Sunday 10 November 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Thursday, November 7, 2013

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, MalacaƱang 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)