Prime Minister Gusmao ends official visit to the
Philippines, flies back to Timor Leste
Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana
Gusmao ended his Official Visit to the Philippines by flying back to Timor
Leste Sunday night.
Gusmao boarded a commercial Philippine Air Line
flight PR537 bound for Bali, Indonesia at the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport Terminal 2 at 8:55 p.m.
He was accorded foyer honors by members of the
Presidential Security Group and seen off by members of President Benigno S.
Aquino III’s Cabinet led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.
Prior to his departure, Gusmao met with former
President and Mayor-elect of the City of Manila Joseph Estrada and former
Speaker of the House Jose De Venecia, Jr. who called on Gusmao at the Solaire
Resorts and Casino in Pasay City.
Gusmao, who arrived early morning of June 7 met
with President Aquino who hosted a luncheon for the visiting Head of State in
his honor.
The two leaders had an expanded bilateral
meeting and also witnessed the signing of agreements between the two countries
on tie ups on foreign affairs, education, and infrastructure development. PND
(rck)
President Aquino welcomes non-resident ambassadors
to the Philippines
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed to the
Philippines 12 new non-resident ambassadors from various countries who called
on him to present their respective letters of credentials in Malacanang on
Monday.
The non-resident ambassadors who met with the
President prior to beginning their tours of duties were: Their Excellencies
Demiye Zuher Moh’d Haddad of Jordan; Saul Aran Castellon of the Nicaragua;
Carlo Victor Boungou of Gabon; Dr. Alba Florio Legnani of Uruguay; Marlene Villela
De Talbott of Honduras; Nicolai Ruge of Denmark;
Mohamane Elhadji Bania Tourne of Mali; Joven
Jovanovic of Serbia; Youngor Sevelee Telemoda of Liberia; Brigadier Reuben
Ngwenya of Malawi; Hussain Shibab of Maldives; and Matti Pullinen of Finland.
In his short message delivered after personally
receiving the letter of credential of each ambassador, the President warmly
welcomed the envoys, saying their presence signified “our shared commitment” to
further strengthening the relations between our countries.
“I welcome all of you to the Philippines, a
country that is today experiencing a great revitalization,” the President said.
“Your presence here today signifies our shared
commitment to fostering even more peaceful and productive relations between our
nations. Relations that we know will contribute to establishing a more secure
and more stable international environment consequently redounding to the mutual
growth and prosperity of our peoples,” he added.
The President invited each ambassador to take time
from their busy schedules to explore and discover the warmth and beauty of the
Philippines.
“And as we continue to explore ways to
strengthen the foundations of positive engagement between our countries, it is
my hope that you will also take the time to discover the beauty and the warmth
the Philippines has to offer,” the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino signs law declaring the
province of Kalinga as Tourism Development Area
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed a law
declaring the province of Kalinga in the Cordillera Region as a Tourism
Development Area (TDA) in a bid to boost the country's tourism industry.
The Chief Executive signed on May 17 Republic
Act No. 10561 otherwise known as the “An Act Declaring the Province of Kalinga
in the Cordillera Region as a Tourism Development Area (TDA)”.
The Act was finally passed by the House of
Representatives and the Senate on February 4 and February 5, 2013,
respectively.
President Aquino said it is the policy of the
State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable,
responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and
equitable for local communities.
Kalinga was declared as TDA because the province
is "endowed with natural beauty, rivers, lake and mountain resources, and
historical and cultural significance."
Foreign and local tourists will enjoy their
visit to the municipality of Tinglayan, with its natural formation of mountain
ranges and the natural beauty of Palan-ah Falls and Hot Springs.
The rainforest of Mt. Binaratan in the
municipality of Tanudan is now considered a potential site for trekking.
The visitors may enjoy the sighting of the
subterranean rivers and caves in the municipality of Balbalan, the Aguinaldo
Hill and mountain lakes in the municipality of Pinukpuk.
The President also mentioned the potential site
for white water rafting along the Chico River starting in Tinglayan down to
Lubuagan, Pasil and Tabuk City, as well as its historical sites, same in
Guina-ang Village in the municipality of Pasil, the Padharao Lake! the Elephant
Hill and the man-made lagoon in the municipality of Rizal.
The province shall be accorded priority
development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the
rules and regulations governing tourism zones.
"The Tourism Development Plan of the
Province of Kalinga shall be incorporated in the DOT’s overall National Tourism
Development Plan (NTDP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as
the “National Tourism Act of 2009″ and be jointly implemented with the local government and the
Provincial Tourism Council of Kalinga taking into consideration Republic Act
No. 7586, otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act
of 1992″ and its implementing rules and
regulations," the President said.
The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencies of
the government, shall delineate well defined geographic areas within the TDA
and coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the optimum use of
natural assets and attractions, as well as existing facilities.
The President directed the establishment of the
Kalinga Tourism Development Trust Fund for purposes of financing projects that
will enhance tourism in the province of Kalinga.
"The trust fund shall be administered by an
administrator under the Provincial Tourism Council of Kalinga. Income shall be
derived from fees from visitors/tourists, other resources from the province,
proceeds from the registration and lease of multiple-use areas, including
tourism concessions, fees, proceeds and contributions from industries and
facilities directly benefiting the province," he said.
