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)
