PIA News Dispatch - Tuesday, April 30, 2013

President Aquino declares May 3 as special non-working day in celebration of ‘Sublian Festival’ in Batangas

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared May 3, which falls on a Friday, as a special (non-working) day in the municipality of Bauan, Batangas in celebration of "Sublian Festival".

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 573 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on April 29, to give the people of Bauan the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

Sublian Festival is a yearly festive ceremony commemorating the founding of the holy cross in Bauan, a town in Batangas. The festival aims to revive the centuries-old tradition of dancing the Subli, an indigenous dance of Bauan. PND (js)

President Aquino appeals to workers and employers: Celebrate Labor Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III appealed to the Filipino workforce and employers to set aside negativism and blame-throwing and celebrate Labor Day (May 1) to recognize the industry and dedication of the worker.

The President issued his appeal in his speech keynoting a Pre-Labor Day dialogue with labor organizations in Malacanang on Tuesday.

“Hindi po ba mas maganda kung imbes na tratuhin ang Labor Day bilang araw ng piket at sigawan, ituring natin ito bilang selebrasyon— isang araw na masayang nagdiriwang ang mga manggagawa at mga negosyante dahil sa matagumpay at produktibong taon; isang araw na kinikilala natin ang sipag ng bawat empleyado, at kung gaano kalaking biyaya ang magkaroon ng isang trabahong marangal at bumubuhay sa pamilya mo?” the President said.

“Mula ngayon, sana ay ituring natin ang Labor Day bilang Good Job Day. Tama na ang negatibismo. Marami tayong positibong nagawa, at nangyari ito, hindi dahil sa mga reklamo o pagbabatuhang-sisi, kundi dahil sa nagtulungan tayo. Panahon na para batiin natin ang isa't isa ng "good job," he added.

He vowed to come up with working solutions to persistent labor problems by continuing to focus at addressing four major concerns: Ang mapanatili ang mga trabahong nariyan na; ang lumikha ng mas marami pang trabaho; ang dagdagan ang kakayahan ng ating mga manggagawa; at ang maigting na pagpapatupad sa ating mga batas” to protect the rights of the common worker.

The President said he has directed the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council to look into the process of amending the Security of Tenure Bill to conform with existing labor laws and the Department of Justice to beef up its efforts at addressing labor law violators.

He added that P187-million has already been set aside for the Department of Labor and Employment to hire 372 Labor Law Compliance Officers to augment the government’s apprehension of labor law offenders.

“Inaasahan nating pagdating ng Oktubre, makakatulong na sila sa paghuli sa sinumang umaabuso sa ating mga batas paggawa,” the President said.

On the issue of job mismatch, the President said he has ordered the labor market information service to provide relevant information the most sought after job profiles such as those in the tourism, business process outsourcing and agri-fisheries industries.

“Sa katunayan, nitong Enero, umabot ng 268,278 ang job vacancies sa Phil-Job.Net, habang may 116,795 ang bilang ng mga aplikante dito. Ibig sabihin, may mahigit isandaang libong trabaho pa ang kailangang punan, at oportunidad ito para lalo nating pag-ibayuhin ang pagpapalakas sa mga kursong akma sa mga bakanteng trabaho,” the President said.

He pointed out that P900-million has been allocated to fund the government’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program (PESFA) in order to hone its students’ knowledge and capabilities.

“Sa nakalipas na dalawang taon, umabot ng 480,430 ang scholars ng TWSP, at ayon sa huling tala ng TESDA, 70.7% ang employment rate ng mga benepisyaryo nito. Ibig sabihin, sa 65,048 na nagsipagtapos, 45,961 sa kanila ang nagtatrabaho na sa industriya ng animation, call center, medical transcription, at software development. Patunay itong habang nabibigyang-lakas sila para itimon ang sarili nilang kinabukasan, nagiging katuwang din natin sila sa tuloy-tuloy na pag-ahon ng bayan,” the President said.

