Sunday 3 November 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Saturday, November 2, 2013

Government dispatches relief assistance to victims of Typhoon Vinta in Northern Luzon

The national government has provided P743,100 worth of relief for Region II and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) as a response to the devastation of Typhoon Vinta in those regions.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operation Center continues to be on red alert status monitoring and coordinating efforts between the national government and the affected local governments.

“Tiningnan natin ang mga assets na naka-standby dito para sa pagtulong doon sa mga rehiyon na ito; and we have enough to help the local governments that will be needing our assistance,” Valte said.

Based on the NDRRMC’s report to the President at least 70 percent of power supply has been restored in Laoag City as of 7 p.m. yesterday.

In the municipalities of Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpod, Badoc, Nueva Era, Paoay, all in Ilocos Norte, 85 percent of the power supply was restored as of 7 p.m. last night, Valte reported.

The Palace official also reported that six roads and three bridges in Region III and CAR were damaged by the typhoon.

“Ang importante sa atin ngayon ay ang nai-provide na relief assistance in the amount of P743,100 to the affected families in Regions II and CAR coming from DSWD. Iyong iba naman na nai-report, (iyong mga) nagpunta ng evacuation center sa Gonzaga ay nakabalik na sa kanilang mga tahanan,” she said.

Typhoon Vinta exited the country yesterday after hitting the northern part of the Philippines. PND (as)


Government will not waver on going after abusers of PDAF, says Palace

Malacanang reiterated that the justice department will file cases against those who misused and abused the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that will stand scrutiny in courts and ensure convictions of wrongdoers.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the instructions of the President is to make sure that the cases being filed will stand scrutiny and guarantee conviction.

The latest Palace comment is in the midst of calls from anti-pork barrel advocates for the President to completely eliminate pork barrels within 100 days.

As a response, Valte said “the President and the administration will push for the correct things at the correct time.”

In relation to the issue, the Department of Justice has filed two cases against those who allegedly pocketed public funds. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will file charges against another batch of people involved in the scam, Valte said.

But the government couldn’t rush things because there are processes to be followed to come up with strong cases, she said.

Asked if there will be no sacred cows in the government investigation, Valte said the DOJ’s inquiry is impartial.

“Impartial ang imbestigasyon ng ating Department of Justice at sasalain pa rin iyan ng Office of the Ombudsman, at paulit-ulit nang sinabi ng mga head ng dalawang kagawarang ito na impartial at wala silang sasantuhin,” she said. PND (as)


Palace says government ready to bring home Filipinos affected by 'Saudization' policy

Malacanang said the Philippine government has been providing shelters to Filipinos undergoing repatriation process as the Saudi Arabia government’s November 3 deadline against illegal workers expires.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the real issue is continuous repatriation of Filipinos from Saudi Arabia affected by its “Saudization” policy.

“Meron na tayong mga pino-provide na shelter for them. Kapag dumating kasi ang deadline at hindi talaga maproseso ang kanilang papers, they will have to stay in a particular place until they are repatriated to the country,” Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

“Patuloy pa rin ang pakikipag-usap ng ating mga kasamahan doon kung papaano magagawan pa ng paraan ang kanilang sitwasyon.”

According to Valte, it could be recalled that Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario made an appeal to overstaying Filipinos to avail of the assistance that is being given by the Philippine embassy to avoid queuing in the streets, which is prohibited by the Saudi Arabian government.

'Saudization' is a national policy of Saudi Arabia encouraging employment of Saudi nationals in the private sector, which was largely dominated by expatriate workers from Asia, Europe and US.


The Saudi government has enacted policies to promote 'Saudization,' including warnings to companies that will fail to comply with 'Saudization' regulations will not get government contracts. PND (as)