President Aquino lauds ASEAN member countries
for inclusion of West Philippine sea in their discussion at ASEAN Summit in
Brunei
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Wednesday that the fact that the member countries of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to discuss the issue of the West
Philippine Sea (South China Sea) during the 22nd ASEAN Summit being held here
was something to be thankful for and clearly showed that a rules based approach
towards peacefully resolving this dispute was on its way.
“Di ba, parang napakaganda nga e na unang-unang
gabi nating nandito, unang-unang meeting nasama na sa mga topics. So we should
really be thankful that the whole of the ASEAN is willing to discuss this
instead of, you know, putting it on the backburner. That, I think, is already a
help,” the President told reporters in a press briefing after meeting other
ASEAN members in a working dinner.
He said that after 11 years since the ASEAN and
China agreed in 2002 on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea to maintain peace and stability in the contested area, a major lane
for global trade and believed to be rich in mineral resources, ASEAN has agreed
to make the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) issue a priority area for
discussion.
“There might be a consensus reached that really
pushes the matter forward to really define everybody’s entitlements and
obligations. So instead of being on a very low priority, it is one of the
priority areas and nobody has objected, and everybody was listening and
discussing it. So that, I think, is a step in the right direction,” he added.
PND (rck)
Philippines confident ASEAN will achieve goal of
becoming 'One Economic Community' by 2015
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) The Philippines is confident
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is on track towards
achieving its goal to become One Economic Community by 2015 despite the
numerous challenges still facing the regional bloc.
In a press briefing here, Trade Secretary
Gregory Domingo said these challenges include the ASEAN Framework Agreement on
Services (AFAS) which aims to enhance cooperation in services among member
States in order to improve the efficiency and competitiveness, diversify
production capacity and supply and distribution of services of their service
suppliers within and outside ASEAN; eliminating non-tariff barriers; and
enhancing customs procedures through the ASEAN Single Window.
“We’re currently between 73 to 76 percent in
terms of the ASEAN accomplishments. We’re on the 9th package so the first eight
packages had been completed. But there’s still a lot of work because the easier
parts have been done. So now we get into the more difficult portions,” Domingo
noted.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) aims to
achieve regional economic integration by 2015. AEC envisages the following key
characteristics: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly
competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development,
and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy.
The AEC areas of cooperation include human
resources development and capacity building; recognition of professional
qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies;
trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications
connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN;
integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; and
enhancing private sector involvement for the building of the AEC.
In short, the AEC will transform ASEAN into a
region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and
freer flow of capital. PND (rck)
President Aquino says his administration is open
to ideas that will accelerate country's inclusive growth for the benefit of all
Filipinos particularly those living below poverty level
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Wednesday that he was willing to “tweak” the government’s
anti-poverty measures to benefit more Filipinos living below the poverty level.
In a press conference with media covering his
attendance to the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit
here, the President said he and his government were open to ideas and
“everything that will accelerate inclusive growth.”
He however declined to subscribe to the belief
that by immediately pouring billions of pesos into a certain program, it could
actually effect change in poverty ratings overnight.
“Will we tweak it (anti-poverty programs)?
Syempre, ano, we’re open to all of—everything that will accelerate inclusive
growth. Pero…Hindi ‘yung mag-invest tayo ng so many billions now and in one
month’s time you will see a reversal, ‘di ba?” the President said.
He pointed out that the Department of Social
Welfare and Development’s 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), which has
been receiving yearly budget increases was due to its effectiveness in lifting
people from misery and spurring economic growth.
“Now, I think what we should pay attention to is
this: Lahat ng interventions natin, for instance, the Pantawid Pamilya Program.
The DSWD’s budget increased over 200 percent...
if we look at the economic activity in the areas na maraming households na
beneficiaries dito, when you talk to the local businessmen, they will tell you
there is a dramatic increase in economic activity in their areas,” the
President said, adding that this scenario is also applicable to education and
health.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda earlier
said the government remains focused on generating jobs for Filipinos in the
urban areas and the countryside in keeping with its goal to mitigate poverty.
Lacierda said the Human Development and Poverty
Reduction Cabinet cluster has come up with an action plan to generate jobs for
people living in the urban areas, as well as the countryside. He said various
programs to support the farmers are now in place to improve the agricultural
sector.
"Ang focus ng ating problema ngayon is
agriculture. Doon medyo mababa ang growth. What’s also important right now is
we’re trying to link farmers and technology, sources of technology and sources
of credit," he said.
"Now with respect to industries, we have
seen private investments coming in. The private sector during the latter half
of 2012, has really poured in their investments. Malaki ang improvement ng
ating private sector as based on our figures during the last year. So we will
expect a greater improvement in our numbers with respect to poverty," he
said. PND (rck)
President Aquino awaiting results of study on
Sabah claim
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III is awaiting the results of a study being conducted by a “study group” he
had tasked to look into the Philippines’ claim on Sabah and hopes the results
will resolve this issue for the satisfaction of the Filipino citizenry.
