Showing posts with label Pnoy Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pnoy Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. Show all posts

May 16, 2016

DepEd K to 12 Law on its 3rd year anniversary


The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoins the whole country in the observance of the 3rd year anniversary of the signing into law by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, Republic Act No. 10533, An Act Enhancing the Philippine Education System by Strengthening Its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education otherwise known as the K to 12 Law.

The K to 12 Program covers 13 years of basic education with the following stages: Kindergarten to Grade 3, Grades 4 to 6, Grade 7 to 10 (Junior High School) and Grades 11 to 12 (Senior High School). This is found to be the best period for learning under basic education. It is also the recognized standard for students and professionals globally.

The Program holds distinct significance this coming School Year 2016-2017 as the Department begins the implementation of the Grade 11 of the Senior High School (SHS) Program, the first of the 2 cohorts (Grades 11 and 12) which were added to the country's 10-year basic education system.

Recently, the Supreme Court on March 15 dismissed several petitions filed against the implementation of the K to 12 Program, thus paving the way for its continued operation particularly the said SHS Program.

As the country girds for the opening of classes this coming School Year 2016-2017 on June 13, 2016, the Department through Education Secretary Br .Armin A. Luistro FSC invites and enjoins everyone to give their full support to the successful implementation of K to 12 Program specially the SHS Program.

February 26, 2016

President Aquino speaks at the 30th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution



Here's the speech of  His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution

[This is an English translation of the speech delivered at the People Power Monument, Quezon City, on February 25, 2016]



Allow me to begin this speech by repeating a few lines from the song we heard earlier—“Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo,” (The Filipinos’ offering to the world) which I believe fully encapsulates the point of EDSA: “Ating kalayaan kay tagal nating mithi. ‘Di na papayagang mabawi muli.” (We will never allow our long desired freedom to be taken again.)

To tell you the truth, even if my family was truly victimized during Martial Law, we were actually quite fortunate—because we were somehow able to visit our father during his imprisonment, and because after his assassination, we had a body to bury, and we now have a grave we can visit. Others were not so lucky. Many of you here today went through even greater suffering—far greater than anything I can share. But what I will speak of this morning is not intended for you, but for the current generation that experiences so many forms of freedom.

Today, if you are a fresh graduate, you can fly directly to Boracay, or to another country, without the authorities keeping watch over your every move. You can go out with friends without fear of breaking the curfew. Being able to purchase a car or a condominium is not a distant dream. Today, you can access the world’s information with the press of a smartphone button.

Perhaps, given your current situation, it is difficult to understand that, at one point in our history, information was hard to come by. Back then, apart from the comics section, there was a movie page in the newspapers, and that was the only accurate news you would be able to read. Everything else was propaganda. Back then, if you had the good fortune of attaining a copy of forbidden articles, you would do everything you could to conceal it from the agents of Martial Law, because if you were caught with the mere possession of such articles, it was enough for them to imprison you with no fixed term, without even a court case. In fact, back then, if three friends were found gathered together, it was enough for the state to file a case for illegal assembly against them.

These freedoms that do not even merit a second thought today are a stark contrast from the situation under the Marcos regime. In those days, the only freedoms were: the freedom to praise the dictator; the freedom to be patient as you attain an exit permit if you wish to leave the country; the freedom to expect imprisonment for fighting for your rights. For a moment there was also the freedom to believe in gossip as opposed to what was being reported on state-controlled radio and television, which is why the government implemented an absurd law against rumor mongering. There was likewise the freedom of having no process for appeals if the authorities somehow chose to target you for being against Martial Law.

I wish to emphasize: These are not products of imagination. These are neither theories nor the opinions of a small few. Martial Law actually happened. There was a dictator who, along with his family and his cronies, abused his position, and the price for this was the lives and the freedom of Filipinos.

I can only shake my head in disappointment whenever I am told that some are saying that Mr. Marcos’s time was the golden age of the Philippines. Perhaps they were golden days for him, who—after completing two terms as President, which is equivalent to eight years—created a way to cling to power. In fact I have wondered: We have both been President—where might our country be today if he had just stayed true to his mandate during his time in office?

Perhaps they really were golden days for Mr. Marcos’s cronies, and for those close to him. In fact, I heard several stories: During the dictator’s reign, businessmen did not want to grow their businesses, because those in power might notice and decide to steal them.

It was also the golden age of growing the national debt. When Mr. Marcos began his time in office in 1965, the national government owed 2.4 billion pesos. At the end of 1985, two months before he was ousted from the Presidency, our debt had grown to 192.2 billion pesos. And because this money did not go where it was supposed to, the payment of this debt burdens us to this day.

Let’s continue down this path: It was also the golden age of brain drain—the golden age of OFWs leaving for the Middle East. Now, it is the golden age of OFWs returning home. Back then, it was the golden age of the NPA, whose ranks grew from 60 people to 25,000 because of the people’s disillusionment with the government. It actually reached a point where Davao was being used by the NPA as an urban laboratory—as a means to prepare attacks on several cities across our nation. To this day, we still see news of them terrorizing far-flung communities in our nation.

It was also the golden age for those who abused our Moro brothers and sisters. Landgrabbing became a trend in Mindanao, and the Marcos regime, in spite of siding with those who were abused, seemed to approve of the actions of the abusers. Whereas they could have worked for justice, or passed a law to fix the situation, the solution they pushed for involved the Philippine Constabulary and the Armed Forces.

