Monday 15 October 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, October 11, 2012


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)