Sunday 3 November 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Malacanang says People's Initiative is not the only option to safeguard public funds

The Aquino government expressed belief that there are available options other than the people's initiative that will safeguard the integrity of public funds, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" B. Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday.

"We share common ground with advocates of reform towards greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. However, while we recognize that people’s initiative is a valid exercise of citizen’s democratic rights under the 1987 Constitution, we believe that it is not the only available option at this time and all other options need to be considered thoroughly as this will have far-reaching implications on our people," Coloma said the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Coloma issued the statement in response to the proposal of retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno to abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund, the Disbursement Acceleration Program and to check the abuses of Congress through people's initiative.

"A people’s initiative presupposes that the Legislative and the Executive branches of government are unwilling to enact and implement laws that will prevent the misuse of public funds. We believe there are sufficient avenues for legislative reform and that Congress is prepared to enact laws to institutionalize these reforms," Coloma said.

"The administration is supportive of legislative reforms and is prepared to adopt appropriate measures that will safeguard the integrity of public funds. The Supreme Court decision on pending issues provides an opportunity for bringing greater clarity on the separation of powers provision in the Constitution. Such clarity will strengthen the system of checks and balances and thus foster good governance," he said.

Coloma reiterated that the government shares the public’s view on the need to put a stop to the abuse of PDAF use.

"Sa panig po ng ating pamahalaan, puspusan ang pagsusumikap na magkaroon ng reporma at pagbabago, sapagkat ang pinakamahalagang plataporma po ng ating administrasyon ay ang pagtahak sa matuwid na daan o ang promotion of good governance," he said. PND (js)


President Aquino provides necessary assistance for 75-year-old Tarlac voter

President Benigno Aquino III has fulfilled his promise to give medical assistance to an ailing 75-year-old man he met when he voted in Tarlac for the barangay elections last Monday.

In a press briefing Tuesday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said Domingo Simon, who has gall bladder ailment, has been given necessary medical treatment at a hospital in Tarlac.

“Mr. Domingo Simon is currently at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital where he is being given necessary medical attention,” Coloma said in Filipino.

He said the Presidential Management Staff has coordinated with the Social Security System to know what additional assistance can be provided Domingo Simon.

The Palace official added that Simon could seek further medical assistance from public hospitals in Metro Manila if necessary.

President Aquino met Simon when he voted for the barangay elections in his home province of Tarlac last Monday. Simon voted in the same precinct where the President and his sisters Ballsy and Pinky also cast their votes.

The President promised to help Simon with his medical needs and with his pension as the old man complained of having difficulty in claiming it. PND (jb)


National Food Authority Administrator Orlan Calayag's appointment is subject of review, Palace says

The appointment of National Food Authority Administrator Orlan A. Calayag is now subject of review following allegations that he is an American citizen, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" B. Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday.

"There is an ongoing review and verification process to address other issues pertinent to this appointment,” Coloma said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang.

Coloma also clarified that Calayag will only serve the unexpired term of his predecessor Angelito T. Banayo who resigned to run for congressman of the 1st district of Agusan del Norte in the 2013 midterm elections.

Citing the transmittal dated January 17, 2013 from the Office of the Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Coloma said Calayag's term of office was until June 30, 2013.

"There was no antedating of his appointment. The text of the appointment only refers to the original term of office of Mr. Banayo, who Mr. Calayag was appointed to replace. This means his appointment covers only the unexpired term of Banayo, beginning from the date of appointment, 17 January to June 2013," he said.

"He was reappointed on 12 July 2013. All of these are in accordance with R.A. 10149 or the Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Governance Act of 2011," he said.

"There are hundreds of appointments being made that go to the Office of the President, and each one of those appointments goes through a vetting and screening process. So that is what was done in this case and in all other appointments," he said.

Prior to his appointment at the NFA, Calayag was Executive Director of the Progressive Community and Ecological Services Organization, a non-government organization helping farmers, fisherfolks, the youth, women, and other sectors in the areas of livelihood, job generation, and environmental protection. PND (js)


Aquino: Vocational education contributes to national growth

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of vocational education to national development during his attendance to the 2nd National Technical Vocational Education and Training Congress in SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, on Tuesday.

In his message, the President said recent data suggests a bright future for the country particularly in its economy.

For instance, the President said that by 2015, the Philippines will have what experts said to be a demographic sweet spot, in which a large part of the population will be at working age.

And in 2019, the country will enter a middle income sweet spot, the President said. In this scenario, once the economy is steered well, the GDP will have a per capita of $6,000.

“Ang ibig pong sabihin ng mga ito, dadami ang mga maari magtrabaho at lalaki ang kita ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” the President said.

“Maakit ang mga negosyante, aangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng karaniwang mamamayan, at magpapatuloy ang siklo ng malawakang kaunlaran. May isang pagaaral na ngang nagsasabi, na pagdating ng 2030—sana abutin ko pa ‘yan—apat sa bawat limang Pilipino na ang mapupunta sa tinaguriang middle class,” he added.

This is the reason why the government continues to focus on strengthening the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), he said, encouraging those enrolled in vocational courses to continue honing their skills.

In the next half of his administration, he said his government will continue to pursue the mandate given by the people.

“Sa nalalabing dalawang taon at walong buwan, ng ating pamamahala, patuloy nating isasabuhay at tutuparin ang mandatong kaloob ng ating mga Boss. Todo-kayod nating iaahon sa kahirapan ang ating mga kababayan, aakayin silang tumindig, at bibigyang lakas na magpundar ng magandang hinaharap. Abot-kamay na natin ang ating kolektibong mithiin, huwag po tayong bibitiw sa ating pagkakapit-bisig,” the President said.

TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program, which started in 2010 to September 2013 posted 547,554 graduates.

Previous data from the Department of Budget and Management said that only 28.5 percent of TESDA graduates were able to find jobs.

But in 2012, TESDA’s figures show that 62.4 percent of TESDA graduates were able to find employment. And for those engaged in IT, TESDA reported a 70.9 percent employment rate among TESDA graduates.

For those who graduated in electronics and semiconductor programs, TESDA reported that 85 percent of the graduates were able to find jobs.

To achieve its mandate, TESDA is working with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the private sector.


Joining the President during Tuesday’s event were Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva. PND (as)