PIA Dispatch - Friday, November 28, 2008

PGMA is back from APEC Leaders’ Summit meet in Peru and visits to Colombia and U.S.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returned to the country late Thursday night after a trip to Peru where she joined other world leaders in the 16th Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in Lima.

The President had also visited Colombia before proceeding to the United States to meet the Filipino community in Los Angeles en route to Manila.

The Philippine Airlines flight PR001 carrying the President and her delegation touched down at the Centennial Terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 10:30 last night (Nov. 13).

On hand to welcome the President were First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Armed Forces chief Alexander Yano and National Police head Jesus Versoza.

In an earlier statement, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the President “returns home from the APEC summit in Peru confident that her strong advocacy for the less-developed economies in the midst of present-day financial challenges finds resonance amongst world leaders."

During the two-day meet (Nov. 22-23), the 21 APEC leaders agreed to hasten the conclusion of the World Trade Organization’s Doha Round of talks which seeks to promote freer trade.

They also signed a statement rejecting trade protectionism as they renewed their commitment to boost ties to cope with the global economic meltdown.

The APEC leaders also expressed support for small and medium enterprises as well as for institutions that could address the liquidity problems of nations hit by the financial turmoil.

After the summit, the President flew to Colombia for a visit during which she had a bilateral meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

The Chief Executive then flew to Los Angeles where she met with the Filipino community and executives of Ingram Micro, an international firm engaged in technology solutions and marketing.

The President also met with Teletech CEO Kenneth Tuchman and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with whom she discussed matters of common interest, particularly the welfare of some one million Filipinos in Los Angeles.


Chief Girl Scout PGMA honors 2008 outstanding girl scouts

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the country’s Chief Girl Scout, presented today the Chief Girl Scout Medal to 324 senior and cadet Girl Scouts from all over the country in recognition of their exemplary achievements in community development projects in a simple ceremony held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.

Northern Luzon topped the number of this year’s awardees with 104 (32 percent); followed by Southern Luzon, 97 (30 percent); Central Luzon, 45 (13.9 percent); Visayas, 31 (9.6 percent); Eastern Mindanao, 30 (9.3 percent); and Western Mindanao, 17 (5.2 percent) awardees.

Dressed in a Girl Scout uniform, the President presented the Chief Scout Medal to each of the 324 awardees who worked on community projects of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) on ecology, livelihood, cultural heritage and health.

She also donated P1 million that will go to the GSP badge bank so badges could be distributed for free to GSP members.

“Your year-long community development project for 2007-2008 has certainly benefited your barangay and generated awareness of what a Girl Scout can do to improve the quality of life in your community,” the President said in a printed message distributed after the event.

The President noted that the GSP program, which started in 1976, is aligned with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which uphold the dignity of women, among others.

The GSP’s Chief Girl Scout Medal is the highest award in Philippine Girl Scouting that is built on the concept of developing the total woman, making her well rounded in all aspects -- spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social.

The President said the government has made encouraging strides toward the attainment of targets on poverty, child mortality, gender equality, among other MDGs, but that serious challenges and threats remain the same in attaining the 2015 targets.

‘‘But with you, as the role models for young people everywhere, we can ensure a better life for everyone and build prosperity for the greatest number of the Filipinos,’’ the President said.

“Thank you for being the government’s partner in building a strong and united Philippine Republic,” the President added.


Message of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Re: Girls Scouts of the Philippines’ Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme

Congratulations to the 324 Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts who met the criteria for the Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme.

Your year-long community development project for 2007-2008 has certainly benefited your barangay and generated awareness of what a Girl Scout can do to improve the quality of life in your community.

Since the Philippines first resolved to adopt the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations, our government has made encouraging strides towards the attainment of targets on poverty, child mortality, etc.

I am proud, as your Chief Girl Scout, to note that the program of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines is aligned with the MDGs which uphold especially the dignity of girls and young women.

Serious challenges and threats remain the same in attaining our targets by year 2015. But with you, as the role models for young people everywhere, we can ensure the better life for every one and build prosperity for the greatest number of the Filipinos.

