The President made the announcement in his speech keynoting the 115th Founding Anniversary of the agency held at its main office in Manila on Thursday.

He said he authorized the release in recognition of their hard work and dedication to provide excellent service to the Filipino people.

"Malinaw po sa atin na malaki ang ginagampanang papel ng DPWH sa pagsisilbing tulay sa kaunlaran ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino. Kaya naman, nagpapasalamat po ako sa bumubuo ng ahensiyang ito— mula kay Secretary Babes Singson, na nagtimon sa kinatatayuan ngayon ng DPWH, sa bawat grupong pinarangalan natin sa araw na ito, hanggang sa bawat indibidwal, na hindi man napangalanan ngayon, ay naging malaking bahagi sa pagbibigay ng bagong mukha sa inyong mga kawani. Kayo ang gumawa ng pagbabagong ito," the President said.

"Sa isang patas pong lipunan, sinusuklian ang mabuting gawain. Kapag nagsumikap ka, may kaakibat itong karampatang balik sa iyo. Kaya naman, hindi po ako nag-atubiling lagdaan ang sampung libong Anniversary Bonus para sa bawat opisyal at kawani ng DPWH ngayong taon," he added.

He said he hoped this gesture would serve as an inspiration for all employees of the DPWH to continue their hard work and dedication.

"Magsilbi po sana itong inspirasyon upang higit pa ninyong pagbutihan ang serbisyo sa bayan sa mga darating na taon," the President said.

In a statement, the DPWH said that from being considered as one of the most corrupt national government agencies in the past, it had instituted reforms under the tutelage of its Secretary Rogelio Singson promoting the right projects, at the right cost and right quality, and accomplished right on time with the right people has become one of the most notable examples of good governance of the Aquino administration.

The announcement of the President was gladly and loudly received by the agency's personnel who number some 19,253. PND (rck)

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In his speech, the President said the DPWH has come a long way from being considered as one of the most corrupt government agencies to becoming one that continuously gives fast and reliable service.

This, he said, came about through his administration's tuwid na daan advocacy that sought to weed out graft and corruption from government by implementing reforms that streamlined processes and clearly defined boundaries and rules.

"Sa umaga pong ito, kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng kanilang ika-isandaan at labinlimang taong anibersaryo, nagtitipon tayo upang kilalanin ang isa sa mga pinakamatayog na halimbawa sa pagbabagong hatid ng tuwid na daan, ang Department of Public Works and Highways," the President said.

"Noon, dahil sa kaliwa’t kanang kapalpakan, naikabit na ang kanilang pangalan sa mga proyektong sinisimento ng tong-pats, inaaspalto ng suhol, at pinipintahan ng under-the-table. Ang kanilang mga programa’t inisyatiba, parang habambuhay na lamang na “Under Construction"," the President said.

"Ngayon, unti-unti nang naibabaon sa limot ang lumang mukha ng DPWH. Sa pangunguna ni Secretary Babes Singson, nakikilala na ng sambayanan ang isang ahensyang may mabilis, tapat, at maaasahang serbisyo," he added.

To show the DPWH's sincerity to change, the agency has embarked on an ambitious plan to complete its schedule of work and projects as soon as possible.

To date, 33,095 out of 41,463 or 80 percent of its infrastructure projects from 2010 to 2013 have been completed by May 2013.

Kapag may nakita kang karatulang “Men at Work” sa kalsada— totoong mayroong mga arkitekto, inhinyero, at construction worker na masigasig at tunay na nagtatrabaho para sa tao. Datos na po ang nagpapatunay: sa 41,463 na nakapilang proyektong pang-imprastraktura ng DPWH mula 2010 hanggang 2013, nasa 33,095 na— o halos 80 percent ng kabuuang bilang ng mga proyekto— ang nakumpleto hanggang nitong katapusan ng Mayo,” the President said.