On non-wage benefits, the President said that he had signed Executive Orders 134 and 135 last week that sets Employee Compensation Benefits (ECB) of government workers equal to the ECB of those in the private sector.

“Napag-alaman din nating hindi pantay ang Employees’ Compensation Benefits ng mga nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan, kumpara sa pribadong sektor. Halimbawa, kung may mangyaring masama sa isang empleyado ng gobyerno habang nagtatrabaho, wala siyang makukuhang carer's allowance, at siyamnapung piso lang kada araw ang matatanggap niyang Temporary Total Disability Benefit. Samantala, ang nasa pribadong sektor, dalawandaang piso kada araw na ang kanilang TTD, may 575 pesos pa silang carer's allowance,” the President said.

“Upang gawing patas, nilagdaan natin nitong nakaraang linggo ang EO 134 at 135 na ginagawang pareho ang Employees’ Compensation Benefits na natatanggap ng pribado at pampublikong sector,” he added.

The President stressed the need to amend the Social Security System Pension Scheme whose contribution rate has only increased twice since 1980. He said this failure to increase the contribution rate has made the state pension’s unfunded liability balloon to P1.1-trillion.

“Ngayon, kung magdadagdag lamang tayo ng .6% sa contribution rate, at gagawin itong 11%, 141 bilyong piso agad ang maibabawas sa unfunded liability ng SSS,” the President said.

“Ang mga ganitong reporma sa pamamahala ay ginagawa natin upang mapanatiling matatag ang ating mga istitusyon, at masiguro ang pangmatagalang pakinabang nito sa mamamayan,” he added.

“May panibagong lakas ang ating ekonomiya, at nagmula ito sa pinagsanib na dedikasyon at tiyaga ng mga manggagawa at negosyanteng Pilipino. Kayo ang gumawa nito. Maraming salamat sa inyong sipag; good job sa napakalaking ambag sa bansa; good job sa mas marami pa nating magagawa,” the President noted. PND (rck)

Aquino attends job, livelihood fair in Tarlac City

TARLAC CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III attended Tuesday the Tarlac Job and Livelihood Fair here in Camp Servillano Aquino aimed at providing employment to the people of Region 3 particularly the new graduates.

The President toured the booths joining the job affair upon arrival at Camp Servillano. He was accompanied by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva.

The booths include the recruitment area for both local and overseas, TESDA Health and Wellness Treats, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Supported livelihood projects and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) trade fair and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) both.

The Tarlac and Livelihood Fair showcases 66 participating employers (41 local and 25 overseas) with 2,522 local and 35,000 overseas job vacancies.

The Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Military Academy also participated in the job fair. Agencies providing pre-employment documentation services such as the Social Security System (SSS), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Statistics Office (NSO), PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, Department of Foreign Affairs and the PNP also joined the event.

The OFW-3M (Mag-impok, Magnegosyo Movement) Savings and entrepreneurship advocacy project participated in by about 100 current OFW family leaders.

OFW-M3 reinforces current savings promotion and enterprise development components of the Philippine Reintegration program. The Tarlac provincial government promoting the One-Town, One Product (OTOP) project, also joined the job and livelihood fair.

The job and livelihood fair here is a kick-off event for the Labor Day celebration in Region 3. The event is in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) aimed at making available employment opportunities to new graduates, job seekers, and workers reentering the work force.

Throughout the country, there are 74 job and livelihood fairs with 2,903 participating employers and recruitment agencies. The government said there are around 4,000 job vacancies for those seeking employment for the May 1 Labor Day celebration. PND (as)

PIA News Dispatch - Monday, April 29, 2013

President Aquino says his administration continues to pour huge investment to implement country’s electrification and infrastructure projects

(LUCBAN, Quezon) President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Monday that his administration continues to pour huge investments to implement the electrification and major infrastructure projects in order to boost the agriculture, commercial and tourism sectors in the province.

