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President
Aquino declares February 18 as special non-working day in Bayawan City,
Negros Oriental in celebration of Tawo-Tawo Festival |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared February 18, which falls on a
Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Bayawan in the
province of Negros Oriental in celebration of the Tawo-Tawo Festival.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 540
signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on January 28 to give the
people of Bayawan City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in
the occasion.
Tawo-Tawo Festival reflects the culture of the city being a rice granary of
the southern part of the province of Negros Oriental.
The farmers in Bayawan are using scarecrows or tawo-tawo to drive away the
little native birds called “maya” that feed on the ripening golden rice
grains. This agricultural method was what led to Bayawan's Tawo-tawo
Festival. PND (js) |
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Aquino renews
commitment for Mindanao development |
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DAVAO CITY) The tremendous potential of Mindanao for development makes it a
top priority for the government to set its sight on the region for further
development, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
Speaking before the participants attending the 2013 Philippines Development
Forum (PDF) on Tuesday at Marco Polo Hotel here, the President said Mindanao
has always been known to be the Land of Promise, because of its great
potential for growth and development, but unfortunately the region remains
untapped.
“For the longest time, this potential remained untapped, and its promise,
unfulfilled; instead, some parts of Mindanao were known by many for
violence, inequality, and corruption in local governance,” he said.
“This history is precisely why the development of Mindanao is a priority for
our administration. We know it is necessary to step up reform here if we are
to foster inclusive growth.”
According to the President, among the major government initiatives to
develop Mindanao began with the synchronization of elections in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the national and local
elections scheduled this year.
He noted that the government also alloted P8.59 billion for the ARMM’s
transitional investment support plan, which will fund the construction of
necessary infrastructure in transportation and health, improve the quality
of education and strengthen the region’s food industry.
One of the major achievements is the signing of the Framework Agreement with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) he said, a move that will bring an
end to the decades-long insurgency, and ensure lasting peace in Mindanao.
The President also thanked international donors and partners for helping
Mindanao communities during the recent calamities, assisting local people
strengthen their communities and build peace, work to improve access to
social services, health and education.
Joining the President were Peace Adviser Teresita Deles, Finance Secretary
Cesar Purisima and Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. PND
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Aquino says US
government to send volunteers for immediate Tubbataha Reef recovery |
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DAVAO CITY) The United States government will send Peace Corps Volunteers to
speed up the rehabilitation of the damaged Tubbataha Reef aside from the
compensation it promised, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.
“It was Ambassador (Harry) Thomas who said that they are not just going to
compensate us in terms of paying the necessary fines, but they are also
envisioning how to assist the rehabilitation of Tubbataha to include posting
Peace Corps Volunteers to the area to accelerate the rehabilitation of the
reef,” the President said during an interview with the media at the Marco
Polo Hotel following the 2013 Philippines Development Forum (PDF) here.
Asked if his administration is open at looking at other possible
international conventions that can be applied to the incident, the President
insisted that he wants to imposed the country’s laws as a response to the
crisis.
“Palagay ko una muna rito ‘yung ating laws. There is a specific law
governing Tubbataha,” the President said adding that he already met with US
Ambassador Thomas and US Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Carney.
He noted that he hasn’t seen the salvage operations plan and he expects
Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya to present the plan
today or tomorrow.
The USS Guardian, a US Navy minesweeper, became grounded on the Tubbataha
Reef on January 17 after visiting the Philippines. The reef is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site located in a remote part of the Sulu Sea. The incident
damaged 4,000 square meters of reefs, officials said.
American authorities said they plan to dismantle the 224-foot ship to ensure
that the reef will not be further damaged by salvage operations, which is
expected to take a few months. PND (as) |
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President Aquino
cites importance of public-private partnership towards development |
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DAVAO CITY) The assistance of government partners from the private sector,
the academe and international backers make it easier for the government to
push development and improve the lives of Filipinos, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said Tuesday during the 2013 Philippines Development Forum (PDF)
held at Marco Polo Hotel here.
In his message, the President said he wants to look back on both his
government’s successes and its shortcomings as the administration approaches
the midpoint of its term.
