PIA Dispatch - Wednesday, January 21, 2009

State, Church to assist flashflood victims resume their normal lives – PGMA

CAGAYAN DE ORO -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed today to extend all possible assistance to the flashflood victims in this city so they can go back to their normal lives.

“The church and state are in close collaboration to uplift the lives of the poor,'' the President said to a cheering crowd of some 1,000 flashflood victims who trooped to the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish church, where the President personally supervised the delivery of basic social services to the city's flashflood victims.

The government and the church have recently teamed up to ensure the delivery of the basic needs to the less fortunate all over the country. The Cagayan de Oro event was the first of this continuing government-church collaboration to uplift the lives of the poor carried out outside Metro Manila.

The government assistance program was launched last Friday in Don Bosco, Tondo and similar activities were conducted in Malibay, Pasay City and Project 7 in Quezon City this week.

Upon arrival at Mt. Carmel Parish church in Cagayan de Oro City, the President led the feeding program for 100 school children, ages 6 to 10, of the West City Central Elementary School whose families were displaced by the recent flooding.

The children were served chicken noodle soup with carrots, fruit juice drinks and vitamin A-fortified pandesal.

After the feeding activity, the President led the distribution of 2,000 family packs to the flashflood victims who were pre-identified by the parish.

The President also awarded TESDA scholarship certificates to out-of-school-youth to enable them to undergo job training activities.

''Let us pray for one another,'' the President said as she expressed her sympathy to the flood victims.

A medical mission spearheaded by the Office of the President-People's Government Mobile Action Team offered free medical services to residents of the sick in the community.


Northern Mindanao stands to benefit from PGMA's P815-M road project in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -The farming communities in the five provinces and two cities in Region 10 or Northern Mindanao stand to greatly benefit from the P815-M Cagayan de Oro 3rd Bridge and Access Road project, a priority infrastructure project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Northern Mindanao whose economy is mainly agricultural-based is composed of the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

The President, who arrived here this morning, inspected the Puntod-Kauswagan section of the said P815-million road project.

She was given a briefing on the progress done on the project by Department of Public Works and Highways Region 10 Director Jerome de la Rosa and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula.

The road project, when completed will be the alternate route entry in the west and east. It is also expected to reduce vehicular traffic especially along the major highway leading to the Port of Cagayan de Oro, thereby enhancing socio-economic activities in the area.

Thus, agricultural produce from Northern Mindanao, and nearby provinces, can now be transported much faster and more efficient to the Visayas and even Luzon.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has so far accomplished 89.46 percent of the programmed works for the bridge project that links the city port road in barangay Puntod to the national highway in Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The project involves the construction of a 352-linear-meter long, four-lane pre-stressed concrete bridge with 11 spans; and the concreting of 8.46 kilometers of a four-lane road pavement along the coastal route.


Statement of Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza

I feel greatly privileged and honored to be chosen by Her Excellency the President as her Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

Being the President’s legal adviser will bring me new challenges and fresh work perspectives. This will be an enriching experience for me.

My stint as Press Secretary for seven months allowed me to revisit my first career as a journalist. It gave me a chance to work closely with my former colleagues in the media as well as new media acquaintances along the way. I thank the different units of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) and the Malacanang Press Corps (MPC) for the support they have given me as Press Secretary.

As Palace Lawyer, I will be working in a field where I have also devoted many of my fruitful years – as law practitioner and in the government. In this new assignment, I will continue to connect with the press and the public.

I thank Her Excellency, the President , for her trust and confidence.


PGMA follows up her directives on rehab of infra projects damaged by floods

CAGAYAN de ORO CITY - Two weeks after she presided over the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCCs) of Regions 10 and 13 in Mambajao, Camiguin, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is back in this city to follow-up her directives on the immediate rehabilitation of flood-damaged infrastructure facilities and the relocation of the flood victims, specifically in Region 10 or Northern Mindanao.

''What has been done?'' the President asked officials of RDCC-10.

She also reiterated her order to rehabilitate damaged government infrastructure facilities, reforest denuded areas and relocate the displaced flood victims.

