Palace appeals to residents in danger zones to
cooperate with authorities' call for preemptive evacuation
As potential super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
continued to move toward Eastern Visayas, Malacañang called anew on residents
in high-risk areas to heed orders of local officials for them to preemptively
evacuate to safer ground.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said that while the government has
learned from the effects of past cyclones, it needs cooperation of residents to
avoid loss of life.
"Batay sa naging karanasan natin, bumibilis
ang ating learning curve, at umaasa tayo na ngayon ay higit pang handa ang
government agencies at ang ating mga local disaster risk reduction and
management councils. Umaasa rin tayo na makikiisa ang ating mamamayan sa
paghahanda at sa pag-iwas sa panganib (We have been learning from past
experiences and government agencies and local disaster risk reduction and
management councils should now be more prepared. But we need the cooperation of
the people if we want to avoid disaster)," Coloma said at a media briefing
in Malacanang Thursday.
Local government units in areas projected to be
in the path of Typhoon Yolanda had ordered the preemptive evacuation of
residents in high-risk zones to safer ground.
Coloma appealed to residents who receive such
orders to evacuate their homes without delay.
"Ang pagpapaliban ng paglisan mula sa mga
mababang lugar ay maaaring magpahamak sa mga mamamayan at makaantala sa mga
tumutulong na kawani ng pamahalaan at citizen volunteers (Delaying evacuation
to safer grounds may increase the risk of harm not only to residents but also
to government workers and citizen volunteers)," he said.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration had said Yolanda, which entered the
Philippine area of responsibility before dawn Thursday may make landfall over
Eastern Visayas Friday.
Coloma said President Benigno Aquino III already
instructed the concerned agencies to prepare for the possible effects of
Yolanda.
These include the Departments of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD), Health (DOH), Public Works and Highways (DPWH, and
Education (DepEd), and local government units.
Also, Coloma said the government has ramped up preparations
for the possible landfall of Typhoon Yolanda on Eastern Visayas.
He said the DSWD in Eastern Visayas has
prepositioned emergency relief resources amounting to P195 million.
This includes P36.97 million in standby funds,
P21.84 million in 84,965 family food packs, and P136.45 million in food
supplies and non-food items.
He added that the DSWD has P25 million in
additional standby funds.
Meanwhile, Coloma said the government continues
to adhere to the "zero casualties" goal in implementing preparations
for Typhoon Yolanda.
"Siguro kung ang mindset ng lahat ay
ganoon, na walang dapat masakuna o masawi, mas magiging focused tayo at
mapagtutulungan makamit ang layuning ito (If we adopt a mindset that no one
should die or get hurt, we should be focused in fulfilling that goal)," he
said. PND (jl)
Aquino administration calls on concerned
agencies to strengthen enforcement of laws on child trafficking and child
pornography
The Aquino administration called on all
concerned agencies to strengthen enforcement of laws on child trafficking and
child pornography following reports that a Dutch non-government organization
(NGO) used a computer generated image of a 10-year-old girl identified as
Filipina in a campaign against webcam child sex tourism, a Palace official
said.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. said during the regular press briefing
in Malacanang on Thursday assured that the government started undertaking
efforts to fight cyber child pornography and prostitution.
"This issue serves as a firm call to
strengthen enforcement of laws on child trafficking and child
pornography," Coloma said
The government is calling on all stakeholders
particularly the parents to take primary responsibility in monitoring their
children’s cyber activities to protect them from the dangers of cyber child
pornography and prostitution.
"The government with the various
inter-government councils, such as the Inter-Agency Council Against
Trafficking, Council for the Welfare of Children, Juvenile Justice and Welfare
Council, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography has established
a system and partnerships that will meaningfully engaged various stakeholders
in the areas of prevention, protection, and prosecution," Coloma said.
Reports said the Dutch NGO had used the virtual
minor Filipina to identify 1,000 child predators who are willing to shell out
money to children in developing countries to persuade them to perform sexual
acts in front of the webcam.
