1 Press Release January 5, 2015 Department of Foreign Affairs
PHL Ambassador to Argentina Presents West Philippine Sea Issue at National University of La Plata – Institute of International Relations
Buenos Aires29 December 2014 – The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires presented the Philippine position on the West Philippine Issue in an academic session organized by the UNLP - Institute of International Relations, as one of the activities during the Congress of IRI, Latin America Federation for International Studies and the Federal Council for International Studies on November 27.
Philippine Ambassador to Argentina Ma. Amelita C. Aquino, Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Dinh Thao, Professor Maya Alvisa of the Universidad del Salvador and Mr. Rodolfo Kramer of the MERCOSUR- ASEAN Chamber of Commerce were the guest speakers during the session. Professor Ezequiel Ramoneda of UNLP IRI served as the moderator during the event.
In her presentation, Ambassador Aquino emphasized that the core issue of the dispute is China’s claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over nearly all of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, pointing out that this encroaches on the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone and extended continental shelf.
She further explained that the Philippines had undertaken many efforts to peacefully engage China and settle the disputes through political and diplomatic avenues but with the occupation by China of
Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines had no other recourse but to utilize the legal track under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). She then explained the arbitral proceedings initiated by the Philippines and the Philippines’ Triple Action Plan proposal.
The audience was composed of members of the academe, students and researchers. END DFA-Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Conducts Pioneering Workshop for Development of Sustainable Seabed Policy
29 December 2014 - The Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines – National Institute for Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), hosted a two-day workshop on the Development of a Sustainable Seabed Mining and Resources Policy on December 16 and 17 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila.
The workshop was attended by experts and stakeholders from the government sector: Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of National Defense (DND), National Coast Watch Council (NCWC), and the National Security Council (NSC).
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The private sector was represented by Philex Mining Corp. and Philodrill while the academe was represented by UP-NIGS and the UP-Institute on Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea.
The workshop was intended to facilitate the Philippine Government’s pursuit of a national policy on sustainable deep seabed mining in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the rules and regulations of the International Seabed Authority.
Dr. Sandor Mulsow, Head, Office of Resources and Environmental Monitoring of the International Seabed Authority, was invited as one of the key resource persons in the workshop. He discussed the functions and structure of the Authority as well as the measures for environmental protection in the seabed.
The workshop was intended to start the ball rolling towards the Philippines’ development of a sustainable resource management policy for its seabed, demonstrating the country’s sense of responsibility among the community of nations while securing its resources for future generations of Filipinos. END
Office of the President
Palace hopeful Congress will pass all its priority bills this year
MANILA, Jan. 5 -- The Palace on Sunday said it is hopeful that the Senate and the House of Congress will pass all its priority bills this year.
"Umaasa ang pamahalaan na hindi bababa sa 18 sa 29 na priority legislative agenda na inihain ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon sa Kongreso noong nakaraang taon ang pormal na maipapasa ng Senado at ng Kamara," said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Coloma was quoting Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Manuel Mamba, who coordinates with both the Senate and the Lower House regarding the President's priority bills.
"Isa sa mga panukalang batas na ito ang Bangsamoro Basic Law na siyang magbibigay daan upang maitatag ang Bangsamoro Transitional Assembly bago idaos ang halalan para sa mga opisyal ng Bangsamoro Political Entity sa taong 2016," said Coloma.
The Aquino administration is also proposing to amend some existing laws. This includes the laws on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Road Right of Way for the infrastructure projects, and the shipping industry's Cabotage.
"Ibig din ng pamahalaan na ganap na maisabatas ang Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives, Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime, Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act, Antitrust Act, National Land Use Act, at ang Strategic Trade Management Act," Coloma added.
According to Secretary Mamba, the government is prioritizing the passing of the Customs Modernization Act which is included in the fiscal reform package, said Coloma.
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The government is also proposing for the enactment into law of the designation of the Philippine maritime zone, and archipelagic sea lanes, plus the delineation of specific forest limits of public domain.
"Nais din ng pamahalaan na palakasin ang sistemang panghustisya ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagsasabatas ng Whistleblowers Protection Act at ang pagpapatatag ng Witness Protection Program,"
he added.
Part of the PLLO's priority list is the Act Protecting the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Freedom of Information Act, proposal to proclaim as alienable and disposable land a part of Bantayan Island in Cebu, that will be used as resettlement site for those affected by Typhoon ‘Yolanda. (PCOO/PND (ag)
Malacanang sees continuing gains in remaining days of Aquino administration
MANILA, Jan. 4 -- The Palace sees the achievements in the year 2014 to continue in the remaining days of the Aquino administration saying last year was a good year for the Philippines despite the challenges.
