President Aquino inspects construction of
bunkhouses in Loon, Bohol
(LOON, Bohol) President Benigno S. Aquino III on
Monday afternoon visited anew this province, which was hardest hit by the
7.2-magnitude earthquake in October last year, as part of the 28th anniversary
celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
President Aquino, upon arrival here, proceeded
to Loon to inspect the construction of bunkhouses and service facilities for
the residents affected by the earthquake at Barangay Cogon in Loon.
The construction of bunkhouses (10 units and
each unit has 10 rooms) and service facilities in Loon, which started January
of this year, is now near completion. There is also an ongoing construction of
bunkhouses in Tubigon.
After the inspection of the bunkhouses and
service facilities, President Aquino toured the retrofitted Congressman Natalio
P. Castillo, Sr. Memorial Hospital at Barangay Basac, Loon. He also checked
some parts of the hospital damaged by the earthquake.
The hospital serves the constituents of seven
nearby towns, namely, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga and
San Isidro.
A town hall meeting was held where the President
had a dialogue with the survivors of super Typhoon Yolanda and the
7.2-magnitude earthquake.
Prior to his visit here in Bohol, President
Aquino on Monday went first to Cateel, Davao Oriental.
The President celebrates the anniversary of the
EDSA People Power by visiting the communities struck by the recent calamities
outside Metro Manila.
President Aquino is also scheduled to visit
Cebu, Samar, and Leyte on Tuesday.
This year’s theme of the EDSA People Power
anniversary is EDSA 28, “Kapit Bisig Tungo sa Pagbabago.”
Joining the President in his visit here were
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras,
Secretaries Rogelio Singson, Enrique Ona, Voltaire Gazmin, Manuel Roxas II,
Corazon Soliman, Herminio Coloma, Jr., and PMS head Julia Abad. PND (co)
Stories of heroism and resilience in the wake of
calamities highlight town hall meeting with President Aquino in Loon, Bohol
(LOON, Bohol) Stories of heroism and kindness of
ordinary Filipinos and resilience in the wake of calamities were the highlights
of the 28th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution here on
Monday attended by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
President Aquino’s visit here is part of the
celebration of the EDSA People Power anniversary. Aside from Bohol, the
President also went to Cateel, Davao Oriental. He is also scheduled to visit
Cebu, Leyte and Samar.
Following his inspection of the bunkhouses and
service facilities, and the retrofitted Congressman Natalio P. Castillo, Sr.
Memorial Hospital here, the President attended a town hall meeting where he
listened to the stories of the calamity survivors.
One of them was 36-year-old Wendell Corregidor
from Palo, Leyte, who despite his disability was able to help save 10 people
during the onslaught of super Typhoon Yolanda. “Kahit meron akong kapansanan
kinaya ko na bumangon ako muli,” Corregidor, a polio victim, said.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., EDSA
People Power Commission head, said this year’s celebration of People Power is
also about highlighting the spirit of “bayanihan” and the resiliency exhibited
by the Filipinos after the recent calamities.
“Ang ating paggunita sa People Power ay isa ring
pagkilala sa kabayanihan at pagtutulungan na ipinamalas ng mga Pilipino upang
bumangon mula sa mga nakalulumong trahedya nitong nakaraang taon,” Ochoa said.
The Executive Secretary also lauded Bohol for
the help it extended to fellow Filipinos affected by super Typhoon Yolanda
despite being devastated by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in October last year.
“Bayanihan ang dahilan ng ating pagbangon,
marapat lamang na ito’y ipagpatuloy. Sa mga susunod na araw habang ating
itinatayo ang isang mas matatag at mas maginhawang Pilipinas, sana’y patuloy
tayong gabayan ng sigaw ng People Power noong 1986,” Ochoa said.
The theme of this year’s 28th anniversary of
EDSA People Power: "EDSA 28, Kapit Bisig Tungo sa Pagbabago.” PND (co)
President Aquino says basis of People Power
spirit is finding strength in meeting challenges with 'Bayanihan'
(LOON, Bohol) President Benigno S. Aquino III
said that the residents of Bohol showed that the spirit of EDSA People Power is
still alive after they demonstrated strength and resilience in the aftermath of
the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October last year.
President Aquino visited Loon town in Bohol on
Monday to inspect the rehabilitation projects here. He also attended a town
hall meeting with survivors and volunteers of the recent calamities.
