PIA Dispatch - Monday, January 5, 2009

PGMA presides Tuesday over 1st Cabinet meeting in 2009 in Iligan City

ILIGAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will once again bring the government, especially the central government, closer to the people, particularly in Northern Mindanao, as she presides over the first full Cabinet meeting for the new year on Tuesday at the Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House in Barangay Buru-un, Timoga, Iligan City.

On top of the agenda of the Cabinet meeting is the government's economic resiliency plan, specifically on the importance of putting in place vital infrastructures that are necessary for the country to weather the global economic crisis.

The President and her Cabinet will also tackle the government's comprehensive livelihood and emergency programs intended to assist the people cope with the effects of the global economic slowdown that has undeniably affected the local economy.

The Mindanao peace process, particularly the Social Integration Program for Returnees, is also one of the priority matters to be discussed in tomorrow's meeting.

This will include updates on the peace talks and development efforts as the achievement of a long-lasting peace in Mindanao remains one of the President's top priority.

At 6 p.m., the President will motor to the evacuation center at the Tubod Elementary School to visit some 700 families displaced by the Jan. 2 flashfloods that hit this city.

The cities of Ginoog and Cagayan Oro also suffered flashfloods triggered by heavy rains last Friday.


PGMA visits highland municipality of Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur

Zamboanga City -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has set a January 5 visit to Midsalip, said to rank 4th among the poorest towns in the country.

Midsalip Mayor Leonida Angcap said, "This is a very memorable event in the lives of all Midsalipnons, because she is the first president ever to set foot on our place. We are so glad and honored that she is coming over to visit us.

"The President is expected to arrive at the Ozamiz City Airport at 9:30 A. M. and ride a chopper to Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur. Welcoming her upon arrival will be Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles, Sominot Mayor Teodoro Acosta, Ramon Magsaysay Mayor Pacifico Bulahan, ZDS 1st District Congressman Victor J. Yu, ZDS 2nd District Congressman Antonio H. Cerilles, DPWH USEC Romeo Momo, WestMinCom Commander MGen Nelson Allaga, PRO9 C/Supt Angelo H. Sunglao, MWSS Director Ferdie Mahusay and other local officials.

Arroyo will then motor to Midsalip to conduct windshield inspection of a portion of 13-kms unpaved Ramon Magsaysay-Sominot-Midsalip provincial road.

She will visit San Jose Parish Church where Mayor Leonida Angcap will lead the reception party with San Jose Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Raymund Ugwu and Assistant Parish Priest James Kutal and the Catholic congregation.

The President will proceed to Josefina H. Cerilles State College grounds for the distribution of the following checks:

1. Php 1.5 Million for the rehabilitation of 2.2 kms. farm-to-market road Matalang to Pisompongan, Midsalip, ZDS – with a total project cost of Php 1.8 million (DA-ZIADP P1.5M/LGU counterpart – P300 T)

2. Php 250-Thousand each to four peoples organizations and turn-over of Certificate of Availability of Fund amounting to P1.5 M for the Mindanao Rural Development Program Adaptable Loan Program 2 (MRDP-APL2) under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component of P2.5 M to fund the livelihood sub-projects of 11 peoples organizations of Midsalip.

She will also hand a Certificate of Project turn-over to Mayor Angcap for the improvement of farm-to-market road for Purok 7 Sitio Lumangkon; Barangay Matalang-Midsalip also funded from DA-ZIADP.

Mayor Angcap said these projects will be a big boost to the economic upliftment of this remote town and will pave the way for more projects to be poured in by the national government.

From there, the President will proceed to Misamis Occidental. (PIA-Region 9)



PGMA orders asphalt-graveling of unpaved portions of Magsaysay-Sominot-Midsalip road

MIDSALIP, Zamboanga del Sur – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) today to immediately bid out the "asphalt-graveling" of the unpaved portions of the provincial road connecting the municipalities of Ramon Magsaysay, Sominot and Midsalip.

