Republic of the Philippines Presidential Communications Operations Office NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU PCOO-NIB Building, Malacañang Compound, Malacañang, Manila PRESS BRIEFING OF PCOO SECRETARY HERMINIO “SONNY” COLOMA, JR. December 10, 2013 (12:28 – 1:02 pm) Q: Welcome to the press briefing of Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma. The Secretary will now deliver his opening statement. SEC.COLOMA: Magandang tanghali po sa inyong lahat. My opening statement covers three points. Number one, the appointment of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery; number two, the government response in the typhoon-affected areas; and number three, the celebration of International day of Human Rights and the International Anti-Corruption Day. On the first point, the Office of the Executive Secretary has released the appointment papers of former Senator Panfilo Lacson as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery with Cabinet rank, as well as, Memorandum Order No. 62, providing for the functions of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery. To assist Secretary Lacson, the President also appointed Mr. Danilo Antonio as undersecretary in the Office of the President. The appointments and the memorandum order were signed by the President on December 06, 2013, and the appointment papers were transmitted on December 09, 2013. As presidential assistant, Secretary Lacson shall “act as the overall manager and coordinator of rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts of government departments, agencies and instrumentalities in the affected areas, including Samar, Leyte, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Palawan where Typhoon Yolanda wrought widespread destruction, substantial damage and death. He is also tasked to coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, NDRRMC, and its member agencies, and consult with the concerned local government units in the formulization of plans and programs for the rehabilitation, recovery and development of the affected areas. The plans and the programs include an overall strategic vision and integrated short term, medium term, and long term programs which will be submitted to the President for approval. He shall exercise oversight over the relevant government agencies with respect to the implementation of the plans and programs. He is expected to propose funding support for the implementation of the plans and programs. He is also authorized to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, LGUs, and request non-government organizations, the private sector and other entities for assistance as the circumstances and exigencies may require in carrying out his mandate.” Hence, in Section 2 of the order, this is explicitly stated. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of government, including GOCCs and GFIs are hereby directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the Presidential Assistant as may be required to carry out his functions pursuant to this order; LGUs, NGOs, the private sector and other entities for assistance as the exigencies may require. The second point is on government’s response in the typhoon-affected areas. The President and the national government took all necessary steps to prepare the people on the dangers posed by super typhoon Yolanda. And after it struck, the government spared no efforts in addressing the needs of the people in the calamity areas. All of the concerned frontline government department and agencies, particularly the DND, DILG, DPWH, DSWD, DOH, and even the Metro Manila Development Authority, MMDA, were deployed in full force to ensure maximum delivery of essential services and assistance in the affected communities. Before typhoon Yolanda made landfall, the President addressed the nation to warn of its severity and magnitude on the night of November 07. He specifically warned about the possibility of storm surge in over one hundred areas, and urged the local authorities and the citizens to take precautionary measures. On the President’s instruction, Secretaries Gazmin and Roxas were in Tacloban City before Yolanda made