Maniolas

President Benigno Aquino III leads the unveiling of marker of the four bridges along iloilo circumferential road C1 during Inauguration rights held at Brgy Unka Pavia Iloilo City on friday (June 27) this is the first time Iloilo city is a recipient of such huge projects that will lead to propping up the local economy and establish the city as the next business and investment hub in the country. in photo are from Left DILG SEC Mar Roxas ,DPWH Sec. Singson, Senate President Franklin Drillon, Usec.Engr. Romeo Momo,Iloilo Governor Arthur Denfensorjr.,Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Pavia Mayor Michael Gorriceta, and Iloilo Rep. District 2 Arcadio Gorriceta . (MNS Photo) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mabuhay) – The national government is setting aside P289 million for infrastructure projects in the Kalabugao Plain, the tri-boundary of the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Agusan Del Sur, a senior local government official said Tuesday. Rene K. Burdeos, regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 10, said that the Kalabugao Plain has seven barangays and a total land area of about 51,000 hectares. He said that a provincial road that would traverse the Damay-Kalabugao lines in Bukidnon would be constructed in the area in 2015. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has committed the amount for the road project in the Kalabugao Plain, Burdeos said. He said that the development of the Kalabugao Plain is important because it affects other parts of Mindanao. Read More …

Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares presenting at a budget hearing of the Senate of the Philippines in September 2012 (photo courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Poe) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday filed a resolution to investigate what she called the “carnapping of vehicles disguised as towing.” “Illegal towing tantamount to carnapping must be punished to protect citizens’ fundamental rights,” Poe said in Senate Proposed Resolution No. 708. Poe’s proposal came in the wake of increasing complaints of illegal towing by alleged syndicates, in violation of the property rights of unsuspecting vehicle owners. The senator noted that as of May 2014, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has accredited only 24 towing companies. Poe’s resolution urged the MMDA and the Philippine National Police to “initiate a crackdown on fly-by-night operators and criminal syndicates that unlawfully tow and charge exorbitant fees.” She also called on authorities to conduct a strict compliance check on towing firms nationwide to ensure adherence to the law. Incidents of illegal towing can be considered car theft, she said. (MNS)

The FA-50 light combat aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art systems and weapon systems, according to airforce-technology.com. MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III led the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Pampanga, recognizing the professionalism and dedication to service of its uniformed men and women. In his message during the event that was held in Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Tuesday, the President said the reforms and modernization initiatives in the Air Force have been made possible by the support of the PAF leadership. At the same time, he praised the PAF for its role in the government’s response during such challenges as the Zamboanga siege and the devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda last year. “Ito po mismo ang ipinagdiriwang natin ngayong anibersaryo ng Philippine Air Force: ang propesyunalismo, katapangan, at katatagang nagsilbi ninyong sandigan upang itaguyod ang ating pambansang dangal,” the President said in his message. “Ito ang mga prinsipyong kinikilala natin sa bawat unit, piloto, at kawani na ating pinaparangalan ngayong umaga, at sa iba pang lingkod-bayang katuwang sa ating agenda ng reporma.” The President extended his gratitude to the members of the Air Force, urging them to keep up the good work. He said that as commander in chief, he is proud to become a leader of a nation that does what is right and is always ready for any challenge. He reported that in the past four years, the PAF has been able to aggressively push its modernization Read More …

CELEBRATING THE SENATE’S 97th ANNIVERSARY. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon addresses Senate officials and employees during the Senate’s flag raising ceremony Monday, October 21. Drilon took the opportunity to thank everyone for what he calls a “selfless act” in deciding to forego plans to celebrate the annual Christmas Party in favor of donating the funds to the victims of recent calamities that struck Visayas and Mindanao. The Senate, which is also celebrating its 97th Anniversary, has also decided to allocate the budget for the anniversary to the victims of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to take immediate steps in conducting a pay review for all government employees including policemen and soldiers, in time for the enactment of the 2015 national budget next year. The Senate leader said the study on how the government can improve the salary rate being implemented with all government employees, including those serving in the military and the police must be fast-tracked “in order to uplift the standard of living of our public employees.” “I have requested the DBM to expedite its analysis, so that if possible, we can already put into effect the new version of the Salary Standardization Law and we can include the required budget in the 2015 national expenditures program, which we will approve at the end of this year. That way, all public employees can already Read More …

President Benigno Aquino III deliver his message during inauguration of the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Phase 1 in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro District, Iloilo City on Friday (June 27, 2014) Photo by: Ryan Lim/ Malacanang Photo Bureau MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Aquino has ordered the Department of Agriculture to check the phytosanitary condition of some 100 metric tons of smuggled garlic from Hong Kong, with the end goal of unloading this in the market. Aquino also raised concerns that some individuals may be increasing the prices of garlic artificially as there is enough supply. “We have already increased the monitoring activities of the Department of Trade and Industry,” the President said in an interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan on Tuesday. The smuggled Taiwan garlic, with an estimated value of P30 million, arrived in two separate shipments seized at the Port of Batangas. The shipments, however, carried no phytosanitary clearance. Retail prices for the commodity soared to as high as P300 to P400 a kilo, from the usual P60 to P90. In the first quarter alone, the Department of Agriculture monitored that garlic prices increased by 213 percent. (MNS)