The paving of the three road sections will ensure fast, efficient and safe transport of farm produce from the three neighboring agricultural towns to the markets in Zamboanga del Sur.

The President announced her directive at the Josefina Herrera Cerilles State College here.

The President is on a four-day visit to six provinces in Western and Northern Mindanao, namely, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Bukidnon to personally look into the status of government infrastructure projects in the area, and as part of her administration's thrust to bring the government closer to the people.

In a brief statement to the thousands of residents and local officials who came out to greet her, the President said her order for the rehabilitation of the three road sections was her "New Year's" gift to the people of Zamboanga del Sur "on the first working day of 2009."

"Ang atong first activity sa atong bag-ong na tuig ang sa pag-un-an sa kalsada sa Midsalip, Sominot at Magsaysay alang sa inyong tanan. Daghang salamat at Happy New Year guihapon (Our first activity for this new year is the rehabilitation of the Midsalip, Sominot and Magsaysay farm-to-market road. Happy New Year to you all)!" the President said to the thunderous applause of the residents.

In a separate interview, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who accompanied the President on her visit here, said the DA would fast track the bidding for the road rehabilitation project with a total length of 11.9 kilometers.

"The President has ordered that the Department of Agriculture (DA) should bid this out immediately," Yap said.

He explained that the President wanted that the bidding for the asphalt-graveling project be held immediately because under the government’s auditing rules and regulations, no funds can be released unless the bidding process is completed and the winning bidder is determined.

"Kasi ang policy ng gobyerno ngayon, pag walang winning bidder, hindi magri-release ng SARO (Special Allotment Release Order) ang gobyerno because ang priority ngayon is to pump-prime the economy. So we have to bid out all the projects immediately, and pag nandun na yung winning bidder, release lang ng release ng SARO," Yap said.

In compliance with the President’s directive, all regional directors of the DA have been ordered to immediately bid out all irrigation and farm-to-market road projects in their respective areas of responsibility "because we have to pump-prime the economy."

"This is the only way to inoculate and protect the economy from the recession," Yap said, referring to the pump-priming program of the government.


PGMA mobilizes entire executive dept in move to address economic crunch

Malacañang has mobilized the entire executive branch of government to meet the challenges of the global economic crunch and ensure that Filipinos, especially the poorest of the poor, are somehow protected from the harsh impact of the crisis.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan this afternoon, said that for one, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had already allotted an additional P5 billion for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Ang buong government, nag-mobilize already before in preparation for this year (2009)” when the full impact of the economic debacle is expected to be felt, Dureza said.

“May directive na ang Pangulo (Arroyo) for implementation… All departments will take into account programs and projects that will generate employment.

“Even ang education, i-address natin for immediate use ng ating kabataan,” Dureza said.

He added that Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila “is confident that the underground economy will sustain modest gains in crisis kaya ngayon, mino-mobilize nila ang machinery para maka-embark on massive training and development programs on how to start a business.”

The how-to-start-a-business training will include instructions on “how to write financial statements para sa nawalan ng trabaho sa crisis.”

Dureza said that the prices of chicken, fish, transport and oil “have a tendency to go down, baka makatulong ito, maka-cushion sa hinaharap na problema.”

He also noted that the government’s programs to help wage earners include exemption from the withholding tax for those receiving P200,000 or less a year.

He said Malacañang is hoping that Congress will approve the 2009 budget as soon as possible to enable the government to immediately implement its program to pump-prime the economy.

“Ina-antay lang natin ma-approve ang 2009 budget. Duon nakasalang ang fiscal stimulus investment fund that will move fast-moving infra na wala masyado problema na kaagad ma-implement,” Dureza said.

“Yung Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT program), nag-laan ng additional P5 billion so DSWD can target more beneficiaries. Sisiguruhin natin ang pera na mapupunta sa poor and the vulnerable. The government machinery is now gearing up to face the problems that we may face in 2009,” he added.

