President Aquino joins Muslim-Filipino community
in celebrating 'Eid’l Fitr'
President Benigno S. Aquino III joins the
Muslim-Filipino community in celebrating the Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan).
"This solemn occasion bears greater
significance as we enter a new era of peace and cooperation with our brothers
and sisters in Muslim Mindanao. Our country is on the path to inclusive growth,
and we continue to work together to deepen our bonds and uplift our
countrymen," the Chief Executive said in his message on the celebration of
Eid’l Fitr.
Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for
three (3) days after the end of the month of fasting.
"As the teachings of The Prophet fill you
with joy on this celebration, may you derive strength from your faith and open
your hearts in compassion and thanksgiving; may Allah continue to bless and
guide you on your journey as Filipinos and as faithful members of the Islam
nation," the President said.
The President expressed hope that the government
and the entire Muslim community will be able to galvanize their joint efforts
and resources towards creating an equitable society in this era of national
renewal.
"May the virtues inscribed in the Holy
Qur’an empower you as we achieve lasting stability through benevolence and
understanding. I greet you a heartfelt salaam and a solemn Eid Mubarak,"
he said.
President Aquino has declared August 9 as a
regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr.
The President issued the declaration through
Proclamation No. 629 signed on August 1 by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa
Jr., in line with Republic Act No. 9177 that declared Eid’l Fitr or Feast of
Ramadan as a regular holiday throughout the country.
“To promote cultural understanding and
integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to
join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of
Eid’l Fitr,” the President said.
Ramadan is the month when Muslims observe strict
fasting for a period of 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is also a month of sacrifice and
purification as the Muslims worldwide fast, pray and act with kindness towards
the poor and the less fortunate. PND (js)
President Aquino to lead inauguration of Brother
Industries Philippines in Batangas
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the
guest of honor and keynote speaker at the inauguration of the Brother
Philippines that will be held in Tanauan City, Batangas on Monday.
The Chief Executive, to be assisted by the
officials of Brother Industries Japan and Brother Industries Philippines, shall
lead the unveiling of the marker and corporate logo in a simple ceremony to be
held at the First Philippine Industrial Park, Barangay Ulango, Tanauan City,
Batangas on Monday.
Joining the President are Trade and Industry
Secretary Gregory Domingo, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director-General
Dr. Lilia de Lima, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe,
Brother Industries Japan president Toshikazu Koike, and Brother Industries
Philippines President Toshio Ito, among others.
Founded in 1908, Brother Industries Ltd. is a
Japanese multinational electronics and electrical equipment company
headquartered in Japan. Its products include printers, multifunction printers,
sewing machines, large machine tools, label printers, typewriters, fax
machines, and other computer-related electronics.[
The Brother group deliver products and services
to customers all over the world with 17 production sites and 51 sales offices
operating in 44 countries and regions in the world.
Brother Industries Philippines, Inc. located at
the First Philippine Industrial Park, in Tanauan City, Batangas was established
in March 2012 to meet the increasing demands in the printing business which is
the Brother's Group core business.
In April 2013, Factory 1 has started its
commercial operation in the manufacture of ink cartridges of Brother's inkjet
printer and All-in-Ones. Another product to be produced in the Philippines is
the tape casette for label stationery. The commercial operations of the product
is set to start in September, soon as the construction of the second factory of
Brother Industries Philippines in Tanauan is expected to be completed. The
factory will manufacture the inkjet printer main body and is projected to start
commercial operation in February next year.
The projected total investment of Brother
Industries Philippines Inc. amounts to $114 million, one of the highest
investments of the Brother's Group.
The Brother Industries Philippines Inc.
currently employs 449 individuals as of July 2013. With the first and second
factories in full operation, the number of the total employees will rise to
3,500 by fiscal year 2015.
Through the establishment of Brother Industries
Philippines Inc., Brother Group will enhance and optimize production
capabilities in a bid to increase its global market share. PND (js)
President Aquino declares August 16 as special
non-working day in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in celebration of 'Pavvurulun Festival
2013'
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
August 16, which falls on a Friday, as a special (non-working) day in the city
of Tuguegarao in the province of Cagayan in celebration of the 289th patronal
feast now dubbed as “Pavvurulun Festival 2013.″
The Chief Executive issued the declaration by
virtue of Proclamation No. 631 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa
Jr. on August 2, to give the people of Tuguegarao City the full opportunity to
celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Pavvurulun Festival is a week long celebration
that usually ends on August 16 annually.