“Sa ating bawat pagbisita, bitbit natin ang
isang mensaheng nagbubuklod sa atin sa harap ng anumang hamon—mensaheng
nagsisilbing bukal ng pag-asa sa ating muling pagbangon, ‘yan po ay: ‘Hindi kayo
nag-iisa,’” he said.
President Aquino’s visit to areas struck by
calamities is part of the 28th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power
Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.
The President is also scheduled to visit Cebu,
Leyte and Samar, areas hit by super Typhoon "Yolanda" last year.
“Ngayon... pinipili nating kilalanin ang mas
malawak pang diwa ng People Power: Bawat Pilipino, saan mang panig ng bansa,
lalo na ang mga humaharap sa hamon at nagsisikap na iahon ang sarili at komunidad,
ay tunay nga pong nagbibitbit ng pamana ng EDSA sa kanilang mga puso. Matingkad
pong halimbawa ang inyong lalawigan ng kaisipang ito,” he said.
A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Bohol
and Cebu provinces in October last year, killing and injuring many, even
destroyIng structures like centuries-old churches.
“Ngunit sa kabila nito, ipinakita ninyo ang
kakayahan ng Boholanong isabuhay muli ang People Power. Kaakibat ang de-kalidad
at epektibong pagkilos ng inyong gobernador, kitang-kita po natin ang
tinatamasang pagbangon ng Bohol,” the President said.
President Aquino said because of bayanihan,
88,600 families affected in Bohol received food packs and 8,560 families in
Loon town alone. He said around 1,800 residents of Bohol were also given
emergency employment through cash for work and cash for training programs.
The President also said that the government has
allotted 162 million pesos for the reconstruction of the 25 critical
infrastructures in Bohol, including the bridges in Alburquerque, Maribojoc,
Calape, and Loon.
President Aquino said the government also
focused on the immediate repair of Tagbilaran airport. Apart from that, the
President said 38,801 families affected from Loon were assisted through the
Housing Materials Assistance Program.
“Huli po akong nadalaw dito sa Loon isang linggo
lamang matapos ang lindol. Ngayon po, kitang-kita na natin ang pagbabalik sa
normal ng inyong pamumuhay. Kaya nga po, lalo tayong ginaganahang tumbasan ang
ipinamalas ninyong pagsisikap, pagdadamayan, at pagbabayanihan, upang sa lalong
madaling panahon ay masabi na ng mga Boholano: Heto ang resulta ng
pag-aambagan, ang tuluyan at mabilis na pagbangon ng aming lalawigan,” he said.
“Malinaw nga po ang ating batayang prinsipyo sa
lahat ng inisyatibang isinagawa natin at patuloy na isinasagawa hindi lang para
sa Bohol, kundi para rin sa mga kababayan nating tinamaan ng sakuna nitong
nagdaang taon: Kung pagbabayanihan ang naging susi sa pagbuwag ng diktadurya,
pagbabayanihan din ang magsisilbing sandigan ng pag-ahon sa trahedya,” he
added.
The President also thanked the groups,
individuals and volunteers who extended their hand to help the survivors of the
earthquake recover from the calamity.
“Ipinakita nga po ng bawat isa sa inyo: Gaano
man kalakas ang lindol, walang kayang dumurog sa puso ng Pilipino. Ito ang tunay
na diwa ng EDSA: Kung magbubuklod tayo, kung magsasakripisyo tayo, kung iaangat
natin ang isa’t isa, walang barikada, lindol o sakunang kayang humadlang sa
ating pagtungo sa katuparan ng kolektibo nating mga hangarin,” he said. PND
(co)
President Aquino lauds DA, DPWH
(CATEEL, Davao Oriental) Overwhelmed by the
messages of thanks coming from the people of this province, President Benigno
S. Aquino III returned the compliments to the members of his Cabinet who got
the job done to help rebuild the lives of typhoon victims.
“‘Salamat Pangulo’ ‘yung narinig ko. Alam ho
ninyo instrumento lang ninyo ako. Kayo ang nag-desisyon na mabigyan ako ng
pagkakataong maglingkod sa inyo,” President Aquino said in a speech delivered
Monday.
The President lauded in particular Public Works
and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala
who were able to deliver infrastructure and livelihood services that the people
of Davao Oriental needed the most in the wake of super typhoon ‘Pablo’.
