ADSPPO bags 12 Regional Awards during 121st Police Service Anniversary celebration

PBBM to speak at UN General Assembly; key address covers food security, climate change, rule of law

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Jr. is scheduled to leave Manila on Sunday for his working visit to New York, where he is set to participate in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). DFA Assistant Secretary Kira Danganan-Azucena confirmed this Thursday, saying the President will deliver the Philippine national statement at the high-level general debate on Sept. 20 and articulate his administration’s priorities, including climate change, the rule of law, and food security. “The President’s participation in the opening of the UNGA 77 is important because it marks his first engagement with the United Nations, which the Philippines recognizes as the world’s most important multilateral organization,” said DangananAzucena in a press briefing. Danganan-Azucena described the high-level general debate as the “most important event politically” as it serves as a key platform for world leaders to “articulate policy statements on world affairs and international relations.”

“The theme of this year’s general debate is, ‘A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.’ We can expect the President’s statement to identify these challenges and the solutions to address them, the role of the United Nations, and how the Philippines intends to contribute to these efforts,” said DangananAzucena.

Danganan-Azucena said around 152 other heads of state and government would participate in the high-level general debate, the first one to be held entirely in person since the pandemic hit in 2020.

The chief executive will take this trip as an opportunity to meet with heads of state and key United Nations officials during his stay in New York, said DangananAzucena.

Laser-focused on economy, pandemic recovery Meanwhile, DFA Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga said Marcos is “very focused on the economy,” especially as the government sees the Philippine economy continue to recover as more restrictive policies are lifted. “So coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and with much uncertainty and disruption around us, the President is not sparing any effort to address the economic challenges facing the country today,” said Chan-Gonzaga. Chan-Gonzaga said the President has made it clear from the initial discussions preparatory to the New York trip that it would be “more than his debut on the world stage.” “He gave unequivocal instructions that his meetings, whether with fellow world leaders or with US corporations, should focus on finding the necessary partnerships or synergies that will benefit the Philippine economy and the Filipino people,” said ChanGonzaga. In his visit to New York, Marcos will also deliver key speeches at economic briefings to attract investors and business people. “This briefing will be an opportunity to outline the key economic priorities of his administration with the special focus on how we can hopefully expand and strengthen Philippine-US trade and investment relations during his term,” said Chan-Gonzaga. Aside from wide-ranging discussions with business and community leaders, Marcos is also set to meet members of the Filipino community in New York. | PND

PBBM reaffirms full, unwavering commitment to Bangsamoro peace process; urges BTA to pass key bills

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured the Bangsamoro people of his administration’s unwavering commitment to the peace process. This developed as he urged the regional government to pass crucial legislations that will institutionalize local governance and ensure the welfare of the Muslim population in the south. “As your Preside

nt, I assure you, the BTA and all the Bangsamoro people, of this administration’s full and unwavering commitment to the peace process and to BARMM,” President Marcos said during the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. “This is why we are steadfast in our commitment to the peace process here in southern Philippines. So, we push for socioeconomic development, interventions to promote peace and development in areas

affected by decades of conflict.”

The BTA is Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) interim government with both executive and legislative powers over the region. President Marcos said among the national government’s initiatives is the PAMANA program, noting that through the program, the government allocated P19-B for socioeconomic interventions that build a culture of peace in highly conflict-affected and vulnerable areas from 2017 to 2022.

Marcos vowed to ensure the completion of the program despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, he said the government, through the Department of Budget and Management, has allocated P74.4 billion for the Bangsamoro region for the fiscal year 2023. With these new opportunities to aid BARMM, the President urged the BTA to pass all the important legislations on fiscal policy, particularly taxation, and to facilitate the conduct of the regional elections in 2025.

He also encouraged the BTA to pass measures that will secure the welfare of the Moro people, particularly in agri-fishery, healthcare, transportation, communication, digital infrastructure, and e-governance. “As we celebrate National Peace Consciousness Month this September, we know that with unity and solidarity, the BTA will be successful in facilitating the institution of the Bangsamoro government, one that is centered in promoting good governance and lasting peace for its people,” he said. Through unity with the national government, Marcos said historical justice, progress, peace, and stability could be attained.

Marcos also noted the BTA’s recent achievements, such as the approval of the Bangsamoro Transition Plan and the passage of the most important legislations, particularly the Administrative Code, the Civil Service Code, and the Education Code, considered cornerstones of BARMM’s moral self-governance. At the same time, the President expressed his gratitude to the country’s partners from the different countries that backed the Mindanao peace process, made investments, and provided financial support for the development of the region. Also present were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., BTA Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, BTA Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong, Supreme Court Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr. | PND