President Aquino thanks US for continuing
financial assistance
President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked visiting
US President Barack Obama for America’s financial assistance to further help
the Philippines economy.
The President also said that he and President
Obama recognized the importance of strong economic engagement for the continued
growth of both the Philippines and the US.
“On this note, we expressed our appreciation for
the US’s support to our government’s programs under the Partnership for Growth
framework, which enhances the policy environment for economic growth through a
$145 million total planned contribution from the USAID,” President Aquino said
in a statement he read during the joint press conference with Obama in
Malacanang on Monday.
“US support is also coursed through the
Millennium Challenge Corp., which supports the implementation of projects on
road infrastructure, poverty reduction, and good governance with a $434 million
grant from 2011-2016,” he added.
The US Federal Aviation Administration’s
decision to reinstate the Philippines to a Category 1 status will create mutual
benefit for both the US and the Philippines, he said.
As more routes are opened between the US and the
Philippines, it will create more business opportunities, as well as facilitate
increased tourism and business travel, he said.
At the same time, President Aquino said his
administration welcomes the substantive agreement between the Philippines and
the US on the terms and concessions for the US to support the Philippines’
request for the extension of special treatment of rice imports until 2017.
As they discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP), a trade agreement seen to shape the global and regional economic
architecture in the 21st century, the Philippines is working on how to
participate in the TPP.
The President also thanked the US’s support for
the successful conclusion of the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front.
Obama arrived in Manila Monday for a two-day
state visit. The Philippines is the last leg of his four-country Asian tour,
stopping in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. PND (as)
President Obama grateful for Filipino
hospitality
US President Barack Obama expressed his
gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino III for the hospitality and kindness
given to him and the members of his delegation in his visit to the Philippines.
“I’ve only been here one day but the kindness
that you’ve shown me and the extraordinary hospitality that has been extended
to us leaves us with very warm feelings and reflects, I think, the legendary
spirit of the Filipino people,” he said in a message during the state dinner in
Malacanang.
The US leader praised the Aquino family to their
contributions to Philippine society noting that there is no greater nobility
than offering one’s life to the nation as what the President’s father did
during Marcos’es martial rule.
Obama also mentioned the role of the President’s
mother, former president Corazon Aquino, as the country moved on following the
Marcos dictatorship.
Obama recognized Filipino talents like Manny
Pacquiao and Cris Comerford, the White House’s executive chef who was born in
Manila.
Also, Obama said Americans are inspired by the
Filipino’s resilience and determination to rise from any adversity like the
devastating Typhoon Yolanda that hit the Philippines last year.
“Tonight, our hearts actually grieve for some of
our fellow Americans back home who have been devastated by very terrible storms
and tornadoes, but we draw our strength from your example,” he said.
“For even as we grieve, we know that we will
recover and we will rebuild in these communities that have been affected
because people will care after each other,” he added. PND (as)
Government working to protect journalists, says
President Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III told foreign
journalists that his administration is addressing the killing of media men in
the country through an inter-agency committee.
This body has been looking into extralegal
killings and forced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of right
to life, liberty and security of persons, he said in a joint press conference
with US President Barack Obama in Malacanang on Monday.
The President reported that of 62 labor-related
cases being investigated by the body, 10 were considered extrajudicial
killings.
Of the 10 cases of extrajudicial killings, only
one happened during the present administration, he noted.
With regards to the Maguindanao massacre of more
than 50 journalists, the President said that more than a hundred people have
been indicted for the crime and are undergoing trial.
“That doesn’t mean that we have stopped trying
to look for others potentially involved in this particular killing, and may we
just state for the record that even when it comes to journalists, it is not a
policy of this state to silence critics,” he said.
He noted that another thrust of his government
is judicial reform, which he promised when he ran for election in 2010.
The government is also working to speed up
ongoing trials in courts to ensure quick disposition of justice, he added. PND
(as)
U.S., Philippines agree on greater economic
tie-up
The US and the Philippines have agreed to
further strengthen their economic cooperation, US President Barack Obama said
as he congratulated President Benigno S. Aquino III for his efforts to reform
the Philippine bureaucracy.
“I congratulated President Aquino on the reforms
that he has pursued to make the Philippines more competitive through our
partnership for growth and our Millennium Challenge Cooperation compact,” Obama
said during a joint press conference in Malacanang on Monday.