“Si Secretary Singson, hindi lang ho magaling
magpatayo ng imprastruktura, may pusong tama pa; hindi ho dinadaan ng kung
anu-anong pahirap para magkaroon ng pagkakataon na kumita nang hindi tama, ‘di
ba? Ang habol niya, ibigay ang kailangan ng sambayanan kaagad, tulad ng iba
pang miyembro ng ating Gabinete,” President Aquino said in a speech delivered
Monday.
The Department of Public Works and Highways was
commended by both the local and national governments for immediately restoring
two of the important bridges in Caraga after they were destroyed by the storm.
Secretary Alcala, meanwhile, was praised by the
Chief Executive for his initiative to immediately find alternative livelihood
to coconut farmers who have lost their primary source of revenue after it was
flattened by ‘Pablo’ in December 2012.
President Aquino said it was the Department of
Agriculture’s (DA) idea to come up with the ‘Hot "Pablo" project in
cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), where coconut
farmers were asked to shift to chili farming for the time being.
Compared to coconut trees which would take seven
years to grow, the President said planting chili would be a great substitute
because farmers only need to wait for three months before turning them into
export-quality products.
Quoting Secretary Alcala, President Aquino said
Davao Oriental has already exported its chili-based products to Brunei and
Singapore, and would soon have its market in Guam as a private company
manifested an interest to sell them abroad.
Intercropping was also being implemented to help
farmers generate revenues that are five times more than their usual profits.
Apart from infrastructure and livelihood, the
administration already delivered 508,234 food packs to affected families in
Davao Oriental, and is in the process of relocating 17,480 families from the
said province and Compostela Valley to permanent resettlement sites.
On top of these, the government had provided
P573.56-million for its cash-for-work program in Davao Oriental and 57,890 have
already benefited from it. A total of P10.5-billion has been earmarked by the
administration for the rehabilitation of communities affected by ‘Pablo’.
“Malinaw po: maganda ang takbo ng ating mga
inisyatiba dahil sa ating pag-aambagan. Ganitong pagdadamayan din ang kailangan
natin upang tuluyan na nating matamasa ang tagumpay sa kabila ng mga trahedyang
ating dinaanan. Sa harap ng pagsubok, hindi tayo nagmumukmok sa isang tabi at
umasa sa milagro na bukas-makalawa, normal na ang lahat. Sa halip, kapit-bisig
tayong kumilos,” the President said. PND (hdc)
President Aquino to inspect permanent relocation
site in Yolanda-hit Leyte town
(TACLOBAN CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III
will inspect on Tuesday afternoon a permanent relocation site for residents of
Tanauan town in Leyte who lost their homes to super Typhoon "Yolanda"
(Haiyan).
President Aquino will check the Tanauan I
Central School building rehabilitated by the Korean Joint Support Group and the
Philippine Army's 53rd engineering brigade.
He will also lead the groundbreaking of a
memorial to honor the memory of those who died due to Yolanda, and to
rehabilitate the town's public plaza.
Expected to join him are Presidential Assistant
on Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson, National Housing Authority
general manager Atty. Chito Cruz, Leyte Gov. Dominico Petilla, Tanauan mayor
Pelagio Tecson, Pago village chairman Alejandro Severino, and Gawad Kalinga
executive director Louis Oquinena.
Permanent relocation sites had been planned for
1,500 houses, with multiple sites planned to ensure closeness to livelihood
locations.
The first site in Pago village will accommodate
360 houses and community facilities. The aim is to move in 50 families by March
8.
Two sites in Maribi and Sacme villages will
accommodate 460 and 300 houses respectively.
A fourth site is being finalized.
Meanwhile, the Tanauan I Central School had been
rehabilitated as of Feb. 12 while work on other schools will go on until
November 2014. PND (jl)
President Aquino’s Malaysia visit to open more
opportunities in Philippines, says Ambassador
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: President Benigno S.
Aquino III’s visit here this week will open many opportunities for the
Philippines especially in Mindanao, Philippine ambassador to Malaysia Edgardo
Malaya said.
In an interview with Radio TV Malacanang on
Monday, Ambassador Malaya said that after the signing of the last annex in the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, 13 Malaysian companies visited Cotabato
to look for possible investment opportunities in the Mindanao region.
These Malaysian companies were the first
international business groups that have shown interest in putting up their
businesses in Mindanao. Malaya said those companies are interested in investing
in oil palm plantation, rubber manufacturing, halal foods, infrastructure
development, manufacturing and many others.
