PIA Dispatch - Friday, January 2, 2009

PGMA: Let’s talk economics, not politics

MANSION HOUSE, Baguio City – “You know, I don’t want to talk about 2010 – that’s far away. I want to talk about what I’m doing, about what I have to do now.”

Thus said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in response to question posed by a member of the Baguio City media yesterday (Wednesday, Dec. 31) about her plans for 2010.

“Politics is not foremost in my mind. If I were always thinking about politics, I would not have been able to build all these roads in the Cordillera and all these (projects)... So let’s talk economics, not politics,” she said.

She stressed it was not mere luck that the Philippines is not one of the 30 countries that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified as in the grip of the global economic crisis.

Similarly, the Philippines is not also among the countries that have slipped into recession under the battering of the worldwide slowdown.

Foresight and careful planning has a lot to do with the country’s resiliency in the midst of the storm buffeting the global economy, the President said.

“As I said, we cannot predict what will happen in the future but we can plan. And, it was, you know, we were lucky this year but we worked hard to have that luck – we planned for it,” she added.

The President pointed out that last “October, I had presented to the business community a contingency plan. But that is no longer a contingency plan because two-thirds of the world is already in recession -- that is a resiliency plan.”

The contingency plan was unveiled during a meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) “and I have been asking him (NEDA Director-General Ralph Recto) to continue to propagate it.”

The plan, calls for, among others, the implementation of various infrastructure projects to serve as economic stimulus. “That’s why we want this 24/7 on Halsema Highway -- that’s part of our stimulus,” the President said.

“We want to have a lot of social services targeted for the poorest of the poor that’s why it is very important for the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) to identify who, indeed, are these poorest of the poor to avoid free riders,” she said.

Asked if the government would extend the “food chain” to Mt. Province, the President explained that “those are details and I don’t really work on details – I work on the strategic points.”

She stressed, though, that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap will work on the details of the aggie project even as she pointed out that the government cannot be faulted for lack of attention to the Cordilleras.

“I assure you that what is needed, we will work on them together. And, in fact, I would like to congratulate Mt. Province because it is no longer part of the 10 poorest provinces in our country through the people’s own work and also because of the assistance of the national government.”

The President also pointed out that Tom Killip, the Presidential Assistant for the Cordilleras, is a former mayor of Sagada, Mt. Province, “and so I am sure that he will work and will be making sure that he works with the national government, with the DA, on the needs of Sagada.”

Earlier Monday (Dec. 31), the President, together with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and their grandchildren, went spelunking in the famous caves of Sagada.


CARP a continuing project, only funding ended at yearend, says justice dep’t

The implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) will continue even if the allocation for the program lapsed as of the end of Dec. 31, 2008, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said.

In a memorandum to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dated Dec. 10, Gonzales explained that the implementation of CARL or RA 6657 will continue even after the end of the year 2008 and that it is only the funding source for the program as provided under Section 63 of RA 6657 as amended by RA 8532, which will terminate upon the end of the year.”

Gonzalez recommended the enactment of a new budget for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) “because RA 8532 provides for funding only up to the end of the year 2008.”

The DOJ issued its latest opinion on the CARL amidst moves in Congress to come up with a legislative measure extending the agrarian reform law.

“In effect, while the implementation of the program continues, the same can be hampered by the fact that funding therefore will expire by yearend. Hence, there is a need for appropriation of said funds from Congress,” he added.

In recommending the enactment of a new legislation to fund the CARP, Gonzalez cited the DOJ’s opinion 11 years ago in 1997 on the CARL’s schedule of implementation (Section 5, RA 6657).

A pertinent portion of the opinion stated: “It is believed that the ten-year period of implementation prescribed in the aforesaid Section 5 is merely directory in character.”

“It has been held that the difference between a mandatory and directory provision is often determined on grounds of expediency. And where a provision embodies a rule of procedure rather than one of substance, the provision as to time will be regarded as directory only notwithstanding the mandatory nature of the language used,” the DOJ opinion said.

The legal opinion added that the section cited only “prescribes a ten-year schedule of implementation to dramatize the urgency of the CARP which must be implemented immediately and completed, ideally, within the time frame prescribed by law.”

“It could not have been the intention of the law to prescribe a fixed and rigid period of ten years for the CARP. Such intention would have frustrated the policy and purpose of the law.

