President Aquino leads awarding ceremonies in
115th anniversary of Philippine Navy in Cavite City
CAVITE CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III led
the awarding ceremony of deserving officers, enlisted personnel, employees and
civilians who contributed to the Navy's mission accomplishments in celebration
of the 115th founding anniversary of the Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday.
The Chief Executive attended the event which has
for its theme "Navy: An Adventure of Honorable Service to our Maritime
Nation," as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.
Upon his arrival at the Commodore Posadas Wharf
Headquarters, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Station Pascual Ledesma of the
Fort San Felipe, here on Tuesday, President Aquino was accorded military honors
by the Navy troops. This is the first time for the Fort San Felipe to serve as
the platform for the Command's anniversary celebration.
The event was highlighted by the inauguration of
the Fort San Felipe Museum which was built to showcase the Philippine Navy's
rich history and culture.
Officers and members of the PN delivered the
Navy Pledge to reiterate their commitment to fulfill their mandate to guard the
country's seas.
Joining the President were Vice President
Jejomar C. Binay, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Transportation
and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Energy Secretary Jericho
Petilla, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino,
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of
Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice
Admiral Jose Luis M. Alano, Philippine Army Lieutenant General Noel Coballes,
Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lauro Catalino dela Cruz and Philippine
National Police Chief Director General Alan Purisima, Philippine Coast Guard
Chief Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, members of the diplomatic corps and other
national and local government officials.
Also in attendance were United States Ambassador
to the Philippines Harry Thomas and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras who
were among the recipients of the awards from the PN.
The Navy has conducted a series of
pre-anniversary activities for this year's founding anniversary. This
month-long activities included the Football for Peace, Advocacy Biking, Mass
Wedding of Naval Officers and Personnel, Human Capital Strategy in Action,
among others.
The Football for Peace was organized by the
Philippine Marine Special Service Office with the objective to promote
camaraderie and lead a way for peace among the youth of Mindanao.
In its desire to maintain the wellness of its
men, the PN launched the Advocacy Biking for biking enthusiasts. This activity
was earlier launched to advocate "Safe and Fair Election (SAFE)
2013."
During the recently held mass wedding, Navy
Chief Alano stood as a primary sponsor for military officers and personnel who
made a final vow of marriage commitment.
Meanwhile, the Human Capital Strategy in Action
was launched to develop strategies to have a sound management of the Navy's human
capital and capacity.
Likewise, the PN conducted bloodletting
activities and medical/dental/veterinary and civic action programs. to provide
necessary assistance to our fellow countrymen who needs medical service
Over the past 115 years, the Philippine Navy's
organizational structure had undergone changes to fulfill its various roles and
functions. The Navy is composed of the Philippine Fleet and the Philippine
Marine Corps. It is further organized into seven operational commands well
distributed across the archipelago, and various other units---all performing
the Philippine Navy's role not only as guardian of the seas, but also as
protector of the sovereignty of the country. PND (js)
President Aquino not for postponement of
barangay elections
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday
that it is the sworn duty of the government to secure the mandate of the people
“periodically” and thus saw no need to back the recommendation of Commission on
Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes postponing the conduct of the 2013 barangay
elections slated to be held in October this year.
Brillantes earlier said he will be endorsing to
Congress a Bill postponing the barangay elections for next year as he and the
Comelec “still have their hands full with the mid-term elections.”
In a press briefing in Cavite City, the
President said that unless there is “very good reason for the postponement,” he
remains firm on his stand that the barangay elections be held at its originally
scheduled time.
“‘Yung postponement, kinakabahan ako diyan baka
maraming postponement ang mangyari tulad ‘nung dating karanasan natin, at ‘yung
mandato ng tao kailangan ma-secure periodically,” the President said.
“So, unless I see very good reasons for a
postponement, I think I’ll stick with my previous stand na kakayanin nila o
dapat kayanin nila na mai-hold ang barangay elections as scheduled,” he added.
PND (rck)
President Aquino forms task force on ease of
doing business in Phl
In a bid to boost the country’s competitiveness
ranking in the world and improve the business climate in the country, President
Benigno S. Aquino III has signed an administrative order for the creation of an
inter-agency task force that will implement reforms making it easier to do business
in the Philippines.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on
Tuesday said President Aquino signed Administrative Order No. 38 for the
creation of Task Force on Ease of Doing Business (EODB Task Force) in order to
implement an action plan, which was drafted by the National Competitiveness
Council (NCC), to enhance the business competitiveness of the country.
“The EODB Task Force is seen to significantly
help improve our ranking in the survey since it is tasked to ensure the full
implementation of the Gameplan for Competitiveness designed by the NCC and
endorsed by the Economic Development Cluster,” Ochoa said.
