PIA Dispatch - Friday, November 14, 2008

PGMA arrives from U.N. interfaith conference

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived past midnight today from the United States where she attended the interfaith plenary conference of the 63rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York at midweek.

The President and her lean delegation arrived at 2:52 a.m. Friday (Nov. 14) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on board the Philippine Air Lines (PAL) Flight PR 105 from San Francisco.

Accompanying the President were Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza and Palace Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez.

Welcoming the President during the foyer honors for her arrival were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

In her speech at the UN, the President urged member countries to adopt the draft resolution jointly authored by the Philippines and Pakistan entitled “Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace,” which was co-sponsored by 60 other UN members.

The President has long been espousing interfaith dialogue in the peace process in Mindanao, such as through the Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) to promote inter-cultural and inter-religious understanding for peace.

During her latest US trip, the President also met with the Filipino community in Chicago where she called on them to prompt the US Congress to pass the Veterans Equity Law.

At noon today, the President is scheduled to visit her ancestral home in Iligan City and inspect a P10-million farm-to-market road project in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte province.



PGMA orders release of P500 million for Mindanao rehab and development

ILIGAN CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered here today Nov. 14 the release of some P500 million for the rehabilitation and economic development of southern Philippines.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)-Iligan at the Macaraeg-Macapagal ancestral house in Timoga here, President Arroyo said that of the half-billion peso allocation, P300 million will be spent for humanitarian assistance and P200 million for rehabilitation projects.

The President made the announcement as renewed fightings broke out a few days ago in the region after lawless renegade elements of the Moro Islamic Front (MILF) attacked peaceful communities in Mindanao.

To further enhance the economic development of the region 30 percent of the budget of the government agencies -- Agriculture, Agrarian Reform and Environment and Natural Resources -- have been allocated for the farm-to-market roads, land reform beneficiaries, irrigation system and other projects, the President said.

She added that part of the government peace and development program in Mindanao addresses the plight of some 120,000 displaced residents in the conflict areas.

“Our efforts are spearheaded by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other non-government organizations (NGOs). We are deeply concerned about the displaced civilians, they are our first priority,” she said.

She added that the needs of the victims for food, shelter and health care are attended to, stressing that “there are also approaches to lessen the trauma of the victims, especially the children.”

“We are fully committed to the peace process as there is no alternative to peace,” the President stressed as she cited the need to maintain peace and stability in the region while government gathers the opinions of concerned communities.

She said this exercise is a pre-condition of the government before it agrees to peace talks.
"We will not negotiate with a gun pointed to our heads,” but will adopt the “hard power” approach by using military power to keep the peace and fight renegade elements who disturb the peace, the Chief Executive warned.

The President pointed out that since the start of her administration, she has been working hard to forge an agreement with the MILF, starting with a ceasefire agreement that has been violated through a series of armed attacks by MILF lawless elements against civilians.

She said the new paradigm shift on the peace process is a clear manifestation of the government’s determination to end the Mindanao conflict.

It may be recalled that the Arroyo administration has shifted its efforts from peace negotiations with the rebels alone, to dialogues with affected communities through the United Nations-recommended demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) approach.

The new policy on the peace process is focused on authentic dialogues with communities and stakeholders who will formulate and determine, together with government, the enhanced road map for the peace process.

The Chief Executive said the dialogues are under way but through third- party organizations such as the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC).

“The results of the authentic dialogues with communities and stakeholders will serve as inputs to the enhanced road map for the peace process,” she said.

She said the conflict has stalled the realization of Mindanao’s potential to become the country’s main food basket and center of agri-business industries such as mariculture and rubber plantation.



PGMA sees no major changes in US policies on RP under Obama presidency

ILIGAN CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today expressed confidence that the close ties between the Philippines and the United States will remain as strong as ever.
Saying that she looks forward to working with US President-elect Barack Obama, President Macapagal-Arroyo told Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)-Iligan at the Macaraeg-Macapagal ancestral house in Timoga town here that she sees no major changes in US policies on the Philippines.

In the exclusive interview in her childhood home, the President cited the deep and strong alliance between the two countries since World War II; and the conversation that she had with the American leader before the US presidential election.

“As a result of that conversation and other public statements that he has made about US-Philippine relations, I remain very confident that the relationship between the two nations will move forward, strong as ever,” she said.

The President also revealed that in a letter sent to her by Obama last June, the American leader acknowledged the history of alliance between the two countries during World War II and the Gulf War, and in the fight against fascism and terrorism.

“The Philippines remains a steadfast ally of the US,” she said as she underscored that the ties between the Philippine and American peoples are deeply rooted in shared history and values, as well as in a shared commitment to global peace and security.

