President Aquino says contingency measures in
place to help mitigate impact of typhoon 'Pablo'
President
Benigno S. Aquino III said the necessary contingency measures are now in place
to mitigate the impact of typhoon “Pablo” which already entered the Philippine
area of responsibility.
The Chief Executive assured that the government,
through various concerned agencies, have already pre-positioned all available
resources in terms of manpower response teams, equipment, rescue assets, and
relief goods.
"Ayon sa PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration) kasalukuyang nasa
Philippine area of responsibility na po ang bagyong ‘Pablo’ na inaasahang
magdudulot ng malalakas na hangin at ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas at
Mindanao taglay ang bugso ng hangin na umaabot ng 205 kilometers per
hour," President Aquino said in a statement held at the President's Hall
of the Malacanang on Monday.
"Hindi po biro ang potensyal na pinsalang
dulot nitong bagyong si ‘Pablo.’ Tinataya po na siya ang pinakamalakas na
bagyong papasok sa ating bansa ngayong 2012. Intense rainfall po ang dulot ng
bagyong ito, ibig sabihin isang antas na lang po ‘yung tinatawag na torrential
rain ang magiging kategorya niya. Maraming-maraming tubig po ang ibubuhos
nito," he stressed.
President Aquino said the Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG) has started coordinating with the local government
units (LGUs) that will be affected by typhoon "Pablo" for the
activation of their respective disaster operations centers.
"Ang DILG po ay inatasan na ang lahat ng
ating mga LGU na naka-standby, nag-activate na ang LDRRMC (Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Councils), at nagkakaroon na rin po ng preemptive
evacuation sa mga lugar na kakailanganin ito," the President said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Council
(NDRRC) Operations Center is on red alert status to monitor and disseminate the
weather bulletins on Typhoon “Pablo” to all Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
Regional Centers through SMS and facsimile, and among others.
"Ang PAGASA po ay nag-i-issue ng hourly
bulletins, kung pwede po ay sundan po natin sila sa Facebook, sa Twitter, at
saka sa kanilang website," he said.
President
Aquino said the Department of Social and Welfare (DSWD) has also positioned the
standby funds and family packs ready to be distributed to LGUs that will be
affected by the typhoon.
"Ang DSWD po ay nag-position nang
42.248-million pesos worth of food packs and other relief goods. Ang Armed
Forces of the Philippines po ay prini-preposition na ang ating search and
rescue vehicles, nilagay sa mga safe na lugar na malapit sa mga lugar na
tinatayang maaapektuhan," he said.
"Kasama na rin po ang Philippine National
Police sa paghahanda sa ating search and rescue operations, evacuations and
also to ensure that all our roads remain clear," the President added.
According to the President, the Philippine Coast
Guard has already advised the fishing boats and sea crafts not to sail into the
Eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.
President Aquino appealed to the public to
cooperate with the authorities as the country braces for another typhoon.
"Sana po seryosohin natin ang lahat ng mga
babalang ito. ‘Yung bagyo ho talagang dinadalaw tayo nang hindi bababa sa 20
bagyo kada taon at hindi natin mapipigilan ang pagdating niyan," he said.
"Pero kaya po nating mabawasan ang pinsala
na pwedeng madulot nito at kawalan ng buhay kung tayo po ay magtutulungan at
makikisama sa isa’t isa," he said.
The President likewise thanked the media for
helping the government in disseminating information to the public and asked the
people to pray to spare the country from another disaster. PND (js)
President Aquino expresses his support for
Responsible Parenthood Bill, Malacanang says
President Benigno S. Aquino III has expressed
support for the Responsible Parenthood Bill even as he said that the country's
leaders and lawmakers have the responsibility to craft the best possible
measure for the future of the children, a Palace official said on Monday.
"The
President met today with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the
Responsible Parenthood Bill. The President began his remarks by telling the
gathered representatives that, if he were still a member of the House, he would
vote for the Responsible Parenthood Bill," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda said in a statement issued on Monday.
Lacierda
said that the President "shared with the gathered congressmen the
discernment that led to his taking this position."
During
his meeting with the lawmakers in Malacanang Palace on Monday, Lacierda said,
the President pointed out that the House of Representatives must act on the
pending bill the soonest possible time.
"He
suggested that a week should be adequate time to consider amendments that
genuinely improve the bill—in contrast to “killer amendments”—and that at the
end of that period, it is incumbent on representatives to vote," Lacierda
stressed.
"There are material issues that we need
to address—and we must address them in conscience, the President said. He
further told the lawmakers that we are taught that our conscience is the
ultimate arbiter of right and wrong—and that at the end of the day, we will all
be asked: What did you do to the least of your brethren?," Lacierda said.
PND (js)
President Aquino urges Filipinos to continue
working harder to build greater economic progress for the country
Despite the rosy output and sterling performance
shown by the Philippine economy this year marked by “record highs, increase in
equities, and outstanding GDP (gross domestic product) growth,” President
Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Filipino people not to rest on one’s
laurels and bask in the glory of this global achievement but continue working
even harder in order to “build even greater things on top of the foundations we
have already laid down.”
