Sunday 2 June 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, June 2, 2013



Malacanang announces new appointees

Malacanang announced on Sunday President Benigno S. Aquino III’s new set of appointees who will serve in various government offices soon.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the announcement over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Among the new appointees were: Veridigno P. Atienza – General Manager/CEO, Philippine Retirement Authority; Alvin P. Diaz – Acting Director IV, Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG); Joselito S. Enot – Director II/Provincial Director, Department of Trade and Industry; Abraham P. Sakili – Member of the Board, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (four-year term); Lucita P. Reyes – Member of the Board of Governors, Board of Investments, Department of Trade and Industry (term until December 5, 2016); and Januario C. Aliwalas – Member of the Board of Directors, LBP Insurance Brokerage, Inc. (term of office: July 1, 2012 to 30 June 2013).

Other appointees were: Conrado K. Tolentino, Jesus Enrico Moises B. Salazar, Ernesto L. Albano, Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz, and Reagan F. de Guzman as Board of Directors, North Luzon Railways Corporation;

Gilda E. Pico, Crispina T. Aguelo (representing the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries), Victor Gerardo J. Bulatao (representing the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries), Tomas T. de Leon, Jr. and Domingo I. Diaz (representing the private sector) as Board of Directors of the Land Bank of the Philippines;

Gil A. Buenaventura, Gilda M. Velez, Maria Teresa M. Jesudason, Roberto F. Viray, and Roda T. Celis as Board of Directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines Management Corporation.

“So, congratulations po sa inyong lahat. Sila po ang mga bagong naitalaga ng Pangulong Aquino sa iba’t ibang mga posisyon sa pamahalaan,” Valte said. PND (rck)


President Aquino signs Republic Act amending earlier law regulating the cutting of coconut trees

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law a Bill amending an earlier Republic Act regulating the cutting of coconut trees, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced on Sunday.

Speaking at a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Valte said President Aquino signed last May 29 Republic Act 10593 “amending certain provisions of Republic Act 8048 or an Act Providing for the Regulation of the Cutting of Coconut Trees, Its Replenishment, and Providing Penalties Therefore.”

Valte pointed out that the salient points of the new law not only prohibits but also allows for certain exemptions for the cutting down of coconut trees.

“Una po diyan, when a tree is 60 years old in the case of tall varieties and at least 40 years in dwarf varities; kapag hindi na daw po economically productive ‘yung puno; kapag ang puno po ay severely disease-infested and beyond rehabilitation; when the tree is severely damaged by typhoon or lightning; when the agricultural land devoted to coconut production shall have been converted in accordance with law into either a residential, commercial or an industrial area; at kapag na-devote na daw po ang land to coconut production at na-convert na po ito sa iba pang gamit na pang-agrikultura, provided na humingi ang may-ari ng pahintulot para sa conversion,” Valte said.

She added that exemptions to cutting down coconut trees apply “if the tree would cause hazard to life and property.”

“So nakalagay din po dito ang mga corresponding penalties kapag nagkaroon ng paglabag doon sa mga pagbabawal na ito,” Valte said. PND (rck)