“We are going to keep working together to
support these efforts so that more Filipinos can share in this nation’s
economic progress because growth has to be broad-based and it has to be
inclusive,” he added.
Obama said he and President Aquino discussed the
steps so that the Philippines could position itself for the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP).
He said he encouraged the Philippine leader to
seize the opportunity by opening the next phase of economic reform and growth.
Obama announced that he is sending US Commerce
Secretary Penny Pritzker to lead a delegation of American business leaders to
the Philippines this June to explore new opportunities in the country.
The American leader also renewed the US’
commitment to help the Philippines address the devastating effects of climate
change and make its communities less vulnerable to extreme storms like Typhoon
Yolanda.
Obama expressed his gratitude to President
Aquino for his generous hospitality, saying that the friendship between the two
countries has become deeper because of the contributions and patriotism of
millions of proud Filipino-Americans.
He also praised the vibrant democracy in the
Philippines, which he said reflects the desire of its citizens to live in
freedom and to have their universal rights upheld. PND (as)
President Aquino says regional stability brings
prosperity
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that as
Asian countries focus on achieving greater prosperity for their people,
continued growth does not happen in a vacuum--there has to be regional
stability.
The disputes in the West Philippine Sea are not
the end-all and be-all of Philippine-Chinese relations, he said during a joint
press conference with US President Barack Obama in Malacanang on Monday.
“We have had good cooperation with them in so
many different fronts and perhaps, one can’t even argue that this is the only
sour point in our relationship,” he noted.
For his part, President Obama renewed his
country’s support to the Philippines to settle the West Philippine Sea issue
through diplomatic means.
Obama reiterated US backing for the Philippines
as it brought its territorial dispute with China to international arbitration.
The US wants China to abide by international law
and resolve its maritime disputes with its neighbors diplomatically, he said.
“Our message to China consistently in a whole
range of issues, is we want to be a partner with you in upholding international
law,” he said, noting that larger countries have a greater responsibility to
abide by international norms and rules.
There is also a consensus among the countries
with territorial row with China to resolve the disputes in a peaceful manner,
the US leader said.
Obama said that in the course of his trips to
Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, the message has been the
same—these countries want the issue to be settled peacefully and
diplomatically.
“That’s why I think that the approach that
President Aquino has been taking, putting this before the international
arbitration, is a sound one,” he noted.
The US leader said it is inevitable that China
is going to be a dominant power in the Asia-Pacific region, given its size and
its current economic momentum.
And if it is able to develop and provide basic
needs to people and work cooperatively with its neighbors, it will strengthen
the Asian region and not weaken it, he said.
Obama also reiterated that the US has no
interest in the ongoing territorial row in the West Philippines Sea but said
his country is after ensuring freedom of navigation and making sure every
claimant follows international laws. PND (as)
President Aquino thanks US President Obama for
America’s support after typhoon Yolanda
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his
gratitude to US President Barack Obama for US’s assistance to the Philippines
in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda last year.
“Mr. President, in your State of the Union
Address early this year, you spoke of how American volunteers and troops were
greeted with gratitude in the affected areas,” President Aquino said in a
statement he read in Malacanang on Monday.
“Today, I reiterate formally: the Filipino
people will never forget such kindness and compassion. On behalf of my
countrymen, I thank the United States of America once more for being a true
friend to our people.”
Typhoon Yolanda showed the entire world how
vulnerable the Philippines, as well as other developing countries, are to
natural disasters, according to the President.
The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Response is an essential component of cooperation between the Philippines and
the US.
The Philippines continued to look forward to
cooperating with the US and the rest of its partners in the international
community, as the country undertakes rebuilding efforts of communities affected
by Typhoon Yolanda.
The Philippines and the US made a promising
start, as both countries discussed how their partnership can be enhanced
through building climate-resilient communities, the President said.
“These kinds of strong communities are
important, not only in withstanding disasters, but also in fostering inclusive
growth across the entire country,” he added. PND (as)
President Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna on US
President Obama
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday
conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Raja or Grand Collar on US
President Barack Obama, who is in Manila for a two-day state visit.