“Dahil nga patapos na ang usapang pangkapayapaan
dapat na isaayos din yung economic support program para sa area na iyon. Dahil
nga sabi in Prime Minister Najib ‘We need to transform the freedom fighters
into productive farmers.’ This is paraphrasing what should take place there,”
Malaya said.
“And we need to put up the necessary
infrastructure so that the economic development that the people there has
deserved for a long time should be given to them,” he added.
The government and the MILF signed last month
the Annex on Normalization that will lead to the decommissioning of the MILF
armed wing and private armies in the proposed Bangsamoro area.
The Annex on Normalization was the last of the
four annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which was signed by
both sides on October 15, 2012.
After the signing ion the Annex on
Normalization, the next step would be the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law
by the Philippine Congress. PND (as)
Ambassador Malaya: Filipinos involved in Lahad
Datu incident getting enough government support
(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) Filipinos undergoing
trial in Malaysia in connection with the Lahad Datu incident last year are
getting enough legal assistance from the government, Philippine Ambassador to
Malaysia Edgardo Malaya said in an interview.
Aside from the regular visits by Philippine
consular officials in a Malaysian jail, the government has hired an
international criminal law expert to assist Filipinos undergoing trial here.
The criminal law expert is being assisted by six Malaysian lawyers, according
to Malaya.
“So meron pong more than adequate legal
representation yung ating mga kababayan dahil nga po kahit may sakdal laban sa
kanila they deserve a day in court. They deserve due process and fairness,”
Malaya said in an interview with Radio TV Malacanang on Monday.
About 100 loyalists of Jamalul Kiram III, who
claims to be sultan of Sulu, occupied an area in Lahad Datu early last year
which eventually led to a standoff with Malaysian forces.
Several members of this Muslim group from the
Philippines as well as the Malaysian military were killed in the incident.
The Philippine government initially asked for
their unconditional surrender but those who ignored the request were flushed
out by the offensive carried out by Malaysia.
The armed group, asserting claims to Sabah, said
the sultanate leased the territory to the British North Borneo Co. in 1878, an
agreement Malaysia views as a cessation of territory. PND (as)
Filipinos not being targeted in Malaysia, says
Ambassador
(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) Philippine Ambassador
to Malaysia Edgardo Malaya said Filipinos are not being targeted here as the
Malaysian government carries out a crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Although there are crackdowns happening here in
Malaysia not only in areas with high concentration of Filipinos like Sabah,
Malaya said, other nationalities who entered the country illegally are being
rounded up.
At the same time, Malaya said in an interview
Monday with Radio TV Malacanang that there is no truth to reports saying there
were 100,000 Filipinos deported from Malaysia.
He said that while there are deportations, it’s
only around 500 Filipinos being sent home. They are part of a regular
deportation process happening here for the past few months, he explained.
Malaya also said that while there are illegal
Filipino immigrants in peninsular Malaysia, their number is not significant.
He also advised Filipinos here to avoid areas
being frequented by illegal immigrants to avoid being detained by authorities.
Malaya also asked them to always bring their passports, work permits and other
documents that will prove the legality of their stay in Malaysia.
There are around 90,000 Filipinos working or
staying in peninsular Malaysia, Malaya said.
In Sabah, where there’s a large number of
concentration of Filipinos, Malaya admitted that quite a number of Filipinos
enter the territory illegally, especially the new entrants.
Indonesians, not only Filipinos, are being
rounded up by Malaysian authorities, he said.
But he also made an assurance that the
Philippine government is doing enough to service them by sending consular
personnel regularly. The consular team, composed of around seven members, stays
in Sabah for a week or two to provide services to Filipinos, he said.
While there is no permanent consular office in
Sabah, Malaya said they continue to send a consular team to the territory in a
monthly basis to look for the welfare of Filipinos there.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is arriving here
this week for a two-day state visit. PND (as)
Philippines, Malaysia to forge agreement on
cultural exchange, education
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Among the major
highlights of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s visit here this week is the
signing of the cooperation agreement on cultural exchange and education,
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Edgardo Malaya said.
Malaya told Radio TV Malacanang in an interview
Monday that being close neighbors, the Philippines and Malaysia continue to
work together to enhance their ties especially with the soon-to-materialize one
ASEAN community in 2015.
