FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia7news.blogspot.com Information is our business. THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 5| April 24, 2013 INFOBYTES TOPSTORIES CEBU CITY (PIA) – President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III said his administration is working on expanding facilities in Cebu to boost tourist arrivals and prop up tourism-related investments in the province. Aquino issued the statement in his message to over 5,000 crowd that gathered inside the Barba Sports Gym in Toledo City yesterday afternoon during his meeting with local leaders and the community. The President said that Cebu has a lot to offer tourists, especially the various beaches, adding that one tourist corresponds to one job for the Filipino, may it be as a tourist guide or being employed in tourism-related sector such as souvenir shops, accommodations and restaurants. “On my way here, I had the opportunity to view the coastline of Cebu from Mactan to Bogo and then to Toledo. You have lots of beaches to offer tourists and that is why many tourists come here,” said Aquino. He then cited government’s accomplishment that domestic tourist arrivals had surpassed its 2016 target of 35 million since in 2011, domestic tourists arrivals have already reached 37 million. “Kayo ang gumagawa ng lahat na ito, (You are the one making this)” said the President and added that the development of the tourism industry can offer lots of opportunities. The President cited the P17.5 billion Mactan Cebu International Airport Passenger Terminal Project and the P3.7 billion widening of the Mactan Island Circumferential Road Project as two major projects of his administration to expand facilities in Cebu to boost tourism and investments. “We need to improve the facilities like the Mactan International Airport which ideally caters to 1.6 million air passenger traffic per year. But now, it is catering to two millions air passengers annually,” as the volume of tourists coming here steadily increases, said Aquino. Funding of the airport terminal project has already been approved as of November last year while at present, the project is in the process of bidding out with 11 interested bidders already signifying its intention, claimed Aquino. BY FAYETTE C. RINEN The widening of the Mactan Island Circumferential Road on the other hand, can ease traffic going to world-class resorts and other tourist destinations in Mactan island as well as cut travel time by 15 minutes from Cebu City to Mactan. “We are focusing on projects that benefit the majority” ….”that can lead to concrete directions,” said the President as the crowd cheered him on. Aquino said his "Tuwid Na Daan" policy of good governance, especially for significant projects involved the five Rs including the right project, right price, right people and right time. The President also took the opportunity to highlight his administration’s achievements on anti-poverty, education and in agriculture. "At present, 3.8 million poorest of the poor families nationwide have benefited from the conditional cash transfer program while our target is to expand the coverage to 4.6 million households. And this we are doing without PNoy: Gov't to expand Cebu's facilities for tourism development Presidential Visit in Cebu: President Benigno S. Aquino III is met by key local government officials upon his arrival in Barangay Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu at around 10:30 am on April 19 for the groundbreaking of the widening of the Mactan Island Circumferential Road. (VVV/PIA Cebu) raising taxes,” disclosed the President. Aquino also assured that the 66,800 classroom shortage nationwide will be completed by year-end and that no more students would be sitting under shades of trees just to have classes. Likewise, by end of 2013, the Philippine will now be self-sufficient in rice with the likelihood of being a rice exporter, added the President. This is a far cry from the 2 million tons of rice being imported by the country in 2010, he said. Pres. Aquino said so much has changed in the almost three years since he assumed office as he guaranteed that more good changes and reforms will come until his term ends in 2016. “That is why I ask you to elect leaders that are behind me so that changes and reforms for the better will continue,” said the President. The President stayed in Toledo City for an hour before rushing to his fourth and last engagement at the Capitol attended by a 65,000 crowd at peak as he rallied the people to support and elect his local bets. (PIA7)
Transcript
FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia7news.blogspot.com
Information is our business.
THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 5| April 24, 2013
INFOBYTESTOPSTORIES
CEBU CITY (PIA) – President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III said his administration is working on expanding facilities in Cebu to boost tourist arrivals and prop up tourism-related investments in the province. A q u i n o i s s u e d t h e statement in his message to over 5,000 crowd that gathered inside the Barba Sports Gym in Toledo City yesterday afternoon during his meeting with local leaders and the community. The President said that Cebu has a lot to offer tourists, especially the various beaches, adding that one tourist corresponds to one job for the Filipino, may it be as a tourist guide or being employed in tourism-related sector such as souvenir shops, accommodations and restaurants. “On my way here, I had the opportunity to view the coastline of Cebu from Mactan to Bogo and then to Toledo. You have lots of beaches to offer tourists and that is why many tourists come here,” said Aquino. He then cited government’s
accomplishment that domestic tourist arrivals had surpassed its 2016 target of 35 million since in 2011, domestic tourists arrivals have already reached 37 million. “Kayo ang gumagawa ng lahat na ito, (You are the one making this)” said the President and added that the development of the tourism industry can offer lots of opportunities. The President cited the P17.5 billion Mactan Cebu International Airport Passenger Terminal Project and the P3.7 billion widening of the Mactan Island Circumferential Road Project as two major projects of his administration to expand facilities in Cebu to boost tourism and investments. “We need to improve the facilities like the Mactan International Airport which ideally caters to 1.6 million air passenger traffic per year. But now, it is catering to two millions air passengers annually,” as the volume of tourists coming here steadily increases, said Aquino. Funding of the airport terminal project has already been approved as of November last year while at present, the project is in the process of bidding out with 11 interested bidders already signifying its intention, claimed Aquino.
By Fayette C. Rinen
The widening of the Mactan Island Circumferential Road on the other hand, can ease traffic going to world-class resorts and other tourist destinations in Mactan island as well as cut travel time by 15 minutes from Cebu City to Mactan. “We are focusing on projects that benefit the majority” ….”that can lead to concrete directions,” said the President as the crowd cheered him on. Aquino said his "Tuwid Na Daan" policy of good governance, especially for significant projects involved the five Rs including the right project, right price, right people and right time. The President also took the opportunity to highlight his administration’s achievements on anti-poverty, education and in agriculture. "At present, 3.8 million poorest of the poor families nationwide have benefited from the conditional cash transfer program while our target is to expand the coverage to 4.6 million households. And this we are doing without
PNoy: Gov't to expand Cebu's facilities for tourism development
Presidential Visit in Cebu: President Benigno S. Aquino III is met by key local government officials upon his arrival in Barangay Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu at around 10:30 am on April 19 for the groundbreaking of the widening of the Mactan Island Circumferential Road. (VVV/PIA Cebu)
raising taxes,” disclosed the President. Aquino also assured that the 66,800 classroom shortage nationwide will be completed by year-end and that no more students would be sitting under shades of trees just to have classes. Likewise, by end of 2013, the Philippine will now be self-sufficient in rice with the likelihood of being a rice exporter, added the President. This is a far cry from the 2 million tons of rice being imported by the country in 2010, he said. Pres. Aquino said so much has changed in the almost three years since he assumed office as he guaranteed that more good changes and reforms will come until his term ends in 2016. “That is why I ask you to elect leaders that are behind me so that changes and reforms for the better will continue,” said the President. The President stayed in Toledo City for an hour before rushing to his fourth and last engagement at the Capitol attended by a 65,000 crowd at peak as he rallied the people to support and elect his local bets. (PIA7)
TOPSTORIESINFOBYTES
Jobs top factor in achieving social inclusive growth under PDP, NEDA says
By Fayette C. Rinen
CEBU
Cebu City hosts Visayas Power Summit
C E B U C I T Y ( P I A ) – Employment is the top indicator in determining whether social inclusive growth as envisioned under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 has trickled down to the masses. Rosemarie Edillon, assistant
secretary general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said the country is presently enjoying rapid economic growth even as the challenge is maintain momentum. “But rapid growth is one thing while social inclusive growth is another,” said Edillon to over 150 participants during the recent Regional Consultation on the PDP Midterm Update in Cebu
City. Edillon said there should be an extra push to ensure that social inclusive growth is felt down to the grassroots level which can only be done if there are employment opportunities that can benefit the majority. Social inclusive growth is anchored on poverty reduction which is the ultimate goal of the PDP, according to the NEDA official. In order to reduce poverty, people should have jobs to improve their quality of life, disclosed Edillon. Edillon said the country today can boast of macroeconomic stability citing the 6.6 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2012 and the first-ever investment grade given by Fitch Ratings. The Philippines’ credit rating upgrade is a clear indication that the market is doing good but that there is a need to boost more competitiveness while the Department of Trade and Industry needs to facilitate more trade agreements to generate massive employment, said Edillon. “We need to s t reaml ine business regulation procedures. In Singapore, it takes only one day to register a business,” while it takes about a month here, lamented Edillon stressing on competitiveness as a critical element in attracting investments into the country. Edillon also said that there is a need to improve access to financing to assist the business sector. Other key strategies identified in the PDP were investments in infrastructure, promote transparent and responsive governance and development of human resources. In Central Visayas, the priority sectors given highlight included agribusiness, tourism, infrastructure, Business Process Outsourcing and food processing. (PIA 7)
Palarong Pambansa Contingency Planning: Representatives from government agencies in Negros Oriental attend the three-day Contingency Planning and Incident Command System Workshop for the high-density gathering in Palarong Pambansa, conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) from April 10-12, 2013. (LPP/PIA-7 NegOr)
CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Cebu City will host the Visayas Power Summit on April 26 to tackle power-related issues in the region. The summit is in response to several issues raised during a series of consultation activities conducted by the Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) on power-related concerns in the region, said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in a letter. Rama also sits as the Regional Development Committee Visayas Chairperson.
