The ProPinoy Project » Straight From The Palace

President Aquino on the use of Fireworks this New Year

Cocoy — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:18:55 +0000

“Humaharap po ako sa inyo ngayon upang makiusap: Sama-sama nating salubungin ang bagong taon, gamit ang ingay—hindi mula sa paputok—ngunit sa kolektibo nating sigaw sa isang masigla at mas ligtas na pagdiriwang.

Napakarami po kasing nalalagay sa panganib dahil sa paputok. Umabot po sa isanlibo at dalawampu’t dalawa ang nadisgrasya noong nakaraang taon. Karamihan po rito ay dahil sa paggamit ng paputok; at ilan din ang napinsala ng ligaw na bala at pagkalason.

Sa pagpapaputok, napapasama po ang kondisyon ng hangin na sama-sama naman nating nilalanghap. Samaktuwid, isinusugal natin, hindi lamang ang ating kalusugan at buhay—kundi maging ang kapakanan ng iba.”

Read the entire message at GovPH.

Aquino government allocates 8 Billion for PPP in social services

Cocoy — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:00:35 +0000

ABAD: “INNOVATION TO IMPROVE STATE OF EDUC, HEALTHCARE IN PHL”

To introduce innovation in the area of poverty reduction, the Aquino Administration has allocated P8 billion to support public-private partnerships (PPP) that will enable the government to close the resource gaps in key education and healthcare services.

Budget and Management Florencio B. Abad said the PPP approach—earlier introduced for infrastructure projects—will be used in 2012, with support of P8 billion under the proposed budgets of the Departments of Education (DepEd) and of Health (DoH).

“We have to shun the ‘business-as-usual’ mindset in combating poverty. This government believes that innovations like PPP should be used to improve the quality and pace of implementation of social services to empower the poor,” he said.

“We have been limiting ourselves from funding school buildings and regional hospitals through the annual budget. Why don’t we tap the capital and expertise of the private sector to escalate social services?” he said.

Under the proposed P17.4-billion budget for the Basic Educational Facilities Fund of DepEd in 2012, P5 billion is proposed to be earmarked for the first year requirements for the implementation of the PPP scheme to fast-track the construction of schools. According to Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, as many as 60,000 classrooms can be constructed within the year under this scheme.

With this, he said that the government can enter into multi-year contracts with private contractors for the construction of school building requirements over the medium-term. The private contractors advance the cost of construction and government amortizes cost with profit over a few years.

Meanwhile, P3 billion has been allocated under the proposed budget of DoH for PPPs in the upgrading, rehabilitation, maintenance and operation of 25 regional hospitals. Private entities may be tapped to bring in their expertise in the management of these hospitals.

Abad said the 2012 proposed budget is geared towards reducing poverty by ensuring that dividends of good governance reach the citizens directly. The social services sector will get a significant 31.7 percent share of the P1.816 trillion proposed budget for 2012.

He added that social protection efforts should be synchronized with the government’s increased investment in the capacities of the people, especially the poor, through quality education and public healthcare, among others.

The DepEd will get the highest budget allocation among government agencies of P238.8 billion for the 2012 budget, while the DoH will get P44.4 billion.

For inquiries, further questions and requests for interview, please contact:

OSEC-Public Information Unit (735 4929, 0908 869 8170, dbmcommunications@gmail.com)

Look for Mr. Francis Capistrano, Ms. Louie Belmonte or Mr. Jeeno Arellano

# # #

Editor’s note: This is a press release issued by the Palace, and is republished here in its entirety.

Summary of class suspension on July 27 (as of 9PM July 26)

propi — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:10:28 +0000

Editor’s note: We republished this press release in full.

NCR – All classes in Preschool, Elementary, and HS (public and private) will be suspended in the entire region (Per Regional Director Elena Ruiz).

Reg 1 – Automatic suspension will be based on the 10pm PAGASA Bulletin tonight (Per Regional Director Ligaya Miguel).

