Monday 3 February 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Aquino joins People Asia awarding rites; thanks foreign dignitaries for continuing support

President Benigno S. Aquino III once again expressed his gratitude to foreign dignitaries who assisted the Philippines following the devastation of major calamities last year.

“Here, we have the ambassadors and heads of mission who represent countries that have proven to be friends of the Filipino people—countries who have shown their support and solidarity with the Philippines in the wake of recent calamities,” the President said during the People Asia’s People of the Year Awards 2014 held in Makati City Tuesday night.

“I ask you to join me in thanking them once more tonight. Excellencies, may I ask you to receive the applause—the gratitude and the friendship of our country.”

The country was hit by major disasters in 2013 most notably the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu and the super typhoon Yolanda that devastated the Visayas region.

The President said that Tuesday’s event is a celebration of a life dedicated to the pursuit of excellence that has tangible effects on others.

Tuesday’s event recognized the recipient of People Asia’s highest honor, Mrs. Socorro C. Ramos, the founder and general manager of National Book Store.

For 14 years, People Asia magazine has annually recognized people who have inspired others by exhibiting competence and excellence in their chosen fields.

“Whether in business, media and entertainment, medicine, or the many other sectors represented here today, our awardees for 2014 have indeed accomplished so much, and in so doing, have brought honor to the Philippines. To all of you: my sincerest congratulations,” the President said of the awardees.

Among this year’s People of the Year are Miss World 2013 Megan Young, actress and singer Nora Aunor, Rizal Banking Commercial Corp. chair Helen Yuchengco Dee, five-time PBA coach of the year Chot Reyes, film director Brillante Mendoza, actor Coco Martin, Shell Philippines country chair Edgar Chua, ABS-CBN channel head Cory Vidanes, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, pop divah Kuh Ledesma, fashion designer Criselda Lontok, prosthodontist Dr. Steve Mark Gan, education advocate Fr. Gerard Deveza and Australian hotelier Thomas Meyer of Raffles and Fairmont Hotel. PND (as)


President Aquino says Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project will be completed by 2017

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 that will connect South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is expected to be completed by 2017.

In his speech during the launching of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 at the Buendia-end of the elevated section of the Skyway System in Makati City, the Chief Executive said the project aims to decongest traffic in Metro Manila.

"Hudyat ang paglulunsad nating ito ngayon sa pagsisimula na ng kostruksyon, na ayon kay Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya ay talagang raratsada naman pagdating ng Abril ng taong ito. Inaasahan natin ang tuluyang pagkumpleto ng proyekto sa 2017—at malamang mamamasyal kami ni President (Fidel) Ramos ‘pag ito po ay nakumpleto na—samantalang mayroon naman pong accelerated construction target para sa June 2016," the President said.

The Skyway Stage 3 elevated expressway starts at the end of Skyway Stage 1 along Buendia Avenue, running the length of Osmeña Highway, Quirino Avenue, Paco, Sta. Mesa via the Nagtahan flyovers, traversing Aurora Blvd and Araneta Ave. up to Sgt Rivera Road and A Bonifacio Ave. toward North Luzon Expressway.

"Sa halagang mahigit 26 na billion piso, ikokonekta po ng lampas labing-apat na kilometrong kalsadang ito ang Buendia at Balintawak," he said.

The 14.8 km 6-lane elevated expressway will help decongest the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila, particularly EDSA and C-5, the President said.

"Tinatayang 55,000 sasakyan araw-araw ang ikaluluwag ng mga kalsadang ito. Siguro rin po, karamihan sa atin, dumaan na sa matinding kalbaryo ng pagbibiyahe mula Buendia hanggang Balintawak," he said.

The skyway will reduce the travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from two hours to 15 to 20 minutes, the President said.

After the project launching, the Citra Central Expressway Corporation will start mobilizing for its advance works along Osmeña Highway in Manila.

The project aims at improving the accessibility, mobility and connectivity in and out of the metropolis via 8 strategic access points. It provides an alternate route to decongest EDSA and the major thoroughfares around its vicinity. PND (js)


President Aquino says Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project will create 18,000 jobs

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday the P26.7-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project will create some 18,000 jobs.

"Makakapaghatid ang proyektong ito ng halos 6,000 na direktang trabaho, at karagdagang 10 hanggang 12 libong indirect jobs sa panahon ng kostruksyon," the Chief Executive said in his speech during the launching of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 at the Buendia-end of the elevated section of the Skyway System in Makati City.

The project is expected to attract more investments not only to Metro Manila but also in the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Central Luzon, the President said.

The project will enhance the economic interaction of the CALABARZON, Metro Manila and Central Luzon that contribute to over 60% of the country's gross domestic product.

"Sa totoo lang po, hindi madali ang pinagdaanan natin para marating ang araw na ito. Isipin po ninyo: Dekada 70 pa nang ilatag ang planong noo’y tinawag nilang Manila North at Manila South Expressways," the President said.

"Makalipas po ang mga dekada, ngayon pa lang tayo maglulunsad ng ikatlong bahagi Metro Manila Skyway na inumpisahan noong dekada 90. Isa pong malinaw na dahilan: ang Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines noon, na ngayo’y Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC), ay kulang sa kakayahang gawin ang proyekto," he said.

"Sa harap po ng constitutional at legal issues na ito, malinaw po ang ating ginawa: Humanap tayo ng solusyon na alinsunod sa lahat ng batas, lalo na sa Saligang Batas. Kinausap natin ang mga katuwang na kompanya upang magkasundo sa implementasyon ng proyektong ito, at para hindi na maipit pa ang benepisyong ihahatid nito sa mamamayang Pilipino," President Aquino stressed.

The Citra Central Expressway Corporation will start full-scale construction this April and complete the project in 36 months.

