President Aquino encourages responsibility in
PHL media
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday
evening made a new pitch for responsibility and discernment from the media
through sober reporting.
In his speech at the 114th anniversary of the
Manila Bulletin in Manila, the President frowned on what he called unnecessary
speculation and negativity.
"This is what I have always asked of media:
to raise the level of public discourse, instead of fueling unnecessary
speculation and negativity that contribute to national apathy," he said.
He said that in the case of the Manila Bulletin,
it has chosen not to trump up the worst news possible and cause despair among
the public.
Instead, he said the paper has
"consistently given them a true accounting of the facts, and reason enough
to be optimistic."
But the President clarified this does not mean
he wants media to report only the good news.
"The progress of our country can only be
accounted for when it is measured against, and in spite of, the challenges that
we have endured," he said, adding the Manila Bulletin has lived up to this
by "exhibiting discernment and accountability through sober and
responsible reporting."
On the other hand, the President noted the
Filipino people have chosen the path of positivity and solidarity even in the
face of negativity.
He said that in the wake of the devastation
brought by super Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) last year, Filipinos
volunteered to repack relief goods and extend whatever help they can.
"The naysayers, the irrational critics, the
vested interests who measure their success through their ability to sacrifice
the well-being of the nation to pursue their own, selfish agenda—all of them
have been left in the dust by a nation that no typhoon, no faction, and no
irresponsible columnist can break," he said.
"Our people have proven themselves more
united, more discerning, more cooperative, and in particular, more committed to
making change permanent than those who once tried to take advantage of
them," he added.
He added Filipinos made so much progress by
working and studying hard, paying their taxes, following the rules, to "do
their part in lifting our nation."
"They know that, not since 1986 have
Filipinos been able to go anywhere in the world and hold their heads high, as
we do today. They know this because they took it upon themselves to give us a
mandate for change back in 2010, and they have stayed the course ever
since," he said. PND (jl)
Department of Education achieves zero backlog in
classrooms, President Aquino says
(CARMONA, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Monday that the government finally achieved a zero backlog in
classrooms with the construction of 66,813 classrooms.
In his speech during the ceremonial turn-over of
the 66,813 classrooms at the Carmona National High School here, the Chief
Executive said the Department of Education (DepEd) finally achieved its target
of zero backlog last December, 2013.
"Nang maupo tayo sa puwesto, tumambad sa
atin ang nakakalulang kakulangan sa sektor ng edukasyon. Kapos tayo sa libro,
silya, at mga guro. Mayroon din tayong—eto na po ang pamosong numero—ng 66,800
na kakulangan sa silid-aralan," he said.
President Aquino said the government managed to
mobilize partnerships with various government agencies, local government units
(LGUs), the private sector and foreign donors to help meet the target.
The classrooms, ranging from one-storey
structures to multi-floor buildings, were constructed using national and local
government funds and donations from the private sectors.
"At ngayong araw nga po, nasaksihan natin
ang ceremonial turnover ng 66,813 na bagong classroom, na bumura din sa
ipinamanang backlog ng nakaraang administrasyon. Sa totoo lang po, gaya ng
ipinangako ni Secretary Armin Luistro, natapos itong ipatayo noon pang
Disyembre. Ang bonus pa nga: nalampasan pa natin ang ating target," the
President said.
The President lauded Education Secretary Luistro
for his commitment and dedication to provide the basic needs of students such
as classrooms, chairs and books, among others.
"Makalipas ang mahigit tatlong taon ng
mabuting pamamahala. Ang halos 62 milyon—ulitin ko lang po ‘yan ha—62 milyong
kakulangan sa libro, burado na, 2012 pa. At nakuha po natin ‘yan, mas maganda
pa ang presyo kaysa sa dinatnan—mga naitipid natin dito mga 40 porsyento,
Brother Armin, kung tama ang tanda ko," he said.
"Ang dalawa’t kalahating milyong backlog sa
upuan, nairaos na rin po. Naggamit pa natin ang mga troso na iligal ang
pagkakuha para siguradong wala nang makinabang sa iligal na gawain." he
said.
The President expressed belief that education is
the central strategy in reducing poverty and building national competitiveness.
"Ngayong napunuan na ang mga kakulangan ng
nakaraan, kompiyansa tayong mas mapapaarangkada pa—hindi lamang ang sektor ng
edukasyon—kundi maging ang pag-unlad ng kalakhang lipunan," he said. PND
(js)
Palace: President Aquino to have busy week leading
to 54th birthday
President Benigno S. Aquino III will have a busy
week leading to his 54th birthday on Feb. 8, Malacañang said Monday.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda said the ceremonial turnover of 66,813 classrooms in Cavite was only
the first of several public engagements this week.
Lacierda said the President is also due to
receive the Philippine Medical Association of Chicago (PMAC), whose members
conduct medical and surgical missions in the Philippines annually.
For this year, he said the PMAC "continue
their tradition of helping their countrymen this year by taking their
operations to Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte," areas hit hard by super
typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
At the end of the week, the President will witness
the retirement ceremony of Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, along
with the change of command ceremony.
The President will also be the guest of honor at
the 50th anniversary and thanksgiving program of the Elsie Gaches Village in
Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Elsie Gaches Village is the first and largest
government residential care facility for persons with development and learning
disabilities.
President Aquino marks his 54th birthday on
Saturday.
Meanwhile, Lacierda noted Monday's turnover,
which wipes out the 66,800-classroom backlog "sets the tone for the rest
of the official week, and in fact, of the year ahead."
