by aimee | Sep 11, 2013 | National News
The Philippines-Italy Debt for Development Swap Program arising from the Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, through the Department of Finance, and the Republic of Italy, through the Embassy of Italy in Manila on May 9, 2012 is now in its full swing. The DOF has started accepting Project Proposals under the Program from the first day of September.
Designed to fund environmental projects with equal emphasis on poverty alleviation component, the 2.9 million euro proceeds from the debt conversion would further President Aquino’s inclusive growth agenda.
The Debt for Development Swap Program is open to project proposals of interested National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), Italian and Philippine Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Community-based Organizations (CBOs), which is aligned with the broad-based, multi-stakeholder approach to development partnerships for sustainable and people-oriented results.
NGAs, LGUs, and CSOs can propose large (Php25M – Php35M) and medium (Php10M – Php25M) projects, while CBOs can propose small projects (Php2.5M – Php10M).
“We thank the Italian Government for supporting our development objectives,” Secretary Purisima said, adding that under this productive partnership, both parties will ensure accountability in project implementation, so that the project benefits will reach their rightful beneficiaries.
Interested proponents to the Philippine-Italy Debt Swap Program have until September 20 to submit their project proposals. Further details can be accessed athttp://www.dof.gov.ph/?page_id=7051. (DoF)
by aimee | Sep 10, 2013 | National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday that appropriate charges in relation to the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) may be filed against Janet Lim Napoles by Friday.
President Aquino told reporters in a press conference after keynoting the 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting in Makati City that government prosecutors were studying the evidences, analyses and “possible defenses that can be brought to court” in order to have a rock-solid case against Napoles.
“The first charges with regards to this issue, I understand, will be filed not later than Monday. There is a possibility it can be filed by Friday. I will be given a briefing on what the lawyers called the theory of the case, the evidence that supports the theory of the case,” the President said.
“So a complete briefing sometime this week; and the commitment is not later than Monday next week, and possibly by Friday this week,” he noted. (PND)
by aimee | Sep 10, 2013 | National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept. 10 (PIA)–Gimando karon ni Bureau of Immigration (BI) OIC Commissioner Siegfred Mison sa tanang immigration personnel sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport ug sa ubang tugpahanan sa nasud ang pagbawal sa paggamit og cellphones samtang oras sa ting-trabaho isip parte sa pagbatok sa ahensya sa korapsyon.
Matud pa ni Mison, partikular nga sakop sa maong kamanduan ang tanang immigration officers nga na-assign sa arrival ug departure counters nga maoy adlaw-adlaw nga nag-atubang sa libuan ka pasahero.
Apil usab niining kamanduan ang mga team leaders sa Travel Control and Enforcement Unit ug bisan ang mga acting immigration officers ug confidential agents nga na-assign sa Filipino counters.
Tungod niini, kinahanglang e-deposito sa mga empleyado ang ilang cellphones sa locker o ibilin sa ilang supervisor.
Kun adunay emergency, mahimong makigamit og cellphone ang empleyado sa ilang supervisors.
Gipatuman kini human sa insidente nga nakuhaan sa CCTV ang pipila ka badlongong empleyado nga nalambigit sa pagtabang sa pagpa-ikyas gawas sa nasud o pagsulod sa nasud sa mga blacklisted nga langyaw ug mga biktima sa human trafficking ug mga pugante. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by aimee | Sep 10, 2013 | Headlines, National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept. 10 (PIA)–Nagpagawas ganinang buntag og temporary restraining order (TRO) ang Supreme Court (SC) batok sa pagpagawas sa Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) o pork barrel sa mga magbabalaod ubos sa General Appropriations Act of 2013.
Kini ang nauyonan sa mga mahistrado sa Korte Suprema human sa gipahigayon nilang en banc session ganinang buntag.
Una nang gi-suspender ni Presidente Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III ang pagpagawas niini.
