PIA Dispatch - Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Filipino vets in the U.S. thank PGMA for standing by them in “long quest for justice and equity” 

Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans all over the United States have expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “for standing by them in their long quest for justice and equity.” 

The WWII veterans in the Washington DC area in the eastern seaboard were seconded in their expression of gratitude to President Arroyo by those in the Los Angeles area in the western seaboard, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in its latest website news. 

“Speaking on behalf of the veterans, Celestino Almeda conveyed his deep appreciation to President Arroyo at a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy to honor Filipino World War II veterans and to celebrate the signing into law of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),” the DFA said. 

The DFA said the 92-year-old Almeda “is one of the most active lobbyists in Congress,” adding that the latter “also thanked all those who helped make this victory possible namely, members of the Filipino community, officials in the Philippine government, and the advocates and supporters of the bill in both Houses of the U.S. Congress.” 

“One cannot truly appreciate the light if one has not been subjected to the darkness,” the DFA quoted Almeda as saying when the WWII veteran rejoiced at the signing of the ARRA which contains provisions that finally recognize the military service of Filipino World War II veterans and provides them with lump-sum benefits.

Recounting the suffering and ordeal that he and his fellow veterans experienced and witnessed during the war, Mr. Almeda expressed the joy that he felt on this momentous occasion and stated that he was happy with the outcome, the DFA added. 

Almeda’s sentiments were echoed by WWII veterans in the West. “Mr. Franco Arcebal of the American Coalition of Filipino American Veterans, in a celebration held in Lake Street Park in Los Angeles, California, expressed his appreciation for President Arroyo…” related the DFA. 

To celebrate the victory of Filipino WWII veterans in their fight for recognition and benefits, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa recently hosted at the Philippine Embassy a reception that also served as “an occasion to render thanks and appreciation to all those who have supported the cause of the veterans.” 

“The reception was attended by Filipino veterans, leaders and members of the Filipino American community in the Metro D.C. area, the media, and staffers of key supporters of the bill in the U.S. Congress such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Bob Filner,” the DFA said.


PGMA reaffirms commitment to end insurgency in 2010

Guagua, Pampanga (PND) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today reaffirmed her administration' s strong commitment and resolve to put an end to insurgency problem in 2010, as well as underscoring the importance of peace to the country's march towards sustainable development.

"Peace is an essential ingredient for progress and development, " the President stressed as she formally welcomed the 18 former communist rebels from Central Luzon who have given up their armed struggle in favor of living a peaceful and productive life.

The Chief Executive said the return to the fold of law of the former rebels and the peace the government has unceasingly endeavored to build and promote are pillars the country needs to push itself towards prosperity.

"Today, we embrace our rebel brothers in the fold and spirit of unity and reconciliation," she said.

Appreciating the former rebels' surrender initiative, the President assured them their decision will not be in vain. She called on them to work hand-in-hand with government for the welfare of their families and the nation.

 "You do not need to sacrifice your lives for the future of your families and the nation. The sacrifice of hard work and persistence is what we, together, shall undertake," she stressed.

To show the government's sincere efforts to help them return to mainstream society, the President handed them certificates of livelihood assistance in simple rites at the Natividad National High School covered court in Barangay Natividad here.

The livelihood assistance, worth P50,000 each, forms part of the government's Social Reintegration Program (SIP) being undertaken by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

For rebels-returnees Gil Abalajen, his daughter Mariel and Rolando Dabu Marzan, the government's initiative is the substantive solution against poverty and not the communist ideology they embraced for years.

Gil, an erstwhile squad leader of the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan based in Pampanga, said his years of futile armed struggle merely earned him more miseries and hardships.

He said he joined the New People's Army (NPA) in 1998 but decided to surrender last year after he heard of the government's program to help rebel returnees return to normal community life.

"I would like to thank the President for helping us to re-integrate into mainstream society. Because of this program, I would now be able to feed my family through a modest livelihood project we will undertake," he said in the vernacular.

For Mariel, who is only 15 years old, the future now looks brighter as she will be provided by the government with an educational assistance. She said she will study earnestly and prepare for a better future.

The 40-yeard old Marzan, on the other hand, said his reintegration gives him more time with his family, from whom he was often separated during his involvement in the futile armed struggle.

The three rebels-returnees are among the beneficiaries of the government's various assistance packages under its Social Integration Program (SIP).

Officially launched on June 18, 2008. The SIP has already benefited 235
rebel-returnees nationwide in the last seven months.


Certificate of appreciation awarded to U.S. lawmakers who pushed for WWII compensation

Manila, March 4 (PNA) -- The Philippine government has officially recognized the key role that American legislators played in the successful passage of a U.S. legislation with a provision for additional compensation of USD198 million for World War II veterans.

