President Aquino vows to uphold and protect
consumer rights
President
Benigno S. Aquino III assured Filipinos that their rights as consumers, as
specified under Republic Act 7394 otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the
Philippines, will continue to be upheld and protected under his Administration.
The President gave the assurance in his speech
keynoting the opening ceremonies of the Consumer Welfare Month held at the SMX
Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday.
He said that under the tutelage of Trade
Secretary Gregory Domingo, the DTI and other concerned agencies are ready to
defend and uphold the rights of consumers to fair, reasonably-priced and top
quality products as well as to effectively address consumer-related issues and
concerns and safeguard the rights and welfare of the consuming public.
“Sa tapat at maayos na pagtitimon ni Kalihim
Greg Domingo sa buong Department of Trade and Industry, makakaasa ang bawat
Pilipino—negosyante man o konsyumer—na nasa mabuting kamay tayo,” the President
said.
“Muli’t muli nating idinidiin ang batayang
prinsipyo natin sa tuwid na daan: ang taumbayan lamang ang Boss; wala nang iba.
Kaya naman lubos na isinasaalang-alang ang kapakanan nila sa bawat programa o
patakaran na hinahabi ng pamahalaan,” he added.
The annual observance of the CWM is pursuant to
Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Its celebration aims to promote dissemination of sound consumer information on
subjects that affect the consumers and to encourage dialogue and cooperation
among the consumers, business and government sectors in strengthening consumer
awareness and protection. PND (rck)
Aquino declares November 11 to 17 as 'Electrical
Engineering Week' to underscore the importance of the electrical engineering
profession
President
Benigno S. Aquino III has declared November 11 to 17, 2012 as “Electrical
Engineering Week” to underscore the need to focus national attention on the
importance of the electrical engineering profession.
The Chief
Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 419 signed by
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on July 4.
The
proclamation aims to highlight the role of the electrical engineering
profession in nation-building.
The
Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE),
will hold its 37th Annual National Convention on November 14-17, 2012 at the
SMX Convention Center, Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
The theme
for this year’s gathering of electrical engineers is "Engineering a Safe
and Better Nation Through Excellence in Electrical Profession."
The IIEE
is the organization of electrical practitioners and the only accredited
professional organization (APO) of electrical practitioners by the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC). Founded in 1975, the organization now has 23,000
members. PND (js)
Aquino lauds compliance rate of Consumer Welfare
Desks in addressing complaints
President
Benigno S. Aquino III hailed the speed and effectiveness of the Consumer
Welfare Desks (CWD) in addressing complaints, saying that this showed the high
priority the CWDs give in upholding consumers’ rights.
In his speech keynoting the opening ceremonies
of Consumer Welfare Month at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on
Thursday, the President said 70,941 out of 81,962 or 95 percent of complaints
cases were handled and given immediate solutions within a week by CWDs.
More than 3,000 CWDs have already been posted in
markets, malls and supermarkets nationwide in order to assist consumers in any
concern they have, the President said.
“Ngayon, kung sakaling may negosyanteng
umabuso’t talaga namang mababang uri ng produkto o serbisyo ang natanggap ni
Pedro, maaari na itong i-report sa pinakamalapit na Consumer Welfare Desk sa
inyong lugar para agad na maaksyonan. May mahigit tatlong libong Consumer
Welfare Desks na po ngayon ang nakaposte sa mga palengke, mall, grocery, at
supermarket,” the President said.
“Ang talaga naman pong nakakabilib: Sa kabuuang
81,962 na reklamong natanggap nila mula Enero 2011, hanggang Hunyo ng taong
kasalukuyan, 70,941 o mahigit siyamnapu’t limang porsyento ay naresolba sa loob
lamang ng pitong araw,” he added.
“Iyan po ang tinatawag nating mabilis at
epektibong pangangalaga sa kapakanan at interes ng mga konsyumer sa tuwid na
daan,” the President said.
