Europe. It is currently composed of 48 partners – all 10 ASEAN countries, 9 other Asian countries, the 27 member states of the European Union, the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat.

 The Philippines is a founding partner of ASEM. PND

President Aquino declares November 13 as special non-working day in Pantukan, Compostela Valley in celebration of its 'Araw ng Pantukan'

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared November 13 which falls on a Tuesday as a special (non-working) day in the municipality of Pantukan in the province of Compostela Valley in celebration of the “Araw ng Pantukan."

 The declaration was issued by virtue of Proclamation No. 483 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on October 4 to give the people of Pantukan the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

 November 13 marks the 76th Foundation Day of the municipality of of Pantukan.

 Pantukan was created into a municipality on November 13, 1936 through Executive Order No. 64 issued by then President Manuel L. Quezon. The town's name was derived from the names of Pantu and Kan, two powerful datus who ruled the place. PND (js)

Malacanang says Aquino government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program is on track

 

 The Aquino goverment's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, a Palace official said on Monday.

 "We maintain that the 4Ps is an investment in the best asset of the Philippines -- the Filipino people -- and that it not only provides beneficiaries with resources but also creates, in the long term, a skilled and productive citizenry," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.

 Lacierda said the government and other stakeholders have taken steps to address and reduce poverty. "It is certainly not a political pulpit from which partisans preach," Lacierda noted.

 The MDGs, which are goals set by the United Nations, are eight international development targets that all 192 UN member-states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015.

 Aside from eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, the Millennium Development Goals include -- achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowerment of women; reducing child mortality rate; improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing global partnership for development.

 Since President Aquino took office on June 30, 2010, the CCT or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has been reformed and expanded.

 "From less than a million beneficiaries before we entered office, we are now on track to cover 3.1 million by the end of this year," Lacierda said.

 While the CCT program has its critics, Lacierda said, even Junko Onishi, Social Protection Specialist of the World Bank said, “the evidence suggests that Pantawid Pamilya is on track and having impacts on the beneficiary households.”

 "Moreover, a World Bank-AusAID report stated that 4Ps can raise its beneficiaries’ incomes by 12.6 percent and “reduce overall food poverty in program areas by 5.5 percent,” Lacierda said. PND (js)

Malacanang welcomes Moody's Investors Service move upgrading credit rating for the Philippines

 

 The Aquino government welcomed the move of the Moody’s Investors Service which upgraded its credit rating for the Philippines.

 “We welcome the positive ratings action from Moody’s Investors Service, which upgraded the Philippines from Ba2 to Ba1—one notch below investment grade. This marks the ninth positive ratings action since President Aquino took office on June 30, 2010, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday.

 Lacierda said the "credit rating upgrade shows sustained international confidence in the Philippines under the Aquino administration, which is especially striking given a weakened global economy."

 "Indeed, this upgrade acknowledges our resilience and commends our robust responses to an increasingly challenging milieu," Lacierda said.

 "Moody’s likewise recognizes our strong macroeconomic fundamentals and the government’s efforts to enhance its fiscal space, as it continues to strive for inclusive growth—including the historic Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, which may harness the long-untapped potential of Mindanao as well as secure equitable progress for its people," he noted.

 Lacierda said the Moody’s upgrade reflects the same confidence of Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, which have already rated the Philippines a mere step from achieving investment grade status.

 "This marks a milestone: It has been a decade since all three credit ratings agencies rated the Philippines one notch below investment grade status. Good governance is good economics," he said. PND (js)

Aquino attends 111th anniversary of the National Museum

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed on Monday the formal opening of the Goverment Service Insurance Wing at the National Museum in Manila in commemoration of the museum's 111th Anniversary.

 The Chief Executive attended the 111th Anniversary of the National Museum as guest of honor held at the Old Senate Session Hall, Old Legislative Building, National Museum along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila.

 As part of the National Museum's Founding Anniversary, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) turned over the GSIS art works to the National Museum, paving the way for the implementation of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by the pension fund and the National Museum last February.

 The President witnessed the ceremonial turn-over of a catalogue showing the GSIS Art Collection by Daniel Lacson Jr., GSIS Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Robert Vergara, GSIS President and General Manager, to Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum and Jeremy Robert M. Barns, Director of the National Museum.

 Under the agreement, the GSIS will transfer the management of its art collection to the National Museum "to preserve, maintain, secure and promote the collection". The MOA also "extends appropriate privileges and benefits to GSIS members on the use of its facilities enjoyed by other sponsors, donors and benefactors of the Museum."

