President Aquino says foreign visits necessary to
build strong relations with other countries
President Benigno S. Aquino III said his
attendance to the 7th Bali Democracy Forum is important as the country builds
strong relations with its neighboring countries in the Asia Pacific region.
“Ang pagdalo natin sa Bali Democracy Forum ay
patunay sa kahandaan ng Pilipino na makipagtulungan upang makamit ang mas
matatag at mas maunlad na rehiyon at komunidad ng mga bansa,” the President
said in his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2
on Friday.
“Patuloy po nating didiligan at pangangalagaan ang
mga ipinunla nating mahusay na pakikipag-ugnayan upang anihin ng susunod na
henerasyon ang isang Pilipinas na kabalikat sa kaunlaran hindi lang sa ASEAN
kundi saiba’t ibang panig ng daigdig; masigasig na tagapagtaguyod ng
kapayapaan; at modelo ng matatag na demokrasya.”
The President defended his recent trips overseas,
arguing these are necessary for the Philippines to forge better relations with
other countries.
He added that in the global stage, the success of
a country is also a boon to others, as its failure also negatively affects its
neighbors.
“Bahagi mismo ng pagtupad sa ating mga hangarin
ang pagpupunla ng binhi ng tiwala at pakikipagtulungan sa ating mga
karatig-bansa,” he said.
For instance, when Mt. Gunung Agung in Indonesia
erupted in 1963, the Philippines immediately sent paramedics and assistance to
help affected communities, he said.
And last year, when Typhoon Yolanda struck Eastern
Visayas, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono extended his sympathies
and gave around $2 million to the typhoon survivors.
Indonesia also played a role in achieving peace in
Mindanao, he said, helping the Philippines during its negotiations with the
Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The ASEAN neighbor is also supportive of the
Philippines’s stand in the West Philippine Sea, in fighting terrorism as well
as addressing climate change.
“Kaya naman, ang ganitong uri ng ugnayan, talagang
dapat pangalagaan. Ididiin ko lang po: Hindi parang kabuteng sumusulpot ang
ganitong makabuluhan at matalik na relasyon sa pagitan ng mga bansa,” he said,
adding, “Kailangan matanim ang pagkakaunawaan at pagdadamayan, at arugain ang
binhi ng tiwala na namamagitan sa dalawa.”
The President arrived at NAIA Friday evening after
attending the one-day Bali Democracy Forum. PND (as)
National government extends P55-million assistance
to Albay residents
The national government extended more than P55
million for Albay province through various government agencies as assistance to
communities affected by Mayon volcano’s impending eruption.
In a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that national
government agencies have been lending help to the province of Albay since the
evacuation of affected families started.
The government relocates the people away from the
six-kilometer permanent danger zone near Mayon volcano.
Valte also said government agencies as well as the
local government continue to monitor the situation near the volcano.
With regards to Typhoon Ompong that brought heavy
flooding in Iloilo and Zamboanga, Valte said the National Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) also continues to lend assistance to
affected residents.
“Kasi nang pumasok naman po ang Typhoon Ompong ay
naka-preposition na ang mga goods and medicines natin, and handa na ‘yung
pagbibigay ng saklolo sa mga kababayan natin doon sa mga apektadong lugar,” she
told the radio station. PND (as)
President Aquino says good bilateral relations
between Philippines and Indonesia to continue
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III
has expressed confidence that the good relations between the Philippines and
Indonesia will continue with the swearing-in of President-elect Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo this month.
In an interview with the members of the Philippine
media delegation here, President Aquino said the Philippines would do
everything to maintain its good bilateral relations with Indonesia.
“Kaya naman tinutulungan natin na masiguradong
ganoon nga ang mangyayari, na inimbita tayo para dito sa Bali Democracy Forum,
at ating sinadya dahil tanda nga nang pagkilala natin sa malaking tinutulong sa
atin ng Indonesia at sa napakagandang relasyon natin,” the President said.
President Aquino was here in Bali on Friday to
participate in the 7th Bali Democracy Forum, which he co-chaired with outgoing
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday.
“Tapos ‘yung kay President-elect, 'di ba, parang
natural naman siguro na lalo pa niyang habulin at paigtingin ang relasyon sa
isang bansang karatig nila at kasama sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian
Nations),” the President said.
President Aquino cited the agreement between the
Philippines and Indonesia on maritime boundary delimitation as one of the
positive results of the two nations’ good bilateral relations.
The Chief Executive said President Yudhoyono’s
government also helped the Philippines in protecting the welfare and safety of
overseas Filipino workers during the Arab Spring in 2011.
