Palace hosts Agenda-Setting with Dialogue
Partners
Malacañang on Friday hosted the Agenda-Setting
with Dialogue Partners, which President Benigno S. Aquino III described as a
gathering of forces of reform.
President Aquino, in his speech, said his
administration has made great strides in instituting reforms in terms of
education, infrastructure, and social welfare, among others.
“Noong tayo’y kinukumbinsing tumakbo, ang
mungkahi, umpisahan lang natin ang pagbabago, ayos na. Ngayon, napakalayo na po
talaga ng narating natin mula nang magsimula tayo; talaga pong lampas-lampas pa
ito sa ating mga unang inasam,” he told his estimated 400 guests, consisting of
members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and
representatives of the various civil society organizations and business groups.
Given his administration’s accomplishments, the
President said he faces the question of who would continue the reforms the
government has put in place.
“Kaya nga po, sa mga nagtatanong kung sino ang
magpapatuloy: Baka naman po nagkakamali tayo ng tanong; baka hindi talaga
‘sino’ ang dapat nating hanapin—dahil walang ibang sagot sa tanong na iyan
kundi ‘tayong lahat ang magpapatuloy nito’,” he said.
The President then outlined the issues the
government is facing -- the possible power shortage, the port congestion in
Manila, the improvement of the light railway system, and the peace and order
situation -- and the steps the administration has taken to solve them.
“Ang mga hakbang ukol sa mga isyung tinukoy ko
ang magpapatunay: Sagad na sagad pa rin ang tutok natin sa kapakanan ng ating
mga Boss. Hindi tayo lilihis sa tuwid na landas; ang tuon natin ay hindi
pulitika, kundi resulta; hindi pag-iingay, kundi kongkretong tugon sa mga
suliranin ng ating mga Boss; hindi ambisyon, kundi serbisyong pampubliko at
tunay na pagmamahal sa ating bansa,” he said.
He also slammed his administration’s detractors,
saying they should instead help the government in transforming the nation.
“Ang problema po, tuloy ang pagkontra nila
habang tayo’y nagtatanim, pero tiyak ko po, pagdating sa panahon na aanihin na
ang mga bunga nito, sila pa ang mangunguna sa pagpapa-papel,” he said.
The President called on his guests to continue
to strive to make reforms.
“Kailangan lang po talagang araw-araw nating
pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap, kailangan nating doblehin ang pagkayod, kailangan
nating idiin sa taumbayan na itong tuwid na landas, itong agenda ng reporma at
ng tapat at mabuting pamamahala, ito lamang ang tanging paraan para magpatuloy
ang ating paglalakbay tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pangarap,” he said.
Earlier, House of Representatives Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said in his remarks that the event was an opportunity
for them to view the country’s position in the next two years, as well as to
unite and succeed in their endeavors.
For his part, Senate President Franklin Drilon
said their mission for the next two years is to safeguard the reforms that the
President has painstakingly put in place, so they could be preserved beyond
2016.
“We will make sure that the next leadership will
continue these reforms so that their fruits will be enjoyed by this generation
and the generation yet unborn,” Drilon said. PND (ag)
President Aquino defends National Police Chief
Alan Purisima from critics
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday came
to the defense of Director General Alan Purisima amid calls for the Philippine
National Police (PNP) chief to quit his post.
“Sa pamumuno ni General Purisima, ang nag-imbestiga,
tumugis, at nakadakip sa mga salarin na ngayon ay kinasuhan na, kapwa po nila
pulis. Dagdag pa po diyan ang sari-sari pang mga krimen na nalulutas, kasama na
ang mga high-profile na pagpapaslang. Tanong ko po: Makatuwiran po bang
pagbitiwin sa puwesto si General Purisima na namumuno sa mga pulis na ginagawa
nang mahusay ang kanilang trabaho?” the President said in his speech during the
Agenda-Setting with Dialogue Partners held in Malacañang Palace.
The President said he believes General Purisima
has made substantial reforms in the police force.
“Ang totoo po, napakalaki na ng ipinagbago ng
imahen ng atin pong kapulisan. Dala po ito ng transpormasyong nangyari sa
kanilang hanay—hindi lang sa larangan ng kagamitan o sa pag-aaruga sa ating mga
pulis, kundi pati na rin sa kulturang nagsisimula nang mamayani sa sistema,” he
said.