By RaChelle M. nessia He said the issues generated during the consultation series highlighted a need to address the problem of high electricity cost. “The most recent activity that RDC 7 conducted has cited as one of the recommendations for immediate implementation the conduct of a Power Summit,” said Rama in the letter. The summit will also feature the presentation of power-related issues not only from Central Visayas but from Western and Eastern Visayas as well. Energy Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla is expected to present the 2013-2030 Draft of the Philippine Energy Plan
during the summit. Petilla’s presentation will focus, among others, on the current energy situation in the country, the national government’s policy thrusts, energy supply and demand outlook, generation and transmission sectors reforms, renewable energy and FIT rates, and retail competition and open access. The one-day summit wi l l cap with a press conference with the panelists composed of officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). (RMN/PIA Cebu)
COMMUNITYNEWSINFOBYTES
INFOBYTESis a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
BOHOL
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) -- Voters who wish to be enlightened about the recent developments on the upcoming midterm elections can now listen and interact on air as government election education campaign goes on the air. Dubbed then as Comelec Hour, the pre election government run
voter’s education campaign is now back on air with three anchors willing to process everybody’s questions and clarify issues. Anchored by City Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Registrar Atty. Jonas Biliran, Provincial Comelec information officer Juvenal Beniga and Philippine Information Agency-Bohol, this year’s voters’ education segment has just
Voters' education goes "on air" at DyRD, DyTR
By Rey anthony h. Chiuturned interactive. The program, “Mga gutlo sa Kaalam Uban sa Comelec” can be heard over DyRD AM from 9:30 to 10:00 AM Monday to Thursday and at 11:00 to 11:30 every Fridays. The same program and radio anchors shift to DyTR in the afternoon at 2:00 – 2:30 every Monday through Friday. During its inaugural airing, "Mga Gutlo sa Kaalam..." a thirty minute segment aired live over radio stations in the AM band tackled the rationale behind the program and took up the issue on automated elections. A mandatory activity set by the national poll body to advance the information advocacy especially on getting the right and informed decisions, the radio programs add up to the COMELEC’s pre-polls tasks. In the light of the automation and the Precinct Count Optical Scanners (PCOS) the radio program is a source of information and clarification on the new technology, said Atty Biliran during one of the segments last week. Other issues the program tackles include Fair Elections Act and the prohibitions so that candidates can not unduly sway voters by a sly use of faulty campaign strategy. People and voters can interact with anchors of Mga Gutlo sa Kaalam through the usual landlines at DyRD and DyTR. The PIA also opens its usual textline for interactors who may not have an access to the landlines. The Mga Gutlo sa kaalam text line hotline is 0920-954-5482. (mbcn/RAHC/PIA7-Bohol)
PNoy visit in Cebu: The crowd at the Cebu Provincial Capitol estimated at 15,000 waiting for the arrival of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III on April 19. PNoy was in Cebu to lead events in Bogo, Toledo, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu City. (VVV/PIA Cebu)
Peace & Order council tackles road safety issue in Bohol
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)-- Smooth roads have resulted in road accidents, making physical injuries second in the list of crimes in Bohol. "There is the downside of good and well-paved roads," Camp Dagohoy chief Police Senior Superintendent Constantino Barot said. Barot observed that risks of road accidents are caused by lack of traffic engineering; lack of correct road signs, markers, and lighting facilities; that forewarn drivers of accident prone areas. He also cited incidents where Bohol’s tourism lure has also put foreign drivers in unnecessary risk. Foreigner-drivers are so well-attuned to driving four-wheeled vehicles, but not motorcycles, Barot noted.
