Thursday 23 May 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, May 23, 2013



Team PNoy’s good showing in next three years means 2016 success, says Aquino

The administration coalition’s success in 2016 presidential election lies on the realization of its reform and development agenda in the next three years following the May 13 midterm election, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday.

“Sa madaling salita, ang bukal ng tagumpay natin sa 2016 at sa makakamit pang tagumpay ng mga susunod na salinlahi ay nakasalalay sa kung ano ang mapapatunayan natin at kung ano ang magagawa natin sa susunod na tatlong taon,” the President told party mates and coalition members during the Team Pnoy thanksgiving party at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

The President said Wednesday’s event signals Team PNoy’s concerted efforts to institute permanent reforms in the country.
The chief executive likewise called on Team PNoy’s senators elect to fulfill the mandate the people have given them during this month’s election.

“Tinitiyak nating magpapatuloy ang sipag, dedikasyon, at tunay na malasakit natin sa kapwa. Sa ating mga nahalal na senador: Tuparin natin ang ating mandato. Huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataong ito. Nagpasya na ang mga Pilipino, 9-3 para sa Team Pnoy,” he said.

The coalition’s success during the last election stemmed from the clamor of the people for change during the 2010 presidential election, the President noted.

The 2010 election is a milestone in the country’s history because the people widely participated in that poll tired of rampant abuses and corruption in government, he said.

“Nang manaig ang tinig ng taumbayan noong halalan ng 2010, nagsimulang magbago ang kwento ng buhay ng mga Pilipino. Ang mga dating nagmanhid na sa katiwalian, natutong makilahok at lumaban. Ang mga dating nananahimik na lamang, nagkaroon ng boses. Ang mga dating hindi magawang mangarap, nagsimulang bumangon at humakbang tungo sa katuparan ng kanilang mga adhikain,” the President said.

The people’s success three years ago became the key to the changes that the country now experiences, he said. Among these developments include a more robust economy, influx of more investors to the country, the public’s rejection of graft and corruption and the government’s care for the poor.

With the success of the Team PNoy particularly in the Senate, the President said he is confident that the newly elected senators will work hard towards the realization of the dreams sowed under the “tuwid na daan” reform agenda of the administration.

At the same time, the President expressed his gratitude to those who helped launch a successful campaign in the last three months. These include Liberal Party’s campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon, former partylist representative Risa Hontiveros and former senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Jamby Madrigal.

The President likewise thanked lawmakers under the coalition as well as volunteers and local leaders.

Of the 12 senatorial bets who run under Team Pnoy, nine won during the May 13 midterm election. Among the winners include Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Antonio Trillanes IV and Cynthia Villar. PND (as)


Aquino cites the critical role of engineering sector in infrastucture development

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the critical role of the engineering sector in the pursuit of infrastructure development that is among his administration's major priorities in this period of national revitalization.

"The engineering sector plays a critical role in this undertaking: It builds roads to progress, bridges to bring our services to even the most remote areas, and establishments to house and grow our varied industries," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (ASEP) on the occasion of the 16th ASEP International Convention.

The ASEP opened on Thursday the 16th ASEP International Convention which has for its theme "Prolonging the Life of Structures" at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City. The 3-day event will end on Saturday.

President Aquino expressed hope that the event may further equip the ASEP with greater excellence, confidence, and dedication, as it fulfills its responsibilities in the collective task of nation-building.

"It was not so long ago that the Filipino people were handicapped by inefficient public works with weak foundations and slow-paced construction rooted mainly in a culture of transactionalism and self-interest," the President said.

"May you find the true meaning of quality and committed public service in this convention, and uphold integrity and accountability, as you continue to help pave the path to equitable progress and prosperity," he said. PND (js)


Palace appeals to universities, colleges to go slow on tuition hikes

Malacanang appealed to private colleges and universities that filed notices for tuition fee increases for this school year to work with the stakeholders in achieving a compromise acceptable to the public.

