PIA Dispatch - Sunday, January 25, 2009

PGMA to assess progress of construction of Sta. Lucia High School building in Pasig City

Almost a year after she broke ground for the new Sta. Lucia High School building in Pasig City, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returns to the site tomorrow (Monday) to assess the progress of the construction of the project.

It may be recalled that President Arroyo broke ground and laid the time-capsule for the four-storey,16-classroom school building for the 3,989-strong student population of Sta. Lucia High School on Feb. 2, 2008.

The school building is part of the 10,000 classrooms that the President promised to build when she addressed the First Biennial Education Congress on Jan. 31, 2008. She said the structure would be completed in 2009.

The P37-million construction cost of the school building was sourced from the 2007 and 2008 General Appropriations Acts. The project is scheduled to be completed in March 2009.

The President will be welcomed at the school campus by Sta. Lucia High School Principal Virginia Membrebe, Sta. Lucia Barangay Chairman Johnny Ilagan, DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani, and Public Works Undersecretary Ramon Aquino.

Membrebe expressed elation over the President's scheduled visit, saying she and the whole teacher-student population of Sta. Lucia are "overwhelmed" by the prospect of again having the President as their guest.

"We feel very important that the President has time to visit us despite the uncompleted school building," Membrebe said.

Based on the project profile submitted by the DPWH, only 10 percent of the school building remains unfinished.

Membrebe said that once the project is completed, the entire student population will immediately hold classes in the new school building.

"When the school building is completed, students will only have to come to school in the morning and go home in the afternoon as night classes will cease. This will translate to a more efficient teacher-student learning process as classes will be held during normal working hours," she said.

The school principal added that she expects the number of student-enrollees to increase next school year as more students from nearby towns, particularly Cainta, will find the learning atmosphere in Sta. Lucia High School more conducive with the addition of the new school building.


President takes govt-church program for marginalized sector to Pasig Monday

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo takes to Pasig City tomorrow (Monday) the government-church undertaking to extend livelihood, scholarships and other social services to the marginalized residents of Barangay Rosario.
The pro-poor program, which was crafted in partnership with the Church, was launched by the President during a visit to the Don Bosco Parish in Barrio Magsaysay in Tondo, Manila last Jan. 16.

The President will be welcomed by Msgr. Cesar Pagulayan, Sto. Rosario de Pasig parish priest; Caritas Manila Executive Director Fr. Anton Pascual, Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio, Pasig Lone District Representative Roman Romulo, Sto. Rosario Barangay Chairman Aquilino dela Cruz Jr., and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Deputy Director-General Roger Peyuan.

Upon her arrival in Barangay Rosario, the President will preside over a feeding program for malnourished children in the barangay. She will also award Pangulong Gloria Scholarship and Livelihood Program Microfinance Assistance Membership certificates to poor but deserving residents.

The President will take a brief tour of the different stalls in the parish selling different livelihood products and the Bigasan sa Parokya projects. She is also expected to see for herself the medical and dental mission under the Office of the President administer to the medical and dental needs of the poor in the area.

Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director-General Cerge Romonde lauded this afternoon the cooperation between church and government in the pro-poor program, saying the common effort showed the unity between the two Filipino institutions in helping the poor.

"Because nagkaka-isa ang pamahalaan at simbahan sa pagbigay ng preferential options sa mga mahihirap, nagkaka-sundo ang karamihan ng mga Obispo at ng ating Pangulo sa layuning i-angat ang kabuhayan ng mga mahihirap ay magtutulungan ang pamahalaan at ang simbahan," Remonde said in a radio interview.

He added that the government-church program forms part of the many pro-poor collaborative projects of the government and other "faith-based" organizations such as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), micro-finance livelihood and housing, which are designed for the welfare of the marginalized and highly vulnerable sector of society, the poorest of the poor.