Reg 2 - Due to Public Storm Signal No. 1, all classes in Preschool (public and private) will be automatically suspended in Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino (Per Regional Director Benito Tumamao).

CAR - Due to Public Storm Signal No. 1, all classes in Preschool (public and private) will be automatically suspended in Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mt. Province, and Benguet (Per OIC-Regional Director Teresita Velasco).

Reg 3 – All classes in Preschool, Elementary, and HS (public and private) will be suspended in the entire region: Bataan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Aurora (Per Regional Director Teofila Villanueva)

Reg 4A - All classes in Preschool, Elementary, and HS (public and private) will be suspended in the entire region: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Per Regional Director Lorna Dino).

Reg 4B

· Classes in Preschool and Elementary will be suspended in Occidental Mindoro (Per Regional Director Sinforosa Guiñares)

· Due to Public Storm Signal No. 1, all classes in Preschool (public and private) will be automatically suspended in Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon. (based on 5PM, July 26 PAGASA Bulletin)

Reg 5 – Automatic suspension will be based on the 4AM, July 27 PAGASA Bulletin and depending on the local situation, local authorities (LGUs, DepEd local officials, and school heads) may declare cancellation of classes in their respective areas.

President Aquino submits 1.816T results-focused 2012 budget to Congress

propi — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:37:43 +0000

Editor’s note: The Palace issued this press release. We are republishing it in full.

PNOY SUBMITS 2012 PROPOSED P1.816T RESULTS-FOCUSED BUDGET TO CONGRESS

ABAD: 2012 SPENDING ENSURES DIRECT BENEFITS TO THE PEOPLE

President Benigno S. Aquino III today submitted to Congress the proposed National Budget of P1.816 trillion for 2012 that focuses on achieving the Aquino Social Contract with the Filipino People.

The proposed budget is higher by 10.4 percent or P171 billion over the current year’s P1.645-trillion National Budget, and represents 16.5 percent of the projected gross domestic product (GDP). It is based on a conservative growth assumption of 5.5 percent, even as the administration continues to strive for 7 to 8 percent growth.

“This budget embodies our commitment to lift the poor from poverty through honest and effective governance. It is intently focused on fulfilling my administration’s Social Contract with the Filipino People,” President Aquino said in his Budget Message to Congress.

“This proposed budget is a Results-Focused Budget,” he emphasized.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad, who delivered the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing and other documents to the House of Representatives, said the proposed National Budget for 2012 seeks to make the dividends of good governance reach the poor in “a direct, immediate and substantial way.”

He said the proposed budget seeks greater focus in funding and fulfilling the priorities identified in the Social Contract, particularly: anti-corruption and good governance, poverty reduction and the empowerment of the poor, inclusive economic growth, just and lasting peace and the rule of law and integrity of the environment.

“We again applied the zero-based budgeting (ZBB) approach to eliminate ineffective and inefficient spending. This allowed us to focus our resources on priorities, so that each and every peso we spend will count in empowering the poor,” he said.

“Moreover, this proposed budget sustains our new tradition of transparency, accountability and citizen participation in public expenditure,” he said.

To intensify transparency and accountability, the administration fleshed-out P150.5 billion in lump-sum funds into regional and sub-regional allocations. The proposed budget again mandates the disclosure of budget information on agency website.

The proposed budget was also the first to go through a process of consultations with civil society organizations (CSOs). Six departments and three government firms—Departments of Education (DepEd), Health, Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Highways, Agriculture (DA) and Agrarian Reform; National Food Authority, National Housing Authority and National Home Mortgage and Finance Corporation—piloted this new process.

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

Abad said that consistent with the goal to ensure ample education, public health and social protection for the poor, spending on the Social Services sector receives a significant share of P575.8 billion, equivalent to 31.7 percent of the National Budget. It is higher by 10.4 percent or P54.4 billion over its budgetary allocation of P521.4 billion this year.