During the state dinner in honor of the visiting
US leader, President Aquino presented the Order of Sikatuna award in
recognition of Obama’s “leadership and policies that assisted the Philippines
in times of natural disaster.”
“As a friend and partner of the Filipino people,
Mr. President, you have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the growth and
development of our nation. It is only fitting, therefore, that your efforts be
recognized with the conferment of the Order of Sikatuna,” President Aquino said
in his toast.
“Since 1953, the highest recognition of
diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines has been the Order of
Sikatuna. It is conferred on those who have fostered, and elevated, the
bilateral partnership of our country with other nations,” the President added.
President Obama was also cited “for helping
uphold stability and peace by means of the rule of law in Southeast Asia, and
for working with us to fundamentally raise the defense capacity of our
country.”
President Obama said he is deeply honored to
receive the award. “I accept it in the spirit in which it has been bestowed
with the commitment to continue and to deepen the bonds between our two great
nations,” he said in his toast.
The Order of Sikatuna is an Order of Diplomatic
Merit conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious
services to the Philippines. The first US leader to receive such distinction
was former American President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960.
“Then, as now, may this conferment symbolize our
nation’s esteem to the American people; and may it serve as a reminder of the
mutual desire to always be partners based on the highest principles of liberty,
democracy, and progress,” President Aquino said.
Also in his toast during the state dinner,
President Aquino noted that their discussions on Monday highlighted the onging
dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.
“The world has come to realize that stability is
a necessary foundation of progress and prosperity for all our peoples;
alliances are deepened not only through a shared history, but also through
mutual confidence and respect, which is constantly refreshed to give new
relevance and purpose to our positive, longstanding relations,” he said.
“We are bound by the quest to turn our shared
principles of democracy, human rights, and freedom into an inclusive reality,
not just for our respective peoples, but for all nations,” he added. PND (co)
President Obama sets foot on Malacanang for the
first time
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed United
States President Barack Obama in Malacanang Palace as he arrived in the country
on Monday for the last leg of his Asia trip.
Air Force One touched down at AGES Aviation
Center, Balagbag Ramp in Pasay City around 1:30 p.m. on board President Obama,
who is in the country for a two-day state visit.
Upon his arrival, Obama and his delegation
proceeded to Malacanang where arrival honors were accorded to him at the
Malacanang Palace Grounds.
He then entered inside Malacanang, with stairs
adorned with sampaguita flowers, for the signing of the palace guest book.
President Obama was ushered into Malacanang’s
Music Room for a closed-door meeting with President Aquino. Joining them inside
the room were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Philippine
Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr., US Ambassador Philip Goldberg
and US National Security Advisor Susan Elizabeth Rice. The meeting lasted about
20 minutes.
The leaders then proceeded to the adjacent
Aguinaldo State Dining Room for the Expanded Bilateral Meeting.
Present during the meeting were the Cabinet
secretaries of President Aquino led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa,
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Sonny Coloma, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Interior and Local
Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala,
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Budget
Secretary Florencio Abad and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio
Balisacan. Their counterparts in the United States were also present.
Wide-ranging topics were discussed during the
meeting, which include trade, commerce, agriculture, tourism, security and
strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Following the bilateral meeting, the two leaders
addressed the media during a joint press conference.
Both leaders were asked about domestic and
regional issues including Philippines’ maritime dispute with China over the
West Philippine Sea.
President Obama reiterated that territorial
disputes should be resolved peacefully and China should not resort to bullying
smaller nations.
“I think that all the countries that I had
spoken to in the region during the course of my trip --- Japan, South Korea,
Malaysia and now the Philippines --- their message has been the same,
everywhere I go, which is: They would like to resolve these issues peacefully
and diplomatically,” he said.
“That’s why I think that the approach that
President Aquino has been taking --- putting this before the international
arbitration is a sound one,” he added.
President Aquino, on the other hand, said that
the disputes in the West Philippine Sea, “are not the end-all and be-all” of
the Philippines' relationship with China.
“We have had good cooperation with them in so
many different fronts and perhaps one can’t even argue that this is the only
sore point in our relationship,” he said.
