PCOO_insidepage_NEWS
23 June 2015

President Aquino inducts new officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday inducted into office the new set of officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Taking their oath before the President were Angel Ngu, president; Henry Lim Bon Liong, executive vice president; Domingo Yap, David Chua, Alex Yap Cho Ty, William Gosiaco, Michael Tan, Victor Lim, Delfin Letran, Mary Go Ng, Cecilio Pedro, Charles Chante, George Hock Huy Chiu, and William Yap Castro, vice presidents; Jeffrey Ng, treasurer; Tai Lian, auditor; and Fernando Gan, corporate secretary and secretary general.

The other members of the FFCCCII’s set of officers for 2015-2017 who were sworn into office were Lucio Tan as chairman emeritus; and Alfonso Siy, Ambassador Domingo Lee, Jimmy Tang, Vicente Yu, Sr,, Robin Sy, Francis Chua, Dr. John Tan, Alfonso Uy, and Tan Ching as honorary vice presidents.

During the oath-taking ceremony, Ngu also presented to President Aquino a scale model of a two-classroom school building, to be constructed under the FFCCCII’s “Operation: Barrio Schools”.

“Operation: Barrio Schools” is the FFCCCIII’s longest running and biggest private sector-led development program focused on educational infrastructure. As of this month, some 4,933 school buildings or 9,866 classrooms have been turned over to public schools nationwide, benefitting nearly one million school children.

The FFCCCII was established on March 29, 1954 and was inspired by the late President Ramon Magsaysay’s appeal to the leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community to organize into a cohesive organization that could render greater support to the government.

A non-stock and non-profit corporation, the FFCCCII is the largest organization of Filipino-Chinese businessmen from all over the country. PND (jm)


Aquino graces graduation of Special Training for Employment Program of TESDA
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday congratulated the 2,022 graduates of the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), expressing his admiration for their determination to better their lives.

During the mass graduation, held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, the President presented the STEP graduates their certificates, and their toolkits, such as electric ovens for baking; portable welding machines for shield metal arc welding; and sewing machines for dressmaking.

“Bahagi lamang po ang programang ito ng TESDA sa malawakan nating istratehiya para bigyang kakayahan ang mga kababayan natin na maging katuwang sa pag-unlad,” President Aquino said in his speech, noting that since 2010, millions of Filipinos have benefited from TESDA’s various technical and vocational training programs.

“Sa limang taon nating pagtahak sa daang matuwid, talaga naman pong malayo na ang ating narating. Patunay po ang TESDA kung paano natin pinapatibay ang ating mga institusyon upang hindi na maging kasangkapan ng mga tiwali para sa pansariling interes,” he said.

He recalled that under the past administration, TESDA distributed scholarship vouchers that were not backed up by funds.

“Kaya nung natapos po sila, ang iniwan po kay TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva ay 2.4 bilyong pisong utang ng ahensiya at siyempre, sa dulo po, taumbayan na rin ang magbabayad nitong inutang na wala naman palang kapahintulutang utangin. Kaya nga po pinapanagot na natin ang dating pinuno ng TESDA, sampu ng kanyang mga kasamahan. Ngayon po ay humaharap sila sa kasong katiwalian na isinampa ng Ombudsman,” he said.

Noting that the government spends an average of P7,155 for every TESDA scholar, President Aquino encouraged the graduates to do their share to help future trainees by paying their taxes.

“Gagastos ang sambayanan, dinaan sa gobyerno, pagkagastos po maibabalik naman nang nakinabang. Ang pagbalik na iyon ay sa pamamagitan ng buwis, nakakatulong sa mas marami pang taong magkaroon ng parehong pagkakataon,” he said.

Established in August 1994, TESDA aims to encourage the full participation of, and to mobilize the industry, labor, local government units and technical-vocational institutions in the skills development of the country’s human resources.

It offers courses on preventive maintenance on the mechanical and electrical system of motorcycles; maintenance and repair of cellular phones; maintenance and repair of electronically controlled domestic appliances; masonry; installation of wiring devices/lighting systems; maintenance and repair of audio/video products; carpentry; including food processing and meal preparation, among others.

Also present during the event were TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva, Pasay City Congresswoman Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, and officer-in-charge of the Cuneta Astrodome, Aurelio Vendivel. PND (ag)