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14 December 2015

Palace urges public to stay alert as ‘Typhoon Nona’ makes landfall
Malacañang has called on the public to remain alert, as Typhoon Nona made landfall in Northern Samar on Monday noon.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said coordinated efforts among government agencies are being undertaken to ensure timely and relevant immediate response in typhoon-affected areas.

“As we begin this week, we encourage the public to stay alert and informed regarding Typhoon Nona,” Secretary Lacierda said in a statement issued on Monday.

The Palace official said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned P25,034,400.47 in standby funds and the Department of Health (DOH) has readied logistical equipment in its field offices.

Lacierda also advised the public to follow the respective accounts of the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Official Gazette on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates regarding Typhoon Nona.

According to PAGASA, the eye of Typhoon Nona was located at 85 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar at 10 a.m. on Monday. The typhoon is expected to make its second landfall in Sorsogon on Monday evening.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It is forecast to move west at 17 kph, and is expected to be in the vicinity of Gasan, Marinduque on Tuesday morning.

Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 3 has been raised over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands in Luzon; Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran in the Visayas.

PSWS No. 2 has been hoisted over the provinces of Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna and Southern Quezon in Luzon; and Leyte in the Visayas.

Meanwhile, PSWS No. 1 has been raised in Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Lubang Island, Coron, Cavite, Rizal, Rest of Quezon including Polillo Island in Luzon; Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Negros Occidental and Northern Iloilo in the Visayas; Dinagat province and Siargao Island in Mindanao. PND (co)


President Aquino leads Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR gift-giving event
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday led the distribution of gift packs to the less privileged during the gift-giving event of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), held at the Quezon Memorial Circle Multi-Purpose Covered Court.

The President has been attending the Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR since it was launched in 2010.

“Talaga nga naman po: Ang paskong Pilipino ay tungkol sa pamilya. Narito muli tayo, isang pamilyang nagsasalo at nag-aambagan para tanglawan at bigyang-kulay ang Pasko ng mga kababayan nating higit na nangangailangan,” said President Aquino, who cheerfully distributed the gift packs to 50 of the 3,100 beneficiaries composed of street sweepers, senior citizens, members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), people with disabilities and support staff from Quezon City.

The Noche Buena gift packs each contained ham, cheese, pasta noodles, cookies and other grocery items.

The PAGCOR allocated P25.35 billion for the Pamaskong Handog program, which started on November 27 and will culminate on December 22. The program will benefit close to 10,000 less fortunate Filipinos under the care of 33 charitable institutions nationwide.

The President noted how PAGCOR has helped thousands of less fortunate Filipinos through various projects.

“Mula 2010 hanggang 2012, umabot po sa P42.25 milyon ang nailaan ng PAGCOR para maghandog ng gift packs sa ating mga kababayan. Mahigit 14,000 na indibidwal po ang nakinabang dito, kabilang na ang mga batang naulila, out-of-school youths, street children, at mga kapuspalad nating kababayang may karamdaman,” he said.

“Taong 2013 at 2014 naman, minabuti nating ipagpaliban ang pagdaos ng Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR, upang bigyang-daan ang pagkakaloob ng gift packs sa mga kapatid nating nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda. P12 milyon naman ang suma-total na halaga nito, dagdag pa sa P2 billion na inilaan para sa pagpapatayo ng classrooms sa mga apektadong lugar,” he added.

During the gift-giving ceremony, President Aquino also witnessed the turnover of P2 billion additional funding for the construction of more classrooms in public schools nationwide.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson received the mock check from PAGCOR Chairman Cristino Naguiat, Jr.

The additional P2 billion brings PAGCOR’s total funding for the Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-Aralan school-building program to P12 billion.

“Ngayon naman, kapiling natin ang mga minamahal nating senior citizens na sasamahan ko sa loob ng limang taon, mga kayod-kabayong miyembro ng Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations, at ang masisipag nating street sweepers dito sa Quezon City. Nauna na ring handugan ng gift packs ang ilang kabataan at kanilang pamilya mula sa National Children’s Hospital. Ngayong linggo din, bilang bahagi pa rin ng Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR, magkakaroon ng salusalo kasama ang magigiting na barangay health workers mula sa Pasay, Parañaque, at Maynila. Suma-total po, humigit-kumulang 9,500 ang benepisyaryo ng programa natin ngayong taon, na napaglaanan naman ng P25.35 milyon. Kanina, inihandog na rin natin ang tsekeng nagkakahalagang P2 bilyon, para sa ‘Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-aralan’ School Building Project,” President Aquino said.

“Isang patunay lang po ang pagtitipong ito na sa Daang Matuwid, tunay na walang maiiwan. Kinikilala at binibigyang-halaga natin ang pagkayod at kontribusyon ng bawat isa—health worker ka mang nag-aaruga at nagpapasigla sa kalusugan ng iyong kapwa, tricycle driver na umaga-gabing naghahatid sa mga kababayan natin sa kanilang tutunguhan, o street sweeper na sinisigurong malinis ang ating mga lansangan at daluyan ng tubig, para panatilihing ligtas sa polusyon at baha ang ating mga komunidad,” he said.

President Aquino expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people whom he said is the source of his strength.

“Panahon nga rin po ito ng pasasalamat. Kaya naman, sa bawat Boss nating kumakayod para sa kani-kanilang pamilya, at kabalikat din natin sa pagsusulong ng kaunlaran sa kalakhang bansa: Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Kayo pa rin ang aking lakas, at kayo pa rin ang gumagawa ng pagbabago. Sana po, kahit papaano, ay masuklian ng munting handog ng inyong gobyerno ang wagas na sakripisyo at dedikasyon ninyo sa inyong kani-kanyang trabaho,” he said.

The Chief Executive likewise thanked PAGCOR for spreading happiness to the marginalized sectors of the society during the Yuletide season.

“Nais ko rin pong magpasalamat sa mga bumubuo ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, sa pangunguna ni Chairman Bong Naguiat. Sa loob lamang ng mahigit limang taon, nagawa ninyong ikabig ang PAGCOR mula sa dating ahensiyang pugad ng katiwalian, patungo sa isang ahensiyang bukal ng serbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino. Taos-puso rin po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat,” he said.

President Aquino also reminded the Filipino people that the future of the next generation is in their hands.

“Sa susunod na taon, nasa kamay muli ng bawat Pilipino kung maitutuloy natin ang pagkukumpuni at pagpapatibay sa ating bahay, o matitibag ito pabalik sa dating mahinang pundasyon at nabubulok na kondisyon. Ididiin ko po: Kayo pong mga Boss, nasa mga kamay ninyo ang kapalaran ng ating minamahal na bayan; nasa kamay ninyo ang kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak, ng inyong mga mahal sa buhay, at ng inyong kapwa. Tiwala naman ako, sa gabay at tanglaw ng Panginoon ay talagang maitutuloy natin ang maganda nating nasimulan,” said the President.

Also present during the event were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte-Alimurung, and House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. PND (jm)


President Aquino declares January 5, 2016 a special holiday in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared January 5, 2016 a special non-working day in the municipality of Tagudin, llocos Sur province in celebration of its 430th Foundation Anniversary.The President signed last December 9 Proclamation No. 1178 to give the people of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur a chance to celebrate the occasion.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Municipality of Tagudin, Province of llocos Sur be given full opportunity to participate and celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamation stated. PND (co)