PGMA arrives with 119 repatriated OFW's from
President Arroyo and her delegation arrived from her visits to
The repatriated OFW’s from
President Arroyo earlier instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OWWA, and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the case of the 300 OFWs who live under the Khandara bridge in Jeddah.
The President recalled that since her previous state visit to
Mrs. Arroyo also asked the DOLE to strictly implement reforms, which protects the OFW’s particularly the domestic helpers.
Among the reforms mentioned by the President was the implementation of a US$ 400 minimum monthly wage of domestic helpers; the no-placement fee policy and the mandatory skills certification to ensure OFW’s can perform household jobs and the basic culture pre-departure orientation that should enable the workers to adjust to their working environment.
Mrs. Arroyo immediately flew to
After the opening rites, the President will proceed to a regional media interview and then attend a reception hosted by Cabatuan mayor Ramon Yee, Tiring barangay chairman Genovevo Monticado, and Department of Health (DOH) regional director Ariel
Botika ng Bayan is a program initiated by the government since 2001 to reduce by half the cost of medicines commonly bought by the poor and to make them available nationwide, through a distribution network determined by the DOH in coordination with the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC).
It is part of the Half Priced Medicines Program, where the government created the Pharma 50 unit, an adhoc unit that is currently called the National Drug Policy-Pharmaceutical Management Unit (NDP-PMU 50).
Through the Botika ng Bayan program, reduction of prices of drugs and medicines has been achieved where savings can reach up to 62 percent as compared to leading brands.
26 Laguna mayors support 'Gibo's' 2010 presidential bid as FVR vouches for Teodoro's competence to be president
At a farewell dinner for outgoing country director Klaus Preschle of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation at the Mandarin Hotel Tuesday night, Ramos shook hands with Teodoro, one of the main speakers for the night, and gave the youthful presidential aspirant a big lift.
Asked by mediamen if Teodoro has what it takes to become president, Ramos, smiling, described the Defense Chief as “very, very competent.”
Ramos himself was defense chief of President Corazon Aquino before he entered the 1992 elections, offering a candidacy untainted by traditional politics and corruption and a leadership tested by his leadership at the defense department and the Armed Forces of the
In his remarks, Ramos said building a nation requires a “generation of leaders” from the same ruling party to formulate and implement vital public policies.
Lakas and Kampi have produced two presidents — Ramos and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo — who set the direction for the country for 15 of the last 17 years.
The parties have since merged into Lakas-Kampi CMD and their record is highlighted by the robust economic gains made by the country, increased stability, massive infrastructure building and anti-poverty programs for the poor and underprivileged.
Earlier Tuesday, Laguna Governor Teresita “Ningning” Lazaro presided at a provincial chapter meeting of Lakas-Kampi CMD where Teodoro, the most likely candidate of the ruling party in next year’s election, gained the endorsement of 23 municipal mayors, three city mayors, two vice mayors, four provincial Board Members, two municipal councilors and 14 association of barangay council presidents.
Lazaro said support for Teodoro is growing at a frenzied pace and more local officials from the vote-rich province and region are expected to endorse him soon.
“We see a wave of endorsements for Secretary Teodoro coming from local officials not only from Laguna but from the Southern Tagalog region,” Lazaro said.
“We have heard Secretary Teodoro’s message for the Filipino people. We believe he is the right candidate for president. He is the candidate who can create the future for our country,” she said.
Among those declaring support for Teodoro are Calamba City Mayor Joaquin Chipeco Jr.; Mayors Victorino Rodillas (Majayjay); Nieva Reodica (Magdalena); Bruno Ramos (Bay); Josie Cuento (Sta. Maria); Juanita Manzana (Pangil); Ariel Magcalas (Sta. Cruz); Vipops Charles Martinez (Pakil); Gerardo Fader (Mabitac); Manuel Rondilla (Rondilla); Florcelie Esguerra (Cavinti); Caesar Perez (Los Baños); Isidro Hemedes Jr. (Cabuyao); Nelson Osuna (Nagcarlan); Cesar Sulibit (Liliw); Eladion Magampon (Alaminos); Wilfredo Paraiso; Vice Mayor Edgardo Ramos (Pila); Vice-Mayor Paul Simon Go (Siniloan); and Councilor Arlyn Lazaro-Torres (Pagsanjan). Mayors Magcalas, Paraiso and Ramos are former Liberal Party members, while Mayor Osasuna is a former Nationalist People’s Coalition member.
