Monday 28 July 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, July 27, 2014

President Aquino set to certify Bangsamoro Basic Law as urgent bill

President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to certify the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as urgent bill, a Palace official said on Sunday.

“Ipinahayag ni Pangulong (Benigno) Aquino (III) na prayoridad ng pamahalaan na ganap na maisabatas ang BBL at maitatag ang Bangsamoro Transition Authority sa susunod na taon,” said Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Hermino Coloma, Jr., in a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

President Benigno Aquino III has previously said that the BBL will be submitted to Congress to be enacted into law after he delivers his State of the Nation Address on July 28.

Coloma added that Bangsamoro Transtition Council (BTC) held a meeting last week to finalize the BBL before it is submitted to Congress for ratification.

Present during the meeting were the members of the Philippine panel headed by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Senen Bacani, Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Coloma recounted.

The Communication Secretary said the President reminded both the Philippine Panel and the representative of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to work together and within the framework of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“Ayon sa Pangulo, ‘let’s approach this drafting of the proposed BBL with an open mind…everything is consistent with the CAB, and limit the potential challenges.’ Dagdag pa niya, ‘let us put ourselves in each other’s shoes. Mula sa ‘kayo’ at ‘kami’, ibalik natin sa ‘tayo’,” said Coloma quoting the President.

On March 27, the CAB was signed in Malacanang, this ended the decades-long conflict that has claimed the lives of hundreds of people in Mindanao. PND (ag)


Government is ready for the 100 millionth Filipino

Malacanang said on Sunday that the government is ready for continuing population growth, as the country reached the 100 million mark.

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said United National Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) confirmed that the Philippine population has reached the 100 million mark.

When asked during the press briefing on Sunday, if the government is ready for the growing population, Coloma said that is what the Philippine Development Plan is for.

“Kaya nga ang ating inilalatag sa Philippine Development Plan ay ang pagtugon sa mga basic needs ng ating mga mamamayan, hindi lang po ‘yung physical infrastructure ang ating inilalatag, mas mahalaga diyan ang social infrastructure,” said Coloma during a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

He said the government is improving the educational system with better curriculum to prepare the future generation.

In a statement Klaus Beck, country representative of UNFPA to the Philippines, said: “the 100 millionth Filipino presents opportunity for all partners and stakeholders to make the right investments in people now, so we can prepare the groundwork for thriving, sustainable cities, productive labor forces that fuel equitable growth, youth that contribute to the well-being of economies and societies and a generation of older people who are healthy and actively engaged in the social and economic affairs of their communities.”

The Communications Secretary emphasized a point Beck mentioned: “to make the right investments in people.”

“Dapat po talagang mamuhunan ang ating pamahalaan sa ating mga mamamayan, 'to make the right investments in people now.' Kaya kung tutunghayan po natin ang national budget, napakalaki po ng portion para sa human development. Ang Department of Education ang siyang may pinakamalaking budget sa ating gobyerno,” Coloma explained.

“Kaya diyan po talaga ang focus ng pamahalaan. Malaki pong puhunan o investment ang ating iniuukol para sa atin pong people development at human resources,” he added.


The “100 millionth baby," according to early reports is Jennalyn or Chonalyn Sentino, a 2.8 kilogram baby born 12:35 am on Sunday at the Dr. Jose Fabilla Hospital in Manila. The parents are Clemente Sentino, 45, a van driver and, Dailin Cabigayan, 27, of Sampaloc, Manila. PND (ag)