President Aquino welcomes visiting French Prime
Minister in Malacañang
President
Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed visiting French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault
to Manila by according the French leader arrival honors in Malacañang on
Friday.
A booming 19-gun salute rendered during the
playing of the national anthems of both countries signaled the start of the
three-day State Visit to the Philippines of Ayrault, who arrived at Malacañang
grounds at around 5:30 p.m.
The President then ushered Ayrault, who was
accompanied by his wife Madame Brigitte Ayrault, into Malacañang Palace for the
traditional signing of the Palace Guest Book, where visiting dignitaries affix
their signatures during their visit.
The two leaders then held bilateral talks at the
nearby Music Room to further develop a more dynamic and robust partnership
between the two countries based on the theme: “Enhancing Philippine-France
Relations through political, economic and cultural cooperation.”
After the hour-long meeting, the two leaders
emerged to announce their countries’ agreement to work together on energy
production and the furtherance of Filipino culture by showcasing Filipino
artifacts in an exhibit to be held in France next year.
A state dinner was then hosted by President
Aquino for Ayrault, his wife Madame Brigitte Ayrault, and his official
delegation composed of ministers, members of parliament and business leaders at
around 7:30 p.m.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that the
total bilateral trade between the two countries totaled $1.143-billion
(P49-billion) in 2011. PND (rck)
Philippines, France ink agreements on energy and
culture
The
Philippines and France has agreed to work together in the fields of energy
production and culture aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between
the two countries whose diplomatic relations were formalized in 1947.
President
Benigno S. Aquino III and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault witnessed the
signing of a Declaration of Intent between the Government of the Philippines
and the Government of the French Republic relating to a Study for Energy
Production from Biomass and a second agreement on the Philippine Exhibition at
the Musee Du Quai Branly in Paris, France.
The
former was signed by France Minister of Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq and Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario while the latter by Minister Delegate of
Foreign Affairs, in charge of French nationals residing abroad and Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario.
The
signing was made on the first day of the State Visit of Ayrault to the
Philippines. He was accorded arrival honors by the President in Malacañang.
Under the
Declaration of Intent, the French Government will extend a grant amounting to
372,272 euros to fund a feasibility study on rice straw as fuel to generate
electricity using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology; while in the
Agreement, the Philippines was chosen to be the featured country in a Grand
Exhibition to showcase 300+ artifacts on pre-colonial Philippines.
In his
speech after the signing, President Aquino cited the agreements as “an
affirmation of how we value the development of a more dynamic and robust
partnership between our two nations.”
“This is
a partnership that enjoys firm foundations,” the President said.
For his
part, Prime Minister Ayraule said his visit was “a good time to improve trust
and confidence” between the two countries.
“And this
is a good time to improve trust and confidence by investors because we do want
to restore healthy exchanges both economically speaking and in terms of trade,
and we would like a healthy balance of trade between our two countries,” Ayrault
said. PND (rck)
Aquino thanks France for key role in the
country's development
President
Benigno S. Aquino III cited the important role of France in the Philippines’
development saying they were an important partner in upholding democracy and pursuing
development.
The President expressed his appreciation to
visiting French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at the joint press conference
the two leaders held for members of media after they held a meeting as part of
the French leader’s three-day State Visit to the Philippines which began
Friday.
The President said France’s Official Development
Assistance mechanism, particularly in the areas of Climate Change, Sustainable
Urban Development, and Capacity-building Projects for Local Government Units
had helped the Philippines achieve its development priorities.
“France has remained a partner in upholding
democracy and pursuing development: I thanked the Prime Minister for the
continued contribution of France to achieving our development priorities
through the Official Development Assistance mechanism, particularly in the
areas of Climate Change, Sustainable Urban Development, and Capacity-building
Projects for Local Government Units,” the President said.
He pointed out that Ayrault’s visit highlighted
the interest of French businesses of the country's “efforts at reform and the
positive economic developments” as both leaders committed to “accelerate the
pace of our economic cooperation.”
“Prime Minister Ayrault’s visit here---and his
business delegation who accompanies him---sends a strong signal... that French
companies are noticing our efforts at reform and the positive economic
developments these have brought to our country,” the President said.
“The Prime Minister and I agreed to accelerate
the pace of our economic cooperation. Part of achieving this goal is easing the
barriers that impede the growth of two-way trade and investment,” he added. PND
(rck)
French Prime Minister cites strength of Aquino
and Filipino people to rise from struggles
French
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault paid tribute to the strength of President
Benigno S. Aquino III and the Filipino people to rise above seemingly
insurmountable odds, saying this trait was shared by the people of France.
In his statement delivered at a joint press
conference in Malacañang on Friday, Ayrault also lauded President Aquino’s
diplomacy to settle disputes amicably.
“I would also like to pay tribute to your
people, Mr. President, and I would like to pay tribute to the strength of the
people and to your own personal struggle for liberty, for freedom, for
democracy,” Ayrault said.
“You have always fought also for the development
of your country and for justice, and your country is grateful to you. And you
have had to face several ordeals throughout your life but you have always
carried on the struggle,” he added.
He also cited the President’s parents: former
Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino, whom he said served
as examples to never give up the fight for democracy and freedom.
“You had to succeed your mother, this was one
ordeal after also the death of your father killed by the dictatorship. But Mr.
President, you never gave in, you never gave up. And I would like to salute you
for the strength you showed and for your ability to fight for democracy, for
justice, for human rights,” Ayrault said.
“And these are values that we share, you, the
Philippines, and we, the French,” he added.