 To highlight the partnership between the two institutions, the Museum has named an area within the National Gallery as the Government Service Insurance Wing. With its high ceilings and cream-colored walls, the GSIS Wing encompasses three large galleries on the Senate (Third Floor) of the National Museum, namely, Galleries XIX, XXI and XXII

 The galleries will display the famous Juan Luna's "Parisian Life" as well as the works of National Artists Fernando C. Amorsolo, Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Vicente S. Manansala, Hernando R. Ocampo, Ang Kiukok, Bencab and National Artist-Elect Federico Aguilar y Alcuaz. The list includes the works of Sanso, Blanco, Rodriguez Sr. and Galicano.

 Meanwhile, the National Museum said it is working on the declaration of the "Parisian Life" as a National Cultural Treasure through a duly-designaged Panel of Experts.

 The National Museum has a three-dimensional goal covering diverse of fields of knowledge through various educational, scientific and cultural activities. As an educational institution, the National Museum disseminates scientific and technical knowledge in more understandable and practical forms through lectures, exhibitions, interviews and publications for students and the general public.

 As a scientific institution, the National Museum conducts basic research programs combining integrated laboratory and field work in anthropology and archaeology, botany, geology, and zoology. It maintains reference collections on these disciplines and promotes scientific development in the Philippines.

 As a cultural center, the National Museum takes the lead in the study and preservation of the nation's rich artistic, historical and cultural heritage in the reconstruction and rebuilding of our nation's past and veneration of the great pioneers who helped in building our nation.

 Also in attendance were former President Fidel Valdez Ramos; Education Secretary Armin Luistro; Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez; Manila Mayor Alfedo Lim; officials and staff of the GSIS and the National Museum. PND (js)

President Aquino bares three-part plan for the preservation of country's art and culture

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III bared on Monday the government’s three-part plan to preserve the country's art and culture to increase national competitiveness.

 In his speech at the 111th Anniversary of the National Museum at the Old Senate Session Hall, Old Legislative Building along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila, the Chief Executive underscored the need to preserve, maintain, secure and promote the country's culture and the arts which are vital to our national advancement.

 "It is through education, research, and the arts that we can achieve “total human liberation and development” as a democratic society." President Aquino said.

 The President laid out his administration’s three-part plan to preserve the country's national treasure.

 "First, to concentrate our efforts on our core competencies. I am happy to see government institutions working together to achieve efficiency, enabling each other to focus on their core mandates. The decision of the GSIS to entrust its collection of art to the National Museum is an example of this. It gives our people the opportunity to enjoy the marvels of our various heritages, while allowing the GSIS to focus more on its task," the President said.

 "Second, we are giving you the means to do your jobs. The budget increases we have given to our centers of heritage are significant. For our National Museum, we allocated 238 million pesos for 2012, which is 95 million pesos higher than your budget for 2011. And for 2013, we intend to give you 556 million pesos, so that you may carry out the necessary restorations for our historical and cultural collections," he said.

 According to the President, the government is retrofitting the National Library and studying the transfer of the National Archives to the Intendencia in Intramuros to better address the needs of the scholars.

 "Now we are gradually implementing the National Museum Plan of 1998, which will finally pave the way for the establishment of our National Museum of Natural History, not just as a showcase for the richness of our natural resources and biodiversity, but as a place of research and education to help build a more scientifically literate society," he stressed.

 The government has allocated P500 million to cover the necessary construction expenses of the museum, the President noted.

 "The third part of our plan is to empower institutions to work with our people and with each other. With the help of groups like the Philippine National Museum Foundation, which through the years has shown great support to the National Museum, we are working hand in hand to preserve our cultural artifacts and to advance the understanding and appreciation of our people for these," he said.

 He pointed out that the National Tourism Development Plan identifies the promotion of the country's culture as central in pursuing our national tourism agenda.

 "We are optimistic that, through this, more Filipinos and foreigners will be enticed to tour our country. We know that the development of our cultural program is fundamental in achieving our tourism growth target of ten million international visitors and 35.5 million domestic tourists by 2016," the President concluded. PND (js)

PIA News Dispatch - Saturday, October 27, 2012

Palace welcomes Philippine ranking by Economist Intelligence Unit as one of the best places for micro-financing in the world

 

 Malacanang welcomed the recent ranking made by the international think tank, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), naming the Philippines as one of the best places for micro-enterprises in the world.

