Sunday 30 June 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, June 27, 2013

President Aquino cites the Development Academy of the Philippines as agent of permanent change in country’s governance

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Development Academy of the Philippines for its innovative, technical and relative programs to support the bureaucracy, saying the agency was a partner of government in effecting permanent change in the way it conducts its business of governance.

In his speech keynoting the 40th Founding Anniversary of the DAP, the President said that these programs have empowered public servants to be effective, dedicated and trustworthy deliverers of genuine service to the people.

“While I may be Chief Executive of the country, it is certainly not within my abilities to personally oversee each and every office in the country. So I must rely on good managers—men and women in all levels of government—who take pride in their jobs and are able to fulfill their demands, towards serving our 'Bosses,' the Filipino people. This is where the DAP comes in ---through empowering public servants with the added learning, training, and competencies they need to meet their responsibilities,” the President said.

“From diploma courses for intelligence officers, to programs for senior managers and executives, to graduate degrees with specializations in rural development, security, and local governance—the DAP has a wide variety of programs that support the bureaucracy,” he added.

The President lauded the DAP for being an “instrument for others to contribute to sustainable development” and advocacy of his Administration that includes inclusive growth.

“In addition to this, you have also provided technical expertise for a number of government’s efforts, including the Results-Based Performance Management System and the Performance Based Incentive System, and the crafting of Citizens’ Charters for government agencies and LGUs. Over the years, the DAP has truly become an instrument for others to contribute to sustainable development. On this occasion, allow me to extend my congratulations, and thanks, for your contributions,” he said.

He challenged the men and women of the DAP to not become complacent and continually update and upgrade themselves in order to keep up with the times and changing environment.

“This is an issue we must all be concerned with, especially now that things have changed in the Philippines. The world has already acknowledged the sea change in governance—our commitment to fighting corruption, instituting good governance, and rendering true service,” the President said.

“The DAP can help to ensure the permanence of these changes, spurring a virtuous cycle of true public service in each level of the government. After all, the people you educate are involved in the daily operations of government offices, in implementing important projects, and in dealing directly with the public. They are the face of the government; they are the ones who will show their countrymen that things have truly changed in the Philippines,” he said.

“Through your programs, you can foster in them a deep sense of responsibility and service. In this way, long after I step down, government will continue to serve with integrity and pride, and keep us all from backsliding into the corruption and impunity of the past. Never forget that you are an agency of empowerment. Never forget the role you play in strengthening governance—and in so doing, strengthening the Philippines,” the President further noted.

The DAP, a government owned and controlled corporation which was created by Presidential Decree No. 205 on June 7, 1973, is mandated to: 1) generate pioneering, value-adding, synergistic ideas, concepts, principles, techniques and technologies addressing development problems of local, national and international significance; 2) capacitating individuals and development stakeholder organizations in government, the private sector, civil society, academe, and international organizations to perform their respective roles and mandates in development more efficiently and effectively; and 3) promote partnerships and facilitate the integration of policies, plans, programs, and systems towards a holistic perspective, through the conduct of training, education, policy/action-oriented researches, consulting/technical assistance, and publications in good governance and productivity improvement.

Joining the President were DAP president Antonio Kalaw and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. PND (rck)


President Aquino declares July 1, as special non-working day in Maramag, Bukidnon in celebration of its 57th Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared July 1, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the municipality of Maramag in the province of Bukidnon in celebration of its 57th Foundation Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation 605 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on June 18 to give the people of Maramag the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

On July 1, 1956, Maramag was formally created as a municipality through Executive Order 272 issued by Malacanang. PND (js)


President Aquino urges mechanical engineers to sustain their excellence, competitiveness, contribution to country’s economic growth

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the country's mechanical engineers to sustain their excellence and competitiveness and contribute to the economic growth of the country in this era of revitalization.

"The time for our long-sought rise towards inclusive growth has come, and the momentum of our transformation rests on the commitment of every sector ---Push the frontiers of your profession; sustain the level of excellence and competitiveness; and let the spirit of innovation guide you towards success," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) on the occasion of the 2nd Mindanao Regional Conference.

The PSME opened on Thursday the 2nd Mindanao Regional Conference which has for its theme "Mechanical Engineers Unite in Pursuit of Global Competitiveness" at the Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. The three-day event, sponsored by the PSME Iligan Bay Chapter, will end on June 29.

"May this conference pave the way to critical linkages and the development of new ideas, thus galvanizing your collective into one solid force in our task of nation-building," President Aquino said.

"May you serve as agents of development, and may you further foster solidarity among our people. Together, we shall forge the equitably progressive Philippines that our citizens rightfully deserve," he said.

