Gov’t allots P15-M for President Aquino’s
participation in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit
The government is spending P15 million for
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s bilateral meetings and participation in the
ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit from December 12 to 14 in Tokyo, Executive
Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Thursday.
President Aquino left this morning for Tokyo via
a chartered flight, along with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario,
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo,
Transportation and Communications Secretary Emilio Abaya, Presidential Management
Staff head Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Protocol chief Celia Anna Feria and
Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
The expenses cover transportation,
accommodation, food and equipment, among other requirements, of the President
and his 57-member official delegation.
“The participation of President Aquino in the
ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit will further strengthen our relationship with
Japan, a long-time ally and strategic partner in trade, tourism and labor,”
Ochoa said.
According to Ochoa, the President is expected to
deliver a statement during the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit scheduled on
Saturday at the Akasaka State Guest House.
The Chief Executive is set to meet with Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Prime Minister’s official residence for
bilateral discussion on disaster management, economic and maritime cooperation,
and progress on the Mindanao peace process.
The President’s schedule also includes a social
call by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and a courtesy call by former
Japan International Cooperation Agency president Dr. Sadako Ogata, who is now
advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a special advisor to JICA
President Akihiko Tanaka.
He will also meet with the Nippon Keidanren,
Japan’s association of business organizations, representatives from Nidec
Sankyo Corp., and a delegation from the Sumotomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
During the visit, President Aquino will witness
the signing of a memorandum of understanding for an 850-room retirement
community in Cebu City, as well as receive an honorary doctorate law degree
from the prestigious Sophia University. PND
President Aquino leaves for Tokyo, Japan to join
ASEAN leaders in ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit
President Benigno S. Aquino III left on Thursday
for Tokyo, Japan to join other ASEAN leaders in the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit slated from December 12 to 14.
The Chief Executive departed at exactly 9:10
a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City
on board a chartered Philippine Airlines flight PR 001.
The President said that he remained committed to
work together with ASEAN leaders in carrying out exchange projects in a wide
range of fields, including the economy, culture, tourism, peace and stability
in the region.
In his departure speech, President Aquino said
he will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to reiterate the
Philippines' commitment to Japan and continue to strengthen bilateral trade and
investment between the two countries.
"Sila po ang pinakamalaking trading partner
ng Pilipinas noong nakaraang taon, at nagkakaloob ng pinakamalaking Official
Dcccevelopment Assistance para sa bansa," he said.
The President said he will express his gratitude
to Abe and the Japanese people for their assistance extended to the Philippines
during the country's difficult times.
"Kaya naman lulubusin natin ang
pagkakataong makapanayam si Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upang magpasalamat sa
kanyang mga kababayan. Bukod dito, tatalakayin din natin ang pagpapalakas ng
ating ugnayan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan, kaayusan, at kaunlaran sa
rehiyon. Sa pakikipag-usap naman sa mga negosyanteng Hapon, taas-noo nating
ilalatag sa kanila ang mga pagkakataon kung paano pa nila mapapalawak ang
kanilang mga negosyo sa ating bansa," President Aquino said.
The ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit
commemorates the 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations.
The ASEAN and Japan's cooperative partnership
began in 1973 with the establishment of the ASEAN-Japan forum on synthetic
rubber. Through the years, ASEAN and Japan have forged close cooperation
towards peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia.
The ASEAN countries and Japan have established
close business partnership with total bilateral trade amounting to 248 billion
US dollars in 2011. ASEAN member states are major foreign direct investment
destinations for Japanese enterprises. PND (js)
Aquino says ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in
Tokyo will enable him to promote country’s resilience to calamities
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his
attendance to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan
Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan will provide him an opportunity to promote
the Philippines' resilience to calamities.
In his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Thursday, the Chief
Executive said he also wants to show the country's gratitude to Japan for its support
and encouragement extended to the Philippines in the aftermath of super typhoon
"Yolanda" (internationally known as Haiyan).
"Tungkulin nating daluhan ito bilang kasapi
ng ASEAN, at bilang isa sa malalapit na kaalyado ng bansang Hapon. Sa
pagkakataon nga pong ito, tutungo rin tayo doon upang iparating ang ating
pasasalamat sa mga karatig-bayang dumamay at nagpaabot ng ayuda sa Pilipinas
nitong mga nagdaan na sakuna," President Aquino said.