"They underscore our administration’s
belief that despite the challenges that we have faced and continue to face, so
long as we work together, our people can reach new milestones and open new
chapters of service, all with the goal of uplifting our countrymen," he
said. PND (jl)
President Aquino says government is hiring
professionals for 4,000 teaching positions
(CARMONA, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said on Monday that the Department of Education (DepEd) is presently hiring
professionals for 4,000 teaching positions to address the backlogs in teachers
in public schools.
In his speech during the ceremonial turn-over of
the 66,813 classrooms at the Carmona National High School here, the Chief
Executive said the DepEd has yet to fill up all the 103,000 new teaching
positions created under his administration.
"Mula 2010 hanggang 2013 naman, nagdagdag
tayo ng halos 103 libong posisyon para sa mga guro. Baka pansinin po n’yo,
“posisyon.” Sabi ko, “Bakit ‘posisyon?’” May kulang pa raw ho kasi na apat na
libong maha-hire," the President said.
"Dati nag-e-export tayo ng teacher, ngayon
naghahanap tayo ng teacher—apat na libo, mga specialized po ito, baka may
kakilala kayong naghahanap ng trabaho, kulang pa ho tayo ng apat na libo,"
he said.
The DepEd has hastened the recruitment and
hiring process to fill up the positions.
The government finally achieved a zero backlog
in classrooms with the construction of 66,813 classrooms, the President said.
"Mulat po tayong hindi pa tapos ang ating
misyon, at mayroon pa rin tayong mga pagsubok na dapat lampasan. Marami po ang
winasak na paaralan ng mga nagdaang kalamidad, at bawat taon ay nadadagdagan
ang mga mag-aaral," he said.
"Sa abot ng ating makakaya, titiyakin
nating matutugunan ang batayang pangangailangan sa sektor ng edukasyon; at
sisiguruhin nating pati ang magiging pagkukulang sa mga susunod na taon dahil
sa K to 12 program ay mapapaghandaan din, matatapos, at hindi mapapamana ang
pag-solve sa susunod na administrasyon," he said. PND (js)
Palace maintains PHL government continues to
search for peaceful solution with HK
Malacañang on Monday maintained the Philippine
government continues to search for a mutually acceptable solution with Hong
Kong to provide closure to the row that stemmed from the Manila hostage crisis
in 2010.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said they continue to work toward an
understanding, which he said is the key toward finally achieving the
much-needed closure.
"We are still hoping both sides will be
able to reach an agreement. Our approach is still to continue on the path of
seeking a solution and that is where we continue to be until the present
time," he said at a media briefing.
He said the Philippine government has been
looking for the best "mutually acceptable" solution.
"Simula noon hanggang ngayon, patuloy
nating sinisikap na magkaroon ng common position, ng ganap na pagkakaunawaan
para matuldukan ang usaping ito (Since day one, we have been looking for a
common position to give closure to this)," he added.
Coloma also said the Philippine government will
not take any action that will make both parties stray from their goal of
understanding.
"(U)miiwas tayo sa landas na sa halip
magkaroon ng pagkaunawaan ay lalayo tayo roon (We do not want to take actions
that lead us away from an understanding)," he said. PND (jl)
Palace: Continued high satisfaction show
Filipinos still one with government
The Aquino administration's net satisfaction of
+51 in the last quarter of 2013 shows the Filipino people remain one with the
government in continuing to help fellow Filipinos affected by calamities,
Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
this is also a rebuff of those trying to convince the people that most
Filipinos are not satisfied with the administration.
"(The Filipino people) remain one with
their government as we continue to work, as a people, to help those affected by
the calamities of the past few months to get back on their feet and reassume
authorship of the next chapters of their lives," he said in a statement.
In its fourth-quarter survey conducted last
December, the SWS had noted 71 percent of respondents were satisfied with the
Aquino administration's general performance.
Only 19 percent were dissatisfied while 10
percent were ambivalent, resulting in a net score of +51.
While the net score of +51 is down from the
"very good" +56 in September, it was higher than the "good"
+44 in May 2012.
But the SWS also noted a dip in the
administration's scores on various key issues.
"To emphasize once more: In spite of the
concerted effort of a few to convince the public that most of our countrymen
are dissatisfied with how the national government has performed in the face of
the many challenges in the past months, these results show that the Filipino
were not misled," Lacierda said.
"Your administration, under the leadership
of President Aquino, derives its strength from this unbreakable union of
purpose with our people; and it is ultimately your continued belief and
participation that gives us strength, and accelerates our country’s journey on
the straight path," he added. PND (jl)
Palace: Government forces making sure BIFF won't
grow into major threat
Government forces are taking steps to make sure
armed groups trying to fight the government do not become a major threat to
peace in Mindanao, Malacañang assured the public Monday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the government's goal to attain
peace for Mindanao remains unchanged.
"Masinsing tinututukan ng ating Armed
Forces of the Philippines, particular ang intelligence operative natin, ang
sitwasyon para tiyakin na kung anumang galaw ng kaaway ng Republika hindi ito
makahadlang sa proseso ng kapayapaan (Our AFP particularly our intelligence
operatives are keeping tabs on things to make sure any move by the state's
enemies do not become a major threat)," Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said this includes the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters and followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding
chairman Nur Misuari.
The BIFF and followers of Misuari are reportedly
joining forces against the government.
Coloma said the government is taking proactive
action via intelligence work, surveillance, and "decisive action pag
kinakailangan (decisive action if needed)." PND (jl)
