Wednesday 15 May 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Tuesday, May 14, 2013



President Aquino cites Philippine Medical Association

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) for its efforts in providing excellent healthcare delivery to its patients and the rest of the Filipinos.

"For more than a century, your association has been a crucial stakeholder in our health care sector, and we in government count on your constant pursuit of excellence as we secure our people’s welfare," the Chief Executive said in his message to PMA on the occasion of its 106th Annual Convention and Scientific Meetings.

The PMA opened on Tuesday its 106th Annual Convention and Scientific Meetings which has for its theme “PMA: Nagkakaisang Manggagamot Tungo sa Kalusugang Pangkalahatan” at the Manila Hotel. The convention will end on May 17.

"May this occasion serve as both a seedbed of knowledge, and a launch pad for scientific research and interactive discussions that would elevate the standards of your profession. Let the momentum created by this event infuse and inspire you to further empower our most vital resource, our citizenry," the President said.

"Universal health care emphasizes our thrust towards a more equitably progressive Philippines. We are committed to achieving this goal with the help of medical professionals like you. Together, let us work as one collective and demonstrate passion, integrity, and accountability in our endeavors in pursuit of our national aspirations," he noted.

The Philippine Medical Association is the premier medical association of the Philippines, covering medical practitioners and component medical groups from the entire country.

It is a member of the World Medical Association and is a co-founder of the Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania. It is also the co-founder of Medical Associations of South East Asian Nations. PND (js)


President Aquino declares May 21 as a special (non-working) day in the City of Malabon in celebration of its 414th Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared May 21, which falls on a Tuesday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Malabon in celebration of its 414th Foundation Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 576 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 10 to give the people of Malabon the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

Malabon was once called Tambobong and was established more than four hundred years ago. The former name originated from the numerous tambo trees growing in the area. In 1599, Tambobong came under the administration of the Augustinian Friars as a parish along with the town of Navotas.

During the Spanish Era, the place became known as Malabon. The name came from the phrase "maraming labong" which means "plenty of labong," referring to the edible bamboo shoots.

After the American Revolution (1896-1898), Malabon became a town of Rizal Province through the Philippine Commission Act No. 137.

It was reunited with the town of Navotas through the Philippine Commission Act No. 942. Six years later, in January 6, 1906, Malabon and Navotas were reestablished as two distinct towns. PND (js)


Malacanang satisfied with conduct of 2013 midterm elections

Malacanang expressed satisfaction on Tuesday over the conduct of the 2013 midterm elections, saying the Commission on Elections and its “deputized agencies came together and did their utmost to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.”

In a statement read during his regular press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also lauded the Filipino people whom he said “undertook this exercise and the right of suffrage with tenacity and good cheer.”

“By all accounts, this second automated election has proceeded in a satisfactory manner, with the system and the vast majority of machines working as they were intended. While there were isolated incidents of violence and equally isolated hitches in the voting process, our institutions—from the COMELEC to its deputized agencies—volunteers for poll-watching, media, and the public came together and did their utmost to ensure free, fair, and credible elections,” Lacierda said.

“The President led the administration into what he himself has described as a referendum on this administration—one that will determine whether there will be a continuation and acceleration of reform, or a regression to the old, selfish ways that had harmed our country. As the counting is completed and the official proclamations take place, it seems clear that our countrymen have spoken overwhelmingly to confirm and expand the mandate for reform and change that they first granted in 2010 to President Aquino,” he added.

According to the Comelec, nine out of the 12 seats for Senators are from the ruling party – Liberal Party also known as Team Pnoy.

Lacierda said the strong showing of Team Pnoy “is a renewed mandate for tuwid na daan, and a vote of confidence for good governance, the continuity of reforms, and a brighter future to come.”

He said this “greater majority in the Senate…means we will be able to push our reform agenda.”

“Since we will have a greater support in the Senate, that means we will be able to push our reform agenda, the laws that we feel are our priorities for the country, and so it is certainly a desire that we wanted during the campaign and it seems like it is going that way,” Lacierda said.

“We thank the Filipino people for the support they have shown President Aquino’s agenda of reform and positive change, and we also thank them for doing their part and contributing to the success of these elections.

"As we in government continue to fulfill the mandate entrusted to us by our Bosses, the Filipino people, it is our hope that the next three years will see our country taking even greater strides along the straight path towards equitable progress, peace, and stability for all,” he added. PND (rck)


Government aims to repatriate Filipinos in Saudi Arabia soon

The Philippine government continues to track down and assist Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to eventually bring them home, a Palace official said.

In a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said 37 workers from Saudi Arabia were brought home by the Philippine government last Friday from Saudi Arabia.

“We are in the process of helping them complete their documents in order for them to be brought home,” Lacierda told reporters.

“We are committed to helping our Philippine nationals in Saudi Arabia, whether you are in Riyadh or in Saudi—whether they are in Riyadh or in Jeddah, we are making all the efforts to do that. We are tracking them down.”

The Philippine government is completing the requirement processes and it is in touch with the Saudi Arabia government to ensure that it can bring home the stranded Filipinos who would like to come home.

Recent reports said some 10,000 Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia may avail of the recent concessions by the Kingdom’s government for them to go home.

The Saudi Ministry of Labor instructed all labor offices to work double time to handle the applications of those availing of the concessions. PND (as)