President Aquino expresses support for Mindanao
businessmen
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed full
support for Mindanao's business leaders who convened for the 22nd Mindanao
Business Conference (MinBizCon) to craft ASEAN integration policy agenda aimed
at improving the business climate.
The Chief Executive attended the opening program
of the MinBizCon 2013 which has for its theme "One, Global Mindanao:
Moving Towards Asean Business Integration'' held at SMX Convention Center at SM
Lanang Premier, Lanang, Davao City on Thursday.
Key business leaders gathered during the
three-day event to discuss the policy agenda in ensuring that the Philippines
is ready for the integration of economies among the 10-member states of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2015.
Representatives from the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines
- East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) also attended the conference.
The ASEAN is pursuing the integration of
economies among the 10-member states with the establishment of an ASEAN
Economic Community by December 2015. ASEAN is composed of Philippines,
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and
Myanmar.
The integration will allow companies based in
ASEAN member-nations to enter each other’s markets, with lowered tarriffs and
capital market integration.
Foreign and local resource speakers during the
3-day conference were invited to speak on trade, energy, tourism,
infrastructure, agriculture and business, among others.
The Mindanao Business Conference is joining the
Aquino administration in preparing the business community for the 2015 economic
integration.
John Gaisano, Jr. conference director of the
22nd MinBizCon, said that Mindanao’s small and medium enterprises would have
the leverage to compete with their ASEAN counterparts since the island-region’s
economy is being supported by a largely SME-based sector.
Meanwhile, Mindanao Development Authority chair
Luwalhati Antonino lauded President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address in
which he called for the review the cabotage law
The said law prohibits foreign vessels from
directly transporting domestic cargo between two ports other than those
designated as international ports.
“Mindanao’s business community has long been
clamoring for the amendment of the cabotage law, which the President has cited
as a key legislative item in his recent SONA,” Antonino said. PND (js)
President Aquino proposes P34.29 billion to
Congress for infrastructure projects in Mindanao
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that his
administration is proposing to the Congress for the allocation of another 34.29
billion pesos for infrastructure projects in Mindanao for 2014 to improve the
region's economic and business climate.
"In fact, the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) has so far allocated 61.54 billion pesos for roads,
bridges, and other infrastructure projects in Mindanao for 2011 – 2014. The
good news is that this number will be increasing even more. For 2014 alone, we are
proposing to the congress that the DPWH is set to allocate another 34.29
billion pesos for projects in the region — to stress the point, more than half
of what has been allocated in the last three years," the Chief Executive
said in his speech during the opening program of the the 22nd Mindanao Business
Conference (MinBizCon) 2013 held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang
Premier, Lanang, Davao City on Thursday.
The Chief Executive said various transport
infrastructure projects across Mindanao are now in place to boost development
of the region.
"We have also begun work on major roads in
Mindanao, such as the Lake Lanao Circumferential Road Project worth 767 million
pesos, which will be completed in February 2015," he said.
"The Department of Transportations and
Communications, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) are also in the process of constructing or
rehabilitating 15 airports and 46 ports; and this is not including the
Laguindingan Airport, which finally began operations a few months ago, after
being put off for 22 years," he stressed.
Aquino noted that international trading
prospects for Mindanao remains very promising, especially with the emerging
popularity of its agri-based products such as cacao, coco sugar, and coco water
that are beginning to penetrate markets abroad
"The goal is to see a Mindanao economy no
longer stifled by a lack of proper roads, ports, or airports," he said.
PND (js)
President Aquino says government adopting
systematic approach to address peace and security, graft and corruption, and
enegry crisis in Mindanao
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his
government is adopting a systematic approach to address the peace and security,
graft and corruption and energy crisis that hinder the progress of Mindanao.
"In the past, generations of Filipinos
could only talk of the vast potential of Mindanao, but the next step—fulfilling
that potential—always seemed elusive," the Chief Executive said in his
speech during the opening program of the 22nd Mindanao Business Conference
(MinBizCon) 2013 held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier,
Lanang, Davao City on Thursday.
President Aquino said his government is wasting
no time in adopting a disciplined and systematic approach to solve the pressing
problems besetting Mindanao.
"Assessing the situation, perhaps one can
cite three basic reasons for this: The first was greed getting in the way of
solidarity—for example, greed over land that bred injustice, and led to the
cycle of violence that has long condemned Muslims, Christians, and Lumad to
fighting with one another," the Chief Executive said.