landfall in Samar and Leyte. Also on November 07, despite the breakdown of communications, instructions were relayed by the President to them via satellite phone on Friday, November 08. Within twenty-four hours after Yolanda’s landfall, Tacloban Airport had been cleared by AFP and public works engineers. Military helicopters brought in troops and soldiers to replace the first responders who had been disabled. The Philippine Air Force flew in relief goods and troops. On November 10, the President himself visited Tacloban City to make an initial assessment of the damage and to supervise relief operations. He returned on November 17, and stayed until November 19, to ensure the speedy delivery of relief goods to the most severely-affected families. In view of this empirical fact, the President believes that those engaging in a media campaign and putting the blame on the national government are preforming a disservice to the people. My third point is on the celebration of International Day of Human Rights today. We join the whole world in celebrating the International Day of Human Rights, which comes a day after the observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day. We are one with the Filipino people in the belief that the most basic human right is the right to a better life. We take this occasion to reaffirm the President’s primordial commitment to the institution of good governance and the eradication of corruption, which provides the foundation for the attainment of inclusive growth and sustainable long-term economic development. That’s the end of my opening statement, I’m prepared to answer your questions. Thank you. Q: Okay, let’s now go to the questions. First question? Q: Sir, doon sa empirical facts that you mentioned, are these directed to Mayor Romualdez? SEC. COLOMA: The statement speaks for itself. Q: But we don’t want to be left guessing since he was the one who made this statement yesterday. SEC. COLOMA: Then let me reiterate the last statement. In view of this, the President believes that those engaging in a media campaign and putting the blame on the government are performing a disservice to the people. Q: Do you think his statement yesterday in the Senate, was it unfair for the administration, which you claim did all these things before and after the typhoon? SEC. COLOMA: We stand on the facts that I have cited. The people will judge on the fairness of statements being made and on the objectivity of the parties concerned. Q: Is the Palace concerned, sir, that two key officials, one from the administration, another, of course, from the political opposition, are squabbling even if we have yet to fully restore, … or fully rehabilitate the area? SEC. COLOMA: Our focus is on the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. The Senate hearing that was the venue for the remarks that are attributed just now is for the purpose of crafting legislation that will improve the regulatory and administrative infrastructure for dealing with future emergencies. And we would really prefer that the focus will be on relief and rehabilitation efforts. Q: And can the Palace say that the administration performed well or did everything possible at that time to … (overlapping voices) …? SEC. COLOMA: The statement I just read was aimed to reaffirm the commitment of the administration and to restate the empirical facts as we know them to be. Q: Sir, what do you say to complaints or concerns by those on the ground that despite all these efforts by the government, they cannot really say that everything was properly addressed in terms of relief efforts and the collection of the bodies.? SEC. COLOMA: We have acknowledged beforehand that the severity and magnitude of Typhoon Yolanda, or Haiyan, was of such unprecedented magnitude that even the usual preparation such as the prepositioning of relief goods, the alert status of first responders, and the warnings on storm surge may have not been totally adequate, given what actually transpired. We have already acknowledged this. Q: Can you categorically say that specifically, Secretary Mar Roxas did not renege on his responsibilities in terms of addressing the typhoon