President Aquino will arrive here in Malaysia
this week for a two-day state visit.
“Hindi lang tayo very close neighbors tayo ay
bumubuo ng one ASEAN community. Sa susunod na taon, 2015, ang magiging host ng
ASEAN Summit ay Malaysia,” Malaya said.
“Itong mga agreements na ito at yung mga iba pa
na dapat sumunod ay magpapalapit sa mga Malaysians at mga Filipinos.”
Malaysia is an active participant in the
Philippines’s quest for long term peace in Mindanao, being the facilitator in
the government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace discussions since
2001.
Recently, the Philippine government and the MILF
signed the final annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which will
pave the way for the decommissioning of MILF forces.
Immediately after the signing of the Annex on
Normalization, several Malaysian companies have shown interest on investing in
Mindanao particularly on industrial development and agribusiness, Malaya said.
PND (as)
President Aquino: 2014 EDSA People Power
celebration, a recognition of everyone’s contribution
The celebration of the 28th Anniversary of the
EDSA People Power Revolution in Cebu is recognition of everyone’s contribution
to the peaceful revolt that ousted former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986,
President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday.
In an interview with the media in Cebu, the
President said that after 28 years, it’s time to recognize the contribution of
other places in the peaceful revolt.
“Hindi lang naman sa EDSA nag-alsa ang taumbayan
hindi ba? May Cebu, may Davao, napakaraming ibang mga lugar; at palagay ko
naman time na rin after 28 years na ma-recognize iyong contribution ng iba't
ibang lugar. Pag-a-alsa ng taumbayan yun sa buong Pilipinas at hindi lang sa
Metro Manila,” he said.
There has been comments saying holding the event
outside Manila is revising the history but the President said it’s actually the
entire nation who revolted against Marcos.
The government has also recognized the
contributions of key players of the EDSA People Power Revolution like former
president Fidel Ramos, the President said.
While the EDSA People power revolt concluded in
Manila, its initial phases started in Cebu, when he said he was sent to the
province by his mother following the assassination of his father, the late
senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
“Kung sasabihin natin na kung ang huling yugto o
huling kabanata ng pakikipaglabang maibalik ang demokrasya ay nangyari sa EDSA,
puwede nating sigurong masabi, ang unang yugto, nag-umpisa naman sa Cebu,” the
President said in his message at the Cebu provincial capitol site on Tuesday.
After Manila, former president Corazon Aquino
called for a civil disobedience in Cebu after the massive vote rigging in the
1986 national snap election, the President said.
President Aquino also said the real essence of
the EDSA People Power revolution celebration is love of country and fellowmen
instead of power.
“Tatandaan lang po natin, ‘yong nag-uudyok sa
atin, sa aking pong pananaw, pagmamahal imbes na kasakiman, imbes na
pagtatamasa ng kapangyarihan,” he said.
Everyone can give their contribution and
sacrifice like the volunteerism shown by everybody in the aftermath of Typhoon
Yolanda, the Zamboanga siege and the quake in Bohol and Cebu, he said.
The President also expressed his gratitude to
those participated during Tuesday’s event saying national unity will be the
country’s major weapon against any adversity.
“Marami pong salamat muli sa lahat na ipinakita
ng ating lahi mula noong EDSA ng 1986 hanggang sa kasalukuyan habang hinaharap
natin ang lahat ng hamon ng mundo at ng kalikasan. Habang buo tayo, habang
nagbabayanihan tayo, kakayanin natin lahat ng pagsubok na humaharap sa atin sa
tulong at gabay ng Poong Maykapal,” he said. PND (as)
President Aquino defends appointment of Lina
Sarmiento as Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board head
President Benigno S. Aquino III defended the
appointment of Lina Sarmiento as the head of Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board
(HRVCB) saying she has the maturity and the ability to do her mandate under the
law.
Some militant lawmakers have been urging
President Aquino to recall Sarmiento’s appointment, arguing that her appointment
is an “insult to Martial Law victims.”
But in an interview in Cebu Tuesday, the
President said Sarmiento’s appointment will give her enough time for the
experience and the necessary physical ability to be able to complete the job in
two years.
At the same time, she could also fend off those
who want to sabotage Republic Act (RA) No. 10368 for the Human Rights Victims’
Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.
“She has the skill, she has the physical energy,
she has the drive, she has the right direction to be able to accomplish the job
in two years or less. And it is very important,” the President said in
defending Sarmiento.