This year, the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) leads the annual celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) with the
theme: “Get Organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered” that is aligned with the
objective of the DTI to revitalize, strengthen and empower the regional and
national consumer organizations in the country. PND (rck)
Aquino confident in growing Philippine economy
President
Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence in achieving the government’s goal
of attaining a more progressive economy for the country considering its
continuous efforts to implement reforms
In his
speech during the 38th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) at
the Fiesta Pavillion, Manila Hotel, Thursday, President Aquino said that the
continuously growing economy in the country was the result of the
administration’s focus on fiscal management and reforms within the bureaucracy.
“Today I
tell you… we have a winning strategy in our hands. You are no doubt aware that
the growth of our economy this year has been robust in contrast to the slow
growth we continue to see in other parts of the world. The average GDP growth
for the first semester of 2012 has exceeded expectations at 6.1 per cent which
gives us good reason to believe that we will be able to achieve this year’s
projected GDP growth of between five to six per cent. We must also note that
our 2011 debt to GDP ratio was marked at 50.9 per cent lower than the 52.4 per
cent recorded in 2010,” the President said.
“These
are the results of our commitment to balance pro-active fiscal management,
prudent spending and reforms to increase competitiveness, because of these
different organizations have expressed optimism for our economic future. For
instance, we have recorded a second consecutive 10-place jump in the World
Economic Forum’s 2012-2013 Global Competitiveness Report,” he added.
The Chief
Executive also noted the growing number of stakeholders from the private sector
that are expressing confidence in the government’s sincerity in implementing
reforms founded on the principles of accountability and good governance.
“What is
most encouraging to me is that the number of private entities that have signed
the integrity pledge has more than doubled from 700 signatories in 2011 to 1500
signatories not including government agencies as of mid-September… I expect
that this number will only continue to grow as more corporations and
businessmen feel the benefits of reform,” President Aquino said.
“As we
continue to walk along the straight path to mutual progress and inclusive
growth, let us not forget our 95 million partners in this endeavor… in this way
if we continue to work for the interest of not just one company or the
government but for all, I am certain that we will have enjoyed truly meaningful
success by the time I pass on the torch, hopefully to someone who will sustain
our momentum,” he added.
Present
during the event were Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Miguel Varela, PCCI chairman
Alfredo Yao and the 38th PBC&E chairman Antonio Lopa, among others.
The
PBC&E is the biggest gathering of local and international businessmen in
the country where intense and no-holds barred dialogue between business and
government leaders take place to draw up business and economic resolutions and
policy pronouncements.
Anchored
on the event's theme of “One Global Filipino, Investment and Governance,
Pillars of Economic Growth,” the group presented the 38th PBC Resolutions
covering the fields of Agriculture, Education, Energy/Power and Water,
Environment, Mining, Housing and Construction, Information and Communications
Technology and Transportation. PND (jcl)
Aquino says peace in Mindanao will benefit local
communities, businesses
Sealing a
peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will benefit not only
the local communities in Mindanao but also the country’s business sector,
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday.
Speaking
before the participants of the 38th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in
Manila Hotel on Thursday, the President said his administration’s desire to
improve the lives of Filipinos is the main reason why it aggressively pushes
building more infrastructures and carrying out major reforms in the bureaucracy
and in education.
“The
foundation of all these reforms is our desire to empower Filipinos. This is the
same desire that fuelled the Framework Agreement with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front, which will seal a final and enduring peace in Mindanao,” the
President said.
“It is
more than an achievement for the government or the MILF—this is also one
through which the private sector will benefit, as we may soon be able to
explore more areas for sustainable development in Mindanao,” the chief
executive added.
More
importantly, the Framework Agreement will foster unity among Filipinos,
allowing the Philippines to take great strides towards the realization of a
peaceful, stable, and equitably progressive country.
The
country’s recent successes in the economy, bureaucratic reforms and many other
areas isn’t solely a result of government initiatives but also because of the
assistance of businesses and the private sector, he said.
“You have
believed in the sincerity of our reforms, and you continue to believe in the
skills and abilities of the Filipino people—and this has shown itself in the
ways you have contributed to our economic resurgence,” he said.
The
Philippines 2011 debt to GDP ratio was marked at 50.9 per cent lower than the
52.4 per cent recorded in 2010, the President said adding the average GDP
growth for the first semester of 2012 has exceeded expectations at 6.1 per
cent.
