President Aquino confers the Order of Lakandula
(posthumous) on columnist William "Billy" Esposo
President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the
Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Officer (posthumous) on the late
columnist William M. "Billy" Esposo for his distinguished service as
the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs in the Department of Local Government
in January 1987, in which he led the participatory democracy, in simple
ceremonies in Makati City on Thursday.
The Chief Executive presented the award to
Esposo's widow, Amelia "Mey" Esposo in a ceremony following the
funeral mass held at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City.
The late columinst was cited for his
contributions to the restoration of democracy by organizing the Cory Media
Bureau to confront the misinformation and propaganda of the dictatorship, thus
awakening, educating and galvanizing the Filipino people to reclaim their
democracy.
The President also cited Esposo "for
assisting in the re-orientation of the Ministry of Information as acting
director of the Bureau of Broadcast, active during the 1986 EDSA People
Revolution."
In his eulogy, President extolled Esposo's
efforts to undermine the media monopoly during the Marcos dictatorship and his
help in rebuilding democracy.
"Most, if not all of the time, Billy’s
greater cause was none other than our country. A quick look at his resume will
give us enough proof: from heading the Cory Media Bureau, which led the fight
against a monopolistic media, to his roles in different media and
communications bodies of the government, to many civil society organizations and
movements," the President said.
"Billy was not that much older than me, but
when I was in my 20s, solely concerned with the security of Mom, he was dealing
with the generation ahead of me: the front line fighters in the struggle
against the dictatorship, the movers and shakers in government that was to
come," he said.
The President also expressed so much respect for
Esposo whom he described as a good man and mentor.
"Billy always had a great presence, and not
just physically. In fact, it was this same presence—a combination of
fearlessness, intelligence, professional skill, and a loud, jovial
personality—that brought him success in almost every, if not every single field
he was involved in: from advertising and marketing, to media and
communications, to politics, and to writing. And he had such a gift for
writing," he said.
"He mentored me in how to give concise
answers not liable to be editorialized. And yet, by this time, Billy was
already ailing," the President added.
"He made the most of his last words for the
Philippine Star by giving his take on the Sabah issue, and by giving a final
endorsement to Gawad Kalinga and the Focolare Movement, two of his favorite
advocacies. This was classic Billy Esposo: always finding the hope and humor in
a discouraging situation, and always giving the last word to a cause he thought
greater than himself," the President said.
After the conferment ceremony, the President
joined the Esposo family, relatives and friends during the funeral procession
enroute to the Manila Memorial Park, Barangay Pieta, Governor's Drive,
Dasmarinas City, Cavite for the burial rites. PND (js)
President Aquino visits Cotabato City
COTABATO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III
visited on Friday this city to get an update on the on-going implementation of
various projects and reform initiatives in the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) as part of his administration's efforts to improve the economic
development in the region.
The Chief Executive was briefed by ARMM
Officer-in-Charge Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman on the progress of the ARMM
projects at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center, ARMM Compound here.
The President's visit to Cotabato City is to
showcase his administration's commitment to embark on more pro-people projects
to complement the improving peace and security situation in the ARMM region.
Hataman made a presentation on the on-going ARMM
projects aimed at addressing issues like education, health, poverty, among
others. He also reported to the President about the booming business climate in
the area.
He said the national government, through various
government agencies, has allocated a total of P9,401,144,000 for various
projects in the region.
Hataman said many national roads in the region
are included in the Department of Public Works and Highways's Annual Infra Fund
for this year. The DPWH allocated P2.510 B for ARMM infrastructure projects.
Other ARMM projects that are being carried out
in the region include Agri-Pinoy of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
(DAF) with a budget of P280.361 M; Fish for Peace of the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources (P129.982 M); Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP)
of the Department of Agrarian Reform (P852.000 M); 2013 PAMANA otherwise known
as Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communities program
(P1.546 B), the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao or BEAM-ARMM of
the Department of Education (P3.900 B) and Health Facility Enhancement of the
Department of Health (P182.752 M).
Hataman also reported to the President about the
existing major investments in the ARMM in a bid to stimulate economic
development in the region. The Bumbaran Development Corporation had already
launched its P365 M Housing Project for ARMM residents. The company is
constructing 1,500 housing units in the region.
Del Monte, through its subsidiary Delinanas
Development Corp., has invested P569.0 M for the development of the 550
hectares of banana plantation in the ARMM.
Hataman said Del Monte plans to increase its
investment to as high as P750.0 M in the region with a goal of developing up to
3,000 hectares of banana plantations and providing direct employment
opportunities for thousands of locals.
On the other hand, the Bumbaran Development
Corporation intends to build 1,000 housing units in Maguindanao with an
investment of P300.0 M.
Hataman said a Malaysian investor plans to put
up P500 M palm oil business in the region while the La Frutera intends to
expand its business in Maguindanao amounting to P300 M.
The local officials thanked the President for
his initiatives in bringing progress to the ARMM. PND (js)
