Philippines joins World Health Organization
observance of 'World No Tobacco Day'
The Philippines joined Saturday the observance
of the World Health Organization's (WHO) “World No Tobacco Day” that seeks to
promote the reduction of tobacco consumption and it's impact on public health
and well-being.
"This observance heightens public awareness
on the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocates the adoption of
effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption," Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a
statement on Saturday.
Coloma cited a recently published document in
which WHO commended the Philippines as one of the countries in the world that
successfully pushed for reforms in the government’s health agenda, by enacting
a law restructuring taxes on tobacco and alcohol.
President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law
on December 20, 2012 Republic Act No. 10351, commonly known as the “Sin Tax”
Reform law.
Last week, Coloma said the Southeast Asia
Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), the tobacco control coalition in the ASEAN
region, recognized President Aquino, as well as the Department of Health and
Department of Finance for passing and implementing the Sin Tax Reform law.
"In a statement, SEATCA recognized
President Aquino’s efforts in 'inspiring leadership and unwavering political
will to push forward a revolutionary Sin Tax Reform law thereby putting public
health before profits and ensuring tobacco control measures," the Palace
official said. PND (as)
Malacanang welcomes release of two Abu Sayyaf
hostages
The Palace welcomed the released of a Filipino
resort worker and a Chinese tourist abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sabah,
Malaysia, two months ago.
Filipino resort worker Marcelita Dayawan and Gao
Hua Yuan, a Chinese national, were kidnapped in Sabah last April.
"Mainam na balita ‘yan at subject nga ito
for verification, ikinalulugod po natin ang balitang tulad niyan sapagkat hindi
po tayo tumitigil sa paglaban sa mga aksyon na ganyan na kriminalidad at
nakakaapekto sa imahe ng ating bansa," President Communications Operations
Office secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in an interview Saturday.
The Palace official told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan
about the importance of cooperation among neighboring countries such as
Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in resolving such cases.
Malaysia expressed its gratitude to the
country's security forces for helping it solve the kidnapping incident.
"Ganoon nga ang ating saloobin tungkol
diyan at maaari din sigurong matukoy dito ‘yung mainam na pakikipag-ugnayan ng
ating bansa sa ating mga kapit-bansa tulad ng Malaysia at maging ng Indonesia
sa pagreresolba ng mga ganyang usapin," he said.
These neighboring countries share coast border
issues such as crimes being committed in a particular location and criminals
relocating to other nations, he said, noting the necessity of close cooperation
among these countries.
The two women were snatched from Singamata
Adventures and Reef Resort in the town of Semporna in Sabah on April 2.
The victims were first brought by their captors to
Tawi-Tawi before they escaped by boat to Sulu and reportedly handed the
hostages to another Abu Sayyaf group. PND (as)
Reconstruction in typhoon Yolanda-affected areas
continue to move forward, says Palace
Malacanang said government rehabilitation and
reconstruction works in typhoon Yolanda devastated areas will continue even
without the post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) of every province affected by
the calamity.
Different clusters working on disaster rehabilitation
did their final vetting on government programs to be implemented in different
provinces, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
Coloma Jr said on Saturday.
Among the provinces included in the vetting list
are Leyte, Cebu province, Western Samar and the city of Tacloban, Coloma said
in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
And while other provinces work on their
respective PDNAs, the office of Secretary Panfilo Lacson, who is in charge of
government's reconstruction efforts, expects the assessment to be completed by
June, Coloma said.
The government is not working alone, he said,
noting there are many private organizations that are doing their reconstruction
initiatives in typhoon-affected areas.
"Independently, nakakatulong po ito sa
pagbabalik ng ating mga pasilidad katulad ng mga munisipyo at mga public
market, mga town hall, at ganoon din sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng pabahay,
livelihood, at housing," Coloma said.
"Samakatuwid, hindi naman balakid ang hindi
pa pagkakaroon ng kumpletong PDNA at ‘yung plano sa bawat probinsiya o lungsod
dahil tinututukan naman ito at ‘yun naman pong mga evacuees ay binibigyan pa
rin ng patuloy na pagsuporta ng ating Department of Social Welfare and
Development," he added.
The Palace official also made an assurance that
there is enough government fund for the agencies to support the ongoing
reconstruction works. PND (as)
Malacanang wishes Donaire all the best as he
fights South African champ
The Palace wishes Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire
Jr. All the best as he battles South African champion Simpiwe Vetyeka at the
Venetian Hotel in Macau Saturday night.
Donaire, who moved to featherweight division,
will try to snatch Vetyeka's World Boxing Association (WBA) title.
"Kaisa po tayo ng buong sambayanan sa
pag-asa at pananalangin para sa tagumpay ni Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’
Donaire," Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary Herminio
Coloma Jr said in a radio interview on Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Donaire last fought in 2013 with a ninth round
stoppage of Vic Darchinyan in their 10-round non-title featherweight rematch.
As he enters the ring on Saturday, Donaire wants
to erase the memory of his bitter defeat to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux earlier
last year.
Coloma also commended the Philippine Azkals for
its courage when the team played during the finals of the Asian Footbal
Confederation Challenge Cup held in Maldives.
And although it lost to the strong Palestinian
team, the Philippine Azkals showed bravery in challenging the most talented
football teams in the league, Coloma said.
"Ipinakita nila ang husay at tapang sa
pakikipaglaban sa mga pinakamahuhusay na koponan sa football at itinanghal nila
ang kahusayan ng mga atletang Pilipino kaya pinupuri po natin sila at umaasa na
sa mga darating pang kompetisyon ay patuloy na iwawagayway ng Philippine Azkals
ang bandilang Pilipino at ang karangalan ng buong bansang Pilipinas." PND
(as)