rehabilitation response? SEC. COLOMA: Well, I have stated here that all of the concerned government departments and agencies, particularly the DND, DILG, DPWH, DSWD, DOH, and even the MMDA, were deployed in full force to ensure maximum delivery of essential services and assistance in the affected communities. Q: Sir, just on the appointment of former Senator Lacson, is he functioning now as the rehabilitation czar, and is it true that he will be joining the Cabinet meeting this afternoon? SEC. COLOMA: I believe so. He will be attending his first Cabinet meeting this afternoon. And the meeting starts in approximately one hour. Q: Sir, may we know if the President has instructions kay Senator Lacson in effecting his duty? SEC. COLOMA: I believe they had conversation when the matter was first broached to him. And from then on, Secretary Lacson has taken on the initiative to initiate consultations with knowledgeable resource persons. This is also included in the memorandum order, that he may tap professional expertise. He has actively sought the inputs of stakeholder groups, and has even stated that he is pleased with the expressions of support and encouragement, especially from the private sector. And he believes that such support will be very helpful in accelerating the phase of the rehabilitation efforts. Q: Sir, is it a safe assumption that Secretary Lacson will be given a free hand to effect his function po? SEC. COLOMA: Yes. I think I have shown the specific provisions of the memorandum order. The first bullet says he acts as the overall manager and coordinator. Second, he will work with the NDRRMC, and he will play an active role in the formulation of plans and programs. Another operative phrase that is important here is the affected areas. It simply means that with respect to these affected areas, he will be giving priority and attention to the recovery of these priority areas for the duration of his assignment. And Section 2 itself of the memorandum order emphasizes that he can call on all the departments and agencies concerned. And all of those departments are also directed by the President to provide all the support that is needed for him to be able to perform his function. Q: Sir, just a clarification. So, iyong mga government agencies po would be required? Will Secretary Lacson have powers over these agencies po ba, like — SEC. COLOMA: Nandoon pa po ang buong straktura nang pamahalaan. Wala pong nabago. May nadagdag lang po sa pagtalaga kay Secretary Lacson. Lahat po ng ating mga kagawaran ay patuloy na gagampanan ang kanilang mga pangunahing mandato, kaya lang po dito sa mga partikular na lugar – kaya nga po importante iyong phrase na affected areas. At patungkol sa relief recovery rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, ang pangunahin pong magiging abala diyan ay si Secretary Lacson bilang presidential assistant. Siya po ang pangunahing katulong ng Pangulo sa pagtitiyak na iyong recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas will be done expeditiously. Q: Hi, sir. Sir, just to follow up your earlier statement. Speaking of disservice, don’t you think Secretary Roxas also made a disservice to the nation when he told Mayor Romualdez na kaya siya humihingi ng letter kasi kailangan niyang mag-ingat because he is a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino? SEC. COLOMA: Secretary Roxas, I am told, is now holding a press conference. He will also be meeting with the press subsequently with the other secretaries directly involved in the relief and recovery operations, namely Secretaries Gazmin, Singson, Soliman, and Chairman Tolentino, possibly Secretary Ona. And since my primary responsibility is to speak for the President, I will confine my statements for now to what I have already mentioned. Q: But, Sir, don’t you agree that such a statement would apply, “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander as well?” SEC. COLOMA: I have made my statement. Q: Sir, good afternoon. Sir, may we know who recommended Danilo Antonio for undersecretary? Did you recommend him – as an AIM– SEC. COLOMA: Secretary Lacson himself recommended him. Q: Sir, do we expect another