Gov’t addressing classroom shortage – Malacanang
says
In order to meet President Benigno S. Aquino
III’s directive to address the 66,800 classroom shortage by this year, the
Departments of Education (DepEd) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are on top
of and are addressing the situation, a Malacanang official said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is cognizant of the need to
close the classroom gap in order to advance the learning of Filipino students
by providing a conducive study atmosphere for all.
“Of course, tinutugunan natin (ang classroom
shortage). We are very well aware of the classroom shortage that we have apart
from the year-on-year requirements that need to be met. That’s why meron na nga
pong ongoing project ang DepEd at ang DPWH to address the classroom shortage,”
Valte said.
She pointed out that the DepEd and DPWH are
acting towards constructing more two-storey classrooms in the province and in
Metro Manila.
“So, yes, that is being addressed and we’re
looking to cut that backlog (of classrooms) significantly,” Valte said.
She noted of the headway gained by the
government under the President’s instructions to address the textbook and
school furniture shortage.
“As you have seen, nabanggit po ng Pangulo ‘yung
shortage doon sa mga textbooks, that has already been addressed. ‘Yung shortage
doon sa mga upuan at sa mga furniture, that has already also been addressed,”
Valte said.
“And even in typhoon-hit areas, if I may
mention,’yung doon sa…Davao at sa Compostela Valley, ina-address na rin po
natin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, kasi meron po yatang mga structures
that cannot be used because of the damage caused by the typhoon,” she added.
PND (rck)
President Aquino declares June 17 as special
non-working day in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu in celebration of its cityhood
anniversary
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 17, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of
Lapu-Lapu in the province of Cebu in celebration of its 52nd cityhood
anniversary.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 582 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on May 21 to give the people of Lapu Lapu City the full opportunity to
celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Then Sixth District of Cebu Representative
Manuel A. Zosa sponsored the bill converting the former municipality of Opon
into the present day city of Lapu-Lapu.
On June 17, 1961, Lapu-lapu became a city by
virtue of the Republic Act 3134 signed by then Philippine President Carlos P.
Garcia.
Formerly called Opon, the city was renamed after
Chief Lapu-Lapu, a Muslim king who defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan in 1521. PND (js)
President Aquino appoints Mejia as administrator
of the Maritime Industry Authority
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed
World Maritime University (WMU) professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr. as the new
administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), a Palace official
said.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the
Chief Executive signed the appointment letter on May 22.
Valte said Mejia will replace Emerson M. Lorenzo
for a term expiring on July 11, 2016.
The 48-year-old Mejia earned his Bachelor of
Science at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, USA and
majored in International Security Studies while pursuing a Master of Arts in
Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School (Tufts University, Massachusetts,
USA).
He also has a Master of Science in Maritime
Safety Administration from the WMU in Malmö, Sweden and a Licentiate of
Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy from Lund University in Lund, Sweden. His
PhD thesis is entitled “Law and Ergonomics in Maritime Security.”
Mejia is a professor in Maritime Law and Policy
at the World Maritime University (WMU), where he has been a member of the
resident faculty since 1998.
Aside from teaching maritime policy, law, human
factors, and security-related courses, Assoc. Prof. Mejia is Secretary of
Doctoral Programmes at WMU and an Assistant Editor of the WMU Journal of
Maritime Affairs. He has led and participated in ISPS Code workshops and
maritime law and policy seminars in a number of different countries. He is the
editor/co-editor of three books on maritime security, the author/co-author of
book chapters as well as articles published in international peer-reviewed
journals.
Before joining WMU, he saw duty on board various
Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard vessels as well as in shore-based
facilities in the Philippines from 1988 up to 1998. His assignments included
Commanding Officer of Port State Control Office Manila, Commander of Coast
Guard Station Iligan, Deputy Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force
on Maritime Development, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Navigational Safety.
PND (js)
President Aquino appoints new officials to
various position in government
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new
government officials for various positions, a Palace official said on Tuesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the
Chief Executive signed the appointment letters on May 22.
President Aquino appointed Arell F. Bañez and
Ruel B. Paclipan as Directors II (Provincial Director) of the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI).
Bañez obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil
Engineering from the Saint Louis University in 1990, Master of Management from
the University of the Philippines in 2000 and Bachelor of Laws from the Abra
Valley Colleges in 2009.