My heartfelt thanks to you, your family, troop leader, barangay chairman, council board, school administrators, and all those who supported you in your worthy project.

Thank you for being the government’s partner in building a strong and united Philippine Republic.

Mabuhay!


PGMA presents BizNews Asia’s Awards to VP, Fernando, Belmonte and 19 others

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented today the 2008 BizNews Asia’s Real Estate Who is Who (BREW) and 2008 Business Icons Gold (BIG) awards to 22 business legends and empire giants, and three government officials, as a tribute to their innovative works, and achievements in the real estate industry that remains bullish despite the global financial crunch.

The trophies and plaques were handed by the President this afternoon to the BREW and BIG winners during the 7th founding anniversary celebration of BizNews Asia (BNA), the country’s largest weekly business news magazine, at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City.

The BREW awardees who received plaque of recognition from the President are Vice President Noli de Castro, chairman, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council; Willie J. Uy, president and CEO, PHINMA Properties; Jose E.B. Antonio, chairman, Century Properties Group; Reghis M. Romero II, president and CEO, R-II Builders Inc.; Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr., President and CEO, Landco Pacific Corp.; Nestor S. Mangio, chairman, Central Country Estate, Inc.; Isidro A. Consunji, President and CEO, DMCI Holdings, Inc.; Exequiel D. Robles, president and CEO, Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Inc.; Victorio V. Soliven, president and CEO, V.V. Soliven Group of Companies; Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr. of Quezon City; Chairman Bayani F. Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority and Rosemarie Basa, director, Global First Financial Inc.

Vice President De Castro was selected BREW awardee for his initiative to make housing facilities affordable to the masses thru lower interest rates, while Fernando was cited for creating Metro Manila clean and orderly through of his Metro Guwapo campaign.

Quezon City Mayor Belmonte was also cited for rescuing a city burdened by a huge debt, bloated bureaucracy, notorious red tape and a dirty environment, and transforming it into a model of financial health.

The Asian Institute of Management has cited Quezon City as the second most competitive in the country, with a score of 6.61 which is next to Davao City with 7.1 Quezon City also named as the richest city in the metropolis.

The BREW Awards was founded by the BNA to give recognition to the vision, innovative work, and other outstanding achievements of this year’s awardees in the field of real estate despite the global economic and financial crises.

The 2008 BIG awardees who received trophies from the President were Manuel Villar of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.; Alfonso T. Yu-chengco, chairman emeritus, RCBC; Andrew L. Tan, president and CEO, Megaworld Corp.; Raul T. Concepcion, chairman, Concepcion-Carrier; Oscar Lopez, chairman and CEO, Ben-pres Holdings; John Go-kongwei Jr., chairman emeritus, JG Summit Holdings Inc.; Henry Sy Sr., chairman emeritus, SM Investments Corp.; and Ramon Ang, president and COO, San Miguel Corp.

Those who failed to attend in the awarding rites are Atty. Felipe Gozon, chairman and president of GMA Network Inc.; and Manuel Pangilinan, president and CEO, Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Co.

Before the awarding rites, the President cut the ribbon for the opening of the painting exhibit of Leonardo Lopez, elder brother of BizNews Asia president and Publisher Antonio Lopez.

The BizNewsAsia Who is Who in Real Estate (BREW) awards honor tycoons, taipans and chief executive officers (CEOs) who have made significant contributions to the flowering of real estate and allied industries and services.


PGMA talks on governance focus, faith, discipline, unpopularity, heartaches, calories and fulfillment

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted today that her unwavering focus on governance to bring stability and peace to the country had cost her the popularity that every chief executive aspires for from the governed.

In an interview with BizNews Asia publisher Tony Lopez who asked her what her biggest achievement is after eight years in the presidency, the President said, “… It’s really up to history to judge.

“What I can say is that during my presidency, we've been focused on reforming the economy, we've been focused on generating investment, we've been focused on creating new and better infrastructures, we've been focused on building a social safety net, especially in healthcare, education and to bring stability and peace to the country.”

And at what cost? “Well, if you look at the cost, we've been able to have a very prudent fiscal situation.