Dureza pointed out that because the 2009 national budget has yet to be approved by Congress, “We may have to operate under a reenacted budget. But I am confident that Congress has its time. I hope they can move it expeditiously but let us leave it to Congress.”

“Nakalatag yun lahat pag-prepare ng 2009 budget. Nakalatag (for every) agency from the executive department – kung ano dapat gawin.

“Government must take the lead during the four quarters (of the year). It is normal… Government must take the lead and provide the stimulus for all these investments. This will perk up the economy,” he said.

Dureza said the administration hopes that “di tayo maapektuhan masyado,” by the global economic slowdown.

He said that the private sector, an “important partner” of government in economic development, will join the administration in meeting the challenges of the economic crunch.

He said Malacañang also welcomes the proposal for the holding of an executive-legislative job-generation summit.

“The main thrust is on getting the whole government under the President to address pangangailangan sa 2009. Part of this is the commitment for peace in Mindanao -- baka ito isa sa tutukan in the Cabinet meeting that will be held in Lanao del Sur – kasi para sa Pangulo, there is no alternative to peace.”


Gov't-SMC-Kuok food security project to launch in Davao del Norte

A food security program between the Arroyo government and the private sector involving corporate giants San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the Kuok Group will be launched soon in Davao del Norte, where 18,494 hectares of logged-over areas have been identified for upland agro-forestry development, as the initial phase of this billion-dollar venture dubbed “Feeding the Future.”

The launching in Davao del Norte of the first phase of this project, which will cover four of its municipalities, is part of the commitment of SMC and Kuok to invest up to $1 billion in one million hectares of land for agricultural production in support of President Arroyo’s food security agenda, according to Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation (PADCC) president Marriz Agbon.

Agbon, who also heads the Convergence Initiative Technical Secretariat of the “Feeding the Future” program, said the initiative will initially cover the municipalities of Kapalong with 3,246 hectares; San Isidro , 5,860 hectares; Talaingod, 7,860 hectares; and New Corella, 1,552 hectares, of a total project area of 18,494 hectares.

These areas covered by the joint project experience high rainfall throughout the year, with clay loam to sandy loam soil, thus making these combined areas an ideal site for plantation development, Agbon said.

“The subject areas are logged-over areas. These are classified as open or barren land,” Agbon said in his report to DA Secretary Arthur Yap. “The area is a potential site for upland Agro-forestry development.”

Raising the country’s food sufficiency and bringing food the table of every Filipino family have been the twin goals of President Arroyo since she delivered her very first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2001.

To meet such SONA commitments on raising farm productivity, especially at this time of a global food crunch, the President has called on the DA to promote corporate farming so private and state-run companies can provide for the food needs of their respective employees, and to support private sector-led agribusiness ventures such as this SMC-Kuok project.

In support of President Arroyo’s food security and sufficiency agenda, SMC and the Kuok group have committed to jointly develop one million hectares of lands to be pinpointed by the government as suitable for food production.

Agbon said that initially, the government has identified about 100,000 hectares as “Priority 1” areas in Luzon and Mindanao , and another 480,000 hectares of “Priority 2” areas for recommendation to San Miguel and Kuok.

Agbon said these initial areas for proposed farm investments by SMC and the Kuok Group include the Mountain Province , Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Saranggani.

The government will use the country’s existing community-based forestry management (CBFM) areas and the untenured areas identified by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the “Feeding our Future” project.

Some one million hectares classified as Priority 2 areas for development have been identified in the provinces of Isabela, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao Oriental, Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Sur, among others, Agbon said.

Another 220,000 hectares are classified as Priority 3 areas, he said, and can be found in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Agusan del Norte.

Agbon said food production under the “Feeding our Future” venture will cover grains and vegetables as well as meat and dairy products.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on this project was signed during the Global City event last year by SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang and Kuok Group chairman Roberto Kuok, and witnessed by President Arroyo, Yap and other government officials.

