President Aquino, Japan Prime Minister Abe to
witness signing of three exchanges of notes
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will witness the signing of three exchanges of notes
that promise to boost the country’s post-disaster and defense capabilities.
The two leaders, who will meet in Japan this
week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative
Summit, are likely to discuss the matters during a working lunch meeting on
Friday.
"During the meeting, the two leaders will
discuss cooperation on disaster management and reconstruction in the wake of
Typhoon Yolanda, economic concerns, maritime cooperation, people-to-people
exchanges and the Mindanao peace process," Department of Foreign Affairs
Spokesman Raul Hernandez said at a briefing.
He said the two leaders will also "exchange
views on the prevailing regional issues of mutual concern."
During his stay in Japan, President Aquino and
Prime Minister Abe will also witness the signing of the three Exchanges of
Notes, Hernandez said.
These include:
• a post-disaster standby loan worth Y10 billion
($100 million)
• a loan for multi-role response Vessels for the
Philippine Coast Guard worth ¥18.732 billion ($187 million)
• a revised route schedule for the
Philippines-Japan Air Services Agreement. PND (jl)
Regional, International issues to be discussed
at ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit
(TOKYO, Japan) Key regional and international
issues will be tackled at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit here later this week.
President Aquino is set to join his fellow ASEAN
heads of state in discussing issues ranging from political to security at the
Akasaka State Guest House on Saturday.
Also expected to be discussed are cooperation on
economy and emerging socio-economic challenges, people-to-people and cultural
challenges, and exchange of views on regional and international issues.
They are expected as well to adopt a medium-to-
long-term vision of ASEAN-Japan friendship.
"With respect to the substantive aspect of
the Commemorative Summit, the Leaders of ASEAN and Japan, while looking back on
the accomplishment of the past 40 years, will primarily set the future
direction of ASEAN-Japan relations, to cover politico-security, economic and
socio-cultural cooperation. They will also exchange views on regional and
international issues," Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul
Hernandez said in Manila.
Hernandez added two outcome documents are
expected from the Summit, the first being the Vision Statement of ASEAN-Japan
Friendship and Cooperation and its Implementation Plan; and the second being
Joint Statement of the ASEAN-Japan Summit.
The Vision Statement and its Implementation Plan
will focus mainly on medium- and long–term cooperation between ASEAN and Japan,
while the Joint Statement will address regional and international issues beyond
dialogue partnership, he added. PND (jl)
President Aquino signs condolence book for the
late South African leader
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday
signed a condolence book for the late South Africa President Nelson Mandela in
Makati City.
President Aquino visited the Embassy of South
Africa in Makati City and signed a book of condolences honoring Mandela.
“May your life truly well lived continue to
shine as the exemplar for all who strive to make this a better world,” the
President wrote in the condolence book.
The President was welcomed by South African
Ambassador to the Philippines Agnes Nyamande-Pitso upon arrival at the embassy.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario was also there.
Mandela passed away on December 5 at the age of
95. A state funeral for the global democracy icon will be held in South Africa
on December 15.
On Tuesday, the Embassy of South Africa holds a
remembrance ceremony for Mandela at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC
Plaza, Makati City.
The Embassy has also made available a book of
condolences that the public can sign starting Tuesday until Friday from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. PND (co)
President Aquino appoints former Senator Panfilo
Lacson as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction with
Cabinet rank
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed
former Senator Panfilo Lacson Jr. as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation
and Recovery with the task to unify the efforts of government and other
agencies in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said during the regular press briefing in
Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive signed the appointment letter of
Lacson with Cabinet rank last December 6.
The appointment of Lacson came following the
widespread destruction, substantial damage and death in several areas including
Samar, Leyte, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Palawan
wrought by super typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan).
The President also issued a Memorandum Order
(MO) No. 62 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on December 6,
outlining the specific functions of Lacson.
The former Senator will act as over-all manager
and coordinator of the rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts of
government departments, agencies and instrumentalities in the affected areas,
to the extent allowed by law.
He will coordinate with the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council and its member agencies and consult with
the concerned local government units (LGUs) in the formulation of plans and
programs for the rehabilitation, recovery and development of the affected
areas, including an over-all strategic vision and integrated short-term,
medium-term and long-term programs, which shall be submitted to the President
for approval.
The Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation
and Recovery will propose funding support for the implementation of the plans
and programs. He will likewise exercise oversight over the relevant government
agencies with respect to the implementation of the plans and programs.
He is tasked to call upon any department,
bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government, including
government-owned or-controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial
institutions (GFIs) and LGUs and request non-government organizations, the
private sector, and other entities for assistance as the circumstances and
exigencies may require in carrying out his mandate.
