Aquino asks Filipino-Chinese businessmen to
contribute to nation building
President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged the
members of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FFCCCII) to contribute more to nation building and aggressively invest in
people.
During the federation’s 60th anniversary at Solaire
Resort and Casino in Parañanque City Saturday, the President praised the
organization for its contribution in education, healthcare, and the
government’s rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon
"Yolanda."
“Today, on your 60th anniversary, allow me to
pose an even greater challenge to all of you: to take an even bigger part in
nation-building by truly investing in our people,” the President told the
members of the FFCCCII in his message.
Historically, the Filipino-Chinese have always
been widely acknowledged for their keen business sense and the President said
they can partner with the government to share their business acumen to the
people.
Filipino-Chinese businessmen can create
apprenticeship programs for aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs so they can learn
from some of the country’s most experienced business people.
“I encourage you to do this because such a
program will expand the menu of options available for our people. It enables
Filipinos to learn from their fellow Filipinos, and rely on their innate
creativity, skill, and work ethic to build businesses, directly create jobs,
and contribute to their local economies,” the President said.
Since most of FFCCCII members are large players
in their respective industries, the President invited them to become more
involved in micro, small, and medium enterprises connecting in with the larger
supply chain.
He cited Jollibee that made a difference in
local communities by buying onions from small-scale farmers through the Farmer
Entrepreneurship Program. Jollibee even expanded its program to cover rice,
bell peppers, and tomatoes in Quezon, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental, the
President said adding he was confident that if the Chinese-Filipino businessmen
are willing to strengthen their commitment they can do the same in their
respective industries.
“The potential for growth is staggering: In
2011, MSMEs and large enterprises generated a total of 6.3 million jobs.
Together, we can bring this figure up by seizing opportunities for growth that
are just on the horizon,” the President noted.
Giving Filipinos jobs and better income will be
good for businesses because it will enhanced their buying power, according to
the President.
“I ask you to consider this because above and
beyond the economic benefits, such an initiative would cement your legacy as a
group that truly uplifts our countrymen—and at the same time takes a starring
role in affirming the Philippines’ stature as a formidable contender in the
global marketplace,” he added.
The President also hoped that a few years from
now more and more organizations will consider what the FFCCCII has been doing
for the benefit of the entire country.
Also during the event, the President thanked
FFCCCII for its ongoing construction of 500 housing units in Palo, Leyte, which
is part of the P150 million it raised for relief and rehabilitation efforts
after Typhoon Yolanda.
The President also expressed his gratitude to
FFCCCII for the 1,360 classrooms it donated that helped boost the government
efforts to end the classroom backlog in the country.
He also thanked FFCCCII for its medical and
dental missions in and around Metro Manila, treating around 800 patients for
each mission. PND (as)
Government still open to talks with NDF
The government is still open to peace talks with
communist insurgents, in this case the National Democratic Front, who want to
start informal talks in May, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said
on Sunday.
“Nananatili pong bukas ang ating pamahalaan sa
mga usaping pangkapayapaan,” Coloma said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan in a live
press conference.
He said he would refer this matter to the Office
of the Presidential Peace Adviser as they are the agency mandated to act on
discussions about peae talks.
“Isasangguni po natin ang bagay na ‘yan sa
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process sapagkat sila ang may
pangunahing responsibilidad sa pagsasagawa ng mga usaping ‘yan,” Coloma said.
PND (rck)
Government expanding programs to aid fresh
graduates, unemployed--Palace
The government continues to expand its
employment programs to provide jobs for thousands expected to graduate this
year and those who remain unemployed, Malacañang said on Sunday.
In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan,
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary (PCOO) Herminio Coloma
said 95,935 positions in different private and public corporations and agencies
are currently up for grabs.
This is according to the Department of Labor and
Employment’s (DOLE) www.phil-job.net, an internet-based job and applicant
matching system, which aims to fast track the jobseeker's search for employment
and the employer's search for manpower.
Coloma added the government is also providing
financial aid to self-employed individuals, landless farmers, non-wage domestic
workers, young workers with dependents, low-income earners, and those who do
not have permanent employment due to calamities through the Integrated
Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program.
He said this program also covers those who are
listed in the Department of Social Welfare and Development's national household
targeting system.
The Communications Secretary further mentioned
that the DOLE, in cooperation with the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC), would conduct application caravan and e-services to bring their services
closer to the fresh graduates of nursing and education courses in preparation
for their licensure exams.
In a press briefing held in Malacañang last
March 13, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said there is an estimated 600,000 to
700,000 new entrants to the labor force this year, although they have not yet
studied as to how many among those would immediately be looking for jobs. PND
(hdc)