“That’s good news for us. Ang micro-financing kasi is very important in the way that it helps our small and medium start-ups to be able to get their business off the ground,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

“That’s good na at least na me-maintain natin ‘yung ating ranking," Valte stressed.

The country was again named one of the countries with the most favorable environment for micro enterprises, ranking 4th among 55 countries surveyed by the EIU. This is a two-notch improvement from the 6th place that the Philippines had in 2011.

In its report entitled “Global Microscope on the Microfinance Business Environment 2012," the EIU said that regulations imposed by government entities like the Central Bank helped the Philippines remain in the top 10 countries with the most micro business-friendly environments.

Regulations supportive of the development of micro enterprises in the Philippines include the increase in loan amounts extended by banks to micro enterprises and the wholesale lending of government-owned banks to benefit micro-enterprise borrowers.

The country scored 63.3 points in the overall micro business environment. Outperforming the Philippines were Peru (79.8 points), Bolivia (71.8 points) and Pakistan (67.4 points). PND (as/1:12pm)

Malacanang says Aquino government continues to carry out programs to help youth get gainful employment

 

 The government continues to carry out programs that give young people the skill and opportunity to find gainful employment, a Palace official said on Saturday.

Reacting to a report by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) that the government must address the country's youth unemployment problem, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over government-run radio station dzRB Rdyo ng Bayan that there are programs being implemented by the government such as the internship, skills training and the K+12 to address the problem.

One of the government’s thrusts is to start on-the-job training for the youth so that they can work as interns at government offices, Valte said noting that the government issued a report a couple of months ago about the program.

The Palace official said that the internship programs continue to be available at least for the 15 to 18 age bracket.

At the same time, she said that there are available training programs being implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the youth to get the vocational skills they need in order for them to enter the work force.

The Department of Education’s K+12 program is also geared towards giving young people get immediate employment if they opted not to continue studying in college.

“Kapag naka-graduate ng K+12 meron na silang employable skill para kung hindi tumuloy ng kolehiyo o kaya napilitan sila na hindi mag-kolehiyo ay meron na silang pinanghahawakang galing at talino para makakuha ng trabaho,” Valte said.

The NSCB said in a report covering Years 2006 to 2009, young people make up the bulk of poor Filipinos without jobs that the government must address.

NSCB’s data show that about three in five unemployed people are aged 15 to 24. PND (as/1:37pm)

Malacanang says preparations for the observance of 'All Saints Day' already in place, advises Filipinos to be extra careful when traveling

 

 Malacanang advised the Filipino people going to the provinces to exert extra precaution while traveling and always keep in touch with concerned government agencies in case there are emergencies.

In a radio interview Saturday over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the police and other concerned agencies already made the preparations in anticipation for the large volume of people visiting the provinces for All Saints Day.

Among the agencies that will work together include the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Philippine Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board and the Philippine National Police, Valte said.

“Ang PNP will be on hand to make sure that trips going out of Manila and going back to Manila will be as uneventful as possible,” she added. “Siguraduhin lang natin na meron tayong listahan ng mga emergency numbers kung kakailanganin natin and sundin natin ang mga precautions na ibinibigay ng ating Philippine National Police.”

Valte also advised the public to secure their homes before leaving adding that Malacanang will continue to monitor the situation in the country’s bus terminals, airports and seaports. PND (as/2pm)

PIA News Dispatch - Friday, October 26, 2012

President Aquino joins Muslim community in the observance of Eid'l Adha Friday

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III joined the entire Muslim community in the observance and celebration of the Eid’l Adha or Eidul Adha on Friday.

 "I join our Muslim brothers and sisters in observing this important celebration. Let this be an affirmation of our solidarity in pursuing the causes of peace and development for the greater good. May your reflections lead you to an even deeper engagement in our efforts towards creating a united and equitably progressive Philippines," the Chief Executive said in his message on the observance of Eid’l Adha.

 The President said the Eid’l Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice retells and commemorates the beautiful story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son to demonstrate his trust and devotion to Allah.

 "His readiness to carry out the command of God despite the specter of personal loss and his fortitude against temptation makes him an exemplar of obedience for us all. May his example inspire us to be righteous and courageous in our undertakings, that we may follow God’s will for the betterment of ourselves and our world," he said.

 President Aquino has declared October 26 as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Adha.