"Tunay nga po, na sa panahon ng taimtim
nating pangangailangan, ipinaramdam nila na hindi tayo nag-iisa. Ito po ang mga
dibidendo ng marangal at mahusay nating pakikitungo’t pakikipag-ugnayan sa
ating mga kaalyado’t kaibigan. Isipin na lang po ninyo, bago pa man humagupit
ang bagyong Yolanda, nakapuwesto na ang mga kawani ng ASEAN Centre for
Humanitarian Assistance o AHA sa Pilipinas upang sumaklolo at magbigay ng
kalinga," he stressed.
The President thanked the Japanese for donating
multi-million dollars to victims of Yolanda that devastated Leyte, Cebu, and
other provinces in the Visayas regions.
"Nagpadala rin sila ng mga aircraft,
malalaking barko, medical teams, at mga miyembro ng kanilang Self-Defense
Forces upang mapabilis ang paghahatid ng tulong sa mga sinalanta," he
said.
The President said he will meet the Filipinos in
Japan to reassure them of the government's full support for the calamity
victims.
"Isa rin po sa espesyal nating sadya sa
bansang Hapon ang pakikipagkita sa ating mga kababayan. Alam po nating mayroon
silang mga agam-agam at pag-aalala dahil sa mga nagdaang kalamidad. Kaya naman
sisiguruhin nating ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang
mapabilis ang rehabilitasyon at pagbangon ng mga pamayanang pansamantalang
pinabagsak ng trahedya," he said.
"Gaya ng lagi, ipapamalas natin sa mundo
ang kakayahan nating magkapit-bisig at bumangon sa panahon ng pagsubok. Bilang
responsableng kasamahan ng mga bansang nagsasalo sa isang mundo, patuloy tayong
makikilahok sa pag-abot ng ating kolektibong adhikain: itaguyod ang isang
daigdig kung saan bawat indibidwal at bawat bansa, ay may paggalang at
pagmamalasakit sa isa’t isa," Aquino said. PND (js)
Palace commends Surigao del Sur police for the
immediate filing of murder complaint against four suspects in the killing of
broadcaster Michael Melo
The Aquino government commended the Surigao del
Sur Police Provincial Office for the immediate filing of a murder complaint
against four suspects in the killing of broadcaster Michael Melo, who was shot
in Tandag City in Surigao del Sur province last December 6, Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said.
"In connection with the December 6 killing
of broadcaster Michael Melo in Tandag City, the Surigao del Sur Police PNP
filed the complaint for murder with the Office of the Prosecutor against April
F. Melo (wife), Arnel Fernandez, Bernie Ann Fernandez, and Police Officer 1 Hildo
L. Patrimonio, last Dec. 10," the Communications Secretary said in a
statement issued on Thursday.
"We hope this will hasten the process for
the filing of the necessary information in court, thus, leading to the eventual
arrest of the perpetrators," Coloma said.
Melo, national supervisor of Prime Radio FM Dok
Alternatibo, was riding his motorcycle when the suspects also on a motorbike
shot him at Purok Palmera, Barangay Mabua, Tandag City, at 4:30 p.m. last Dec.
6. PND (js)
President Aquino accepts Secretary Ricky
Carandang's resignation
President Benigno S. Aquino III has accepted the
resignation of Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning
Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ricky Carandang, a Palace official said on Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang that Carandang tendered his
resignation effective December 31, 2013.
"Sec. Carandang thanked the President for
the chance to serve the administration and the country. The President also
thanked him for his service to the country," Lacierda said.
"Sec. Carandang’s term of service came
during the eventful first half of the Aquino presidency, where he worked behind
the scenes and before the cameras to do his part to communicate the President’s
message. Secretary Carandang will return to the private sector after a short
and well-deserved vacation," he said.
Following Carandang’s departure from public
service, Lacierda said Undersecretary Manolo Quezon, the most senior official
of the PCDSPO, will oversee the office’s operations.
Lacierda stressed that the PCDSPO, the Office of
the Presidential Spokesperson and the Presidential Communications Operations
Office are still working together to effectively carry out the communication
works for President Aquino and the government.
"Well, wala pa kaming alam na magiging
pagbabago sa istraktura. That is something for us to discuss, eventually, kung
meron man. What we have right now is that all the communication units are working
together. You got the PCOO, you got the PCDSPO and you got also the Office of
the Presidential Spokesperson coordinating with both offices," Lacierda
said. PND (js)
Tacloban City to take action against barangay
officials caught repacking relief goods
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) Administrative sanctions
await village officials that were caught repacking the relief goods distributed
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) instead of giving
them directly to its intended recipients.