The conference aims to update PSME members on the advancement of engineering science and technology. PND (js)


President Aquino leads oath-taking rites of administration lawmakers in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III led in Malacanang on Thursday the oathtaking of 82 administration lawmakers who won during the May 13 midterm election.

The four senators-elect who took their oath include Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV, Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Cynthia Villar.

The Liberal Party representatives who took their oath of offices before the President were Rep. Francis Gerald Abaya, First District Cavite; Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa, 2nd District, Cebu City; Ma. Lourdes Acosta, 1st District, Bukidnon; Rep. Alex Advincula, 3rd District, Cavite; Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr., 4th District, Laguna; Rep. Manuel Agyao, Lone District, Kalinga; Rep. Vicente Alcala, 2nd District, Quezon;

Rep. Jorge Almonte, 1st District, Misamis Occidental; Rep. Isagani Amatong, 3rd District, Zamboanga del Norte; Rep. Sergio Antonio Apostol, 2ndDistrict, Leyte; Rep. Maryam Arbison, 2nd District, Sulu; Rep. Rose Marie Arenas, 3rd District, Pangasinan; Rep. Benjamin Asilo, 1st District, Manila; Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Lone District, Ifugao; Rep. Pangalian Balindong, 2nd District, Lanao del Sur; Rep. Jorge John Banal, 3rd District, Quezon City;

Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, 6th District, Quezon City; Rep. Maria Jocelyn Bernos, Lone District, Abra; Rep. Francisco Calalay Jr., 1st District, Quezon City; Rep. Imelda Calixto Rubiano, Lone District, Pasay City; Rep. Wilfredo Casimero, 2nd District, Cebu; Rep. Winston Castelo, 2nd District, Quezon City; Rep. Arnel Cerafica, Lone District, Taguig-Pateros; Rep. Nelson Collantes, 3rd District, Batangas; Rep. Ronald Cosalan, Lone District, Benguet; Rep. Maximo Dalog, Lone District, Mt. Province;

Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., 3rd District, Iloilo; Rep. Raul del Mar, 1st District, Cebu City; Rep. Antonio del Rosario, 1st District, Capiz; Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, 2nd District, Zambales; Rep. Ma. Georgina de Venecia, 4th District, Pangasinan; Rep. Enrico Echiverri, 1st District, Caloocan City; Rep. Edgar Erice, 2nd District, Caloocan City; Rep. Rogelio Espina, Lone District, Biliran; Rep. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, 1st District, Agusan del Norte; Rep. Salvio Fortuno, 5th District, Camarines Sur; Rep. Mylene Garcia, 2nd District, Davao City; Rep. Oscar Garin Jr., 1st District, Iloilo City;

Rep. Lucy Marie Gomez, 4th District, Leyte; Rep. Joseller Guiao, 1st District, Pampanga; Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer, 2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay; Rep. Manuel Iway, 1st District, Negros Occidental; Rep. Edcel Lagman Jr., 1st District, Albay; Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon, 1st District, Oriental Mindoro; Rep. Roy Loyola, 5th District, Cavite; Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, 2nd District, Maguindanao; Rep. Joselito Andrew Mendoza, 3rd District, Bulacan; Rep. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava, Lone District, Guimaras; Rep. Eric Olivarez, 1st District, Paranaque City;

Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, 2nd District, Marikina City; Rep. Aileen Radaza, Lone District, Lapu-Lapu City; Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr., 2ndDistrict, Sorsogon; Rep. Regina Reyes, Lone District, Marinduque; Rep. Arturo Robes, Lone District, San Jose del Monte; Rep. Ma. Leonor Robredo, 3rd District, Camarines Sur; Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, 3rd District, Pampanga; Rep. Herminia Roman, 1st District, Bataan; Rep. Roman Romulo, Lone District, Pasig City;

Rep. Jesus Sacdalan,1st District, North Cotabato; Rep. Ruby Sahali, Lone District, Tawi-Tawi; Rep. Hadjiman Salliman, Lone District, Basilan; Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Lone District, Catanduanes; Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, 1st District, Samar; Rep. Josephine Sato, Lone District, Occidental Mindoro; Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, 1st District, Maguindanao and Cotabato City; Rep. Eric Singson, 2nd District, Ilocos Sur;


Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, 1st District, Marikina City; Rep. Abraham Tolentino, 7th District, Cavite; Rep. Jerry Trenas, Lone District, Iloilo City; Rep. Reynaldo Umali, 2nd District, Oriental Mindoro; Rep. Isidro Ungab, 3rd District, Davao City; Rep. Alfredo Paolo Vargas III, 5th District, Quezon City; Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, 4th District, Bulacan; Rep. Neil Tupas Jr., 5th District, Iloilo and Rep. Carlos Lopez, 2nd District, Manila. PND (as)