Lacson will engage the assistance of
consultants, experts and professional advisors whenever necessary, subject to
applicable government rules and regulations.
He will submit to the President the status
reports on the implementation of the plans and programs as often as the
President may require and perform such other functions and activities as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of the memorandum order, or as the
President may direct.
The President likewise directed all departments,
bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of the government, including
GOCCs and GFIs to render full assistance and cooperation to Lacson.
The LGUs, NGOs and the private sector are also
encouraged to give assistance to the Presidential Assistant as the
circumstances may require.
The MO shall take effect immediately. PND (js)
Malacanang joins International Day of Human
Rights celebration
The Palace joins the whole world in the
celebration of the International Day of Human Rights today, December 10.
“We join the whole world in celebrating the
‘International Day of Human Rights,’ which comes a day after the observance of
the ‘International Anti-Corruption Day,’” Communications Secretary Herminio
“Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in his opening statement during the regular press
briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.
“We are one with the Filipino people in the
belief that the most basic human right is the right to a better life,” he
added.
With the statement, Coloma reaffirmed the
President’s commitment to the institution of good governance and the
eradication of corruption which provides the foundation for the attainment of
inclusive growth and sustainable long-term economic development for the
country.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed December 10
as Human Rights Day in 1950, to bring to the attention ‘of the peoples of the
world’ the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement
for all peoples and all nations.
The United Nations General Assembly created the
mandate of High Commissioner for the promotion and protection of all human
rights in December 1993.
The General Assembly was acting on a
recommendation from delegates to the World Conference on Human Rights held in
Vienna earlier the same year.
Also in 1993, the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action was adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights,
marking the beginning of a renewed effort in the protection and promotion of
human rights and is regarded as one of the most significant human rights
documents of the past quarter century. PND (as)
President Aquino names Danilo Antonio as
Undersecretary to help Lacson in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts
President Benigno S. Aquino III has named
business executive and professor Danilo A. Antonio as undersecretary in the
Office of the President to help Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and
Recovery Panfilo Lacson in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts for the
calamity-affected provinces.
The Chief Executive signed the appointment
letter of Antonio last December 6.
Prior to the appointment of Antonio to work
together with former Senator Lacson, the business executive served as Chief
Operating Officer of Eton Property Phil. Inc. He was also a director of the Ace
Center for Entreprenuership and Management Education Inc.
A graduate of economics from De La Salle
University and holder of a Master in Business Management degree from the Asian
Institute of Management (AIM), Antonio was a faculty member at the Master in
Entrepreneurship Program of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He also
joined AIM in 1988 as a faculty member. He was granted tenure in May 2006 and
retired from AIM in December 2008.
Antonio was active in various aspects of the
property business for the past 30 years. He worked in Ayala Corporation from
1978 until 1988.
In 1990, Antonio, together with his partners,
set up the real estate consultancy Land Company (LANDCO) that became one of the
country's top real estate developers, through its partnership with Metro
Pacific Corporation. He also organized the Phoenix Land Inc. in late 2002.
He also served as the president of the Banco de
Oro Realty Corporation from 2002 until 2006. He also served as chief executive
officer of Land-Excel Consulting (LEC), a real estate consulting company he
founded in 2002. PND (js)
President Aquino's visit to Japan an opportunity
to thank Japanese government, people for help in recent calamities
(TOKYO, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III's
upcoming visit to Japan is an opportunity for him to thank the Japanese government
and people for the help they extended to Filipinos affected by recent
calamities, particularly super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said
Tuesday the President will particularly have the chance to thank Emperor
Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he meets with them during his visit.
"Ito ang pagkakataon para kay Pangulong
Aquino magpasalamat sa Japan, especially sa Emperor at Prime Minister. These
are the two highest Japanese officials. At bukod pa riyan, ang mga kumpanyang
nagbigay generously and to the Japanese public in general (It will be President
Aquino's chance to thank Japan, especially the Emperor and Prime Minister being
the two highest officials in Japan. And the President will have the chance to
thank the Japanese companies and the Japanese public who had given so
generously)," Lopez said.
Japan joined the international community in
extending aid to survivors of Yolanda, which tore through the Visayas and
Southern Luzon and left nearly 6,000 dead.
Lopez said Japan remains committed to help the
survivors in the rebuilding stage.
"Napakalaki ng tulong ng Japan sa atin
(Japan has helped us so much), it is only fitting the President comes here to
say 'Thank you' to Japan. There is nothing wrong with the President coming
here. I think it’s very important he shows the country's appreciation.
Remember, Japan is going to stay much longer than most other donor
countries," he said.