Speaking
at the 20th anniversary of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Incorporated (PSEi)
held at the Makati Shangri-la on Monday, the President said that the Philippines
has come a long way since he assumed the reins of government two and half years
ago.
He said that as of July 2012, the PSEi has
recorded 56 record highs (closing at an all-time high of 5,672.70, up by 32.25
points or 0.57%, largely led by property and banking issues) with the average
daily turnover pegged at P7.61-billion. This, the President said, coupled with
the 7.1 percent GDP growth for the third quarter of 2012, has “surpassed all
expectations” and showed that the Philippines has come a long way since then.
“While we certainly have much to be thankful
for, I have always believed that every achievement must not only be cause for
celebration, but must also motivate us to work even harder. After all, the
record highs, increase in equities, and outstanding GDP growth are symbols of
the potential we have to create a broader and more dynamic Philippine economy,”
the President stressed.
He noted
that other countries have started to take notice at the remarkable performance
of what has been dubbed, the “sick man of Asia” and has begun to show interest
at investing here.
“The entire world has begun to train their
spotlight on us. Let us prove to them: we are not yet done, we have more to
show, and we will build even greater things on top of the foundations we have
already laid down. It is up to all of us to harness our potential and steer the
economy towards inclusive growth that satisfies the pursuit of profit, promotes
equal opportunity, and elevates the standard of living of every Filipino,” the
President said.
The President lauded the Philippine Stock
Exchange for partnering with the government in coming up and implementing
various anti-corruption programs “to show prospective and active investors
alike that the Philippines is open for business under new management
---management that is putting an end to backroom deals and suspect
transactions, so that business, trade, and investment can flourish in an honest
and level playing field.”
He
pointed out that the PSEi has taken the initiative to reciprocate government
programs to end graft and corruption such as the Investor Protection and
Surveillance Department of the Securities and Exchange Commission to guard
against insider trading and other illegal investment schemes and a Capital
Market Development Blueprint to improve and expand the Philippine capital
market, including proposals to strengthen investor education, through an
integration of various programs already offered by the SEC, PSEi and other
similar entities, and to improve the equity market by promoting online trading,
among others.
These PSEi initiatives include extending trading
hours significantly to expand opportunities for the Philippine market and
launching the PSEi trade which will open up direct access to our stock
exchange; thus speeding up the execution of trades.
The Capital Markets Integrity Corporation, or
CMIC, which was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary and tasked with
monitoring the activities of trading participants; and the PSEi Bell Awards for
Corporate Governance, which contributes to the promotion of integrity by
recognizing outstanding listed companies and trading participants are two other
PSEi-led initiatives “to uphold the integrity of operations in your sector.”
“Measures like these are important because
investors need to know we are serious about protecting their interests,
especially now that confidence in the Philippines is growing by leaps and
bounds,” the President said.
“In a sense, your efforts mirror the reforms we
are undertaking in government. You are demonstrating that good governance is a
winning strategy, and that by fostering it in your industry, we are able to
level the playing field; we are able to establish an atmosphere where outcomes
are predictable, where uncertainty is minimized, and where stability allows
business to function smoothly,” he added.
“This makes our country a more attractive
destination for investments, which creates jobs, empowers consumers, and
sustains the virtuous cycle that we are determined to institute—a virtuous
cycle whose results we have seen in your achievements,” the President said.
Joining the President during the event were Vice
President Jejomar Binay, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Finance Secretary
Cesar Purisima. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares December 5 as
‘National Competition Day’ to promote competition and level the playing field
in the market
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
December 5 of every year as “National Competition Day," to underscore the
need to promote competition and level the playing field in the market.
The Chief
Executive issued the directive by virtue of Proclamation No. 384 signed by
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 18.
"Sections
13 and 19, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution provide that the State shall
pursue a trade policy that serves the general welfare and utilizes all forms
and arrangements of exchange on the basis of equality and reciprocity and shall
regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest so requires,"
President Aquino said.
The
President said Executive Order No. 45 (series 2011) has created the Office for
Competition under the Office of the Secretary of Justice. The EO, likewise,
designated the Department of Justice (DOJ) as the country’s “Competition
Authority” to ensure fair domestic trade.
Under EO
No. 45, the DOJ is tasked to investigate all cases involving violations of
competition laws and prosecute violators to prevent, restrain, and punish
monopolization, cartels, and combinations in restraint of trade. The EO,
likewise, ordered the DOJ to enforce competition policies and laws to protect
consumers from abusive, fraudulent, or harmful corrupt business practices; and
supervise competition in markets by ensuring that prohibitions and requirements
of competition laws are followed.
The EO
further directs the DOJ to monitor and implement measures to promote
transparency and accountability in markets; as well as prepare, publish, and
disseminate studies and reports on competition to inform and guide the industry
and consumers. The DOJ is also tasked to promote international cooperation and
strengthen Philippine trade relations with other countries, economies, and
institutions in trade agreements.