Allowing them to drive these two-wheelers put them at risk and also to other road users, he told members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in a meeting recently. PPOC chairman and Bohol governor Edgar Chatto instructed the PNP to plan and organize a team to look into these issues. Barot said the pol ice has already established the Provincial Traffic Enforcement Composite Team (ProTECT) to jointly enforce traffic rules and recommend to authorities especially to the Department of Public Works and Highways corrective engineering measures to make certain stretches of road safer for motorists. The composite team specializing in traffic enforcement is a good step in the right direction for Bohol, the governor said. (mbcn/RAHC/PIA7-Bohol)
By Rey anthony h. Chiu
SIQUIJOR
MGA KATANGIAN NG MGA KARAPAT-DAPAT
NA LINGKOD BAYAN
Mga katangiang dapat makita sa isang karapat-dapat na Lingkod Bayan ay ang mga sumusunod: • Dapat ay may hangaring tapat at mahusay sa kanyang paglilingkod sa publiko. • Dapat ay may pantay at makatarungang pakikitungo sa sinumang lumalapit sa kanyang tanggapan. • Dapat ay may integridad at walang hangaring gamitin ang kanyang tungkulin sa kanyang pansariling kapakanan. • Dapat ay may integridad at paninindigan na hindi tatanggap ng anumang uri ng suhol o lagay. • Dapat maka-Diyos at may damdaming pagserserbisyo lalo na sa mga mahihirap. —
News Feature: Human person, foundation and purpose of political life
SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The biblical message about Jesus and political authority provides endless inspiration for Christian reflection on political power, recalling that it comes from God and is an integral part of the order that He created.
By Rizalie anding CaliBo
COMMUNITYNEWSINFOBYTES
NAMFREL commits to protect elections
Church Teachings: Lazi Parish Priest and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairman Rev. Fr. Leonard Tan talks about the Church's perspectives on election during the peace covenant signing at Lazi, Siquijor. He calls on all the candidates to make this election be a sense of service to our God, country and fellowmen. (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)
Touching on the concept of democratic system, Tan also said that authentic democracy is possible only in a state ruled by law and on the basis of a correct conception of the human person. The purpose and guiding criterion for political life are its dignity; respect for human rights; and the commitment to the common good, Tan noted. “If there is no consensus on these values, the deepest meaning of democracy is lost and its stability, compromised, said Tan. He stated that democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism. He calls on the candidates to make this election be a sense of service to our God, country and fellowmen. Proclaiming the NAMFREL’s pledge for a free, honest elections, he quoted some lines, “without fear or favor, we, the NAMFREL volunteers, commit to remain strong and constant in our vigilance to protect, preserve and enhance democratic institution and practices and to actively promote honesty in governance..as his meaningful message for the candidates' covenant. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7-Siquijor)
Parish priest of Lazi, Siquijor and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chair, Rev. Fr. Leonard Tan in his message during the Peace Covenant signing in Lazi recently shared the church perspectives on election and the Biblical Aspects of Political Community. Fr. Tan said human person as the foundation and purpose of political life must be given priority before all else. This he said as he calls on the candidates for May 13 elections to reflect as food for thought the church teachings through the social doctrine of the church specifically from the pontifical council for justice and peace. “This means that for a human person, a naturally social and political being, social life is not something added on but is part of an essential and indelible dimension,” he said. He added the political community originates in the nature of persons whose conscience “reveals to them and enjoins them to obey the order which God has imprinted in all His creatures and religious order. It means, working to recognize and respect human dignity thru defending and promoting fundamental and inalienable human rights, Tan said. This common good, is chiefly guaranteed when personal rights and duties are maintained. The political community, he added, pursues the common good when it seeks to create a human environment that offers citizens the possibility of truly exercising their human rights and of fulfilling completely their corresponding duties.
Rice Pledge: Farmers from all six towns in Siquijor province reciting the rice pledge that opens the launching of National Year of Rice in Lazi, Siquijor. (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)