The Kalinga Tourism Development Trust Fund may
be augmented by grants and donations, endowment from various sources, domestic
or foreign entities and individuals, for purposes related to their functions.
"The Secretary of the DOT shall include in
the Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or internally
generated funds of the DOT," he said.
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation. PND (js)
Palace to launch online commemoration activities
marking 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace
Malacanang will launch on Tuesday an online
commemorative effort marking the 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace,
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters in Malacanang, Lacierda
read from a prepared statement by the Presidential Communications Development
and Strategic Planning Office outlining the various activities lined up for the
occasion.
Among these include: the posting of the
“timeline on the history of Malacañan Palace from both an institutional and architectural
perspective,” the “posting of colorized archival photographs of Palace vistas
and significant events such as the visit of Edward, Prince of Wales,” and the
uploading of an “animated architectural evolution of the Palace.
Lacierda said the online marker will be made
available at the Presidential Museum and Library (PML) website.
He called on the public to visit the website and
join Filipino people in commemorating the sesquicentennial of Malacanang
Palace.
“We enjoin the public to take part in this
commemoration by visiting the PML website and its other social media sites
(tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph & facebook.com/malacanang) or by booking a visit
to experience firsthand the history and heritage of this great house which
belongs to the Filipino people,” Lacierda said. PND (rck)
President Aquino leads mass oath-taking of AFP
officers in Malacañang
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the mass
oath-taking of the 49 newly-appointed generals and flag officers of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a simple ceremony in Malacanang Palace on
Monday.
The Chief Executive was joined by Defense
Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and the AFP high-ranking officials when he
inducted the AFP generals at the Heroes Hall in Malacanang Palace.
Among those who took their oath before the
President at the Heroes Hall include: General Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP Chief
of Staff; Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado, Philippine Military Academy
Superintendent; Lt. Gen. Alan Luga, AFP Vice Chief of Staff; Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero,
commander of the Western Command; Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, commander of the
Central Command; Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the South Luzon
Command; Rear Admiral Jaime Bernardino, commander of the Naval Education and
Training Command; Major Gen. Leo Cresente Ferrer, Senior Military Adviser for
the Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Panel;
Rear Admiral Philip Cacayan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, AFP; and
Major Gen. Benito Antonio de Leon, commander of the Training and Doctrine
Command, Philippine Army (PA).
The President also inducted into office Maj.
Gen. Danilo Servando, commander of the Army Support Command; Maj. Gen. Gregorio
Pio Catapang Jr., commander of the 7th Infantry Division, PA; Maj. Gen. Nicanor
Vivar, commander of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF);
Rear Admiral Jesus Millan, Chief of Naval Staff, Philippine Navy; Rear Admiral
Leopoldo Alano, commander of the Naval Sea Systems and Support Command; Maj.
Gen. Richard Siga-An, Air Force Inspector General, PAF;
Maj. Gen. Crisologo Nayve; DCS for CEIS, J6,
AFP; Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the 6ID, PA; Maj. Gen. John Bonafos,
commander of Special Operations Command; Brigadier Gen Felix Castro, ADC, 9ID,
Philippine Army.
Also sworn in were Brig. Gen. Jet Velarmino, CS,
PA; Maj. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, commander of the AFP Headquarters and
Headquarters Service Command; Brig. Gen. Romeo Labador; commander of the 801st
Infantry Brigade, PA; Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander of the Naval Forces
Northern Luzon, PN; Brig Gen. William Turalde, commander of the ARC, PAF; Brig.
Gen. Ricardo Visaya, ADC, 4ID, PA; Brig. Gen Conrado Parra Jr, Wing Commander
of the 570th CTW, PAF; Brig. Gen. Luis Vinoya, chairman of the PA BAC2; Brig. Gen.
Dante Costes, commander of CEISSA AFP; Brig. Gen. Bobby Calleja, commander of
203rd Infantry Division, PA.
Brig. Gen. Eliseo Posadas, Chief of ODR, DND;
Brig. Gen. Orlando de Leon, Commander of the 2MBDE, PMC; Commodore George
Catameo, AJ9, AFP; Brig. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr., Wing Commander 15th
Strick Wing, PAF; Brig. Gen Ademar Tomaro, Commander, 602nd, INF BDE, PA; Brig.
Gen. Quirino Calonzo, commander of the AFPRESCOM; Commodore Antonio Habulan Jr.
commander, NFEM, PN; Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of 302nd INF
BDE, PA; Brig. Gen. Marian Aleido, TJAG, AFP; Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Bonilla, AIA,
PIA
Brig. Gen. Romeo Gan, ADC, 6ID, PA; Brig. Gen.
Mayoralgo dela Cruz, ADC, LAD, PA; Commodore Joel dela Cruz, commander,
SERVFOR, PF, PN; Commodore Franco Sebastian Pan, DC, SOLCOM, AFP; Commodore
Ronald Joseph Mercado, Commander, ACF, PF, PN; Brig. Gen. John G. Estoesta, DC,
3AD, PAF, Brig. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, chief of AFPCC, Brig. Gen. Reynaldo
Castillo, AFIA, PAF and Brig. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of 701st
INF Brigade, PA. PND (js)