"Kahit marami po tayong mga challenges at mga obstacles na hinarap, we still feel that 2014 was a good year for our country," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday.
For those in the administration serving the President, Valte said that with less than 540 days to go before the President's term ends, they do not see the year 2014 as an ending but rather a period for continuing to do more.
"To do as many things as possible in the remainder of the President’s term," Valte noted.
In his message for the New Year, President Aquino summarized the country's gains in 2014.
These include the continuing upward trajectory of the country's economy with the upgrades of major credit rating agencies in 2014.
The upgrades given to the Philippines by Standard & Poors and Moody’s last year made the country even more attractive to businesses and tourists.
These gains gave the government enough resources to pursue programs that improves the people's lives particularly on social protection, education, and job creation, the President said.
Year 2014 also saw the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which would bring lasting peace in Mindanao.
The peace pact will open the floodgates for tourism and investments to the island, the President said.
He said he expects further development in the region once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed.
The President also said in his message that the country also made strides in terms of disaster preparedness, with both the national and local governments performing better in 2014.
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He thanked front-liners, first-responders, volunteers, and partners for their contributions in responding to the calamities that hit the country last year.
At the same time, the President rallied the support of every Filipino now that his administration is approaching its final year saying every step and contribution becomes more crucial in the country's quest to create a more inclusive future. (PCOO/PND (as)
Govt to continue strengthening frontline agencies to effectively respond to disasters, says Palace MANILA, Jan. 4 -- The Palace said it will continue to invest in strengthening frontline agencies of the government to effectively respond to disasters and calamities.
Among the government's major agencies dealing with disasters and forecasting are the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the Department of Science and Technology.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said among the major thrusts of the government is increasing the yearly budget of these agencies.
In the case of PAGASA, the government has upgraded the agency's equipment, according to Valte.
PAGASA, which had issues in the past, has received attention from the government. The DOST,
PAGASA's mother agency, has tried to resolve issues on the allowances of its personnel with the help of the Department of Budget and Management.
"‘Sa mga naging solusyon natin dito pinapakita ang willingness sa part ng administrasyon na umupo at makipag-usap sa ating mga kasamahan para makahanap ng magandang solusyon," Valte said.
"We continue to invest in mechanisms that will help them make better tracks or make better predictions."
DOST's Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards or Project NOAH has been expanded, Valte said adding that efforts to complete hazard mapping will continue.
The government not only focuses on PAGASA, Valte said, the administration is also improving the capability of responders and rescuers to effectively respond to disasters.
"We continue to invest in the capacity for them to be able to do more," she said.
The government has also augmented PAGASA's budget from P396.5 million in 2014 to P3.46 billion for 2015, an increase of 526.5 percent.
The large chunk of PAGASA's 2015 allocation is intended for the purchase of state-of-the-art weather monitoring equipment, Valte explained.
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The new budget will also go to personnel services of PAGASA. In 2014, PAGASA had an allocation of P352 million for personnel services, and in 2015 PAGASA got P434.4 million for personnel services, a 23.4 percent increase.
The country's weather bureau as well as other government front line agencies was once again in close scrutiny after several major typhoons hit the Philippines in 2014.
Among these weather disturbances were Typhoon Ruby that devastated Eastern Visayas as well as the more recent Tropical Storm Seniang that brought massive flooding and landslides in Mindanao and the Visayas regions. (PCOO/PND (as)
2014 Year Ender: 5 Signs of a More Progressive Philippines
The Philippines in 2014 seemed like it was taking wing through an unchartered sky. We experienced times of exhilarating promise and fulfilment. We survived days of worry and self-doubt.
In a year that saw Filipinos continue to build more classrooms, and provide more social and medical support than ever before, we kept on questioning ourselves. Like a once-caged bird that suddenly found itself free, we were uncertain of our own strength. We doubted even our own accomplishments.
In early November, this writer joined a Media Workshop in South Korea, and was astonished to hear our hosts from the Korea International Cooperation Agency call our country “a rising power.” Sceptical and unsure, I turned to a Filipino co-fellow. I wanted to ask: “Is the Philippines really that much better?”
There are understandable reasons for our cynicism. For decades, we have been struggling against systematic corruption and poverty. But even that struggle has birthed milestones, and this year we have pulled off successes in governance and in inclusive progress. Yes, we cannot ignore the numerous reforms that still need to be done. However, we likewise need to acknowledge our decisive
accomplishments if only to make sure that these are not reversed. We need to admit to ourselves that we’re better than we think we are, that we have brought our country to new heights. We need to recognize that we are in the next stage, which requires more work and greater resolve.