He also acknowledged Indonesia’s overwhelming
assistance in the aftermath of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), as
well as its participation in the Mindanao peace process.
“Gagawin ng Pilipinas lahat para mapanatili ang
magandang ugnayan at kung puwede pataasin pa at patibayin pa ‘yung relasyon,”
President Aquino told members of the Philippine media delegation here.
Joko Widodo will be be sworn in as the seventh
president of the Republic of Indonesia on October 20. PND (co)
Government determined to improve country’s
airports, says Palace
The Palace said it expects significant
improvements in the country’s major airports next year as the Philippines
aggressively promotes its tourism sector.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said part of it is the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport Terminal 1.
“Nakikita naman natin that the work is taking
place, which is why we continue to seek the understanding of our passengers
because of the inconvenience that the rehab work is causing,” Valte told dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan in an interview Saturday.
Aviation authorities also transferred at least
five of the international airlines from Terminal 1 to NAIA Terminal 3, she
said.
With the transfer, major airlines could fully
utilize NAIA Terminal 3 easing the passenger congestion at the Terminal 1.
Among those transferred to Terminal 3 include Singapore Airlines, Cathay
Pacific, KLM, and Delta Airlines.
“So at least the remaining airlines there, mas
kakaunti na sila, mas kakaunti na ang mga pasaherong dadaan doon sa terminal na
‘yun, (Terminal 1) especially now that it’s undergoing rehabilitation,” she
noted.
The government has to improve the country’s facilities
as it invites more tourists to come to the Philippines, she said.
More visitors are expected to visit the
Philippines next year as it hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
meetings, Valte said.
Spain’s Madrid Fusion is also coming to the
Philippines in 2015, she said.
“That was one of the agreements that the President
witnessed the signing of in Madrid when he was there. So, we expect more
visitors and we really have made plans also for them,” she added. PND (as)
Palace says it will participate in public hearings
regarding President’s emergency powers
The executive branch is willing to participate in
public hearing initiated by Congress regarding the President’s request for
emergency powers to address the country’s energy concerns.
Some congressmen oppose the Palace’s request for
emergency powers but it was reported that they want to conduct public hearings
on the proposal.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on
Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace will
gladly participate in such hearings.
“We’ve always accepted their invitations to act as
resource speakers, especially now that tayo ‘yung humingi ng emergency powers,”
she told the radio station.
Responding to accusations saying that the Palace
is requesting emergency powers because it wants to use the Malampaya funds,
Valte said it is not a logical conclusion since the use of the fund is
delineated under the law.
The Aquino administration’s use of the Malampaya
funds is consistent on the guideline mandated by law even before the Supreme
Court issued its decision on the issue, according to the Palace official.
“So we’ve been very judicious in the use of the
Malampaya funds and we will not resort to excuses just to tap it,” Valte noted.
“We have always used it in accordance with the law
and the strict interpretation of it.” PND (as)
Aquino welcomes SWS survey results, thanks
respondents for positive rating
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III
on Friday welcomed the results of the latest Social Weather Station (SWS)
survey, and assured the public that his administration would continue to work
hard.
The latest SWS survey, conducted from September 26
to 29 among 1,200 adults nationwide, showed President Aquino’s public
satisfaction rating rebounded in the third quarter of 2014.
The survey showed 59 percent of respondents were
satisfied with the President’s performance and 25 percent dissatisfied, for a
“good” net rating of +34.
SWS said net satisfaction rating was up 9 points
from June’s “moderate” +25 (55 percent satisfied, 30 percent
dissatisfied).
During an interview with the members of the
Philippine media delegation here in Bali, President Aquino said that he is
grateful to the respondents who gave him positive rating.
“Kapag tinitingnan natin ang survey, number one,
sinasabi sa atin ang sentimyento noong panahon na kinuha ‘yung survey ng ating
mga kababayan, at sila ang boss ko, kaya dapat pinapakinggan natin,” the
President said.
President Aquino, however, said that his
government would continue to work hard to achieve its goals for the benefit of
the Filipino people.
“Nagpapasalamat ako doon sa nagbigay ng positive
rating sa atin pero, at the same time siguro... parang tinutulak ko rin ang
sarili ko at lahat ng mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete at buong gobyerno na hindi
tayo dapat makuntento sa nagawa kundi maghanap pa ng paraan kung paano mas
mapaganda pa ang ating ginagawa,” the President said.