“The very essence of the CARP, which goes beyond the concepts of land acquisition and land distribution, does not justify a myopic view of Section 5. The policy of the law will be effectuated if the period prescribed in Section 5 is liberally construed,” the opinion continued.

“It bears emphasis that the ten-year period of implementation is only a time frame given to the DAR for the acquisition and distribution of public and private agricultural lands covered by RA No. 6657. It is a schedule to guide the DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) in setting its priorities, but it is not by any means a limitation of authority in the absence of more categorical language providing to that effect,” the 1997 DOJ opinion said.


DA backing Congressional okay of farm-friendly measures

The Department of Agriculture is backing the congressional approval of at least eight farm-friendly measures, including the proposed amendments to the Agri-Agra law that would help pump more loanable funds into the farm and fisheries sector, especially at this period of a global economic slowdown.

DA Secretary Arthur Yap expressed the hope that legislators would be able to pass these bills once Congress resumes session this year following its Dec. 20-Jan. 19 yearend recess.

Last year, the DA pushed for the approval of several agriculture-related measures, including the bill extending the life of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to 2015, which was passed last February.

“We are backing anew the congressional approval of amendments to the Agri-Agra Law, as well as six other measures meant to further modernize the agriculture sector, raise incomes for small farmers and fisherfolk, and ensure our nation’s food security and sufficiency in the long haul,” Yap said.

Amendments to the Agri-Agra Law, on the other hand, would help ease the rural credit squeeze, Yap said, by plugging loopholes that have allowed commercial banks to buy government securities in lieu of setting aside 10% of their loanable funds for agrarian reform as mandated by this law.

He said that the DA supports amendments to Presidential Decree 717, or the Agri-Agra Law, to free billions of pesos of funds available from commercial banking institutions to develop Philippine Agriculture and raise incomes for its small direct stakeholders.

These proposed amendments to the Agri-Agra Law seek to remove the provision in PD 717 allowing banks to invest in government securities as alternative compliance to the law, and specifies those who may have access to credit to ensure that small farmers and fisherfolk are given priority by financial institutions.

Yap welcomed earlier the approval of this measure by the House agriculture committee chaired by Rep. Abraham Kahlil Mitra.

Yap had lauded lawmakers last February for passing the bill extending ACEF, which he deemed critical to the attainment of the Department’s goal to help small farmers “move beyond primary agriculture” and into value-added, higher-earning enterprises.

Philippine agriculture got a much-needed infusion of P7.4 billion in extra funds in 2008 alone following President Arroyo’s signing of the law extending the ACEF”s lifespan to 2015.

The ACEF, Yap noted, is a key element in helping the DA significantly reduce postharvest losses that cut back on agricultural productivity and farm incomes.

He said the ACEF, which was created by virtue of Republic Act 8178, consists of all the duties collected from the importation of agricultural products under the minimum access volume (MAV) mechanism.

Under RA 8178, the Fund’s entire proceeds should be earmarked by Congress for irrigation, farm-to-market roads, postharvest facilities, credit, research and development, retraining, extension services and marketing infrastructure in the agriculture sector.

Yap said that besides the amendments to the Agri-Agra law, Congress should also pass pending bills restructuring the National Food Authority (NFA) and creating the Magna Carta for agricultural workers.

He is also urging Congress to immediately act on a long-pending legislative measure that will spell out a national land use policy to regulate the conversion of farmlands for non-food uses.

Pending legislative measures in both chambers of Congress—Senate Bill No. 76 filed by Senator Loren Legarda and House Bill 3175 authored by Rep. Antonio Cerilles---aim to categorize lands either for agricultural production, human settlements, infrastructure development or as protected areas.

Yap said the Department is also backing four more bills, namely those extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP); establishing a land use code; creating a Trade Representative Office to help unify the government’s fragmented approach to trade; and promoting a green Philippines . Before its yearend break, Congress had passed a joint resolution extending CARP for six months till June 2009 to give time for lawmakers to review the implementation of this program and study the proposed passage of a new CARP law.

The DA is supporting the financial and corporate restructuring of the NFA, he said, to help bankroll a multibillion-peso national grains highway that would further boost farm productivity, raise rural incomes and help the government achieve its food sufficiency goals in the medium term.