"In
carrying out the mandate provided under EO 45, the Office for Competition had
the occasion to observe from its foreign counterpart, particularly the
Association of South East Asian Nations Region, the benefits of competitive
markets and the harmful effects of anti-competitive practices to the
citizens," the President noted.
"As
part of a global family implementing competition policy and law, we join our
colleagues in the global competition network in the observance of “World
Competition Day” on the 5th day of December of every year," he said. PND
(js)
Palace says Framework Agreement with MILF
constitutional
Malacanang expressed optimism on Tuesday that
the Framework Agreement signed by the government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) will pass constitutional scrutiny.
Malacanang echoed this statement as two
petitions were filed before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality
of the draft Framework Agreement.
One of
the petitions was filed by lawyer Ely Pamatong asking the high court to stop
the implementation of the agreement. He also wants President Aquino to explain
the peace deal.
In a
regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government peace panel negotiation with the
MILF was made after having taken into consideration the failed memorandum of
agreement on ancestral domain during the Arroyo administration.
“The
panel was very mindful of what had happened in the past, and that every step
they took was mindful of the mistakes of the past. We are confident that it
will pass constitutional scrutiny,” Valte said.
Pamatong,
a nuisance candidate in 2004 presidential poll, said the government peace panel
committed grave abuse of discretion, arguing that the Constitution only
provides for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the creation of a
“Bangsamoro” is nowhere cited.
Pamatong
claimed that the peace panel “usurped the power of Congress to enact, amend or
repeal laws vested on it by the Constitution.”
The
government and the MILF signed the Framework Agreement for Mindanao peace on
Oct. 15. President Aquino, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and MILF chair
Murad Ebrahim witnessed the signing in Malacanang.
In 2008,
the Supreme Court struck down the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain
declaring it unconstitutional. The high court’s decision enraged some groups
within the MILF, attacking villages that resulted to several casualties. PND
(as)
President Aquino orders concerned government
agencies to strengthen disaster mitigation and prevention strategies for
typhoon ‘Pablo’ to prevent loss of lives, damage to properties
President Benigno S. Aquino III directed various
concerned government agencies to strengthen the disaster mitigation and
prevention strategies in order to prevent loss of lives and damage to
properties as typhoon “Pablo” remains in the Philippine area of responsibility,
a Palace official said on Tuesday.
Deputy
Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing
in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive is closely monitoring the
situation to ensure that contingency measures remain in place to mitigate the
impact of the typhoon.
"Ang
utos lang po ng Pangulo ay ipagpatuloy ang ating coordination, ---ang
paglalabas ng mga assets na kinakailanga, at tinitingnan din po ng Pangulo kung
sapat na ang ating mga preparasyon sa mga lugar na dapat daanan ng bagyong
‘Pablo'," Valte said.
Valte
said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
remains on red alert status to monitor and disseminate the weather bulletins on
Typhoon “Pablo” to all Office of Civil Defense Regional Centers through SMS and
facsimiles, among others.
"In
the meantime, we have been getting reports on power outages which will be
normal. Ang iba po kasi nagpapatay na sila ng kuryente in their areas para lang
po siguraduhing walang hindi magandang pangyayari dahil dumadaan po ang bagyo
at patuloy iyon," Valte said.
According
to Valte, the President underscored the importance of disaster preparedness and
the cooperation of the people are important in reducing the impact of disasters
such as typhoon ‘Pablo’.
"I’d
like to also help our fellows in PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Service Administration) kasi may mga nagre-report po na kahit
may public storm warning signal sa kanilang lugar ay maaraw naman daw at hindi
naman daw umuulan. For the information of the public, ang PAGASA po kasi
nagtataas ng tropical storm warning signal in advance—meron iyang lead
time," she added.
"Let
us not be complacent. Let us keep our guards up at nandiyan ang lead time
precisely to allow us to make sure that our preparations will hold," Valte
said.
The
government, through various concerned agencies, have already pre-positioned all
available resources in terms of manpower response teams, equipment, rescue
assets, and relief goods.
"Alam nating nakapag-preposition na po
ang DSWD mga food and non-food relief items. Ang DOH naman nakapagbigay na po
sila ng information as to the basic medicines and the kits that are
necessary," Valte said adding that the local governments are likewise
calling for suspension of classes nang maaga in all levels."
Valte
also said that many flights in the typhoon-affected areas were cancelled to
ensure the safety of travellers.
"May
mga cancellations na rin po tayo ng mga flights. Ang total affected population
po natin for Region VIII, X, XI, and XIII so far—the information I have (as of)
6:00 a.m. po—8,283 families and that translates to 41,608 persons doon sa mga
rehiyon na nabanggit ko po kanina," she said.
"When it comes to the ports, ang mga
stranded passengers natin nasa 3,406. So hinihingi lang po natin ang kanilang
pasensya, doon po sa ating mga stranded na passengers, dahil mas minabuti po
natin na hindi payagan ang paglalayag para hindi tayo magkaroon ng ‘di
inaasahang aksidente," she said. PND (js)