He further said that he "saluted" the
peaceful method by which the President uses to settle disputes, whether
international or domestic.
“I could not but salute the method that you used
Mr. President. You have always opted for peaceful settlement of disputes be it
domestically or be it with other countries,” Ayrault said. PND (rck)
Government agencies start preparations to ensure
peaceful, orderly observance of all Saints Day and all Souls Day, Malacanang
says
Concerned
government agencies started doing necessary preparations to ensure peaceful and
orderly observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, a Palace official said
on Saturday.
The
Philippine National Police (PNP) has already beefed up police visibility in
cemeteries, churches and other public places to ensure the safety of the
public, according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in an
interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on
Saturday.
"Of
course, police visibility is always a factor. Kailangan pong siguraduhin ng
ating kapulisan na marami sa kanila ang nakikikitang rumoronda," Valte
said.
A
contingency force will be deployed to ensure the safety of passengers and
adequacy of transportation alternatives amid an expected heavy influx of
travelers on All Saints Day.
Valte
reiterated the warning to the public to refrain from bringing deadly weapons in
the cemeteries.
"Alam niyo naman po ang mga usual na
bawal. Bawal ang magdala ng patalim, bawal uminom sa loob po ng sementeryo,
bawal magsugal. The police will be there to ensure peace and order during the
visit of our countrymen to their loved ones who have passed on. PND (js)
Malacanang expresses jubilation over
proclamation of Blessed Pedro Calungsod as second Filipino saint
Malacanang expressed jubilation over the
proclamation by the Catholic Church of Blessed Pedro Calungsod as the second
Filipino saint, which, it said further proves the piousness and devotion of the
Filipino people to their love for God as a Catholic nation.
In an
interview over government-run radio station DzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday,
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte mentioned the forthcoming
canonization of Blessed Calungsod at the St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy on
Oct. 21, Sunday.
“On
October 21, 2012, the Catholic world comes together as Pope Benedict XVI
proclaims Blessed Pedro Calungsod as Saint of the Catholic Church. This is a
day of great spiritual joy and national pride not only for Filipino Catholics,
but for all those who call the Philippines their home, especially our
countrymen in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Valte said.
She added
that some officials of the government and leaders of the Catholic Church as
well as throngs of pilgrims will be at St. Peter’s Square to witness the
historic spiritual event.
“A
delegation of officials led by the Vice President and Secretary Rene Almendras
will be present in St. Peter’s Square together with the senior prelates of the
Philippine Catholic hierarchy and a multitude of pilgrims to witness the
canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod who has been described as a
protomartyr,” Valte noted.
“Filipino
Catholics well recall that it was under the reign of Pope John Paul II - a
pontiff who held Filipinos very dear to his heart - and upon the initiation of
His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, that the beatification for Calungsod was
initiated in 1994 and culminating in his beatification in 2000. In 12 short
years, the canonical requirements for his canonization has been fulfilled. We
join the Catholic world on this day of solemn commemoration and celebration,”
she said.
Born in
the year 1654 in the Visayas island, Blessed Pedro Calungsod also known as
Pedro Calonsor was born in the year 1654 and died on April 2, 1672.
He was a
young Roman Catholic Filipino migrant, sacristan and missionary catechist, who
along with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious persecution
and martyrdom in Guam for their missionary work in 1672.
While in
Guam, Calungsod preached Christianity to the Chamorro people through catechism,
while baptizing both infants, children and adults at the risk of being persecuted
and eventually murdered. Through Calungsod and San Vitores' missionary efforts,
many native Chamorros converted to Roman Catholicism.
Blessed
Pedro Calungsod was formally beatified on March 5, 2000 by Blessed Pope John
Paul II. On February 18, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially announced that
Calungsod will be canonized on October 21. PND (jcl)
President Aquino declares 4th week of October of
every year as Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week
President
Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the Fourth (4th) Week of October of each
year as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week in order to
emphasize the rights of every Filipino youth and child.
The Chief
Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 489 on October
11, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte said in an interview
aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday
Section
13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides, that “the State recognizes
the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs," President Aquino noted.
The
Philippines is the 31st party to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC), a legally binding international instrument
which establishes the minimum entitlements and freedoms of children – ranging
from civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights – that should be
respected by governments.
The
proclamation said the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 9344, otherwise known
as the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006,” is an affirmation of the
Philippine commitment to the obligations enshrined in the UN-CRC.
"The
Filipino people should celebrate and recognize the Filipino children and youth
as the most valuable asset of the nation," the proclamation stressed.
"There
is a need to mainstream awareness and consciousness of the Filipino people on
the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act in order to emphasize the rights of every
Filipino youth and child, including children-at-risk and in conflict with the
law, their role in nation-building, and the responsibilities of all duty
bearers and stakeholders in ensuring the protection and promoting the welfare
of the Filipino youth and children," it said.
The
proclamation further said that Presidential Proclamation No. 267 (s. 1993)
designates the month of October as the National Children’s Month to underscore
the importance of the role of the child within the Filipino family and in the
context of the greater Philippine society.
The
President subsequently declared the fourth (4th) week of October of each year
as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week, in conjunction with the
annual celebration of October as the National Children’s Month by virtue of
Presidential Proclamation No. 267 (s. 1993).
All
Departments, Agencies, and Instrumentalities of the National Government, State
Universities and Colleges, Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations and
Local Government Units, with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council as lead
implementing agency, are hereby enjoined to support and extend the necessary
assistance in the observance of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness
Week. PND (js)
