President Aquino declares February 11 as a
special non-working day in Iriga City, Camarines Sur in celebration of 'Tinagba
Festival'
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
February 11, which falls on a Tuesday, as a special (non-working) day in the
city of Iriga in the province of Camarines Sur in celebration of the
"Tinagba Festival."
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 710 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on January 23 to give the people of Iriga the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion.
Iriga City celebrates the "Tinagba
Festival," an ancient Bicolano First-Harvest Offering, every 11th of
February. The festival coincides with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The word Tinagba is derived from the Bicol word
"Tagba" which means "to gather the first harvest and offer it to
God." PND (js)
President Aquino to employment agencies:
Helping, not exploiting OFWs the way to go
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday reminded
employment and manning agencies against exploiting Filipinos seeking work
abroad, saying overseas Filipinos have already sacrificed so much and deserve
their countrymen’s full support.
The President made the call at a ceremony in
Malacañan Palace, where the outstanding agency awards of the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration were held.
"Alam po natin: May ilan sa ating
employment at manning agencies, kung ituring ang ating mga kababayan, parang
naglalakad na pitakang puwedeng pagkakitaan, at saka kakalimutan kapag hindi na
mapapakinabangan (We know some employment and manning agencies treat OFWs as
walking wallets to be exploited, and abandoned when they are no longer
profitable)," he said in his speech.
Citing figures from the Department of Foreign
Affairs, the President said there are about 6.3 million Filipinos based abroad.
"Wala man po sila ngayon dito sa Pilipinas,
malayo man po ang kanilang kinalalagyan, malinaw na malinaw ang ating
paninindigan: Kabilang sila sa ating mga Boss. Kasama sila sa mga nagtitiwala
sa atin na pangalagaan ang kanilang mga karapatan; sumaklolo at magbigay-lingap
sa oras ng kanilang pangangailangan; at magpalawak ng pagkakataon para sa
propesyunal at personal nilang pag-unlad (They may not be in the Philippines,
but we still consider them among our bosses. They are among the Filipinos who
trusted us to safeguard their rights and welfare, especially when they need
help. They also trust us to give them all possible opportunities)," he
said.
The President thanked the awardees and other
agencies like them who he said undertake programs to help OFWs get to their
host countries and do not seek excess fees.
Many agencies even implement programs to make
sure OFWs get adequate compensation for their work, he added.
"Wala rin kayong kung anu-anong mga kaltas
at hokus-pokus, kaya naman hindi nababaon sa utang ang mga Pilipinong
nangingibang-bayan para tuparin ang kanilang mga pangarap. Humahanga rin po ako
sa mga inisyatiba ninyo upang mapaunlad ang kakayahan ng mga OFW na masigurong
mayroon silang pag-usad sa mga napili nilang karera (You do not impose various
fees or make deductions, so OFWs need not be mired in debt. I also salute you
for your initiatives to improve the well-being of our OFWs as they pursue their
careers)," he said.
The President stressed employment and manning
agencies are at the frontline of the government's efforts to help OFWs pursue
their dreams abroad.
He said he is confident the government and these
manning firms can work together in helping the OFWs.
"Matagal na kayong nagbibigay-serbisyo sa
ating mga kapwa Pilipino; umaasa akong lalo pang titibay ang inyong pagiging
lingkod-bayan, lalo pa kayong makikiambag, at lalo pa tayong magtutulungan para
maabot ang ating kolektibong pangarap. Sa ngalan ng mga natulungan ninyong OFW
at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, maraming-maraming salamat sa inyo (You have
been serving our fellow Filipinos for so long, I expect our partnership in
nation building to grow stronger. On behalf of OFWs and their loved ones, I
thank you for the role you play)," he said.
In the meantime, the President said the government
continues to work to improve the economy to give more opportunities to
Filipinos.
"Basta’t tuloy lang po ang tulungan sa
pagitan ng iba’t ibang sektor, basta’t tuloy lang ang ating pagtupad sa
dakilang tungkulin ng paglilingkod sa mamamayang Pilipino, nasaan mang panig
sila ng mundo—talaga naman pong lalong mapapabilis ang ating kolektibong
pag-angat, at lalong magiging abot-kamay ang mas magandang kinabukasan para sa
ating mga Boss (We should continue our partnership with various sectors in serving
Filipinos, wherever they may be in the world. They are our bosses too),"
he said. PND (jl)
DOLE chief reassures Saudi-based OFWs of
protection amid 'mega-recruitment' concerns
The Philippine government on Monday reassured
overseas Filipino workers based in Saudi Arabia it will take steps to ensure
their protection and welfare amid reports of a new mega-recruitment system to
be implemented there.
Department of Labor and Employment Secretary
Rosalinda Baldoz stressed this as she said she will send a technical team to
the Kingdom to learn more about the supposed new system.