He said his government wants to make the most of this time to build on what
it has achieved, to improve where it lacks, and to fulfill its promises to
the people towards attaining inclusive growth, sustainable progress, and
greater peace and stability.
“This is a daunting task, but knowing that there are those who are willing
to share this responsibility with us—such as those of you present here
today—makes it easier,” the President said.
“The Philippines Development Forum represents the very best of the ideals
behind public-private partnerships, and I am glad to be here. It has been a
while since we last met, so I hope you will allow me to share with you the
progress we all have made.”
The Chief Executive also mentioned during the forum the successes of his
administration such as the 6.6 percent full year growth for 2012, the
improved consumption capacity of Filipinos, and the continuing commitment of
the government to good governance and anti-corruption initiatives.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, once known to be a den of
corruption, has posted a savings of P12 billion recently, a major feat for a
government office, he said.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue is also performing well, collecting over P1
trillion for the first time in history last year, the President said.
The Filipino people are the country’s strongest competitive advantage and
this is the reason why his administration continues to invest heavily on
people.
Among these investments the President mentioned include the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the expanded PhilHealth coverage, and the launch
of the K to 12 program that will help bring Philippine education up to
international standards.
The President also underscored the importance of the forum to the
government’s thrust towards development.
“Through this forum, we affirm the necessity of positive participation, not
merely to point out the problems, but more importantly, to become part of
the solution,” President Aquino said.
“Nation building is never about those at the top huddling together to impose
their ideas on everyone else, it is about the whole spectrum of society
pulling together, steadily marching together towards a single direction,” he
added.
The PDF is the primary mechanism of the government for facilitating
substantive dialogue among stakeholders on the country’s development agenda.
It also serves as a process to develop consensus and generate commitment
among different stakeholders toward critical actionable items of the
government’s reform agenda. PND (as) |
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Aquino says creating safe
zones a top priority for government |
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DAVAO CITY) Relocating communities from danger areas will remain the
government’s top priority despite its tremendous cost, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said on Tuesday.
In an interview after attending the 2013 Philippines Development Forum (PDF)
at Marco Polo Hotel here, the President was asked about his plans on Davao
City residents living along the city’s riverbanks.
Riverside communities in Davao City are considered vulnerable, according to
the Mines and Geosciences Bureau after the recent flooding incident last
week. But the Davao City local government complains of high cost of moving
the people away from danger zones.
But the President said the important thing for the government is to find
safe locations for those communities despite the cost.
“Pinaka-importante dito ‘yung saving lives. Kailangan nating gumawa ng
paraan, maghanap ng pondo para pondohan ang magastos na trabahong ito dahil
ang priority ng gobyerno ay paglingkuran ang taumbayan,” he told reporters.
“Hindi tayo maglilingkod kung pababayaan natin sila doon sa mga risky
areas.”
The government can find money if it has the will to help those communities,
the President said. For instance, he said his administration could use the
P12-billion savings by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
last year to fund the initiative.
“Palagay ko naman ang dami nang examples kung saan tayo nakatipid. Kanina
binanggit ko ang
DPWH, P12-billion. Palagay ko malaki-laki na ang maililipat nating pondo sa
mga savings mula ‘nung last year and even ‘yung 2011 na savings para
pondohan itong pagsasaayos ng ating mga komunidad,” the President said.
The chief executive mentioned during the PDF the reforms at the DPWH, a
department once known for rampant corruption. PND (as) |
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Aquino says all concerned government agencies
working together to ensure jobs for Filipinos after
graduation |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III assured that various concerned agencies are
exerting all the necessary efforts to attain his administration's goal of
providing employment for Filipinos after graduation.
The Chief Executive told the media after attending the Philippines
Development Forum 2013 held at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City on Tuesday that
he directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to work along with
its partner agencies in implementing various job creation facilitation
programs.
"Ang hinahabol nga natin dito ay ang pagtutulong-tulong ng Labor, CHED
(Commission on Higher Education), pati na rin DepEd (Department of
Education) at TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)
na siguraduhin na meron ngang papasukang trabaho ang ating mga kababayan
‘pag nag-graduate sila," the President said.