At a reception on February 26 hosted by California Rep. Bob Filner at Capitol Hill, Philippine ambassador to Washington, Willy C. Gaa, awarded a certificate of appreciation to Filner and his colleagues who pushed the bill to its successful conclusion two weeks ago.

Aside from Filner, other Representatives who supported the ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009`` (ARRA) were Mike Honda, also of California; Hawaii’s Mazie Hirono, and Guam`s Madeleine Bordallo, who were all present to receive their awards.

Also honored but were not unable to receive their awards in person were California’s Darrell Issa, Dana Rohrabacher and Rep. Xavier Becerra, Texas` Chet Edwards, Virginia’s Bobby Scott, and Hawaii’s Neil Abercrombie. Hawaii’s Sen. Daniel Inouye led the pro-compensation contingent in the U.S. Senate.

Filner and Honda received a token of ``Fighting Filipinos`` poster from Gaa in recognition of their leadership for Filipino veterans.

The reception at the Cannon House Office Building was also attended by close to 90 people, comprised of leaders and members of the Filipino community, veterans groups, legislative staffers and embassy officials.

During the reception, the legislators congratulated the veterans on their victory and expressed their appreciation for the Filipino veterans` patience and faith amid efforts to accord them their well-deserved recognition and benefits.

Among the veterans was 92-year-old Celestino Almeda, who particularly mentioned President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ``for standing by (us) in
(our) long quest for justice and equity.`` Almeda is acknowledged as one of the most active US-based lobbyists in the U.S. Congress.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs about the awards night, the embassy said Almeda was joyful and happy with the outcome of his decades-long efforts.

Almeda was quoted to have said ``one cannot truly appreciate the light if one has not been subjected to the darkness,`` as he recounted the suffering and ordeal that he and his fellow veterans experienced and witnessed during the war.

President Arroyo’s foreign policy included all-out efforts for the release of the compensation. Unknown to many, her presence in Washington a few days before President Barack Obama was to sign the historic ``American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on February 17 was part of her last-ditch moves to ensure that the bill reaches its logical conclusion.

The ARRA provides for a lump sum payment of USD9,000 for Filipino veterans and other non-Americans USD15,000 for American citizens.

Qualified veterans have until February 16 next year to file their claims. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs said only living veterans can make claims and estimated there are about 20,000 of them. So far, only about
3,500 of those who have applied in the Philippines appear to be qualified, according to the DVA.

Almeda also thanked all those who helped ``make the victory possible,`` such as the members of the Filipino community, officials in the Philippine government, and the advocates and supporters of the bill in both Houses of the U.S. Congress.

Almeda`s co-veterans, including Franco Arcebal of the American Coalition of Filipino American Veterans, echoed his sentiments during a separate reception in Los Angeles, California.

Earlier on February 18, US-based veterans conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at the Washington embassy in honor of the WW II heroes. It was originally scheduled to be held at the Bataan-Corregidor marker at the WWII Monument at the National Mall but was moved indoors due to inclement weather.

Also on February 18, a reception was tendered for Metro D.C. (District of Columbia) veterans and guests included staffers of such key U.S. supporters of ARRA as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

She is the same Washington politician who led the welcome for Macapagal-Arroyo and sat beside her when the latter attended the recent U.S. National Day of Prayer, just before ARRA was signed into law.


US recognizes RP human rights practices

Boracay Island -- President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo welcomed the release of the United States` 2008 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in the Philippines.

This was stated by Executive Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Eduardo Ermita in a press statement released to media during a joint cabinet and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) meeting March 3 at Boracay Island in Caticlan, Aklan.

``The Arroyo administration has always regarded this annual report by the US State Department’s bureau of democracy, human rights and labor as an instrument to measure government’s advocacy on human rights, keeping in mind that transparency is a key to good and effective governance,` ` the statement noted.

Ermita added that the government also appreciated the efforts of the US to underline areas that need further improvement in human rights promotion and protection in the country.

Specifically, the recognition for the government’s human rights practices were attributed to the huge drop in the number of cases of unexplained killings in the past two years, continuing human rights education and information campaigns in the police and military organizations, improvement in jails and detention centers managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), respects for the freedom of speech and the press, internet as well as academic freedoms and freedom of assembly and association.

It also recognizes the government’s respects for the freedom, internally displaced, protection of refugees and stateless persons, electoral rights of the citizens, protection of women’s rights, and identification of non-state actors like the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Abu Sayaff Group which are among the major perpetrators of human rights violations in the country.


Tourism remains key sector in generating jobs amid global financial crisis
-- PGMA

Boracay Island, Aklan (PND) -- Even in the midst of the global economic crisis, the tourism industry remains a key sector in generating jobs and various opportunities across the nation, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today.

