Malacanang welcomes reports that President
Aquino’s public satisfaction rating for second quarter of 2013 Social Weather
Stations survey up by 76 percent
Malacañang welcomed reports that President
Benigno S. Aquino III’s public satisfaction rating for the second quarter of
the 2013 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey rose to 76%, saying the Chief
Executive's consistently strong ratings affirmed his administration's mandate
of good governance, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the statement on Monday following the release of the latest SWS survey.
"We are encouraged by the results of the
Second Quarter 2013 SWS survey showing satisfaction with the President rising
to 76%—an improvement from the First Quarter results of 74%—which nearly
mirrors his record-high 77% rating recorded in August 2012," Lacierda
said.
"This boost in satisfaction with the
President bucks the trend of the past two years, which indicates lower
satisfaction levels in the Second Quarter compared to the First Quarter,"
he said.
Since the first SWS survey on public
satisfaction with the President in September 2010, Lacierda said the
President’s ratings have not dipped below 63%.
"The President’s consistently strong
ratings, especially in the wake of a midterm election widely regarded as a
referendum on the success of his administration, affirm the administration’s
mandate of good governance," Lacierda stressed.
"These sustained, positive numbers are
reflective of the Filipino people’s enduring trust in and support of the
President’s policies, initiatives, and reforms," he said.
The second-quarter SWS survey used face-to-face
interviews of 1,200 adult Filipinos nationwide.
The survey came out as the President is set to
deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives
in Batasan, Quezon City on Monday. PND (js)
Malacanang welcomes the latest Pulse Asia survey
showing President Aquino’s trust approval up from 72 to 77
Malacañang welcomed the latest Pulse Asia survey
showing the President Benigno S. Aquino III's trust approval which soared from
72 to 77, saying the survey results are indicative of the Filipino people’s
continued confidence in the Chief Executive, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the statement on Monday following the release of the latest Pulse Asia’s Ulat
ng Bayan June 2013 Survey.
"We welcome the latest Pulse Asia survey
that shows an increase in trust and sustained overwhelming support for the
President. Taken from June 20 to July 4, 2013, the President’s trust approval
soared from 72 to 77, representing a five point jump in the past three months
while his performance approval remained steady at 73," Lacierda said.
"These unprecedented ratings for a chief
executive since Pulse Asia began its trust and performance poll, are indicative
of the Filipino people’s continued support for and confidence in the President
and the sweeping changes and programs he has championed since day one," he
noted.
Lacierda said the survey results are indication
that the Aquino administration's reforms, good government initiatives, and
social investments are producing results.
"Today, as the President fulfills a
constitutional duty to report to the Filipino people, we continue to be
strengthened in our resolve to soldier on the path towards good governance and
face the challenges of the next three years knowing our countrymen are solidly
behind his leadership," Lacierda said. PND (js)
Coloma says President Aquino will continue in
his final three years to tread the straight and righteous path of transforming
the country’s progress and development
President Benigno S. Aquino III will not waste
time in the final three years of his presidency in keeping with his
administration's commitment to tread the straight and righteous path in
transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said on Monday.
In an interview aired over the Hot Copy segment
in ANC’s Headstart with Karen Davila, Coloma said the Chief Executive remains
focused on fostering inclusive growth.
"Ang bawat sandali, ang bawat oras ay
mahalaga at gugugulin ito ng ating Pangulo para sa kapakanan ni Juan Dela Cruz
at ng mga mamamayang Pilipino," Coloma said.
"Anim na taon lang kasi ang termino, wala
naman siyang balak na magpalawig pa nito. Kaya’t kahit na tatlong taon, tatlong
buwan, tatlong minuto, makasisiguro tayo, Karen, gagawin ng Pangulo ang
nararapat hanggang sa pinakahuling sandali ng kanyang termino," Coloma
said.
The Chief Executive remains focused in
strengthening his administration's efforts to ensure that the benefits of the
country's growth are both equitable and inclusive, Coloma noted.
Coloma said the President started enhancing the
strategies to remove hindrances to the success of the Filipino people.
The President's administration is working hard
in empowering our people through health, education, and social services, and
enhancing transportation and infrastructure, maintaining stability and order by
advocating peaceful solutions to conflict, among others, Coloma said.