President Aquino said the K to 12 program was designed to help address the
country's employment concerns.
"'Yung pagtulak sa K+12 is meant to empower our citizens to have better
paying jobs or to give them the necessary skills to be able to acquire job,"
he said.
The program also aims to address the prevailing jobs mismatch, the President
noted.
"So, ulitin ko, imbes na 'bahala na system' talagang pinipilit natin alamin
kung ano ang mga prospects ng trabaho—not today but two years, four years
from now—ipaalam sa mga mag-aaral para naman bagay ang kanilang tinatalakay
tungo doon sa kanilang pwedeng pasukan," he said.
Since the business process outsourcing (BPO) is a growing industry in the
Philippines, the President bared that there are more schools that will be
offering BPO courses.
The administration is trying to attract both domestic and international
investors to create more job opportunities for Filipinos, he noted.
"Hina-highlight ko ilang beses ang Phil-JobNet na website ng ating
Department of Labor na ‘nung nag-umpisa tayo mga 40,000 jobs available raw
ang nandoon at mas maraming nag-a-apply," he said.
"Ang last na report sa akin ni Secretary (Rosalinda) Baldoz over
200—something like 230,000 postings on Phil-JobNet at ang aplikante parang
mga 117,000. So tinatrabaho rin natin na siguraduhin na ang gine-generate na
skills ay tugma or may papasukan na trabaho," he said. PND (js) |
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President Aquino cites
Andres Bonifacio College as pillar of
educational excellence in Region 9 |
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DIPOLOG CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Andres Bonifacio
College (ABC) here for being a pillar of educational excellence in Region 9.
The President said in his speech during the inauguration of the ABC Graduate
and Professional School building on Tuesday that from its humble beginnings
in 1940, the ABC is now a respected educational institution whose students
excel in every field of endeavor.
"Talaga naman pong bukal ng inspirasyon ang kasaysayan ng inyong paaralan.
Mula sa isang maliit na istitusyong itinindig ni Ginoong Amatong noong 1940,
na may pitong estudyante at limang guro lamang; isa na kayong ngayon sa mga
tinitingalang sentro ng edukasyon sa Region 9, at talagang namang humahataw
sa husay sa iba't ibang larangan ang inyong mga mag-aaral," the President
said.
"Sagisag ng tagumpay ng inyong paaralan ang paglulunsad natin ngayon ng
inyong bagong gusali. Bawat pundasyon nito ay simbolo ng matibay na
kinabukasang pamana ninyo sa inyong mga estudyante; bawat palapag nito ay
sumasalamin sa pag-angat ng kaalaman ng ating kabataan; bawat metro-pulgada
nito ay matatag na sandigan ng mga Dipolognon tungo sa magandang kinabukasan,"
he added.
The President pointed out that just like leading the inauguration of new
corporations and the increasing number of investors looking towards the
Philippines as an alternative investment site, leading the inauguration of
new school buildings symbolizes not only the people's trust in government
but also the growing confidence of the international sector on the country
under his administration.
"Ang ganitong pagpapasinaya ng mga bagong gusali, ang pagbubukas ng mga
bagong kumpanya at industriya, ang sunod sunod na pagpasok ng mga
namumuhunan sa ating bansa ay simbolo; hindi lamang ng tiwala ni Juan dela
Cruz sa agenda ng pagbabago, kundi lalo na sa kakaibang kumpiyansa ng mundo
sa mga Pilipino," the President said.
Built at a cost of P70-million, the ABC Graduate and Professional School
building was constructed to meet the growing demand for an institution to
host post graduate studies for students seeking even higher learning after
college. PND (rck) |
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President Aquino
vows infrastructure and social projects to continue in Zamboanga del
Norte |
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DIPOLOG CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the people of
Zamboanga del Norte that his government would work tirelessly to provide
infrastructure and social projects for the continued and sustained
development of the province, as promised during his State of the Nation
Address (SONA) in 2012.
The President gave the assurance in his speech keynoting the inauguration of
the Andres Bonifacio College Graduate and Professional School building here
on Tuesday.
