by magnolia_eic | Sep 7, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑANG has directed the formulation of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and the Medium Term Investment Program (MTPIP) for the duration of the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Memorandum Circular No. 3 dated Sept. 2, according to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. directs the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to coordinate the preparation of the MTPDP and MTPIP for 2010-2016 to be jointly formulated by the executive and legislative branches of the government in a participative process involving the marginalized sectors and communities as well as private organizations.
“All government departments, offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, shall formulate their respective medium-term development plans and action programs. These plans and programs shall have results-oriented focus on national development goals,” MC No. 3 stated, “in order to translate the ‘Social Contract with the Filipino People’ into consistent policies and programs, and considering the need to specify the resource allocation of the national government to ensure efficiency in public spending and implement effective government policies, programs and projects.”
The memorandum is pursuant to Section 9, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution which mandates that the economic and planning agency of the of the Government shall implement continuing integrated and coordinated programs and policies for national development after consultations with appropriate public agencies, various private sectors, and local government units, the order stated.
The MTPDP which shall be submitted to the NEDA Board and Legislative Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC) by December this year, shall contain the basic elements of “development goals and objectives; strategic policy framework to attain such goals and objectives; and strategy planning matrix, a list of result-based priority sectoral activities, and the necessary supportive legislations.
“All departments, offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporation, shall draw inputs from their respective regional offices. The regional development concerns of the various departments, offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, must be consistent with the regional development plan,” the MC No. 3 stated.
Malacanang said that “all plans of the local government units shall be consistent with the regional development strategies, physical framework, and local needs.”
It also directed that all sectors of society, public or private, shall be consulted to the fullest to obtain their opinions and positions on matters related to the formulation of the MTPDP.
“The planning guidelines to be followed in the formulation of the plans and programs shall be issued by the NEDA Secretariat and shall be made an integral part of this Circular. The Department of Budget and Management shall provide the funds necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this Circular, subject to the usual accounting and auditing requirements,” the memorandum said. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 6, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑang said President Benigno S. Aquino III “as Chief Executive has power of, control and supervision over all departments and agencies in the Executive Branch, including the
Philippine National Police.”
Presidential Communications Operations Office Chief Secretary Sonny Coloma gave this explanation in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan when asked if the President had control over PNP at the time of the hostage-taking incident last month.
“He did not bypass or override the powers of the National Police Commission when he said he is taking control of the PNP, it is within the context of the exercise of his Chief Executive power,” Coloma explained, adding that the President is not removing any power or any authority from his subordinates.
Asked why the President is taking full responsibility of the hostage incident and in effect taking the blame away from the Department of Interior and Local Government-PNP, Coloma said “this is not an absolution of any official but the President is just emphasizing that he is accountable to the people who elected him.” (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 18, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday has suspended imposing additional taxes on toll fees pending further discussions on the issue.
The Chief Executive pointed out that the discussions centered on two important points namely: the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) franchise and the possible effect of the actual imposition of VAT on toll which, he said, “might deter economic activity.”
According to the President, the issue on the PNCC franchise, whose extension beyond its expiration 2007 is being questioned in court, has to be addressed as the revenue generated from this entity can be used to recoup the investment of those who built the South and North Luzon Expressways.
He said the imposition of VAT on toll fees and the subsequent reconfiguring of toll fee amounts may have implications on future investments in the country.
“There is a study on-going on the implications as far as SLEX is concerned: the increase in toll rates, the increase in transportation, and of course VAT is another cost that might deter economic activity,” the President said.
“There is an ongoing study on the effect of all these increases in toll rates and transportation, and of course Vat is another cost that might deter economic growth,” he said. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 18, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III plans to establish an e-center in every barangay nationwide to ensure that even citizens in the remotest barangays will have access to his website and be able to share their views and concerns with him.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the Aquino Administration will bring the government closer to the people through the use of traditional, new media and social networking sites.
Coloma said the President intends to reach out to the 42,000 barangays all over the country through his website www.president.gov.ph and through the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Friendster and Multiply among others.
“This is an effective means by which the President can get the sentiments of the people and have them as partners in good governance,” Coloma stressed.
He said this will be realized with “no extravagant expenditure” as Netopia, an internet cafe network operating in the country, has “formally signified making available all their sites nationwide to provide access to our people.”
According to Coloma the local government units (LGUs) will also be encouraged to set-up barangay e-centers.
“We will also evoke civil spiritedness so that concerned citizens may donate computers and connectivity,” Coloma said. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 12, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PEACE negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume after Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
In a news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Atty. Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III is determined to pursue his programs for Mindanao, the most important of which is to end the decade-long hostilities in Southern Philippines.
Lacierda said the appointment of UP College of Law dean Marvic Leonen as chief negotiator in the peace talks with the secessionist rebels is a clear testament of the Aquino administration’s commitment to pursue the consultative peace process.
He said Leonen, together with Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles, will review past agreements and records of talks and documents entered by the previous administration with the MILF peace panel.
Covered by the review is the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) with the MILF.
Lacierda also echoed the President’s statement that the present government is committed to a consultative peace process by appointing credible personalities that truly understand the country’s history, diverse cultures and aspirations to head the government peace panel. (PIA-Bohol)