In his speech during his meeting with local leaders and the community at the Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) Gymnasium in Barangay Kulapi here, the Chief Executive said the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA), are working together in carrying out the electrification project in the entire country, including the province of Quezon.

"Reporma rin ang dahilan kung bakit ang dating tatlumpu’t anim na libong sitio na nangangapa sa dilim, unti-unti na nating nabibigyang-tanglaw. Sa ngayon po, may mahigit pitong libo at dalawandaang sitio na tayong napapailawan doon sa 36,000 na ‘yan, halos isandaan at limampu ay mula sa inyong lalawigan. Pumapaspas na po sa trabaho ang DOE at NEA para sa lalong madaling panahon, mapaliwanag na ang bawat sulok ng Quezon at ng buong bansa," the President said.

The Aquino government has put electrification at the forefront of the country's development measures through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) that is being implemented by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide. The program involves the electrification of grid and off-grid sitios through the electric cooperatives.

The President said that a slew of infrastructure projects, including the Lucena Diversion Talao-Talao Port Road, will boost the province's tourism and commercial industries.

"Nariyan ang mahigit walong kilometrong Lucena Diversion Talao-Talao Port Road, kung saan ang pagbiyahe ng mga kalakal at produkto mula sa pantalan ng Talao-Talao ay makakarating sa lungsod nang mas mabilis. Idagdag pa natin ang halos animnapung kilometrong extension ng SLEX na babagtas mula Batangas hanggang Lucena," he stressed.

"Isama na rin po natin ang labing-anim na farm-to-market road projects sa Calauag, Gumaca, Quezon, at Tagkawayan para sa mabilis na pagdaloy ng mga produkto," the President said.

The government, through the Department of Agriculture (DAR) under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, continues to expand the agriculture sector, including the coconut industry.

"Kasama rin sa handog natin sa magsasaka ang halos walumpu't dalawang milyong piso para makumpleto ang labingwalong irrigation projects," he added.

According to the President, the government remains committed to implement programs for the improvement of public schools' infrastructure, equipment, facilities, among others.

"Kaya naman po sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon at sampung buwan, ang dating 66,800 eskwelahan na kakulangan ay malapit na pong mabura. Ang pangako sa atin ng DepEd, dito po sa katapusan ng 2013, wala na po tayong kulang na classroom. Dito lang nga po sa Quezon, may halos isanlibo’t pitondaang silid aralan na tayong naipatayo," he said.

The President expressed his gratitude to the people of Quezon who affirmed his administration’s commitment to tread the straight and righteous path in transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation.

"Umaangat na tayo, at ang dating bukbuking tahanan, ngayon ay tumitibay, umaayos, at lumilinis, at puno na rin po ng dekorasyon. Sa sobrang ganda nito, baka pwede na rin po nating isali sa Pahiyas Festival," he said. PND (js)

Palace calls on government workers, media to participate in local absentee voting

Malacanang called on government workers and media practitioners to take advantage of the three-day local absentee voting period and exercise their right to vote.

“We encourage all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and exercise your right to suffrage,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Monday in Malacanang.

The local absentee voting for the synchronized national, local, and regional elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao began last Sunday, April 28 and will end on April 30, Tuesday.

Pursuant to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 9637, s. 2013, those entitled to vote are some government officials and employees, members of the Philippine National Police, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and members of the media whose applications to avail of local absentee voting were approved by COMELEC.

“Today and tomorrow, all eligible voters under this scheme may cast their ballots from 8 o’clock in the morning until 5 o’clock in the afternoon,” said Lacierda.

Absentee voters could only vote for 12 senatorial candidates and a party-list as required in the local absentee voting.

This is the first time the COMELEC allowed media personnel to vote ahead of the Election day. In the past, only government officials and employees including policemen and soldiers, assigned to poll duties were permitted to participate in absentee voting.