Team Skyway Stage 3 will exhaust all efforts to keep motorists, commuters and workers safe and the traffic moving at all possible time, especially in the vicinity of its work sites.

The Stage 3 alignment will mostly use existing road medians and, as much as possible, utilize Indonesia's unique construction method of "Sosrobahu," a frictionless rotating pierhead device, which allows for the construction of the elevated road without major traffic disruption.

"Sa atin pong mga kababayan, humihiling naman po ako ng kaunting pasensya at pang-unawa...Mahalaga po ang pakikiisa ng lahat sa anumang adjustment na ating gagawin para mabigyang-daan ang kostruksyon nito. Hinihiling ko rin ang suporta’t kooperasyon ng ating mga LGUs, partikular na sa isyu ng right of way," the President said.

"Taos-puso ang pasasalamat natin sa bawat indibidwal at ahensiyang nakiambag sa tagumpay na ito—mula sa ating national agencies, local government units, hanggang sa pribadong sektor na naghahanda ng kanilang kapital, sa kabila ng mga naranasang pagsubok, dahil desidido silang makatulong," he said. PND (js)


Palace: Reforms in GOCC system to keep bonuses of executives from getting too high

Malacañang on Wednesday reassured the public that reforms in the rules in the operation of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) will prevent the bonuses and other incentives of the GOCCs’ executives from getting too high.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said GOCCs are now more transparent as they are mandated to list the details of bonuses given to officials on their websites.

"If you compare, under the previous administration... the highest you can get under the previous administration is (between) P1.8 to P13.5 million. Under this administration, the GCG (Governance Commission for GOCCs) Law (the highest) incentive is only P3 million," Lacierda said at a media briefing.

He also said the GCG continues to improve its rules based on information and complaints from the public.

Also, he said the GCG's own website can give the public an idea of incentives and bonuses GOCC executives can get.

"It's no secret to the public as all these bonuses and incentives are posted. We have basis how much each director received," he said. PND (jl)


President Aquino welcomes US Senator Marco Rubio in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with US Senator Marco Rubio in Malacanang on Wednesday to discuss financial and security issues.

Rubio, who arrived on Tuesday, paid a courtesy call on the President at the Music Room of Malacanang.

In a statement, Rubio underscored the importance of Asia to the economic and security well-being of America and said he hoped that the “rhetoric” about the increased presense in the region “does not come at the expense of enduring alliances and challenges in other parts of the world.”

Joining the Senator were US Ambassador to the Philippine Philip Bradley, Consul for Foreign and International Security Affairs Jamie Fly and the Senator’s Chief of Staff, Cesar Conda?

“For the Philippines, there are two main issues that we’ll talk about, one is the South China Sea issue,” Conda said.

“We want to learn more about China’s activities there and what the Philippines is doing and how the United States can help.”

Conda said Rubio is also set to discuss economic issues with Aquino to strengthen the existing close trading relationship between the two allies.

Joining the President in welcoming Senator Rubio were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras and Rosalita Prospero of the Department of Foreign Affairs. PND (rck)


President Aquino creates an Inter-Agency Committee for the Philippine hosting of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation

President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the creation of an Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) to organize and implement activities for the hosting of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on Technology and Innovation for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation on September 8-9, 2014.

The directive was issued by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 61 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. last December 23.

The AIC will be co-chaired by representatives from the Department of National Defense, Office of Civil Defense, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Foreign Affairs and Office of European Affairs.

Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and Climate Change Commission will participate in the committee as members.

The inter-agency committee shall formulate a work program and budget plan for the hosting of the Conference.

It shall implement the work program, and supervise and monitor all activities relevant thereto.

The IAC shall engage the support, assistance, and cooperation of ASEM member partners, regional, inter-governmental, and non-governmental organizations and the private sector and/or entities in the preparations and conduct of the Conference and its related activities.

It shall enter into agreements and contracts to implement this Circular, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations; and undertake measures necessary for the successful conduct of the Conference.

The funding requirement for the preparation and conduct of the Conference, amounting to P8,670,750.00, shall be charged against the International Commitments Fund subject to applicable government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

The President directed all other government agencies to cooperate with the IAC and provide full support to activities related to the ASEM Conference.

Relative to the performance of its mandate, the IAC, through the co-chairs, shall submit a report to the President within 30 days after the completion of the Conference, or as often as may be required by the President.

Unless otherwise ordered by the President, the IAC shall cease to exist thirty (30) days after the submission of its report.

The circular shall take effect immediately. PND (js)


Administration unfazed by recent attacks, says Official

The Aquino administration will continue to work to improve the lives of Filipinos despite the current attacks by some lawmakers.

Sen. Ramon Revilla accused the President this week saying the chief executive tried to influence him during the Corona impeachment trial. The President denied the allegations.

In a press briefing in Malacanang Wednesday, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said politicians from other parties are attacking the President may be because of the 2016 presidential election.

Some people are trying to discredit him knowing that his endorsement for a presidential candidate is crucial in the election, Lacierda said.

“Whoever the President will endorse… The power of the President’s endorsement is lethal. It is effective and that's the reason why the—whoever the President would anoint, would certainly have an advantage. So why are people doing this? There are a number of reasons,” Lacierda said.

“That’s understandable for those who are not on his camp. But, as far as we are concerned, we're going to continue this because this is an obligation of the President to the Filipino public to improve their lot in life and to allow inclusive growth,” he added.

Lacierda also said that the administration has maintained its course in the righteous path and will continue to do so.

The President also maintains high approval rating from the people, as evidenced by recent surveys.


“Way past midterm, his numbers are still in the 70s. If you look at other heads of states, past midterm, their numbers are already in the 40s. It shows that the President has the trust of the people, has the faith of the people, and has the people behind him,” Lacierda said. PND (as)