President Aquino orders concerned government
agencies to assist Senate in hosting the 5th Global Conference of the Global
Organization of Parliamentarians
President
Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the concerned government agencies to assist
the Senate of the Philippines in hosting the 5th Global Conference of the
Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) in January
next year.
The Chief
Executive issued the directive by virtue of Memorandum Order (MO) No. 51 signed
by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on November 28.
"The
Congress of the Philippines, led by the Senate of the Philippines, will host
the 5th Global Conference of the GOPAC in Manila on January 30 to February 2,
2013, the President said.
He said
the hosting by the Philippines of the GOPAC Conference will highlight and
establish the country’s earnest determination to eliminate corruption and
poverty in all fronts.
"Section 2 of Executive Order (EO) No. 43
entitled, “Pursuing our Social Contract with the Filipino People through the
Reorganization of the Cabinet Clusters” underscores the institutionalization of
open, transparent, accountable and inclusive governance as one of the key
result areas of the Government’s Social Contract with the Filipino
People," the President stressed.
The
President said the holding of the GOPAC Conference will bring international
prestige, encourage meaningful discourse and foster goodwill among
parliamentarians from different countries.
"It
is essential for the Executive Department and other Government Agencies
concerned to assist in the preparations for, and ensure the success of the
hosting by the Philippines of the GOPAC Conference," he said.
He
directed the department secretaries/heads of the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Department of Tourism, Department of Justice, Department of Health, Philippine
National Police, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Manila International
Airport Authority, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to
closely coordinate with, and assist the Senate of the Philippines in the
preparations for, and the actual hosting of the 5th Global Conference of the
GOPAC.
The
President, likewise, directed the concerned agencies "to assist the Senate
in ensuring that all the requirements for the event are attended to, and that
the economic advantages of the event are maximized through a concerted and
cost-effective country team approach."
"Other departments, bureaus or offices of
the government, including government-owned or –controlled corporations (GOCCs),
may be called upon to render assistance as the Senate of the Philippines may
deem necessary in the country’s hosting of this event," he said.
According
to the President, the funds needed by the abovementioned agencies in providing
assistance to the Senate of the Philippines for the event shall be taken from
their respective budgets.
"As
the main venue for the sessions and other activities of the GOPAC Conference,
PICC shall attend to the necessary rehabilitation and improvement of its
facilities and grounds," he said.
Likewise,
the CCP shall undertake the necessary improvements on the grounds and buildings
within the CCP Complex, he said.
The MO
No. 51 shall take effect immediately. PND (js)
President Aquino cites street sweepers of
Manila, Pasay and Paranaque
President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the street
sweepers of Manila, Pasay and Paranaque Cities whose labor, he said, not only
keeps the streets of the metropolis clean and free from debris, but also by
their dedication and discipline to their job that has become the very
foundation on which government reform is anchored upon.
The
President issued the citation in his speech keynoting the Philippine Amusement
and Gaming Corporation’s yearly gift-giving activity, “Bayanihan: Pamaskong
Handog ng PAGCOR 2012,” this Yuletide season held at the Cuneta Astrodome in
Pasay City on Monday.
“Magandang pagkakataon po ito upang ipaabot sa
inyo ang taos puso kong pasasalamat. Sa ating masisipag na street sweepers:
pinapanatili ninyong malinis ang ating mga lansangan at daluyan ng tubig upang
maiwasan ang pagragasa ng baha tuwing tag-ulan; ipinapamalas ninyo ang
disiplina at pananagutan sa kalakhang lipunan,” the President said.
“Malinaw
po, ang inyong pagpupunyagi ay pundasyon ng ating reporma; kabalikat kayo sa
pag-a-angat ng mabubuting katangian ng lahing Pilipino. Salamat po, tunay nga
pong kayo ang gumawa ng pagbabago,” he added.
PAGCOR’s
Pamaskong Handog event began in December 2010 under the initiative of the
agency’s new management as part of its core commitment to reach out to the less
privileged sectors of society.