Under this MOU, SMC and the Kuok Group, which are identified as “cooperators” of the project, will provide the “financing, technical support and management for agricultural crop production” determined to be suitable for areas covered by the project, which will include, but will not be limited to, “irrigation, access roads and post-harvest investments.”

SMC and the Kuok Group will also purchase the farm produce in the covered areas at “guaranteed production off-take” terms through separate Procurement Agreements with the various agricultural producers that will be involved in the project.

The DA, for its part, will provide technical assistance to the project such as determining the suitable crops for planting in the identified areas and providing the appropriate agricultural extension services to the would-be farmer-beneficiaries. (DA-PRESS OFFICE)


BI posts all-time high P2-B income in 2008

MANILA, Jan. 5 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Monday it posted an income of more than P2 billion in 2008, the highest in its history.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said as of December 24, the bureau’s take stood at an all-time high of P2.085 billion.

Libanan said the take is P587 million or 39 percent more than BI’s target of P1.498 billion in 2008 and P373 million or 22-percent higher than the P1.7 billion the bureau earned in 2007.

“It was another record income for the bureau but, more importantly, it marked the first time that our earnings breached the two-billion-peso level since we joined the billionaires club of government agencies in 2002,” he said.

The BI chief said the figure is still tentative as he expects the amount to further increase by several million pesos after collection reports from the bureau’s field offices and subports in the provinces come in.

The BI’s income statistics showed the bureau’s yearly take has steadily increased since 2002, thus making the bureau one of the top revenue generating agencies of government.

It posted an income of P1.07 billion in 2002; P1.9 billion in 2003; P1.109 billion in 2004; P1.27 billion in 2005; and P1.468 billion in 2006.

Libanan declared that 2008 is definitely another banner year for the BI not only in terms of revenue collection but also in the matter of improving its services to the transacting public.

He noted that 2008 saw the launching of the visa-issuance-made-simple (VIMS) project which contributed to the sharp increase in revenues and bolstered the confidence of foreigners in the country’s immigration service.

Considered as Libanan’s flagship project, the VIMS reduced the processing time and requirements for visa applications at the BI by an average of 58 percent.

BI finance chief Elvira Presado said about P1.4 billion of the agency’s earnings last year was collected at the main office in Manila while the rest were remitted by the various BI field offices and subports nationwide.

Presado said the bureau’s take was highest in July when it collected more than P224 million and also in January when its take totaled P207 million.

She also bared that the bureau collected almost P40 million from the fees paid by foreigners who were issued their ACR I-Cards. (PNA)


Blancaflor: “I have nothing to hide”

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo R. Blancaflor said he is willing to undergo a lie detector or polygraph test and submit himself to any inquiry to clear his name.

“I challenge anyone who is dragging me into this controversy or insinuating that I have anything to do with the drugs case to undergo a polygraph test with me. I did not do anything wrong and I willingly submit myself to any form of investigation.”, Blancaflor stressed.

Blancaflor said he did not lift a finger during the investigation of the drugs case of suspects Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson. “I do not know these people, nor was I involved in any bribery involving their case.”, he added.

Blancaflor is known to many as a busy public official who, apart from being a Justice Undersecretary, is also involved in the government’s fight against human trafficking, terrorism, and extra-legal killings.

In the January 5 news article of Bulgar newspaper, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales himself admitted to Blancaflor’s being a “competent” undersecretary of the DOJ.

Citing the controversial phone call he made to PDEA, Blancaflor said he merely did what was expected of him as a public servant. He made a simple inquiry to PDEA to know about the status of the case. “In the same manner I also make calls to inquire on cases involving media killings, human trafficking, and terrorism”, Blancaflor added.

“My conscience is clear. I have nothing to hide. I challenge anyone to produce evidence that I was in any way involved in the dismissal of the case. And if anyone can do this, I will voluntarily resign”, Blancaflor asserted.