“So, if ever, the cost is only to my popularity,” the President lamented.

She pointed out, however, that she had come to the presidency prepared for such situation as she had been well advised by her late father – former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal – who had told her, “You don't enter public life to enjoy your self – you enter public life ready to serve the people, to sacrifice, to suffer if need be.”

Asked what her biggest presidential disappointment is so far, the President kept her heartaches to herself: “That, I keep to myself. Because, as I said, it's not the–-since one is prepared to sacrifice, and one is prepared to suffer, there's no need to wear one's heart (on one’s sleeve).”

Could she be suffering in silence? The stoic President Arroyo stressed: “Let's just put it this way. I am a very disciplined person so I will not … I do not… (waste time) on self pity.”

But disappointed she may be, the President is not letting the downs of the presidency weigh her down. Asked for the secret of her youthful looks that makes her “seem to be getting younger each day despite the burden,” the now 61-year-old President unveiled her fountain of youth:

“Hard work, faith – very strong faith -- and discipline in my regimen.”

The regimen of 16 hours of work everyday? “No, it's not what you count in work, it's what you count to give yourself stamina.

“Seven hours of sleep, three-times-a-week exercise, keeping my schedule disciplined so that I don't over fill my day with the less significant activities; and then my vitamins, my diet – it's a very healthy diet,” the President shared.

As to the very healthy diet, the Chief Executive pointed to the palace chefs: “It's made by the kitchen. They count calories and they give me the amount of food that they think I should eat.”

“… It's just the quantity, the moderation… It’s the calorie count. So, the kitchen takes care of that.”

The President added that it is also the Palace kitchen that concocted the low-calorie, low-cholesterol “heart’s delight” diet especially for First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo following his surgery a year and a half ago at St. Luke’s Hospital.

“When my husband went to St. Luke's for his surgery a year and a half ago, they gave him a diet called heart's delight. So, I'm sure that diet is available to anybody (who may be interested to try it). Heart’s delight. Well, it's good for the heart.”


Odds favor RP not going into recession -- PGMA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that predicting the impact of the global financial meltdown is a risky business, but given its strong economic fundamentals, the Philippines will not go into recession.

“At least not as far as our predictions are concerned,” the President said in an interview with Tony Lopez, president and publisher of BizNews Asia (BNA).

She said predicting the actual effect on a particular economy of the financial crisis sweeping across the world would be akin to reading a crystal ball because of the inherent intractability of the problem.

“What is important for us is to be confident that we have been able to do what we have to do to buffer our economy and to continue to work on our plans to keep the economy moving . . . to help the poor,” the President said.

The interview with the President was conducted on the occasion of the seventh founding anniversary of BizNews, the country’s biggest weekly news magazine.

The President said it’s extremely difficult to speculate on the full range and impact of the unprecedented financial debacle. But “what we can say is that we made tough decisions over the last seven years, and these decisions have borne fruit.”

These tough economic reforms, notably the expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), have made the Philippines more resilient to the blows of the current crisis, she pointed out.

But the government, the President added, must continue to beef up its programs and strategies to keep the economy on the move. “We are taking actions to keep the economy moving and also to make sure that the poorest of our poor have additional relief from the burdens they bear.”

Moreover, the government has adopted a contingency plan in the event the United States, the Philippines’ biggest trading partner, goes into recession, she said.

The President explained that the contingency plan, like those of other countries, is basically a stimulus package.

The stimulus package calls for massive infrastructure spending, emphasis on investments on agricultural production to ensure adequate food supply at affordable prices, and investments in energy. “At the end of the day, we want the private sector to continue to invest and they need infrastructure,” she said.

The President demurred when asked about what she considered her biggest achievement, saying, it’s all up to history to judge.

“What I can say is that during my presidency, we’ve been focused on reforming the economy, we’ve been focused on generating investments, we’ve been focused on creating new and better infrastructure, we’ve been focused on building a social safety net, especially in healthcare, education and bringing stability and peace to the country,” she added.


Brunei, Libya join Japan in decision to remain with IMT despite Malaysia's pullout

After Japan had confirmed its continued stay in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) on Mindanao, Brunei and Libya likewise made a similar decision, it was learned on Friday.