Among the projects the President said the government would prioritize for
the development of the province include upgrading the Dipolog City Airport,
which he said will be completed by 2016; and various road projects such as
improving the Liloy-Siocon Road and the Sibuco Boundary Road project.
“Gaya ng nabanggit ko noong nakaraang SONA, kasado na ang pagpapaunlad natin
ng Dipolog City Airport, na inaasahan nating makumpleto bago matapos ang
aking termino sa 2016. Nagkaroon na po ng bidding at inaasahang sisimulan na
ang pagpapagawa nito ngayong taon,” the President said.
“Bukod dito, tuloy-tuloy po ang pagpapaunlad natin sa imprastraktura ng
Zamboanga del Norte. Isa na rito ang pagsasaayos ng Liloy - Siocon Road na
natapos na noong Abril 2012. Nariyan din ang Zamboanga del Sur / Zamboanga
del Norte Boundary Road - Sibuco Road, na target nating matapos ngayong taon,”
he added.
“At ngayon pong 2013, tinaasan pa natin ang budget ng DPWH para sa inyong
rehiyon sa 1.5 billion pesos, na pihadong ilalaan natin sa mga makabuluhang
proyekto,” the President said.
He stressed that aside from infrastructure projects, development of the
Filipino people through the Conditional Cash Transfer or the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program would continue as part of his social contract
with the people.
He noted that 84,520 people from the various parts of Zamboanga del Norte
have benefitted or are continuing to benefit from this government program.
“Tulad ng ating panata: Walang maiiwan sa itinataguyod nating kaunlaran.
Kaya naman tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang ating Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Ang mga dating isang-kahig-isang-tuka, ngayon ay binibigyang-kakayahan ng
pamahalaan upang makilahok sa pagpapaunlad ng sarili at ng kalakhang lipunan.
Dito po sa Zamboanga del Norte, umabot na sa halos 84,520 ang ating inaaruga
sa CCT,” the President said.
President Aquino also vowed to provide electricity to the far-flung
barangays and sitios of the province to further develop its potential as one
of the country’s top tourist destination.
“Dito po sa Zamboanga del Norte, napailawan na natin sa loob ng labintatlong
buwan ang apatnapu’t dalawang sitio, at makakaasa kayong madadagdagan pa ito,”
the President said. PND (rck) |
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President Aquino
calls on all Filipinos to be discerning in choosing the next set of
leaders during May polls |
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DIPOLOG CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III called on all Filipinos to be
extra discerning when choosing the next set of leaders of the Philippines
during the national and local midterm elections that will be held in May
2013.
The President made the call in his speech during the inauguration of the the
Andres Bonifacio College Graduate and Professional School building here on
Tuesday.
He said that by weeding out the “false” candidates from the real ones who
dedicate their lives to serve the people would ensure that the Philippines
and the Filipino will achieve its dream of genuine change.
“Ang tanong ngayon: Gusto ba nating magtuloy-tuloy ang pagbabago? Sasagutin
po ito ng taumbayan sa darating na Mayo. Ang hamon ko sa ating lahat, lalo
na sa ating kabataan na magmamana ng ating kinabukasan --- makilahok,
magbantay at makiisa sa pagtataguyod ng isang tapat at patas na halalan,”
the President said.
“Kilatisin po natin ang bawat kandidato --- sino ang tunay na lingkod-bayan
o nagpapanggap lamang?,” he added.
He expressed confidence that with the help of the people, especially the
people of Dipolog, the gains achieved by his administration to move the
country forward would continue beyond his term as President.
“Walang duda: Kinikilala na maging ng mundo ang pagbabagong tinatamasa ng
ating bayan; na ibang-iba na ito kumpara sa ating dinatnan. Kompiyansa po
akong sa pakikiisa ng mga Dipolognon at ng sambayanang Pilipino,
magtutuloy-tuloy ang pag-usad ng bansa kahit matapos ang aking termino,” the
President said.
“Sama-sama nating iangat ang bawat isa, kapit-bisig nating tugunan ang
problema, na maghahatid sa atin sa isang bansang tunay na payapa at masagana,”
he added. PND (rck) |
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