by magnolia_eic | Jan 18, 2011 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Jan. 24, 2011 as “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day” to instill patriotism and nationalism among Filipinos, promote the preferential use of locally-manufactured goods using local resources and adopt measures that will help generate wider employment of local fabrics.
Proclamation No. 86 which Aquino signed Dec. 21 last year, defines tropical fabrics as those containing natural fibers produced, spun, woven or knitted and finished in the Philippines for use of office uniforms and government officials and employees and for other purposes.
According to the President, the implementation of Republic Act 9242 provides the needed push for the judicious utilization of natural fibers like pineapple, banana, abaca and Philippine silk on the one hand and the revival and upliftment of the local textile and garments industry on the other, both of which shall redound to creation of livelihood in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
He said as the use of Philippine tropical fabrics unfolds overtime, there will be a growing awareness and sense of pride among Filipinos to patronize and use locally-manufactured textiles.
The President designated the Philippine Textile Research Institute and the Department of Science and Technology to ensure and plan out activities during the observance of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day.
The Chief Executive also called on the fabric producers, textile manufacturers and garment industries, including the private sectors, associations and institutions to actively participate in the proper observance of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day and to give their full support in the local production and use of local tropical fabrics and in recognition of their importance in manpower capability-building. (PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Jan 3, 2011 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence that the country’s economy will
continue to grow next year as evidenced by the stringent efforts of the government to uplift
the standard of living of the Filipino people.
The Chief Executive, in an interview on Thursday following the commemoration of the 114th
martyrdom of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila said that
businesses in the country will continue to grow gradually improving the unemployment and
underemployment rate for the better.
The President assured that the government has been exhausting necessary steps to
expedite processes in totally solving issues that hamper economic growth.
For instance, the President cited the expansion of an international relationship management
firm in Manila which has five-major expansions throughout the country, the newest in San
Lazaro near the University Belt.
Convergys has provided 20,000 job opportunities for the Filipinos.
“If you remember we went to a company called Convergys not too long ago. They opened a
new facility in San Lazaro. The first day they had to acquire a new office in addition to the one
that they had contracted. From then on, they continue to grow in a period of one month”, the
President said.
“So that I think is a total reference of what we should be expecting”, he added. (PIA/PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 23, 2010 | Headlines
In recognition of their sacrifices, President Benigno S. Aquino III has increased the combat
pay of soldiers who, most of the times, willingly offer their lives for the peace and security of
the country.
The Chief Executive announced this good news during the 75th anniversary of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The President told the soldiers present that he already signed an Executive Order on Monday
amending Executive Order 658 increasing the combat pay of soldiers to P500 from the
current P240.
The President said the soldiers in the field will start receiving the new rate effective January
next year.
Since the establishment of the AFP under Commonwealth Act No. 1, or the National Defense
Act of 1935, the President said the soldiers have been at the forefront in protecting the
country’s sovereignty in times of peace, war and calamities. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 9, 2010 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday said the government will push for the creation of
more job opportunities through livelihood programs that would assure a more comfortable life
for the Filipino people.
Speaking before the awardees of the “Model OFW Family of the Year Award” at the Grand
Plaza Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City, the President assured the
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families that the government is stepping-up in its
efforts to address the common concerns of their group.
The Chief Executive said he has directed various agencies concerned, which include the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) to further boost programs that will directly benefit the overseas
workers.
The government, according to him is creating 54 additional help desks to beef up the 554 that
were previously installed in different cities and provinces of the country tasked to attend to
the welfare of the OFWs.
The OWWA, he added has been instructed to allot one billion pesos as Reintegration Fund,
which will be used as an effective loan program with low interest rates for the OFWs.
With help from the Land Bank of the Philippine and Development Bank of the Philippines
(DBP), the government will conduct seminars on Financial Literacy, Money Management and
similar technical discussions to equip the OFWs and their families to venture into business,
he said.
He noted the influx of both local and foreign investors who are regaining confidence to do
business in the country as a result of the government’s sustainable administrative reforms.
by magnolia_eic | Nov 25, 2010 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III has joined other nations in calling for sobriety and an end to
the renewed tension between North and South Korea which exchanged artillery fire Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda echoed the President statement during a press
briefing where he assured families and relatives of Filipinos working and residing in both
countries that the government is closely monitoring the situation there.
The President, according to Lacierda has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
and other agencies concerned with migrant workers to implement precautionary measures
to protect and ensure the safety of thousands of Filipino migrant workers in the Korean
Peninsula.
Lacierda said Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Louie Cruz has informed them
that there are no plans yet of evacuation but certain precautionary measures had been
undertaken.
DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos informed the President
that the DFA is prepared to evacuate all 60,000 Filipinos in South Korea if and when needed.
Lacierda noted that the constant tension in the Korean Peninsula that started with North
Korea’s nuclear testing two years ago prompted the Philippine government to draw up a
contingency plan that includes mobilizing an extensive network of Filipino community leaders
in dangerous situations.
He admitted that the Chief Executive is convening his security officials, which include the
National Security Council and the Department of National Defense this afternoon, to discuss
in the Cluster meeting the immediate possible response of the Philippine government to the
concerns of the Korean situation.
There are sixty thousand Filipino nationals in South Korea and only nine are working in North
Korea. Of the nine Filipino nationals, five are working for the United Nations, and four are
working for a foreign international tobacco company. (PCOO)
