• President Aquino calls on Laguna people to support Daang Matuwid advocacy
• President Aquino tells PNPA graduates to shun corruption, do what is right
• Palace extends condolences for passing of former Senator Jovito Salonga

In a meeting with local leaders and members of the community in Calamba, Laguna, the President enumerated various government programs that would remain in place and benefit Laguna residents if the right candidates win in the May elections.

“Mga Boss, hindi natin magagawa ang lahat ng ito kung hindi natin sinimulan ang pagbabago. Sasayangin ba natin ang pagkakataong ito na ibinigay sa ating ituloy pa ang maganda nating nasimulan?” he said.

“Ngayon nga po, binibigyan ulit tayo ng pagkakataong pumili at gumawa. Kayo ang magdedesisyon kung saan natin dadalhin ang bansa… Wag nating sayangin ang pagkakataong ito,” he added.

The President noted that Laguna has received P12.61 billion in infrastructure projects from 2011 up to the present. These projects include the pavement of the Lipa-Alaminos Road; and the widening of the Manila South Road, Sta. Rosa-Ulat-Tagaytay Road, and San Pedro Bridge.

Through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, he said, 34,781 students from Laguna have graduated from the Training for Work Scholarship Program while 40,000 have taken part in the Coke STAR Program that provides skills training in managing business.

President Aquino said 2.56 million residents of the province are members of PhilHealth while 44,553 are beneficiaries of the 4Ps or the Conditional Cash Transfer program.

“Tayo po sa matinong pamamahala, nai-angat na natin halos taon-taon pamilyon nang pamilyon, kaya this year ‘yung natukoy na 4.6 million, ‘yung natitirang 200,000 matatapos natin sa taong ito. Resulta: 7.7 milyong Pilipino na, ang ating mga kababayan, ang nakalagpas na sa tinatawag na poverty line. Ulitin ko lang po, itong nangyaring ito dahil sa inyong tulong dahil sa inyong pahintulot meron tayong maipagmamalaki 7.7 milyong Pilipino ang hindi na masasabi doon sa extreme poor. Ang sabi nga po ng Social Weather Stations survey nitong Pebrero: 4 sa bawat 5 Pilipino ang boboto sa mga kandidatong magpapatuloy ng Pantawid Pamilya,” said the President. PND (jm)

In his speech during the event, the President said uniformed personnel will once again face the temptation in the coming election and asked the graduates to do what is right.

“Uulitin ko ang hamon ko sa bawat pagkakataong humaharap ako sa mga guma-graduate tulad ninyo: Kung abutan kayo ng sobre kapalit ng inyong dangal, magpapabili ba kayo?,” he asked.

“Kung may napangakong promotion kapalit ng inyong pananahimik, sa harap ng katiwalian o pang-aabuso, tatanggapin ba ninyo? Kung pinapili kayo: bayan o sarili, alin ang uunahin ninyo?”

But he said he expects this year’s PNPA graduates will stick to the righteous path that his administration has spearheaded.

Uniformed personnel will be mandated to ensure an orderly and peaceful election this May, telling the PNPA graduates to obey the orders of their superiors, adding there are other dedicated personnel who gave their utmost services unconditionally.

Now that the cadets will be joining their respective services, the President said part of their daily lives as members of the uniformed services is facing a crossroads each day.

“Bilang kasapi ng PNP, BJMP, at BFP, higit pa sa ibang mga kawani ng pamahalaan, kayo ang magsisilbing mukha ng gobyerno sa ating mga komunidad,” he said.

“Napakalaki ng papel na ginagampanan ninyo sa pangangalaga at pagsasaayos ng ating lipunan. Kayo ang takbuhan, ang sumbungan, ang frontliner sa panahon ng pangangailangan.”

“Tiwala akong sa lahat ng pagkakataon, magsisilbi kayong mga tapat na lingkod-bayan; lagi kayong papanig sa tama at makatwiran; lagi ninyong paglilingkuran ang ating mga Boss, ang sambayanang Pilipino.”

The President also mentioned the reforms initiated in the PNP under the Daang Matuwid agenda, achieving 1:1 police-to-pistol ratio. In 2013, the government distributed 74,879 units of Glock 17 9mm pistol for PNP personnel.

It also provided 1,490 patrol jeeps, 247 4×4 personnel carrier and 69 light transport vehicles, 1,095 motorcycles, as well as 12,949 handheld radios.

To fight crime, the PNP adopted modern Integrated Ballistics Identification Systems as well as Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems.

The PNP also installed Closed-Circuit Television Projects to crime-prone areas in Metro Manila to prevent crimes. He said he already asked PNP chief Ricardo Marquez to provide police personnel with raincoats during the rainy season so they could do their jobs more effectively.

For the BJMP, the government released P393 million to buy high caliber firearms, portable radio systems, and prisoner vans, the President noted. For the BFP, the administration allocated P4.46 billion to procure new fire trucks, firemen suits and protection as well as self-contained breathing apparatus.

Through an executive order, the government also augmented the monthly hazard pay of uniformed personnel from P240, it was adjusted to P390 this year, according to the President.

“Saklaw din ng EO na ito ang pagtaas ng inyong provisional allowance depende sa ranggo, kung saan may makakatanggap ng hanggang P14,214, at ang officers’ allowance para sa mga Senior Inspector pataas,” the President said

“Pati pabahay para sa ating mga kawal at kapulisan, talagang tinututukan natin yan. Higit sa 61,300 units na po ang nakumpleto sa ilalim ng programang pabahay natin para sa ating unipormadong hanay, at kasama ang mga kasapi ng PNP, BJMP, at BFP sa benepisyaryo po nito,” he added. PND (as)

“The nation lost a pillar of Philippine democracy and advocate of good governance with the passing of former Senate President Jovito Salonga today,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.

“We extend our condolences to the bereaved family of Senator Salonga.”

Salonga, who had battled Alzheimer’s Diseases, served as the first Senate President after the enactment of the 1987 Constitution and the pioneer head of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

He was among the 12 senators who voted “no” to the Philippines-US Military Bases Treaty.

He holds the distinction of being the only Senator who topped the senatorial elections thrice and received the Ramon Magsaysay award for government service in 2007.

The late senator was known as a staunch nationalist and freedom fighter who fought valiantly against Martial Law and for the restoration of democracy in the country in the aftermath of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

In 1992, the esteemed statesman ran for president, but lost to Fidel Ramos. He retired from politics and government service that same year. PND (as)