Now, when I think of what we have achieved through our peace process—through which we have a Framework Agreement and a Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and all that remains is the Bangsamoro Basic Law—I feel a deep sense of disappointment, because the only law that can bring forth justice and peace is being blocked. And is it not true that the BBL has hit a road block in the Senate Committee for Local Governance, headed by Senator Marcos? Is it not true that, in the last session day, it was Senator Enrile who continued to interpellate? And is it not true that these two surnames were the ones who pushed for a military solution against the Moros during the dictatorship?

To our bosses: Many of us who suffered during Martial Law can understand the plight of our Moro brothers and sisters. My family likewise confronted the extreme abuses of those in power.

You know what we went through. What was it that my father did apart from his job? Nevertheless, he was taken and imprisoned. After a while, he was brought from Crame and Fort Bonifacio to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, where he was put in solitary confinement. They took his reading glasses so that everything he saw would be blurry. They took his watch so that he could not measure the passage of time. They took his ring so that he could not have anything to remember his wife and his family by. They painted his cell white, so that he would forget that there was a world outside those walls.

He was a civilian tried in a military tribunal. It was Marcos who accused him, Marcos who appointed the members of the prosecution and the defense, Marcos who appointed the judge, and Marcos who was the final reviewing authority. The one lawyer who disagreed with what was happening was likewise removed. It was such incidents that popularized the term: “Lutong Macoy:” situations cooked up precisely to suit the dictator’s tastes. The playing field was uneven, and it was unlikely—if not impossible—to pursue justice. To my young eyes then, how could I have thought of preparing for a proper future?

The dictator did not stop with my father. We had pilots under our employment, whose licenses were revoked so that they could not work. There were members of the media who, in the opinion of Marcos and company, were against them, and were prohibited from reporting the news, which is why they were forced to sell meat that only a few of us would buy. Even our helpers who were not even employed by us anymore—like my nanny and her husband, who was our driver—were apprehended so that they could be forced to testify against my father. The last time my yaya was arrested, she was six months pregnant. Our gardener was also taken by the authorities and went home with only a few of his teeth remaining and a face full of bruises. In almost every part of our nation, there are stories of those who were taken without warning, tortured, and killed, or those who disappeared, whose bodies have not been found to this day.

Let me emphasize: All this happened. Is there anyone here who can accept the possibility that we will return to a time in which these things can happen to you, or to your loved ones? A government that was given power by the people, used this very same power to abuse the people. To all those who maintain that Mr. Marcos should not be blamed for the things that took place under his regime, I can only say: Is it not true that, if you assume all power in yourself, you should also assume all responsibility?

It is also true that the sins of the father should not be visited on the son. At the same time, what I cannot understand: the dictator’s own blood had all this time to say, “My father did the country wrong; give us the chance to make it right.” And yet, just think, this was what he said, “I am ready to say sorry if I knew what I have to be sorry for.” If he cannot even see the wrong in what his family did, how can we be confident that he will not repeat the same? All I can say is, thank you, because you have at least been honest in showing us that you are ready to emulate your father. Do not mistake me: this is not about the Aquinos versus the Marcoses; it is clear to me that this is about right versus wrong.

Every time I leave the country, I tend to get asked: “Is it true that the Marcoses are still in power?” I have to admit, it is very difficult to explain. To this day, it is still painful to think that a Filipino had the gall to inflict such abuse on his countrymen, like what Mr. Marcos did. Perhaps this is also the right time to tell you what was reported in a broadsheet just yesterday: that the 1986 COMELEC tabulators are fearful. They are worried that the Marcoses will return to power, because they themselves saw the blatant cheating to favor the dictator during the 1986 elections.

At this time, I am reminded of those famous lines from a movie: “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” Is it not true, the evil that took place then is precisely what some people are trying to erase from memory, by saying that the regime of Marcos was a golden age? Is this not happening now? Those who want to revise our history have reached some success, in that they have been able to fool a number of the youth. You can even see the style of the loyalists in traditional and social media: they continue to dictate a narrative, in order to manipulate the opinions of the people.

As part of the generation who suffered under the dictatorship, I tell you just as directly: the time we spent under Mr. Marcos was not a golden age. It remains one of the most painful chapters of our history—it was why so many of our countrymen mustered the courage to gather in EDSA and in other places outside Metro Manila, armed only with their faith and their principles. We were able to unite as one people, and by the grace of God, we toppled the dictatorship without resorting to a bloody civil revolution.

Today, if the surveys are right, then the son of the dictator who still cannot see the mistakes of the past has an increasing number of supporters. If that is right, then does it also mean that we have forgotten what we once said, “Enough is enough; we have had it out with the lot”? Does this mean that, today, we are being asked, “Can we give the possibility of Martial Law taking power once more, and repeating all its crimes?”

It is not surprising that there are those who benefited during the dictatorship, together with the remaining Marcos loyalists, who continue to say that we have not gotten anywhere since EDSA. They want us to believe that we had a better life under Mr. Marcos—since, anyway, that was the promise forcibly sold by the dictator. But where did his 21 years of leadership take us? Did our country not turn into the “Sick Man of Asia”?