 The President issued Proclamation No. 488 on October 9, 2012 based on Republic Act. No. 9849, which provides that Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regular holiday.

 "Eidul Adha is one of the two greatest feasts of Islam. The date of the festival is based on the declaration made by Saudi Arabia's highest religious body," the President said in the proclamation.

 The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended that the observance of Eidul Adha be on Oct. 26 and the Eidul Adha prayer be performed on the final declaration of the Saudi Government.

 The feast is observed after the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia.

 A duty of each Muslim, as described in the Five Pillars of Islam, is to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetime, unless they are prevented by finances or ill health.

 It is the second of the two major Muslim holy days. The other is Eid-ul-Fitr which follows Ramadan ---a lunar month of partial fasting. PND (js)

Creation of Bangsamoro would not entail amendments to the 1987 Constitution, says Aquino government

 

 The Aquino administration reiterated its position that the creation of the Bangsamoro would not entail amendments to the 1987 Constitution, a Palace official said on Friday.

 Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement in a phone-patch interview in Malacanang on Friday following reports that various personalities stated the need to amend the Constitution to create the Bangsamoro and to implement the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

 "I think what is very clear was the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement was signed within the flexibility of the Constitution. Ang paniniwala po natin that the Organic Act that will be drafted ay dadaan po sa Kongreso. Ang pananaw po ng ating pamahalaan ay kaya po natin gawin ang lahat ng ito within the framework of the 1987 Constitution," he said.

 "If you look at the time table that was presented by Dean Marvic Leonen and the infographics that was provided by the PCDSPO (Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office), you will see that all these things will be done before 2016. So by 2016, election will be held na po," he said

 Lacierda said that according to government chief negotiator Leonen the law that woud create Bangsamoro would not entail amendments to the Constitution contrary to the claims of some people.

 "These are cleary how we envisioned the framework agreement and the annexes will be discussed next month," Lacierda said.

 President Benigno S. Aquino III said the government is looking at an organic act by 2015 that will create a new autonomous region in Mindanao to achieve a lasting peace in the region.

 During the forum held at Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney in Australia, the President said his administration has set a very tight deadline to realize the new autonomous entity in Mindanao.

 The organic act must be enacted into law by 2015, the President said, noting that the draft will come from the Bangsamoro. This has to pass Congress and approved by the people in a plebiscite.

 The Chief Executive said he hopes to install the new government with a mandate after the 2016 elections. He also foresees an interim authority governing from 2015 to 2016.

 To achieve lasting regional peace, the President acknowledged the need for a thorough political reform in Mindanao particularly in the autonomous area.

 There are proposals for the inclusion in the new organic act of the designation of a chief minister who will be responsible to a committee composed of several stakeholders in the region. This will serve as an automatic check and balance to prevent abuse of power of the governing officials, the President said. PND (js)

Aquino optimistic about economic recovery of Europe and the United States

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed optimism that Europe and the United States can soon recover from the economic slowdown that they are encountering by relying on the abilities and faith of their people.

 “I tend to be optimistic as far as the human spirit is concerned,” President Aquino said during the Business Forum hosted by the Asia Society in Sydney, Australia. The President was asked during the forum about his views on how long the current crisis sweeping Europe and the US would last.

 “I think what we have managed to do in the Philippines will happen in varying degrees elsewhere. I can’t tell you that we are about to crest the hill but I think we are approaching that crest. All it takes is a little bit of faith and optimism in our fellowmen. Otherwise, we will accelerate the process of suffering for everybody,” he added.

 There are pressures on everybody to become pessimistic particularly on every leader, the President said noting that the present European and US situations were the main topics during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, this year.

 During a meeting with Christine Lagarde, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) chief, there was a proposal to enhance domestic liquidity. What comes to mind is the situation heading towards the same scenario before the Great Depression in the 1930s when everybody was dragged into a deepened recession, the President said.

 The President however, said that everyone should hope that man has a capacity to improve and he can learn from history to correct the present mistakes and effectively address future challenges.

 “If things will get worse it will be self-fulfilling and it also can be self-fulfilling in the reverse. So the governments especially Europe are being asked to finally address the situation that used to be the proverbial can that got kicked down,” he said.

 “I’m sure that very reasonable men and women are talking and that we will come into solutions that demonstrate our collective capacity to improve as species,” the President added.

