by cathytej | Jun 27, 2008 | Features
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, and met with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Philippines Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who was with the President at the Pentagon meeting, said the President and Sec. Gates discussed among others counter-terrorism programs and the Philippine Defense Reform Program (PDRP) in a move to achieve not just domestic security but also regional environmental security.
Also discussed was the United States’ expanding its military assistance and training to help the Philippines fulfill its defense reform program and become the role model in counter-insurgency in the ASEAN.
Teodoro said RP-US bilateral military cooperation even beyond 2010 was also discussed. (PIA/ Bohol)
by cathytej | Jun 27, 2008 | Features
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her grief over the loss of lives and at the same time her anger over the MV Princess of Stars sinking off Sibuyan Island.
''Like many Filipinos,I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives from the typhoon and the ferry tragedy,'' the President said.
''I am also angry at what happened with the capsizing of the ferry even as we run a thorough investigation to find out exactly what happened, why it happened, and could it have been avoided,'' the President added.
The President stressed that she ordered a thorough investigation ''to review the facts and made an assurance, that ''we will get to the bottom of this tragedy and hold people accountable if that is what the findings reveal.''
Taking advantage of the fine weather, she immediately ordered concerned government agencies to start repair and rehabilitation works particularly on vital roads and bridges, and the restoration of power to areas still in darkness as an onslaught of typhoon Frank. (PIA/Bohol)
by cathytej | Jun 27, 2008 | Features
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally thanked the United States government for the support it is extending to the victims of typhoon Frank.
The President expressed the Philippines’ gratitude during her meeting with US State Department Deputy Secretary John Negroponte.
”We are deeply grateful for the help by the US government…” the President said.
The US pledged to send P4 million (or roughly $100,000) worth of emergency relief goods through the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
The US Navy Ship Stockton, with rescue helicopters on board, is now on its way to Sibuyan Island off Romblon to help in the rescue and recovery of the passengers of sunken MV Princess of the Stars.
Meanwhile, Negroponte said President George W. Bush would personally convey to the President the US government’s ”condolences to the Filipino people.” (PIA/Bohol)
by cathytej | Jun 27, 2008 | Features
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has drafted an executive that will create the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) in the wake of the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars of Sulpicio Lines at the height of Typhoon Frank.
The drafting of the executive order, was revealed by DOTC Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Elena Bautista.
Bautista – who also pushed for the passage of the Coast Guard Bill – said the NTSB as a separate body will investigate such transport disasters, and not by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) nor by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The Coast Guard Bill, on the other hand, will define the identity – whether military or civilian — of the PCG, said Bautista. The PCG is no longer under the Philippine Navy (PN) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but under the DOTC.
Bautista said she was also tasked to call for industry-wide consultations regarding the guidelines for allowing ships to embark on their respective voyages in times of typhoons. (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jun 25, 2008 | Features
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally thanked the United States government for the support it is extending to the victims of typhoon Frank.
The President expressed the Philippines’ gratitude during her meeting with US State Department Deputy Secretary John Negroponte.
”We are deeply grateful for the help by the US government…” the President said.
The US pledged to send P4 million (or roughly $100,000) worth of emergency relief goods through the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
The US Navy Ship Stockton, with rescue helicopters on board, is now on its way to Sibuyan Island off Romblon to help in the rescue and recovery of the passengers of sunken MV Princess of the Stars.
Meanwhile, Negroponte said President George W. Bush would personally convey to the President the US government’s ”condolences to the Filipino people.” (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jun 25, 2008 | Features
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has drafted an executive that will create the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) in the wake of the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars of Sulpicio Lines at the height of Typhoon Frank.
The drafting of the executive order, was revealed by DOTC Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Elena Bautista.
Bautista – who also pushed for the passage of the Coast Guard Bill – said the NTSB as a separate body will investigate such transport disasters, and not by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) nor by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The Coast Guard Bill, on the other hand, will define the identity – whether military or civilian — of the PCG, said Bautista. The PCG is no longer under the Philippine Navy (PN) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), but under the DOTC.
Bautista said she was also tasked to call for industry-wide consultations regarding the guidelines for allowing ships to embark on their respective voyages in times of typhoons. (PIA/Bohol)