“We appeal to them and we hope that the increases that they have applied for have been reached in proper consultation with the parents, with the students, with the teachers, and that these increases must be, if necessary, reasonable,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday.

“Sana naman let us work with the stakeholders to arrive at a solution or at a compromise that is acceptable to the public.”

The Palace official said she hopes that academic institutions observe the true essence of compliance to the rules by adhering to the outcome of consultations with different stakeholders.

“Sana hindi lang surface compliance," she said.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said the tuition increase notices filed by at least 451 private colleges and universities are not final and will be subjected to review by the commission en banc.

The CHED said the commission en banc will decide on the tuition increase notices when it convenes May 27.

The commission also said it aims to expand its scholarship programs to support students from poor families to finish their college education. CHED reported that there are around 45,000 students under its scholarship programs through grants and study now, pay later schemes.

A P500-million fund for the scholarship of some 4,041 students transferring to state universities and colleges across the country was allotted by the commission.

The Student’s Grants in Aid program for Poverty Alleviation will be aligned with the Aquino administration’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. PND (as)


Aquino urges employers to work with government in crafting policies for labor sector aimed at job creation

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on employers to work together with his government to craft policies for the labor sector aimed at creating more jobs for the Filipino people.

In his message to the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Chief Executive underscored the importance of the collaboration between the government and the confederation to advance the interest of the Filipino public.

"Let your resounding voice enrich our discussions with insights on the market and corporate designs that reflect our commitment to inclusive development. Together, we can craft policies founded on balance, synergy, and mutual benefit, as we open the doors towards far-reaching, sustainable opportunities for the Filipino public," the President told ECOP on the occasion of its 34th National Conference of Employers.

The ECOP opened on Thursday the 34th National Conference of Employers (NCE 34) which has for its theme “Inclusive Growth: Vision, Prescriptions and Action,” at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. The 2-day event will end on Friday.

"The road to prosperity is paved by our efforts to harmonize our forward march along the straight and righteous path. This underscores the collaboration required of our sectors, as we fuel our momentum in the revitalization we have now established," the President said.

The President expressed hope that the gathering may inspire the country's private stakeholders to participate more actively while government continues its efforts to widen the avenues of dialogue with the labor sector.

"Let us continue to place our fellowmen at the front and center of our endeavors. They remain our country’s greatest asset, empowering our nation as they realize their potential. May we enable them further to become dynamic contributors to nation-building, as we forge the equitably progressive society we have long aspired for," he said. PND (js)


President Aquino signs consolidated bill into law that seeks to amend the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law a consolidated bill that seeks to amend the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines to end the proliferation of so-called botcha or double-dead meat in markets through stiffer penalties on its sale, transport and handling.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday that the Chief Executive signed last May 15 Republic Act 10536 otherwise known as An Act Amending Republic Act 9296, otherwise known as The Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.

Under the law, the carcass or parts of carcass or food animals which were slaughtered from unregistered/unaccredited meat establishments and have not undergone the required inspection will be classified as "hot meat." It also includes undocumented, illegally shipped, and unregistered carcass, parts of carcass and meat products coming from other countries and those that are classified as "hot meat" by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

Under Section 56 of the Republic Act 10536 (Fines and Penalties), any violator of the act, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000) or both depending upon the discretion of the court.

The offender shall be obliged to pay to the concerned consumer whatever damage may have been suffered by the latter as a consequence of the unlawful act.

If the offender is a juridical person, all officers such as, but not limited to, its president, manager or head of office responsible for their unlawful act shall be criminally liable, in addition to the cancellation of certificates or accreditation and/or registration.

If the offender is a public official, the penalty shall include perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

In addition, the National Meat Inspection Service and the local government units shall impose additional fines and penalties for the offender.

Any person, firm or corporation that slaughter any food animal or prepare meat or meat product in any meat establishment except in compliance with the requirements of this Act or slaughter or handle in connection with slaughter, any food animal in a manner not considered humane shall be fined P50,000 for the first offense, P75,000 for the second offense and P100,000 plus prohibition from conducting business for two (2) years for the third and succeeding offenses.