 The slowdown in Europe was the result of the 2008 global financial crisis. The European situation already resulted to social unrest with the majority of Europeans venting their sentiments over harsh budget cuts and other austerity measures aimed at rescuing failing economies such as Greece and Spain.

 Among the badly hit European nations include Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. PND (as/2:16pm)

Aquino cites infrastructure, tourism and agriculture as topmost priorities of government

 

 President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that infrastructure, tourism and agriculture are the topmost priorities of government to help support economic growth.

 "There are three particular aspects of the economy that we are very keen on. First, of course, is to meet the infrastructure need; second, the low-lying fruit that we have identified is tourism; the third, obviously is agriculture," the Chief Executive said during the Business Forum hosted by the Asia Society on Thursday at the Shangri La Hotel, Sydney in Australia.

 While the Philippines has sufficient liquidity, a stable exchange rate and a “manageable” inflation outlook along with “fiscal space” to help support economic growth, President Aquino stressed the need to strenghten the country's tourism which is another major economic contributor to the Philippine economy.

 "In terms of tourism, we are very happy to note that our target by 2016 when I step down will be from a base of about three million tourists annually, we will now have a base of 10 million," he said.

 "So more or less a year into office of our new Secretary of Tourism, we’re already on target to meet 4.6 million tourists by the end of this year. So we’re almost halfway there. We’re just slightly about a third of our term into office," the President noted.

 Likewise, the Aquino government remains optimistic that it will achieve its goal of rice self-sufficiency by 2013, the President stressed.

 "Previously, we were conditioned to believe that we had to import a minimum of 1.3 million tons of rice and, if weather cooperates, I am told that we might be exporting the higher varieties of rice, which will make my visits to the countries that we used to import from, much more pleasant because they always told me that they studied in the Philippines; they learned the lessons so well that now the masters have to eat from the toil of the students," he said.

 According to the President, he intends to implement more infrastructure projects aimed at providing reliable, safe, and affordable public transportation system nationwide.

 "We’re trying in support of the tourism venture, and also for connectivity, we’re improving a lot of our airports. There’s a new proposal for a new nautical highway to link Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that will cut down travel time from three days to 15 hours which is presently being studied. This is a collection of roll-on, roll-off ports and highways that will connect the same," he said.

 "Light rail systems also. Manila is a very old city. Urban planning probably was not yet invented as a concept when it was started out and, unfortunately, when it started existing, too many—too few people rather, paid attention to it," he said, adding that he would not want to be the one to kick the can to the next president who will try and solve issues like flooding; how to move 14 million residents in the national capital region more efficiently and more productively," he concluded. PND (js)

Aquino welcomes elevation of Manila Archbishop Antonio Tagle to Cardinal of Catholic Church

 SYDNEY, Australia: President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the recent elevation of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle as the new Cardinal of the Catholic Church in the Philippines by Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican.

 “Archbishop Tagle is somebody I really admire from way back, and it’s really a credit to what he has done for the church and for its followers to be recognized and given this singular honor. And we applaud the decision of the Vatican in naming him as Cardinal,” President Aquino said in an interview by the Philippine media delegation Thursday evening here.

 Tagle, 55, succeeded Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales to become the 32nd Archbishop of Manila. He is widely known for his conservatism and charismatic nature, highlighting many social issues in the country with emphasis on helping the poor and the needy.

 He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Divinity from Ateneo and later, a Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree at the Loyola School of Theology before completing a Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America from 1987 to 1991, Summa cum Laude.

 Apart from Tagle, Pope Benedict XVI also named five other new cardinals who would be elevated at a consistory on November 24, including Monsignor James Harvey, the American prefect of the pope's household; Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan; Archbishop of Bogota, Colombia Ruben Salazar Gomez; Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites in Lebanon, Bechara Boutros Rai; and the major Archbishop of the Trivandrum of the Siro-Malankaresi in India, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal.

 Tagle’s selection as cardinal by the Vatican adds to the euphoria that thousands of Filipinos still have following the recent canonization of the second Filipino saint, San Pedro Calungsod, last Sunday. PND (hdc)

President Aquino leads unveiling of statue of Jose Rizal in Australia

 

 CAMPBELLTOWN CITY, New South Wales: President Benigno S. Aquino III led the unveiling ceremony of  the statue of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at a park dedicated in his honor on Friday here.

 In his brief remarks, President Aquino said the Rizal statue “shows how not only the economic contributions of Filipinos, but also their history and culture, are increasingly being recognized in Australia.”

