Diplomatic corps commits to help Phl rebuild
from the ruins left by calamities
The Diplomatic Corps of the Philippines on
Friday committed to help the Philippines rebuild from the ruins left by
calamities that befell the country last year.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, the dean
of the Diplomatic Corps, said the whole world wishes to console and to help
Filipinos recover from the tragedies.
"The Diplomatic Corps sincerely vows to
help in rebuilding something that is even better than what was destroyed,"
Pinto said in his toast at the annual vin d'honneur at Malacañan Palace.
Also, the Papal Nuncio proposed a toast to a New
Year of "peace and greater prosperity" for the Filipino people and
for the well-being of President Benigno Aquino III.
He lamented the events of the last few months,
including the magnitude-7.2 quake last October that hit Central Visayas,
including Bohol - known for its historic churches.
The Papal Nuncio likewise noted the devastation
brought by super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) last November.
Yet, he said this was where the Filipino people
showed their strength.
"When faced with this tragedy, the Filipino
people reacted with the strength of their character and their faith. Victims
and rescuers became members of the same family. The whole world wished to help,
to console, to rebuild. And just as in previous calamities, you Mr. President,
paved the way for local and international solidarity," he said.
On the other hand, the Papal Nuncio cited the
signing between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
of the annex on power sharing of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro also
gives new hope.
"This is the work of peace. Peace is the
essential infrastructure that permits us to build even in the midst of ruin, or
better still, from the ruin, It illuminates the path towards the realization or
legitimate aspirations of a nation," he said.
"May God grant his abundant blessings on
this New Year 2014. Manigong Bagong Taon. Mabuhay!" he added. PND (jl)
President Aquino calls for stronger bonds with
international community in new year toast
President Benigno Aquino III on Friday sought
stronger bonds between the Philippines and the international community as they
face the new year.
In his toast at the vin d'honneur in Malacañang,
the President also thanked the international community anew for the help they
gave Filipinos affected by 2013's calamities.
"As President, I am filled with happiness
and hope, knowing full well that the New Year provides many opportunities to
deepen our cooperation and strengthen the partnerships we have forged," he
said.
He added the Filipino people remember who their
friends are, and will look for ways to repay those who stood by them in the
most difficult times as part of “utang ng loob.”
The President referred to the help from the
international community to victims of last year's calamities, including the
magnitude-7.2 quake that shook Central Visayas, and super typhoon
"Yolanda" (Haiyan), which devastated Eastern Visayas and Southern
Luzon.
In his toast, the President urged those who have
shown kindness to the Filipino people and Filipinos who helped their affected
countrymen to "continue to render compassionate action to all those who
are in need, wherever they may be."
He also urged Filipinos who made his
administration's mandate of change possible, and who continue to promote good
governance to "reap even greater successes this year."
For those who suffered but showed resilience, he
urged them to "continue to serve as beacons of hope and strength for
everyone."
"And to all our partners and friends from
the world over: May we continue to strengthen the bonds that link us as one
community, sharing a single world," he added.
The President said his administration has been
working since 2010 to fulfill a mission to "empower every Filipino to
become a proactive agent of change in nation-building, no longer plunged into
cynicism or apathy as a reaction to an ever-changing world."
In 2013, he said the world saw how this
transformation is becoming permanent, with many Filipinos coming to the aid of
their countrymen ravaged by Typhoon Pablo and the widespread flooding caused by
the monsoon rains.
Such transformation is also seen in the soldiers
and volunteers who ensured the safety of the people of Zamboanga City, as we
responded to security challenges; and also in those who provided relief in the
aftermath of the earthquake that hit Bohol.
"This transformation was manifest in the
very attitude of the survivors, our affected brothers and sisters, who actively
clamored and worked with us to rebuild their lives, livelihoods, and
communities; and in the Overseas Filipino Workers and Filipino communities
abroad who did not think twice about giving what they could for their
countrymen in need," he added.
President Aquino added this transformation is
also seen in the government workers, scientists, social workers, and common
Filipinos who worked hand-in-hand, "as we faced both natural calamities
and man-made challenges."
On the other hand, he said Filipinos
particularly showed resilience in the wake of Yolanda, which left more than
6,100 dead.
He said that while Filipinos' faith was
challenged, it remained constant and only deepened.
"Our unbreakable spirit and ability to
recover find root in our firm belief in a benevolent God who has the perfect
plan for all of us. These tragedies tell us that, despite all our efforts, we
are indeed powerless without God," he said.
The President also recognized the role of the
diplomatic community in the Filipino people's collective achievement.
"Many of the nations you represent have
been our partners not just in overcoming one calamity, but in addressing the
challenges that arose in the wake of many others. For some other nations
represented here today, you came to our assistance after Yolanda. By doing so,
you opened a new chapter in our relations. The generosity you have shown serves
as our firm foundation as we work to expand ever-widening horizons of our
relationships. To our old allies, your commitment to helping our nation
underscores the deep friendship and cooperation built over generations,"
he said. PND (jl)
Malacanang continues its pursuit of sustained
economic growth, Palace official says
The Aquino government welcomed the National
Statistics Office’s report stating that merchandise exports soared by 18.9
percent in November 2013 and assured to continue its pursuit of sustained
economic growth that benefits all Filipinos, a Palace official said.
"The NSO reported that for the sixth
consecutive month since June 2013, merchandise exports showed positive
growth—expanding by 18.9 percent in November 2013 to 4.3 billion US dollars
from 3.6 billion US dollars in November 2012," Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda said in a statement in Malacanang on Friday.
The positive growth was mainly brought by the
increase of the top 10 commodities for the month of November 2013.
"The cause of this expansion can be found
in higher exports in petroleum, minerals, and forest products, as well as
manufacture and total agro-based products. A number of examples of the latter
include fish products, centrifugal and refined sugar, desiccated coconut, and
bananas," Lacierda said.
"This expansion speaks of the potential of
our manufacturing and agricultural sectors, the latter of which is one of our
government’s priority sectors for its potential to boost growth in the
countryside," he said.
The NSO also reported that the Philippines’
year-on-year export growth was the fastest among selected trade-oriented
economies in the East and Southeast Asian region, Lacierda said.
"This is positive news for our government,
as we continue in our pursuit of sustained economic growth that benefits all
Filipinos—growth that leaves no one behind," he said. PND (js)