Currently the Philippines ranks 138th out of 185
countries in the world, and is 8th out of the 10-member Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Doing Business Survey (DBS) of the World Bank
International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The Gameplan for Competitiveness is a strategy
which sets reform targets for concerned government agencies based on 10
indicators that determine the country's world ranking in the DBS. It also
identifies key areas for public and private sector participation to boost the
global business competitiveness ranking of the Philippines.
The business survey of the IFC measures and
tracks business regulations across 10 indicators, namely: starting businesses,
dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property,
getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders,
enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency.
Under AO No. 38, the task force will be led by
the Secretary of Trade and Industry (DTI). Its members include representatives
of the NCC; the Departments of Finance (DOF), the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), and Justice (DOJ); Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Customs (BoC);
Land Registration Authority (LRA); Credit Information Corp. (CIC); Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC); Social Security System (SSS); Home Development
Mutual Fund (HDMF); and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC).
President Aquino calls for the participation and
assistance of concerned local government units, as well private and public
institutions, including government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs),
in the implementation and accomplishment of targets provided in the Gameplan
for Competitiveness.
Among others, AO No. 38 specifically directs the
task force to review and develop policies, programs and guidelines to ensure
appropriate implementation of the Gameplan for Competitiveness, re-evaluate and
adopt measures to achieve goals set for 2013 and finalize the goals for 2014
onwards, and coordinate with the proper agencies for the inclusion of the
targets in the performance goals of concerned departments in their respective
performance-based incentive systems.
The EODB Task Force is likewise to recommend to
the President the issuance of proper measures to promote transparency and
efficiency in business practices in the country.
It is also directed to submit a report to the
Office of the President through the Economic Development Cluster within 60 days
from the issuance of the AO and every six months thereafter.
The funding requirements of the task force will
be taken from the respective budgets of member-agencies, with subsequent
funding requirements to be incorporated in the annual budget proposals of each
of the member-agencies.
AO No. 38 takes effect immediately.
President Aquino challenges Philippine Navy to
fulfill its mandate as guardian of the seas
CAVITE CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III
challenged on Tuesday the Philippine Navy (PN) to hurdle the challenges of the
present times to fulfill its mandate as guardian of the country's seas.
In his speech during the celebration of the
115th founding anniversary of the Philippine Navy held at the Commodore Posadas
Wharf Headquarters, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Station Pascual Ledesma,
Fort San Felipe, Cavite City, the Chief Executive reminded the Naval officers and
personnel of their significant role not only as guardians of the seas, but also
as protector of the sovereignty of the Philippines.
"Batid po nating sa paglipas ng panahon,
patuloy din ang pagdagsa ng mga hamon na sumusubok sa katatagan natin bilang bayan.
Nariyan ang mga banta mula sa loob at labas ng ating bansa, at ang peligrong
hatid ng mga kalamidad sa buhay at kabuhayan ng ating kababayan,"
President Aquino said.
"Sa ating agenda ng mabuting pamamahala,
malinaw ang pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa Pilipinas ay sa
Pilipinas, at kaya nating pumalag at ipagtanggol ang sarili tuwing may sisindak
sa atin sa loob mismo ng ating bakuran," he stressed.
The President said he expects the Philippine
Navy to defend the territory of the Republic of the Philippines and uphold the
sovereignty against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
He, likewise, asked the Navy, composed of
sailors, marines and civilian employees, to perform their best in pursuit of
their mission as guardian of the country's seas and protector of the Filipino
people.
"Ang gusto natin ay maramdaman ng Pilipino
ang seguridad at kaligtasan nasaan man siyang panig ng bansa o mundo naroon.
Kaya naman ang inaasahan ang ating mga kawal ng bayan sa pagsugpo ng mga ilegal
na transaksyon tulad ng smuggling, ilegal na droga, at trafficking-in-persons,
nandiyan kayo’t lumalaban sa panig ng ating mamamayan," he stressed.
"Sa pagsagip at paglilikas ng mga naiipit
sa kaguluhan sa ibang bayan o nasa panganib ang buhay sa panahon ng sakuna,
buong giting kayong rumeresponde para sa kapakanan ng kapwa Pilipino," he
said .
With the signing of the Revised Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act last December, President Aquino
expressed confidence that the AFP, including the Philippine Navy, can now
better perform its duties.
'Sa tulong naman ng mga kabalikat natin sa
Kongreso at Senado, nilagdaan natin noong Disyembre ang Revised AFP
Modernization Act, na magbibigay ng ekstensyon sa ating AFP Modernization
Program. Sa pagsasabatas nito, maglalaan tayo ng pitumpu’t limang bilyong piso
bilang paunang pondo sa unang limang taon ng implementasyon ng programa,"
the President said.