In an earlier statement, Secretary Herminio Coloma
Jr of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said that the strong
public backing, as reflected in recent surveys, inspires the government to work
harder for the benefit of the people.
“The heightened level of public satisfaction,
approval and trust reported in the latest public opinion surveys of both Pulse
Asia and the Social Weather Stations provides the impetus for intensified
efforts by the President and the Cabinet to strengthen the infrastructure for
sustained and inclusive growth,” he said.
Coloma noted that the administration is committed
to plug the gaps in service delivery and address concrete challenges such as
the projected energy shortfall in the summer of 2015.
The government is also determined to improve the
country’s airports and other gateways to keeping its hard-earned recognition as
the most favored tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific region, he added.
“Most importantly, the President is firmly
committed to the
development of the Filipino people’s fullest
potentials and
acknowledges that the government’s achievements
are anchored upon the robust support and solidarity of the citizenry,” he said.
President Aquino was in Bali on Friday to co-chair
the 7th Bali Democracy Forum with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono. PND (co/as)
Indonesia bestows Adipurna Award on President
Aquino
(BALI, Indonesia) Indonesian President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono bestowed on President Benigno S. Aquino III the Adipurna
Award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with
Indonesia.
President Aquino received the “Bintang Republik
Indonesia Adipurna” (Star of the Republic of Indonesia), the highest honor from
Indonesia, on the sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) that he
co-chaired.
In his speech after accepting the award, President
Aquino thanked President Yudhoyono for the honor, saying it represents the
rich, historical relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.
He said it is also “a recognition of the boundless
potential of our partnership, and of our continuing task of exploring areas of
cooperation and increasing our synergies in every possible manner, all for the
mutual benefit of our peoples.”
“It is for these reasons that the Philippines
remains committed to working towards strengthening and expanding our
partnership with Indonesia,” President Aquino said in his acceptance speech.
President Aquino also affirmed the strong and deep
relations between the two nations, and thanked Indonesia for its support to the
Philippines, especially in times of crisis.
“Indeed, whether one looks at our languages, our
histories, or our cultures, one can only find overwhelming evidence of the
bonds that have tied our countries together through the years,” he said.
“It is no surprise, then, that our relations have
always been characterized by solidarity and, above that, the warmth of enduring
friendships,” the Chief Executive added.
President Aquino also praised outgoing President
Yudhoyono for his exceptional leadership.
“As His Excellency President Yudhoyono concludes
two successful terms as President, he leaves behind a more vibrant Indonesia,
one that has truly taken its rightful place as an influential voice and as a
leader in the world stage,” he said.
“It is a testament to the exceptional leadership
of President Yudhoyono, who has nurtured in so many countries a feeling that
Indonesia is a reliable and constant partner,” the President added.
President Aquino assured the Indonesian leader
that the Philippines remains “fully committed to enhancing the cooperation we
have forged; to deepening our friendship with our neighbors, with whom we share
common beliefs, ideals, and aspirations for a more prosperous global
community.”
The Adipurna Award is the highest honor given by
the Indonesian government to a foreign statesman who has rendered extraordinary
service to the integrity, viability and greatness of Indonesia.
Other heads of state who have received the
Adipurna Award include Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, King Bhumibol
Adulyadej of Thailand, and former President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. PND
(co)
President Aquino calls on Congress for immediate
passage of resolution for emergency powers
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III
called on Congress to immediately grant him emergency powers so the government
can contract additional generating capacity to address the looming power
shortage next year.
During an interview with members of the Philippine
media here, President Aquino said the sooner Congress grants him emergency
powers, the earlier the government can prepare to solve the impending energy
crisis in 2015.
“Ngayon, ang hinahabol natin kung ipapasa ninyo
ipasa naman ninyo sana nang mas maaga kaysa mas matagal dahil iba na rin ang
marami tayong oras para asikasuhin itong isyung ito,” the President said.
President Aquino cited the Interruptible Load
Program (ILP) as one of the government’s options to avert the possible shortage
of 300 megawatts during summer next year.
“Maraming mga pinaplano mula sa tinatawag na
Interruptible Load Program hanggang doon sa pagkukumbinsi na magbawas tayo ng
paggamit ng kuryente,” the President said.
“Pero ang hinahabol nga natin na nandiyan na lahat
'yan bago dumating ang Marso,” added the Chief Executive, who attended the 7th
Bali Democracy Forum on Friday at the Bali International Convention Center.
In a letter dated September 12, President Aquino
invoked Section 71 of Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power
Industry Reform Act of 2001, in seeking emergency powers from Congress. PND
(co)