Lopez said President Aquino and Prime Minister
Abe are expected to witness the signing of three exchanges of notes on:
• a post-disaster standby loan worth Y10 billion
($100 million)
• a loan for multi-role response Vessels for the
Philippine Coast Guard worth ¥18.732 billion ($187 million)
• a revised route schedule for the
Philippines-Japan Air Services Agreement.
Lopez said the air services agreement may see
Philippine carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific increasing the
number of flights between different points in Japan and Manila.
"So this should really help our tourism
industry with the doubling of flights," he said. PND (jl)
Japan committed to assist Philippines in
post-Yolanda rehab
(TOKYO, Japan) The Japanese government remains
committed to assist the Philippines in rehabilitation work in the wake of super
typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said
Tuesday.
In an interview, Lopez said Japanese Foreign
Minister Fumio Kishida had told him to just let Japan know if the Philippines needs
anything in terms of assistance.
"With regards to the commitment of Japan to
assist us not only in the relief but even in rehabilitation efforts, I recall
the Foreign Minister, when he came to the Embassy to sign the condolence book,
he mentioned to me, 'If there is anything your country needs just let us
know,'" he said.
He added that the same message was relayed by
Japanese parliamentarians who he said "repeated a number of times"
that "it is something for our government to request the Japanese government
and they will oblige."
"I suppose in this respect, if our
President will ask the Prime Minister for certain things that we badly need
right now, then maybe we can see Japan responding very quickly," he said.
Japan was among the most generous members of the
international community in terms of extending aid to survivors of Yolanda,
which left nearly 6,000 dead.
Lopez said this is one sign Philippine-Japan
ties are "strong and robust," with Japan being one of the
Philippines' strategic partners.
"We can see Japan has always been very
responsive to all our needs especially in this recent super typhoon Yolanda. We
can see the outpouring of support not only of the Japanese government but
Japanese corporations and the Japanese people. They’ve been very, very
supportive of the needs of the people especially in the devastated areas,"
the ambassador said. PND (jl)
Philippines sees new Japanese investments in
digital TV tech
(TOKYO, Japan) The Philippines foresees new
investments from Japan in the near future, especially with the adoption of
Japan's standard for digital television, Philippine ambassador to Japan Manuel
Lopez said Tuesday.
In an interview, Lopez said some Japanese
companies are likely to set up shop in the Philippines to produce equipment
like set-top boxes.
"We expect to see some Japanese companies
set up shop in the Philippines to produce things like set-top boxes and other
items related to the digital TV and we can expect employment and opportunities
for Filipinos in this area of business," he said.
Earlier this year, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the government is
adopting Japan's Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T)
standard.
Coloma said this standard, which can be carried
through modern mobile devices, supports an emergency alarm system that can warn
the public about possible calamities.
Also, Lopez said the Philippines now looks
forward to when it can finally approve an automotive road map.
Once this is done, there will also be increased
activity in the Philippines by Japanese carmakers.
Such companies are expected to increase their
activity "from assembly to manufacturing," he added. PND (jl)
More help from Japanese companies, Japan-based
Pinoys coming for Yolanda survivors as Christmas nears
(TOKYO, Japan) As Christmas nears, people
affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) are assured of more aid coming
from Japan, including a Japanese corporation and the Filipinos based here.
Philippine ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said
the AEON Group had pledged Y100 million in aid, in addition to the Y10 million
it had given earlier.
Lopez said the company, which operates fast food
outlets and department stores, had offered to match donations customers would
drop into collection boxes in its establishments.
"After three weeks, they were able to
collect about Y48 million. They matched it, dinagdagan ng Y52 million para buo
na Y100 million (After three weeks, they collected Y48 million. They matched it
but made their share Y52 million so the amount will total Y100 million),"
he said.
He said this was the single biggest donation
coming from any Japanese company.
Lopez described the company's gesture as
"touching."
Meanwhile, Lopez said the Filipino community is
expected to donate as well during the nine Simbang Gabi (dawn Masses) leading
to Christmas.
"Sa Sunday, Dec. 15, maguumpisa ang Simbang
Gabi natin for nine consecutive days at 7 pm sa Meguro Church. Ang collection
dito, padadala natin sa DSWD para makakatulong sa relief efforts (Starting Dec.
15, we will start the dawn Masses for nine consecutive days at Meguro Church.
The collections will go to the victims and be coursed through the Department of
Social Welfare and Development)," he said.
He said Filipino communities are to sponsor the
Masses, to give the Filipinos a chance to "get together in the spirit of
Christmas."
But for now, he asked the Filipinos in Japan to
join the dawn Masses.
"Nananawagan kami sa lahat na kababayan
natin especially sa Tokyo area to come join us for the Simbang Gabi (We call on
our fellow Filipinos, especially those in the Tokyo area, to come join us for
the Simbang Gabi)," he said. PND (jl)