On Thursday, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, which leads the IMT's four-country contingents, announced it has opted to defer an extension beyond the Nov. 30 mandate. It has the biggest delegation of 12 soldiers.

Japan confirmed its presence until end of February next year, with its two members monitoring aid implementation.

The IMT monitors the implementation of truce agreements between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr. expressed "profound gratitude to Brunei, Libya and Japan for readily agreeing to extend their participation in the IMT so that the peace process will continue unabated until a genuine and lasting peace is achieved in Southern Philippines."

“We acknowledge the important role played by the IMT all these years to keep the peace process burning even in the most trying times,” added Esperon.

He said Malaysia’s decision to terminate its role in the IMT “will not deter us from seeking ways and means in pursuing the resumption of the stalled peace talks.”

Esperon stressed that the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is “fully committed” to attaining a lasting peaceful settlement to the Mindanao problem, saying: “We will not give up on peace.”

Talks with the MILF hit a snag last August following the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

Malaysia captained four of the seven years of GRP-MILF talks.

Esperon also welcomed Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr. Rais Yatim's declaration that Kuala Lumpur may reconsider its future participation in the IMT. DR. Rais said it would make a decision when it formally receives a request from both the GRP and the MILF.

For his part, AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano said the military appreciates the role of the Malaysians in the maintenance of peace and order in Mindanao.

“We appreciate the support of the IMT in our journey towards lasting peace in Mindanao. It has played a significant role in keeping the intensity of the conflict at a manageable level for four years.”

“If it is inevitable that the Team's tour of duty would be terminated, then we shall proceed with the local peace mechanisms that are in place and probably introduce more effective ways of resolving the conflict,” Yano also said.

Yano expressed belief that the “success of the peace process cannot solely be anchored on foreign involvement.”

“I have confidence in the capability of the Filipino people, despite its diversity in culture and belief, to reach an understanding that would finally bring lasting peace in Mindanao. A brand of peace that is founded on mutual respect and justice,” he said.

“The IMT withdrawal is a golden opportunity for the GRP and MILF to prove that peace talks can be restored and pursued even without what he called an international 'watchdog' or 'referee'". (PNA)


Gov't to infuse P44 billion in agri fund

Legazpi City -- By stirring up the rural economy and spurring agricultural production with a P44-billion fund infusion in the countryside, the government seeks to find refuge from the international recession.

This, according to Albay governor Jose Ma. Sarte Salceda, financial adviser of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Salceda, who was a former research head of a Swiss bank, said this "would be the biggest intervention of the government in response to the global economic crisis."

He said the government's stimulus in the countryside will be much bigger if the reinvigorated reforestation program pushes through with a P5-billion initiative next year to shield the country from global warming.

Salceda said all these initiatives are intended to create wealth and purchasing power in the countryside with assistance to the farmers and to produce cheap and abundant food for all once the effects of the world-wide financial meltdown start to set in after the first quarter of 2009.

Based on the 2009 proposed national budget, the Department of Agriculture has allotted P45 billion and the National Food Authority has a contingency provision for a P32-billion yearly loss, which increases the loss coverage from P8 billion with additional P24 billion.

Salceda said the incremental loss provision of P24 billion will go to farmers' assistance with P8.5 billion and to consumers' subsidy (for the poor) with P14.5 billion.

He said there will be more aggressive palay procurement next year, of which P17 billion is set aside to buy palay at P17 a kilo.

Salceda said P20 billion of the 2009 agriculture department's budget is for subsidy to food producers, of which P10 billion is for the so-called FIELDS program, which involves more infrastructure in irrigation, storage, farm-to-market roads, among other things. (w/MS Arguelles PIA, Albay)


Local Peace Mechanism In-Place Even As IMT Pullout-COS, Yano, AFP

“ We appreciate the support of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in our journey towards lasting peace in Mindanao.”