He noted that the primordial concern should not
be the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea but the relationship of both
countries in trade and commerce that will lead to achieving stability for the
two nations, and the rest of the region. PND (jb)
America draws strength from ‘Yolanda’ survivors
in dealing with aftermath of deadly tornadoes
Inspired by the resiliency shown by the
Filipinos in the aftermath of super typhoon "Yolanda," the American
people are also hopeful they will recover from the deadly tornadoes that hit
the central and southern parts of the United States over the weekend.
President Barack Obama, in his remarks at the
state dinner hosted Monday evening in his honor by President Benigno Aquino
III, said they draw strength from the Filipino people’s example in dealing with
this tragedy.
“After Yolanda, America grieved with you and
stood with you, but we were also inspired by your resilience and your
determination to care for those who have been affected.
Tonight, our hearts actually grieve for some of
our fellow Americans back home who have been devastated by very terrible storms
and tornadoes, but we draw our strength from your example.
For even as we grieve, we know that we will
recover and we will rebuild in these communities that have been affected
because people will care after each other,” President Obama said.
In a press conference held earlier, President
Obama said at least a dozen of lives were already claimed by the tornadoes, and
damaged homes, businesses, and communities across multiple states with Arkansas
taking the worst toll.
President Obama offered his deepest condolences
to all his countrymen who lost loved ones and commended the heroic efforts of
those who immediately responded and rushed to help the victims.
“I want everyone affected by this tragedy know
that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Federal government is
on the ground, and will help our fellow Americans in need, working with state
and local officials. And I want everybody to know that your country will be
there to help you recover and rebuild as long as it takes,” President Obama
said.
Super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck the
Philippines in November last year, affecting almost the entire Visayas region,
with over 6,000 casualties and billions worth of damages to infrastructure and
livelihood.
President Aquino said the Philippines’
experience with super typhoon Yolanda showed the entire world how vulnerable it
is, as well as other developing countries, to natural disasters.
Nevertheless, President Aquino is grateful for
the support extended by the United States to the Philippines that helped in
rebuilding the lives of people in typhoon-stricken communities.
“Today, I reiterate formally: the Filipino
people will never forget such kindness and compassion. On behalf of my
countrymen, I thank the United States of America once more for being a true
friend to our people,” President Aquino said in a statement.
“As the United States and the American people
have always been ready to support us in the aftermath of disasters, so, too, do
we look forward to the continued cooperation of the United States and the rest
of our partners in the international community, as we undertake the task of
building back better the communities affected by typhoon Haiyan,” he added.
President Obama was on a two-day state visit to
the Philippines in conclusion of his four-country Asia trip, which began last
week. He visited Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia five days prior. PND (hdc)
U.S. President hails Filipino war veterans
United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday
hailed Filipino war veterans who fought alongside American forces during World
War II.
In his speech before some 300 Filipino and
American soldiers at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, President Obama acknowledged his
nation’s “injustice” towards Filipino war veterans, who were denied
compensation promised to them by the US government during the war.
“Sadly, the proud service of many of these
Filipino veterans was never fully recognized by the United States. Many were
denied the compensation they had been promised. It was an injustice,” he said.
Obama said his administration has been working
with Congress and other concerned units to correct said wrongdoing.
“We passed a law, reviewed the records,
processed claims, and nearly 20,000 Filipino veterans from World War II and
their families finally received the compensation they had earned. And it was the
right thing to do,” he said.
The US President then honored some of the
Filipino war veterans present at the event, among them those who fought in
Bataan and Corregidor.
“Some fought in the resistance, including nurse
Carolina Garcia Delfin. These veterans are now in their nineties. They are an
inspiration to us all, and I’d ask those who can stand to stand or give a wave
so that we can all salute their service,” he said to a round of applause and
standing ovation from the crowd.
He lauded the heroism of the war veterans,
saying that their struggle “brought out the best in the Filipino character in
the face of adversity and served as a beacon to freedom loving peoples
everywhere.”
Before leaving, he had a brief opportunity to
shake hands with several veterans and soldiers.
After the event, President Obama paid his
respects at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, also in Fort Bonifacio.
It is the resting place of Americans and Filipinos who fought in the war.
“These Americans and Filipinos rest in peace as
they stood in war -- side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder, balikatan,” he said.