Yap said new funding for this agricultural logistics artery will be used in part to repair and upgrade non-functioning NFA warehouses nationwide for use by farmers in 2,000 rice-clustered areas and 1,000 corn-clustered areas across the country. (DA-PRESS OFFICE)


DOT urges preservation of World Heritage Sites

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has underscored the importance of protecting and preserving the country's sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

This was stated by Tourism Secretary Joseph 'Ace' Durano during the recently-concluded World Heritage Travel Expo at the Venetian Convention and Exhibition Center in Macau.

"We appeal to the people and tourists who visit, and the local communities, to take care of these sites. These are sources of our livelihood as much as they are wellsprings of our national pride. We also owe their preservation not only to our fellow Filipinos but to the world and our future generation," said Durano.

Durano extended his call to the other sectors, stressing: "We are also seeking help from schools, local government units and the basic unit of our society, the family, to enthuse our children in taking concrete steps to promote and give value to our heritage sites, as well as to our other tourism attractions.

"Five of the country's sites in the UNESCO World Heritage list include the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, and the Historic Town of Vigan.

The Baroque Churches made it to the list because of their European Baroque architectural style designed by Chinese and Filipino craftsmen.

Of the four churches located in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay, and Miag-ao, one was built by the Spanish in the late 16th century.

Next on the list is the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park which "is an example of a site that has derived great benefit from its World Heritage status," said Durano.

He said that alongside the worldwide attention, the Tubbataha Reef harnesses tourism receipts, impels preservation and entices involvement from the local community through its heritage site repute.

A testament to the country as island paradise, the next heritage site is another waterscape, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

The Subterranean Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. for Tourism Planning and Promotions said "it's good to note that Subterranean Park is No. 1 on the New 7 Wonders of Nature" ranking list.

"It stands out from the rest because it's a river that has strong tidal behaviors, due to its direct connection to the sea. It's also every conservationist's dream –- a river that seamlessly flows into a mountain and forest landscape forming a teeming habitat of biodiversity," said Jarque.

Another notable site is the Ifugao Rice Terraces, a landscape recognized for its unparalleled feats of history, environment, culture, engineering, and agri-ecosystem.

The Rice Terraces is a 2,000-year-old enduring art form and scientific design built by hand and simple tools.

"One of the distinctive monuments to the genius of our ancestors, the Rice Terraces has already been declared as an endangered heritage, which all the more spurs our concern and support," said Jarque.

Also up North is the historic town of Vigan which is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.

Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in Asia.

The UNESCO attributes the inclusion of Vigan to its unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning, and its exceptionally intact and well preserved concept of a European trading town in Asia. (PNA)


PGMA to D.A.: Turn over Maharlika Livelihood Center to Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City government yesterday (Dec. 31, Thursday) received a wished-for New Year’s Eve gift from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when the Chief Executive ordered the turn-over by March 2009 to the city government of the Maharlika Livelihood Center (MLC) at the foot of Session Road.

The shopping center at the center of Baguio’s central business district -- simply dubbed here as “Maharlika” – is presently under the Livelihood Corporation (LiveCor), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Formerly owned by the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements (MHS), the shopping center shaped like a giant Ifugao hut east of the Baguio Public Market “is not really doing anything (for agriculture),” President Arroyo observed as she ordered the DA to start the paper work of the transfer of ownership of the exotic building to Baguio City by March.

The President issued the directive to the DA during her local media interview at the guesthouse gazebo of the Mansion House which was attended by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Presidential Assistant for the Cordillera Tom Killip, Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan, Baguio City Mayor Peter Rey Bautista, Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia and Agriculture Asst. Secretary Doy Salacup, among other government officials.

“Work on that (the transfer of ownership of the Maharlika Center) because it is not doing anything. I think we can make that in time for our March visit here,” the President directed DA ASec Salacup.

“The Maharlika is the one that belongs to DA? To LiveCor? So Doy Salacup, I hope you work on that because it is not doing anything… I think we can make that (Maharlika transfer of ownership and management) in time for our March visit here.”

The President made the directive when asked if she had any “special gift” for Baguio which is celebrating its centennial on Sept. 1, Baguio Charter Day.

“I have been helping Baguio for many, many years. Just to mention a few, the road to Asin (hot spring), and some other roads that Congressman (Mauricio) Domogan would be more familiar with because for most of them, he made the request,” the President recalled.

“One special gift I gave to Baguio City is I devolved the Burnham Park . And I think it is doing quite well now under the management of the city,” she added.