Based on the COMELEC data, a total of 18,322 have applied for local absentee voting but only 12,732 have qualified, and 501 are media personnel. PND (jb)

President Aquino says country has started reaping the fruits of reforms instituted by his administration

(LUCENA CITY, Quezon) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that the Philippines has started reaping the fruits of the reforms that his administration instituted as he called on the people to continue their steady march towards the realization of their collective aspiration for equitable progress.

In his speech during his meeting with local leaders and the community at the Alcala Sports Complex Grandstand, Quezon National Highschool in Barangay Iyam here on Monday, the Chief Executive said the massive investments in the people through social services, education, and health, among others, have all led to the renewal of the people’s trust in their leaders.

"Halos magtatatlong taon pa nga lang po tayo sa panunungkulan, pero talaga naman pong ang laki na ng pinagkaiba natin sa sitwasyong ating dinatnan," the President said.

President Aquino said the reforms instituted in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure; and the establishment of a culture of integrity in governance have led to a resurgent economy in the face of uncertainties in the global arena.

"Sa problema sa bigas. Dati, talagang nasanay na po tayo sa pag-aangkat ng bigas na nagbaon sa atin sa utang. Dati pinaniwala tayo na ang kailangan nating angkatin na bigas para mapunan ang ating mga pangangailangan ay 1.3-million metric tons kada taon," he noted.

"Sa ating panunungkulan: halos 855,000 metric tons na lamang po ang kinailangan nating angkatin noong 2011. Kasama na po iyong buffer. Noong 2012, limandaang libong metriko tonelada na lang ang ating kinailangang angkatin. Ayon nga sa ating butihing Kalihim Procy Alcala, harinawa, ay hindi na natin kailanganin pang mag-import ng bigas. Kung papalarin pa, baka maging net exporter na rin tayo ng matataas na variety ng bigas kung makikisama ang panahon," the President said.

He said the government's electrification project is one of the major achievements during his leadership.

"Sa ngayon, umabot na sa mahigit pitonlibo at dalawang daan na sitio ang ating napailawan. Bago po mag-SONA, dadagdagan pa po natin," he assured.

Anchored on the principle of "Tuwid na Daan," the President stressed that his government was able to build on the gains of the anti-corruption campaign and reduce poverty.

"Binibigyang liwanag na rin natin ang kinabukasan ng kapus-palad nating kababayan. Kung dati, halos walondaang libo lang ang kabahayang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; ngayon po sa ating panunungkulan, napaabot na natin sa mahigit 3.9 million ang household beneficiaries ng programa. Kabilang po rito ang halos 92,500 na kabahayang natutulungan ng Pantawid Pamilya dito sa Quezon," he said.

The President said various initiatives and development projects are now in place to boost the tourism and business sectors.

"Dumako naman po tayo sa turismo, ang target po nating domestic tourist arrival para sa 2016, ay 35.5 million. Pero 2011 pa lang po, umabot na sa 37.5 million ang naitala nating domestic tourism arrivals. Kaya naman binago na po natin ang ating target ---ginawa na nating 56.1 million para sa 2016," he said.

"At alam po nating magtutuloy-tuloy pa ang pag-engganyo natin sa mga turista at paglago ng ating ekonomiya sa pagpapaunlad natin ng imprastraktura. Dito pa nga lang po sa Quezon, nariyan ang pagpapagawa natin sa susunod na taon ng limampu’t walong kilometrong South Luzon Expressway extension mula Batangas hanggang Lucena," he stressed.

"Isama na rin ang Quezon Eco-tourism Road na babaybay sa Sariaya hanggang Lucena, pati na ang pagpapaunlad natin ng mga daungan sa Lucena, San Andres, Mauban, Cotta, at Gumaca," he added.

Both the international and local communities recognized the positive changes in the Philippines as manifested by the latest Fitch rating, the President noted.

