Aquino vows to heighten government’s disaster
preparedness
The
government will intensify its efforts to remove vulnerable populations in
harm’s way whenever there are incoming typhoons to avoid a repeat of the
devastation of Typhoon Pablo in Mindanao, President Benigno S. Aquino III said
on Friday.
During
the change of command ceremonies at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday,
the President asked the support of Coast Guard personnel in carrying out the
government preparations to mitigate the impact of weather disturbances to the
general population.
Preemptive measures should be in place
whenever there are incoming typhoons to avoid lost of lives and tremendous
damage to properties, he said during his speech. This is the duty of the PCG
and every government personnel, and they will be successful in assisting their
fellow Filipinos as long as they have the will to lend a helping hand, the
President said.
“Kung
hindi man natin napigilan ito, nakaposisyon na dapat tayo para gamutin ang
sugat niya, at iparamdam sa kaniyang hindi siya nag-iisa at pasan-pasan natin
siya mula sa pagbangon, hanggang maghilom ang sugat niya, hanggang sa matuto
uli siyang humakbang nang mabilis at maitulak sa kaunlaran ang buhay niya,” the
President said
“Kung
kailangan nating doblehin ang ating mga babala; kung kailangan nating triplehin
ang ating mga paghahanda; kung kailangan natin silang ilikas isang linggo bago
pa man sumalanta ang malakas na ulan at pagbaha, gagawin natin lahat ito dahil
tungkulin nating tiyakin na mailayo sa kapahamakan ang ating mga kababayan sa
abot po ng ating makakaya,” he added.
The
President said he was appalled by the devastation in New Bataan, Compostela
Valley, and Boston, Davao Oriental, during his visit there last week.
The
President led the change of command of the PCG Friday challenging the new
commandant to continue the good works of his predecessor.
Rear
Admiral Rodolfo Isorena assumed office on Friday as the new commandant of the
PCG replacing Vice Admiral Edmund Tan. PND (as)
Aquino leads Philippine Coast Guard change of
command
President Benigno S. Aquino led Friday the
change of command of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) challenging the new
commandant to continue the positive thrusts of his predecessor.
Rear
Admiral Rodolfo Isorena assumed on Friday as the new commandant of the PCG
replacing Vice Admiral Edmund Tan.
The
turn-over of command rites marks the beginning of a new page in the history of
Philippine Coast Guard, the President said in his speech during the event at
the PCG’s headquarters at Port Area, Manila.
“Kay Rear
Admiral Isorena: Huwag mong sasayangin ang mga repormang ipinunla ng iyong mga
sinundan. Suklian mo ng tapat na paglilingkod ang tiwalang kaloob sa iyo, hindi
lang ng Tanod Baybayin ng Pilipinas, kundi ng sambayanan,” he said.
“Lagi mo
sanang tatandaan na ang iyong pagkakatalaga ay hindi pribilehiyo, kundi isang
tungkuling may kaakibat na responsibilidad. Nakasalalay sa lakas ng iyong bawat
tauhan ang kabuuang lakas ng Coast Guard. Dapat mo silang alagaan; dapat mong
pakinggan ang kanilang mga problema,”
The Chief
Executive said that Isorena should treat every PCG personnel as a member of the
PCG family, noting that their “boss,” the Filipino, expect to fulfill his
duties effectively.
The
President also expressed his gratitude to Vice Admiral Tan, that despite his
11-month stint in the PCG, he has accomplished a lot. Tan performed well even
during challenging situations to protect the country’s territory, fight crime
and ensure the safety of people at sea, the President said.
He also
thanked the entire PCG for performing its duties. The President praised the PCG
for its successful operations during the Philippine-China standoff in Bajo de
Masinloc.
“Sa
kabila ng mga banta’t panganib, napanatili ng Coast Guard, hindi lamang ang
seguridad at kaayusan sa ating teritoryong pandagat; naipaabot din ninyo sa
ibang mga bansa na hangga’t nasa katwiran tayo, handang ipaglaban ng Pilipino
ang tunay na pag-aari ng Pilipino,” he said.
The PCG
has effectively pushed the government’s campaign against human trafficking,
illicit drugs and arms trade as well as transnational crimes, he said.
Since
January 2012, the PCG conducted 230 maritime law enforcement and security
operations that resulted to the arrest of 237 individuals. It also intercepted
65 sea vessels being used for illegal activities. In addition, the PCG also
confiscated more than P233 million of smuggled goods, the chief executive said.
To make
the PCG more effective in doing its job, the President said the NEDA board
approved last month P8.8 billion allocation for the purchase of 10 units of
40-meter Multi-role Response Vessels.
“Inaasan
po na mas aangat ang antas ng serbisyo ng mga Tanod Baybayin; mas dadami ang
mailalayo sa mga sakuna’t peligro; at sa dulo nito, mas panalo at mas ligtas
ang sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.
The new
PCG commandant is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, coming from
the Sandigan Class of 1982. A native of Virac, Catanduanes, Isorena was
commissioned as ensign in the Philippine Navy in 1982 and was assigned at the
PCG in 1993.
He also
studied here and aboard while at the PCG. He has degrees and trainings in
Sweden, the US, Japan, and Denmark.
Among the
awards and citations he received while in the PCG include the Coast Guard
Legion of Honors, Distinguished Service Medals, Outstanding Achievement Medal,
and Gawad Kaunlaran Medals.
Joining
the President during Friday’s event were Transportation and Communications
Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. PND (as)
President Aquino declares December 18 special
non-working day in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan in celebration of its 13th Charter
Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
December 18, which falls on Tuesday, as a special (non-working) day in the city
of Tuguegarao in Cagayan province in celebration of its 13th Charter Day.
The Chief
Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 524 signed by
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on December 13 to give the people of
Tuguegarao the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion
with appropriate ceremonies.
Tuguegarao became a city by virtue of Republic
Act No. 8755 issued on November 4, 1999. The cityhood status of Tuguegarao was
affirmed in a plebiscite held on December 18, 1999. PND (js)
President Aquino directs Interior and Local
Government Secretary Roxas to build a strong case against jueteng operators and
coddlers
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II to build a strong case
against jueteng operators and coddlers and ensure the safety of the witnesses who
will testify on jueteng operations, a Palace official said on Friday.
"The
resolve of government to eradicate illegal gambling operations is
unwavering," Presidential Spokeperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement
issued on Friday.
The Chief
Executive directed Secretary Roxas to ensure the safety of witnesses who will
testify regarding the jueteng operations and the alleged involvement of
Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. in the operations, Lacierda noted.
"Secretary Roxas has ordered the reshuffling
of police personnel in Pangasinan to determine culpability, if any, and to
guarantee that there will be no whitewash in the investigation," Lacierda
said.
"We
are determined to pursue this case to its logical end under the rule of law and
should serve as a warning to syndicates and coddlers of illegal gambling
operations to stop or be stopped," Lacierda added.
Secretary
Roxas said on Friday that two officials, Bugallon, Pangasinan Mayor Rodrigo
Orduna and Barangay captain Fernando "Boy Bata" Alimagno, linked
Espino to jueteng, saying they helped the governor in running the illegal
numbers game in the province. Both officials had earlier filed a plunder case
against the governor at the office of the Ombudsman. PND (js)
