April 28, 2017 – News Releases
28 April 2017 |
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ASEAN commits to building solidarity |
The ten countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) continuous community-building efforts serve as the backdrop of this year’s 30th ASEAN Summit as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, April 27, hosted a welcome dinner for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the Marriott Hotel Manila in Pasay City.The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint primarily envisages ASEAN to be a rules-based Community of shared values and norms.
“And there’s an increasing confidence that we can come up with the framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea,” Manalo added. The Philippines is seeking to complete this year the framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, on the other hand, ensures that the ASEAN Member States are economically, sustainably, and gainfully integrated in the global economy. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint upholds ASEAN commitment to address the region’s aspiration to lift the quality of life of its peoples. “We are confident of our collective commitment to continue building ASEAN centrality and solidarity—an ASEAN that is people-centered, people-oriented with communities that are secure and resilient through an organization that is responsive to the needs of the region, and most importantly, the needs of our people,” the acting DFA Secretary underscored. Manalo also urged the foreign ministers to move the ASEAN agenda “significantly forward” as he proposed a toast for the success of the ASEAN Leaders Summit for the next 50 years. ###PCO-Content |
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From Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella – On the Q1 2017 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing 50% of families considering themselves as mahirap or poor |
The March 25-28 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows 50% of Filipino families considered or rated themselves mahirap or poor.
Government therefore needs to intensify its response in addressing the problem of poverty, with the help of business, civil society and other vital stakeholders, and it also has to heighten awareness of the programs and projects of the government in helping the poor. Some of our pro-poor and inclusive efforts include higher pension for seniors, free medicine for indigents, added incentive and combat duty pay for police and soldiers, gratuity pay to job order and contract workers in the government, and regularization of tens of thousands of employees. To generate livelihood opportunities for our people, the Duterte administration gives certificates of land ownership awards to farmer-beneficiaries, turns over farm machinery and equipment to farmers and distributes fishing boats to fishermen, accelerates higher infrastructure spending, and promotes easy access microfinancing system, among others. While circumstances are quickly improving, people need to know what is available “out there.” |
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Duterte to chair BIMP-EAGA Summit and Vision 2025; first ASEAN RoRo on the agenda |
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will chair tomorrow’s BIMP-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit with the adoption of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 and the Sunday’s launching of the first ASEAN Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) ferry service high on the agenda for discussion.This was the announcement made by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. during a press briefing held Friday, April 28, at The Conrad Manila.“We will be requesting for adoption of BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. So that is a framework development plan that the subregional cooperation will be using and will be guiding us in the development of the subregion in the next seven to 10 years. Of course now, the highlight of the plan is to really harness all the support coming from different four governments,” Asec Boncato said adding that BIMP-EAGA has already secured $21billion in terms of infrastructure projects and funded with the four governments.The four governments Boncato is referring to are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines — the four countries that comprise the BIMP-EAGA which was formed to accelerate development in areas that are geographically far from their national capitals but strategically near to one another.Another speaker, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro pointed out, “When you talk about BIMP-EAGA, these are subregional cooperation of the four countries but do not involve the entire country, but only subnational areas and subregional areas like in the case of the Philippines, it’s only Mindanao and Palawan, North Sulawesi and Kalimantan in Indonesia, Borneo for Malaysia and Sarawak, as well as the entire Brunei Darussalam.” Montenegro added that the BIMP-EAGA subregional cooperation has been recognized in ASEAN. “It has been able to provide the building blocks for bottom-up integration because the reality is that even Meanwhile, Boncato, who serves as the Philippine senior official assigned to BIMP-EAGA, mentioned the “Another project outcome of the Summit will be the launch of the ASEAN RORO, Davao (PH) – General This new shipping route will be the first RoRo connectivity in the ASEAN. It is more cost and time-efficient “One way would be about 1.5 day sailing time and if you do a round trip including of course the processing Plans are now underway to replicate this ASEAN RoRo connectivity. “The whole