"The first issue—the obvious issue—we
needed to address was peace and security. After all, any real progress must be
built on the bedrock of peace. For the past forty years, thousands of families
in Mindanao have been displaced and, at times, even harmed by skirmishes,"
he said.
The President said the government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front are working together to achieve genuine and lasting
peace in Mindanao.
"Now, the MILF and the Government have a
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Just last month, both sides signed the
second annex of the agreement; and I am confident that more good news will
arrive soon," he said.
The President acknowledged the fact that the
energy crisis is a serious problem that hamper Mindanao's economic and business
growth.
"The second was a lack of foresight. The
richness and bounty of Mindanao led many to believe that these resources would
always be there, unmindful of the consequences of, for instance, logging in
watersheds. Decisions that would allow Mindanao to adjust to an ever-changing
world were postponed—fostering an attitude that has affected us most in the
power sector, since hydropower seemed so plentiful and cheap," he
stressed.
He assured the public that the administration is
presently on track to end the energy deficit by 2015.
"The third was an unhealthy adherence to
old solutions to old, misdiagnosed problems, resulting in a vicious cycle of
impunity and corruption, as was the case when ARMM elections were not
synchronized to national elections," he said.
The President called on the people and all
stakeholders to work together with the government in making strides towards
inclusive growth.
"Addressing all these issues is the only
way to truly accelerate the growth of this region so that people can talk not
just about its potential, but also about its vibrancy in the here and now. All
these efforts will likewise sufficiently prepare Mindanao for ASEAN
Integration, which I know a lot of businessmen from here and from neighboring
countries are looking forward to," he said. PND (js)
Aquino says peace panels are all set to finalize
work on Framework Agreement
After successfully coming to terms on the
revenue generation and wealth sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (FAB), President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
peace panels will start working on power sharing and normalization annexes
after Ramadan.
In an interview with the media after attending
the opening program of the 22nd Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) 2013
held at the SMX Convention Center, 3rd Level, SM Lanang Premier, Lanang, Davao
City on Thursday, the Chief Executive said the members of the GRP and MILF
peace panels have now set their sights on agreeing on the last two remaining
annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro which is power sharing and
normalization.
"Itong patapos na ang Ramadan – ang susunod
na pag-uusapan ay ang power-sharing at ang normalization. Ano ba ang mga powers
na ide-devolve doon sa bagong gobyerno ng ARMM at iyong tinatawag na
normalization, ang pagbaba ng armas," the President Aquino said.
"Sa Congress, I understand, there is
widespread support but, of course, everybody wants to look at the details of
the proposed Organic Act. Ang Transition Commission ang nagda-draft nitong
proposed new measure to replace the current ARMM organic act," the
President said.
The wealth-sharing annex was signed by both
parties after concluding the 38th series of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia last July.
In a joint statement released by both panels,
the GRP and MILF said the wealth-sharing annex will “provide sufficient
guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamor Basic Law’s provision on wealth
sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the
Framework Agreement.
The Parties believe that the Annex on Wealth
Sharing, which forms part of the Framework Agreement, will provide sufficient
guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s provisions on wealth
sharing and revenue generation for the Bangsamoro as envisioned by the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. PND (js)
President Aquino steps up protection of
children’s rights in armed conflict
President Benigno S. Aquino III has revamped the
Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Armed Conflict (IAC-CIAC) under an
executive order aimed at further strengthening the government’s program for the
protection of children against armed hostilities, abuse and exploitation.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on
Thursday that President Aquino signed on August 2 Executive Order No. 138
amending Executive Order No. 56 (S. 2001), and places the IAC-CIAC under the
direct supervision of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), instead of
the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Under EO No. 138, the CWC will be the lead
agency in the implementation of the CIAC Program Framework, which addresses the
alarming involvement of children in armed conflict, either as combatants,
couriers, spies, medics, cooks or their recruitment for sexual purposes, among
others. The council will also be in charge of coordinating and monitoring of
the program framework at all levels.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development
had earlier sought the establishment of the Monitoring, Reporting and Response
System for Grave Child Rights’ Violations (MRRS-GCRV) in situations of armed
conflict to be headed by the CWC in order step up government response to the
problem of children being recruited, killed, maimed and abused in areas of
armed hostilities.