“ The IMT has played a significant role in keeping the intensity of the conflict at a manageable level for four years;”

“If it is inevitable that the IMT’s tour of duty would be terminated, then we shall proceed with the local peace mechanisms that are in place and probably introduce more effective ways of resolving the conflict; “

“The success of the peace process cannot solely be anchored on foreign involvement. I have confidence in the capability of the Filipino people, despite its diversity in culture and belief, to reach an understanding that would finally bring lasting peace in Mindanao. A brand of peace founded on mutual respect and justice.”

“The IMT withdrawal is a golden opportunity for the GRP and MILF to prove that peace talk can be restored and pursued even without an international ‘watchdog’ or referee’”.

“The sincerity, maturity and steadfastness to the peace process of both parties will be tested under a freer environment, i.e. without foreign intervention. “

“:The sovereign will of our people must be respected at all times”, said COS, Yano, AFP.


Task Force 211 Solves Latest Media Killing

Give credit where credit is due.

This time it is to the government. At 11 am today (Friday, November 28), the murder case of Arecio Jandag Padrigao, the hard-hitting radio commentator based in Gingoog Misamis Oriental who was shot to death on November 17, 2008 by two unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle in tandem, has been resolved.

After eleven days of persistent work, the law enforcement components of Task Force 211, the government body tasked to address extra-legal killings, were able to positively identify the suspects and charge them with the murder of Padrigao. The suspects were identified as Benjamin K. Palarca and Ariel M. Degamo. The charges were filed at 11 this morning at the Hall of Justice in Cagayan de Oro City.

Justice Undersecretary and Task Force 211 Chairman Ricardo R. Blancaflor, who is personally overseeing the filing of the case now in Cagayan de Oro, indeed proved his detractors wrong. Earlier this week, Blancaflor has been getting criticisms in the aftermath of this latest media killing. He, however, took all these as challenges. Believing that action and results will speak better than words, Blancaflor sent a team of prosecutors and investigators to Gingoog a few hours after the incident to oversee the investigation and expedite the case.

“The Task Force 211 would like to thank the team that successfully concluded this investigation and case build up. They include Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa, NBI Senior Investigator Marlou Baltazar, former NBI chemist Dr. Idabel Pagulayan, NBI Cagayan de Oro City, and other members of the investigation team for their efficient and thorough work”, Blancaflor said.

Undersecretary Blancaflor assured the local media in Cagayan de Oro City that the witnesses and victim’s family will be taken care of under the Freedom Press Fund, which the Office of the President gave to the Department of Justice for this purpose.

“Once again, Task Force 211 reiterates its commitment to all media practitioners that it will not hesitate to go after any media killer, whether here or abroad”, Blancaflor stressed.


Statement by the Public Affairs Office

ASEAN Secretariat, 27 November 2008 - Queries have surfaced as to whether the 14th ASEAN Summit will be held as originally scheduled in mid December in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, is currently on his way to clarify this matter with Thailand , which currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN. The ASEAN Secretariat would issue a statement once there is a definite clarification on this matter.


Gov’t Agencies Directed To Post Citizen's Charters-CSC Saludo

All government agencies nationwide should streamline and post the procedures for their most heavily utilized services not later than December 31, 2008. This was announced yesterday by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Streamlining and posting of procedures are only among the things government agencies are required to do under Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

"Red tape in government has long been a bane to development, " Saludo said, adding that the new law provides for the adoption of specific courses of action for all government agencies.

The CSC Chief added that the Anti-Red Tape Act promotes transparency of government frontline services and encourages public vigilance. It also helps weed out fixers.

Under R.A. 9485, agencies are also required to draw a Citizen's Charter. It should contain a step-by-step procedure of the agency's top 20 services, including the name of employee responsible for each step, the maximum time to conclude the process, documents to be presented by the client, amount of fees, procedure for filing complaints in relation to requests and applications, feedback mechanisms, among other information.

The Office of the President has issued Administrative Order No. 241-A to expedite implementation of the Act. The same directive has required agencies to "establish in their respective offices a public assistance and complaints desk and provide the public hotline number/s which should be purposely set up to effectively receive feedback and monitor customer satisfaction" also by December 31.

Congress passed R.A. 9485 last year; the CSC drew up the law's implementing rules and regulations which took effect September this year.