Indeed, they are trying to smother all that we have achieved on the straight and righteous path. Today, there are 7.7 million Filipinos who have been lifted from poverty; there are the more than 4.4. million households supported by Pantawid Pamilya, or the CCT, together with the 92 percent of our population covered by Philhealth. Let us add the fact that the poorest 40 percent of our country can now receive free treatment from public hospitals, and the fact that we recorded the lowest unemployment rate in a decade. Infrastructure that were decades in the making, like the Aluling Bridge, the Lullutan Bridge, the Ternate-Nasugbu Road, and the Jalaur River Multi-purpose project, and many others, are already under construction, if not already completed and benefiting our communities. I am reminded of what we were told when we visited Apayao: at last, they have a road—a road that, for so long, they thought would never be constructed. Let me ask: Is it right to play at being blind, especially now that we have a government that truly cares for the citizenry?

Let me also remind you that the dictatorship has many faces; there are other personalities who want to reinstate all this—to deprive the people of the right processes, ang put in the hands of one man the power to determine what is right and what is wrong, and who is innocent, and who is guilty. Again, I am reminded of what the writer George Santayana said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I believe that it is not our fate to repeat the grim parts of our past; our fate is the sum of the decisions we make in the present. I believe in the greatness of our people. I believe that, even if we are known for our patience, it has its limits—and if those limits are reached, then no one will be able to stop the wave of solidarity that will follow.

Today, I ask the youth: Take it upon yourselves to learn of what happened during EDSA. As part of our commemmoration, we have a museum: the EDSA People Power Experiential Museum, where you can experience, even in a far-removed way, the cruelty of the dictatorship. I hope that you make the most of this chance to see how important the freedom and the democracy you now hold in your hands are.

I believe that the current generations are aware of the fact that the stature they have reached today is because of the fact that they stand on the efforts and sacrifices of those who have come before them. I am already 56 years old, and if I am lucky enough to reach the age of 70, that means I have only 14 years left on this earth. But those of you who are far younger than me have some decades to go. You will reap the fruits of whatever future we are sowing today. Let me relate to you what my mother once said: “The problems we face are our generation’s…it is our generation that has to correct them. Your role is to prepare yourselves better, to avoid making the same mistakes.”

You grew up enjoying the freedoms that were taken away from the generation that came before you—where, if you reached your 30th birthday while fighting against the dictatorship, you were already lucky to still be alive. Now, at 30 years old, your professional life has just started. You have the freedom to earn and to save money, to love and to start a family—the freedom to dream. You will benefit the most if we are able to protect our freedom, so, God willing, you understand the responsibility you bear. God willing, we will all do our part so that darkness will never consume the Philippines once more. God willing, the freedom we so long dreamed of, will never, ever be taken away from us once more.

Thank you, and good day.

His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines



http://www.gov.ph/
http://www.gov.ph/2016/02/25/aquino-speech-english-edsa-30/

September 17, 2015

PNoy declared September 25, 2015 as a regular holiday for Eid’l Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice)


President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 25, 2015—a Friday—as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice).


Proclamation No. 1128, s. 2015

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

PROCLAMATION NO. 1128

DECLARING FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2015, AS A REGULAR HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN OBSERVANCE OF EID’L ADHA (FEAST OF SACRIFICE)

WHEREAS, Eid’l Adha is one of the two greatest feasts of Islam;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9849 provides that Eid’l Adha shall be celebrated as a regular holiday;

WHEREAS, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommends that the observance of Eid’l Adhain the Philippines be on 25 September 2015 based on the Islamic Calendar and the declaration made by Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority, thereby amending its earlier recommendation to observe the occasion on 24 September 2015;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Friday, 25 September 2015, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 15th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fifteen.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary


RESOURCES



For Additional Information: 

Eid’l Adha pay rules


From the Department of Labor and Employment

Private sector employers are urged to observe the proper wage rules and core labor standards for the upcoming Eid’l Adha holiday on September 25.


President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 1128, Series of 2015, declaring September 25 as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Adha.

The following pay rules for regular holiday shall be observed:

If the employee did not work; he or she shall be paid 100 percent of his or her salary for that day [(Daily Rate + Cost of Living Allowance) x 100%];

For work done during the regular holiday, the employees shall be paid 200 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 200%];

For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day [(Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked];

*For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on his or her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his her daily rate of 200 percent [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% (Daily Rate x 200%)]; and

For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a holiday that also falls on his or her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked).





September 8, 2015

Experience Iloilo: PNoy to lead inauguration of Iloilo Convention Center


President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled to lead the inaugural rites of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) on September 14 in Iloilo City.

Iloilo Convention Center  is part of the effort to develop and promote tourism in the province of Iloilo particularly Region 6 and other Visayas provinces.

The P700-million, two-storey ICC will be the main venue of the three important meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) here in Iloilo City slated to start September 21 until October 6, 2015.

Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Edilberto Tayao confirmed Aquino’s attendance after receiving a word from Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Aside from ICC, Tayao said Aquino will also inaugurate the new bridge linking Lapuz district and the new ferry and fast craft terminal to the city proper.

Tayao said that the ICC was completed last August 31 and its second phase is soon to be completed with furniture and furnishing.

Expereince  and enjoy Iloilo City. It's more fun in the Philippines!

