Aquino declares November 11 as special
non-working day in Taal in celebration of feast of patron Saint Martin de Tours
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
November 11, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the
municipality of Taal in the province of Batangas in celebration of the feast of
its patron saint, St. Martin de Tours.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration by
virtue of Proclamation No. 662 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa
Jr. on October 10 to give the people of Taal the full opportunity to celebrate
and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Basilica de San Martin de Tours is considered to
be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, standing 96 metres (315
ft) long and 45 metres (148 ft) wide. St. Martin de Tours is the patron saint
of Taal, whose fiesta is celebrated every November 11. PND (js)
Relief efforts for earthquake victims in Bohol
and Cebu continue
The Aquino government intensifies its relief
efforts for the affected families of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that shook
Central Visayas on October 15 with the distribution of food and non-food relief
goods worth P8.05-million to earthquake victims, a Palace official said.
In an interview aired over government-run radio
station DzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail
Valte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personnel
went to the different devastated areas in Bohol and Cebu to distribute relief
goods.
"As of this morning po, assistance extended
to affected families now amount to P8.05-million comprised of food and non-food
relief from DSWD, and ‘yung relief distribution po natin ay patuloy pa rin po
sa mga panahong ito," Valte said.
"Sinisikap pa rin po nating abutin ‘yung
iba pang mga barangay o kaya mga munisipyo na kailangan pa po ng tulong mula po
sa DSWD," she said.
Valte said the DSWD continues to coordinate with
the local government units especially those in isolated areas for the immediate
delivery of relief goods.
The relief operations will continue until
normalcy returns to all towns in Bohol and Cebu, Valte said.
"Around 55,769 families or 257,268 persons
who staying outside evacuation centers in Bohol and Cebu are likewise being
served," Valte stressed.
"Ang total po ng evacuation centers natin
that are still open, 93 evacuation centers... meron po tayong 68 evacuation
centers in Bohol serving some 21,807 families, and 25 evacuation centers in
Cebu serving 1,009 families," she said. PND (js)
President Aquino to hold accountable those who
misuse public funds, Palace says
President Benigno S. Aquino III remains
determined to hold accountable those who are responsible for the alleged
anomalous use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), a Palace
official said.
In an interview aired government-run station
Radyo ng Bayan dzRB on Sunday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said the Chief Executive continues to institute reform measures to ensure that
public funds are properly used for the benefit of the Filipino people.
"At this point, it would be important to
distinguish what these funds are really for....The second distinction that
should be made is whether or not there has been misuse in these funds. Because
if there has been misuse, as in the case of the PDAF, then certainly let us
pursue all logical ends to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to
justice," Valte said.
The President's call to “search for the truth,
and to hold accountable those who are responsible” in the anomalous use of
public funds is supported by majority of the Filipinos, as the latest Pulse
Asia survey showed that over six out of ten Filipinos approve of the
"response of President Aquino to the issue of the alleged anomalous use of
the PDAF."
The survey, conducted by Pulse Asia from
September 14 to 27, says that 63 per cent approve of the President’s response
to its alleged misuse, particularly his vow to prosecute individuals involved
in the misuse of the PDAF. This sentiment is echoed by majorities in every
geographic area (60% to 65%) and socio-economic grouping (63% to 68%).
“Despite efforts at misdirection, our people
clearly discern President Aquino’s determination to institute needed reform
measures to ensure that public funds are properly used in the delivery of
essential infrastructure and services," said Communications Secretary
Herminio Coloma.
According to Pulse Asia Research, the September
2013 Ulat ng Bayan Survey indicated that 9 out of every 10 Filipinos (90%) are
aware of the issues surrounding the PDAF or pork barrel. PND (js)
