Sunday 13 July 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, June 29, 2014

Palace releases midterm update of Philippine Development Plan

The Palace released on Sunday the midterm update of the Philippine Development Plan for 2011 to 2016 from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

“Maaari itong ituring na report card ng gobyerno kung hanggang saan na humantong ang mga reporma at programa hinggil sa pagpapahusay ng serbisyo publiko,” said Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“According to the President: We have witnessed the gradual transformation of our country from an economic laggard to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,” said Coloma quoting the President.

“Through sound management of economic fundamentals, we have climbed out of severe financial and economic deficits, and achieved a healthy cash position to financing priority development projects; and from being regarded as the ‘sick man of Asia’ to earning an investment grade rating that reflects the confidence of the local and international communities,” he continued.

Coloma said the country has made a significant headway in the campaign against corruption, prosecuted government officials and eliminated leakages in government procurement.

He added that due to the government’s trustworthiness it resulted to attracting big-ticket investments in manufacturing, tourism, agri-business, logistics and other productive sectors that resulted to higher employment and more remunerative jobs for Filipinos.

The Communications Secretary said that the President emphasized that there are more still to be done particularly in reducing poverty which maybe addressed through focusing on health, education and employment.

“That is why we are exerting every effort to ensure that the process of reducing inequality happens at a much faster rate and that our programs and projects will have a much more palpable impact on peoples’ lives,” Coloma added.

He encouraged the public to visit the NEDA website to see the so called report card.

“Makikita nila doon sa plans.neda.gov.ph. Chapter by chapter meron tayong performance indicators kaya komprehensibo. Nag-umpisa sa macroeconomic policies, nandoon din ‘yung competitive industry and services, pagkatapos agriculture and fisheries, pagkatapos ‘yung financial system, tapos ‘yung social development,” said Coloma. PND (ag)


Disaster readiness of the country above average, say Palace official

The Philippines’ disaster readiness is above average, a Palace official said on Sunday.

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., is reacting to a report from the United Nation (UN) rating the Philippines disaster preparedness between 6 and 7, where 10 is the highest.

“Siguro naman maituturing na rin na above average kahit na sabihing sixth or seventh. Ibig sabihin, hindi naman po tayo naging malamya sa ating pagtugon sa mga hamon na ‘yan,” said Coloma in a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Margareta Wahlstom, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s special representative for disaster risk reduction made the assessment of the Philippines’ capability.

The Philippines is located in the Pacific ring of fire, where most volcanoes are active; it is also in the Typhoon belt where an average of 20 typhoons pass through each year; and it has fault lines that generate earthquakes.

Coloma said the government is continuously making preparations and educating the public on how to prepare themselves in times of disaster.

“Matibay po ang paninindigan ng ating Pangulo na ang kinakailangan nating itatag ay ‘yung mga disaster resilient communities. Hindi na dapat maulit ‘yung itinuturing niyang vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction. Dapat ay matigil na ang aspeto ng destruction sa pamamagitan ng pagtatag ng mga mas matibay na komunidad,” he added.

Here in the capital the Metro Manila Development Authority is constantly conducting earthquake drills.


“Iba na po kasi ang maging handa para kapag dumating ang panahon—huwag naman sanang pahintulutan ng Poong Maykapal—ay mas mataas na po ang antas ng kahandaan ng mga mamamayan,” Coloma said. PND (ag)