*ExperienceTravel.Ph 

April 19, 2015

PNoy inspects newly built DepEd PSIP classrooms for Region III

 In the constant effort to build more learning spaces for our learners, the Department of Education (DepEd), in cooperation with Citicorp-Megawide Foundation, continues the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP). The first phase of the project covers Region I, III, and IV-A. A ceremonial turnover of the accomplished classrooms for Region III was held at the City of Malolos Integrated School (IS).


The ceremonial turnover was graced with the presence of his Excellency President Benigno S. Aguino III along with Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, local government officials and officials from Megawide all of whom inspected the newly built 2 storey 6-classroom building and another 2 storey 12-classroom building in Malolos Integrated School.

Luistro reiterated the importance of the classroom construction projects as part of the government's extensive investment in education. "Ang gobyerno natin ay naginvest ng malaki para sa edukasyon, at isa ito sa mga bunga noon," he said.

This first phase of the PSIP project sees the completion of 2,867 classrooms for Region III alongside 2,156 classrooms in Region I and 3,853 classrooms for Region IV-A.

Currently, there are on-going constructions for the second phase of PSIP, which list Regions I, II, III, X, and CAR as the beneficiaries. These classroom constructions are part of DepEd’s efforts to improve school buildings and facilities.

Luistro added that the effort to improve the education system does not only revolve around the construction of classrooms. 

Luistro said, "Beyond classroom construction projects, we have to make sure that the things we teach inside the classrooms are in line with 21st century competencies. And this is the purpose for launching the K to 12 program."

January 15, 2015

Pope Francis arrives in Manila

Pope Francis arrived in the Philippines, on Thursday afternoon, the second and last stop in his week-long Asia tour for a state and pastoral visit from January 15 to 19 amid one of the biggest security operations in the country's history.

His Holiness Pope Francis visit to the Philippines is to send a message of mercy and compassion to millions of poor Filipinos, including those hit by one of the strongest typhoons to ever hit land.

Here are the beautiful photos I saw in many facebook pages, and some I screenshot in TV coverages during Pope Francis arrival. 


(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
Pope Francis arrives at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. 

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

All people cheered excitedly as the 78-year-old pontiff Pope Francis peered out several times from the window of a plane that brought him to Villamor Air Base in the Philippines.


Upon arrival, he was received by President Benigno S. Aquino III, and a papal delegation. (via @govPH)


The Pope was all smiles even as the wind blew away his skullcap after he stepped out of the plane.

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno Aquino III personally welcomed the Pope.


The two then stood on the ceremonial dais for the papal anthem and the Philippine national anthem.


His Holiness Pope Francis, accompanied by President Benigno S. Aquino III, receives a bouquet of flowers during the arrival ceremony at the 250th PAW of the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Republic of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon (January 15, 2015). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

After the playing of the Philippine and Vatican national anthems, the Pope greeted by 10-year-old orphan Mark Angelo Balbero and Lanie Ortilla, 9, Francis hugged hugged and blessed the two children, who gave him bouquets of white and yellow flowers.

Church officials, Cabinet members and two children were among the first people to greet Pope Francis upon his arrival in the Philippines Thursday.



Pope Francis shook hands with 12 members of the Aquino Cabinet and 12 leaders of the Catholic Church.


The Pope gladly meeting again, hugged and exchanged pleasantries with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle who was part of the conclave that elected him Pope.

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

More than 1,200 devotees from the Diocese of Paranaque dancing outside the plane, and around 1,500 schoolchildren welcomed the Pope with lively dances, waving white cloths, and red, white and blue umbrellas to form the Philippine flag. Their shirts were printed with the message "Mabuhay (Welcome) Pope Francis!"

Pope Francis boards the "Popemobile." January 15, 2015 

His Holiness Pope Francis takes leave of President Benigno S. Aquino III and boards the Papal Mobile after the arrival ceremony at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Republic of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon (January 15, 2015). (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
The Nunciature where Pope Francis will be staying during his trip to Manila. (Photo by Jim Guiao Punzalan, Manila Bulletin)

Thousands of people lined the streets of the Manila on Thursday, waving flags, cheering, jumped, clapped and singing, greeted shout, cheer, shed tears of joy to welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to Asia's largest Catholic nation.

The Pope will bring a message of compassion to millions of poor Filipinos suffering from the effects of corruption and decades-old insurgencies, as well as the problems faced by millions of impoverished and the families of the 10 million-12 million Filipino migrant workers overseas.

He will visit the central province of Leyte, which is still struggling to recover from Typhoon Haiyan that killed 6,300 people in 2013. 

About two million people are expected to attend an open-air mass on Saturday at Tacloban City airport, almost completely destroyed by Haiyan.

On His first day here in the country, watching the TV coverages and seeing him smile and greet people, I feel the spirit of the Lord, I feel Jesus in Him - a true servant , with Mercy and Compassion.
Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Hail to Pope Francis for giving the Philippines his utmost attention!


January 13, 2015

Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to the Philippines - Message of President Aquino on the preparations for the visit of Pope Francis

The country prepares and getting ready for Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to the Philippines on January 15 to 19, 2015.

President Aquino will meet His Holiness upon arrival and during a welcome ceremony at Malacañan Palace. On Saturday, Pope Francis will travel to Tacloban City, where he will meet with Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

In view of the visit of the Pope, the Head of State of the Vatican City, President Benigno S. Aquino III appeal to the public to cooperate with authorities to ensure His Holiness’ safety.