The Philippines has finally won its much-coveted investment grade status from Fitch Group, one of the three major international credit rating agencies that assess the government’s ability to pay back its debt and the chance of non-payment. PND (js)

Nothing wrong with the President's health, he's in the pink of health, Palace says

There is nothing wrong with the health of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malacañang said on Monday, in response to some observations that the Chief Executive may be under the weather given the tight schedules of activities that he was having since last month.

Prior to delivering his speech during his meeting with local leaders and the community in Quezon province early Monday, President Aquino was quoted apologizing to the public for having a hoarse voice owing to a cold virus.

“Hingi po ako ng paumanhin sa inyo sa umpisang-umpisa pa lang. Kung napapansin niyo ‘yung boses ko medyo hindi ho pang ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’—maliban na lang kung horror ang pinag-uusapan. Medyo nadale ho tayo ng konting sipon. Pero pipilitin pa rin nating maging maliwanag ang atin pong kailangang sabihin,” the President said.

Asked for a clarification on this statement, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters at a press briefing in Malacañang that it is just ‘natural’ for the President to be in such condition at times because of the changes in the weather.

“Siguro panay kampanya ni Presidente, e natural lang ‘yan sa kanya. He wants to campaign for his (candidates). But we have no indication of any problems.Siguro init-lamig lang but there are no indications of any illness,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda noted that while they were in Brunei last week, they were able to spend “quite a long time with the President” without any problem. He was even in high spirits when he gave an interview to the Philippine media delegation late Wednesday evening last week.

“He’s in the pink of health,” Lacierda added.

Since the campaign period started, the President has been busy doing some rounds of relentless campaigning in various provinces while doing governance work to ensure the victory of all his 12 senatorial candidates in the upcoming elections. PND (hdc)

President Aquino lauds Lake Taal Circumferential Road as concrete proof of the country's progress as economic and tourism potential of Batangas is expected to improve

(AGONCILLO, Batangas) President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the Lake Taal Circumferential Road (LTCR) as a concrete proof of the country's progress saying the economic and tourism potential of the province and nearby areas is expected to be strengthened.

The Chief Executive made this statement during his speech after he was briefed on the status of the Lake Taal Circumferential Road project here on Monday.

"Ngayong araw, narito tayo para saksihan ang isa na namang kongkretong tagumpay sa pag-usad natin tungo sa kaunlaran – ang Lake Taal Circumferential Road, na pihadong maghahatid ng malaking pakinabang hindi lang para sa Batangas kundi maging para sa kalakhang lipunan," the President said.

According to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who gave the briefing, the LTCR is a road project under the Department of Tourism and Department of Public Works and Highways convergence program to identify, prioritize and implement road access leading to strategic tourism destinations as identified in the DOT Tourism master plan.

The President said the government has set aside P285-million for the LTCR, particularly the concreting and drainage improvement for the 40-kilometer Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo section.

Once completed, the LTCR will cut travel time from Tanauan City to Lemery, Batangas in half, from 3 hours to 1-1/2 hours.

"Ibig pong sabihin: mas mabilis nang madadala sa iba’t ibang palengke dito sa Batangas ang mga produkto ng ibang bayan, at ang mga produktong galing naman dito sa inyo, tulad ng bangus at tubo, ay mas mabilis nang mailuluwas patungo sa ibang lugar," the President said.

"Mas sariwang mga prutas, gulay, at produkto ang lalapag sa inyong merkado, at mas sasaya ang mga suki ninyo. Ang resulta ay mas malagong kalakalan dito sa inyong bayan, na maghahatid ng malawakang kaunlaran para sa mga kababayan nating Batangueño," he added.

"Sa pagbubukas nga ng inyong pinaunlad na circumferential road, binubuksan rin natin ang Batangas sa mas maraming oportunidad, hindi lamang para sa komersyo kundi maging para sa turismo. Sa pagginhawa at pagbilis ng pagbiyahe rito, asahan na rin ninyong mas dadagsain ang inyong sikat na sikat—at talaga namang maipagmamalaking—dive site sa Anilao, o ang inyong napakagandang aplaya sa San Juan Laiya, o maging ang pamosong Taal Volcano. Idagdag na rin ninyo ang mas maraming turista na lalong mae-engganyong bumisita rito para tikman ang inyong napakasarap na Bulalo," the President noted.