The President is stepping up efforts to address
poverty through the Conditional Cash Transfer Program and health, education,
social services programs, among others.
"Iyong sa meeting ng gabinete tungkol doon
sa economic road map for the second half of the term. Mayroon focus on spatial,
ibig sabihin tinatarget talaga ang mga probinsiyang mataas o pinaka-mataas ang
poverty incidence. Para doon maglalagay ng mga project na mayroon ngang
maka-apekto kaagad sa pagtaas ng kalidad ng mga buhay ng tao," he said.
The President delivered his fourth State of the
Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City on
Monday.
"Just to clarify, the President wrote the
speech. Siya lang ang gumagawa ng kanyang sariling talumpati. He prepares a
mental map of what he wants to say," he said.
"He verbalizes it, habang bine-verbalize
niya ay nagno-note taking ang kanyang mga speechwriter. Pag ipinakita sa kanya,
iyon na nga ang rendition ng mga sinabi niya, ganun ang estilo ng ating
Pangulo," Coloma stressed. PND (js)
President Aquino says distribution of land
titles to qualified farmer beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac will
start in September this year
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured that the
distribution of land titles to qualified farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda
Luisita in Tarlac will start by September this year in line with the
government's commitment to implement the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law during his term.
"Ayon rin po kay Kalihim Gil de los Reyes,
sinimulan na noong nakalipas na linggo ang pagtutukoy ng bawat loteng makukuha
ng mga benepisyaryo, at magsisimula nang ipagkaloob ang mga titulo sa Setyembre
nitong taong ito," Aquino said in his fourth State of the Nation Address
(SONA) delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives at the
Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, on Monday.
The Chief Executive said the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) had finalized last February the master list of qualified
farmer-beneficiaries of the Hacienda Luisita.
"Kung may isa man pong paksang paboritong
ikabit sa pangalan ko, ito ay ang Hacienda Luisita. Nais ko lang pong iulat na
noong Pebrero, alinsunod sa utos ng Korte Suprema, nakumpleto na ng Department
of Agrarian Reform ang listahan ng mga kuwalipikadong benepisyaryo na
mabibigyan ng lupa sa Luisita," he said.
"Para naman po sa iba pang malalawak na
lupain: Matagal na nating inatasan ang DAR, DENR (Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), LRA (Land Registration Authority), at Land Bank na
bumuo ng balangkas kung paanong mapapabilis ang pagproseso sa pagbabahagi ng
lupain," the President said.
"Ipapaalala ko lang po: Tamang datos ang
unang hakbang sa maayos na implementasyon ng CARPER. Pero nagmana po tayo ng
isang depektibong land records system. Kaya simula pa lang po, nagtrabaho na
ang DOJ (Department of Justice), LRA, DENR, at DAR para ayusin ang sistemang
ito, at nasa punto na tayo ngayon kung kailan kaya na nating siguruhin. Sa
susunod na taon, naihain na ang lahat ng mga notice of coverage para sa mga
lupaing saklaw ng komprehensibong repormang agraryo," he stressed.
The master list was finalized based on the
directive of the Supreme Court that only those who were working in the sugar
plantation under Luisita Tarlac Development Corp in 1989 could be considered
beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
The DAR is dividing 4,099.91 hectares of
Hacienda Luisita among 6,212 beneficiaries.
Aquino vowed to distribute to legitimate farmer
beneficiaries all lands covered by the CARPER during his administration. He
also said his administration remains committed to complete the objectives of
CARPER and attain genuine agricultural development in the country.
In June, 2012, President Aquino met with the
farmers' groups and Church officials to reaffirm his commitment to land reform
programs as well his vigorous support for the development of our countryside.
During last year's meeting with the farmers,
Church officials and other stakeholders, President Aquino approved the setting
up of a multi-stakeholders mechanism to complete the objectives of the CARPER
before it expires in 2014.
The multi-stakeholders mechanism that is
composed of representatives from the DAR and other CARP-implementing agencies
of the government, the church, non-government organizations, peoples’
organizations, and other farmers' groups and federations, will be monitoring
the implementation of the CARP. PND (js)
President Aquino lays down government’s
achievements in 4th State of the Nation Address
President Benigno S. Aquino III laid down his
administration’s achievements during his fourth State of the Nation Address at
the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday (July 22).