Since joining the DTI, Bañez was intrumental for
the successful implementation and wider participation to the Padaya 2012 Provincial
Trade Fair in Abra. He also initiated the development of the Loomweaving
Village in Bulbulala, La Paz in Abra and Coffee Industry Development Project
and contributed to the peace-keeping efforts of the government.
Paclipan earned his Bachelor of Business
Management from the University of the Philippines in Cebu City in 1985, Master
in Public Administration from the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in
Cagayan de Oro in 1993, and Doctor in Management from the Liceo de Cagayan
University in Cagayan de Oro in 2001.
While working in the government, he spearheaded
the barangay-based enterprise development program dubbed as One Barangay One
Product and initiated network with Iligan Chamber and Lanao de Norte Chamber in
mounting projects and events geared towards enhancing business confidence in
Lanao del Norte. Through the active advocacy of the DTI in the province, the
Local Price Coordinating Council of Iligan has been mobilized during the the
typhoon Sendong.
The President, likewise, appointed Ralph Pastor
A. Salazar as member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Oil
Company-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC), to serve the unexpired term of office
ending June 30, 2013. He will replace Carlo L. Cruz.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil
Engineering from the Divine Word University in Tacloban City in 1986 and had
served in various private corporations and civic organizations.
President Aquino also appointed Blesila A.
Lantayona as Assistant Secretary of the DTI, replacing Ma.Theresa L. Pelayo-Ty.
Lantayona graduated Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture, Major in Economics (Cum Laude) from the Xavier University in
Cagayan de Oro City in 1979, Master in Agribusiness (Certificate) from the
University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City in 1986 and MBA in
International Business European School of Management in Paris, France in 1994.
She had served as DTI Regional Director (Director IV) in Region III since
August 13, 1999 until her appointment. PND (js)
President aquino visits wake of marine soldiers
slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group
President Benigno S. Aquino III visited the wake
Tuesday of the seven Marines who died in Sulu on Saturday following an
encounter with the members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
During his visit at the Philippine Marines
Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, the President also extended financial
assistance to the families of the soldiers by handing them P250,000 check each.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said
soldiers from the 2nd Marine Brigade, while pursuing Abu Sayyaf group believed
to be holding captive the wife of a marine soldier, encountered a large group
of its members at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Tugay, Patikul town in Sulu.
Ensuing gun-fight lasted more than one hour
killing seven Marine soldiers, including a lieutenant and nine Abu Sayyaf
terrorists. Nine marines and 10 Abu Sayyaf members were also wounded.
The AFP said the terrorists fled after the
fighting and the military has launched a pursuit operation against the group.
The military reported that helicopters were
dispatched to evacuate the wounded soldiers who were brought to the trauma
hospital in Jolo, Sulu.
The soldiers involved in the incident were on
“route security” when the encounter occurred contrary to police initial report
saying they were ambushed.
The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the 1990s, has
carried out a number of high-profile attacks including kidnapping particularly
of foreign nationals. The group is also involved in bombing attacks.
The military estimates Abu Sayyaf’s membership
at around 300, mostly based in southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and
Basilan. PND (as)
President Aquino vetoes consolidated bill that
grants 75 percent discount to centenarians
President Benigno S. Aquino III has vetoed a
consolidated bill that will grant 75 percent discounts to centenarians, saying
the amount will obliterate profit margins and result in capital loss, a Palace
official said on Tuesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief
Executive vetoed last May 15 "The Act Honoring and Granting Additional
Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians”
In his veto message, President Aquino
acknowledged the intent of the measure but said that, “the 75% discount exceeds
the usual mark-up rate of most businesses and will obliterate profit margins
and result in capital loss” because “the proposed measure does not provide for
a tax deduction to recover the said discount.”
"The intent of the law is certainly very
laudable and it was stated also in the veto message of the President when it
was given to both Houses. Ang sinentruhan lang po ‘nung veto, just to give you
an idea, 75 percent po kasi in the enrolled bill, the proposal was 75 percent
po ‘yung magiging discount on sales of goods and services in favor of
centenarians," Valte said.
"They should assess this in case the
proponents of the bill want it refilled kasi maganda naman po yung pinupunto
‘nung batas. According to (Internal Revenue) Commissioner Kim Henares, the BIR
was present even at the committee level, at the hearings for this particular
one, and they have consistently made their position that the 75 percent may be
too heavy without a tax deduction on the part of the establishment," Valte
said.
The Centenarian bill was among measures vetoed
by the President. The President earlier vetoed the Magna Carta for the Poor and
the bill removing the height requirement for policemen. PND (js)