These include the Quezon Avenue-Araneta Avenue underpass and the Plaridel Bypass Road in Bulacan that aims to cut travel time in those areas considerably.

The President also credited the hardworking and dedicated men and women of the DPWH for being instrumental for the turnaround of the agency's image.

He challenged them to keep up the good work and aim to make the change in the agency "permanent."

"Ngayong sama-sama na nating nalilinis ang sistemang panlipunan; ngayong napapatag na natin ang mga lubak sa ating pamahalaan, ito naman ang hamon sa ating mga lingkod-bayan ---Patuloy nating itaguyod ang mabuting pamamahala sa burukrasya at sa bawat institusyon ng gobyerno," the President said.

"Gawin nating permanente ang sinimulan nating pagbabago. Nawa’y isapuso at isaisip natin ang kaloob na mandato ng taumbayan— magsimula tayo sa ating mga sariling hakbang, at hikayatin ang ating kapwa na maki-isa tungo sa malawakang kaunlaran," he added. PND (rck)

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In an interview, the President said the government is undertaking a "National Greening Project" to plant trees along watersheds in the National Capital Region to improve their ability to absorb water and thus slow down its flow.

"Ang Sierra Madre delivers water to the NCR region. ‘Yung flow at its peak can reach 3,600 cubic meters per second na flow. Ang dinadaluyan na rivers can accommodate, at the narrowest portions, ang minimum is about a thousand cubic meters per second. So what has to be done is babagalan mo ‘yung pag-flow nung 3,600 to the carrying capacity of the river," the President said.

He added that building dams upstream can also help slow down the flow of water but however admitted that this project would be "extensive" as it requires careful and precise planning.

" Medyo extensive ‘yung upper na dam and you have to put it at the correct location and the point end being, babawasan ang nagfo-flow para bumagal at para kayang ma-absorb ng ating river systems and the man-made waterways so that they can flow into Manila Bay," the President said.

In an earlier press conference, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said the government is already working on a master plan containing a three-pronged approach to solve the annual flooding and traffic congestion problems, particularly in Metro Manila in the long term.

The plan will involve the removal of 20,000 informal settlers living along waterways, drainage system improvement and upgrading of pumping stations especially in Metro Manila, the official said. PND (rck)

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In an interview, the President said there were around 37 meteorologist-hopefuls that could be called at any moment's notice.

"In addition to the 37, I understand, there are 10 initial students for these colleges in specific courses, iyong BS program and the Master’s program still continues, and there are a lot of other scholarships that are offered to encourage people to come in, and then even if to the extent of sending them abroad," the President said.

He noted that since 2000, five personnel from PAGASA have left the agency for "greener pastures."

"Continuous ang training ng PAGASA. Umalis iyong lima, pumalit 37, may sampung naghihintay pa..., huwag naman natin siguro sabihin sa taumbayan na mawawalan tayo ng dunong para alamin ang mangyayari sa kalagayan ng panahon," the President said. PND (rck)

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The President said in a press briefing after keynoting the 115th Founding Anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Manila, that he had the safety of the Pinoy peacekeepers in mind for wanting the study conducted.

The President said he wanted the rules of engagement refined and the necessary equipment provided for all peacekeepers as well as all threats defined in the study.

"Kapag tinapatan ba sila ng tangke, may kakayahan tayo? Magkakaroon tayo ng anti-armor. Kapag meron bang aircraft na magte-threaten sa kanilang position, meron na rin tayong kinukuhang anti-aircraft. Ano ba ang puwede ninyong gawin habang observer kayo para naman pangalagaan ang sarili mong seguridad?" the President said.

"Kapag na-satisfy tayo in all of those conditions e magiging tenable iyong mission, puwede sila manatili doon para tulong na rin sa buong mundo. Pero kapag hindi naman tayo pinagkalooban noong ating mga hiling e hindi ko iri-risk ang ating tropa na manatili doon kung hindi nila kakayanin iyong misyon," he added. PND (rck)

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