"Nakapila na nga po ang mga proyekto natin
para sa Philippine Navy sa ilalim ng batas na ito. Nariyan ang plano nating
pagbili ng tatlong Multi-Purpose Attack Craft o MPAC, walong Amphibious Assault
Vehicle, tig-dalawang Frigate at Anti-Submarine Warfare-Capable Helicopter at
iba pang mga helicopter para lalong mas sumigla ang ating air group, pati na po
ang pagpapabuti ng ating Communication, Intelligence at Surveillance
System," he said.
President Aquino assured the government's all
out support for the Philippines Navy's vision for 2020.
"Kaugnay nito, puspusan na rin nating
isinusulong ang Strategic Sail Plan 2020 ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas para sa
mas matatag at mas epektibo ninyong serbisyo. Sa pamumuno nga po ni Vice
Admiral Jose Luis Alano, kompiyansa tayong tama ang direksyong tinutungo ng
Navy sa pagpapayabong ng mga reporma, at lalo pang pagpapaunlad ng kakayahan ng
inyong hanay sa pagbabantay ng ating baybayin," the President said.
The President also said the government intends
to improve the lives of the members of the AFP and law enforcement agencies, as
well as their respective families.
"Dagdag pa sa ating mga good news,
sinisiguro na rin nating may disente at ligtas na tahanang mauuwian ang ating
unipormadong hanay at ang kanilang pamilya. Nakumpleto na po natin ang Phase 1
ng ating programang pabahay kung saan naipatayo na natin ang 21,800 housing
units para sa ating mga sundalo’t pulis; halos labing isang libo po rito ang
nakalaan para sa mga kawani ng AFP," the President said.
"Sa Phase 2 naman ng programa, mahigit
labing apat na libo ang ibabahagi natin para sa ating kasundaluhan, kung saan
kabuuang 31,200 tahanan ang ipinapatayo natin. Kasama ng kapulisan at
kasundaluhan, matitirhan din ng mga kawani ng Bureau of Corrections, Bureau of
Fire Protection, at Bureau of Jail Managment and Penology," he said. PND
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Aquino says government coordinating with Taiwan
to resolve issue on reported harassment of Filipinos
CAVITE CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III
said on Tuesday that Philippine government officials are currently coordinating
with their Taiwanese counterparts to resolve the issue regarding the reported
harassment and assaults against Filipinos in Taiwan in the wake of the tension
caused by the death of a Taiwanese fisherman last May 9 off Batanes group of
islands.
In an interview after attending the 115th
Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Navy held at the Commodore Posadas Wharf
Headquarters, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Station Pascual Ledesma, Fort
San Felipe, here, the Chief Executive said the Manila Economic and Cultural
Office (MECO) representatives are holding dialogues with their counterparts to
address the concerns of the Filipinos residing and working in Taiwan.
"At ang balita natin ay naglabas ang Prime
Minister ng Taiwan at saka ‘yung kanilang Ministry of Foreign Affairs na dapat
hindi imaltrato ang ating mga kababayan doon, at magkakaroon ng kaukulang
parusa kung sino man ang mapatunayan na magmamaltrato sa ating mga
kababayan—nagpapasalamat tayo doon," President Aquino said.
The MECO had organized a team that will document
reports of harassment and assaults against Filipinos in Taiwan and relay it to
Taiwan’s foreign ministry.
The Philippine government is calling on the
Taiwanese people not to harass the Filipinos there because they have nothing to
do with the shooting death of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shi-chen.
Hung Shi-chen was the lone fatality in the
shooting incident between the Philippine Coast Guard and a Taiwanese fishing
vessel that was reportedly poaching in Philippine waters off the Batanes group
of islands last May 9.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had updated the
President of the progress of the investigation being conducted by the National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into the May 9 shooting incident.
"Yung sa NBI naman, kausap natin si
Secretary (Leila) de Lima, at natapos na raw ng kanilang ginawang investigation
except for the physical examination of the subject boat. At ‘yan ay nasa
Taiwan, hinihintay ang clearance for the team to go there to inspect mutually
this boat, to complete the thorough investigation," the President noted.
President Aquino directed the NBI to conduct a
thorough, exhaustive, impartial and expeditious investigation of the incident.
The NBI has given this case the highest priority
He said he wants the issue regarding the
Taiwanese fisherman's death to be resolved first before initiating a dialogue
with Taiwan and other countries to come up with a fisheries agreement
"Tapusin na muna natin itong kasalukuyang
na isyu, merong mga unang dayalogo tungkol diyan. Pero ‘yung sa fisheries ay
ating pinaaaral ang mga limitasyon natin," he said.
"Yung guarding the national patrimony
provisions of the Constitution will come into play. So, after we finish this
issue, we will talk to every neighbor that we have to ensure peaceful and
equally prosperous relations with everybody," he said. PND (js)