According
to the President, the project aims to bring cheers and color to our less
fortunate brothers’ celebration of Christmas.
“Layunin
po ng proyektong ito na bigyang kulay ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko ng ating mga
kababayang mas nangangailangan. Target po nitong maabot ang walong libo at anim
na raang benepisyaryo sa buong bansa, na nasa pangangalaga ng apatnapu’t isang
institusyon. Kabilang sa matutulungan ng programa ang mga batang naulila, mga
nakatatanda, may kapansanan, kapuspalad na mga pasyente, cultural minorities,
at ang mga kasama natin ngayong araw, ang ating pong mga street sweepers,” the
President said.
Prior to
his speech, the President, who was joined by PAGCOR chairman and CEO Cristino
Naguiat, Jr, Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim,
Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Jr, and Pasay City Representative
Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, led the distribution of Noche Buena packs to some 2,000
street sweepers in attendance.
The Noche
Buena packs contained the necessary food items needed for the Christmas feast
such as: spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, ham, cheese, fruit cocktail, condensed
milk, all purpose cream, arroz caldo and champorado mixes.
“Nawa’y
sumapat po ang mga regalong ipinagkaloob ng PAGCOR, bilang munting pagtanaw sa
inyong sakripisyo at dedikasyon sa trabaho, upang masayang mapagsaluhan ng
inyong pamilya ang Noche Buena,” the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino vows to work harder to make
government an effective servant of the people
President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to work
harder to make government an effective servant of the people by implementing
reforms that will rid it of graft and corruption.
In his
speech keynoting the annual gift-giving activity of the Philippine Amusement
and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the less fortunate held at the Cuneta
Astrodome on Monday, the President reiterated his administration’s advocacy
that the government should be made for the people and not for the whims of a
select few.
He cited
PAGCOR as a concrete example that through the implementation of reforms and
proper management, the once favorite milking cow of the corrupt, now holds the
nation’s coffers that will be used for the uplift and betterment of the people.
“Hindi po
natatapos dito ang pagsisikap nating maghandog ng biyaya sa atin pong kapwa.
Patuloy po nating lilinisin ang ating pamahalaan upang epektibong
makapaglingkod sa ating mamamayan. Walang alinlangan nating inaalis ang mga
agiw at dumi sa sistema. Kaakibat ng pagpapanagot natin sa mga tiwali, pinabibilis
din natin ang pagpapabuti sa kapakanan ng mas nakakarami,” the President said.
“Ang
gusto po natin: ang inyong sipag at sakripisyo ay may katumbas na pag-asenso.
Bawat patak ng pawis sa maghapong paghahanap-buhay sa katirikan ng araw; bawat
metrong tinatahak upang matiyak ang kalinisan sa kapaligiran; bawa't puso na
‘di alintana ang peligro sa kalsada; ay may katumbas na kapanatagan ng loob na
mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang inyong pamilya,” he added. PND (rck)
Malacanang says DSWD has started constructing
bunkhouses in hardest hit areas of Region XI
The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) started constructing on Monday some 63 bunkhouses in the hardest hit
municipalities of Compostela Valley, as part of the government's efforts to
provide temporarily shelter to the displaced victims of typhoon "Pablo,"
a Palace official said.
"To
further complement relief operations, the DPWH will construct today 63
bunkhouses in the hardest hit municipalities of Banganga, Boston, and Cateel in
Davao Oriental and New Bataan in Compostela Valley," Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda said in a statement during the regular press briefing in
Malacanang on Monday.
Lacierda
said each bunkhouse will provide shelter for 10 families as rehabilitation
efforts begin in their respective towns.
The
government strengthened its disaster response operations to find and rescue the
missing residents in the disaster-affected areas in Mindanao following the
devastation wrought by typhoon "Pablo."
Lacierda
said two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels have been deployed to conduct
search and rescue as well as relief operations in the province of Davao
Oriental.