He also praised Purisima for the relentless
effort of the police to solve crimes, a far cry from the crime-solving methods
of the past.
“Dati, natukoy lang ang suspek sa krimen, tila
okay na. Ngayon, talagang hindi tinatantanan ng kinauukulan ang kaso hangga’t
walang nadadakip. Kung dati, dinadaan sa tsamba o ‘sana’ ang paglutas ng
krimen, ngayon, mas sistematiko at siyentipiko na ang pangangasiwa kung saang
mga lugar at kung aling mga krimen ang dapat tutukan,” he added.
Among the high-profile cases being investigated
by the PNP are the killing of race car driver Enzo Pastor, in which two
suspects have been arrested; the killing of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan Mayor
Ernesto Balolong, in which two of three suspects have been apprehended; and the
killing of hotel chain owner Richard King, in which three suspects have been
taken in.
He also cited the capture of General Jovito
Palparan, Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army chairman Benito
Tiamzon and his wife.
The President said the latest statistics would
attest that the PNP has been able to reduce the number of killings in the
National Capital Region.
“Kitang-kita rin po ang pagbabago sa mga numero:
Sa pinakahuling datos, ang dating 31 kaso ng homicide kada linggo sa National
Capital Region, ay bumaba na sa 20 kada lingo,” he said.
The President however expressed dismay over the
lack of credit given by the media to these accomplishments.
“Nakakadismaya nga po kung minsan, dahil
nakikita natin na kapag may krimeng nangyari, headline sa diyaryo; kapag naman
nalutas ang krimen, kailangang hanapin ang kapirasong ulat sa page 20. Hindi
naman kalabisang hilingin na maging balanse sa pagbabalita ukol sa krimen, ‘di
po ba?” President Aquino lamented. PND (ag)
President Aquino lauds Filipino peacekeepers’
action in Golan Heights
President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the
actions of the Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights.
“Lahat ng Pilipinong sundalo doon, mula sa
pinakabagong private hanggang sa colonel natin, nagpakita ng abilidad at husay
sa kanilang tungkulin. Nang maipit, gumawa ng plano, kumilos, at nailigtas nga
po nila ang isa’t isa sa panganib,” the President said in his speech during the
Agenda-Setting with Dialogue Partners, which Malacañang Palace hosted on
Friday.
He noted that the government has long been
lobbying that Filipino peacekeepers be allowed to carry high-powered firearms.
“Matagal din po tayong humiling na mapayagang
bigyan o pahintulutang magdala ng mas malakas na armas ang ating mga sundalo
doon dahil nag-iba na po kasi ang sitwasyon, at dumami ang mga puwersang
nagtutunggalian sa lugar na inatasan tayong bantayan,” he added.
He likened the Filipino peacekeepers to the
soldiers who fought in the Zamboanga siege in October 2013.
“Di ba ganyan din po ang ipinakitang husay ng
ating mga sundalo sa Zamboanga? Sa 197 na hostages doon, 195 ang nailigtas
nila, at ang dalawang namatay ay napaslang hindi dahil sa crossfire ng rescue,
kundi dahil pinaslang sila ng mga tumatakas na masasamang elemento,” he said.
The dialogue was attended by about 400 guests,
consisting of members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders
and representatives of the various civil society organizations and business
groups. PND (ag)
President Aquino renews government's commitment
to improve MRT services
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday
renewed his administration's commitment to improve the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)
system for the convenience of commuters in Metro Manila.
In his speech during the Agenda-Setting with
Dialogue Partners held in Malacañang Palace, the President said government
programs aimed at improving the services of the light railway system are
ongoing.
“Sa ngayon nga po, gumugulong na ang proseso
para sa isang malawakan at sistematikong pagsasaayos ng MRT system,” he said,
noting that the government is expecting the arrival of 48 new coaches in
September next year.
According to the President, the MRT system's
Automatic Fare Collection System (ACFS), which will be 50-percent complete by
next year, will reduce the time spent by passengers getting tickets.