plan in the sub-region on this sea-route activity is really looking for new gateways within the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will chair tomorrow’s BIMP-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit This was the announcement made by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Arturo “We will be requesting for adoption of BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. So that is a framework development plan The four governments Boncato is referring to are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Another speaker, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro Montenegro added that the BIMP-EAGA subregional cooperation has been recognized in ASEAN. “It has been able to provide the building blocks for bottom-up integration because the reality is that even Meanwhile, Boncato, who serves as the Philippine senior official assigned to BIMP-EAGA, mentioned the “Another project outcome of the Summit will be the launch of the ASEAN RORO, Davao (PH) – General This new shipping route will be the first RoRo connectivity in the ASEAN. It is more cost and time-efficient “One way would be about 1.5 day sailing time and if you do a round trip including of course the processing Plans are now underway to replicate this ASEAN RoRo connectivity. “The whole plan in the sub-region on this sea-route activity is really looking for new gateways within the |
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ASEAN calls DPRK to follow UN resolutions |
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday, April 28, expressed its concern on the tension in the Korean Peninsula which also includes the nuclear tests and missile launches in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In a press briefing in The Conrad Manila, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Acting Spokesperson Bolivar added that the ASEAN community calls the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to “follow its “ASEAN also urges the DPRK and all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint in order to de-escalate the Bolivar noted that ASEAN supports the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in this regard and called Meanwhile, Bolivar mentioned that the ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting led by the ASEAN Secretary- “These documents include an ASEAN declaration recognizing the role of the civil service as catalyst for Bolivar also pointed out that the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting discussed a new format in the Bolivar said that the opening ceremony for the 30th ASEAN Summit will start on the 29th April 2017, “[It] will include the strengthening [of] the ASEAN community in pursuit of ASEAN Vision 2025, regional and The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday, April 28, expressed its concern on the In a press briefing in The Conrad Manila, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Acting Spokesperson Bolivar added that the ASEAN community calls the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to “follow its “ASEAN also urges the DPRK and all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint in order to de-escalate the Bolivar noted that ASEAN supports the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in this regard and called Meanwhile, Bolivar mentioned that the ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting led by the ASEAN Secretary- “These documents include an ASEAN declaration recognizing the role of the civil service as catalyst for Bolivar also pointed out that the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting discussed a new format in the Bolivar said that the opening ceremony for the 30th ASEAN Summit will start on the 29th April 2017, “[It] will include the strengthening [of] the ASEAN community in pursuit of ASEAN Vision 2025, regional and |
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Duterte receives Indonesia’s Widodo in Malacañan; two agreements signed |
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in Malacañan Palace on Friday, April 28, where the two leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation on areas of mutual interest.Widodo, who is also in the country to attend the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, arrived in Malacañan Palace at 3:50 p.m. He was received by President Duterte and was accorded full military honors.He was ushered to the Reception Hall for the ceremonial signing of the guestbook then immediately proceeded to his bilateral meeting with President Duterte. Agreements signed The two leaders then witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture and the The joint declaration will encourage the establishment of direct sea connectivity between the cities On Sunday, the two leaders will officially launch the Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro) sea linkage which aims to On the other hand, the MOU on Agricultural Cooperation aims to strengthen the development of both Strengthened partnership In a joint press statement, Duterte said he had productive discussions with the Indonesian leader. “We reaffirmed the importance of our bilateral relations and signified our resolve to sustain the momentum According to Duterte, they both recognized the need to address traditional and emerging threats and They also agreed to use the bilateral mechanisms and trilateral arrangements to help secure the vital Duterte expressed gratitude for Indonesia’s sustained support for the peace process in the southern He added that in pursuit of just and lasting peace and development in Mindanao, the two leaders sought For his part, Widodo said they agreed to elevate cooperation in various