''We must now go for massive reforestation,'' the President said.

She said that Secretary Romulo Neri, who is in-charge of emergency employment for Region 10, will be arriving this afternoon to discuss plans for the employment of indigenous people in the reforestation program.

The President also followed up her directive for the relocation of residents in flood-prone areas, especially Isla de Oro and Isla Bacsan in this city.

She instructed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct skills training for the affected families.

She also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately start the dredging of the heavily-silted Mandulog River and the mouth of the Cagayan de Oro River.

''Our priority is dredging of the mouth of Cagayan de Oro River and relocation,'' she said.

The President underscored the need for a geological hazard assessment of the relocation sites.

During the meeting, the President was informed that the Department of Agriculture (DA) had already started distributing rice and corn seeds to farmers whose crops were damaged by the floods.

The DA has also allocated some P10 million for the repair of damaged irrigation facilities.

After Cagayan de Oro, the President proceeded to Surigao City to preside over another RDCC meeting.


PGMA names Dureza as Presidential Legal Counsel; Remonde as Press Secretary

Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza is moving on to become the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel while Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde will become Press Secretary.

This Cabinet “shifting” to take effect on Feb. 1 was announced by Executive Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Eduardo Ermita in his weekly press conference with the Malacanang Press Corps (MPC) this afternoon (Jan. 21).

To replace Remonde as PMS head is Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon Jr.; and to take over him as PAPP is retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon, presently the deputy national security adviser.

The outgoing press secretary and incoming palace lawyer – who had requested President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for a lighter assignment in the meantime as his wife, the former Elizabeth Salutillo, battles a debilitating kidney ailment – thanked the President for “her trust and confidence.”

Dureza, who studied Law at the Ateneo de Davao Law School, placed 10th in the 1973 Philippine Bar Exams, scoring 100 percent in Criminal Law. Thus, he has “very good credentials as Presidential Legal Counsel,” said Ermita.

In his statement, Dureza said, “I feel greatly privileged and honored to be chosen by Her Excellency the President as her Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.”

“Being the President’s legal adviser will bring me new challenges and fresh work perspectives. This will be an enriching experience for me,” said Dureza who added that “as Palace Lawyer, I will be working in a field where I have also devoted many of my fruitful years – as law practitioner and in the government.”

“In this new assignment, I will continue to connect with the press and the public,” said Dureza, pointing out that his stint as Press Secretary for seven months “allowed me to revisit my first career as a journalist.”

“It gave me a chance to work closely with my former colleagues in the media as well as new media acquaintances along the way. I thank the different units of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) and the Malacanang Press Corps (MPC) for the support they have given me as Press Secretary.”

Remonde, who will take over Dureza, was a former six-term chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), and is also “angkop na angkop” as OPS head, said Ermita.

Meanwhile, Ermita revealed Esperon recommended his Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1974 “classmate” Razon to take his place, as both the Armed Forces and the PNP are “deeply involved in peace and security.”


'Strong economy' remains PGMA's top priority

Roxas City - Maintaining the "strong growing economy" remains the highest priority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This is the reason why the government is planning ahead for better days ahead while preparing for the worse of crisis.

President Arroyo said that her administration has worked fervently- even before the crisis took root - to cushion the blow to the Filipino people.

The President said that "maintaining a strong growing economy" is of highest priority to her administration in order to eradicate the decades-long problem of poverty in the country and ensure that safety nets are in place for the most vulnerable sector-- the poorest of the poor.

As a result of the successful implementation of the Arroyo administration's financial reforms and sound fiscal management, the country has avoided the full brunt of the economic downturn to the Philippine economy.

She revealed that because of the tough economic reforms and sound fiscal management since 2001, the Philippine economy has posted an uninterrupted

President Arroyo revealed that said uninterrupted growth has cut down the rate of poverty in the country and raised the annual average of new employment.

"With the revenues from the expanded value-added tax and alcohol and tobacco excise tax, we have been able to expand access to healthcare as never before," she said, adding that health insurance now covers 74 percent of the population, public hospitals are being upgraded, and the poor can buy their essential medicines at half the price of year 2000.

