Public education is free of charge, says
Malacanang
Malacanang said that public education remains
free and no charges will be imposed to prevent anyone from enrolling and
returning to school.
“Iginiit ni Kalihim ng Edukasyon Brother Armin
Luistro ang istriktong pagbabawal ng pagsingil ng kahit ano mang halaga o
kontribusyon,” said Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary
Herminio Coloma, Jr., in an aired press briefing on Sunday over radio station
dzRB Radyo ng Bayan
“Ito ay para tiyakin na walang magiging balakid
sa pagtanggap at pagpasok ng lahat ng Pilipinong kabataang nasa ganap na edad
para mag-aral,” Coloma continued.
The 2014-2015 class will begin on June 2, with
an estimated 26 billion students from public and private schools going back to
their respective schools.
The Communication Secretary said President
Benigno S. Aqunio III is committed in upholding the Constitutional mandate that
the education must be one of the priorities in the national budget.
For the 2014 national budget, the Department of
Education has a total appropriation of P335.4 billion, which is one of the
highest allocation for the year.
“Nang pumasok ang administrasyong Aquino noong
taong 2010, ang kabuuang budget ng DepEd ay 195.9-bilyong piso. Samakatuwid,
mula noon hanggang ngayon ay tumaas ang budget nang mahigit sa 71 porsyento,”
explained Coloma.
He also added that that Philippine National
Police has mobilized policemen to ensure the safety of the students when they
return to school on Monday. PND (ag)
President Aquino appoints new officials
President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed
six new government officials on several government agencies.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., announced the appointments during the aired
press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.
Among those appointed by the President is Donato
D. Marcos as Undersecretary and Patrick T. Aquino as Director IV both for the
Department of Energy.
Also appointed is Ernesto B. Gaviola as
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications,
while Reynaldo P. Faustino will be assuming his position as Acting Director III
for the Bureau of Research and Standards under the Department of Public Works
and Highways.
Arnold Joseph M. Co is now Acting Director IV
for the Department of Justice.
And Norma B. Samantela will now be Acting
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education. PND
(ag)
Philippines will host Asia-Europe Meeting
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, says Palace
The Palace announced on Sunday that the country
will be hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management on June 4 – 6.
President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the
keynote speaker at the opening of the conference, said Presidential
Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a press
briefing broadcast over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“This ASEM Conference is a Philippine initiative
which His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III announced during the 9th
ASEM Summit held in Vientiane, Laos in November 2012. This initiative has been
adopted by 49 heads of state and government, the president of the European
Union, and the secretary-general of ASEAN that comprise ASEM,” said Coloma.
The theme for the conference is “Post Haiyan: A
Way Forward.”
An estimated 150 senior national and local
government officials, scientists, academicians, policymakers, industry and
business leaders, non-governmental organizations, leaders from the private
sector, and representatives of regional and international organizations from 36
countries in Asia and Europe are expected to attend the meeting.
“The Philippines aims to contribute to the new
global architecture that will embody new policies and principles on disaster
risk reduction management (DRRM) with the ASEM Manila Conference document to be
called the ‘Tacloban Declaration.’ This is a timely development considering
that the decade-old Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) previously adopted by ASEM
as the global paradigm on DRRM is about to end in 2015,” said Coloma. PND (ag)
Palace congratulates Donaire for winning World
Boxing Association title
The Palace on Sunday congratulated Filipino
Flash Nonito Donaire Jr., for winning the World Boxing Association
featherweight title over South African boxer Simpiwe Vetyeka.
“Kaisa po tayo ng buong sambayanan sa
pagdiriwang at pagtanghal sa tagumpay ni Nonito ‘the (Filipino) Flash’ Donaire
at sa kanyang pagkamit ng bagong kampeonato sa larangan ng boxing,” said
Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.
“Makikita po natin kay ‘The Flash’ ang giting at
husay ng Pilipinong atleta na sumasalamin din sa tatag ng kalooban ng mga
Pilipino na lampasan ang mga hamon at mga adbersidad sa buhay,” Coloma added.
The fight ended with a technical decision after
Donaire sustained a cut above his eyes due to a head butt during the fourth
round.
The three judges scored all 39 – 36 in favor of
Donaire. PND (ag)