Sarmiento’s appointment also has the backing of
Commissioner on Human Rights Etta Rosales, and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima,
the President said.
“All three of us have had experience with Lina
Sarmiento tackling human rights issues, which I think is the essential skill
necessary.”
The Palace announced the appointment of the
members of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) pursuant to the
provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 10368 for the Human Rights Victims’
Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, with Sarmiento as its chairperson.
Sarmiento, the former director of the
Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), was the second female Chief
Superintendent of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Sarmiento started her career in the police force
as a forensic chemist of the former Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National
Police Crime Laboratory in 1980.
She retired from police service on January 31,
2014 before her appointment as chairperson of the HRVCB. PND (as)
Philippine will ask China’s explanation over
Panatag Shoal incident, says Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he wants a
thorough investigation of the alleged use of water canon against Filipino
fishermen by Chinese Coast Guard and the country may ask China to explain.
It was reported that the Chinese Coast Guard
fired water cannon at the Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal last month.
The President said in an interview in Cebu
Tuesday that he was just informed about the incident but he said he is sure the
foreign affairs department is preparing a protest action if the incident were
true.
“I'm sure the DFA is already preparing a formal
protest. Of course, meron tayong confirmation and confirmation normally means
getting the testimonies of the people involved para may basis tayo at hindi
speculation na the incident happened as described,” he told reporters at the
Cebu provincial capitol.
The first step will be sending China a
diplomatic message asking it to explain about the incident and its intention,
he said.
But the President said he observed some
inconsistencies because he got a report yesterday saying there were Filipino
fishermen inside the shoal not being threatened by anyone.
“I think it is proper for us to ask them exactly
what this incident was all about, what their intentions are. And the DFA and
the DND, after conferring and after getting the necessary proof I'm sure they
are already drafting the appropriate communications,” he added. PND (jl)
President Aquino marks EDSA People Power
anniversary in Cebu
(CEBU, City) For the first time in Philippine
history, the country commemorated the anniversary celebration of the EDSA
People Power Revolution outside Metro Manila led by President Benigno S. Aquino
III on Tuesday.
With the theme: “Kapit-bisig Tungo sa
Pagbangon,” the President decided to commemorate the historic bloodless
revolution in Cebu, City, one of the areas hit by earthquake and strong typhoon
last year.
In his speech, President Aquino said it is
appropriate to celebrate the EDSA anniversary in Cebu recalling that the
province was one of the places that resisted Martial Law under the Marcos
regime.
“Talaga hong buong buo sa loob ng mga Cebuano na
kung ano ang tama, at kung paano dapat labanan ang mali, at parang malaya na
nga ho ang Cebu…Para sa akin ho, kung sasabihin natin kung ang huling yugto o
huling kabanata ng pakikipaglabang maibalik ang demokrasya ay nangyari sa EDSA,
puwede nating sigurong masabi, ang unang yugto, nag-umpisa naman sa Cebu,” he
said.
He added that Cebu served as the bulwark of his
late mother former President Corazon Aquino when she was planning to launch a
civil disobedience campaign against Marcos dictatorship
“…Panatag po ang aking loob, na dahil nasa Cebu
ang aking ina, siya ay nasa mabuting kamay, pangangalagaan ng mga Cebuano.
‘Yung mga nagtatangka ng masama, hindi magtatagumpay dahil nandoon siya sa
piling ng ating mga masugid na kakampi,” he said.
The President stressed that it is time to
recognize the contribution of other provinces that demonstrated resistance
against the Marcos dictatorship such as Cebu and Davao.
He, meanwhile, clarified that all key players in
the 1986 People Power revolution were invited by the EPPC amid issues on the
changed of the venue for the anniversary.
One of the considerations stressed by the
government in holding the EDSA commemoration outside Manila was to spare
commuters along the major thoroughfare from heavy traffic as various government
infrastructure projects have already been started in the metro.
Ogie Alcasid popular singer and EDSA People
Power Commission Commissioner performs "Pilipinas ay Babangon" and
"Ang Galing ng Pinoy" during the Salubungan. Actor Dingdong Dantes
led the military contingents as he played the role of then Armed Forces deputy
chief of staff Fidel Ramos while Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino
IV led the civilian contingents as he played the role of his uncle, former
senator Butz Aquino.