"We will never negotiate anything that
would reduce the level of protection of our workers. So we will see to it that
whether they are operating under a 'mega recruitment system' or under a new
system, the level of protection that our workers have will continue to be
guaranteed," she said.
But for now, she said she will wait for the
report of the technical team that will go to the Kingdom and get more details
about the said mega-recruitment system.
The technical team also has instructions to
negotiate for the implementing protocol on the joint dispute settlement system
for Philippine household workers.
Earlier reports said some firms in the
recruitment industry voiced fears that overseas Filipino workers deployed to
Saudi Arabia will be “for rent” to employers from both government offices and
private companies.
Some sectors also voiced fears the salaries of
OFWs may be dictated by the said mega agencies. PND (jl)
President Aquino encourages all government
agencies to support ‘Kabisig Expo 2014’
President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged all
government agencies and instrumentalities to extend their support and
participate in the “KABISIG Philippine Expo and Trade Fair 2014.″
The directive was issued by virtue of Memorandum
Circular No. 62 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Janauary
29.
The KABISIG People’s Movement (KABISIG) Program
was created by virtue of Proclamation No. 650 (s. 1990) in order to facilitate,
coordinate and monitor the implementation of government programs and projects,
as well as to provide linkages between and among the private sector groups and
the government agencies.
In pursuit of the mandate, KABISIG is conducting
the “KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2014″ which has for its theme “Matuwid na Daan, Susi
sa Tagumpay at Kaunlaran.”
The project aims to bring together in one venue
all government agencies and instrumentalities, including Government-owned or
Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and Local Government Units (LGUs), to feature
their profiles, service facilities, programs, projects, products, and
accomplishments. It is also an opportunity that will allow the government to
promote public awareness and participation in national government.
"All heads of departments, agencies and
instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs and LGUs, are
hereby encouraged to extend support and participate in the said expo and trade
fair, subject to the availability of funds and usual accounting and auditing
rules," the President said.
The Memorandum Circular shall take effect
immediately. PND (js)
Palace extends condolences over retired Justice
Serafin Cuevas passing
Malacañang on Monday extended condolences over
the passing of retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda described
Cuevas as an eminent jurist and well-respected member of the legal and academic
communities.
"While he has represented interests adverse
to the government, we have always shown our respect to each other. We truly
mourn the passing of Justice Cuevas," he said.
He was referring to Cuevas' role as lead defense
counsel in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012.
The Supreme Court on Monday announced Cuevas'
passing Sunday night, and is flying the Philippine flag at half-mast.
"The official funeral wake ceremonies will
be undertaken by the Supreme Court. We have not been notified of any
activity," he said. PND (jl)
Palace: Maguindanao NGCP tower bombing won't
derail peace efforts
The bombing of a tower of the National Grid
Corp. of the Philippines in Maguindanao last weekend should not derail the
government's efforts to attain peace in Mindanao, Malacañang maintained Monday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the
military is on top of the situation and will take the necessary actions to
protect key installations such as power and communications.
"There will always be people who will try
to put down the government, especially now that the Bangsamoro peace agreement
will be signed. We are prepared to make sure we can push through with our goal
to achieve just and lasting peace in Mindanao," Lacierda said in a media
briefing.
Last weekend's bombing came days before
President Benigno S. Aquino III is to attend a local government summit on the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Davao City.
President Aquino is resolved to go to Mindanao
and forge ahead with the peace agreement, Lacierda noted.
"The President has gone to (Moro Islamic
Liberation Front headquarters in Camp) Darapanan... The President is not averse
going to places where he has to be," he said. PND (jl)
Palace underscores President Aquino's busy week
Malacanang said it will be a busy week for
President Benigno S. Aquino III as he attends on various events that gear
towards advancing the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers, accelerating the
growth of Muslim Mindanao, and tapping the enormous potential of the Tourism
industry.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the Chief
Executive started the week attending the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration 2013 Agency Performance Awards.
"Wherever in the world we may be, the
President and the rest of the government continue to work with all to ensure
that the benefits of inclusive growth are enjoyed by each and every Filipino.
This was the thrust of his speech this morning at the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration 2013 Agency Performance Awards: that instead of pulling each
other down by taking advantage of one another, Filipinos should work in
solidarity with one another to accelerate our progress along the straight
path," Lacierda said.
The President’s message of inclusiveness and
justice will be emphasized during his midweek activity, Lacierda said.
Lacierda said President Aquino will be flying to
Davao City for the 2nd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Local Government
Units Summit on Governance Development.
The President’s visit will serve to further
catalyze the government's efforts to build a just and lasting peace among
Lumads, Christians, and Muslims, coming at the heels of the opening of the
Bangsamoro Transition Commission Office in Cotabato, which took place over the
weekend, Lacierda said.
"The President will then end the week by
attending the Philippine Travel Agencies Association Traveltour Expo 2014,
joining our country’s tour and travel operators in reminding our countrymen and
the whole world of the basic truth that has revitalized our country’s tourism
sector: it’s more fun in the Philippines," Lacierda said.