 “This monument, in this park, pays homage to his ideals and will be an enduring pledge that those ideals will continue to guide us, and that Australians will be there, as true friends, in our collective quest for even better lives for our peoples,” he added.

 Among those who witnessed the occasion were the Honorable Barry O’Farrell, Premier of the New South Wales; Campbelltown Mayor Sue Dobson; Most Reverend Peter Ingham, Bishop of Wollongong; and Enrique Reyes, great grandson of Rizal’s eldest sister, Saturnina, who now lives in Mudgee, New South Wales.

 New South Wales has five Rizal landmarks in Australia including the Rizal Park in Blacktown City, the bust of Rizal at the Plaza Ibero-Americana near the Sydney Central Station, the Rizal Statue in Ashfield Park, the Rizal Park and the Rizal Street in Campbelltown.

 President Aquino conveyed his sincerest and deepest appreciation to the Australian Federal Government, the Government of New South Wales under the leadership of Premier O’Farrell, and the Campbelltown City Council for their generous support to this endeavor.

 “Not only is this an affirmation of the importance of Filipinos to your national life, it is also a celebration of Australian inclusiveness and diversity,” the President said.

 Premier O’Farrell, in his own remarks, said he couldn’t help but see some similarities between the Philippine president and the national hero as he read their respective biographies.

 The Premier said President Aquino and Rizal are like "two men driven by social issues facing their countrymen who are determined through peaceful means to deliver change to their country and who understood the power of words."

 It was also the New South Wales chief who called President Aquino a “phenomenon” when they first met at the state luncheon hosted by the former in honor of the visiting Philippine leader last Thursday.

 “I’ve never before met a phenomenon. And I know, Mr. President, that the Noynoy phenomenon was (an) incredible force, an incredible force for good in a country where democracy has never been able to be taken for granted in a way that we in this country take democracy for granted,” O’Farrell was quoted as saying.

 President Aquino, meanwhile, commended as well the “civic spirit” displayed by the members of the Rizal Park Movement of Campbelltown who were the ones behind the realization of this project.

 “I commend all of you for your efforts, and I wish you success on your future plans to further enhance the facilities of the park. Your civic spirit has sparked, in turn, generosity on the part of Filipinos at home,” President Aquino said.

 The Rizal statue was donated by world-renowned Filipino sculptor and artist Eduardo Castrillo. It portrays Rizal during his colorful stay in Europe holding a copy of  Noli Me Tangere, the first book he penned and published, dressed in a European suit, with his left hand raised in readiness to the approaching storm. PND (hdc)

Aquino rallies support from Filipinos in Australia for government's continuing reforms

 President Benigno S. Aquino III asked the Filipino community in Australia to support his administration to realize its goal of bringing better life to every Filipino.

 In his speech during his meeting with the Filipinos in New South Wales, Australia, the President said his administration has started the momentum of reforming the country and laying the groundwork for it to become globally competitive.

 The President said he’ll do everything to improve the lives of Filipinos adding that when he steps down in 2016, he will proudly report to the people that he was able to reverse the country’s worse condition.

 He pointed out that Filipinos staying in Australia could go home in a better and more peaceful Philippines.

 “Naninindigan ako sa patuloy ninyong pakikiisa, dahil hindi pa tapos ang ating laban. Samahan po ninyo ako: Isang bansa nating tahakin ang tuwid na landas, at isang bansa nating abutin ang katuparan ng atin mga pangarap,” the President said. “Ulitin ko po, sa inyo nagmula ang susi ng pagbabago. Ipagpatuloy natin itong pagbabagong ito.”

 The President stressed that the  government has achieved many successes such as providing better education, healthcare, infrastructure and assisting the poor through pro-poor programs.

 In education for instance, the President  said, the government targets to eliminate 40,000 classroom backlogs before the end of this year. And for 2013, the government could fill the 68,000 classroom shortage in the country.

 In terms of assisting the poor, the President said, 3.1 million Filipino families are currently benefiting from the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the government, the President said adding that it  also achieved 85 percent coverage for the universal healthcare program of the administration.

 The Chief Executive  also reported successes in food security, noting that the agriculture department is eyeing to  make the country rice self sufficient. It will also target to export the staple if good weather permits bountiful harvests, he said.

 Graft and corruption was eliminated in the public works and highways department, the President said noting the department successfully started building major infrastructure projects for the welfare of the people. These include roads, bridges, airports, seaports and many others that will help boost trade and tourism, he said.