"Itong mga programang ito ay lalong pina-iigting ng simbahan at pamahalaan lalo na sa hinaharap nating krisis ekonomiya pang-daigdigan sa ngayon," Remonde said.


Govt looking for new job opportunities here and abroad for Filipino workers

Malacañang said today the government is stepping up the search for new job opportunities here and abroad for Filipino workers to mitigate the impact of the global economic meltdown on the country’s workforce.

Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director-General Cerge Remonde said in an interview this afternoon over Radyo ng Bayan that tapping job markets abroad is a priority item of the agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she attends the 2009 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland late this month.

On Feb. 1, Remonde will replace Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza who will assume the post of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

“As always, the President is doing everything that she can for our countrymen and country, especially in view of the possible dislocation of workers here and abroad,” said Remonde.

He explained that the President had long anticipated the world economic debacle, and had laid down policies and programs to address its possible adverse effects on the Philippines.

“Na-anticipate na ng Pangulo yan so she has laid down policies and programs .. to address them,” Remonde.

As an initial move, the President called for the immediate employment in the country of the jobless and out-of-school youth under the administration’s Emergency Livelihood Employment Program.

Cabinet secretaries have been assigned to oversee the implementation of the employment program in specific regions of the country.

“Bawat isang miyembro ng Cabinet, naka-assign sa isang probinsya… (Each member of the Cabinet is assigned to a province, or region…) to help and assist our countrymen in this time of crisis,” Remonde explained.

The PMS chief said that aside from expanding local employment opportunities through such government projects as the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, school buildings and hospitals, the President is also looking for job openings for Filipinos workers in “new job markets abroad.”

The President is doing this “with the end in view of improving the livelihood of poor Filipinos),” he added.

Remonde pointed out that through the administration’s efforts, displaced Filipino workers here and abroad are expected to find new jobs.

The 5,000 Filipino expatriate workers displaced in Taiwan, for instance, could easily find jobs in the Middle East where 50,000 jobs are waiting for them, said Remonde.

Additionally, President Arroyo had instructed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to set aside adequate funds to be loaned out to dislocated expatriate workers as emergency capital for livelihood projects pending their re-deployment to foreign countries, he said.

“Karamihan diyan (dislocated expatriate workers), ma-redeploy sa ibang bansa. This is the reason why the President had also visited the Middle East, New Zealand and Australia within the past two years to create new overseas job markets,” Remonde added.

The PMS chief explained that the government is now consolidating the funding requirement of the emergency employment projects being implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other executive departments.

“Our President is doing everything that she can for the good of our country and our people while the opposition is doing their best to attack the President. She does not mind as it is part of democracy,” said Remonde.


PAO achievement report bolsters PGMA’s agenda for social justice and human rights

A total of 81,966 inmates have been acquitted and released from jail nationwide by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), further bolstering President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s agenda for social justice and respect for human rights.

In her executive summary of the PAO 2008 Accomplishment Report submitted recently to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta said that out of the 4,839,888 prisoners assisted by PAO, 81,966 of them were acquitted and released.

It will be recalled that Malacañang had earlier cited the PAO for its role in upholding human rights, notably that of women and children in conflict with the law (CICL).

About 30,035 cases of inmates have been provisionally dismissed and 12,830 cases were permanently dismissed.

Of the 80,698 cases involving women clients, the report said about 24,994 were terminated in favor of them.

Of the 17,665 CICL cases, 4,942 terminated cases were favorable to minor offenders. There were 7,378 terminated cases involving CICLs, courtesy of PAO.

Out of the 199,113 terminated criminal cases, 147,583 or about 74 percent favorable dispositions were obtained by PAO through indigent clients.

An average of 4,614 clients are assisted by each PAO lawyer who handles an average of 636 cases.

A total of 9,818 inmates were released through the national jail and decongestion program; while the PAO’s free legal, medical, optical and dental mission had a total of 24,434 beneficiaries.