The President also said that "our social services now include a 10-billion-peso budget for targeted cash payments to the poorest of the poor, conditioned on their children going to school."
Earlier, the Philippines received favorable assessments from Fitch ratings agency, Credit Suisse, Bank of New York Mellon, JP Morgan, and Standard and Poor's on the country's ability to weather the global downturn. (PIA)


OFW remittances to grow further in 2009

Financial analysts expect overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) remittances to continue its modest growth this year due to higher deployments despite fears the global financial crisis would lead to smaller money transfers.

Sun Life chief investment officer Michael Manuel said continued high remittances of OFWs would also temper the economic slow down in the country. There are at least 8 million Filipinos working abroad.

“The robust flow of dollars is attributed to higher demand for Filipino skills and talent abroad,” Manuel said.

Besides boosting consumer spending, remittances increase the Philippines’ foreign exchange reserves, further strengthening the country’s capacity to pay for debt and cover import costs such as oil and raw materials used for exports.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show that major sources of remittances were from US, Saudi Arabia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

OFW remittances in November went up by 10.5 percent.

The data also indicated that in October 2008 alone, OFW remittances reached USD1.4 billion—the highest monthly inflow recorded since 1989. It brought the 10-month remittance figure to USD13.7 billion, 15.5 percent higher than the inflows for the same period in 2007.

Meanwhile, preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration indicated that the number of Filipinos deployed overseas grew by more than 26 percent to 1.005 million in November last year compared with 798,731 in 2007.

Newly hired Filipinos were mostly deployed to the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait; and Taiwan and Hong Kong in Asia.

Some analysts, however, said the adverse effects of the global credit crunch might be felt in 2010 due to slower deployment of Filipino workers abroad in the second half of this year. (PNA)


BFAD, health officials monitoring Aklan stores for recalled peanut butter

Kalibo, Aklan - The Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) here are currently monitoring grocery stores for recalled peanut butter.

The monitoring of stores here is being conducted in the wake of BFAD Advisory No. 2009-001 which was received by the DOH here through Food and Drug Regulation Officer II Mabel Concepcion from the DOH and BFAD Central Office about the immediate recall of selected brands of peanut butter and Peanut Butter and Peanut Paste-containing products from the United States of America.

The advisory contained a list of certain brands of peanut butter and other peanut paste-containing products that were reportedly recalled or withdrawn from the USA market because of possible risk of Salmonella contamination.

According to the DOH and BFAD, this came after the company Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter paste for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries and private label food companies reportedly announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility because of potential Salmonella contamination.

Listed in the advisory are products like King Nut peanut butter with lot codes beginning with "8"; Peanut Corporation of America peanut butter and peanut paste products with lot numbers affected; Austin and Keebler branded peanut butter sandwich crackers, and select snack-size of Famous Amos Peanut butter cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter cookies of Kellogg Company.

Also listed are Hy-Vee Inc. products made in its bakery departments, select ice cream products of Perry's Ice Cream containing peanut butter; various candies containing peanut butter of South Blend Chocolate Company, and Little Debbie Peanut butter Toasty and Peanut Butter Cheese Sandwich Crackers of McKee Foods Corporation.

With this current health concern, the DOH and BFAD are advising consumers not to eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them; and postpone eating other peanut butter containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) until information becomes available about whether that product may be affected.

Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised by the DOH to consult their health care providers.

For distributors, importers and retailers, the DOH advised them to stop importing and selling recalled products.

For Aklanons who are fund peanut butter, Concepcion advised them to be vigilant and be aware of the brands of recalled peanut butter, and to notify authorities of the presence in grocery stores if they see such items.

Concepcion also called on consumers that instead of buying imported peanut butter, they should buy our Philippine-produced brands.