Joining the President were Singson, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Senator Franklin Drilon and Batangas Representative Nelson Collantes. PND (rck)

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, April 28, 2013

President Aquino pushes for more projects in Mindanao to boost its power sources; vows to resolve region's energy crisis in 2015

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental) President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on Saturday that his government will resolve the energy crisis in Mindanao in 2015 by establishing power plants in the region.

In his speech during his meeting with local leaders and the community at the Misamis University Gymnasium here, the Chief Executive said the government is pushing for projects particularly in the energy sector to boost the power sources in Mindanao.

The President said the government started taking measures to effectively address the power crisis in Mindanao as he assured assured that the plants will produce sufficient energy to sustain the needs of the residents and business sector in Mindanao by 2015.

He thanked the people of Misamis Occidental who affirm his administration’s commitment to tread the straight and righteous path in transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation.

"Masigasig nating itinatama ang mali, at iwinawaksi ang mga gawaing tiwali. At kung dati, para bang tanggap na ng marami ang pagiging kulelat ng bansa dahil sa matamlay na ekonomiya, ngayon, kinikilala na tayo ng mundo sa kakayahan nating makipagsabayan sa kaunlaran," the President said.

"Lahat po ng ito ay dahil sa pagtitiwala ng ating mga Boss – ang sambayanang Pilipino – ang nagpunla, nagdilig, at patuloy na nagpapalago ng makabuluhang pagbabago. Gaya ng lagi kong bukambibig: Kayo ang gumawa nito," he said.

Accordimg to the President, the government remains committed to strengthening the country's fiscal position, intensify investments in infrastructure and enhance the business, agriculture and tourism sectors.

"Ang hangad po natin: kung anong paghakbang pasulong ng mga lungsod sa Luzon o Visayas, ay ganoon din ang ikukumpas, kundi man higit pa, sa Mindanao. Naiangat na natin ng dalawandaan at animnapu’t walong porsiyento ang pondo ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development); pitumpu’t walong porsiyento naman sa DOH (Department of Health); apatnapu’t apat na porsiyento sa DepEd (Department of Education); at dalawampu’t tatlong porsiyento sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)— ginawa po natin ang lahat ng ito nang hindi nagtataas ng buwis," he said.

The President also stressed that the institutionalization of educational reforms remain his administration’s top priority in order to improve the country's educational system.

"Ngayong napunuan na natin ang backlog sa mga aklat at upuan, at mawawakasan na rin natin ang 66,800 na kakulangan sa classroom bago matapos ang taon," he said.

He assured the people that his administration will continue to provide government funding for various infrastructure projects to further develop the commercial and tourism industries in the province.

"Nariyan po ang pagpapalawak ng serbisyong hatid ng inyong Ozamis at Plaridel Port, pati na rin ng Ozamis Airport— na higit na magpapaunlad sa inyong komersiyo at turismo. Nariyan din ang pagsasaayos ng inyong Ozamis City Coastal Bypass Road at ng Ozamis-Oroquieta Road, na susuporta naman sa mas maginhawang daloy ng kalakal, at sa pagdagsa sa inyo ng mga turista. Ang mga imprastraktura’t kalsadang ito ay magbibigay-daan sa mas maraming pagkakataong umasenso para sa mga kababayan nating Misamisnon," he said.

He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has instituted several programs to boost the country's rice production.

"Ngayong malapit na tayong maging self-sufficient sa bigas, o kung papalarin ay magiging exporter pa, bago rin matapos ang taong ito," he said.

Anchored on the principle of "Tuwid na Daan," the President pointed out that his government was able to build on the gains of the anti-corruption campaign and reduce poverty.