President Aquino arrived at the Cebu Provincial
Capitol at 8:20 a.m. He was accorded with full military honors and was followed
by the flag-raising ceremony.
The President was welcomed by Executive
Secretary and EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC) Chairman Paquito Ochoa Jr.,
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Cebu City
Mayor Michael Rama, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief Emmanuel
Bautista, and Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima.
Also present during the event were Cabinet
Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio
Singson, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo
Lacson, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma.
The prayer, meanwhile, was recited by various
religious groups representatives including Father Arnold Abelardo; Mr. Lukman
Abdulrachman, representing the Muslim community, Dr. Aladdin Ubpon, Imam,
representing the Muslim community, Reverend Joe Steven Berdin, Conference
Minister United Church of Christ in the Philippines representing the
Evangelical Churches and Mr. Vincent Tan, representing the Roman Catholic
community.
The President flew to Bantayan Island in
northern Cebu, one of the areas damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and
Typhoon Yolanda last year, after the EDSA commemoration. He also visited Leyte
and Eastern Samar to check the progress of the government’s rehabilitation
efforts. PND (jb)
President Aquino defends government’s typhoon
response
The government has done enough to bring
immediate support to Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Cebu contrary to accusations
that noted many areas have not received government assistance, President
Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
The President reminded the public about the
magnitude of the problem caused by Typhoon Yolanda noting the government is
dealing with more than three million affected families or 16 million
individuals.
Forty-four of the country’s 81 provinces were
affected, and the President said the government was able to respond to the
needs of those areas.
This year in Bantayan Island, he said there are
3,476 affected families and the government was able to provide close to 7,000
food packs for them.
Bantayan island also needs 253 classrooms, which
will cost P133 million. It also needs three rural health units costing P17
million; 28 multi-purpose barangay halls; P37 million, and public market; P5
million, he said.
The government is also distributing today 100
boats so that fishermen in Bantayan island could start anew, the President
added.
And as the government builds these
infrastructures, it has to ensure the safety of the people by looking for safe
zones, he said adding that the funds are ready to start those projects.
It is also a major feat for the government to
transport large volumes of food packs every day from Mindanao or from Luzon and
the government was able to do that, he said.
The government has to ask for exemptions in the
truck ban and remedy the congestion at the Sorsogon port just to ferry goods
going to the calamity victims.
“Para sabihin na we didn’t exercise maximum
effort medyo over naman yata yon.” PND (as)
President Aquino visits Bantayan, Cebu
(CEBU City) President Benigno Aquino III visited
Bantayan island in northern Cebu, one of the worst hit areas by Typhoon Yolanda
and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, in line with the commemoration of the 28th
EDSA People Power Revolution on Tuesday.
One of the highlights of the President’s visit
in the island was the inspection of the 100 motorized and non-motorized bancas donated
for fishermen whose boats were destroyed by the typhoon last year.
These boats came from different non-government
organizations including Gawad Kalinga and the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation
Inc, among others.
The President also witnessed the turnover of
checks worth more than P5M under the cash-for-work program of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to 2,200 beneficiaries. He was assisted
by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman during the turnover.
This was the first time President Aquino visited
the island following the recent calamities.
In an interview at the Cebu Provincial Capitol,
the President denied reports that Bantayan island has yet to get any help from
the national government in terms of relief and rehabilitation.
“Malabo naman yatang sabihin walang dumating.
Papunta kami ng Bantayan ngayon. Siguro kung matindi ang galit sa akin nun
hindi na ako pupunta ng Bantayan, di ba?” he said before going to Bantayan
island following the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
The President noted that from January to March
of 2014, the government has distributed close to 7,000 food packs for 3,476
affected families.
He also warned against those who reportedly
failed to deliver relief goods coming from the national government saying that
they will be held responsible if proven guilty.
For the rehabilitation of Bantayan, the
President said that the island needs a total of 191-million funding for some
253 classrooms, three rural health units, multi-purpose, barangay halls and one
public market.
The President also would want to make sure that
structures to be rebuilt in Bantayan will be more resilient to typhoons and earthquakes.
PND (jb)
President Aquino: Yolanda-affected residents to
start getting permanent homes in March
(TANAUAN, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III
on Tuesday reassured residents who lost their homes to super Typhoon “Yolanda”
(Haiyan) they may start moving into permanent homes as early as March.
Speaking at the groundbreaking of the
rehabilitation of the town public plaza here, the President said this is the
government's solution to keep them far from danger.