In an interview with media at the sidelines of
his attendance to the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Summit here, the President said the study is taking a “multidisciplinary
approach” that includes the historical and legal basis on the subject of Sabah.
“Well, gusto nating ma-resolve ang isyu to
everybody’s satisfaction. Towards that end, we have already tasked a study
group kasi ang haba nga ng multidisciplinary approach. May historical basis,
merong legal basis, may legal local to us, and may legal international
aspects,” the President said.
“Napakarami ng issues surrounding the central
issue and the things that happen with the issue might affect the present and
the future. And we want to have a solution, again, that makes everybody happy
but is based on the fact and a just deliberation of the issues,” he added.
“So, hopefully, the study will guide us into a
really in-depth understanding of the issue,” the President stressed.
He pointed out that he is now focused on the
results of the probe and has thus made the Sabah claim “not a hot issue right
now.”
“I’m still awaiting the results of the study,”
the President concluded. PND (rck)
President Aquino 'heartened' by survey that nine
of 12 administration senatorial candidates are likely to win in the upcoming
May 13 midterm elections: vows to make extra effort to help the three other
candidates
(BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei) President Benigno
S. Aquino III is “heartened” by the fact that nine out of his 12 candidates for
the Senate are likely to win in the upcoming midterm elections but he said they
would still make an “extra effort” to help the other three catch up in the
surveys.
“We are trying to make extra efforts on all of
them. But, at the same time, parang heartening na rin: nine out of 12,”
President Aquino told the Philippine media delegation here on Wednesday.
The President, who is currently attending the
22nd Association of the Southeast Asian Nation Summit, said he would continue
talking with local leaders allied with them to help them increase the voters’
awareness on all of their candidates, especially the three others.
“Nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga leaders, baka
pwedeng diinan ‘yung tatlo na mas maalala; dagdagan ‘yung awareness at ‘yung
recall at sana naman may conversion (into votes),” he said.
On his visit to Capiz last April 10, the
President said they are trying to achieve the rare 12-0 feat for the Liberal
Party coalition candidates with about less than a month to go before the
Election Day itself.
“‘Yon ang tinatrabaho natin, kung pwedeng
mangyari ‘yon. Pero tayo’y nag-aapela sa ating mga boss, ang ating mga
kababayan, ang sambayanang Pilipino, na kung nakikita nila ang talagang
pagbabago ngayon, ang mungkahi natin, itong labindalawa nga ang tutulong
mapabilis ang pagbabagong nangyayari sa bansa,” he said.
He, however, emphasized that their party would
not resort into vote-buying mechanisms and would not tolerate any of their
candidates in doing so just to reach that particular goal. PND (hdc)
President Aquino nixes plans to reshuffle
members of his Cabinet but welcomes any improvement that would make them more
efficient
(BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei) President Benigno
S. Aquino III indicated that while he has no plans to reshuffle the members of
his Cabinet he would instead welcome any improvement in the processes that
would make them more efficient.
The President mentioned this when asked if he
would do an evaluation of the accomplishments of the various departments and
agencies in the Executive Branch now that he’s approaching the three years term
of his presidency.
“You start with a premise that you are all
imperfect beings and you can always improve,” the President told members of the
Philippine media delegation who are covering the President's attendance to the
22nd ASEAN Summit at the Philippine Embassy here, Wednesday.
The President cited in particular the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) headed by Secretary Rogelio Singson and
Department of Agriculture (DA) led by Secretary Proceso Alcala as among the top
performing agencies in his administration.
He recognized the DPWH for its ability to lower
the bid prices on most of its projects and the DA for its successful production
and domestic marketing of rice that enabled the country to be self-sufficient
and a potential exporter of this particular commodity.
“Pero, bottom line, we’re really open to improving
all of the processes that we need to have greater efficiency. Sorry, economist
ako by training, so maximum utility of each input is the mantra,” he said. PND
(hdc)
Philippines, Vietnam hold bilateral talks
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) The Philippines and Vietnam
held bilateral talks at the sidelines of the 22nd Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit being held here from April 24 to 25.
In a text message sent to reporters covering
President Benigno S. Aquino III attendance to said Summit, Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the President and Vietnam Prime Minister
Nguyen Tan Dung were upbeat over “the progress of economic relations” between
the two countries as they agreed to “further enhance” and strengthen relations.
Lacierda added that Vietnam expressed support
for the Philippines initiatives on maritime security, noting the improvement of
this initiative between the two countries.
"Both leaders are happy with the progress
of economic relations and discussed ways on how to further enhance these
relations. Both countries acknowledged the improvement of maritime security
between the two countries and Vietnam expressed support for the Philippines
international initiatives on this matter," Lacierda said.