Pavvurulun is an Ibanag word which means
"get-together" or a sense of belonging. Tuguegaraoeños celebrate the
feast in honor of St. Hyacinth, the patron saint of Tuguegarao City. PND (js)
Aquino leads commemoration of Robredo’s legacy;
vows to continue good governance
President Benigno S. Aquino III attended
Thursday evening the commemoration dinner for the late Interior and Local
Government Secretary Jesse Robredo as he vowed to continue Robredo’s advocacy
for honest and effective governance.
“Alam nating ito ang pangarap ni Jesse, at
malinaw naman sa takbo ng bansa ngayon at sa mukha ng mga kasama nating
kabalikat sa transpormasyon, hindi natin binigo, at hindi natin bibiguin si
Jesse,” the President said in his message at Club Filipino in San Juan.
“Kay Jesse: maraming salamat sa serbisyo, sa
alaala at siyempre, sa ispirasyong iniwan mo sa amin. Alam naming nagawa mong
harapin ang Diyos na walang bagahe o pagsisisi dahil natupad mo ang misyon mo
dito sa lupa. At anumang iniwan mo, kami na ang bahala rito. Hindi ka bibiguin
ng mga Pilipino.”
Robredo served as an inspiration to the government
to carry out its reform programs, the President said.
The President also promised Robredo’s widow,
lawyer Leni Robredo, that his administration will be supportive of her
initiatives in her district in Camarines. Robredo was elected as representative
of the 3rd district of Camarines Sur during the midterm election in May.
The President said his administration looks at
increasing the budget intended to build more infrastructures in Bicol and
Mindanao.
As with the government’s aggressive spending for
infrastructure development in Mindanao, he said the Bicol region should also
receive additional budget for its growth.
“Everybody who is in need should be addressed by
government as the capabilities increased,” he said.
On August 18, 2012, a twin-engine, four-seater
Piper Seneca plane carrying Robredo en route to Naga City from Cebu City
crashed off Masbate killing him and the pilot, Capt. Jessup Bahinting and
Nepalese pilot trainee Kshitiz Chand. Don Abrazado, Robredo’s aide, survived
the crash.
An advocate of good governance, Robredo served
as Naga City mayor for less than 20 years. He spearheaded Naga City’s
development, making it one of the country’s premier cities.
Robredo, along with former Pampanga governor Ed
Panlilio and Isabela governor Grace Padaca, also founded the Kaya Natin!
movement aimed at training future leaders and championing good governance in
the country. PND (as)
Palace sees normalizing relations with Taiwan
Malacanang hopes that relations between the
Philippines and Taiwan will soon normalize as Taiwan lifts its sanctions
imposed on the Philippines following the death of a Taiwanese fisherman last
May.
“Hopefully this recent development will
contribute to the resolution of the issue and then will return relations to
normal,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a telephone
interview with Palace reporters on Friday.
Taiwan has finally lifted all of its sanctions
against the Philippines after President Benigno Aquino III apologized over the
fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in waters off Batanes a few months ago.
Earlier this week, the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) had revealed the results of its investigation on the
incident and recommended that eight PCG personnel be prosecuted for homicide
and four more for obstruction of justice.
Asked by reporters how the investigation result
affects the Philippine Coast Guard, Valte said the Palace is confident that the
coast guard will continue to do its job despite the recent developments.
“We’re pretty confident that the Coast Guard
will continue to be vigilant and will continue to guard our waters to the best
of their abilities and that moving forward, they will take measures to ensure
that similar incidents does not happen again,” Valte said.
Now that the NBI has finally release its
investigation result, Valte said the next step would be for the Department of
Justice (DOJ) to conduct the preliminary investigation on the NBI’s findings.
The Taiwanese government said it has lifted the
sanctions after the Philippines expressed good will and issued an apology both
in writing and in deed.
The Philippines has responded positively to the
four demands proposed by the Taiwan’s government including the issuance of an
apology.
Aside from an apology, the Taiwanese government
wanted the Philippine government to compensate the victim’s family for losses,
conduct a prompt and thorough investigation and carry out severe punishment for
those responsible. Taiwan also asked for the conduct of fishery agreement
negotiations between the two countries.
Taiwan’s government imposed a total of 11
sanctions on the Philippines, including a hiring freeze on overseas Filipino
workers. PND (as)