“Given the commonalities between the existing
CIAC Program Framework implemented by the OPAPP and the proposed MRRS to be
implemented by the CWC, and in line with the policy of streamlining government
functions to avoid duplication of efforts, EO No. 56 is hereby amended to
incorporate the proposed MRRS and reorganize the IAC-CIAC, thus strengthening
the CIAC Program Framework,” Ochoa explained.
The MRRS-GCRV will now serve as the monitoring
arm of the inter-agency committee.
The OPAPP remains a member of the inter-agency
committee, along with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); the Departments of
Education (DepEd), Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), Health (DOH), National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines
(DND-AFP), Justice (DOJ), and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); the
Philippine National Police (PNP); the Presidential Human Rights Committee
(PHRC); and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).
In line with the enhancement of the CIAC Program
Framework and the new set-up, Ochoa said, the CWC and member-agencies are
mandated to craft a memorandum of agreement to define and delineate their
functions and duties within 60 days after the presidential directive takes
effect.
EO No. 138 also mandates the IAC-CIAC to observe
all international instruments on upholding the rights and welfare of children
and other related human rights treaties in all initiatives in the formulation
of guidelines and programs for the handling of children involved in armed
conflict, among others. It should also conduct training, advocacy and
information campaigns and capacity-building of local government units (LGUs).
The Philippines is a state party to the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Optional Protocol
on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.
President Aquino also ordered national
government agencies to formulate and integrate the program framework in their
annual programs and projects in consultation with the CWC.
“LGUs of areas affected by armed conflict may
also develop and implement complementary programs to carry out the enhanced
CIAC Program Framework in coordination with the CWC,” Ochoa said.
Funding for the implementation of the CIAC
Program Framework will come from the current appropriations of participating
agencies and subsequent funding for the implementation of the CIAC Program
Framework will be incorporated in their respective regular appropriations.
EO No. 138 takes effect 15 days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Aquino vows 'radical transformation' of Bureau
of Customs
DAVAO CITY) President Benigno Aquino III on
Thursday assured that the public will see a "radical transformation"
in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) within a month after the plans for the agency
are finished.
In a media interview here, the President said he
does not want to telegraph the reforms that will be implemented in the
corruption-ridden agency but assured that there will be changes in the coming
weeks.
"Within a month after we finish the plans,
you will see a radical transformation of the Bureau of Customs," President
Aquino said on the sidelines of his attendance to the 22nd Mindanao Business
Conference at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City.
The President confirmed that he accepted the
resignation of Customs deputy commissioner Danilo Lim and the latter will be
getting a new assignment outside of the bureau.
"I’ll be giving him a new assignment. We’re
still in the process of discussing where exactly his new assignment will
be," Aquino said.
"I spent most of the time getting briefed
on the nitty gritty as far as the Customs was concerned. The problems that he
encountered, issues, para mas mabigyan ng substance iyong aking mga suspicions
before. So afterwards, iyon nga, he will be given a new tasking out of
Customs," he added.
Lim offered his resignation after admitting
difficulty in initiating reforms in the bureau due to "powerful"
forces.
The President, meanwhile, said that he has yet
to decide on the resignation of Customs deputy commissioner for Internal
Administration Group Juan Lorenzo Tañada.
"I haven’t talked to him. But, Commissioner
(Ruffy) Biazon is batting to retain Deputy Commissioner Tañada," he said.
President Aquino lashed at the BOC during his
State of Nation Address for repeatedly failing to meet targets and curb
smuggling in the country. PND (jb)
President Aquino welcomes FIBA officials to
Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed
officials of the Federation Internationale de Basketball Association (FIBA) who
called on him in Malacanang on Thursday.
The officials who called on the President were
Yvan Mainini-president, FIBA; Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Than-president, FIBA Asia
and Hagop Khajinian-Secretary General, FIBA.
Joining the President were officers of the
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Incorporated led by Manuel
Pangilinan-president; Victorio Vargas-vice chair; Renauld Barrios-executive
director; and Alfred Panlilio-president MVP Sports Foundation.
In an interview, Pangilinan said the FIBA
officials paid a courtesy call to the President to express their gratitude to
the Philippines for hosting the competition.
“Mainini (and his group) just paid a courtesy
call to the President. He (Mainini) expressed satisfaction at the arrangements,
it was actually FIBA’s honor to be here in the Philippines and for the
Philippines to host the qualifiers for the world cup in Spain next year,”
Pangilinan said.
He added that President Aquino likewise thanked
the FIBA officials saying hosting the event was a “wonderful event for the
country.” PND (rck)