"This way, we show our patriotism and at the same time help our local producers and businessmen," Concepcion said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)


The Government of the Republic of the Philippines contributes to ASEAN’s continued humanitarian effort in Myanmar

Yangon, 21 January 2009--The ASEAN Cooperation Fund for Disaster Assistance received a US$50,000-donation from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines through the Embassy of the Philippines in Yangon , Myanmar today. The Fund is used for ASEAN’s relief and recovery activities in cyclone-hit Myanmar .

Dr Anish Roy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, received the contribution on behalf of Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The contribution from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines is to support ASEAN’s continued effort and leadership role in humanitarian assistance in Myanmar .

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for its continued support, which enables ASEAN to reinforce our assistance and commitment to the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Nargis,” said Dr Roy.

Contributions made to the ASEAN Cooperation Fund for Disaster Assistance have been utilised to help people recover their livelihoods through community-based early recovery projects in the cyclone-affected areas as well as in disaster risk management and other Nargis-related activities.


The United Kingdom Appoints Ambassador to ASEAN

ASEAN Secretariat, 20 January 2009--The United Kingdom has appointed Martin Hatfull as its first Ambassador to ASEAN.

Welcoming news of the appointment, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, said, “We thank the UK for this significant gesture which underscores the importance that the UK attaches to ASEAN. We look forward to working with Ambassador Hatfull to build closer ties bilaterally and to further strengthen our relationship with the European Union, which the UK is a member of.”

With the appointment of Ambassador Hatfull, the UK became the first member state of the European Union to appoint its Ambassador to ASEAN. The European Union has established dialogue relations with ASEAN since 1972.

Ambassador Hatfull is concurrently the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Indonesia .

Under the ASEAN Charter, non-ASEAN Member States and relevant inter-governmental organisations may appoint Ambassadors to ASEAN.


Passage of P1.4-trillion 2009 national budget

The P1.4-trillion national budget for 2009 is expected to pass muster at the bicameral conference committee this week and would most likely be ready for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s signing into law in two weeks.

This was disclosed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during his weekly media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang.

At a dinner with House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Edgardo Angara last night, he was assured of the passage of the budget bill at the bicameral conference committee level this week, Ermita said.

“They assured me that barring any untoward incident, they (bicam) can pass, if not today, by Friday, the budget measure,” said Ermita, referring to Angara and Nograles.

Once approved by the bicameral conference committee, the budget proposal goes to both Houses of Congress for third and final reading.

“So let us watch out for the announcement coming from the Senate,” Ermita added.

After the passage of the budget proposal by the Senate and House of Representatives, the measure will then be sent to Malacanang for signing by the President.

“It could very well be towards the end of the month when the enrolled budget is sent to the palace for signature of the President,” Ermita said.

The government is pushing for the immediate passage of the P1.4-trillion 2009 budget which provides funding for programs designed to mitigate the possible adverse effects of the global crisis on the Philippines.


Palace statement on the swearing-in of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States Thru: Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo

The President finds President Obama’s inaugural address profoundly moving and inspiring. His words deeply resonate with the President’s dream for the nation and the world -- to celebrate and welcome hope, to allow peace and cooperation to reign and to triumph over the economic and diplomatic challenges that we face.

We are two nations blessed with two leaders bound by the same vision and ideology.

We will continue to strive to make our people proud, to champion our cause and give Filipinos the government they deserve.


Dinagat Islanders get P1M for repair of their seawall and water system

TUBAJON, Dinagat Islands (Off Northern Surigao) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today gave a P1-million check to this municipality for the immediate repair and rehabilitation of its seawall and water system which was damaged when a storm struck this island last Jan. 10.

The President handed the check to Tubajon Mayor Ronaldo Luib during her visit here this afternoon.

A storm struck the municipality of Tubajon last Jan. 10 while most of the residents were at home sleeping.

Luib, in an interview, said the storm surge brought thousands of gallons of sea water into their town and immediately overwhelmed and inundated their seawall and water system.

A total of 872 families here were affected by the storm which also affected the nearby towns of Libgo and Loreto.

Prior to her awarding of the check-donation, the President, who arrived here at around 1:30 p.m., was given a briefing by Luib on the devastation wrought by the storm.