The President said that by adhering to his
advocacy to provide all Filipinos opportunities to achieve long-term progress,
his government has been able to effect change in the Philippines in the fields
of improving education, bridging the classroom shortage, expanding the scope of
social programs, strengthening agricultural and fisheries processes and
improving healthcare for all.
“The basis for this principle: Widespread
opportunity is the key to comprehensive and sustained progress. Let us not
forget that these opportunities are but seeds. We must water them with
diligence, nourish them with determination, and cultivate them with dedication,”
the President said.
He pointed out that under the Pantawind
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty alleviation scheme that allows
funds for marginalized families in return for keeping their children to school
and that they see a medical personnel regularly, its scope has been expanded to
cover four million households since the program began in 2010.
“There is more: According to research conducted
by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, compared with those who
only finished the elementary level, the income of high school graduates is 40
percent higher. Is it not right that we maximize the help we give these
families, so that our young beneficiaries can finish high school, thereby
helping them make the most out of the benefits of this program? That is why
next year, families with children up to 18 years old will be included in this
program so that their children will be able to finish high school,” the
President said.
On education, he said the desk and textbook
shortage has already been addressed and hopes that the classroom shortage will
be completed by the end of 2013.
“Our goal is to raise the quality of learning
that our children undertake, so that once they finish their schooling, they can
seize the opportunities now opening up in society. We have finally erased the
backlog we inherited in books and chairs, and if Education Secretary Armin
Luistro continues to demonstrate true grit, even the backlog we inherited in
classrooms will also be erased this year,” the President said.
He added that the new educational system K to 12
will keep Filipino students’ abilities at par with the international community.
Turning to the agricultural and fisheries
sectors, the President said that his administration has been successful in strengthening
the country’s bid to become rice self-sufficient and has been able to export
certain varieties of rice to other countries.
“According to the NFA (National Food Authority),
in 2010, the country imported more than 2 million metric tons of rice. In 2011,
this fell to 855,000 metric tons. In 2012: 500,000 metric tons. And now in
2013, the maximum we will import, including the private sector, will be the
minimum access volume of 350,000 metric tons. This includes the 187,000 metric
tons of reserve buffer stock in case typhoons arrive one after the other. In
all likelihood, even the private sector will no longer have to import rice
because we are still on track to becoming self-sufficient in rice. In addition
to that, we have begun exporting premium quality rice. We have truly come so
far from those days when it was said that we could not even feed ourselves,”
the President said.
“The proof is in the data. This sector grew 3.3
percent in the first three months of 2013. This is triple the 1.1 percent growth
it recorded in the same time period in 2012. That is why we continue to sow
initiatives that will certainly bear the fruits of even greater progress for
our farmers,” he said.
The President also announced the implementation
of a new program to help the country’s coconut farmers earn more: coconut
inter-cropping.
“Under this program, coconut farmers will be
assisted by the government in planting and cultivating coconuts as long as “you
will be required to sow different kinds of seeds in between the rows of coconut
trees.”
“Doing so will raise the frequency of crop
harvests, and depending on what they plant, their income will also increase. If
they grow only coconuts, the farmers would earn about 20,000 pesos a year per
hectare. But if they add coffee, they could reach about 172,400 pesos a year;
if they add bananas, they could earn 102,325 pesos, while adding cacao would
give them 89,000 pesos. Isn’t that such a huge difference?” the President
noted.
“We have already begun laying down initiatives
for this: In 2012, we were able to use 5,500 hectares of land for intercropping
in 90 different locations throughout the country. This program covered 10,000
farmers. Our target for 2013 is an additional 434 sites for coconut
intercropping,” he added.
For our fisherfolk, the President said that
cold-storage facilities would be constructed along sea and fishing ways to help
fishermen get their catch to their intended clients still fresh.
“An example would be our initiative for Bataraza
in Palawan. The waters here brim with fish. But because the fish cannot be
brought to the merchants on time, still fresh, the fishermen end up having to
dry the fish and sell tuyo instead. It is such a waste, because every three
kilos of lapu-lapu is only equivalent to one kilo of tuyo. What if the
freshness of the fish could be preserved in a cold storage facility? You could
go to the merchant and still sell your catch at full price. You would exert the
same amount of effort, but you would receive the right compensation for it.
