Aquino authorizes all government agencies to support 'Laro’t Saya sa Parke' program

President Benigno S. Aquino III has authorized all government agencies and instrumentalities to extend their support and participate in the “Laro’t Saya sa Parke” recreation program to be held every Saturday and Sunday in various venues all over the country.

The Chief Executive issued the directive by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 49 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on July 4.

The President noted that Section 19, Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the state shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

"Republic Act No. 6847 created the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to promote physical education, encourage and sustain the development of sports in the country to foster physical fitness, self-discipline, teamwork and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry through a unified national sports promotion and development program," the President said.

In pursuit of its mandate, the PSC implemented the “Laro’t Saya sa Parke,” a park-based sports for fun and recreation program to be held every Saturday and Sunday. The project promotes an active lifestyle by engaging Filipino families in sports and physical fitness activities.

The President enjoined all government agencies and instrumentalities, including Government-owned or –Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Government Units (LGUs), to extend support and assist PSC in the implementation of the “Laro’t Saya sa Parke” project.

He, likewise, encouraged the private sector to support the project.

The memorandum circular shall take effect immediately.

Govt wary of sensitive Mindanao situation in going after BIFF, Palace says

Malacanang said the military coordinated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through the ad hoc joint action group to ensure that the peace talks will not be affected by the recent violence in Mindanao.

The ad hoc joint action group is an effort of both the government and the MILF that seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the military operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was done in the very limited time frame—only three days, she said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

“Nagpaalam sila for the operations particularly because merong ibang miyembro ang BIFF that may have been hiding in some areas kung saan may mga miyembro ng MILF. So iniiwasan nila ang mga ganitong pangyayari,” Valte said.

“We’ll leave it to the AFP spokesperson to give you more details on the progress of the three days… I checked with Colonel Ramon Zagala kanina and tapos na ‘yung operations primarily dahil magsisimula na ang Ramadan.”

The MILF said some of their fighters were affected by the military operations and the Muslim group also voiced opposition against the offensives considering the onset of Ramadan.

Clashes between government forces and members of the BIFF started over the weekend and the military said it had captured the BIFF stronghold in the villages of Damalabas in Datu Piang and Ganta in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, all in Maguindanao.

The military reported at least 30 casualties in the side of the BIFF and five in government forces.

The BIFF, led by Ameril Umbra Kato, is a splinter group of the MILF, which is talking peace with the government.

Kato figured in several attacks on communities, including one in 2008 following the botched signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the government and the MILF.

The group also staged simultaneous attacks against the military and civilian communities in August 2011.

Palace echoes optimism over RH Law’s constitutionality

Malacanang is confident that the Reproductive Health (RH) Law could withstand legal questions and could be implemented soon.

“We are confident that the Office of the Solicitor General will be able to—will ably represent the position of the government in this particular matter,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Asked if she thinks the oral arguments could create a bad start for the administration and CBCP leadership, which has elected new officers, Valte said the RH Law is not a new issue and nobody designed the SC hearings to coincide with the CBCP’s change of leadership.

The SC was supposed to hold the oral arguments on June 18 but reset it for July 9, Tuesday because it had acted on several other petitions for and against the law.

There are 15 petitions challenging the RH Law while six intervenors are seeking to uphold its legality.

Last March, the SC issued a 120-day status quo ante order stopping implementation of the RH Law, and setting oral arguments on June 18.

The restraining order was issued in response to consolidated petitions of several groups who brought the issue to the court wanting to halt the implementation of the Reproductive Health law soon after its passage last year.

Updates on newly acquired naval vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz set to arrive August 3 available on social media, says Palace

The Aquino government is updating the public, through social media, regarding the country's newly-acquired Hamilton-class cutter BRP Ramon Alcaraz which is set to arrive in the Philippines from the United States on August 3, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had sent three Philippine Navy officers to the United States (US) to join the crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and document its journey from San Diego to the Philippines.

Valte said the team is composed of Commander Gilbert O. Pacio, Navy Lieutenant Marineth Riano Domingo, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Errol N. dela Cruz who are all Public Affairs officers.

In partnership with the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), Valte said the AFP officers will share, through blogs and social media, their experiences aboard the newest ship of the Philippine fleet.

"Their articles will be uploaded through a live blog on the official website of the Philippine Navy and the blog of Lt. Jg. dela Cruz, one of the officers recording the journey," Valte said.

Aside from the blogs, Valte said the people may follow the official Twitter accounts of the BRP Alcaraz, Philippine Navy, the AFP, and the account of Lt. dela Cruz to get updates on BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

"Updates on the BRP Alcaraz may also be read through the official Facebook pages of the AFP, the Navy, and the Facebook account of the ship. The Official Gazette’s Twitter and Facebook will likewise share onboard updates on Alcaraz," Valte said.