He said the areas for queuing will be expanded
for the convenience of commuters, and railway tracks will be improved to ensure
passenger safety.
"Ia-upgrade din ang power system dahil mas
malakas ang konsumo sa kuryente ng mga ito. Aayusin din ang bagong signal
system, upang maging mas madalas ang paglapag sa istasyon ng mga tren at mas
ligtas ang biyahe nitong mga tren na ito," he said.
"Ang ibig sabihin, mas maraming makasasakay
araw-araw at maiibsan ang pagsisiksikan sa mga tren."
The President said he has long wanted to see
these improvements carried out but doing studies on how to improve the light
railway system and finding funds took time.
The procurement process alone takes four to six
months, he added.
“Maunawaan po sana ng lahat na kailangan ng
panahon para ipatupad ang lahat ng ito, na kapag natapos naman ay magbibigay sa
atin ng mas maayos na sistema ng pampublikong transportasyon, at inaasahan
nating magpapaluwag din ito ng kalsada dahil mas kakaunti na ang pipiliing
magdala ng sariling sasakyan,” he said.
Last April, the government signed a concession
agreement with Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Ayala Corp. for the
P1.72-billion single ticketing project for the MRT and Light Rail Transit
(LRT). The project is under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya
said during the signing that the PPP project is expected to be fully implemented
by September next year.
The ACFS, a tap-and-go ticketing scheme for the
MRT and LRT, is envisioned to improve passenger comfort and convenience by
cutting queuing time and allowing smooth transfers from one rail line to
another. PND (as)
National transformation lies in the hands of
every Filipino, says President Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III said it is not
his sole obligation to continue the ongoing reforms in the country, instead
every Filipino must take part in the nation’s transformation.
In a speech during the Agenda-Setting with
Dialogue Partners held at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace on Friday, the
President said he has been receiving text messages, saying it is his duty to
ensure that reforms continue.
He however said he believes that it is the
obligation of the entire nation to sustain these changes.
"Kaya nga po, sa mga nagtatanong kung sino
ang magpapatuloy: Baka naman po nagkakamali tayo ng tanong; baka hindi talaga
‘sino’ ang dapat nating hanapin—dahil walang ibang sagot sa tanong na iyan
kundi ‘tayong lahat ang magpapatuloy nito’," the President said.
The administration's mission, he said, is to
implement fully the reforms in government to show the “Bosses” that the only
way to achieve the country’s goals is by traversing the righteous path.
"Lalo pa nating pag-ibayuhin ang
pagsisikap; huwag po tayong makuntento sa ating narating; siguruhin natin na
ang nararating natin ay hindi na maglalaho pa, at bagkus ay lalong lalawak at
lalong lalalim," the President said.
He earlier said that before he came into office
in 2010, the country was mired in corruption that hopelessness was prevalent
among Filipinos.
As the government carried out reform measures,
the country posted successes in such areas as in education, health care, social
protection, infrastructure development, peace and order, job generation, and
many others, he said.
“Kung dati, manhid na ang Pilipino at wala nang
ganang makilahok sa paghubog ng lipunan, ngayon po ay talagang buhay na buhay
ang ating demokrasya,” he noted.
The President called on his guests, consisting
of members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition allies, leaders and
representatives of the various civil society organizations and business groups,
to continue making reforms.
“Kailangan lang po talagang araw-araw nating
pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap, kailangan nating doblehin ang pagkayod, kailangan
nating idiin sa taumbayan na itong tuwid na landas, itong agenda ng reporma at
ng tapat at mabuting pamamahala, ito lamang ang tanging paraan para magpatuloy
ang ating paglalakbay tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pangarap,” President
Aquino said. PND (as)
Government to overcome pressing problems,
President says
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday vowed
to resolve the pressing problems his administration faces in the remaining two
years of his term.
Speaking during the Agenda-Setting with Dialogue
Partners, which was attended by members of Congress and the Cabinet, coalition
allies, leaders and representatives of various civil society organizations and
business groups, President Aquino focused on four issues the government is
facing and the steps it is taking to resolve them.
First, he said, is the possible power shortage
next year, brought about by a resurging economy and the El Niño weather
phenomenon.
The President said he will soon ask Congress to
authorize the government to contract an additional power generating capacity.