PND (jb)
U.S. President Obama lays wreath at Manila
American Cemetery
United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday
paid his respects to the fallen American soldiers who fought in World War II,
by laying a wreath at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort
Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Upon his arrival at the cemetery, where the
remains of thousands of Americans and Filipinos who fought and died during the
second World War are buried, President Obama was received by Manila American
Cemetery Superintendent Larry Adkison, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
Following the ceremony, President Obama was
shown around the map rooms by Adkison.
Afterwards, the US leader proceeded to the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport in Pasay City for his departure.
President Obama was in Manila on the last leg of
his four-nation tour of Asia. He also visited Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.
PND (co)
President Obama says U.S. commitment to defend
Philippines is ‘ironclad’
United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday
reiterated the US government’s commitment to defend the Philippines against any
external armed attacks.
“Our commitment to defend the Philippines is
ironclad and the United States will keep that commitment, because allies never
stand alone,” President Obama said before 300 Filipino and American soldiers at
Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.
The US President noted that for more than 60
years, a mutual defense treaty has bound the US and the Philippines with a
common pledge saying “common determination to defend themselves against
external armed attacks, so that no potential aggressor could be under the
illusion that either of them stands alone.”
Obama made the statement a day after the signing
of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which will allow US
forces greater access to Philippine military facilities.
“Yesterday, President Aquino and I agreed to
begin a new chapter in our alliance. And under our new agreement, American
forces can begin rotating through Filipino airfields and ports,” he said.
He added that the agreement will also allow US
and Filipino forces to train and exercise together, in an effort to strengthen
the armed forces.
He said such training would improve the ability
of the armed forces to respond even faster to disasters like Typhoon Yolanda.
President Obama took the opportunity to honor
several Filipino and American troops who responded during the aftermath of the
super typhoon in Tacloban.
Those he cited were Captain Roy Trinidad of the
Philippine Navy SEAL; Colonel Mike Wylie of the United States Marines; and US
Air Force Major George Apalisok, who is a Filipino-American.
As a show of good relationship, Filipino and
American troops stood alternately behind President Obama as he made his speech.
Obama again stressed that disputes between China
and other Asian countries should be resolved peacefully and not by threat and
coercion.
“We believe that nations and peoples have the
right to live in security and peace, and to have their sovereignty and
territorial integrity respected. We believe that international law must be
upheld, that freedom of navigation must be preserved and commerce must not be
impeded,” he said.
“We believe that disputes must be resolved
peacefully and not by intimidation or force. That’s what our nations stand for.
That’s the future we’re working for. And that’s why your service is so
important,” he added.
President Obama left the country on Tuesday,
ending his four-nation Asian tour, which also took him to Japan, South Korea
and Malaysia. PND (jb)
President Obama ends Asian tour
US President Barack Obama left the Philippines
on Tuesday, concluding his four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific region.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to see
him off were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Foreign Secretary Albert del
Rosario, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr.
Major General Jeffrey Delgado escorted Obama to
his presidential plane after the US President alighted from the US Marine One
chopper at about 11:15 a.m.
Before boarding Air Force One, he waved several
times at the media men and chatted with Philippine officials there to bid him
goodbye.
Air Force One took off from Runway 26 at about
11:29 a.m.
President Obama’s four-nation tour began with a
visit to Japan, followed by South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines. PND
(ag)
U.S. to help Philippines set up coast watch
center to enhance maritime security
The US government will help the Philippines
establish a coast watch center to enhance its maritime border security and
maritime domain, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary
Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Tuesday.
Coloma, who was present during the bilateral
meeting between President Benigno S. Aquino III and US President Barack Obama
on Monday, said the US leader vowed to assist the Philippines in creating the
National Coast Watch Center (NCWC).
The NCWC is an inter-agency mechanism which aims
to enhance maritime border security, as well as in governing the country’s
maritime domain, pursuant to Executive Order 57 issued in September 2011.
Coloma said Obama likewise expressed his desire
to promote enhanced maritime information-sharing with its allies—the
Philippines, Japan, and Australia -- to easily manage maritime conflicts and
disputes.
Obama, who arrived in the Philippines for a
two-day state visit, said the newly signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US will benefit the two
countries, particularly on military readiness and response to calamities.
The goal of the agreement is to build Philippine
capacity in training and in coordination, he said in a joint press conference
with President Aquino in Malacanang on Monday.