Among the cases with national significance which Acosta personally handled were the 74 civil cases filed against Sulpicio Lines executives in Manila and Cebu relative to the MV Princess of the Stars maritime tragedy, and legal assistance to 72-year old Elena de La Paz in the murder of her friend showbiz icon Nida Blanca, the hearings for the 130 MILF suspected beheaders of 10 Marines, release by petition for Habeas Corpus of six babies detained at the Chinese General Hospital for unpaid hospital bills, and the release from jail of convicted priest killer Norberto Manero Jr.

PAO lawyers are also reaping the fruits of the PAO law or Republic Act 9406 which Acosta helped craft. It took effect on April 15, 2007 after President Arroyo signed it on March 23 of the same year.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for RA 9406 were inked by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr and Acosta last July 14, 2008 to further enhance the dictum of equal access to justice of the oppressed and the poor.


PGMA to honor outstanding PNP officers and support units

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will present awards to outstanding officers and support units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during its 18th anniversary celebration on Monday (Jan. 26).

The President, as the guest of honor and speaker during the occasion, will deliver a message on Monday morning at the PNP multi-purpose center in Camp Crame, Quezon City where the ceremony will be held.

Among those who will welcome the President are top officials led by Interior and Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno and PNP Director- General Jesus Versoza.

Leading the awardees is rookie cop PO1 Carl Marc Jopillo who will receive the coveted Medalya ng Katapangan award for his bravery and heroism in defending the Libertad, Negros Oriental municipal police station against heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels last Nov. 2.

To be posthumously awarded is PO2 Allan Ruiz for making the ultimate sacrifice during an encounter with a notorious gang leader in Compostela Valley last Dec. 12.

The Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Asal would be received by Barangay Captain Anastacio delos Santos for single-handedly defending his family and community against 10 NPAs who attacked his residence in Cagayan last Dec. 15.

The President would also bestow the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod to P/Chief Supt. Luisito Palmera and PO2 Jay Macutay for their commendable and invaluable service in the conduct of the search, rescue and retrieval operations in the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars and M/B Maejan last Dec. 14.

The Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Gawa goes to P/Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac, P/Chief Supt. Constante Azares, and Sr. Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag.

Others who performed best in 2008 are the PNP Headquarters Support Unit as Best National Administrative Support Unit; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as Best National Operational Support Unit; Quezon City Police District as Best NCRPO District Police Office; Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office as Best Provincial Police Office of the Year; Davao City Police Office as Best City Police Office of the Year; Pagadian City Police Station as Best City Police Station of the Year; Marikina City Police Station as Best NCRPO City Police Station of the Year; Ayungon Municipal Police Station in Negros Oriental as Best Municipal Police Station of the Year;

Regional Mobile Group-Cordillera as Best Regional Mobile Group of the Year; 201st Provincial Mobile Group Cagayan as Best Provincial Mobile Group of the Year; Police Regional Office 3 as Best Police Regional Office Women and Children Protection Center of the Year; Davao del Norte PPO as Best Police Provincial Office Women and Children Protection Center of the Year; Legazpi City Police Station as Best Urban Women and Children Protection Center of the Year; and Cabiao Municipal Police Station in Nueva Ecija as Best Rural Women and Children Protection Center of the Year.

Last Sept. 22, the President appointed Verzosa as the chief of the 125,000-strong police organization with marching orders to free streets of crime and help bring lasting peace in Mindanao.

Versoza said the PNP has initiated reforms and improved its capabilities to better address the needs of its personnel and respond to the concerns of the community.

For 2008, Versoza reported that the PNP ranked as the 6th best performing government agency and achieved a high 49 percent approval rating, according to various surveys.

The PNP was established on Dec. 13, 1990 through Republic Act No. 6975 and was activated on Jan. 29, 1991 under a reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Foremost among the PNP’s missions are to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community.