"The
SARV-3504 has successfully completed its second trip which transported relief
goods and response personnel to the municipality of Banganga and ferried 42
residents of the Municipality of Banganga to Mati City, the provincial
capital," he said.
"The
said vessel is now on standby for a third trip. Another vessel, the SARV-003,
is now moored at Sasa Wharf in Davao City. It will be deployed to augment
SARV-3504 after refueling," the Presidentail Spokesman said.
"Three patrol boats of the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources manned by PCG personnel have been organized as
a Task Force for the search and rescue of fishermen at sea. The MCS-3009 is
already conducting operations in the area while two more vessels (MCS-2004 and
MCS-3005) will be dispatched from the port of Mati tonight to augment the
effort," he noted.
Citing a
report by Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio
"Jun" Abaya, Lacierda said 20 fishermen have been rescued, five
bodies were recovered, and 310 remain unaccounted for.
In
support of the Department of Transportation and Communications -Philippine
Coast Guard (DOTC-PCG) efforts, the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) has been continuously assessing the situation in Regions 11, 13 and 7 to
facilitate the delivery of national government assistance.
Upon the
directive of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Lacierda
said the local government unit of Mati is facilitating the release of its
calamity fund for the hiring of all available large local fishing boats for the
immediate transfer of goods from Mati City to the affected areas in Davao
Oriental.
"The
Philippine National Police regional offices in Mindanao are also on full alert
status and its investigation units have been mobilized to assist LGUs and the
Department of Trade and Industry to monitor market conditions for price control
violations and unfair trade practices," Lacierda stressed.
As early
as December 2, Lacierda said the DILG had already ordered the reactivation of
Local Disaster Risk Response and Management Councils in preparation for the
impact of Typhoon Pablo, particularly in the National Capital Region, as well
as Regions 4 to 13 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
"In
addition, we welcome the efforts of TV5 and Mr. Manny Pangilinan for a telethon
this evening to raise 100 million pesos for the victims of Typhoon Pablo,"
he said.
The
government, likewise, urged the public to support the private sector
initiatives of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and GMA’s Kapuso Foundation, Lacierda
said.
Both the
national government and the private sector are at the forefront of humanitarian
efforts in areas affected by this recent calamity, he said.
"We
call on all Filipinos to continue being of service to our countrymen most in
need, knowing fully well that together we will persist and we shall overcome
these difficult times," he said. PND (js)
Aquino government devising options to address
concerns of farmers, fisherfolks and indigenous people in Casiguran, Aurora
province
The Aquino administration is devising options to
address the concerns of the farmers, fisher folks and indigenous people (IPs)
who claimed that their livelihood was affected by the operations of the Aurora
Pacific Ecozone and Freeport (APECO), a Palace official said on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the concerned government
agencies have already convened to discuss the concerns of the farmers, fisher
folks and IPs from the Casiguran town in Aurora.
"The
Cabinet has been meeting on the concerns of the APECO fisher folk and farmers.
The Cabinet officials concerned are Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.,
the Chief of the Presidential Management Staff, Secretary Julia Abad, the
(Secretaries of the) Department of Agriculture (Proceso Alcala Jr), Department
of Agrarian Reform (Virgilio de los Reyes), the (National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic
Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang, and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene
Almendras," Lacierda said.
"They have studied the matter and they
will be discussing some options which take into consideration the farmers’
welfare. So these options will be presented to the President. We have not
discussed whether the President will meet with them but certainly the Cabinet
has been discussing and, at the very least, some Cabinet officials will be
meeting with them," he said.
Lacierda
assured that the government started taking steps aimed at addressing the
concerns of the communities in Casiguran.
"Paramount is the farmers’ welfare. That
is something that they discussed during the Cabinet meeting," he said
adding that the options will be discussed with the President.
The
farmers, fisherfolks and IPs have been seeking an audience with President
Benigno S. Aquino III to raise their concerns over the APECO’s alleged
disastrous impact on their communities.