That is why the cold storage facility in Bataraza has already been built,” the
President said.
“In addition, we are also constructing new piers
in strategic areas to raise productivity and income. We are constructing and
adding new roads, bridges, and other kinds of infrastructure, including various
services, for our fisherfolk,” he added.
“The DILG (Department of Interior and Local
Government), BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), and Coast Guard
are also tightly monitoring irresponsible and unrestrained forms of fishing.
This I ask of our fishermen, allow our fish to repopulate. I ask for your
solidarity in caring for your own livelihood. As you no doubt see, the state has
already opened up opportunities for you, but the result is in your hands,” the
President further said.
On healthcare, the President said that more
Filipinos are now covered under the country’s medical insurance Philhealth.
“Our goal to extend PhilHealth coverage to more
of our countrymen has been achieved. When we began, 62 percent of Filipinos
were enrolled. Now, that number stands at 81 percent. The remaining number
still not on our lists are those we are seeking to identify, including those in
the informal settlers’ and indigenous people’s sectors. We are counting on the
cooperation of our local governments to ensure that all of our countrymen are
enrolled in the system,” the President said. PND (rck)
Aquino spells out priority legislation in 4th
State of the Nation Address
President Benigno S. Aquino III asked Congress
in his 4th state-of-the-nation address (SONA) on Monday to prioritize several
legislations that will speed up the country’s transformation.
Among the priority bills wanted by the President
for the congress to work on include the Cabotage Law to enhance competition in
the business sector and to cut transportation costs.
He also wants Congress to pass the Fiscal
Incentives Rationalization Bill to provide clear, honest and responsible
guideline to investors doing business in the country.
Looking into the Land Administration Reform Bill
should also be a prime consideration of Congress according to the President, as
the proposal could provide direction to better land administration in the
country.
The President also said Congress must also look
into Presidential Decrees 1113 and 1894 because the law puts the government in
a disadvantage.
The laws, crafted during the Marcos regime,
favor businessmen close to the dictatorial administration. Anyone building
infrastructure must tie up with Marcos cronies with franchises that could be
extended for years even with small added works.
He said it hampers the construction of the
expressway that will connect the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon
Expressway.
Also during his SONA, the President lauded
Congress for passing the Sin Tax Reform Law and the Responsible Parenthood Law.
Immediately after delivering his SONA, the
President said he’ll file the P2.268 trillion 2014 national budget to Congress.
“Bukas na bukas din po, ihahain natin ang
panukalang 2.268 trillion pesos na national budget sa Kongreso. Kumpiyansa po
ako sa suporta at pakikibalikat ninyo upang mapatibay ang pondong ito na talaga
naman pong masusing pinag-isipan,” the President said.
“Makakatulong ito hindi lang para ituloy ang
agenda ng positibong pagbabago, kundi upang mapaspas pa ang pag-arangkada natin
tungo sa malawakang kaunlaran.” PND (as)
Aquino asks Congress to look into pension system
for soldiers and policemen
President Benigno S. Aquino III revealed in his
State-of-the-Nation (SONA) address Monday concerns in the pensions of the
country’s uniformed personnel saying he will asked the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS) to look into the problem.
The President said nobody is contributing for
the pension of AFP and PNP personnel but there is an obligation that must be
paid.
The retired personnel’s pension is indexed in
the compensation rate of active personnel making the pension increases
automatic when there are adjustments in the salaries of active personnel, he
said. Since many members of the AFP and PNP retire each year, the government is
obliged to pay the increases.
“Ang masaklap, pambansang budget ang sumasalo
nito. Noong 2012, P54.48 billion ang inilaan para sa pensyon ng sundalo at
kapulisan. Ngayong taon, P61.29 billion, at aabot po ito sa P80.64 billion sa
2016,” the President said.
He said the state support will continue to rise
in the future and it will likely affect the government’s ability to fund many
other social services including hiring more soldiers and policemen.
“Kailangan ng sistemang tutugon sa obligasyon ng
lipunan sa ating mga sundalo’t kapulisan; malamang po, GSIS ang hihilingan
natin ng tulong para rito. Pinag-aaralan na rin po ang posibilidad na gamitin
ang mga reclaimed area para makakalap ng pondong ipapasok sa papandaying
solusyon,” the President said.