AFP Chief of Staff visits Marine troops in Basilan

(Isabela City, Basilan) - The Armed Forces of the Philiipines Chief of Staff General Alexander B Yano AFP visited the Marine troopers in Basilan yesterday at the headquarters of 1st Marine Brigade, Brgy Tabiawan in Isabela City as part of his Christmas and New Year’s visit to personally see and talk with the foot soldiers in combat areas.

Before coming here in Basilan, he first visited other Marine troops in Jolo, Sulu at about 9:30 in the morning. And at around 11:05 o’clock, Gen Yano arrived in Basilan, with a warm welcome headed by the Brigade Commander, Brig Gen. Rustico O Guerrero AFP.

Gen Yano also accompanied by the Philippine Marine Commandant, Major Gen Ben Dolorfino AFP; Maj Gen Pabustan AFP and other officers to include the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Commander, Commodore Alexander Pama AFP who earlier arrived at said brigade headquarters.

Maj Gen Dolorfino talked first with the marines extending his Christmas and new years greeting. He emphasized to them that Christmas is a time of sharing and giving.

“Everyday is Christmas to us soldiers by giving/sharing our services to the people” he said.

He also congratulated the Marines for a job well done last year not only in Civil Military Operations laudable accomplishments but likewise in combat operations wherein some fallen Marine heroes sacrificed their sole and precious lives for the sake of maintaining peace in Basilan.

Procurement of uniforms, equipment and additional clothing allowance was also announced by Maj Gen Dolorfino to include providing additional troops to further strengthen the combat capabilities of the Marines in Mindanao.

For his part Gen Yano also extended his warm greetings of Christmas and New Year to some 100 Marine soldiers during his visit. He lauded them for all their sacrifices and successful efforts in effectively confronting the different threats in Basilan. He also stressed that in spite of the many accomplishments in 2008, he challenged them to “do something more” this year 2009 to combat threat problems in the province.

According to him, “no real peace and development [is achieved] if the threat of terrorism and other lawless group continue to exist in certain areas like Basilan.”

He further emphasized “Team AFP” that whether Army, Navy/Marines or Air Force, there must be a solid and united AFP team work.

He also enjoined the Marines not to indulged, support or join in partisan politics, military adventurism and other activities to destroy the “Team AFP’s” unity and solid concept in order to accomplish its mandate to God, country and its people. (4CRG/PIA BASULTA)


Afrin Nicole Raveche Freed by her Captors

(Isabela City de Basilan) - Indeed, it was truly a joyful New Year’s Celebration for the family of Afrin Nicole Tejada Raveche since she was released by her kidnappers shortly before midnight on 31 December 08.

It could be recalled that the 9 year old girl was kidnapped last 26 November 08 at around 7:00 PM while playing in front of their house located at Flores St, Lamitan City.

She was turned-over by Brgy Captain Alki Asbi of Brgy Bulanting, Lamitan City to Major Renato Daracan, Executive Officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 around 11:35 PM. Nicole was given immediate medical check-up, and was subsequently turned-over to her parents on time to celebrate together the coming of the New Year at their residence.

She was released through the joint efforts of the local officials of Lamitan City led by Hon Mayor Roderick H Furigay and the constant pressure of the Marines and the PNP. Jocelyn T. Raveche (mother of Nicole) says that aside from the scratches and insect/mosquito bites on the girl’s arms and feet, she observed that Nicole has lost weight a lot.

The parents wish Nicole to undergo further medical check-up at the Camp Navarro General Hospital, Western Mindanao Command, Zamboanga City. The girl, together with her parents, were brought to Zamboanga City on board the speed boat of 1st Marine Brigade based at Brgy Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province on 02 January 09.

Brigadier General Guerrero, Commander of 1st Marine Brigade said that relentless military/ police operation designed to capture and put to jail the perpetrators of these kidnapping and other criminal activities in Basilan will be sustained. (CMO 1st Marine Brigade/PIA-BASULTA)