 Overall, while other countries struggle to gain footing because of the ongoing global economic crisis, the President emphasized that  the Philippines was able to post 6.1 percent gross domestic product growth in the first semester of the year.

 “Ibang-iba na ang mukha ng Pilipinas. Tunay nga pong ang sarap maging Pilipino ngayon. Taas-noo tayong nakakaharap sa buong mundo; kaya nating sabihing, oo, kaya naming magkamit ng pagbabago,” the President said.

 President Aquino, who embarked on a week-long trip to New Zealand and Australia, will be arriving in Manila Friday evening.   PND (as)

President Aquino to issue an executive order creating Office of Secretary to the Cabinet, Malacanang says

 President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to issue an executive order (EO) creating the Office of the Secretary to the Cabinet after the Chief Executive has tapped Jose Rene Almendras to the new cabinet post.

 The President announced in Australia last Thursday that Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla will assume his post as the new Energy Secretary  replacing Almendras, who will become the Secretary to the Cabinet.

 "We will come up with an executive order creating the Office of the Secretary to the Cabinet and also delineating the jobs, responsibilities of the Secretary to the Cabinet.  In fact, ’yung EO po is being reviewed right now. Nakasaad doon ang mga responsibilities ng Secretary to the Cabinet," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a phone-patch interview in Malacanang on Friday

 "As always, there will be no overlapping of duties para at least klaro kung ano ang responsibilidad ng Cabinet to the Secretary," Lacierda said.

 "The movement, by the way, is a lateral movement. It’s not because he is not pleased with Secretary Almendras, in fact, he is now going to work closer with the President on a day to day basis. We, the senior staff in the Palace, are privileged to work with the President on a daily basis," Lacierda said.

 President Aquino, who is on a state visit to Australia, announced the minor revamp in his two-year-old Cabinet.

 The President said he has chosen Petilla because they have the same views and that his experience in the private sector would help him in running the energy department.

 Petilla’s private sector experience will eliminate the possibility of regulatory capture once he assumes as energy secretary, the President said. The President also said that Petilla is a problem-solver as he noted the Leyte governor’s style of handling and running the provincial government of Leyte.

 Petilla, 49, is a close ally of the President. He chose not to run for any elective post in the May 13, 2013, elections, contrary to rumors that he would seek a congressional seat in Leyte.

 Petilla, who is on his third and last term as governor, acknowledged the sensitivity of the position since the present energy policies would affect the country’s energy situation several years from now.

 This is the first time President Aquino designated a secretary to the Cabinet since he assumed office in 2010. PND (js)

President Aquino flies home from successful State Visits to New Zealand and Australia

 SYDNEY, Australia: President Benigno S. Aquino III successfully concluded his three-day state visit here with his ‘favorite part’ of the trip, that of meeting members of the Filipino community at the John Therry Catholic School in Rosemeadow, Campbelltown City.

  President Aquino began his week-long foreign trip with a Filipino community event in Auckland, New Zealand last Monday where  he said he is happy to end it with another group of countrymen this time in Sydney, Australia.

  “Kayo po ang huli kong speaking engagement sa biyaheng ito. Talaga pong magiging maligaya ako sa paglipad pauwi dahil napagitna ang ating official visit sa paborito kong bahagi ng pagbiyahe: ang makausap at makahalubilo ang ating mga Filipino community sa labas ng bansa,” the President said  in his speech.

 President Aquino presented a transformed Philippines with an economy that has been turned around and is continuing to gain speed in most, if not all, of the speaking engagements he had during the course of his five-day working trip.

  “Ibang-iba na ang mukha ng Pilipinas. Tunay nga pong ang sarap maging Pilipino ngayon. Taas-noo tayong nakakaharap sa buong mundo; kaya nating sabihing, oo, kaya naming magkamit ng pagbabago. Paano po nangyari ito? Dahil sa inyo; kayo ang gumawa nito. Ginusto ninyo ang pagbabago; kumilos kayo tungo sa pagbabago, at sa tulong ninyo, ipagpapapatuloy natin ang pagbabago,” the President told Filipinos here.

  President Aquino’s two-day state visit in New Zealand earned the country a NZ$5-million investment commitment to help develop the Philippine local dairy industry within a five-year period. This was announced by no less than his counterpart Prime Minister John Key.