City Administrator John Tecson Lim issued this
statement Thursday in view of recurring complaints that some of the relief
goods dispensed by the DSWD have not landed in the hands of calamity-stricken
families.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, gusto naming i-assure na
aaksyunan namin ito. In fact, we have gotten the ball rolling and we will be
taking action against these barangay captains who have already been caught
repacking these relief goods,” Lim told reporters here.
Republic Act 10121 or the National Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Act strictly prohibits the repacking of goods, equipment,
or other aid commodities into containers with different markings to make it
appear that they came from another agency or persons.
Local officials caught violating this provision
would be issued a show-cause order, Lim said, in accordance with the principles
of due process as required by the law.
In line with this, the city government of
Tacloban, through its City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) office, has
made adjustments in the relief distribution system which is expected to be
implemented two days from now.
“Ang ating CSWD ay gumagawa na ng bagong sistema
na kung saan lalagyan ng schedule ang pag-distribute ng relief goods para
diretso na sa tao ‘yung mga nakukuha natin sa DSWD at mga donor. So warning na
rin po ito sa ating mga kapitan at mga barangay officials to please be wary of
this matter,” Lim said.
As of December 11 (Wednesday), the DSWD has
already distributed a total of P2,964,067 worth of family food packs to
displaced families in Tacloban City and Eastern Samar on its eighth to ninth
cycle of delivery.
DSWD officer-in-charge Nestor Ramos said they
continue to deploy workers on the ground to further assess other complaints
from the people and ensure that the commodities they deliver are indeed coming
to their beneficiaries. PND (hdc)
Tacloban City vows to strictly implement ‘no
build zone’ policy
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) An ordinance has just
been passed by the city council of Tacloban declaring a ‘no build zone’ policy
on areas situated 40 meters from the coastlines, City Administrator John Tecson
Lim told reporters here.
Lim said this was pursuant to the request made
by organizations like the German Society for International Cooperation, Ltd
(GIZ) and UN Habitat following the massive loss of lives and damage to
infrastructures brought by super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) last
month.
Over a month since the disaster happened,
however, some obstinate residents of Tacloban began coming back to reestablish
decrepit shelters near the coastal area. Lim said they are going to do
something about this to avoid the recent calamity from happening again.
“Sana po maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan na
ipinagbabawal po ito dahil ayaw natin maulit ang nangyari nitong huling
kalamidad. (Kahit) may titulo po kayo o walang titulo, no building permit will
be issued to you if you are to put up any establishment or house that will be
residential in purpose 40 meters away from the coastline,” Lim said.
About 7,300-plus families are expected to be
affected by this ordinance, Lim said, but their relocation needs may be
addressed by some of the bunkhouses constructed by the Department of Public
Works Highways which will probably be completed on December 15 to 20.
In November 28, President Benigno S. Aquino III
issued a directive to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Secretary Ramon Paje as regards to the strict implementation of the "no
build zone" policy in accordance to the provisions of the Water Code of
the Philippines in Leyte and Samar.
By virtue of Presidential Decree 1067, the Water
Code prohibits the building of structures of any kind within the zone of three
meters in urban areas, 20 meters in agricultural areas, and 40 meters in forest
areas.
The DENR was also ordered to implement a
mangrove reforestation program that will protect the coastlines of Leyte,
Samar, and other similarly affected areas from storm surges of massive scale
which Malacañang vowed to execute with political will. PND (hdc)
Santo Niño Church starts Misa de Gallo masses on
December 15
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) Eucharistic celebrations
here for the annual Misa de Gallo will be celebrated at the Santo Niño Church
beginning December 15, Monday, at six o’clock in the evening in keeping with
the curfew imposed by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
City Administrator John Tecson Lim announced
this on Thursday as many of their constituents look forward to this classic
Filipino tradition, but only one mass is expected to be held thus far and in
one church, since a curfew between 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. is still being
observed.
Lim also said he was assured by Eastern Visayas
police head Chief Superintendent Henry Losañes that the special action force
units of the PNP, as well as the personnel deployed by National Capital Region
Police Office and Region IV-A to augment security in their area would remain.
The peace and order situation here continues to
improve as no major crimes are being reported.
As regards to some inmates that managed to
escaped prison during the height of super typhoon “Yolanda”, Lim said only 42
remain at large out of 160 based on the records of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP).
Lim said there’s a huge possibility that these
prisoners are no longer in Tacloban but the BJMP is continuing with their
efforts to catch them wherever they may be. PND (hdc)