They said
APECO violated the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and Extension and
Reform law, Fisheries Code, Indigenous Peoples Right Act, and Government
Auditing Code and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The APECO
was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 9490, otherwise known as the
Aurora Special Economic Zone Act of 2007. The law aims to convert a
12,923-hectare area in Casiguran into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial,
financial, and recreational center.
The law
was also passed to create employment opportunities around Casiguran, and to
effectively encourage and attract legitimate and productive local and foreign
investments.
However,
the communities in Casiguran voiced out their opposition to APECO because it
actually threatened their livelihood. PND (js)
Aquino government continues to provide
assistance to banana farmers to ensure country’s banana production
The Aquino government continues to help the
country's banana farmers in a bid to ensure the sustainability of banana
production amid the global demand for the commodity, a Palace official said on
Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the government
continues to provide assistance to banana farmers to ensure that there would be
enough production of banana for export.
"Certainly we are assisting banana
farmers especially now that our situation with China has been resolved. And
definitely the Department of Agriculture will be on top of ensuring that there
would be sufficient banana production," Lacierda said.
The
Philippines is one of the world’s top banana exporters with much of the fruits
being grown in Mindanao. Among its major markets include Japan, South Korea,
People's Republic of China and New Zealand. In 2010, the total export earnings
from fresh Cavendish bananas amounted to $720 million.
The PROC
is the country’s second biggest export market for bananas next to Japan. PND
(js)
Aquino government urges private companies,
citizens to lend helicopters for ongoing relief operations in Mindanao
The Aquino government called on companies and
individuals to lend private helicopters to help the ongoing relief operations
in Mindanao following the devastation wrought by typhoon "Pablo," a
Palace official said on Monday.
In a
statement issued on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has asked the private sector to augment
government efforts in delivering relief to the typhoon-affected provinces.
"In
keeping with the tradition of private sector involvement in humanitarian
efforts following calamities, we call on companies and individuals to
coordinate with the Eastern Mindanao Command for the use of private helicopters
to transport much-needed relief goods and resources to afflicted provinces at
the soonest possible time. The Eastern Mindanao Command may be contacted via
09176201980," Lacierda said.
General
Jorge Segovia of the Eastern Mindanao Command has been tasked by the President
to be the Ground Commander of the search and rescue operations in the
hardest-hit areas in the wake of Typhoon Pablo, Lacierda said.
He also
said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development is taking the lead
for relief operations.
"General Segovia and the troops under his
command have tirelessly worked for the betterment of our countrymen in Mindanao
in the wake of this calamity. Theirs is an example of heroism that we call on
others to emulate," Lacierda noted.
"The
work continues and hope remains strong as we relieve, rebuild, and restore
stricken communities in the south. With the civilian and uniformed services of
the government and the private sector working together as one, we shall
overcome," he said. PND (js)
Aquino administration has implemented various
initiatives to uphold human rights in the country, says Malacanang
The Aquino administration has implemented
various initiatives to uphold the human rights of every individual, a Palace
official said on Monday.
In a
statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda laid out these initiatives
since President Benigno S. Aquino III assumed office on June 30, 2010.
The Armed
Forces of the Philippines launched its Human Rights/International Humanitarian
Law (IHL) Handbook as part of the government’s effort to institutionalize human
rights concepts in August, 2010. The handbook serves as a soldiers’ guide
during the conduct of operations.
The
freeing of the so-called Morong 43 in December, 2010 was another significant
development that occurred during the tenure of President Aquino. The Morong 43
is a group of 43 health workers in the Philippines accused of cooperating with
the New People's Army in efforts to destabilize the government.
"The
President ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to withdraw the information
filed before the court, which, in effect and subject to court approval, freed
the 43, as they who have no other standing warrants in other courts,"
Lacierda said.
Lacierda
quoted President Aquino as saying that “human rights has to be universal, has
to be for everyone. When one’s rights are violated, you set the groundwork for
violating everybody’s rights—so all includes our security forces, our
peasantry, those below the poverty line, and those who have more in this life."