  Three bilateral agreements including the working holiday scheme, an arrangement on defense cooperation, and an arrangement on geothermal energy cooperation were also signed between the governments of the Philippines and New Zealand.

 Buoyed by the 6.1 percent gross domestic product growth in the first semester of 2012 as well as the positive comments made by international publications, President Aquino encouraged the international business community to “ride the wave of optimism” and do business in the country.

 He announced several opportunities in the Philippines which investors can take advantage of including infrastructure projects via the public-private partnership program and other ventures in the fields of business process outsourcing (BPO), shipbuilding, and mining, among others.

 In an interview with the Philippine media delegation last Thursday evening, President Aquino said Australia’s MacQuarie partnered with the Government Service Insurance System to set up an infrastructure fund amounting to US$600-million to assist the country’s infrastructure drive.

  The Philippines and Australia have also strengthened their economic relationship and regional partnership as President Aquino and Prime Minister Julia Gillard witnessed the signing of a new Air Services Agreement! that will help lay the groundwork for increased trade and people-to-people links between the two countries.

 Both leaders also agreed that the economic relationship between Australia and the Philippines holds great promise, building on the strong foundation provided by the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area.

 Prior to boarding a chartered Philippine Airlines flight PR001 bound for Manila, President Aquino witnessed a counter terrorism demonstration at the 2nd Commando Regiment, Special Forces Training Facility.

  President Aquino and his delegation left Sydney at around 1:30 p.m. (AU time) and they are expected to be in Manila at 6:10 p.m. (Manila time). PND (hdc)

President Aquino's state visits to New Zealand, Australia yield significant investments, job opportunities for Filipinos

 President Benigno S. Aquino III said his six-day visit to New Zealand and Australia yielded new investments and job opportunities for Filipinos for the benefit of the country's economy as a whole.

 In his arrival message,  President Aquino said he talked to New Zealand’s GNS Science, which is tieing up with the Philippines’s Energy Development Corp. to enhance the country’s capability in harnessing geothermal energy.

 The President said he  and the members of his delegation also assisted the Philippine company Alliance Select in talking to Akaroa Salmon, a New Zealand company. Alliance Select bought 80 percent of Akaroa Salmon.

 In Australia, the Atlantic Gulf & Pacific, located in Batangas talked with its client, the consortium composed of Japan Gas Corp., Kellogg Brown and Root and JKC.

 They have discussed a $200 million natural gas project, in which the Australians expressed their confidence that Filipinos can do the critical aspects of their operations in a timely manner, the President said.

 The contract between AG&P and JKC will create additional 1,500 new jobs at AG&P’s facility in Batangas, he added.

 Macquarie bank based in Australia also had a discussion with his delegation, the President said. Macquarie is working with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to create the Pinai fund worth $625 million.

 According to the President, the  fund will be used to bid for infrastructure projects in the Philippines noting that  Macquarie already bidded in the LRT project in the past. Now it is expressing interest in the NAIA expressway project.

 The President also said that the Australian shipbuilder, Austal also plans to expand its shipbuilding operations in Cebu, which will create 1,000 new jobs.

 Already having 10,000 employees in the Philippines, Telstra, another Australian company, is planning to expand operations in the country,  If the project pushes through, the expansion will result to additional 2,000 to 4,000 new jobs in the Philippines, the President stressed.

 The President said he also talked with the leaders of  New Zealand and Australia, where he met with  New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and the head of New Zealand opposition parliament member, David Shearer and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and parliament member Tony Abbott, the head of Australia’s opposition.

 “Sa mga usapan nilinaw natin sa kanila ang pangangailangan ng istabilidad sa rehiyon upang magpatuloy ang pag-arangkada ng ating mga ekonomiya. Kinausap din natin sila ukol sa ugnayan sa kalakalan at sa masiglang pakikihalubilo ng mga mamamayan,” he said.

 The President said the Australian officials congratulated the Philippine government for signing a peace deal with the Muslim separatists in Mindanao. In turn,  he also thanked  the Australian government for its continuing assistance for Mindanao’s development.

 The President also said that  Australia and the Philippines signed an air services agreement that will help enhance the commercial airline services in the Philippines.

 He noted that The Philippines and New Zealand likewise sealed several agreements that will strengthen their ties particularly in energy and defense cooperation.

 In concluding his message, the President expressed his gratitude to the members of his Cabinet as well as the country’s business delegation who joined him in the successful New Zealand and Australia visits.  PND (as/8:58pm)