"We encourage everyone to follow the updates on the BRP Alcaraz—the first of the Navy’s ships to be named in honor of a Philippine Naval officer—and learn about the life and experiences of the members of the Philippine Navy," she said.

The BRP Alcaraz with its complement of 14 officers and 74 crewmembers is now on her way to the Philippines.

Acquired by the Philippines under the Philippine-U.S. Excess Defense Article and Military Assistance Program, the Philippine Navy vessel is a sister ship of BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

The new naval vessel was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Philippine Navy officer who distinguished himself in the Second World War. The ship is capable of conducting patrols for long periods of time and can withstand heavy weather and rough sea conditions.

In his interview with a Filipino television network, Deputy Consul General Espiritu said that the BRP Alcaraz is a modest addition to the naval arsenal of the Philippines under its long-overdue Military Modernization Program and is defensive in character, consistent with the peace-loving foreign policy of the Philippines and its adherence to the rule of international law.

President Aquino greets Muslims for observance of Ramadhan

President Benigno S. Aquino III extended his greetings to Muslims communities as they observe Ramadhan, the holy month of the Islamic faith.

“My warmest greetings to the Muslim Filipino community as you begin the observance of Ramadhan,” the President said in his message released on Tuesday. “As one of the five pillars of Islam, this sacred month calls the faithful to seek to be closer to Allah and to ask for His mercy.”

Ramadhan is a vital aspect in the everyday life of Muslims as it allows not only for contemplation and atonement but also for Muslims to be more mindful of the Muhammad’s teachings.

“May your prayer and fasting evoke a deeper and more profound connection with your heritage and faith, inspire discipline, restraint, and generosity of spirit; and help guide you towards becoming greater embodiments of harmony and social justice,” the President said.

“I wish you a solemn and meaningful Ramadhan, may this event foster greater understanding and cooperation among our varied faiths, and guide the Philippines towards lasting peace and progress.”

Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed worldwide as a month of fasting. The month lasts 29-30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon.

While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.

AFP needs Corps of Professors new members

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, July 10 --- The Office of the Dean, Corps of Professors (CoP), General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is currently recruiting for applicants who are interested to join its team.

Brigadier General P Manalastas Jr heads the CoP team to visit Fourth Infantry Division (4ID) here for the conduct of information and recruitment campaign.

CoP is a military faculty at Philippine Military Academy (PMA) since its establishment on August 1941, but by Executive Order 292 (1987), made the CoP an Administrative Service of the AFP thus making it one of the major branches of service in the AFP where its members can now be assigned to other AFP units.

At present, the CoP is recruiting interested AFP personnel and outsiders who are qualified to teach the following fields: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English/Communication Skills, Environmental Science, Filipino, History, Information Technology/Computer Science, Law/Practical Science, Literature/Humanities, Mathematics/Engineering, Physics, Research/Directed Studies, Sociology and Statistics.

Interested applicants must satisfy the following qualifications: (1) must be in the upper 25% in the overall class standing in all career courses attended, with no failing grade; (2) preferably an honorgraduate; and (3) preferably with Masters Degree in their academic discipline.

For more details, interested and qualified applicants may visit the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1, 4TH Infantry “Diamond” Division, Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City not later than July 11, 2013.

Qualified applicants may be assigned to teach and conduct instruction at PMA and other Education Training Units (ETUS) of AFP. (4CMO/4ID/PIA)

Mambajao town targets to up its place by 2016

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, July 9 (PIA) -- Mayor Maria Luisa D. Romualdo is targetting to up the municipality of Mambajao from a third class into a second-class municipality before her term ends.

The mayor expressed this in her State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) on Friday, July 5 at the Camiguin Convention Center.

“This may sound ambitious, but it is our fervent dream for Mambajao. Yes, there are a lot of things that need to be done and we have no intention of leaving it undone. We will make sure that all programs that have been started will be sustained, as this will speak loudly of our leadership and political will,” she said.

Romualdo likewise encouraged every Mambajaonon to do their social obligation and responsibility as the progress and development of the town will be dependent on the synergy of competent and responsible leaders and constituents.

The local government unit (LGU) now programmed to reorganize all its special local bodies to ensure success in all its advocacy, as well as, put equal emphasis on the enforcement of policies and ordinances passed.

It also acknowledges the viability in Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the realization of the proposed commercial arcade.

“Transparency in all aspects is our guiding principle, through this I believe there will always be smooth flow of progress and development in Mambajao,” Romualdo added.

Meanwhile, the town is also among the recipient municipalities of the bottom-up-budgeting of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) with P8 million capitalization to be implemented in 2013 and another P15 million capitalization for 2014. This will help facilitate allocations on various programs, projects and activities relative to poverty alleviation in all sectors. (JCV/PIA)