The government must study the issue to come up
with a fair, long-term, and clear mechanism that will guide the pension system
of retiring soldiers and policemen.
“Nananawagan po ako sa Kongreso na pag-aralang
muli ang PD 1638 at RA 8551 upang maiangkop sa panahon at sa pambansang
pangangailangan ang pensyon at benepisyo ng ating pulis at kasundaluhan,” the
President said.
The Social Security System is also facing
concerns in its overall fund, the President said.
Since 1980, the SSS has carried out 21
across-the-board pension increases while it only adjusted its contribution rate
twice. This is problematic because it is estimated that the SSS already had
P1.1 trillion unfunded liability based on a 2011 study, the President said.
Experts said this liability could increase by 8
percent each year and with this rate, the SSS will drain its fund 28 years from
now.
“Kapag nangyari ito, walang ibang malulugi kundi
ang susunod na salinlahi ng Pilipino,” the chief executive said.
With this concern, the President said it is time
for Congress to amend the SSS Pension Scheme. The SSS must carry out investment
initiatives now to avoid a grim scenario in the future, he said.
Experts said that if SSS could only increase its
contribution rate by 0.6 percent, it could cut P141 billion in its unfunded
liability, according to the President.
“Kung ngayon na tayo magsisimulang mamuhunan sa
kinabukasan, wala nang problemang ipapamana sa mga susunod sa atin,” he said.
PND (as)
President Aquino says administration is ready to
implement Integrated Transport System to decongest traffic in Metro Manila
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the
administration is ready to implement the Integrated Transport System in a bid
to decongest traffic in Metro Manila following reports that the economy is
losing an estimated 2.4 billion pesos every day due to heavy traffic.
"Pag-usapan po natin ang trapiko: di po
ba’t tinatayang 2.4 billion pesos ang nawawala sa ating ekonomiya kada araw
dahil sa buhol-buhol na trapik sa Kamaynilaan? Kabilang sa mga proyekto nating
pihadong magpapaluwag dito ay ang Integrated Transport System. Ang mga bus na
nagsisiksikan sa mga kalsadang punung-puno na nga, ginagawan natin ng terminal
sa mga lugar na hindi kasing-sikip," Aquino said in his fourth State of
the Nation Address (SONA) delivered at the Session Hall of the House of
Representatives in Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on Monday.
The Chief Executive had ordered the
establishment of terminals in preparation for the implementation of an
Integrated Transport System.
"Napapakinabangan na nga po ang terminal sa
Parañaque, at nakapila na rin ang sa Quezon City at Muntinlupa. Ang pang
probinsyang bus ay hanggang dito nalang sa mga terminal na ito at wala nang makikipagsiksikan
sa EDSA," he said.
The President said there is already two
connector roads that will join the North and South Luzon Expressways.
"Ang totoo nga po, dekada sitenta pa lang,
plano nang ipatayo ang tinawag nilang Metro Manila Highway. Ito sana ang
magkokonekta sa dalawang expressway, upang hindi na kailangang bunuin ang ilang
oras na biyaheng babagtas pa sa kahabaan ng EDSA," Aquino said.
The President is asking Congress to take another
look at Presidential Decrees 1113 and 1894.
"Sa kabila nito, tuloy po ang mga proyekto
natin. Mayroon tayong walong kilometrong 4-lane elevated expressway na
kokonekta sa C3 Road sa Caloocan patawid ng España, hanggang sa PUP sa Sta.
Mesa. Mayroon ding mahigit labing-apat na kilometrong 6-lane elevated tollway
na babagtas mula Balintawak, hanggang Buendia, sa Makati," he said.
"Ang Common Alignment naman po ng dalawang
kalsadang ito, lima’t kalahating kilometrong 6-lane elevated expressway mula
PUP sa Sta. Mesa, patawid sa kalagitnaan ng Osmeña at Quirino Avenue, hanggang
Buendia sa Makati," he said.
Once the said road is opened to the public,
President Aquino said the travel time from SLEX to NLEX will be reduced to only
fifteen minutes from the two hours.
