President Aquino declares September 9 as special
non-working day in Bais, Negros Oriental in celebration of its 45th Charter Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
September 9, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working day) in the
city of Bais in in the province of Negros Oriental in celebration of its 45th
Charter Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration through
Proclamation No. 648 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on
September 4 to give the people of Bais, the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On September 9, 1968, Bais was converted into a
chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 5444. Former President Ferdinand
E. Marcos personally proclaimed Bais a city when he visited Bais on September
7, 1968. PND (js)
Malacanang welcomes reports that Philippines
rose to 59th place among 148 economies in World Economic Forum’s Global
Competitiveness Index 2013-2014
Malacanang welcomed reports that the Philippines
rose to 59th place among 148 economies in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF)
Global Competitiveness Index 2013-2014, attributing the improvement to the
Aquino administration’s battle against corruption.
"We welcome the results of the 2013-2014
Global Competitiveness Report, which shows the Philippine economy continuing
its upward trajectory in rankings. From a low of 85th place when the Aquino
administration took over, the Philippines has progressed 26 places to rank 59th
in the international competitiveness landscape," Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
"This impressive performance was
highlighted in the report, which cited the Philippines as among the 'most
dynamic and rapidly improving economies in terms of competitiveness',” Lacierda
said.
Lacierda said the sustained improvement was
credited heavily to the Aquino administration’s battle against corruption,
which is seen in the significant improvements in the benchmarking scores of the
“Institutions” pillar that covers governance challenges such as corruption and
public sector competence.
Halfway through the President Benigno S. Aquino
III's presidency, Lacierda said the Institutions pillar of the Philippines
jumped from 125th in 2010 to 79th, a rally of 46 places.
In the ethics and corruption category, the
Philippines now ranks 87th compared to 135th in 2010, while government
efficiency and other public sector variables have also steadily advanced.
"Another pillar where we posted heady
growth was in 'Innovation,' an improvement of 42 places to 69th this year from
111th in 2010. We attribute this to enhanced competition, which fosters
creativity, and high morale of an increasingly empowered citizenry, sustained
by the prospects of our future and the positive feeling about our country’s
direction," he said.
"Further, amidst the backdrop of a
particularly difficult period for developing economies, this international
affirmation serves as an endorsement of the President, the brand of transparent
and accountable leadership he espouses, and the hard-fought reforms he and his
allies have tirelessly pursued," Lacierda concluded. PND (js)
Malacanang cites impressive tourist arrivals for
first seven months of 2013
The Philippine Tourism posted an impressive
11.05 percent growth in tourist arrivals for the first seven months of 2013, a
Palace official said on Thursday.
During a press briefing in Malacanang,
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez
reported tourist arrivals from January to July this year aggregated to
2,798,881 arrivals or an increase of 11.05 percent from the same period in
2012, maintaining the growth momentum recorded in the first half of the year.
"The first seven months corresponded to
50.9 percent of the 5.5 million target arrivals for 2013. Arrivals in July
reached 418,288, the second highest record during the year, and the first for
the said month over the past years," Lacierda said.
He said South Korea remains the largest source
market with 706,998 visitors or a total of 25.26 percent of the total inbound
traffic, recording a double-digit growth rate of 22.30 percent.
"Following at second place is the United
States of America with 417,904 arrivals; while China rose to third place,
overtaking Japan, and posting the strongest growth among the top markets with
48.58 percent," Lacierda said.
"Other important source markets with
double-digit gains include Russian Federation, which is 34.36 percent;
Indonesia, 26.70 percent; Saudi Arabia, 23.24 percent; France, 19.95 percent;
Thailand, 18.07 percent; and India, 17.07 percent," he said.
In a bid to improve the country's tourism
sector, the Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, and
Department of Transportation and Communications have collaborated for the
improvement of connectivity infrastructure (roads, airports, and ports) leading
to priority tourist destinations throughout the country.
The DOT estimates that it would require
approximately P63.13 billion to implement a sustainable tourism destination
infrastructure program by 2016.
The government is also strengthening the
aviation industry cognizant of its vital role in facilitating not only tourism,
but also trade and industry.
The President signed RA 10378 in March 2013,
which rationalizes the taxes imposed on foreign carriers (air and shipping).
The law aims to address the clamor of the airline industry for equal tax
treatments between local and foreign air carriers and encourage the re-entry of
aviation players that have left the country in the past due to unequal tax
treatment (e.g., Air France-KLM), among others.
Further, the government, through the Civil
Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and DOTC, instituted reforms to
align Philippine air safety standards and practices with those of international
organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
These reforms resulted in the lifting by ICAO of the Significant Safety
Concerns (SSC) on Philippine civil aviation in March 2013 and the lifting of
the EU ban on Philippine Airlines (PAL) on July 10. 2013. PND (js)
Palace remains open for peace talks with leftist
rebels
The Palace reiterated that the Aquino
administration remains open to continuing the peace discussions with the
leftist rebels but they must show some goodwill and sincerity.
“May National Peace Consciousness this month.
Ang position ng ating pamahalaan ay bukas tayo sa peace process. Ang kailangan
natin sinseridad,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press
briefing in Malacanang on Thursday.
Peace discussions with the communist rebels have
not gained much momentum because of many disagreements on both sides.
The rebels accused the government for its
failure to implement an initial accord on respect for human rights in addition
to other violations.
The government panel negotiating peace with the
NPA said it may resume peace talks with the insurgents if they agrees on a new
negotiating framework. Government negotiators added that the NPA should have a
clear agenda for ending violence and bringing peace in the country.
Malacanang also condemned this week the NPA’s
reported use of landmines particularly in an attack in Compostela Valley on
Tuesday that injured seven soldiers.
The military claimed that the rebels had used
poison-laced explosives in the attack.
Asked if the government will consider declaring
the NPA a terror threat, Lacierda said he is leaving the decision at the hands
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the national security adviser.
The use of non-command-detonated explosives is
banned by international laws like the Ottawa Treaty.
The military accused the NPA of using landmines
laced with poison based on evidence military doctors discovered from the wounds
of soldiers.
Reports indicated that doctors found traces of
human feces and snake venom in wounds of the seven soldiers wounded during
Tuesday’s attack. PND (as)