Apart from their long-standing relationship, the Philippines and the US share common interests in climate change, food security and poverty reduction, the President said.

“That’s our (RP and US) common interest that we could work together,” she added.

At present, the United States government is supporting the ongoing Mindanao peace process through USAID programs designed to make Mindanao “a welcoming place for development and investment.”

The US is also supporting the Philippine Defense Reform Program which is designed to enhance, the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and the government’s anti-corruption efforts and fiscal reforms through the Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Country Program.



DepEd, UNICEF build safer schools for Rawis children

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) country representative Vanessa Tobin recently led a turn-over ceremony one of the completed school buildings under UNICEF’s Safe Schools Project at the Rawis Elementary School in Legazpi City, Albay province.

Lapus said: "DepEd is currently stepping-up its efforts to strengthen capacities of public schools for disaster risk reduction. With the help of UNICEF, the school can truly become a child-friendly place."

He said this hazard-resilient model utilizes concrete and steel that make for sturdy buildings.

The roof is reinforced by concrete beams to withstand pressure, and is covered by felt fabric to make it waterproof. To protect the books and armchairs against flooding, the floor line is built one meter above natural soil.

“A school building should be fit not only for learning but must also be functional in times of natural disasters. This is the ideal school building as envisioned by the DepEd and the UNICEF,” Lapuz said.

Schools built after this model are provided with steel doors and windows and are expected to last for 50 years.

These standard two-classroom buildings are intended for both learning and public use.

These can also be used as evacuation centers during calamities and emergencies. Each classroom can accommodate 63 students or at least six families.

"With this initiative, DepEd's services are not only limited to the students – its impact will reach the entire community. I call on the local government units to work with DepEd in making child-friendly learning environments for our learners," Lapus said.

UNICEF's program for Education in Emergencies is managed by DepEd's Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force. (PNA)



The 35th Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme Harbours at the ASEAN Secretariat

ASEAN Secretariat, 14 November 2008 =More than 300 participants of the 35th Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) visited the ASEAN Secretariat today. They were welcomed by Deputy Secretary-General Mr Nicholas Tandi Dammen. The participants also learnt about ASEAN and ASEAN’s projects on youth.

The SSEAYP is a joint programme between Japan and the ASEAN Member States that brings together youths from these 11 countries.

The youths spend about two months sailing to various ASEAN countries and participating in various exchange activities, both on board and in the countries visited.

Spanning from 31 October to 20 December 2008, the participants have visited Brunei Darussalam and will next visit Thailand , Cambodia , Viet Nam and Philippines before sailing back to Japan.



ASEAN-UN Launch Report on HIV/AIDS & Mobility in Southeast Asia

ASEAN Secretariat, 14 November 2008 =A joint report by ASEAN and the United Nations Regional Task Force on Mobility and HIV Vulnerability Reduction in South-East Asia and Southern Provinces of China (UNRTF) was launched today at the ASEAN Secretariat.

Among the guests present at the launch were Mr Nicholas T. Dammen, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN; Mr El-Mostafa Benlamlih, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia; Mr Ajay Chhibber, Assistant Secretary-General of UN and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; Mr Abdullah Denovan, Indonesia PLHIV Network National Coordinator; and Mrs.Gwi-Yeop Son, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand & Convener of UNRTF.

The joint report titled “HIV/AIDS and Mobility in South-East Asia ” presents key findings and recommendations of a rapid assessment conducted on HIV and mobility issues in the ten ASEAN countries in 2007-2008.

It is the first such publication to include information on current migration patterns along with the HIV situation across the region.
One of the key findings of the report reveals that despite the contributions from migrants to the national economies, they have little or no right to legal or social protection and generally lack access to HIV and AIDS services and information.

The publication of this report is funded by the United Nations Development Programme, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

A directory and profile of the major organisations that are engaged in HIV and migration issues in the Southeast Asia region is also included in the report.



Never Too Young to Know About ASEAN

ASEAN Secretariat, 14 November 2008 =A group of 120 elementary school students aged 11 to12 years and 10 teachers from SD Islam Al Azhar 17, Bintaro, Jakarta visited the ASEAN Secretariat today to learn about ASEAN.

The students were treated to a cartoon clip on “The ASEAN Community” and tested on their knowledge of ASEAN in the pop quiz segment. In the interactive session, students asked several questions, including “Why are there ten stalks inside the ASEAN emblem?” and “If ASEAN has a new member, will the ASEAN Emblem be changed?”

The ASEAN Secretariat hosts regular school visits as part of its outreach programme to the youth.