appointment for the rehabilitation— SEC. COLOMA: Secretary Lacson is given the leeway to propose the office organization structure that he could work with. And I believe that in earlier statements, he has emphasized that he will just work with a lean staff. Q: Yes, sir. Since Usec. Antonio worked with the Eton of Lucio Tan, and there is a group who is also … that is also telling that the Ayala, the big time developers, would come in to Tacloban. Can you, sir, please comment on this? Ibig bang sabihin papasok dito iyong malalaking developer sa pag-develop ng panibagong Tacloban? SEC. COLOMA: Ang batid ko po ay nakipagpulong si Secretary Lacson at nakipagkonsulta sa mga stakeholder groups. At isa sa mga panukala ay iyong partisipasyon ng private sector. Sa napakalaki pong programa ng rehabilitasyon, hindi maiiwasan na hindi magkaroon ng involvement dito ang private sector. Kaya siguro po iyon na lang ang mainam na gawin nating framework. At ang pagtatalaga kay Ginoong Antonio ay batay sa kanyang kwalipikasyon at kahandaan para sa pagganap ng tungkulin. Q: So, ibig sabihin, sir, iyong kagaya Eton sa Sta. Rosa, magiging parang ganoon ba ang Tacloban? SEC. COLOMA: Wala pong ganoong indikasyon dahil ang affected areas po dito ay partikular na binanggit. At doon naman sa trajectory ng inyong mga sinasabi, marami po sa naglilingkod sa pamahalaan, kasama na rin ako, ay nanggaling sa pribadong sector. At ang batayan lang naman po ng paghirang sa amin ay ang aming kuwalipikasyon at iyon pong pagnanasa namin na makapaglingkod. Q: Sir, last na lang po, dito po sa Section 1, Item C, proposed funding, makakaasa ba si Senator Lacson na iyong kanyang mga proposal ay pagbibigyan ng national government sa funding when it comes to the implementation of the plans and programs? SEC. COLOMA: Nakasaad po sa memorandum order na iyong suporta ng lahat ng kagawaran at ahensiya na may partisipasyon doon sa rehabilitation and recovery of the affected areas ay ipinag-uutos ng Pangulo na ibigay sa kanya. Kaya makakaasa po tayo na lahat po ng resources na kinakailangan ay gagamitin ng pamahalaan sa bagay na iyan. Q: Sir, you mentioned also a while ago the celebration of the International Human Rights Day. May we know when the President would already form the Human Rights Compensation Board, because a lot of sectors have been saying that the law has been signed several months ago, yet the board has yet to be complete? SEC. COLOMA: Tinanong ko po si Executive Secretary Ochoa, at sabi po niya may mga pangalan na na kino-consider para mahirang diyan sa puwestong iyan, at ito po ay gaganain sa lalong medaling panahon. Q: Can we expect it, sir, within the month? SEC. COLOMA: Sa lalong madaling panahon po. Q: Sir, the bicam just passed sa hearing nila iyong 2014 budget po. May we just get the Palace’s reaction on that? SEC. COLOMA: Dahil iyan po ay isang hakbang tungo sa pagsasabatas ng General Appropriations Act sa loob ng taong ito, katulad nang naganap noong 2010, 2011 at 2012. Ikinagagalak po namin na matanggap ang balitang iyan. Q: Sir, kahapon po sinabi po ng Pangulo na iyon tungkol po doon sa paggamit ng Malampaya funds, meron na po ba tayong proposals na po from the Secretary sa kanya? At anu-ano na po iyong tinitingnan natin na possible ways para po maibsan po iyong epekto po nito sa … iyong power rate hike sa mga mamamamayan? SEC. COLOMA: Pinag-aaralan pa po ng mga department secretaries na inatasan ng Pangulo hinggil dito, at hihintayin po ng Pangulo ang kanilang rekomendasyon. Q: Sir, iyong paggamit nga po, or iyong paggamit nung Malampaya as subsidy doon sa bills mismo sa mga household, malaki po ba iyong possibility noon, o medyo mashi-shelve siya? SEC. COLOMA: Paglilinaw lang po, iyong sinabi ng Pangulo kahapon, isa lamang iyong iminungkahing paggamit ng Malampaya funds doon sa mga option na maaring kunin o gampanan ng ating pamahalaan. Ang tugon po niya doon ay iyong paghahalintulad doon sa pagbibigay ng assistance sa public transport sector nung magkaroon po ng mataas na halaga ng pagtaas sa presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo na kung hindi po naisagawa ito ng pamahalaan, maipapasa iyong burden sa ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng mas mataas na pasahe. Ang sabi po niya kahapon, humahanap ang pamahalan ng isang epektibong paraan kung paano maiibsan iyong pabigat na isasabalikat ng sambayanan dahil po diyan sa pagtaas ng serbisyo sa kuryente, katulad din nung ginawang measures ng pamahalaan para maibsan iyong impact ng fuel price hikes noong nakaraang panahon. Q: Sir, though isa lang po sa mga tinitignan na solusyon itong Malampaya funds, may mga nagsasabi na po, specifically si former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, na ang paggamit ng Malampaya funds para nga po ibsan o i-cushion itong impact nitong power rate hike ay magiging unconstitutional? SEC. COLOMA: Sa akin pong pagka-alam, ang tanging nakakapaggawa ng ganyang pasya ay ang Supreme Court. Q: Sir, doon sa bagay po ng defense natin sa military, bumagsak po iyong isang eroplano natin sa Air Force. Noong nakalipas na administrasyon ang sinasabi po ay flying coffin iyong ating mga eroplanong pang-militar, ngayon ay kusang bumabagsak siya. Sabi, sir, nung New People’s Army, hindi na nila kayang pabagsakin iyong ating mga eroplanong militar dahil kusang bumabagsak. Sir, wala bang mahusay na quality ang ating mga eroplano sa Air Force para mapabuti iyong ating – SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy po iyong paghahangad at paggawa ng ating pamahalan ng karampatang mga hakbang para palakasin ang ating air assets. Bahagi po ito ng ating AFP Modernization Program. Maaring ang tinuturing ninyo ay iyong crash landing ng isang helicopter sa isang bayan sa Leyte nung nakaraang Biyernes, na hindi naman nagresulta ng ganap na pagkawasak nung airplane, at sinisiyasat naman na ang dahilan. Nais ko lang pong ipunto na patuloy iyong pagsisikap ng ating pamahalaan na palakasin ang ating air assets through the AFP Modernization Program. Q: Sir, noong nakalipas, ginamit ng Pangulong Aquino ang Malampaya fund para mag-acquire tayo ng warship, dalawa ito. Gagamitin ba natin ulit ang Malampaya para bumili ng para sa air force naman? Dati, sir, sa navy eh. SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa pong partikular na balak hinggil diyan. Q: Sir, sorry, going back to the appointment of Secretary Lacson. Sir, does he have the authority to change the earlier tasks assigned by the President to the other department secretaries? SEC. COLOMA: Lalahok po siya sa meeting ng Gabinete ngayong hapon, at ang pagpupulong po ng Gabinete ay pagpapatuloy doon sa mga nauna nang pagpa-plano at paglalatag ng mga programa para sa rehabilitasyon at rekonstraksyon. Habang nagtatalakayan po tayo ngayon, patuloy po iyong trabaho sa Leyte, Samar at iba pang lugar. Katulad ng naiulat ko na, naumpisahan na ng DPWH iyong pagtatayo ng bunkhouses. Habang ginagawa po iyan, hinahanda na rin iyong mga possible resettlement and relocation sites for permanent housing pagkatapos po ng magamit na itong mga temporary housing. Ang nais ko lang pong sabihin ay patuloy naman iyong walang humpay na pagsisikap ng ating pamahalaan na bigyang tugon iyong mga immediate needs at mga mahahalagang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng kalamidad. Kaya po ang gagawin ni Secretary Lacson ay patuloy na makikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang mga kagawaran, at titingnan kung papaano pa higit na mapapahusay at magiging mas epektibo iyong mga naumpisahan na at iyong mga ipinagpapatuloy pang mga programa. At pagkatapos diyan ay magsimula din ng mga inisyatiba tungkol sa iba pang programa na maaring makatulong pa nang higit sa kabuuang rehabilitation program. Q: Sir, just to clarify that as well, speaking of the specific projects that will be carried out throughout the rehabilitation process, will the projects also go through him? Kakailanganin po ba, let’s say public schools, hospitals, will those also require his approval before the President? SEC. COLOMA: Tingnan po natin ulit iyong nakasaad doon sa Memorandum Order. Iyong unang-una, “Act as the overall manager and coordinator of rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction efforts of government, departments, agencies and instrumentalities in the affected areas.” Malinaw po dito, hindi