Yesterday, President Aquino addressed the nation regarding the government's preparations for the visit of Pope Francis.



Mensahe ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III Pangulo ng Pilipinas Hinggil sa pagbisita ng Santo Papa 

[Inihayag noong ika-12 ng Enero 2015]

Mga Boss, malaking karangalan po ang pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa ating bansa; kaakibat nito, humaharap din po tayo sa isang malaking hamon. Tingnan na lang po ninyo noong 1995 nang idinaos ang World Youth Day sa ating bansa, na pinamunuan ni Pope John Paul II. Punong-puno ang Luneta at dikit-dikit ang mga tao. Dagdag ko lang po: ganito na kapuno noon nang 68 million ang populasyon natin; ngayong 100 milyon na tayo, gaano karami pa kaya ang darating sa misa ni Pope Francis sa Luneta?

Siyempre po, lahat ng tao, gustong makita nang personal ang Santo Papa. Nariyan ang libo-libong mag-aabang sa convoy ng Santo Papa, at ang milyon-milyon na lalahok sa Luneta. Ang pagsisiksikan at pagkagigil na makalapit sa Santo Papa, maaaring maging mitsa para magkagulo. Isipin na lang po ninyo: Kapag maraming tao ang kumilos nang kahit isang pulgada paharap, malaking espasyo ang masasakop. Kung wala nang lugar na gagalawan, malamang ay may maiipit sa mga barikada. Nagsimula lang po ang lahat ng iyan sa kagustuhang makalapit sa Santo Papa.

Paano pa kaya kung magkahabulan dahil sa may mandurukot? O kaya may isang walang magawa at biglang magpaputok ng labintador? Pihadong magtatakbuhan at magkakatulakan, at nariyan ang potensiyal na marami ang masaktan.

Pansinin din po ninyo: disiplinado ang tao noong wala ang convoy; nang dumating po ang convoy, kanya-kanya na. Kung nagtagumpay ang mga nakaharang na makalapit sa Santo Papa, at tumigil ang convoy, ang dating moving target naging stationary target na. Isipin ninyo kung may nadaganan pa, o kaya naapakan dahil sa pag-uunahan. Di naman kailangang may mapahamak na sinuman.

Tingnan na rin po ninyo ang video na ito: inatake si Pope John Paul II sa loob mismo ng Vatican. Nariyan din ang insidente nang magmimisa si Pope Benedict XVI, nang sunggaban siya sa loob ng katedral; pati na rin ang paglundag ng mga tao patungo sa kanyang pope mobile.

Tandaan po natin: Pastoral visit ito, at layon ng Santo Papa na makahalubilo ang pinakamarami sa ating mga kababayan. Ang bawat pagtatagpo ay nagdadala ng panganib. Ang gusto natin: Bawasan ang mga panganib sa buhay ng Santo Papa, at balansehin ang seguridad ni Pope Francis at ang kanyang hangarin.

Walang duda na sa malaking pagtitipon tulad nito, posible ang gulo. Maski walang banta ng terorismo, at lalo na kung may planong magpasimula ng gulo, nagbabadya ang peligro na magdadala ng pinsala sa napakaraming lalahok.

Kaya naman, para maging makabuluhan ang pagdalaw ng Santo Papa, kailangan natin ng pagdadamayan at pagbabayanihan. Malinaw na napakalaki ng hamong dala ng pagbisita ni Pope Francis sa ating bansa; nakataya rito ang kaligtasan niya, ng nakaparaming dadalo sa kanyang mga gawain at mag-aabang sa kanya. Ang mismong karangalan ng ating bansa, malalagay sa alanganin. Ang tanong ko nga po: Gusto ba nating matala sa kasaysayan na nangyari sa Pilipinas ang isang trahedya na may kinalaman sa Santo Papa?

Obligasyon ng gobyerno ang inyong kaligtasan, at para magampanan ang tungkuling ito ay may obligasyon din kayo. Sa mga darating na araw, maglalabas ng mga paaalala hinggil sa patakarang panseguridad sina Secretary Mar Roxas at Undersecretary Manuel Bautista. Ang panawagan po namin: Makinig po tayo, at makiisa sa pagbabahagi ng impormasyon.

Pihado po: Malalaktawan natin ang napakalaking hamon na ito sa inyong pakikisama at pagbabayanihan.

Ipakita po natin ang pakikisama at pagtutulungan, nang matiyak nating magiging mataimtim at mapayapa ang pagbisita ni Pope Francis sa ating bansa.

Magandang gabi po, maraming salamat, at inaasahan ko ang pakikiisa ninyo.


December 29, 2014

Remembering Gat Jose Rizal and here's the message of PNoy Aquino to the Filipino people as we celebrate Rizal Day, December 30


Remembering the National Hero, President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the celebration of Rizal Day at Luneta Park early morning of December 30, 2014.

President Aquino made a message for the Filipino people a day before the 118th celebration of Rizal Day remembering the sacrifice made by Gat Jose Rizal for the country.

“We discover an exemplar of citizenship in our national hero; and in his triumphs and sacrifice, we imbibe the inspiration to continue the fight for the Filipino. May this commemoration invigorate and impassion us as a people, that we may remain unwavering in the duty to bequeath succeeding generations with the dignified, progressive future they deserve,” the President said in a message posted at the national government’s official website.