areas such as politics, economy, According to Widodo, they also agreed to conclude the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement The two leaders also concurred to conduct a joint working group on counter-terrorism this year expanding The Indonesian leader further noted that his country will continue encouraging Indonesian companies to State banquet President Duterte then hosted a state banquet in honor of Widodo and his spouse Madame Iriana Widodo The guests, composed mainly of government officials and diplomats, enjoyed smoked salmon roses with Filipino artists Jett Pangan, Jay Cayuca, Ballet Philippines, and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra provided In his toast, President Duterte underscored the deep and long lasting friendship between the countries He also wished for the greater cooperation and stronger ties and for the good health and well-being of For his part, Widodo said he and President Duterte have so much in common, noting that they were both “I believe that you and I are not fancy people. I believe that you and I are driven by a healthy common Widodo said he is excited to visit Davao City on Sunday and to try its famous fruit durian. “I was told that Davao is very famous for its delicious fruit like Davao durian. Sobrang masarap,” he said Widodo will be joining other nine leaders of ASEAN on Saturday, April 29, for their annual leaders’ meeting. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia were established in 1949. The two countries Indonesia is among the Philippines’ closest partners. The bilateral relationship is built on cooperation in a |
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President Duterte highlights regional inclusivity in ASEAN leadership forum |
President Rodrigo Duterte attended on Friday, April 28, the 14th ASEAN Leadership Forum highlighting the importance of inclusivity in uplifting the lives of the people in the region.The 14th ASEAN Leadership Forum has the theme, “Advancing Partnerships, Prospering Together in a New World Economy.” In his speech at the gathering held at the Manila Hotel, President Duterte thanked the Asian Strategy & Saying ASLI played a crucial role in bringing together different sectors, he said ASLI’s efforts have gone a Duterte added that as ASEAN members continue to work together in shaping positive changes, they must These include innovative economic growth, preservation of heritage and culture, pursuit of the stability “This is what we mean by people-centered, people-oriented ASEAN,” the President said. “Still, it is not enough that we work for the realization of these common aspirations,” he said. The President noted that it is also important that people understand ASEAN and its contribution in He said there is a need to cultivate the people’s sense of ownership by putting ASEAN in their “This way, we can truly turn ASEAN into an effective model for regional integration,” he added. Duterte said he is pleased to see that people in government and in the private sector are working together “Let us ensure that our ASEAN narrative remains strong and that the lessons we learned and the values |
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Thai PM shares role of MSMEs in inclusive growth |
Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday, April 28, shared the role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in promoting inclusive growth in Thailand during the first Prosperity for All Summit at the City of Dreams in Parañaque City.Organized by the Association of South East Asian Nations – Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) chaired by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion III, the event aims to highlight the best practices of MSMEs in the region. “It is a great honor to be invited by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, a very prominent organization of “Under the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025, MSMEs are a major driver of the ASEAN economy ASEAN has directed its focus on micro enterprises as these comprise the economic make-up of ASEAN. “If ASEAN desires to pursue the goal of an inclusive economy, it must place the development of these He also added the Thai government recognizes the crucial role MSMEs do play in both economic and social PM Prayut cited as an example the “Pracharat” (Public-Private Partnership Fund) in Thailand, which was Thailand has approximately five-million MSMEs. These MSMEs have generated over 10-million jobs and The Prosperity for All Summit, with the theme, “Partnering for Change, Creating Prosperity for All,” is one Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday, April 28, shared the role of micro, small Organized by the Association of South East Asian Nations – Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) “It is a great honor to be invited by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, a very prominent organization of “Under the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025, MSMEs are a major driver of the ASEAN economy ASEAN has directed its focus on micro enterprises as these comprise the economic make-up of ASEAN. “If ASEAN desires to pursue the goal of an inclusive economy, it must place the development of these He also added the Thai government recognizes the crucial role MSMEs do play in both economic and social PM Prayut cited as an example the “Pracharat” (Public-Private Partnership Fund) in Thailand, which was Thailand has approximately five-million MSMEs. These MSMEs have generated over 10-million jobs and The Prosperity for All Summit, with the theme, “Partnering for Change, Creating Prosperity for All,” is one |
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