Meanwhile, the Economic Services Sector receives P438.9 billion or 24.2 percent of the proposed budget in order to support rapid, sustained and inclusive growth. The 2012 level is higher by 21.3 percent or P77 billion over the sector’s P361.9-billion budget this year.

The Debt Burden follows with P356.1 billion or 19.6 percent of the proposed budget: a 4.3-percent decline from P372.1 billion in 2011. Lastly, the General Public Services and Defense Sectors receive shares of 18.3 percent or P332.1 billion and 6.2 percent or P113.1 billion, respectively, of the proposed National Budget.

TOP DEPARTMENTS

The Department of Education (DepEd) continues to receive the highest budgetary allocation of P238.8 billion: a 15.2 percent increase from its budget of P207.3 billion this year. This budget will fund the hiring of 13,000 more teachers next year, construction and rehabilitation of 45,231 classrooms, procurement of more than 2.53 million school desks and chairs, and construction of 25,667 water and sanitation facilities in schools nationwide.

The Department of Public Works and Highways remains in second place, with a significant increase of 13.5 percent to P125.5 billion, from P110.6 billion in 20121. This will support the Aquino administration’s goal to complete the national road and bridge network by 2016.

The Department of National Defense will receive P107.9 billion, which is higher by 3.1 percent over its current year’s budgetary allocation. Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government will receive P101.4 billion, an increase of 15.1 percent.

The Department of Agriculture, at fifth, will receive the largest budgetary increase of 53.6 percent to P54.1 billion, from P35.2 billion in 2011 to support the Rice and Food Self-Sufficiency agenda of the administration.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), at sixth, will receive P49.4 billion in 2012 from P34.3 this year—an increase of 43.9 percent—to support the expansion of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to cover 3 million indigent households.

For inquiries, further questions and requests for interview, please contact:

OSEC-Public Information Unit (735 4929, 0908 869 8170,dbmcommunications@gmail.com)

Look for Mr. Francis Capistrano, Ms. Louie Belmonte or Mr. Jeeno Arellano

14.9% hike in rice production seen in 1st semester

Con Yap — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:00:52 +0000

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) revealed the country’s first semester palay production is forecast to post a 14.9 percent increase compared to that of last year.

Dante Delima, national rice program coordinator of the Department of Agriculture, citing BAS figures in a report to Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, voiced optimism that the country can achieve a production of 9.86 million metric tons for the ongoing wet season to be able to attain the target of 17.46 MMT for the year.

The rice production forecast from January to June is pegged at around 7.6 MMT, statistics from the BAS revealed

“We expect peak of planting starting June and July, which is almost 63 percent of the total 2011 wet season target planting,” Delima said

The rice production survey will be on the first week of July, and estimates or actual production figures for the January to June 2011 period will be available on or before August 15, Delima clarified

Meanwhile, as of June 10, 2011, the implementation of the upland rice development program in Regions 11 and 13 has benefited a total of 1,247 farmers from the 72,254.50 kilograms of seeds that were distributed by the DA.

Some 103,381.75 kilograms of the distributed seeds are expected to be repaid, of which 11,236 kilograms have already been collected.

For seed production, a total of 14,538 hectares have been planted, of which 13,390 hectares were planted with registered seeds, 1,135 hectares with foundation seeds, and 13.30 hectares with breeder seeds.

Region III has registered the highest number of seeds produced, at 3,963 hectares; followed by Region II with 2,393 hectares, the BAS figures revealed.

To ensure that rice program interventions reach the intended beneficiaries, a partnership mechanism is being put into place to integrate and involve farmer-beneficiaries through strengthened Irrigators’ Associations (IA’s) in all of the country’s 16 regions, Alcala revealed earlier.

The program will instill to farmer-beneficiaries project ownership and accountability. They are involved in planning and decision-making, thus consultations, consensual negotiations, and transparent communications in the different cluster levels are key to program implementation, Alcala said.

