Over 120 GIOs nationwide converge for PDP advocacy drive
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Dec. 20 (PIA) -- Over 120 government information officers nationwide converged recently to seek ways on how best to effectively communicate government’s initiatives to reduce poverty incidence during the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) Dialogue Series for Government Information Officers (GIOs).
The activity held December 17-18 in Tagaytay City was an initiative of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Communication and Advocacy Program-Support Project of the Development Information Staff to promote to the GIOs a better understanding and appreciation of the country’s economic blueprint from 2011-2016 and to generate support for its implementation.
NEDA Development Information Staff Director Celine R. de Castro who opened the conference gave a briefer on the highlights of the PDP 2011-2016 which basically aims for “for social inclusive growth” leaving nobody behind in the government’s goal of improving quality of life.
Three essential objectives of the PDO cited by De Castro were: high, rapid and sustained economic growth, massive employment and growth that reduces poverty. The plan is to improve the quality of life for every Filipino but most especially the poorest of the poor.
The conference however, also tackled on how government has fared so far in the implementation of the PDP.
De Castro told GIOs that it is a challenge to them to let the people know how government is working to address ways to reduce poverty and let this trickle down to the grassroots level.
“This activity aims to learn strategies in communicating the PDP and the status of its implementation,” said De Castro.
De Castro told the participants the government is on the right track in the PDP implementation as evidenced by the consecutive three quarter growth of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) at 6.5 percent.
“Our 6.5 percent GDP growth in the last three quarters this year have surpassed our target forecast of 6 percent,” said De Castro adding it is a positive indicator that government efforts in achieving its visions under the Plan are in the right direction.
De Castro asked GIOs that it is also their responsibility to communicate to the people that achieving decent economic conditions is part of the outline of the Plan.
The NEDA official said GIOs play a key role in letting the people understand and appreciate the initiatives of government to move our economy forward with the end goal of reducing poverty incidence.
The Plan outlines five key strategies to achieve its objective which are: 1) promote transparent and responsive governance 2) invest massively in physical infrastructure 3) boost competitiveness to generate employment 4) improve access to financing and 5) develop human resources.
Participants to the dialogue, which is the first of a series, came from national government agencies and local government units. (PIA 7)
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DILG issues advisory on acting Cebu Governor
By Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, Dec. 20 (PIA) --- To avoid disruption of public service amidst tension in the Capitol here, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued an advisory declaring Vice Governor Agnes Magpale as the acting governor of Cebu.
The advisory signed by DILG-7 Regional Director Ananias Villacorta was sent Wednesday to government offices, banks, and law enforcement agencies in the province.
In the advisory, Villacorta said that Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia was meted a penalty of six-month suspension in relation to an administrative case filed against her by the late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, Jr.
The regional director served the suspension order on the governor at about 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday through what he described as "substituted service."
According to local newspaper reports, the order was received by Garcia's staff but they refused to sign receipt of the order, forcing the DILG director to post it instead on the governor's office door.
In the same advisory, Villacorta said Vice Governor Agnes Magpale took her oath of office after he served on her the memorandum dated Dec. 19 instructing her to assume as governor in an acting capacity.
This, he said, is in accordance with Section 46(a) of the Local Government Code of 1991. (RMN/PIA-7 CEBU)
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DILG chief calls for calmness amidst tension in Cebu Capitol
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU, December 20 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas appealed for calm following the suspension order served on Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia early Wednesday.
“Maging mahinahon po tayo lalo na ngayong panahon ng Pasko (Let’s all remain calm especially since it’s Christmas season),” said Roxas during an interview over DYRC, a local radio station in Cebu.
At around 8:20 am on Dec. 19, DILG-7 Regional Director Ananias Villacorta arrived at the Capitol to serve the suspension order on Garcia.
However, the governor--nor any Capitol executive--was not in her office at the time.
Villacorta, in a letter, said a memorandum has been issued Dec. 19, 2012 authorizing Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale to assume as acting governor in accordance with Section 46 A of the local government code.
Magpale then took her oath of office prior to her assumption as governor in an acting capacity.
Provincial Board Member Julian Daan as the most senior member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is next in rank to assume as acting vice governor.
The Office of the President rendered its decision on Dec. 17, 2012 suspending Gov. Garcia for six months as penalty for grave abuse of authority in the case filed against her by the late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. in November 2010.
Sec. Roxas said the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo made the recommendation for the governor’s suspension to the Office of the President after DILG conducted an investigation stemming from Sanchez’ complaint.
“Ito po ay walang bahid ng politika (this is not politically motivated). All sides are being given equal opportunity to speak out and fight for their rights, and to respond to the cases filed against them,” Roxas said.
Roxas said the suspension order is in line with the Aquino administration’s efforts to pursue the matuwid na daan (straight path). (rmn/AYS/PIA-7, Cebu)
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DILG issues advisory on acting Cebu governor
By Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, Dec. 20 (PIA) -- To avoid disruption of public service amidst tension in the Capitol here, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued an advisory declaring Vice Governor Agnes Magpale as acting governor of Cebu.
The advisory signed by DILG-7 Regional Director Ananias Villacorta was sent Wednesday to government offices, banks, and law enforcement agencies in the province.
Villacorta, in the advisory, said that Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia was meted a suspension of six-months in relation to an administrative case filed against her by the late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr.
The regional director served the suspension order on the governor at around 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday through what he described as "substituted service."
According to local newspaper reports, the order was received by Garcia's staff but they refused to sign receipt of the order, forcing the DILG director to post it instead on the governor's office door.
In the same advisory, Villacorta said Vice Governor Agnes Magpale took her oath of office after he served to her the memorandum dated Dec. 19 instructing her to assume as governor in an acting capacity.
This, he said, is in accordance with Section 46(a) of the Local Government Code of 1991. (RMN-PIA 7, Cebu)