He also expressed hope that his administration's allies in the local government will finally resolve the problem on violence in the province. PND (js)

Malacanang allays fear of water shortage during the summer heat; says summer heat is still manageable

Malacanang allayed fears that the “higher temperatures” being experienced in the country would lead to a water shortage, saying the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has projected that the summer heat would last until the second week of May.

In an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the heat and humidity being felt was nothing to worry about.

“Since it is summer and we are experiencing higher temperatures this particular summer season, wala pa namang nagfa-flag na…at this point we really should be worried,” Valte said as she noted that unlike several years ago when the state weather bureau had already begun raising alarms on the lack of rainfall.

“Hopefully, sabi naman ng PAGASA that this kind of weather is projected to stay until the second week of May and we can expect the start of the rainy season then,” she added.

“So hopefully, at this point, the summer heat is still manageable,” Valte said. PND (rck)

PIA News Dispatch - Saturday, April 27, 2013

Palace: Government remains hopeful on peace talks with communists

Malacanang said the government remains open to restarting the discussions with the communist rebels insisting however that the Aquino administration will sit and negotiate without preconditions.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday that the administration has been waiting for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to continue the peace discussions.

There are suggestions calling for the government to abandon the regular track or the formal talks because it has been ineffective in dealing with the rebels in the past 27 years.

But Valte said the Palace is leaving this issue to the President’s peace adviser whether to change the current track for peace talks.

“Matagal na tayong nakaupo at matagal na tayong naghihintay na sila ay makipag-usap sa atin,” the Palace official said.

“Pero katulad nang inanunsyo natin noon sa simula ng panunungkulan ng Pangulong Aquino, umupo tayo dito at nagsimula tayong makipag-usap nang walang pre-conditions doon sa mga negotiations,” she added.

The CPP-NPA-NDF has been insisting for the release of its consultants according to the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

Asked if the possible change in approach in the discussions was a result of the ambush of Gingoog Mayor Ruthie Guingona by the NPA, Valte said these things are not related.

“Wala namang kinalaman ang new approach sa ambush kay Mayor Guingona,” she said. PND (as)

Government, public must work together to ensure credible may polls, Palace says

Close cooperation between government agencies and the public is the most effective way to thwart any plan by groups or individuals wanting to sabotage the May 13 polls, a Palace official said on Saturday.

Authorities warned the public this week that using signal jammers aimed at disrupting the May 13 midterm elections next month is a criminal offense and punishable by law.

In a press conference at Camp Crame on Thursday, Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the use of signal jammers near polling centers during the May election can delay the transmission of election returns.

During a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the joint press conference on Thursday of the Comelec and the Department of the Interior and Local Government made the public aware about the effects of signal jammers on the automated election especially during the transmission of results.

“Now everybody is aware and everybody is on the lookout for these devices. Ang lahat ng kampanya, ang kakampi talaga ng pamahalaan ay ang ating mga kababayan,” Valte said.

“Ngayong alam na ng marami na merong mga ganitong device at puwede itong gamitin sa ganitong paraan, ini-encourage natin ang ating mga botante na mag-report ng mga ganitong suspicious devices to the police para maaksyunan agad ng ating kapulisan at ng Comelec.”

Brillantes said the use of signal jammers near polling centers is an act of interfering with the transmission process of votes and it is a criminal offense punishable with eight to 12 years of imprisonment.

The Comelec eyes to finish the transmission of election results at the local level in 48 hours. The use of jammers would delay the transmission and might affect the credibility of the polls, Brillantes said.

The National Telecommunications Commission said signal jammers are considered smuggled items and the agency clarified that it didn’t issue any permit for the sale of these gadgets in the country. PND (as)

Aquino visits major road project in General Santos City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Saturday the P1.1 billion Circumferential Road Project in General Santos City that the government expects to complete next year.

In briefing the President about the project, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the goal of the project is to build a major road infrastructure that will develop the SOCSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City) area and decongest General Santos City.