These
figures make the administration hopeful that it can achieve this year’s
projected GDP growth of between five to six percent, the President added.
Also, the
President boasted of the country’s second consecutive 10-place jump in the
World Economic Forum’s 2012-2013 Global Competitiveness Report as a result of
balance pro-active fiscal management, prudent spending and reforms that
increase the country's competitiveness.
The
Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will sign on Monday,
October 15, the Framework Agreement on peace aimed at ending the conflict in
Mindanao that has spanned two generations and has resulted to hundreds of
casualties.
Malaysian
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MILF Chairman Al Hadj Murad, MILF
contingent and other partners are expected to attend next week’s event, the
Palace said. PND (as/3:12pm)
'Oplan Brodkastreeing' of KBP set to boost
National Greening Program
The
Aquino administration’s National Greening Program will get a boost with the
nationwide tree-planting activity of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas
(KBP) to be held on Saturday (October13).
The 39
chapters of the KBP nationwide will plant thousands of seedlings simultaneously
nationwide in support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’
National Greening Program (NGP).
The
tree-planting activity, dubbed as “Oplan Broadcastreeing,” is in line with the
KBP’s partnership with the DENR to mobilize and organize its members for the
nationwide tree-planting.
KBP said
that its tree-planting activity in the National Capital Region (NCR) will take
place on Saturday at Barangay Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal.
The
government’s National Greening Program, which was launched last year, targets
to plant 1.5 billion tree seedlings in 1.5 million hectares nationwide from
2011 to 2016.
Priority
areas for planting include mangrove and protected areas, CBFM areas, ancestral
domain areas, civil and military reservation areas, urban areas under the
greening plan of LGUs, inactive and abandoned mine sites, and all other
suitable public lands for reforestation. PND (co)
Development Academy of the Philippines opens
admission to development program for 2013
In line
with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s reform initiatives, the Development
Academy of the Philippines (DAP) announced the opening of admission to the
Public Management Development Program (PMDP) for 2013.
The DAP
admits applicants having in mind the President’s “Daang Matuwid” to foster high
degree of professionalism in government service by producing competent, honest
and committed public executives.
The
program, launched in May 2012, is an intensive scholarship program that
provides comprehensive and multi-modal learning opportunities for public
managers.
The
program covers three to four months of residential training at DAP Conference
Center in Tagaytay City inclusive of a two-week Sensing Journey in a rural
community and another three months for respective agencies.
PMDP
offers two classes – Senior Executives Class (SEC) and Middle Managers Class
(MMC). The SEC is designed for senior government executives who are incumbents
or OICs of SG 25 and up positions while the MMC is for high-performing high
potential division chiefs of SG 24 positions.
The
program will accept applicants not more than 55 years old who hold a permanent
position in government. They should come from the national line agencies or
their attached agencies and should have gained a Very Satisfactory or
Outstanding performance rating for the past two years.
They
should also be clear of administrative and criminal cases, have not gone
habitually on leaves and are willing to sign a one-year service contract after
completing the program. Furthermore, they should be nominated by the head of
agency.
The
nominees will undergo a three-stage admission process that includes preliminary
screening, examinations and targeted interview. They will be assessed based on
the following criteria: managerial and leadership potential, character and
commitment to public service, and intellectual and creative capacities.
Nominations will be accepted until October 30,
2012 and the deadline of submission of application requirements is on November
10, 2012.
The first
batch consisting of 38 scholars for the SEC and 40 scholars for the MMC are on
their way to completing the program in December of this year and in January
next year, respectively.
As a leadership
initiative under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, PMDP is overseen by
a Steering Committee composed of the National Economic and Development
Authority, Civil Service Commission, Career Executive Service Board, Department
of Budget and Management, and Department of Finance.
The
Development Academy of the Philippines is the implementing agency of this
five-year program.
For more
information, please contact the PMDP Secretariat at telephone numbers – (02)
631-2121/ 631-2133 or email –pmdpsecretariat@dap.edu.ph. Application forms are
downloadable from www.dap.edu.ph/pmdp. PND (as)
