President Aquino declares November 15 as special
non-working day in Occidental Mindoro in commemoration of its 62nd Foundation
Day
President
Benigno S. Aquino III has declared November 15, which falls on a Thursday, as a
special (non-working) day in the province of Occidental Mindoro in
commemoration of its 62nd Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No.484 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on October 4 to give the people of Occidental Mindoro the full opportunity to
celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
In 1950, Occidental Mindoro became an
independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 505 otherwise known as
"An Act to Create the Provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental
Mindoro." PND (js)
President Aquino vows support for country's
export industry, says exporters should be ready when the world recovers from
recession
The
country’s export sector must be ready when the world recovers from the current
economic slowdown, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
Speaking
during the 20th anniversary of Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.
(Philexport) in Pasay City, President Aquino said it’s hard to predict when the
current economic slowdown will end noting however that the Philippine exporters
can seize opportunities from the current uncertainties.
The President acknowledged that it is a
challenging time for the country’s export sector as major markets such as
Europe and the United States encounter economic woes.
Since no one can foresee when the slowdown will
last, the President said, the most prudent thing to do for the export industry
is to continue looking for new markets and improve production efficiencies.
The Chief Executive said he remains confident in
the country’s ability to weather the storm, adding that despite the current
crisis, the Philippines is able to post positive growth and continues to
attract foreign investors.
“This gives me optimism that when the world
recovers from the recession, our exports sector will be ready. In this regard,
you can count on your government’s support. All I ask is that you continue what
you have been doing these past several years, and that you stand by us as we
pursue our agenda of reform,” the President said.
“In return, we will stand by you now, when
things are tough, and in the future, when things will undoubtedly be better,”
he added.
Although the government achieved significant
gains in the initial years of the administration, President Aquino said there’s
a lot of things that are still to be done as he cited the country’s potential
to reach far higher than where it is now.
The government will do everything in its power
to build on the present momentum, the President said. The administration will
continue to recognize the value of the country’s exports, acknowledging the
sector’s contributions that the Philippines can capitalize on.
Philexport
reported that the industry posted positive export performance for the first
eight months of 2012, with cumulative merchandise exports of 5.4 percent growth
to $35.2 billion from $33.4 billion recorded during the same period last year.
Among the major government contributions for the
country’s export industry include the approval of the Philippine Export
Development Plan 2011 to 2013, export programs for increased market access
through free-trade agreements, the release of the P80 million export promotion
fund, the creation of infrastructure that boost exports, and the positive
signals from the central bank to promote competitive currency. PND (as/11:57pm)
Aquino expects NAIA 3 negotiations completed by
November to restart works
President
Benigno S. Aquino III said he hopes that the ongoing negotiations between the
government and Takenaka Corp. could be concluded this November to make the
Ninoy Aquino Terminal International Airport Terminal 3 fully operational.
The
President visited the NAIA 3 Wednesday to see to it that the facility serves
the people well as they go to the provinces this All Saints Day.
But he
acknowledged NAIA 3’s limitations because the facility isn’t 100 percent
operational. For instance the air-conditioning units were just partially
completed, he said.
“Hopefully matatapos natin itong Nobyembre
'ang ibang mga negosasyon para matapos na nga buong-buo 'ang building na 'yan,”
he told reporters in an interview during his NAIA 3 visit.
The
government opted to negotiate with Takenaka Corp., the original contractor of
the project, to immediately finish all the works and make it 100-percent
operational.
“Ang haba
'ng negotiations na dinaanan… imbes na nagdemandahan tayo, aabot ng pagputi ng
uwak bago matapos, dito nagkaroon ng negotiations para nga magamit natin nang
buo at kumpletong-kumpleto ‘ang NAIA-3,” the President said.
“Twenty-three systems ang incomplete—siguro
roughly mga kalahati lang ‘ang natapos ‘nung iniwan sa ating mga kamay at hindi
naman ura-urada pwede ng ipagawa kung hindi natapos lahat itong mga negosasyong
ito.”
The
Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Takenaka Corp. signed
a memorandum of understanding in Japan last March.
The move
was seen as the first legal step to complete NAIA 3, which has been operating
below its maximum capacity since it opened four years ago.
The
Philippine International Air Terminals Co. contracted Takenaka to build NAIA 3
in 1998 but works stopped in 2002 over allegations of anomalies.
Under the
MOU, Takenaka will complete the 23 airport systems critical to NAIA 3's full
operations by the end of the year or early 2013.
These
systems include fire alarm and protection system, flight information display
system, building management system, local area network, baggage handling and
reconciliation system and passenger loading bridges.
The
government is expected to spend $45 million for the installation and
rehabilitation of the 23 systems at the NAIA 3, according to the DOTC. PND
(as/3:32pm)
Aquino inspects facilities of NAIA-3, bus
terminal in Pasay City
President
Benigno S. Aquino III visited on Wednesday the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport (NAIA) and a bus terminal in Pasay City to ensure that the government's
contingency measures are in place for the safety and orderly travel of
passengers during the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
The Chief
Executive first inspected the Terminal 3 of the NAIA at 1:20 p.m. Accompanied
by newly-appointed Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph
Emilio "Jun" Abaya, President Aquino toured the domestic departure
area and the self-service check-in Kiosk of Cebu Pacific.
President
Aquino also talked with the male operator of the X-ray machine and watched how
the system is working. He also checked on the operations of the Oplan Help Desk
which is composed of Manila International Airport Authority Medical Team,
Philippine National Police and Public Affairs Officers.
Manila
International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado briefed
President Aquino on the airport's operations, including the new innovations
that will be implemented starting November 1. The President was also briefed
about the security set-up at the strategic places in the airport.
From
NAIA, the President went to the Philtranco Bus Terminal at the corner of EDSA
and Apello Cruz also in Pasay City where he inspected the pre-departure area,
canteen and other areas. He even went inside a waiting public utility bus to
briefly talk with the passengers and talked with the employees and passengers
at the pre-departure area.
"Palagay ko naman ho maayos, Tandaan lang
natin ang NAIA-3 hindi pa ho tapos ang gusaling 'yan. Marami pang kailangang gawin
at parang nagkaliwanag na ho ngayon doon sa timetables para matapos at para
magamit natin ang NAIA-3," the President said when asked to comment on his
visits to the airport’s facility and bus terminal.
The
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has launched “Oplan
Ligtas Byahe: Undas 2012” to ensure the orderly and convenient travel for
motorists and commuters.
As part
of the program, Abaya checked the ongoing rehabilitation and preparations being
made at the NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. Airport personnel started beefing up
security measures with the expected influx of passengers going to their
respective provinces. PND (js)