A series of consultations with different IA’s have also been held for five different clusters in Nueva Ecija, Quezon City, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Southern Mindanao.

These consultation-workshops with IA’s were attended by Federation and IA Presidents of the regions, government attached agencies such as National Irrigation Association (NIA), Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE), Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) and representatives from Regional Field Units (RFUs) and Provincial and Municipal Government Units.

Meanwhile, other strategies to achieve rice sufficiency targets include:

community-based seed bank and buffer stocking, where farmers are encouraged to use high quality seeds and ensure its availability and accessibility at the right time within the community;

rehabilitation of NFA drying facilities to improve palay drying services especially during the wet season. More than P100 million is expected to be provided to NFA for this purpose.
production of other staple crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas, and white corn which shall serve as alternatives to rice in non-rice eating regions of the country.

Read original post at the Official Gazette

P21.2B Conditional Cash Transfer program way ahead of schedule

Con Yap — Fri, 27 May 2011 03:12:57 +0000

A May 27, 2011 press release by the Department of Social Welfare and Development

The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (or the 4Ps) is ahead of schedule in reaching their target of giving conditional cash transfers to 2.3 million poor families.

In a May 24 report sent to President Aquino, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman cited that the program has already registered 1,910,446 household beneficiaries out of a targeted 2,339,241 for 2011—a staggering 81.7 percent of the target less than six months into the calendar year. The remaining 428,795 families are expected be registered by the end of June 2011, meaning the DSWD will have the rest of the year to continue and to complete distribution of cash transfers to the registered beneficiaries.

“This is the fruition of our efforts to make certain the economic gains we have made are distributed equitably to our people,” Soliman said. “This is part of the government’s holistic approach to ensure that growth is felt by the people, especially those who have been historically marginalized.”

The Pantawid Pamilya program has also allowed the DSWD to give jobs to 4,155 Filipinos for its implementation. They were able to complete training for 2,181 of the program staff, partners, and parent leaders within the first four months of 2011, and have already established Provincial Advisory Committees in all provinces, enjoining the assistance of 123 members from 125 partner Civil Society Organizations nationwide.

Secretary Soliman said that the DSWD wants to build on this success by working even harder to reach and exceed their targets in line with the Aquino administration’s goal of poverty alleviation.

Read original post HERE

Statement of the Spokesperson on Rep. Lagman’s erroneous interpretation of the 2010 Global Integrity Report, May 5, 2011

propi — Thu, 05 May 2011 05:00:21 +0000

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:

“Global Integrity 2010 report writes finis to Arroyo administration’s dismal anti-corruption record”

[Released on May 5, 2011]

Rep. Edcel Lagman has a knack for shooting himself in the foot. He could have checked his facts and looked at the methodology of the most recent Global Integrity Report. He would have realized that the survey unmasked the lack of accomplishment of the Arroyo administration in fighting graft and corruption.

What did Global Integrity actually do, and what was the basis of its 2011 report? A review of their website categorically states the following: “From August 2010 to March 2011, Global Integrity conducted field research (assessing the period June 2009 to June 2010) in 36 countries,” including the Philippines.

When Rep. Lagman said the report “unmasked” as “lacking in substance and performance… the high-profile campaign on ‘good governance and less corruption,’” he was actually issuing an indictment of the former President he so slavishly serves. The field research and assessment Lagman pointed out as suggesting the future will be “an empty page for dearth of heartwarming stories or a perjured page of conjured ‘good news,’” he was actually summarizing the reasons his political principal and her works were rejected by the Filipino people.

The month of May is Anti-Graft and Corruption Awareness Month, proclaimed as such by former President Arroyo. It is appropriate that the gap between rhetoric and reality on the part of the former administration should be so graphically exposed: by the slipshod manner in which Rep. Lagman tried to make political hay of what is actually a damning indictment of the previous dispensation.