The President issued the executive order devolving Burnham Park to the city during the first week of January 2008. The city’s central park, which the city had originally owned, was placed under the Ministry of Tourism during the Marcos years.

The President also revealed during the interview that she had ordered the holding of a historical exhibit and an open house of the Mansion House which itself turned 100 in 2008.

Baguio City Mayor Bautista said the city is hoping to finally own and manage the Maharlika Livelihood Center , the Convention Center and Session Road in time for its centennial as a chartered city this September.


DA to strengthen national veggie program in 300 GK sites

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening the implementation of its national vegetable program in some 300 housing sites of Gawad Kalinga in line with government efforts to ensure food security and generate additional livelihood opportunities for low-income families.

DA Secretary Arthur Yap said these sites will be used as research extension centers that will encourage Filipino families to engage in backyard-based vegetable farming as a source of food and nutrition and as an income-generating activity.

Yap, who has been an active participant in GK projects since he was administrator of the National Food Authority in 2002, said the support of private sector groups such as Gawad Kalinga is crucial in helping government achieve President Arroyo’s goal of providing food on the table of every Filipino family.

“The DA can start with the first 300 Gawad Kalinga sites,” Yap said during a GK event last year at the Fort Bonifacio complex in Taguig. “We have 60 research centers, while the LGUs (local government units) have their own sites. What we had to do is to bring technology and basic food production to the ground with partners, because the national government cannot do it alone.”

Yap said strengthening the government’s national vegetable program will hopefully help raise the per-capita commodity consumption from 30 kilos to 76 kilos a year.

He said that under this DA-GK joint program to promote vegetable farming, the Department will provide the seeds, technology and greenhouses, as well as help establish market linkages to the Gawad Kalinga sites to provide additional income for families living in these areas.

GK is best known for the houses it has built for the poorest of the poor across the country.

The GK currently has 777 sites, of which 77 are field sites of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA).

The proponents of the DA-GK project have recently explored the possibility of including livestock raising, backyard fish ponds, fruit-bearing trees, medicinal plants, waste segregation, water systems and training and technology transfer in this initiative.

The GK and DA agreed to initially concentrate on promoting food self-sufficiency through the DA slogan “Tanim Mo, Pagkain Mo” [“Your Plant, Your Food”] and GK’s slogan “No Idle Land, No Idle Hand.”

The program would be carried out using the idle lots measuring about 10-15 square meters each between the GK houses.

At an average of 40 families for each of the 1,200 GK villages and five persons per family, 240,000 GK residents will be able to provide for their own nutritional needs, according to GK data.
For every GK village, a food security point person will be designated who will team up with the appropriate counterpart point persons from the DA, LGUs, and the nearby state university or college that can help provide training and technology transfer to guarantee the success of the program. (DA-PRESS OFFICE)


Thousands protest against CPP

(Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte) – Thousands of people gathered in different venues in two separate towns last December 26 2008, to demonstrate against the Communist Party of the Philippines on its 40th founding anniversary tainted by four decades of violence, exploitation and deception of the masses and the poor peasants in the countryside.

The two rallies, which were organized by anti-communist organizations Kapayapaan Ay Wastong Adhikain sa Lipunan (KAWAL) and the National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) in coordination with local government units, and other non-government organizations, were held in the morning at Clarin Municipality, Misamis Occidental and in the afternoon at Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

In Clarin Municipality, the rally began with a 6-kilometer motorcade from Ozamis City to the gymnasium of Clarin Municipality while in the rally in Dipolog also started with a motorcade from Plaza Avenue and around six major streets of the city.

The rallies are demonstrations of the people’s disgust against what they term as “manipulative propaganda” of militant groups linked to the communist terrorist movement. Hundreds more joined those who motorcade at the two rally sites.

A program was held at each venue to let the people express their outrage towards the CPP which is the brain of the communist terrorist movement in the country.

Most of the demonstrators were members of the KAWAL and NAD coming from different municipalities like Tambulig, Mahayag, Molave, Dumingag, Tukuran, Ozamis City, Ramon Magsaysay, Oroquieta City and provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental.

This was the second time NAD and KAWAL tandem to spearhead an indignation rally to condemn atrocities committed by the communist terrorist movement that have “besieged development and progress of some municipalities in the province. The local government of Ozamis City, Clarin Municipality and Dipolog City led by their respective mayors were in full support of the rally which also aims to raise public awareness on the ulterior motives of communist movement.

