Wednesday 5 June 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Wednesday, June 5, 2013



Aquino receives newly elected ADB president in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III received newly elected Asian Development Bank president Takehiko Nakao in Malacanang on Wednesday.

Nakao assumed office as the ninth president of the ADB on April 28. Nakao succeeds Haruhiko Kuroda, who stepped down in March.

Nakao has held several senior positions in the Ministry of Finance of Japan, which he joined in 1978.

Prior to his appointment at ADB, he was vice minister of Finance for International Affairs, where he gained significant experience in international finance and development, and established close ties with Asia-Pacific’s leading figures, as well as those in the international development community.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree from the University of Tokyo, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California in Berkeley, California.

Nakao said he is looking forward to working with shareholders and ADB’s development partners to continue fighting poverty and sustaining growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the Philippines, the ADB has major investments in education, agriculture, energy, finance, health, trade and industry, public sector, as well as transportation and communication.

The ADB approved this year several projects in the Philippines which include employment facilitation for inclusive growth, tourism competitiveness, and a national community-driven development program.

The bank also has proposed projects on climate resiliency and green growth, education improvement, road improvement and institutional development projects and water supply development. PND (as)


Aquino says Philippines will remain conducive to business

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Wednesday that his administration will ensure an even playing field for investors as he expressed his gratitude to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers Of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) for its continuing support for the education sector.

In his message Wednesday during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected officers of the FFCCCII and ceremonial turnover of two school buildings, the President said it is always encouraging for the government to see businessmen going an extra mile in reaching out to the people.

“For our part, we are doing our level best to forge an environment that is even more conducive to business,” the President said.

“And even as we invest in infrastructure and institute reforms that level the playing field, we continue to channel the hard-earned money of our taxpayers into health, education, social services, and other initiatives to empower our countrymen—making them true, productive contributors to the continuing cycle of opportunity and progress,” he added.

The country’s economic strides haven’t escaped notice, the President said, noting the Philippines is now rated investment grade for the first time in history by three major credit rating agencies.

And in the first quarter of the year, the economy grew by a remarkable 7.8 percent in addition to countless other indicators of economic growth.

The Philippines is now in a situation where even greater prosperity is within reach, he said.

The President also expressed optimism that the country would be able to sustain these initiatives, especially since the Philippines’s economic resurgence is granting the government greater fiscal space to pursue its agenda of social and economic inclusiveness.

The government will always support companies for the success of their businesses, the President said, adding that business expansion means creation of more jobs in the country.

The President said that as companies continue to reap the benefits of the Philippine economic revival, he expects the companies to also share the fruits of their hard works not only through philanthropic activities but also by setting the good example as citizens who fulfill their obligations.

During the event, the FFCCCII turned over more classroom units under its Barrio Schools project. The association also turned over around P80 million in pledges, which will be realized through the construction of 400 classrooms, or 200 school units.

Since 1961, the FFCCCII constructed more than 9,000 classrooms all over the country opening doors of learning and opportunity to Filipino students.

In the celebration of FFCCCII’s 60th anniversary next year, the organization is granting four-year scholarships to 60 high school graduates pursuing a degree in Education.

Aside from building classrooms and sending children to school, the FFCCCII also supports volunteer fire brigades, makes donations to disaster relief and rehabilitation and spearheads medical and dental missions.

Also present during the Palace activity were Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, and Senators Franklin Drilon and Edgardo Angara. PND (as)


President Aquino to meet with President Thein Sein during his visit to Myanmar

President Benigno S. Aquino III will kick off his short visit in Myanmar on Friday by meeting with President Thein Sein of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for talks upon his arrival in Myanmar to participate in the 22nd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia Summit.
President Aquino will keep a busy schedule during his one-day visit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, to attend the plenary of the WEF East Asia Summit and to personally invite the delegates of WEF to the Philippines next year.

The President announced in January in WEF 2013 in Davos that the Philippines will host WEF on East Asia Summit next year.

President Aquino, along with the Philippine delegation, is set to arrive Friday morning in Myanmar, and will return to Manila on Friday evening.

Upon his arrival, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with President Thein Sein of Myanmar to be held at the Myanmar International Convention Center on the sidelines of WEF East Asia Summit.

It will be followed by a meeting with WEF Founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab.

The President will also attend a luncheon meeting to be hosted by Ayala Corporation, CEOs and businessmen. After the luncheon meeting, he will proceed to the closing plenary of WEF East Asia Summit.

The President will also meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson and general secretary of the National League for Democracy, before heading back to Manila on Friday evening.

Aside from President Aquino, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong of Lao’s People Democratic Republic and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam are expected to attend the WEF East Asia Summit.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and former Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand are expected to take part on the said forum. PND (co)


President Aquino signs new law declaring Davao Oriental as Tourism Development Area

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed a new law declaring the province of Davao Oriental as a Tourism Development Area (TDA) in a bid to boost the tourism industry.

The Chief Executive signed on May 17 Republic Act 10560 otherwise known as “An Act Declaring the Province of Davao Oriental as a Tourism Development Area (TDA).”

The Act was passed by the House House of Representatives and the Senate on February 5, 2013 and February 4, 2013, respectively.

President Aquino said that 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.

"The Tourism Development Areas in the Province of Davao Oriental hereby include, but not limited to, its municipalities endowed with natural beauty, small islands, waterfalls, beaches, sea and mountain resources, historical and natural landmarks, indigenous communities and other areas of interest to the tourism industry," the President said.

He said the province shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the tourism zones.

"The Tourism Development Plan of the Province of Davao Oriental 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 Davao Oriental 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.

He directed the DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government, to 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 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the DOT, shall set forth in place the necessary construction and/or improvement of roads and other infrastructure upon the promulgation of this Act and incorporate it in its infrastructure program," the President stressed.

The Secretary of the DOT and the Secretary of the DPWH shall include in their respective Department’s program the implementation of this Act.

The funding for the implementation of the new Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or charged against the internally generated funds of the DOT. PND (js)


San Miguel Corporation pays upfront cash for NAIA Expressway construction, Palace says

The San Miguel Corp., through the SMC Vertex Tollways Development, Inc. has released the P11-billion upfront payment to the government for the construction of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway Phase II project, the Palace announced on Wednesday.

The SMC won the P11-billion bid last April 15, and a formal notice for award was given by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to SMC last May 6.

With the payment, the project could start sometime in June, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang.

The proposed NAIA Expressway, which has a total length of 7.15 kilometers, will connect NAIA Terminals I and II to Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard and the Entertainment City casino complex. The project has two phases: Phase II-A and Phase II-B.

Lacierda said Phase II-A will be completed in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2015. This will connect NAIA Terminals I and II through an elevated tollway structure to Roxas Boulevard and the Entertainment City, he said.

“Hopefully before APEC, that will be completed. There’s another phase which is II-B, which will connect the Skyway to the existing tollways,” Lacierda said.

The P15.5-billion NAIA Expressway Phase II project is the third public private partnership (PPP) project to be successfully bidded out by the government. PND (as)


President Aquino declares June 20 as a special (non-working) day in the City of Lipa in celebration of its 66th Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared June 20, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Lipa in the province of Batangas in celebration of its 66th Foundation Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 585 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 28, to give the people of Lipa the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

On June 20, 1947, Lipa became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 162.

As one of the three cities of Batangas province, Lipa City serves as an Institutional Center. It is home to the provincial offices of the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Agrarian Reform, and regional offices of the Land Transportation Office and National Statistics Office. PND (js)