The foreign NGO said the virtual Filipina child
had helped researchers identify the said offenders from over 65 countries.
According to the NGO, video footage of the child predators had been turned over
to the police authorities.
Earlier this year, the Philippines was cited by
the US State Department for its efforts to combat human trafficking.
While the Philippines retained its Tier 2
ranking in the US 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report, the US noted the
Philippines is "making significant efforts to bring themselves into
compliance" with standards against human trafficking. PND (js)
Battling graft, corruption must involve active
public participation, says Palace
Fighting graft and corruption is not a sole duty
of the government but also requires an active participation of the people, a
Palace official said on Thursday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Thursday that
battling corruptions needs public vigilance and participation to be effective
in the long term.
“Kailangan kasi dito ang malawakang kaalaman,
kamulatan, at partisipasyon ng pinakamaraming mamamayang Pilipino. Bagama’t ang
pamahalaan po natin ang nangunguna, kailangan pong sumunod at makiisa ang mga
mamamayan,” Coloma said on the efforts to fight corruption in government.
“Kailangan pong manatiling mapagmasid at
nakatutok ang ating mga mamamayan. Kailangan po nilang magparamdam at
magparating sa kanilang mga hinalal na opisyal na hindi po sila papayag na
magkaroon ng anomalya; hindi sila papayag na lustayin nang walang habas ang mga
pondo ng bayan,” he added.
Hard-earned taxpayers’ money should go into
programs that benefit the people, especially the poor, he said.
The Aquino administration is also relentless in
fighting graft and corruption and will not waver to prevent the resurgence of
the old systemic problem on graft and abuse of public money.
“Kaya kailangan po dito iyong malakas na
determinasyon and strong political will, at makatitiyak tayo na iyan ang
isinasagawa ng ating Pangulo,” he said.
The Palace official likewise appealed to the
people to actively participate in eradicating graft and corruption in
government by using whatever resources they have. President Aquino, Coloma
said, wants people to join the crusade against the menace.
The public could participate in fighting
corruption by making their voices heard using different media such as
televisions, radio, newspapers and the internet.
Coloma said the executive branch joins the
people in its quest for truth and justice with regards to PDAF misuse. The
Senate currently is investigating a reported P10-billion pork barrel scam that
allegedly involved lawmakers and other government agencies. PND (as)
President Aquino appeals for cooperation to
minimize impact of 'Typhoon Yolanda'
President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday evening
appealed to people in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) to keep alert
and cooperate with authorities to prevent loss of life and property.
In a televised message, the President said
Typhoon Yolanda now poses a severe threat, with Signal No. 4 over parts of
Visayas and Mindanao.
"Maaari pong maibsan ang epekto ng bagyong
ito kung magtutulungan tayo. Magpamalas po sana tayo ng hinahon, lalo na sa
pagbili ng ating mga pangunahing bibilhin, at sa paglikas tungo sa mas ligtas
na mga lugar.
Makipag-ugnayan at sundin po natin ang awtoridad
(We can soften the impact of this typhoon if we cooperate. We should also
remain calm especially in buying basic commodities and in evacuating our homes.
Let us follow the instructions of authorities)," he said.
"Lumikas na po tayo kung alam nating nasa
peligro ang ating pook. Sa mga nasa baybayin: Huwag na po tayong pumalaot;
huwag na po tayong sumugal upang hindi na rin malagay sa peligro ang buhay ng
ating mga rescue teams (Let us evacuate our homes if we are in danger zones.
For those in coastal areas, don't venture out to sea. Let's not risk our lives
and those of rescue teams)," he added.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration, in its 5 p.m. bulletin, had said five
areas were under Storm Signal No. 4.
The Chief Executive, citing latest data, said
the typhoon is expected to cross Masbate, Cebu, Panay, Romblon, Mindoro, and
Palawan, before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility late Saturday.
He said Yolanda is expected to bring strong
winds and heavy rain, and may cause rivers to overflow.