As we part with 2014, let us take stock of our key achievements in the last 365 days. As we look forward to 2015, let us give ourselves a chance for a renewal of inspiration. Let us breathe easy, claim and enjoy our Media Noche as a reward for a year’s work, and calmly, humbly tell ourselves: Good job, Pilipinas.
Bangsamoro Signing
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles in a photo opportunity with the official’s of the peace panel after the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (March 27, 2014). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) The Final Peace Agreement
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An exceedingly important move forward for our country was achieved this year after several decades of armed conflict and failed negotiations. The “final peace agreement” between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was signed on March 27, 2014.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is widely perceived to be critical step towards achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao. Its signing was greeted with optimism not only by Filipinos, but by peace advocates all over the world. United Kingdom First Secretary of the State and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague even called the signing an “inspiring example of how political leadership and democracy can rise above violence and division to provide the security and prosperity that all people want and deserve.”
The Fight against Corruption
Public vigilance and a more determined government brought about one of the most powerful signs that the Philippines is starting to rise above decades of widespread corruption: Three Senators and other influential individuals were arrested this year for their involvement in the pork barrel scam, which sapped billions of pesos from our nation’s coffers. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr surrendered to authorities after the Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest against them for charges of graft and plunder.
The detention of powerful plunder suspects likewise bring to light our country’s other triumphs in the fight against corruption. In the last three years, the Philippines has improved by 20 ranks in
Transparency International’s Global Corruption Index. We are now ranked 85th out of 175 countries, up from 105th in 2012. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim even hailed our country as the “next Asian miracle” after pointing out that curbing corruption “is one of the things that the *Philippine+ government is doing frankly better than any government in the world.”
Disaster Preparedness
A year and a few weeks after the Philippines exhibited astounding resilience and courage in
withstanding typhoon Haiyan, the nation this time displayed solidarity and competence in coordinating and preparing for the deluge of super typhoon Hagupit.
Days before the Hagupit made landfall in the archipelago, the Department of Science and Technology’s Project Noah provided forecasts and critical information that helped government agencies evacuate more than 616,000 Filipinos from areas where the super typhoon wreaked havoc. The result: Hundreds of thousands of Filipino lives were saved.
International media institutions and global cooperation agencies such as the United Nations have commended the government and the Filipino people for an “excellent job” in responding to Hagupit.
Margareta Wahlstrom, head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, said: “All arms of government, including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and local
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government units like Tacloban City pulled together to save lives and minimize the damage being inflicted by this disaster event.”
Inclusive growth Inclusive Development
The Philippines or any other nation can never be truly progressive if there are people who continue to suffer in poverty and be held in low esteem by the government that is supposed to serve them. This is why it is encouraging to know that the social welfare, education, health sectors continue to receive some of the highest allocations from the government budget to make sure that poor and marginalized are the focus of the development process.
As of November 2014, the government’s conditional cash transfer program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is providing health and education grants for 4.5 million households. This means that 3.5 million families have been included since 2010 in the list of struggling Filipinos receiving support from government. Moreover, the 4Ps was expanded this year to include 15 to 18 year old poor but deserving children to ensure that they receive sufficient support to finish high school.
In the last four years, an additional 34.69 Filipinos have become beneficiaries of PhilHealth. President Aquino has likewise signed into law in November RA 10675, which allows over 6 million Filipino senior citizens to avail of PhilHealth benefits just by presenting their identification card to hospitals.
Another key legislation signed by the President in 2014 is RA 10648. With the “Iskolar ng Bayan” Law, high school graduates from public schools will now receive college scholarships if they rank among the Top 10 in their class.
‘The Fastest Growing Southeast Asian Economy’
In 2014, the Philippine economy continued to progress rapidly, inspiring confidence from global institutions and foreign investors. In the first 9 months of the year, net foreign investments grew by 61.3%.
The Moody’s Investors Services likewise upgraded the country’s credit rating this December to Baa2 with a stable outlook. This means that the Philippines is now considered to have a “less risky” business climate, and leads not only to lower borrowing costs and interest rates but also to encouraging foreign companies to invest in our archipelago.
Moreover, in 2015, the Philippine economy is expected to again be the fastest growing in Southeast Asia, one of the best performing regions in the world. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said our country will grow by over 6.4% to lead the region again next year.
These signs of a vibrant Philippine economy tell a story of hope and convincing optimism as we welcome 2015. It tells us that, despite the challenges of natural calamities and the need to rebuild after Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines forges on gainfully because we continue to work with vigor and principle. Let us claim this New Year as a time to shed all doubts about ourselves and our country. The Philippines is indeed becoming a better country, and we all should be proud that we are making this happen.