“I am with Lakas Kampi CMD. No ifs or buts. I will work for its presidential candidate,” said Lazaro-Torres, a former PMP Member.
“If we will be united, we can make Gibo win,” said Mayor Rodillas, summing up the upbeat mood of the gathering, just five days after Teodoro emerged as the ruling party’s consensus candidate for president following a meeting of its Executive Committee.
The choice will be formally ratified by the Lakas-Kampi national directorate next month in a two-step process to choose its standard-bearer.
“What we need is development. We can only attain that through unity, especially under the leadership of Gov. Lazaro,” said Ramos.
“We hope that we will be united so that we can ensure a party win," said Cuento.
“We are happy that the Party representatives are here and this meeting is held because we have long waited to know what our Party wants us to do and who are our candidates,” said Manzana.
“Whoever will be the candidate of PGMA will also be my candidate. Among all the Presidents, it is only during the time of PGMA when there was no cut on the IRA (internal revenue allotment) of the LGUs. It was given in full," Perez pointed out.
"I am very proud to be a member of Lakas Kampi CMD," Chipeco, for his part, remarked
“Walk for Life” kicks off Elderly Filipino Week
The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Steering Committee leads with other government agencies, NGOs and senior citizens associations in the celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week on October 1-7.
More than 2,000 participants from the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, government agencies and NGOs will join the Walk for Life, kick off activity on October 1.
“Walk for Life” ushers in the week-long celebration of Elderly Filipino Week. The participants will traverse in the vicinity of SM Mall of Asia in
The Elderly Filipino Week underscores the important role that older persons as models fore today’s generation.
This significant role is echoed in this year’s theme, Nakatatanda: Dangal ng Bayan,Noon at Ngayon.
Proclamation No. 470 issued by former President Fidel V.Ramos, declaring October 1 to 7 as “Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino,’ or the Elderly Filipino Week, aims to bring the public’s attention to the plight of older persons as well as address their needs. The annual celebration also seeks to recognize the important contribution of older persons in nation building.
Likewise, the Elderly Filipino Week celebration seeks to advocate for the full implementation of laws benefiting senior citizens, particularly RA 9257, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. It also supports of the passage of Social Pension for Older Persons and other pending legislations for older persons.
Other activities include poster-making contest on October 2; Dalaw Kalinga for Visitorless, Indigent, Sick and Old (VISO) Prisoners at National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City and Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City on October 2-3.The Kimona ni Lola Fashion Show will be held at DSWD Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City on October 3 where older persons ramp on stage wearing their special-designed ‘kimonas’
On the other hand, the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) will confer this year’s Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda on Sunday, October 4. Likewise, a public for a on Republic Act 9257, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act will be held at the
The culminating activity of the EFW celebration will be held at SM City North EDSA in
The members of the EFW national steering committee chaired by the DSWD are the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE),Federation of Senior Citizen’s Association of the Philippines (FSCAP),SM Foundation, Inc., Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and DZAS- Far Eastern Broadcasting Corp.
National interest foremost in VFA review -– Adan
The VFA review, according to Adan in a media briefing in Malacanang, is necessary to ensure respect for Philippine laws and traditions. It is meant, he said, to assess the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty with the
“The VFA activities that have been conducted over the years serve the national interest. There might be certain procedures or guidelines that need to be refined and we, at the commission level, are constantly looking into that. This is the internal review that is continuously done by the commission,” Adan said.
Adan said the commission respects the views of the Senate which wants to amend the VFA or even abrogate it altogether.
However, Adan added, the government must also consider the stand of local chief executives, from mayors to governors, who have expressed support through council and board resolutions to the joint defense exercises.
“In fact, even the League of Governors of the Philippines has expressed its support to this joint exercises with the US and the support of the US to the Philippines because the arrangement helps improve the quality of life in their communities and upgrade the capability of our Armed Forces,” he said.
For his part, Assistant Secretary Eduardo Malaya pointed out that from 1999 to 2009, US military and defense assistance amounted to 429 million dollars.
In 1995, Adan said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) launched a 15-year modernization program to improve our capabilities after the
“We have a mutual defense treaty with the
With or without the VFA, Adan said there is a mutual obligation for both nations to work together and train together to increase military cooperation and enhance security relations between the two countries.
Adan said the joint undertaking is crucial in the preserving stability in the region including the fight against terrorism particularly after intelligence reports have established that the Abu Sayyaf has links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the al-Qaeda terrorist groups.