Project planners also want the city to make use of its fishing port, as well as the General Santos City airport, Singson said. The major project in the decongestion plan is the Circumferential Road in General Santos that the President visited.

During the briefing, Singson said the road project has two segments: the Northern Section and the Western Section. The circumferential road project has a total of 27.6 kilometers, according to Singson.

The total length of the northern portion is 10.5 kilometers and it includes two bridges. Singson said they hope to fully fund and complete the project by 2014. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has to complete a bridge by 2014 so that vehicles coming from Davao will no longer enter downtown General Santos City and instead use the Northern Section of the Circumferential Road.

And then next year, the DPWH aims to finish the Western Section of the project to complete the Circumferential Road that will connect the city’s airport and fishing port, Singson said. The Western Section has a total cost of P1.1 billion, the secretary said. The DPWH will be constructing a 17.1-kilometer road and three bridges.

The government was able to fund a total of more than P700-million and with some savings the government will spend less than P300 million next year instead of the original price tag of P387 million, Singson said.

Singson also reported the continuous widening of roads leading to General Santos City, converting the roads from two lanes to four lanes. The road widening project will continue as part of the high standard highway connecting General Santos City, Davao and Tagum.

“By next year, this should all be completed all the way to the fishing port and the airport. So made-decongest din ‘yung sa loob ng GenSan. We hope to get the same support from the local government so that we can complete the acquisition of some right of ways that are in certain segments of the Circumferential Road,” Singson told the President.

“We’re confident that we will deliver the Circumferential Road by next year,” he added.

The Circumferential Road project was originally crafted 25 years ago during the time of the President’s mother, the late president Corazon Aquino, Singson said.

The project was part of the mini-Marshall Plan that included the developments of the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Pavia in Iloilo, and the SOCSARGEN.

Also part of the project is the construction of the fishing port, which was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The city’s airport and the Fil-American Friendship Highway, on the other hand, were funded by the USAID (United States Agency for International Development), Singson said. PND

Government working hard to fill Mindanao’s energy needs, says Aquino

GENERAL SANTOS CITY) The government continues to work to solve the energy problems confronting Mindanao and it is hopeful that before the end of the year it could deploy diesel generators that will ease power shortage in the region, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Saturday.

In his message during his meeting with the local leaders and the community here, the President said the law prohibits the National Power Corp. to purchase power generating sets.

The administration doesn’t want to violate the law so it is working on a process to fix Mindanao’s energy needs by acquiring generators through legal means, he said.

“Inaayos po ang proseso para hindi na tayo maghintay ng kabuuan sa 2015. Bago pa siguro matapos ang 2013 may makukuha na tayong pandagdag na diesel generators dito sa Mindanao. Naninigurado lang tayo na sumunod sa lahat ng batas at proseso,” he told the people of General Santos City.

Building base load plants for the long-term use in Mindanao isn’t easy and takes some time, between three to five years, the President said. Based on experts’ estimates, the investment for every megawatt generated is around $2 million, the chief executive said.

In building a plant, an application has to undergo many processes such as approval for an environmental compliance certificate and proponents must hold public consultations and must also comply with many other requirements, he said.

But the good thing is there are already ongoing projects and investments that will solve the energy problems of Mindanao, he noted, adding that the Aboitiz group is already building a 200-plus megawatt plant that will be operational by 2015.

“Pero ang pinakaimportante diyan, tuloy na tuloy na ‘yung mga ginagawa ngayon. Maski wala na ako sa puwesto, padagdag nang padagdag ang kuryente ng Mindanao. Ang pagkaintindi ko 2015, hindi na natin ito problema, at 2017, sobra-sobra na ang inyong kuryente,” he said.

The government is more effective in addressing this problem because of the current bureaucratic reforms, the President said, noting that money isn’t a concern to have an immediate remedy to Mindanao’s power crisis.

The President also asked the people of the General Santos City to support pro-reform candidates this coming May polls so that his administration could continue pushing other development projects in the region. PND