“The battles we confront may be different from our forebears’, yet the call to action and service they once heard remains resonant and clear.”

President Aquino urged the entire country to “walk the path of accountability and commit ourselves to the task of nation-building. We shall compose the next chapters of our history and pass it on to coming Filipinos. United, let us strive to leave them a legacy of an empowered and proud nation.

Here's the message of President Aquino to the Filipino people as we celebrate Rizal Day, December 30, 2014

The Filipino people stand united in celebrating the life of a man who, throughout his life, sought to uplift the circumstances of his motherland and fellows: We honor Gat Jose Rizal—his courage, deeds, and generosity of spirit.

We discover an exemplar of citizenship in our national hero; and in his triumphs and sacrifice, we imbibe the inspiration to continue the fight for the Filipino. May this commemoration invigorate and impassion us as a people, that we may remain unwavering in the duty to bequeath succeeding generations with the dignified, progressive future they deserve.

The battles we confront may be different from our forebears’, yet the call to action and service they once heard remains resonant and clear. Rizal served as our precedent for prodigious acts: He took upon himself to alleviate the despair of others and cast his stake for a tomorrow of peace and liberty.

As today’s stewards, we are enjoined to do the same: Walk the path of accountability and commit ourselves to the task of nation-building. We shall compose the next chapters of our history and pass it on to coming Filipinos. United, let us strive to leave them a legacy of an empowered and proud nation.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

MANILA
30 December 2014



December 26, 2014

PNoy Aquino signs 2015 national budget

President Benigno Aquino III signs into law Republic Act 10651 or the P2.606-trillion national budget for 2015 in a ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace last Tuesday, December 23.
President Aquino's signing of the 2015 National Budget December 23, 2014. Witnessing the ceremony are members of Congress led by Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Aquino keeps up with his yearly tradition of running the government under a fresh spending plan.

"This day is historical. For the fifth time, we are able to pass on time the budget for next year," Aquino said in a speech in Malacañang after the signing of Republic Act 10651 or the 2015 General Appropriations Act.

Next year's budget, which is 15.1 percent higher than 2014, seeks to strengthen fiscal, development, and governance reforms instituted by Aquino administration, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.

“We are at the doorstep of the administration’s penultimate year, and the GAA duly reflects President Aquino’s development priorities for 2015. We’re pouring even more investments into the administration’s anti-poverty and economic growth programs, as well as strengthening governance reforms we’ve helmed so far,” Abad said.

Some 62.3 billion will go to the needs of 4.3 million families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the administration's flagship anti-poverty program.

The government allotted P53.9 billion for basic education facilities, which covers the respective construction and repair of 31,728 classrooms and 9,500 classrooms; development of 13,568 water and sanitation facilities; and the procurement of 1.3 million seats.

Philhealth premium subsidies will receive P37.1 billion to benefit 15.4 million poor and near-poor families.

Some P11 billion, meanwhile, will be directed to socialized housing for in-need families particularly those living in danger zones.

The national budget will also be used for the development of national roads and bridges amounting to P185.8 billion and P10.6 billion to improve the country's railways systems.

Moreover, P89.1 billion will be provided towards bossting agricultural production projects under the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies and various government-owned or controlled corporations.

Around P14 billion will be put National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, a calamity fund, while another P6.7 billion will be allotted to quick response funds.

A "Build Back Better" program, designed to address the recovery requirements in the aftermath of last year's Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and other calamities, will receive P21.7 billion for 2015.

A large portion of the budget will be distributed among these agencies:

*Department of Education - P367.1 billion
*Department of Public Works and Highways - P303.2 billion
*Department of National Defense - P144.5 billion
*Department of Interior and Local Government - P141.4 billion
*Department of Health - P108.2 billion
*Department of Social Welfare and Development - P103.9 billion
*Department of Agriculture - P89.1 billion
*Department of Transportation and Communications - P59.5 billion
*Department of Environment and Natural Resources - P21.5 billion
*Department of Science and Technology - P13.1 billion

Aquino also signed the P22.4 billion supplemental budget for 2014, bulk of which will be used for the rehabilitation of Yolanda-hit areas. Of the amount, P7.99 billion will be for the construction of permanent housing for the typhoon victims.

The supplemental budget will also fund pending projects under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Aquino's economic stimulus package whose key aspects were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC) in July.

After the signing, former Iloilo representative Augusto Syjuco,Jr. questioned the twin measures before the SC for allegedly going against the high tribunal's rulings against the pork barrel system and DAP.

Syjuco said the national budget has lump sum allocations such as the Special Purpose Funds (P501.67 billion) and the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (P20.9 billion).

The former lawmaker added the President's authority to declare savings at any time of the year is contrary to the Court's ruling on the legality of DAP.

"Savings should be funds remaining from already paid and completed projects or line appropriations. Not considered as savings are programmed appropriations, which have not been released or allotments not obligated due to the fault of the agency concerned," he said. 