"Ang Clark naman hanggang Calamba na
pumapalo noon sa tatlong oras, halos mangangalahati at magiging isang oras at
apatnapung minuto. Kada araw, tinatayang limampu’t limang libong motorista ang
makikinabang sa mga ito. Tipid sa oras, tipid sa gas, menos sa polusyon, lalago
pa ang komersiyo’t turismo. Talaga namang win-win situation, di po," he
said. PND (js)
Aquino tells Congress to start crafting
Bangsamoro Basic Law
President Benigno S. Aquino III asked Congress
to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law before the end of 2014 so that there will be
enough leeway for the government to prepare for the Bangsamoro election in
2016.
The Transition Commission has already been
created and the President said the Bangsamoro Basic Law will be concluded based
on the principles of the comprehensive agreement between the government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The President said he expects every Filipino to
support the peace process with the MILF to once and for all achieve a lasting
peace in the region.
“Umaasa po ako sa pakikiambag ng bawat Pilipino
sa layunin natin para sa Bangsamoro. Ipakita po natin sa kanilang hindi sila
nagkamali sa pagpili sa direksyon ng kapayapaan; ipamalas natin ang lakas ng
buong bansa upang iangat ang mga probinsya sa Muslim Mindanao, na kabilang sa
mga pinakamaralita nating mga lalawigan,” he said.
“Tagumpay ng lahat ang ating hangarin; hindi
tayo papayag na may kababayan tayong mapapag-iwanan habang may ibang
nakakalamang,” the President said.
The President reiterated his administration’s
commitment to ensuring continuing peace in Mindanao by saying whatever peace
pact the government and the MILF could reach the central government will be
committed to enforce it.
The President also mentioned in his SONA the
recent agreement on wealth sharing between the government and the MILF adding
he hopes that both sides could soon agree on the remaining annexes in their
discussions.
In October last year, the government and the
MILF signed the historic Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro aimed at ending
four decades of Muslim separatists struggle in the south. PND (as)
Department of Science and Technology to create
team of experts that will screen government purchases, says Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he instructed
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to organize a team of experts
that will analyze and approve government purchases and project implementations
especially for those involving big-ticket items.
In the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA on Monday,
he said the government must learn from the past and not commit similar mistakes
when buying major items and carrying out large projects that require huge
budgets.
“Kailangan pong maging mas mahusay tayong
mamimili. Hindi puwedeng palagi tayong nakasalalay sa sales talk ng mga
supplier sa pagpili ng mga kagamitan natin. Inatasan natin ang DOST na bumuo ng
grupo ng mga ekspertong hindi kayang bolahin ng mga supplier, lalo na po
pagdating sa mga big-ticket items,” the President said.
“Ang patakaran natin ay ang tamang pagkilala sa
ugat ng problema; tamang pag-aaral na tutukoy sa tamang solusyon, na maaabot
naman sa pamamagitan ng tamang metodolohiya,” he added.
For instance, the President mentioned the
purchase of eight brand new combat helicopters that he said does not meet the
specifications of the air force.
The government bought the choppers for fast
transport of soldiers, but the President said the helicopters’ guns are mounted
in the entry point making it difficult for soldiers to enter the aircraft.
Another example of wrong decisions in the past
is the Telepono sa Barangay project, he said. The Department of Transportation
and Communications (DOTC) spent more than P5 billion for the program, which
eventually became unnecessary with the current wide use of cellular phones
among Filipinos. PND (as)
President Aquino says Philippines is now to
brave the challenge of nature
The Philippines is now more prepared to brave
the challenges of nature, President Benigno S. Aquino III said as he thanked
the combined efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’
(DENR) Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program and the Department of Science
and Technology’s (DOST) Project NOAH.
In a two-hour speech for his fourth State of the
Nation Address delivered at the Batasan Pambansa on Monday, President Aquino
said that a multihazard mapping of the 28 most vulnerable locations in the
country has been completed in 2012 and a similar endeavor for the Greater Metro
Manila Area will be done by next year.
He added that geohazard maps for 496 cities and
municipalities have also been completed while the remaining 1,138 covering
every last corner of the country will be finished before the end of 2015. “Not
only have these maps increased in number, they are also more detailed and
refined, which is why we will be able to more accurately identify high-risk
areas,” he said.