PGMA to assess progress of construction of Sta. Lucia High School building in Pasig City

Almost a year after she broke ground for the new Sta. Lucia High School building in Pasig City, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returns to the site tomorrow (Monday) to assess the progress of the project.

It may be recalled that President Arroyo broke ground and laid the time-capsule for the four-storey,16-classroom school building for the 3,989-strong student population of Sta. Lucia High School on Feb. 2, 2008.

The school building is part of the 10,000 classrooms that the President promised to build when she addressed the First Biennial Education Congress on Jan. 31, 2008. She said the structure would be completed in 2009.

The P37-million construction cost of the school building was sourced from the 2007 and 2008 General Appropriations Acts. The project is scheduled to be completed in March 2009.

The President will be welcomed at the school campus by Sta. Lucia High School Principal Virginia Membrebe, Sta. Lucia Barangay Chairman Johnny Ilagan, DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani, and Public Works Undersecretary Ramon Aquino.

Membrebe expressed elation over the President's scheduled visit, saying she and the whole teacher-student population of Sta. Lucia are "overwhelmed" by the prospect of again having the President as their guest.

"We feel very important that the President has time to visit us despite the uncompleted school building," Membrebe said.

Based on the project profile submitted by the DPWH, only 10 percent of the school building remains unfinished.

Membrebe said that once the project is completed, the entire student population will immediately hold classes in the new school building.

"When the school building is completed, students will only have to come to school in th morning and go home in the afternoon as night classes will cease. This will translate to a more efficient teacher-student learning process as classes will be held during normal working hours," she said.

The school principal added that she expects the number of student-enrollees to increase next school year as more students from nearby towns, particularly Cainta, will find the learning atmosphere in Sta. Lucia High School more conducive with the addition of the new school building.


Dureza bewails opposition's 'militarization' tag on PGMA govt

Their loyalty to the country, patriotism and talent have been tested under rigorous conditions, it’s unfair of administration critics to sneer at former high-ranking military and police officers who join the civilian government.

Thus, said Press Secretary Jesus Dureza in response to charges by certain opposition leaders that the government is being “militarized” with the appointment of retired generals to key government posts.

The new round of “militarization” claims stemmed from the forthcoming appointment of former Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Avelino Razon as Presidential Assistant for the Peace Process, and retired Vice Admiral Tirso Danga as director of the National Printing Office (NSO).

Esperon will replace PMS Director-General Cerge Remonde, who will assume the post of press secretary vice Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, who will be named Chief Presidential Legal Adviser starting Feb. 1.

Razon will replace Esperon as Presidential Assistant for the Peace Process.

In defending President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to appoint retired generals to top government posts, Dureza said that the former high-ranking armed forces and police officers have already "transitioned into civilian life" after officially retiring from the service.

“They have served their country well as soldiers, people should not begrudge them for their willingness to continue serving the nation but in their civilian life,” Dureza said, referring to the retired generals.

"Huwag naman nating (maliitin) yung kanilang (appointed retired generals’) kakayahan sa sinasabing militarisasyon dahil after they have retired from the service (AFP and PNP), they have already shifted and transitioned into civilian life and yung talent na nakuha nila while in the service, kailangan siguro nating mai-harness din," Dureza said.

"They are actually patriots. They have done their share kaya ‘wag naman siguro ipagkait ng iba na yung talent, loyalty and patriotism ng mga kasundaluhan natin, na makapag-serbisyo naman sila sa bansa through their President," he added.

Dureza said he did not see the logic of the opposition's criticism of President Arroyo’s appointing former generals to her Cabinet when the people voted one to the Presidency not so long ago.

"Let's not take it against the military, yung sinasabing militarization, dahil we had a military president who was chosen by the people – si FVR," Dureza said, referring to former President Fidel V. Ramos who was elected President in 1992.

He added that some senators and congressmen have also come from the ranks of the military.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Panfilo Lacson, to mention only two, were former chief of staff of the AFP, and chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), respectively, before being elected as senators.