Here's President Aquino's speech at the signing of the 2015 National Budget:
Speech of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines For the signing of the 2015 General Appropriations Act

[This is an English translation of the speech delivered at Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace, on December 23, 2014]

This is a historic day. For the fifth year in a row, we have passed the budget for the following year on time. This means that, for each year we have been in office, we have fulfilled our responsibilities and have sent a resounding message: Indeed, our administration has significantly transformed how we perceive what is “normal.” Now, we have made it clear to our people: Our budget is the People’s Budget.
What do we mean when we say it is our People’s Budget?
Simple: It is spending our country’s coffers solely for the benefit of our people, especially those in the margins of society. And this is not just allocating our funds for our Bosses who need them the most; we have also given our people a voice, so that they can influence where their tax money is spent. At the moment, 1,590 cities and municipalities are part of our Bottom-up Budgeting Program. They themselves will say what their communities need; they themselves will design initiatives to respond to those needs; and government will fund those initiatives. The amount of money we have allocated for our Bottom-up Budgeting program so far: 20.9 billion pesos.
Furthermore, beginning last year, our budget was no longer a mere collection of numbers. Now, our budget also clearly indicates our targets. For instance, the Department of Public Works and Highways is aiming to finish paving and restoring all our national roads by 2016, including the 4,219 kilometers of road that will be constructed and rehabilitated this 2015. For the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the target is to support the 4.3 million household beneficiaries of our Conditional Cash Transfer Program. The Department of Tourism, meanwhile, is targeting to increase our international tourist arrivals by 20 percent. Through this system, which is called Performance Informed Budgeting, we have a basis for telling whether our agencies are fulfilling their promises; we can see where our people’s money is going. Above all, we have a way of holding accountable officials who are too slow in delivering public service, and also of recognizing officials who are performing well.
When it comes to rendering public service, a “do it later” mindset is unacceptable. Our countrymen must feel the benefits—right now. We have accelerated the budgeting process; we have significantly reduced the need for the Special Allotment Release Order; once the GAA is signed into law, our agencies’ budgets are good as released. We are also streamlining our processes to minimize opportunities for corruption. Now, heads of agencies must send in requirements as they report on their budget. Those who are unable to fulfill this are met with corresponding sanctions. Apart from this, we have undertaken the Transparency Seal and Open Data Philippines initiatives, which increase our citizens’ wherewithal to promote governance that is more honest and transparent. We are likewise firmly rooted in our principles: Our budget no longer contains the Priority Development Assistance Fund, or PDAF, which had become an instrument of corruption for some opportunists.
We also signed the Supplemental Budget for 2014. In responding to our Bosses’ calls to do away the PDAF from our budget, we took away a source of rackets of some officials who had abused the system. But at the same time, we had to halt the implementation of some projects; some services were discontinued; and certain commitments were not met. Of course, we cannot allow our countrymen, who have enjoyed the benefits of truthful service, to slide back into suffering.
Part of the Supplemental Budget we approved is the more than 10 billion pesos allocated for the reconstruction of areas hit by Yolanda. Of this amount, 7.99 billion pesos was allotted for the construction of permanent housing for our affected countrymen. Let me make clear: This housing initiative follows the Build Back Better principle, which we have been implementing. We are moving our countrymen away from hazard-prone areas; we are designing infrastructure that is more resilient to storms; and we are working to provide alternatives for livelihood to families transferred to better areas. In short, we are not only helping those affected rise once more; we are giving them the opportunity to live safer and more comfortable lives, lives far better than the once they had prior to Yolanda.
We thus thank Secretary Butch Abad and the Department of Budget and Management, and everyone who helped make this day possible. I am certain that many of you went without sleep for many nights, and sacrificed so much, as you focused on every detail in the budget throughout the process. Today, somehow, you will be able to breathe a little bit easier. However, we all know that much work has yet to be done. And thus allow me to encourage you even more: It is my hope that you will remain steadfast in advancing our reform agenda, not only as regards preparing the national budget, but also in further transforming our government and the wider society.
We likewise owe much gratitude to all those in the Legislative branch—under the leadership of Senate President Frank Drilon and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, together with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chiz Escudero and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Sid Ungab—for your hard work and dedication in ensuring that we are once more able to pass the People’s Budget for 2015, as well as the Supplemental Budget of 2014, on time.
Of course, our reforms along the straight path would not have progressed were it not for the solidarity of our Bosses, the people. I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of our countrymen, who, in the face of challenges that came one on top of the other, stood firm and exhibited no hesitation in doing their part, as we foster meaningful change in the country.
As we continue to work together and as we celebrate the successes that we have already reached, I am certain that all those who once stole from our nation’s coffers view our progress this day with disappointment. Because of our reforms to ensure that our budget process is transparent and honest, it has become all the more difficult for them to line their pockets with stolen money. Thus, I tell you: we will continue to add to their fear and disappointment. We will not cease our efforts to go after the corrupt, and ensure that they are held accountable to the Filipino people.
On this day, we have signed the People’s Budget for 2015. The contents of this thick volume—each peso, each figure, and each legal provision contained here—symbolize our collective aspirations to uplift our fellowmen, and ensure the continued development of our country. In doing this, we have only remained true to what we promised our Bosses: no one will be left behind, as we tread the straight path to progress.
Let us always remember: The power to effect positive change in our society is not limited to one person or one group alone—each and every Filipino has this power within them. We have already come so far; now that, along the straight path, we have been able to take hold of our destinies, God willing, we will continue to help each other and give each other strength, as we ensure the permanence of the changes sweeping the Philippines.
Thank you, and good day.