The Chief Executive also reported that since
Project NOAH was launched, the government was able to deploy 525 automated
water level monitoring stations and automated rain gauges to 80 major river
basins in the country. We also continue to modernize our weather detection
technology, with Doppler radars, tsunami detectors, and alerting sirens, he
added.
The President noted that these mechanisms were
the keys toward enhancing the country’s disaster preparedness since they enable
our weathermen to accurately anticipate the amount of rains that would fall in
a specific area, thus giving adequate warning to an affected community.
He, however, stressed that simply distributing
high-tech equipment and new technology is not enough since we also need to
train the end-users of this equipment in understanding, using, and
disseminating the information gained.
The President, moreover, mentioned that the
administration continues to address the worsening flood situation in Metro
Manila brought by the problem of informal settlers and other illegally built
structures that clog the waterways.
He said the executive is coordinating with
various local government units to safely and successfully relocate our informal
settlers. A legal team led by Secretary Leila de Lima was also formed to
prepare cases that will be filed against those who have closed or obstructed
our waterways.
“We are not content with simply passing the
blame and pointing fingers,” the President said as his government allocated
some 6.2-billion pesos to fund its flood mitigation programs throughout Metro
Manila, including the construction of the Blumentritt Interceptor Catchment
area.
The entire project, according to the President,
is 3.3 kilometers in length and will be able to catch the equivalent of 14
Olympic-sized swimming pools of water once it is completed.
“When the rains hit, the rainwater now has somewhere
to go, and will no longer accumulate on our streets. This project was started
in March, and we aim to complete it by next year,” the President said.
Meanwhile, as the government keeps on fulfilling
its obligation to the people, President Aquino appeals to the public to do its
share in protecting the environment.
“Let us ask ourselves: How have I contributed to
the solution? If someone dumps trash into a river, confront them; if you see a
building being built above a creek, report it to the correct authorities. We
will only drown in our problems if we do nothing,” he concluded. PND (hdc)
President Aquino tells Filipinos to “seize
chance to make change permanent”
“We did not achieve our current success by
chance. Let us not allow this transformation to be temporary; let us seize this
opportunity to make the change permanent.”
Thus said President Benigno S. Aquino III in his
fourth State of the Nation Address delivered during the Joint Session of the
16th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday, as he
called on Filipinos to step up and join him and forge on towards the straight
and righteous path.
“There are those who always ask: What will
happen in 2016? What will happen when you step down? Will that be the end of
good, honest governance? Will we have reached the end of the straight and
righteous path?,” the President said.
“My Bosses, let us remember: where did we begin?
If you have doubts now, compare them with the doubts we all carried in 2010.
Were we not happy enough then just to see the darkness end? Was it not enough
for us to be able to replace those in power?” he added.
“Now, we are experiencing change. Change that
has sprung from the seeds of kindness, solidarity, and good will; change that
was brought about by the millions of Filipinos who have, in their own ways, big
and small, pitched in and transformed the country,” the President further said.
He said all Filipinos now have the capacity to
hurdle any obstacle that blocks their way to progress and prosperity.
“The road ahead of us is long; and we never said
it would be easy—or that we could tread this path free of challenges. But I do
not doubt our capacity to overcome any obstacle. We did not achieve our current
success by chance. Let us not allow this transformation to be temporary; let us
seize this opportunity to make the change permanent,” the President said.
“This is our fourth SONA. When I was a
congressman, the people of Tarlac were my strength. When I became a senator and
until now, in my Presidency, the people of our country have been there.
Philippines, you are my strength. As we continue doing our part—and as we
continue placing faith in our fellowmen and in God—I tell you: It will still be
you who will make certain that what we have begun here will continue; you will
be the ones who will make sure that we will completely eradicate corruption;
you will be the ones who will make sure that we will never again stray from the
straight and righteous path,” he said.
“Once, I was told: 'Noynoy, just begin the
change.' So we did, and we can all see how far we have come. Now, my
countrymen, let us continue to stand arm-in-arm. Together, let us foster,
accelerate, and expand the transformation of society. I am Noynoy Aquino, and I
proudly say to the world: I am a Filipino. How wonderful it is to be a Filipino
in these times,” he said further. PND (rck)