There is also a possibility of heavy rain
triggering lahar flow in areas near Mayon and Bulusan Volcanoes.
Government is also monitoring some 100 areas
under threat of storm surges that include Ormoc, Ginayangan Ragay Gulf in
Albay, and Lamon Bay in Atimonan.
Such storm surges may generate waves of up to
five to six meters, he warned.
Because of this, President Aquino pointed out
Yolanda poses a greater threat than Tropical Cyclone Pablo, and the people can
only pray Yolanda will move swiftly. He also said Secretaries Voltaire Gazmin
(defense) and Manuel Roxas II (interior) are in Leyte to lead preparations for
Yolanda's expected landfall.
He added disaster risk reduction and management
councils from the national to the local levels are also preparing for Yolanda.
He also urged local government units to prepare
well.
"Seryosong peligro po ang kinakaharap ng
inyong mga nasasakupan. Gawin na po natin ang ating magagawa habang hindi pa
lumalapag si Yolanda. Uulitin ko po: Seryosong peligro ito, at maaaring
mabawasan ang epekto kung gagamitin natin ang impormasyon upang maghanda.
(Yolanda poses a serious threat. Let us do all that we can while Yolanda has
not made landfall, so we can soften its impact by using the information we now
have)," he said.
Meanwhile, the President noted that government
has at its disposal fully mission-capable assets that can deliver relief goods.
These include three C-130 planes, 32 planes and
helicopters of the Philippine Air Force, and 20 ships of the Philippine Navy in
Cebu, Bicol, Cavite, and Zamboanga.
"Ang mga relief goods ay naka-preposition
na rin sa karamihan ng mga apektado o maaaring maapektuhang lalawigan; sa mga
hindi pa po naaabot dahil pinagbawalan nang pumalaot ang mga barko dahil sa
peligro, umasa po kayong darating agad ang tulong paghupa ng bagyo (Relief
goods have been prepositioned in most of the areas that may be affected. To those
who have not received relief goods, please be patient. Rest assured the relief
goods will come soonest)," he said. PND (jl)
Palace asks people to remain vigilant, not to
waver on attaining justice
Malacanang appealed to the people to remain vigilant
and avoid losing focus in pursuing justice as the latest Senate inquiry on the
P10-billion pork barrel scam hasn’t yielded much information.
In a statement after the Senate investigation of
the billion-peso scam with Janet Lim-Napoles on the witness stand, Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that
although the Palace is disappointed by the recent Napoles appearance at the
Senate, the Palace remains determined in seeking justice.
“It is unfortunate that today’s hearing failed
to satisfy our people’s thirst for truth. We are determined to pursue
vigorously the prosecution and punishment of all those involved in the theft of
public funds,” Coloma said in the statement.
While the Palace shares the Filipino people’s
clamor to know the truth, it acknowledges the constitutional rights of those
involved in the inquiry and it respects the processes of the Senate as an
independent institution.
“We appeal to our bosses, the Filipino people,
to remain vigilant and not to lose focus on our ultimate desire to attain
justice,” he said.
In a press briefing earlier, Coloma said
battling corruption needs public vigilance and participation to be effective in
the long term.
He likewise appealed to the people to actively
participate in eradicating graft and corruption in government by using whatever
resources they have. The public could participate in fighting corruption by
making their voices heard using different media such as television, radio,
newspapers and the internet.
During the annual Presidential Forum of the
Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines last month, President
Aquino told journalists that some groups have been muddling the real issue
about lawmakers’ pork barrel.
In the forum, the President asked journalists:
“Let’s keep our eye on the ball.”
Coloma also said in the statement that while the
Palace deplore efforts to muddle the issues on PDAF and DAF, it affirms the
need for an evidence-based approach that will ascertain and validate the alleged
involvement of individuals and groups in the anomaly.
The administration was at the receiving end of
many attacks after plunder cases were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman
against some well-known politicians. PND (as)