He said P5 million would be needed to rebuild the damaged portion of the seawall while P500,000 is needed to repair the water system.

The President then led the initial distribution of food packs to some 1,300 families from the nine barangays of Tubajon and nearby municipalities which were affected by the storm.

Luib thanked the President for taking the time to empathize with his provincemates who are still suffering from the effects of the storm surge.

The donation, he said, would go a long way in alleviating their plight.


PGMA to DILG, DDB & PDEA: Update listing of known drug lords

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to continue updating the list of known drug lords, monitor their activities, pinpoint drug havens including trafficking of suspected personalities or drug lords.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President reminded the three government agencies at yesterday’s (Tuesday) Cabinet meeting on their commitment to put a stop to the trade and use of illegal drugs.

Ermita said the President gave the instructions to DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III and PDEA Director- General Dionisio Santiago Jr.

The President also instructed the DILG to ensure that local government units (LGUs) are updated in the government’s drive against illegal drugs, Ermita said.

Ermita added that this is because of a report that a few local government executives (LGEs), members of the police and employees of the judiciary are allegedly in cahoots and even “tipping off some of the pushers and even the drug lords whenever search warrants are issued.”

“So, the Secretary of local governments was told to remind them to be attuned to the policy of the administration to be on hand in the fight against drug abuse,” Ermita said.

The President also instructed to intensify intelligence work, citing its importance to put a stop to illegal drug activities, Ermita said.

“The President said, ‘Take a look at it very closely to prevent these people from continuing with their illegal activities,’” said Ermita.

Aside from posting undercover agents in suspected places, Ermita said the President also called for the acquisition and training of drug-sniffing dogs.

The President also ordered the Solicitor General to relentlessly pursue drug-related cases to make the anti-illegal drug campaign more effective and successful, Ermita said.


PGMA orders immediate repair of irrigation facilities in Caraga Region damaged by flooding

SURIGAO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered to accelerate the repair and rehabilitation of the irrigation facilities in the CARAGA region to ensure the steady supply of rice and other agricultural products in the areas.

The President issued the directive following reports on the heavy damage to agriculture caused by the massive flooding in the region over the weekend.

“The restoration of the agriculture facilities, particularly the irrigation system is urgent. It would be better if we can accelerate the repair and rehabilitation efforts of the irrigation system, considering that the Agusan del Sur is one of the major rice producers in the country,” the President told during the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Region 13 meeting at the Surigao City Airport here.

Data from the RDCC-Caraga Region as of Jan. 21 showed that damage to irrigation system was estimated at P62-million with Agusan del Sur as badly hit, amounting to P37-million.

“If you could do it by March, it would be better,” the President said, in reference to the immediate repair of the irrigation facilities.

Democratico Grana, regional director of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said some P42-million is needed for the repair and rehabilitation of the region’s irrigation facilities.

To hasten the rehabilitation efforts, the Chief Executive asked NIA to apply labor intensive methods by tapping the services of the local people and the purchasing of materials within the areas.

The President also ordered the agriculture department to immediately distribute the 8,500 bags of certified seeds to farmers as replenishment to crops damaged by floods.

RDCC-Caraga Region data further showed that total damage to agriculture in the whole region was estimated at P145,302,287, broken down as follows: Agusan del Sur, P79,892,377; Agusan del Norte, P27,237,660; Surigao del Norte, P22,197,250; Surigao del Sur, P12,929,000 and Dinagat Province, P3,046,000.


PGMA cites DPWH for job well done in Surigao

SURIGAO CITY - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today lauded the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the local executives for the immediate restoration of major national highways in the Caraga region that were heavily affected by the recent massive flooding in the areas.

“Very good. Nice to hear that,” the President said after being informed about the quick clearing, backfiling and declogging operations on the 362.98- kilometer highway that were impassable last week as a result of floods and landslides brought by prolonged heavy rainfall in the region.

“All the roads and bridges are now passable,” RDCC-13 chairman Police Supt. Jaime Eloreta Milla said as he briefed the President on the flood situation during the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) at the Surigao City airport here.