naman po siya nag-iisa at hindi lang po siya ang magpapatupad nito. Ang kanya pong tungkulin ay maging punong-abala, overall manager and coordinator. Team effort po ito, maraming sangkot na kagawaran at ahensiya ang pamahalaan. Team effort po ito; siya po iyong mangunguna sa team effort na ito. Q: Sir, last na lang po. Does he have a deadline on when he should give the integrated short term, medium term, long term programs and funding support for the implementation? SEC. COLOMA: Work in process po ito, at lahat po ito ay ginagawa with the highest sense of urgency and priority. Kapag nabuo na po iyong mga plano at maari na itong mailahad ay bibigyan ko po kayo ng sapat na paliwanag hinggil sa mga ongoing programs na ito. Q: Matanong lang po. Balikan ko lang po iyong nangyari po na, or iyong balita na tungkol sa mga pagnanakaw at mga pagbebenta ng relief goods galing sa mga international donors. May initial ba na aksyon ang gobyerno tungkol naman sa pahayagan na ito na nagpalabas ng balita, iyong pahayagan doon sa Britanya; at may closure na ba ito ngayon? SEC. COLOMA: Ang aksyon po natin ay upang magbigay ng paglilinaw kahapon. Nag-issue po ako ng pahayag na tinutukoy ang mga nalathalang ulat hinggil sa mga ‘di umano’y pilferage or diversion of relief goods. Kahapon din po natunghayan ko ang isang ulat na mismong ang British Embassy dito sa ating bansa ay nag-issue na ng disclaimer tungkol diyan sa bagay na iyan. Ganoon pa man, ang hinihiling po natin ay kung mayroong may impormasyon at mayroong partikular na lokasyon na tinutukoy, maari po sigurong ipagbigay-alam ito para matulungan naman ang ating mga otoridad sa pagtugis doon sa mga gumagawa ng pagnanakaw, kung mayroon man nitong mga relief goods na naturing. Q: Pero wala po tayong solid na aksyon patungo naman doon sa pahayaagan na iyon or sa outlet na iyon? SEC. COLOMA: Hindi po iyan ang ating prayoridad ngayon. Ang ating prayoridad ay ipagpatuloy ang paghahatid ng kalinga sa ating mga mamamayan. Sinabi din po natin doon sa ating nilabas na pahayag kahapon na marami ding ulat sa social media hinggil dito, at karamihan po diyan ay unverified at wala pang validation at confirmation. Q: Okay. Sir follow up po. Balik po tayo sa isyu doon sa ating anibersaryo ngayon doon sa Human Rights. Sir nasa radar pa ba ngayon si dating General Palparan, sa ating administrasyon ngayon? SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre po, tinutugis pa rin siya dahil siya po ay isang fugitive from justice. Q: Pero medyo matagal-tagal na po na taon eh. SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon pa man ay fugitive from justice pa rin siya, at ginagawa ang lahat para po maibalik siya to the folds of the law. Q: Sir huling question ko. Sa sitwasyon na ito, sa Human Rights pa rin, ano kaya iyong, sabihin natin, rating ng government para sa ating sarili when we try to look at our human rights index? Alam naman natin kapag kunin natin iyong rating sa ibang bahagi ng ating society, mayroon din silang kanilang uri ng rating. Pero galing po sa gobyerno, ano po iyong tingin natin sa ating human rights situation natin ngayon sa bansa? SEC. COLOMA: If you will allow me, I would like to share a reflection. Doon po sa Fort Magsaysay sa Nueva Ecija ay mayroong lugar doon na kung saan ikinulong si dating Senador Jose Diokno at dating Senador Benigno Aquino, Jr. noong panahon ng martial law. Both of them were detained in solitary confinement doon po sa bahaging iyon ng Philippine Army camp sa Fort Magsaysay. Ngayon po, ang lugar na iyon ay mayroong bagong pangalan. Ang pangalan po noon ay The Aquino-Diokno Shrine. Mag-reflect po tayo. Ano ang naging kaibahan more than forty years ago? Iyon ay kulungan ng mga lumaban sa pagdeklara ng martial law, ngayon po, ito ay isang bantayog na nagbibigay karangalan sa kanila. Iyong dati pong instrumento sa pagkulong sa kanila, iyon na mismo ang nagbibigay ng pagkilala sa kanila bilang mga bayani ng ating lahi. So sa aking palagay, iyan ang isang matibay at konkretong manipestasyon ng pagbabago sa lipunang Pilipino, na mismong iyong Armed Forces of the Philippines na naging instrument para sa pagpapagawad ng malupit na martial law noong 1972 