Tuesday 1 April 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, March 30, 2014

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)