He added that the EDCA not only concentrates on
maritime security, but also on enhancing the two countries’ capabilities in responding
to natural disasters.
Defense Minister Voltaire Gazmin and US
Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Monday morning signed the agreement that allows a
bigger US military presence in the country.
The 10-year deal is only a framework agreement.
Details on the duration and number of US troops staying in the country still
have to be negotiated.
Manila was the final leg of Obama’s Asian trip
that also took him to Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. PND (as)
Philippines expresses intention to join Trans-Pacific
Partnership
President Benigno S. Aquino III has conveyed to
US President Barack Obama the Philippines’ interest in joining the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The TPP is a free trade alliance between the US
and 11 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region that aims to enhance regional
commerce.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr,, who was present during the bilateral meeting
between the two leaders in Malacanang on Monday, said Obama promised to help
the Philippines by extending technical assistance, as it prepares to join the
said partnership.
According to the Trade Department, joining the
trade alliance would improve the country's competitive position to become a
regional hub for growth, investment and exports in the US and key Asian
markets.
The TPP consists of Australia, Brunei
Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru,
Singapore, the US, and Vietnam.
During the meeting, Obama also lauded the
country’s significant progress in areas of intellectual property and labor
rights, Coloma said.
President Aquino, in response, thanked Obama for
removing the Philippines from the US Trade Representative’s Special 301 Watch
List of countries with “serious intellectual property rights deficiencies”.
The President likewise expressed his gratitude
to Obama for the US Federal Aviation Authority’s (FAA) upgrade of the
Philippine’s aviation safety status to Category 1.
The US leader also commended the Philippines’
effective implementation of the Millennium Challenge programs, including the
construction of a circumferential road in Samar island and poverty reduction
programs.
Obama arrived in Manila Monday afternoon for a
two-day state visit to the country. He departed for the US Tuesday noon. PND
(as)
President Aquino joins Pre-Labor Day dialogue
with labor groups at the Palace
President Benigno S. Aquino III joined a
Pre-Labor Day dialogue with labor groups in Malacanang on Tuesday to know which
of their sentiments have not yet been addressed during separate talks with his
Cabinet members.
“Nandito ho ako, makikinig ako sa inyo. Baka
meron ho kayong gustong iparating sa akin na hindi pa tinutugunan ng ating
Gabinete. They are my alter egos. They speak on my behalf and I stand by
whatever they say,” the President said in his opening remarks during the
dialogue.
The President’s Cabinet has been holding
dialogues with the labor sector on a quarterly basis. According to President
Aquino, his Cabinet members have told him that so far, they have held 26
dialogues with labor groups in the country.
The government will support the creation of
different task forces as proposed by labor organizations, the President said,
noting however that labor organizations must send their representatives.
Among the labor issues already tackled by the
Cabinet and the labor groups are extrajudicial killings, tax concerns, the
government’s agroindustrial plan, high electricity costs, security of tenure,
the ratification of International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 151, and
the Yolanda job-led recovery.
For his part, the President renewed his
administration’s commitment to address power problems in the country by
continuing to produce power surplus.
The focus, he said, is not only in urban areas
but also in rural areas to increase agricultural productivity.
The President however acknowledged the huge
challenge in the power sector, especially during this summer season, when there
is an increase in the consumption of electricity.
There are plants not scheduled to have
maintenance shutdown that have to be shut down and this has affected power
generation, he said.
This problem is exacerbated when the unscheduled
shutdowns coincide with scheduled maintenance shutdowns, he added.
On the country’s competitive advantage, the
President said he has received a Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) report that showed a 91 percent placement rate for those who
have undergone training in semiconductors and allied electrical services.
Citing separate data from the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), President Aquino said that when he assumed office,
TESDA’s placement rate was merely 26 percent but it has already increased to 62
percent and is still growing.
“Tuloy-tuloy po ‘yung investments natin. Ang
pinakamalaki hong porsyento ng budget natin, puro doon sa social services,
which is education and health, among other things,” he said.
The government also expanded the conditional
cash transfer (CCT) program this year to include high school, he said, adding
that the government intends to help families send their children to high
school.
Different government agencies have so far made
commitments to the labor sector to address the concerns raised during the
previous dialogues. PND (as)