Diplomatic relations between the two sides
started in July 1976 upon the signing of a Joint Communique by then Philippine
Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo and Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister for
Foreign Affairs Phan Hien. PND (rck)
Aquino joins ASEAN leaders in calling for a
peaceful resolution to the South China Sea situation
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III joined other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in
calling for a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea situation as the
regional bloc said it looked forward to “continued engagement” with China in
implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea
(DOC) in a “full and effective manner.”
The ASEAN leaders issued their stand in the
widely discussed issue during the issuance of the Chairman’s statement
delivered during closing ceremonies of the 22nd ASEAN Summit on Thursday.
Brunei Darussalam, through its Royal Highness
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is the Chair of this year’s ASEAN Summit.
“We discussed the situation in the South China
Sea and reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability and maritime security in
the region. We underscored the importance of the Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea, and the Joint Statement of the 10th Anniversary
of the DOC. In this regard, we reaffirmed the collective commitments under the
DOC in ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with
universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, without resorting to the
threat or use of force, while exercising self-restraint in the conduct of
activities,” the statement read.
“We look forward to continued engagement with
China in implementing the DOC in a full and effective manner, including through
mutually agreed joint cooperative activities and projects,” it further said.
PND (rck)
President Aquino and ASEAN leaders express
concern over Korean Peninsula developments, call for denuclearization
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III and his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
have expressed concern over the ongoing developments in the Korean Peninsula
and have called for the denuclearization of the area “in a peaceful manner.”
The regional bloc issued this statement at the
close of the 22nd ASEAN Summit that was held here from April 24 to 25.
The regional leaders called on the Democratic
Republic of Korea to fully comply with its obligations under all relevant
United Nations Security Council Resolutions and its commitments under the
September 19, 2005 Joint Statement on the Six-Party Talks which aim to find a
peaceful resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean
nuclear weapons program.
“We reaffirm our full support for all efforts to
bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner
as well as the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks,” the Statement read.
“We emphasize the importance of dialogue aimed
at promoting mutual understanding and confidence among all parties concerned to
ensure peace, security and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” it added. PND
(rck)
Phl urges ASEAN to adopt action plan to combat
human trafficking
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on
Thursday called on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) to come up with a comprehensive regional approach to counter and combat
all forms of human trafficking.
The Philippines is hosting the third ASEAN Experts
Working Group against human trafficking from April 25 to 26, and Ochoa hopes
this will strengthen the commitment of member-countries to fight this regional
problem.
“While there are universal mechanisms that
address human trafficking or trafficking in persons, there is no regional
mechanism that particularly and especially deals with such issues in Southeast
Asia,” said Ochoa.
He added: “There must be a regional action plan
within the scope of each ASEAN members’ domestic laws and policies to effectively
address regional challenges common to all ASEAN members in the fight against
human trafficking.”
According to the Executive Secretary, the action
plan should include an integrated, cohesive and a more structured monitoring
and reporting mechanism on human trafficking in order to prevent and suppress
trafficking in persons in the region.
The fight against human trafficking, Ochoa
explained, is in line with efforts by the ASEAN to protect and promote human
rights, and its commitment to other regional and international declarations
against all forms of trafficking in persons, particularly women and children.
“Human trafficking is one of the most
contemptible violations of human rights, as those involved in this loathsome
crime deprive their victims of their right to life, liberty, and security”
Ochoa said, as he pushed for stronger international cooperation to ensure the
successful investigation, prosecution and elimination of safe havens of
perpetrators and accomplices of trafficking in persons.
During the conference, the ASEAN Experts Working
Group hopes to come up with a regional instrument to educate people on human
trafficking, promote and protect the rights of victims, strengthen rule of law
and border control in the region, establish a synchronized regional approach in
the investigation of human traffickers involving foreign nationals, and
increase prosecution and conviction of human traffickers to weaken their
organized criminal networks.
The conference also aims to further enhance
cooperation of ASEAN members with the UN Office for Drugs and Crime, Office of
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on
trafficking in persons in order to strengthen the region’s capacity to
effectively combat human trafficking and provide assistance to victims.
The ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam.
Aquino, ASEAN leaders agree on empowering small
and medium enterprises
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei) President Benigno
S. Aquino III joined other Southeast Asian leaders in fostering small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) as a result of their discussions during the 22nd
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) focusing on the economic
community aspect.
In a statement released Thursday by this year’s
chair, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, ASEAN leaders encouraged the
relevant ministers to “empower SMEs” while calling on business organizations
“to lend support to this endeavor.”
“We recognized that to foster our small and
medium enterprises, it is critical to create job opportunities and promote
social safety nets, in line with our goal to narrowing development gaps in the
region.
In this regard, we encouraged the relevant
Ministers to empower SMEs, especially the Priority Integration Sectors, through
training, advisory and financial support, to take advantage of our integration
efforts.