“Since we don’t have any problems on the major roads, I am asking you to re-assess the extent of damage on the secondary roads,” the Chief Executive said.

Continuous heavy rains due to the tail-end of a cold front resulted to the damage in the region’s infrastructures estimated at P460, 853,200.

RDCC-Caraga region report showed that Agusan del Sur was worst hit, with damage amounting to P42,767,200. This was followed by Agusan del Norte, P39,310,000; Dinagat Province, P14,596,600; Surigao del Norte, P13,905,690; Surigao del Sur, P2,960,000.
Report from Department of Public Works and Highways, on the other, showed that the amount of damage to region’s roads and bridges is estimated at P348,123,710.


PGMA in Gen. Trias, Cavite Thursday for continuing gov’t-church social dev’t program

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be in General Trias, Cavite on Thursday to lead the continuing government-church social development program for the poor and to visit the Gateway Business Park, Cavite’s premier industrial facility.

The Gateway Business Park, located in Barangay Javalera, employs some 16,000 workers and contributed at least $6 billion worth of exports last year.

At the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the President will lead the feeding program for street children, and hand over certificates of commitment for the state-church activity through the Archdiocese of Imus.

The President will also witness the medical & dental mission, and the establishment of ‘Bigasan ng Parokya’ outlets which sell low-priced basic commodities such as the NFA rice at P18.25 per kilo.

On hand to assist the President are parish priest Fr. Cornelio Matanguihan, Diocese of Imus Social Action Center director Fr. Alain Manalo, Cavite Gov. Erineo Maliksi, 2nd District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, 3rd District Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla, and General Trias Mayor Luis Ferrer IV.

The President has been leading the continuing provision of scholarships, trainings, livelihood and other social services for the country’s poor families to ease the plight of the most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly in the light of the projected persistence of the global crisis this year.

Afterwards, the President will proceed and host lunch at the Gateway Business Park for locators and investors led by Gateway Proper Holdings, Inc. (GPHI) chairman Geronimo delos Reyes Jr., and GPHI president Jaime Hidalgo.

Expected to accompany the President to the Cavite events are Environment Secretary Jose Lito Atienza, Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) Director-General Lilia de Lima, and Board of Investments (BOI) governor Francis Ferrer.

The President will later inaugurate the P90-million Mabacao Bridge in Barangay Tulay, Maragondon, Cavite; and the Medical Arts Building of the Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martirez City.


PGMA visit 'answered prayer' for Tubajon mayor and constituents

TUBAJON, Dinagat Islands – For Tubajon Mayor Ronaldo Luib, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit to his municipality this afternoon (Jan. 21) was an "answered prayer" to his plea for assistance for his constituents suffering from the effects of a storm surge that hit their town last January 10.

"My constituents and I are honored that our President chose to visit us in our time of need. Her visit is the answer to our prayers for assistance from this ordeal," Luib said in an interview before the arrival of the President here.

A storm surge -- or an offshore rise in water level brought by the non-stop rains in the region -- struck here last January 10, a Saturday, and destroyed the municipality's seawall and water system.

Since then, the residents have been living in fear of another storm surge strike and without potable water.

Concerned that the municipality of Tubajon and its residents have been left defenseless by the damaged seawall and are now open to disease outbreaks due to lack of clean water, President Arroyo gave a P1-million check to Luib with instructions that repair and rehabilitation work be immediately done on vital infrastructures.

Upon receiving the check, Luib thanked God for the President's "gift" and said, "Binigay ito ng Diyos kasi alam Niya na kailangan namin ang pag-bisita ng Presidente."

"Pinaka-malayo kami sa Malacañang na halos hindi kami maka-abot sa Malacañang; pero ito, dinalaw kami ni Presidente Arroyo," Luib said, still in shock and awe at the event unfolding before his eyes.

"I repeat -- I thank God and I thank the President for coming here para makita niya ang real situation ng bayan ko and the real situation ng mga tao," Luib added.