Rally organizers, KAWAL Secretary General Rudy Camacho and NAD National Secretary General Roel B Dago-oc, said that the success of the rallies at the two venues only demonstrate the aversion and the growing disgust of the people towards the CPP-NPA-NDF. “The people are sick and tired of the deception of communist terrorist and their legal fronts. This legal fronts use deception to fool the masses and make the them believe that these groups are fighting for their cause when in fact all they want to advance are their own agenda.

During the rally, former members of legal fronts and NPA rebel returnees as well as other resource speakers shared their testimonies and revelations as to their experience with the communist movement before a mammoth crowd of rallyist.

Former NPA member Paul Coloma revealed the gruesome abuses perpetrated by NPA rebels in the name of their leaders who are lavishing in abroad with their plunders while rebel members suffer in the mountains.

He also disclosed that leftist organizations also served as their legal fronts in urban areas to recruit members and organized mass support against the government.

On the other hand, former student activist leader John Rivera, for his part, said that if the public continues to be blind against the propaganda and deception of legal fronts, the country will continue to suffer from poverty and violence since it is the only way the communist terrorist deceptive strategy can work.

Mayor Reynaldo Parojino of Ozamis City, Mayor David Navarro of Clarin Municipality and Mayor Evelyn Uy of Dipolog City lauded the KAWAL and NAD as well as the other people involved in the activity for coming up with the peaceful rallies. The local officials underscored the need of the public to participate in activities that empowers the masses to stand up against the exploitation and manipulation of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Furthermore, Major Gamal S Hayudini, Group Commander of the 4th Civil Relations Group, who was invited to witness the activity, acknowledged the effort of KAWAL and NAD in helping promote peace and development. He encouraged other organizations to also get involve in the advocacy and conduct similar activities.

Major Hayudini added that “it has always been our pleasure to serve and support the people who need our services since the military exists to protect the people.”

Finally, to keep the rally peaceful and in order, the organizers also invited the 101st Brigade and 1st CMOU of the 1st Infantry Division and local policemen to provide security for the activity. (Press Release by 4th CRG,CRSAFP)



Commentary: CPP: Celebrating 40 Years of Continuous Denial of A Better Way of Life for Every Filipino
By Col Daniel A Lucero, PA

As the CPP celebrates its 40th founding anniversary, it highlights as it always does, its propaganda that it is fighting to achieve an equitable society through a democratic political system for the Filipino Nation. Just like any insurgent group, the CPP, with its armed component, the New People’s Army (NPA) and its mass base organizer, the National Democratic Front (NDF), continues to promise anything to advance its political cause without any obligation and responsibility to prove it.

It still uses the usual deceptive measures such as lying, cheating and exaggerating hoping that these can undermine the government’s credibility and press forward its political and social ambitions.

A case in point of this observation is the recent condemnation against the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion based in Aurora Province which is another clear media trick initiated by the NDF, and supported by the proposal of the Multi-Sectoral Action Group of Aurora submitted to the Commission of Human Rights for the closure of the battalion’s camps in Aurora.

It speaks well of the NDF’s influence over an unsuspecting non-government organization.

The Philippine Army has been positively receptive of any criticism from the public hoping that this can improve the delivery of its sworn security contract with the Filipino Nation.

However, any request for a pullout of an army’s encampment is seen rather as a move of a local terrorist group to get rid of a hindrance to the achievement of its political aims.

Today, Aurora Province is the only remaining CPP/NPA/NDF’s sanctuary in Central Luzon, after nine (9) guerrilla fronts have been dismantled in this year alone.

As an added setback, in September of this year, four NPA members namely; Carlos Hurial, Ton-Ton Mijares, Orlando Aimboyutan and Jessie Garcia decided to turn their backs against the terrorist group in Aurora and surrendered five firearms to the government forces. Carlos Mijares even killed four of his comrades when they tried to stop him from joining the cause of the government and even took two M-16 rifles when he fled.

The story mentioned above is just one of the many stories of failure of the CPP/NPA/NDF. The group has continuously denied every Filipino of achieving a better life. It has continuously ignored the fact that there are still citizens and groups in our nation which only support them because of fear and reprisal.

The CPP/NPA/NDF then has nothing to celebrate. (4CRG-AFP/PIA-BASULTA)