We also called on business organizations to lend
support to this endeavor and tasked the relevant Ministers to look into ways to
provide a strategic regional platform for long-term SME development
cooperation,” the Chairman’s Statement read.
The empowerment of SMEs is one of the advocacies
pushed by President Aquino during his brief participation in the summit here.
The ASEAN leaders also continued to encourage
their ministers to enhance private sector engagement at various levels in
efforts to support the ASEAN Economic Community integration activities.
They further called on the ASEAN Business
Advisory Council and other business associations to take an active role in
undertaking communication activities on the benefits of the AEC aimed at
stakeholders within as well as outside the region. PND (hdc)
Aquino, ASEAN leaders express determination to
strengthen cooperation in addressing terrorism, transnational crime
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei—President Benigno S.
Aquino III and his Southeast Asian counterparts are determined to address the
lingering issues of terrorism and transnational crime in their respective
countries.
“We are determined to strengthen cooperation in
addressing the issue of terrorism and transnational crime in the region,”
Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) chair Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah of Brunei stated on behalf of his fellow heads of state.
In this regard, ASEAN leaders encouraged all
relevant sectoral bodies to “re-double” the implementation of their respective
work plans and work programs related to priority areas of transnational crime,
as well as in effectively tackling the increasing non-traditional security
threats in the region.
They also look forward to the outcome of the 9th
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to be held this
September in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
“We re-emphasized the importance of the
Declaration on Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 and look forward to the outcome of the 2nd
ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters to be convened on September
2013 in Brunei Darussalam,” the Chairman’s statement added.
The ASEAN leaders also welcomed the progress
made in considering the development of a Regional Plan of Action on Combating
Trafficking in Persons and an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons, which
reflects the need to urgently combat trafficking in persons in the region. PND
(hdc)
Aquino and leaders of BIMP-EAGA agree to review
cooperation to boost region as food basket, ecotourism destination
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III and leaders from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines – East Asean
Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) have agreed to review the progress of the cooperation
and provide further direction to the region’s pursuit of its shared vision of
establishing BIMP-EAGA as a regional food basket and ecotourism destination
through enhanced connectivity for trade and investment, while ensuring
sustainable management of the environment.
The President and his above-mentioned
counterparts arrived at this decision during the 9th BIMP-EAGA Summit it held
at the sidelines of the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Summit held here from April 24 to 25, 2013.
“We, the Leaders of Brunei Darussalam,
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, met for the 9th BIMP-EAGA Summit in
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, to review the progress of cooperaetion
and to provide further direction in the pursuit of our shared vision of
establishing BIMP-EAGA as a regional food basket and ecotourism destination
through enhanced connectivity for trade and investment, whilst ensuring
sustainable management of the environment,” the statement read.
BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation
initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, all
of which are member-countries of the regional Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN).
The objective behind the creation of BIMP-EAGA
is to accelerate economic development in the four countries' “focus areas”
which, although geographically distant from their national capitals, are in
strategic proximity to each other, in one of the world’s most resource-rich
regions.
The BIMP-EAGA initiative is market-driven, and
operates through a decentralized organization structure involving the four
governments and the private sector.
BIMP-EAGA cooperation aims to increase trade,
tourism and investments inside and outside the subregion by: facilitating the
free movement of people, goods, and services; making the best use of common
infrastructure and natural resources; and taking the fullest advantage of
economic complementation. PND (rck)
Palace elated by Moody’s analytics report
describing country as ‘Asia’s rising star’
Malacanang on Thursday welcomed the report of
Moody’s Analytics calling the Philippines as “Asia’s rising star” for
sustaining a strong economy despite global economic slowdown.
“We welcome the report of Moody’s Analytics
highlighting the Philippines as “Asia’s rising star,” Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.
“Underscoring the country’s heady economic
growth and strong macroeconomic fundamentals, the research unit of Moody’s
Investors Service noted the performance of the Philippine economy stands out
amidst the ‘generally gloomy global picture,’” Valte added.
She noted that the think tank’s report “is yet
another international affirmation of the successful reforms undertaken by the
Aquino administration that has buoyed investor confidence and restored public
trust in our institutions.”
“As we continue to reap the benefits of our
reform, this further reinforces the principle that good governance is a
catalyst for and harbinger of good economics,” she further said.
In a report authored by Moody’s Analytics senior
economist Glenn Levine titled “Philippines Outlook: Asia’s Rising Star,” he
said the Philippines has a potential to become one of the fastest growing
economies in the world that could grow up to 8 percent by 2016.
Levine believed that the country could sustain
its strong performance of having GDP growth between 6.5 percent to 7 percent in
2013 and 2014.
He cited Aquino’s good governance, increasing
private investments and higher government spending as factors that sustain the
robust economy of the Philippines. PND (jb)
