President Aquino declares observance of Eid’l
Fitr on July 29 a regular holiday
In observance of this year’s Eid’l Fitr or the
Feast of Ramadhan, President Benigno S. Aquino III declared July 29 (Tuesday) a
regular holiday throughout the country.
President Aquino signed Proclamation 826 last
July 10 to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid’l Fitr, the
first day marking the end of the 30-day fasting period of Muslims, to the fore
of national consciousness.
“To promote cultural understanding and
integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join
their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l
Fitr,” President Aquino said in the proclamation.
Eid’l Fitr, an Arabic word which means “festival
of breaking of the fast,” is an important holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide
for three days after the end of Ramadhan, or the Islamic holy month of fasting.
The occasion has always been recognized by the
Philippine government by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177, enacted by the 12th
Congress in 2002, in deference to the Filipino Muslim community and to promote
peace and harmony among major religions in the country. PND (hdc)
Palace steps up fulfillment of President’s
Social Contract
The Palace on Monday vowed to step up the
fulfillment of the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino People, as it
acknowledged the latest results of a public opinion survey conducted by Pulse
Asia.
“Heading into the last two years of this
administration, we discern our people’s rising expectations that the government
will level up and deliver on the salient points of the President’s social
contract,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
Coloma, Jr. said in a statement sent to reporters.
The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from June 24 to
July 2, showed a drop in the performance and trust ratings of President Benigno
S. Aquino III.
The latest public opinion survey shows that
President Aquino’s performance rating declined from 70 percent last March to 56
percent, while his trust rating dropped from 69 percent to 53 percent.
Among the prevailing issues during the time of
the survey were the plunder charges filed against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile,
Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla, Jr. in connection with the pork barrel scam;
the surrender and detention of Estrada and Revilla; and the declaration by the
Supreme Court of several acts under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP)
as unconstitutional.
“In response to the challenge of achieving
inclusive growth, the government is broadening the scope of social protection
in the key aspects of job creation, health care and basic education.
Infrastructure building for sustained economic growth is also being pursued,”
said Coloma.
The President’s Social Contract with the
Filipino People is a 16-point agenda that lays down the government’s vision in
the different priority areas of development.
The contract’s key points include the
President’s commitment to transformational leadership; economic growth; better
government service; gender equality; peace and order; and environmental
protection.
“We are heeding the people’s call for stepped-up
delivery of essential public services and institutional reform,” Coloma added.
PND (ag)