In
December, 2010, the AFP has established the Human Rights Office which serves as
the main platform for addressing all human rights and international
humanitarian law issues involving the Armed Forces. The recent designation of
General Domingo Tutaan as head of the office has further strengthened its
capabilities, Lacierda said.
The
Philippine National Police has also crafted a Human Rights Desk Operations
Manual in December 2010. The manual provides information and operational
procedures to police personnel manning the PNP Human Rights Desks.
"Handbooks have also been prepared for
regional police offices and media organizations as guides in light of the risks
they face in the conduct of their duties," he added.
On
December 10, 2010, the DOJ created a Special Task Force on Extrajudicial
Killings and Enforced Disappearances the Special Task Force is mandated to
review all reported and unresolved cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced
disappearances and recommend measures for and cause the effective and
expeditious investigation and prosecution of the cases.
The task
force is also mandated to speed up the prosecution and resolution of cases with
sufficient evidence and cause the reopening of investigations of “cold file”
cases.
"In
the U.S. State Department's 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report, the Philippines
has been upgraded to Tier 2 ," Lacierda said, adding that the upgrade can
be attributed to the initiatives of the Philippine government in addressing
human trafficking.
"The
DOJ has achieved a total of 74 convictions (cases) of Illegal Recruitment
involving 89 persons since 2003, with 45 convictions (61 percent of all
convictions secured) recorded during the Aquino Administration," Lacierda
stressed.
The
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assisted all 2,082 victims
of trafficking who sought help from the government from January 2010 to March
2012. The department provided 1,067 victims with community-based services
including rescue, counseling, financial assistance, skills training, auxiliary
services, temporary shelter, and legal assistance through the Recovery and
Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons.
The DSWD
likewise assisted the other 1,015 victims through residential care
centers/institutions such as the Haven for Women and Children.
In June,
2012, the PNP-Task Force USIG has recorded 41 validated cases of slain media
practitioners and 125 validated cases of slain activists since 2001. "Of
these cases, 103 have been filed in court, 62 are under investigation, and one
case has been dropped due to the demise of the suspect," he said.
In
November 2012, President Aquino signed Administrative Order No. 35, creating
the Inter-agency committee on extra-legal killing, enforced disappearances,
torture and other grave violations of the right to life and security of
persons.
The
inter-agency committee is tasked to conduct an inventory of all human rights
violations perpetrated by state and non-state forces and to prioritize the
unsolved cases for action, and assign special investigation teams to conduct
further investigation on these cases for the possible identification of the
perpetrators.
The
committee is also mandated to monitor and report cases under investigation,
preliminary investigation and trial and investigate and prosecute new cases.
"Every six months, the Committee shall submit
a report to the President detailing its progress, accomplishment, as well as
their recommendations," Lacierda said. PND (js)
Aquino government welcomes approval of Sin Tax
bill in Bicameral Conference Committee of Congress
The Aquino administration welcomed the approval
of the Sin Tax bill in the Bicameral Conference Committee of Congress, a Palace
official said.
"With the approval of the bicameral
conference committee, Congress has taken a very important step in approving a
reconciled version of the Sin Tax Bill. The reconciled version adheres closely
to the administration sponsored bill as it contains only two-tiers for taxes on
cigarettes and reflects current prices instead of 1997 rates,"
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement issued on Monday.
"This is a significant reform that raises
revenues for government’s healthcare programs that will expand and strengthen
social safety nets for millions of Filipinos," he said.
Lacierda
said the Sin Tax bill also levels the playing field for the tobacco industry by
providing a more equitable taxation regime for all industry players.
The
Aquino administration commended the leadership of Senator Franklin M. Drilon,
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales
II, and Representative Isidro Ungab, for their unwavering leadership on the
said bill, Lacierda stressed.
"Their commitment to the passage of this
crucial reform was strengthened by the constant support of the President who
certified the bill as urgent, as well as countless advocates in the bureaucracy
and civil society," he noted
"We
look forward to the ratification of this bill, which the President is gladly
looking forward to sign into law," he said. PND (js)
