Govt to continue pushing rules-based approach in
resolving new tension in West Philippine Sea
The Philippine government will stick to using
diplomatic solution in resolving the maritime disputes in the West Philippine
Sea with the renewed tensions in the Ayungin Shoal, a Palace official said on
Saturday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that the
current maritime tensions can lead to conflict in the disputed areas
particularly with the armed patrols of China.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said during a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday that the
government will adhere to a rules-based approach in finding a peaceful solution
to the problem.
“We’ve not changed our stance, if you notice in
the disputes, in the maritime disputes that we’ve had in the past years, and
it’s deliberate,” Valte said.
“We’ve chosen not to respond to provocative
statements and provocative actions that may not be productive for the path that
we’ve chosen to take. So deliberate ‘yung choices natin, na mapayapa ang ating
pagdadaanan dito.”
Asked if there’s a need for the President to
convene the National Security Council or a full Cabinet meeting because of the
Chinese incursions, Valte said the Aquino administration feels that there is no
need for such a meeting at this time.
Given the capacity and capability of the country
to deal with the problem, Valte said the President is firm in continuing to
deal with the issue given the limited resources that the Philippines has at
present.
“Ang sabi ng Pangulo is that so far, we’re
dealing with it on the level that is effective for us,” he said.
To address the problem of Filipino fishermen
affected by the tension, Valte said they are asking the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) about any possible assistance the government can
extend to the fishermen.
“In-assure naman tayo ng BFAR na una daw
tinutulungan nilang maghanap ng iba pang lugar na puwede pangisdaan; at
pangalawa, existing pa rin ‘yung mga payao na sinet up (set up) natin. Malapit
ito sa pampang, para naman hindi sila kailangang lumabas at lumayo palaot,” she
said. PND (as)
Government ready for school opening, says Palace
Malacanang made an assurance Saturday that
government agencies have already made the necessary preparations for the school
opening next month.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan,
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine National
Police is ready to ensure peace and order as children go back to school this
June.
The Department of Trade and Industry has also
launched a caravan that will sell cheap and safe school supplies, Valte said.
Valte is encouraging the public to avail of the
DTI’s offering by knowing the caravan schedule. Usually, the DTI sells the
supplies near the municipal building or in public places, she said.
Valte also told the parents to report public
schools asking for fees during enrolments, noting a DepEd guideline prohibiting
the collection of such fees from students.
“Mahigpit pong pinagbabawal ‘yan ng DepEd sa mga
public school kahit tawagin nila itong mga voluntary collections. Meron lang
mga bagay na binibigyan ng pahintulot ang DepEd pagdating sa mga kakaunting
babayarin sa ating mga pampublikong paaralan,” she said.
The national government is also coordinating
with local government units in the inspection of dormitories to make sure that
owners comply with the new building code, the Palace official said.
Last week, the Palace appealed to colleges and
universities to go slow in increasing their tuition fees asking them to impose
adjustments based on consultations with different stakeholders. PND (as)
Aquino wants sustainable rehabilitation of
Typhoon Pablo victims in Mindanao
President Benigno S. Aquino III wants to make
sure that assistance is extended to the victims of Typhoon Pablo as he met Task
Force Pablo on Friday.
The meeting had several highlights, according to
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in a radio interview over dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan.
The President wanted to validate further the
magnitude of the damage and the problems confronting the two provinces
devastated by Typhoon Pablo last December.
“Pinapasigurado ng Pangulo na nakita na natin
lahat ng dapat tulungan at lahat naman ng mga areas na kailangan ng alalay ng
national government,” Valte said.
Of course, patuloy ang pakikipagtulungan natin
doon sa dalawang pamahalaang lokal, doon sa dalawang probinsya para sa
assistance natin,” she added, noting the government has already shifted from
relief operations to providing assistance in rebuilding and rehabilitation.
Among the hard hit areas include Davao Oriental
and Compostela Valley.
Among the immediate challenges to the government
is providing decent shelter for the survivors, food supplies and livelihood.
The government is also concerned about the number of school buildings damaged
by the typhoon.
Aside from these major thrusts, the President
also wanted to know the impact of the government assistance to other priorities
of government particularly with the ongoing programs.
“At ang mahigpit na bilin po ng Pangulo ay
kailangan masigurado po natin na ‘yung rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts
natin ay sustainable,” she said.
“So apart from lending assistance when it comes
to the housing and to the shelters that are needed, pinapatiyak ng Pangulo na
kailangan sustainable, at kaagapay nito ‘yung mga livelihood training at
pagtulong at paghanap ng ibang puwedeng maging pangkabuhayan doon sa mga lugar
na iyon,” she added. PND (as)