“Sa ngayon po, lahat ng iskema para masiguradong
mapipigilan ang brownout ay itinutulak natin. Ang katuwiran po natin ay sakali
ngang magkaroon ng pagkukulang sa kuryente, maganda nang tiyak na may
pagkukunan tayo nito, kaysa aasa na lang tayo na, sana may makunan tayo kapag
nagkakaproblema,” he explained.
He said he has instructed Energy Secretary
Jericho Petilla to do everything to avert power outages during summer next
year.
Second is the port congestion in Manila, brought
about by unclaimed cargoes, the President said, adding that this has resulted
in gridlock in main thoroughfares.
In response, the government has coordinated with
the local governments of Manila and the entire National Capital Region
regarding the passage of trucks, and has imposed a daily fine of P5,000 for
unclaimed cargoes starting October 1, among other measures, he said, noting
that he has directed Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to concentrate on
solving the issue.
Third is the traffic congestion in Metro Manila,
he said.
“Dumarami po ang nagkakaroon ng kakayahang
bumili ng sariling sasakyan; hinahabol po natin ang pagpapagawa ng supisyenteng
kalsada, pero alam po nating hindi ito sapat. Kailangan ding pagbutihin ang
sistema ng pampublikong transportasyon,” the President said.
He also traced the root of the MRT problem back
in 2006, when the MRT was supposed to have a general overhaul, necessary every
eight years, but got a minor overhaul instead.
“Sa ngayon nga po: Gumugulong na ang proseso
para sa isang malawakan at sistematikong pagsasaayos ng MRT system,” he
announced.
He said 48 new coaches will arrive in a year’s
time, railway tracks will be improved to ensure passenger safety, an Automatic
Fare Collection System will be put in place, and queuing areas will be expanded.
Fourth is the peace and order issue, he said,
adding that the government is addressing high-profile cases and has scored
successes in the arrest of two suspects in the killing of race car driver Enzo
Pastor, two suspects in the murder of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan Mayor Ernesto
Balolong, and three suspects in the killing of hotel chain owner Richard King.
He also praised the police for reducing the
number of homicide cases in the National Capital Region from 31 cases a week to
20 cases a week.
“Ang mga hakbang ukol sa mga isyung tinukoy ko
ang magpapatunay: Sagad na sagad pa rin ang tutok natin sa kapakanan ng ating
mga Boss. Hindi tayo lilihis sa tuwid na landas; ang tuon natin: Hindi
pulitika, kundi resulta; hindi pag-iingay, kundi kongkretong tugon sa mga
suliranin ng ating mga Boss; hindi ambisyon, kundi serbisyong pampubliko at
tunay na pagmamahal sa ating bansa,” President Aquino said. PND (ag)
Switzerland welcomes submission of proposed
Bangsamoro Law to Philippine Congress
The Swiss government has congratulated the
Philippine government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other
stakeholders on the submission of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law to the
Philippine Congress.
"Switzerland welcomes yesterday’s formal submission
by President Benigno S. Aquino III of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law for
consideration by the Philippine Congress," Ambassador Ivo Sieber of
Switzerland said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Wednesday's submission of the draft Bangsamoro
law is another major step in the process to bring peace to Mindanao, following
the signing of the Framework Peace Agreement on the Bangsamoro on October 15,
2012 and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014,
Sieber said.
The submission of the draft law is an important
achievement together with the forthcoming debate by Congress, and this
represents another testament to the commitment of all sides for the creation of
the Bangsamoro, and to bring durable peace, justice, development and security
to Mindanao, he added.
"Together with the international community,
in particular the International Contact Group, which comprises the Geneva-based
Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Switzerland is committed as an active partner
to support the establishment of the Bangsamoro," the Swiss ambassador
said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said the
Philippine Congress aims to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in the first
quarter of next year.
During the ceremonial turnover of the draft
Bangsamoro Basic Law, President Aquino asked Congress to pass the bill
immediately so that Muslim Mindanao would have sufficient time to prepare to
govern itself.
Drilon said passing it in the first quarter of
next year would give the region enough time to conduct a plebiscite and have
the transition commission in place before the 2016 election. PND (as)