November 25, 2014

Pres. Aquino leads the green switch launch of the 1.5 MW solar-powered rooftop


"We are marking a moment in history with the launch of solar rooftop power plant." -  President Benigno S. Aquino III

President Benigno Aquino lll, along with SM Prime Holdings President Hans Sy and Solar Philippines President Leandro Leviste, switched on the 1.5 MW solar-powered rooftop at the multi-level car park building of SM City North EDSA.on Monday, November 24.  Joining the activation of the solar panels are Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.


Philippine retail and property giant SM Prime Holdings Inc. is building the largest commercial solar rooftop in the Philippines as part of its commitment to use clean, renewable and sustainable energy in its operations. 

After switching on the largest solar-powered rooftop in its Quezon City establishment, the mall operator unit of Sy-led SM Prime Holdings Inc. will embark on putting more solar installations in its other malls in 2015.

Solar Philippines is the company behind the largest commercial rooftop solar power  projects in the country.

"With the launch of the solar power system that will make SM City North EDSA the very first SM mall in the Philippines to become solar-powered," the President said in his inaugural address.

With a generating capacity of 1.5MW, the solar-powered rooftop can supposedly accommodate 5 percent of the mall's average consumption per day—equivalent to about P2 million in savings per month. SM Prime and Solar Philippines installed 5,760 solar panels on the roof deck of car park building of the mall.

Solar Philippines founder and president Leandro Leviste said the investment for the 1.5 MW solar-powered rooftop is approximately P120 million. 

Leviste said the investment cost for MOA's solar panels would be over P200 million and roughly P60 million for SM City Dasmariñas. 

"If MOA is double the size, double the cost. If Dasma is half the size, then half the cost," he noted.

In his speech, the President also bared SM's plans to install solar panels in SM Dasmariñas in Cavite and Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

"Of course, it is my hope that you do not stop there: that, eventually, every building that boasts an SM logo will have the same kinds of solar facilities," Aquino noted. 

“We are hopeful that both the House and the Senate will approve the joint resolution we requested sooner rather than later, in order to give the national government enough time to contract the necessary reserves,” Aquino said in his speech

SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia said the SM Group will be installing 3,243 solar panels in SM City Dasmariñas in Cavite with a capacity of 0.8 MW and 10,534 solar panels in SM Mall of Asia (MOA) with a 2.7-MW capacity.

SM Prime Holdings, the country's largest retail and mall operator, will energize two of its chain of SM malls with solar panels by next year.
"SM City Dasmarinas in Cavite will power 800 kilowatts kW, made up of about 3,243 solar panels, while SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay will power 2.7 megawatts (MWs) with 10,534 solar panels," SM Supermalls President Anna Maria Garcia told reporters Monday.
Garcia said that the solar panels would start operations by May 2015 for the Dasma located mall, while the panels for MOA would be completed before the end of 2015.
SM said the Solar Rooftop project was part of its continuing commitment towards making its operations sustainable and environment friendly, along with its aim to alleviate the Luzon reserve shortage by the summer of 2015.
The panels will be installed by Solar Philippines, which is the same company that supplied the panel installations Monday at SM North Edsa.
Solar Power Philippines is Southeast Asia’s largest developer of rooftop power plants. It also put up solar panels at Binan Mall with 700-kilowatt installed capacity on Sept. 22. 
"SM will continue to partner with Solar Philippines for the next solar installations. The partners are also studying if it will be feasible to have more malls to have the same solar installation," Garcia noted.

"Of course we have to study it, how malls can afford it. It really depends on the study of Solar Philippines for us," she said.

"But we shall continue to seek ways and solutions in climate change adaptation. We shall continue to heed government's call to action," Garcia said.

The SM official shared that the solar-powered rooftop in SM City North EDSA is not the group's first venture in renewable energy (RE).

"This is SM Prime's first in the Philippines. Our giant first step in clean, RE in the country. Last year we energized SM City Xiamen in China with 1.1 MW solar energy utilizing 3,740 panels," Garcia added. 

The 1.5 Mw solar panel bank atop SM Supermall along EDSA North Ave. in Quezon City, during its launching on Monday, November 24. The panels are touted to be able to meet 5% of the mall's power requirements.

“We are hopeful that both the House and the Senate will approve the joint resolution we requested sooner rather than later, in order to give the national government enough time to contract the necessary reserves,” Aquino said.

“Most of you may be aware of current projections: If we do not adjust accordingly, Luzon might experience a shortage of a minimum of around 300 megawatts to a maximum of 1,000 MW next summer. This is not a challenge the national government can overcome alone, which is why we are working with all sectors to address this issue,” Aquino said.

“For example, through the interruptible load program (ILP), the SM Group will deload 57.9 MW during critical times when supply falls short of demand. This might not be enough to address that shortage, but it is indeed a very significant step forward, and will hopefully spur other businesses to follow suit,” he said.

The President said the government is doing everything in its power to overcome this challenge and cited the decision of the House of Representatives’ committees on energy and on ways and means to authorize the national government to contract additional generating capacity to prevent an energy shortage.

He said the government is also looking for ways to lessen the demand for electricity, especially during peak hours.

Other guests are Speaker Sonny Belmonte; Secretary Icot Petilla; Senator Loren Legarda; Mr. Hans Sy; Ms. Tessie Sy-Coson; Mr. Leandro Leviste; Ms. Anna Marie Garcia; Congressman Boy Calalay; Mayor Herbert Bautista; Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte; and Mr. Alfonso Sy.

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