Any person, firm or corporation that sell, transport, offer or receive for sale or transportation in commerce carcasses or parts thereof, meat or meat product required to be inspected under this Act unless they have been so inspected and passed and do any act while they are being transported in commerce or held for sale, which is intended to cause or has the effect of causing such articles to be adulterated or misbranded shall be fined with two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000) for the first offense, three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000) for the second offense and five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) plus prohibition from conducting business for two (2) years for the third and succeeding offenses.

Anyone who violated sections 49 (Printing of Official Marks), Section 50 (Forging Official Marks), Section 51(Absence of Ante-Mortem Inspection), Section 52 (Interference in the Conduct of Inspection) and Section 54 (Unlawful Shipment) shall be fined with two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000) for the first offense, three hundred fifty pesos (P350,000) for the second offense and P500,000 plus prohibition from conducting business for three years for the third and succeeding offenses.

Anyone who violated Section 53 (Unlawful Trading) shall be suspended for six months for the first offense and dismissal from government service for the second violation.

Under Section 58 (Confiscation), any carcasses, parts of carcasses or products of carcasses found to have been prepared, handled, packed, stored, transported or offered for sale as human food not in accordance with any provisions of this Act shall be confiscated and disposed of as provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations at the expense of the person, firm or corporation found to be in violation thereof.

Under the new act, the National Meat Inspection Service shall be headed by an Executive Director, a Deputy Executive Director and Regional Technical Directors III, all appointed by the President. The administrative, technical and support services of the NMIS shall be strengthened as may be appropriate and necessary to carry out effectively the provisions of this Act.

This Act shall take effect after 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in 2 newspapers of general circulation. PND (js)


President Aquino signs a consolidated bill into law setting Philippine Standard Time and institutionalizing the first week of the year as the ‘National Time Consciousness Week’

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law a consolidated bill setting the Philippine Standard Time (PST) and institutionalizing the first week of the year as the "National Time Consciousness Week."

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday that the Chief Executive signed last May 15 Republic Act 10535 or "An Act to set the Philippine Standard Time in All Official Sources throughout the country, to provide funds for the installation, operation and maintenance of synchronized time devices to be displayed in key public places and to declare the first week of every year as National Time Consciousness Week."

The new law otherwise known as The Philippine Standard Time (PST) Act of 2013 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3284 and House Bill No. 164 that was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2013.

The Act mandates all national and local government offices to display Philippine Standard Time on their official time devices, including bundy clocks, in accordance with the official time provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) using its network time protocol.

All of these offices shall coordinate, at least once a month, with the PAGASA to synchronize their official timepieces and devices.

The PAGASA's Time Service Unit, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), shall be tasked to monitor, maintain and disseminate the PST throughout the country. The PAGASA shall operate and maintain a timekeeping system to perform these functions and shall endeavor to install and maintain sufficiently large and prominently displayed synchronized time devices in all their field stations and in key public places.

The procurement of equipment necessary for the automatic dissemination of time with global positioning system (GPS) shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act). The DOST shall be the procurement overseer of the said equipment.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will also require the participation of all government and private television and radio stations to ensure synchronization of timekeeping devices even in the most remote parts of the country.

Owners of private television and radio stations who shall fail to calibrate and synchronize their time devices with the Philippine Standard Time during their broadcast shall, upon hearing and due proceedings, be penalized with a fine of not less than thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) in the first offense. A subsequent offense will merit a revocation and cancellation of their franchises to operate.

The fine to be collected as penalty for the violation of this Act shall be deposited in the general fund of the National Treasury.

The law also institutionalizes the first week of the year as "National Time Consciousness Week."

The PAGASA, in coordination with the DOST, the NTC, the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense, Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall promulgate the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the calibration and synchronization of the timekeeping devices and implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

This Act shall take effect after 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in two 2 newspapers of general circulation. PND (js)