President Aquino declares the month of August
2013 as 'Philippine Wushu Month'
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the
month of August 2013 as “Philippine Wushu Month" in a bid to promote Wushu
not only in the country but also in the entire world.
The Chief Executive issued the directive by
virtue of Proclamation No. 554 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa
Jr. on February 28, 2013.
The President said the Philippines, through the
Wushu Federation Philippines, will host the Asian Junior Wushu Championship
from August 8 to 12, 2013.
"The Junior Wushu Championships will be
participated in by 38 member-countries with an expected attendance of a sizable
number of athletes and officials that will likewise serve as an opportunity to
showcase the country as a major tourist destination," he said.
"Wushu is among the ten (10) priority
sports of the government; and it is appropriate to promote Wushu in the country
and strengthen the Philippines’ support to the bid of the International Wushu
Federation for the inclusion of the said sport in the Olympic Games," the
President said.
President Aquino has enjoined all departments,
agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including state
universities and colleges, government-owned and -controlled corporations and
local government units, to support and extend the necessary assistance in the
observance of the “Philippine Wushu Month.” PND (js)
Government assisting undocumented workers in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Aquino administration continues to assist
undocumented workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) who camped outside
the Philippine consulate in Jeddah, a Palace official said on Sunday
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in a radio interview over government –run radio station dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) started taking steps to help
undocumented OFWs who need assistance.
"Katulad ng sinabi ng DFA, kailangan po
kasi nating tingnan isa-isa ang kanila pong mga kaso dahil alam naman po natin
na pagdating doon sa KSA, meron pong requirement na exit visa at kailangan po
na klaro lahat ang kanilang mga paperwork bago sila mabigyan nito," Valte
said.
Valte said the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) is also attending to the needs of the undocumented OFWs who
are affected by the KSA’s crackdown on illegal and overstaying migrants.
According to reports, King Abdullah of the KSA
has ordered the kingdom’s Ministries of Interior and Labor to give undocumented
workers in the KSA three months to correct their work and residency status.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) is
coordinating with the proper Saudi authorities to assist qualified OFWs who
want to legalize their stay by acquiring Iqama and residency permits. The POLO
is also assisting the OFWs who are seeking repatriation.
"Yung DFA po natin, ‘yung ating POLO, ‘yung
DOLE natin—‘yung mga labor attaché po natin doon—ay gumagalaw na para
matulungan ang ating mga kababayan doon," Valte said.
Some 1,450 undocumented Filipinos, who are
seeking immediate repatriation, reportedly camped out near the Philippine
Consulate building in Jeddah for fear of being arrested by the Saudi police.
PND (js)