Statement of President Aquino on the death of Osama bin Laden, May 2, 2011

Con Yap — Tue, 03 May 2011 01:30:30 +0000

Statement

His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III

President of the Philippines

On the death of Osama bin Laden

[May 2, 2011]

The death of Osama bin Laden marks a signal defeat for the forces of extremism and terrorism. It represents the end of the efforts of one man to stoke the fires of sectarian hatred and to promote terrorism on a scale unprecedented in the history of mass murder. Let us not forget that this is not just an achievement for the United States. It has brought justice to over a dozen Filipinos who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center.

The death of Osama bin Laden should not lull us into complacency. The world must continue to consistently and courageously raise its collective voice against religious hatred, political intolerance, and terrorism of all kinds. We must remain vigilant and united in pursuing peace, pluralism, and collective efforts at security.

One sword has been beaten down; we must continue to be dedicated to the principle of beating the swords of terrorism into the plowshares of progress and peace.

Together with my national security team, we continue to take all relevant precautions and steps to ensure the safety of our people. We, as a democratic and free people, remain committed to fighting terrorism and are in solidarity with the peoples of the United Nations.

This entry was posted in Historical Papers & Documents, Statements. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

Read original post at the Official Gazette

Statement of President Aquino on the resignation of Ombudsman Gutierrez

Con Yap — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:45:24 +0000

Statement

His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III

President of the Philippines

On the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez

[Delivered on April 29, 2011]

This morning, Merceditas Gutierrez personally submitted to me her resignation as our country’s Ombudsman, effective May 6.

Her action has spared the country from a long and divisive impeachment process that would have distracted our lawmakers from dealing with the many problems we face today.

It also paves the way for the appointment of a new Ombudsman.

I thank the House of Representatives. I now urge the Judicial and Bar Council to begin the search for a new Ombudsman. With the support of the public, we can now proceed more decisively in making government officials more accountable to their bosses, the Filipino people.

Thank you.

Read original post at Official Gazette

DOE Steps Up Government Energy Management Program

Cocoy — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 06:00:07 +0000

(Taguig City) In relation to a pronouncement by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. urging government agencies to put in place conservation measures, the Department of Energy (DOE), through its Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), will intensify efforts in reducing energy consumption. Administrative Orders (AOs) 110 and 110-A issued in the past, institutionalized the GEMP, which aims to reduce the monthly electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10%. in all Government Departments, Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), State Colleges and Universities, Hospitals and other instrumentalities of the government except for constitutional bodies including the judiciary and legislative bodies.

The current global energy situation makes it more imperative for government to lead in managing energy use to demonstrate its commitment to effect significant reduction in energy expenditures. The GEMP, from 2005 to 2010, has already effected savings of Php 1.4 billion in electricity and Php 239 million in transport fuel. The DOE has also conducted spot checks in 719 government facilities and certificates of energy/monetary savings have been issued to 62 government agencies.

This year, the DOE steps up its plan to go online for the submission of government agencies’ monthly energy consumption reports. In addition to GEMP, government agencies are also being reminded of the other AOs (nos. 103, 126, and 183), which have been issued in the past that highlighted conservation measures. AO 103 directs the continued adoption of austerity measures in the government, particularly “consumption of fuel, water, office supplies, electricity and utilities.” AO 183 also authorizes the installation and use of energy efficient lights and fixtures.

Memorandum Order No. 8 established the Energy Audit Team headed by Atty. Herminio M. Alcasid, Sr. of the Philippine National Oil Company- Development Management Corporation (PNOC-DMC) with DOE Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson sitting in as a member. The Energy Audit Team is assisted by the DOE through its Energy Utilization Management Bureau, Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services, Information Technology and Management Services, and Energy Policy and Planning Bureau.

“The GEMP and other parallel energy conservation measures in the government will become important as we are facing times where our supply is threatened. It is important to bear in mind that the measures we can actually do need not be done in one fell swoop but it can be done by an individual. These solutions, if done by everyone, can be a big help,” the Energy Department said with regard to the program.

Media release via DOE.