"The coming week signifies the Aquino
administration’s progress on the many facets of governance—whether it is advancing
the rights of Overseas Filipino Workers, working towards the accelerated growth
of Muslim Mindanao, or further tapping the enormous potential of our Tourism
industry," he stressed.
"While much has been achieved, we are
likewise aware that much remains to be done, and the President—along with those
of us in his administration—remains fully committed to the pursuit of inclusive
growth and a Philippines where, truly, no one is left behind," Lacierda
said. PND (js)
President Aquino calls for meeting of relevant
agencies to prevent further bus accidents
A concerned President Benigno S. Aquino III has
called for a meeting of relevant government agencies to map out measures to
ensure the safety of public transport, including that of public utility buses.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said
Monday the President is "very concerned" with how the accidents
continue to happen despite government enforcement of rules.
"(H)e's very concerned with respect to the
situation, with respect to the buses, how things are happening ... He's calling
for a meeting of relevant government agencies," Lacierda said at a media
briefing.
The latest bus accident occurred last Friday,
when a bus fell into a ravine in Mountain Province, killing at least 14 people.
Lacierda said the President will call for a
meeting of relevant government agencies "with respect to road safety and
respect for public transport."
However, he also reiterated the Palace has no
problem with the performance of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board head Winston Ginez.
Ginez, who had suspended the franchise of the
bus firms involved in Friday's tragedy, has been "proactive" in his
work to ensure road safety, Lacierda said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and
Employment is putting in place improvements in the implementation of a two-tier
wage system for bus drivers and conductors, to prevent a repeat of recent
deadly bus accidents.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said this
includes an online tracking of the validity of certificates of compliance
granted to bus companies.
"(W)e are now posting in our website the
validity of the certificate that we issued and the expiry date, then we are now
conscious on how to monitor it such as ‘pag malapit na iyong expiry date then
may notice na sila para i-subject ulit for assessment for purposes of issuing
another certificate of compliance (when the expiry date nears, we give them a
notice to submit themselves for assessment to renew their certificate of
compliance)," she said.
Under the new setup, bus companies are to pay
their drivers and conductors a fixed wage, plus incentives based on criteria
like discipline of drivers and the cleanliness and roadworthiness of transport
vehicles. PND (jl)
President Aquino forms permanent committee to
map out guidelines on blood money, other support systems for troubled OFWs
President Benigno S. Aquino III has formed a
permanent committee to map out guidelines on how to deal with the cases of
Filipinos facing execution abroad - including whether to raise blood money for
them.
Vice President and presidential adviser on OFW
concerns Jejomar Binay heads a list of ranking officials who will form the
body, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said at a media briefing on Monday.
"The President stressed the need for a
clear policy for blood money. We know our OFWs have contributed a lot to our
country and there are situations where for one reason or another a crime is
committed and blood money is required, especially in the Middle East
nations," Lacierda said.
He added the President formed the permanent
committee to "review each and every case" and to come up with clear
guidelines on how government "should deal with cases that involve blood
money."
Also, he said the government needs to make sure
it is focused not only on the issue of blood money but "also to provide a
support system for our overseas contract workers."
Other than Binay, the permanent committee's
members include: Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, Justice Secretary Leila
de Lima, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Budget Secretary
Florencio Abad, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz,
and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman.
Once the committee maps out answers to the issue
of blood money, President Aquino "will call for another meeting and we
will hopefully come up with a clear set of guidelines for blood money,"
Lacierda said. PND (jl)
Government to provide jobs for Filipinos amids
SWS survey showing increase in unemployment rate due to calamities, Palace says
The Aquino government assured that the
government is working hard to find all possible means in providing employment
opportunities for the Filipinos in the aftermath of super-typhoon
"Yolanda" and other calamities, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday
following the release of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey
indicating that unemployment rose as 2013 ended.
Results of a December 11-16 survey set the
jobless rate at 27.5%, equivalent to an estimated 12.1 million adult Filipinos.
This was up some six points from the 21.7% (estimated 9.6 million) recorded
three months earlier.
"Based on the three calamities that beset
this country—the earthquake, the disrupted economic activity in Bohol, the
Zamboanga incident which also disrupted (the economy), as well as the whole
swath of territory that was affected by typhoon ‘Yolanda’—the unemployment
factor increase was understandable," Lacierda said.
The government, through the Labor Department, is
facilitating employment services for the displaced workers in the aftermath of
typhoons and other calamities.
"We will continue to find measures that can
provide employment for them. For instance, in the areas affected by the typhoon
Yolanda, we expect reconstruction and rehabilitation to be moving, and so we
will expect employment to be done," Lacierda said.
"For now, we already have our cash-for-work
program to make sure that those who have suffered may be able to afford some
measure of compensation," Lacierda said. PND (js)