Sakop sa maong TRO ang pork barrel sa mga magbabalaod gikan sa nahabiling 2013 budget ug apil usab ang Malampaya funds gawas lamang kun gamiton sa mga programang may kalabot sa energy development.
Gihiusa na sa Korte Suprema ang tulo ka petisyon batok sa pork barrel ug Malampaya funds.
Gihatagan sa SC ang mga petisyuner ug respondents og 10 ka adlaw sa pagduso sa ilang komento.
Gitakda usab sa SC ang oral argument sa Oktubre 8 sa alas 2:00 sa hapon alang sa maong hisgotanan. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by aimee | Sep 9, 2013 | Headlines, National News
Malacañang on Monday condemned the attack allegedly perpetrated by members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) against government troops in Zamboanga City that left one soldier dead and six others wounded.
“We condemn the attack on Zamboanga City in the strongest possible terms. It is incumbent on all people of goodwill to reject the violence that has erupted,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Lacierda expressed “great concern” over the ongoing skirmishes in the city following reports that at least 30 civilians including children were reportedly being held hostage by the MNLF rebels and are being used as “human shields”.
“The ongoing attack of armed individuals in Zamboanga City, including initial reports of the possible use of civilians as human shields, is a cause for great concern,” he said.
He assured that authorities are responding to the situation particularly in reducing risk to civilians and are working on restoring peace in Zamboanga City at the soonest time possible.
Lacierda, likewise, said that President Benigno Aquino III is closely monitoring the incident and keeping himself apprised of any development.
“The City government has appealed for the national government to help; the President is being briefed on the situation and is receiving updates as new information comes in,” he said.
Malacanang, meanwhile, warned the public against spreading speculations that might further inflict fear on the people of Zamboanga.
“We ask our fellow citizens to refrain from spreading speculations, as fear and alarm spread by disinformation will only help those intent on disrupting the lives of residents of Zamboanga City,” Lacierda said.
Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said that hundreds of armed followers of former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari launched an attack in Zamboanga City before dawn Monday supposedly with demands of declaring independence from the Philippines government.
Climaco-Salazar has suspended classes and operations of government offices within the city due to the situation.
At least 11 MNLF members were arrested following the incident. (PND)
by aimee | Sep 5, 2013 | Headlines, National News
Malacañang welcomed reports that the Philippines rose to 59th place among 148 economies in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 2013-2014, attributing the improvement to the Aquino administration’s battle against corruption.
“We welcome the results of the 2013-2014 Global Competitiveness Report, which shows the Philippine economy continuing its upward trajectory in rankings. From a low of 85th place when the Aquino administration took over, the Philippines has progressed 26 places to rank 59th in the international competitiveness landscape,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
“This impressive performance was highlighted in the report, which cited the Philippines as among the ‘most dynamic and rapidly improving economies in terms of competitiveness’,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the sustained improvement was credited heavily to the Aquino administration’s battle against corruption, which is seen in the significant improvements in the benchmarking scores of the “Institutions” pillar that covers governance challenges such as corruption and public sector competence.
Halfway through the President Benigno S. Aquino III’s presidency, Lacierda said the Institutions pillar of the Philippines jumped from 125th in 2010 to 79th, a rally of 46 places.
In the ethics and corruption category, the Philippines now ranks 87th compared to 135th in 2010, while government efficiency and other public sector variables have also steadily advanced.
“Another pillar where we posted heady growth was in ‘Innovation,’ an improvement of 42 places to 69th this year from 111th in 2010. We attribute this to enhanced competition, which fosters creativity, and high morale of an increasingly empowered citizenry, sustained by the prospects of our future and the positive feeling about our country’s direction,” he said.
“Further, amidst the backdrop of a particularly difficult period for developing economies, this international affirmation serves as an endorsement of the President, the brand of transparent and accountable leadership he espouses, and the hard-fought reforms he and his allies have tirelessly pursued,” Lacierda concluded. (PND)