and onwards at iyong walang katarungang pagparusa sa mga katulad nina Senador Diokno at Senador Benigno Aquino, Jr., sila na mismo po iyong istitusyon na nangunguna sa pagbigay pagkilala bilang mga bayani doon sa dati nilang kinulong at pinarusahan. Baka po iyan ay magandang halimbawa kung ano na ang naging pagbabago sa ating bansa. Q: Hi sir. Clear ko lang iyong sa MO. So ibig sabihin si Secretary Lacson eh, pati iyong papel na DILG or—anong magiging papel ni Secretary Mar Roxas dahil ang LGUs po is under the DILG. SEC. COLOMA: Paki-flash lang po ulit para malinaw. Iyong pangalawa, to coordinate with the NDRRMC and its member-agencies, and consult with the concerned LGUs in the formulation of plans and programs for the rehabilitation, recovery and development of the affected areas. Ano po ba ang istruktura ng NDRRMC? Sino po ang taga-pangulo nito? Ang taga-pangulo nito ay ang Kalihim ng Tanggulang Pambansa, the Secretary of National Defense, at ang kaniyang co-chairman ay ang Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. Malinaw po ba iyon? Nandoon po, intact pa rin iyong structure ng NDRRMC. Malinaw po doon ang tungkulin ng Secretary of Interior and Local Government as the co-chair, overall co-chair of the NDRRMC. Malinaw din po dito, to coordinate with, to consult with concerned LGUs. Malinaw na po ba? Q: Sir doon lang po sa power rate hike. Sinasabi ng ECOP na this will surely affect po iyong presyo ng mga commodities. Alam natin medyo malapit po ito sa sikmura ng tao. Ano iyong mensahe natin; titiisin na lang ho ba natin iyong pagtaas ng mga presyo na dulot nitong mataas na presyo ng kuryente? SEC. COLOMA: Gagampanan po ng ating Department of Trade and Industry iyong pagtutok at pagsubaybay sa galaw ng presyo ng mga mahahalagang bilihin, lalong-lalo na iyong mga pagkain at prime commodities na mahalaga po sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay. At titiyakin po natin na walang magiging pag-abuso sa pamamagitan ng hindi makatwirang pagtataas ng presyo bunga noong pagtaas ng power rates. Q: Sir, on SWS. Bumagsak daw po ng ten points ang rating ng ating Pangulo. Ano pong gagawing hakbang ng gobyerno regarding this para maibalik ang satisfaction? Ngayon sir, kasi dahil daw po sa mabagal na pagresponde sa mga nasalanta sa bagyong super tyhpoon. SEC. COLOMA: Linawin po natin. Ang survey ay ginanap noong September 20 to 23. Ang bagyo po ay naganap noong November 9. Baka po dapat repasuhin kung ano iyong batayan noong mga nagsabi niyan. Ganoon pa man, nililinaw ko po, ang focus ng ating pamahalaan ay hindi po sa survey results. Ang focus po natin, paano matatamo ang mga laynin ng Philippine Development Plan na kung saan ang ating pangunahing layunin ay matamo iyong paglago ng ating kabuhayn, inclusive growth at maging long term and sustainable po ang ating economic development. Paulit-ulit pong sinasabi ng Pangulo, ang focus po niya ay to do right by our people and to fulfill his sworn duty. Q: Sir that’s according to SWS survey, so ibig sabihin wala pong pakialam ang gobyerno regarding this? SEC. COLOMA: Malinaw naman po siguro sa mga pahayag ko at sa mga binitiwang salita ng ating mahal na Pangulo na kahit ano pa man ang kalabasan ng mga popularity surveys, kahit ano pa man ang ipinahiwatig na saloobin ng ating mga mamamayan na palagi namang inaalintana at isinasaalang-alang, ang primary focus po ng pamahalaan ay ipagpatuloy, paigtingin, pag-ibayuhin, lahat ng pagsisikap nito na maibsan ang kahirapan at mapabuti po ang buhay ng lahat ng mamamayan. Sana po ay malinaw pong nauunawaan ito ng lahat. Q: Sir, another issue. On the, iyong pamilya po ni Eldon Maguan, nananawagan po sa ating Pangulo na imbestigahan po itong labas-pasok sa loob ng National Bilibid Prison ni Rolito Go dahil binibigyan din pong special privileges. Ano pong rekasiyon ng Malacanang regarding this? SEC. COLOMA: Kailangan pong gampanan ng mga otoridad ang kanilang tungkulin. Labag po sa batas iyong ‘di umano’y paggawad ng special treatment na ganiyan, at gagawin po ang nararapat para maiwaksi po ito.###
Posted on: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:44:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015