"Mahigit 25,000 pamilya–at permanenteng
tahanan ang target nating ipatayo sa buong Leyte para mailayo itong mga
kababayan natin sa sakuna. Isa po ang Tanauan sa ating mga permanent relocation
sites para sa mga kabahayang tinamaan ng Bagyong Yolanda (Permanent homes for
more than 25,000 families in Leyte are being readied. Tanauan is one area where
we are building these homes to keep families far from harm)," he said.
"Ang pangako po sa atin, matapos ang
dalawang linggo mula ‘tong araw na ito, ‘yong unang 50 pamilya, lilipat hindi
na sa bunkhouse kundi doon po sa permanenteng magiging tahanan na nila. ‘Yung
higit-kumulang na natirang 1,300, within six months, lilipat na rin sa
permanenteng bahay nila (In two weeks, we expect 50 families to move into
permanent homes. The other 1,300 can follow suit in the next six.months),"
he added.
He said 1,345 housing units are being built with
the help of Gawad Kalinga, the National Housing Authority and the local
government.
Tanauan was one of the calamity-hit areas the
President visited to mark the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power
revolution.
In Tanauan alone, the President said 1,375
people died in the wake of Yolanda, yet the residents there work hard to
recover.
Yet, President Aquino said he was heartened over
the resilience shown by Filipinos affected by Yolanda.
Such resilience has earned Filipinos the respect
of people all over the world, he said.
On the other hand, the President said the
resilience shown by residents here embody the spirit of EDSA.
He said EDSA is also about communities that help
each other recover and rebuild from a tragedy.
"Tungkol din ito sa mga komunidad na
nag-ambagan upang muling magtayo ng mga tahanan matapos ang mga sakuna; tungkol
din ito sa mga pamilyang nagbukas ng puso sa kanilang kapuwang binaha; tungkol
ito sa mga indibiduwal na nangapitbahay upang bigyang-babala ang kanilang mga
kasama, at nagsabing, lumikas na tayo, heto ang kamay ko, tanganan mo,
kailangan nating magtiwala sa isa’t isa, kailangan nating magtulungan upang
mabuhay (This is about communities helping each other recover, families helping
other families, and people asking fellow Filipinos to trust in one
another)," he said.
The President also said he expects to return
here one day and see Filipinos fully recovered.
Earlier Tuesday, the President inspected the
permanent relocation site for residents of Tanauan at Pago village.
He also inspected the Tanauan I Central School
building rehabilitated by the Korean Joint Support Group and the Philippine
Army's 53rd engineering brigade.
Permanent relocation sites had been planned for
1,500 houses, with multiple sites planned to ensure closeness to livelihood
locations.
The first site in Pago village will accommodate
360 houses and community facilities. The aim is to move in 50 families by March
8.
Two sites in Maribi and Sacme villages will
accommodate 460 and 300 houses respectively. A fourth site is being finalized.
Meanwhile, the Tanauan I Central School had been
rehabilitated as of Feb. 12 while work on other schools will go on until
November 2014. PND (jl)
President Aquino leads groundbreaking for new
Regional Medical Center
(TACLOBAN CITY) President Benigno Aquino III on
Tuesday led the groundbreaking for the relocation and rebuilding of the Eastern
Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVMRC) in one of the areas hit hardest by
super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).
The President and several officials attended the
brief ceremony at the Barangay Cabalawan here before returning to Manila
Tuesday afternoon.
With him were Cabinet officials led by
Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) Panfilo Lacson
and Health Secretary Enrique Ona.
The hospital will be relocated to Northern
Tacloban (Zone 1), where the International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
(ICTSI) and Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. (BRHI) pledged to shepherd in
line with PARR's initiatives for Eastern Visayas.
ICTSI said the new EVRMC will be a "modern,
multi-building hospital" with state-of-the-art facilities.
The ICTSI and BRHI also said they will help
bridge the project with other organizations and resources to finish the project
soonest.
Among those present at the groundbreaking were
Secretaries Lacson and Ona, along with ICTSI chairman Enrique Razon Jr. and
Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI Head of Asian Region and Head of ICTSI/BRHI Tacloban
Rehabilitation Project, as well as Donato Almeda, BRHI and Solaire Director;
and Sid Consunji, DMCI President and Luis Pastor, DMCI Vice President. PND (jl)