``Tourism is one of the sectors we have to strengthen as our response to the global meltdown. We have done it today. We should continue to push it to provide jobs and vast opportunities to our people,`` she said.

The President arrived in Boracay from Iloilo at 2 p.m. (March 3) and immediately proceeded to the five-star Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa together with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

She was welcomed by Gov. Carlito Marquez, Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Shangri-La general manager Andre Kretschmann and Shangri-La chief operating officer Greg Dogan.

The President said her administration has persistently pushed various tourism-related projects to create jobs and open livelihood opportunities, resulting in the industry’s unprecedented growth during the last four years.

She pointed out that the Philippines has a lot to offer to tourists, domestic and foreign alike, as amply demonstrated by the continuing increase in visitors arrivals. Tourist arrivals in Boracay alone rose by more than five percent from last January’s 48,000 to 51,000 this month.

``There are still many things that we have to accomplish but we will continue to promote Boracay as well as other destinations to ensure that tourism continues to be our flag bearer in economic progress and development. 10.6 percent annual average growth for the past four years! The best performance in 20 years of tourism history,`` the President said.

But she pointed out that tourism should not be promoted at the expense of the environment. The government is aggressively promoting and carrying out environmental awareness and solid waste management programs to ensure the cleanliness and beauty of the country’s tourist destinations.

To make Central Philippines the country’s tourism beltway under her Super Regions concept, the President has ordered the upgrading of various airports in tandem with the improvement of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) system with the opening of new roads, bridges and roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry routes to spur inter-island trade, improve the distribution of basic goods, reduce travel time and transportation costs, and promote domestic tourism.

Investors have put up almost 7,000 new hotel and resort rooms of international classification worth P550 billion, ``of which 2,000 will open this year, employing 3,000 Filipinos.``

``We will not stop. We will not be cowered by the global crisis. The government, this administration, will continue to be a strong partner of the tourism industry as we promote our nation and its natural beauty,`` the President said.

After issuing her statement, the President convened the joint Cabinet-National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) group meeting at the Boracay Terraces Resort where she was further briefed by Durano on various accomplishments of the country on the tourism front.

Durano informed the President and the Cabinet members that last year Central Philippines cornered 33 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the country. This pales in comparison with the 14.5 percent increase in tourist arrivals recorded in 2005.

He said that close to six million domestic tourists alone visited Central Philippines last year.

In recent years, Durano said the number of foreign tourists who visited the country has increased further following the opening of direct flights between the Philippines and three destinations in Russia –the airports in Moscow, Vladivostok and the Lukhovitsy.

He said Taipei has also opened flights to Kalibo and Cebu, while the best connection to Europe is through the Qatar Airlines direct flight from Doha to Cebu.

Durano said flight frequencies also increased between the Philippines and Asian countries such Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea.

On the domestic front, Durano said that flights from Cebu to Siargao; Cebu to Legaspi City, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa City were opened this month.

Boracay now has flights to Busuanga and Puerto Princesa, both in Palawan.

In Central Philippines, Durano added that 32,696 hotel rooms are now available, with 6,600 more of international classification under construction.

He also said that among the noteworthy airport projects completed were the New Iloilo Airport, Bacolod Silay Airport and Busuanga Airport. The biggest road project, he said, was the completion of the 260-kilometer
circumferential road in the island of Bohol, which is famous for its beaches, Chocolate Hills, tarsier and whale watching.

Big-ticket tourism-related projects to be completed soon are the Bicol International Airport and Sibulan Airport. The two airports will greatly reduce travel time to the whale-watching areas of Donsol, Sorsogon, he said. The other vital air terminals include those in San Vicente and Puerto Princesa City both in Palawan which will provide easier and faster access to the famous Tubattaha Reef Natural Park, a UNESCO nature heritage site; and the 8.2-kilometer Underground River which are both top contenders in the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.


ASEAN economic ministers sign FTA with Australia and New Zealand

Hua Hin, Thailand (PND) – Economic ministers of the 10-member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed yesterday (Friday) a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia and New Zealand to increase the ASEAN member countries’ respective gross domestic products by $48-billion over the next 20 years.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila, who represented the Philippines in the economic ministers meeting held here Friday morning said, earlier ASEAN leaders, realizing the importance of this FTA, have directed their respective economic ministers to have the particulars of the accord “completed, concluded and signed” during this year’s ASEAN Summit.

“The FTA is a comprehensive single undertaking which covers services, goods, investments and economic cooperation (between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand),” Favila said during an interview at the Dusit Hotel here.

“This (FTA) aims to liberalize and, progressively at that, strengthen trading rules among the parties with substantial sectoral coverage and likewise establish a cooperative framework for strengthening, diversifying and enhancing our trade investments and economic links among ASEAN members, Australia and New Zealand,” he added.

Favila pointed out that the FTA would benefit all parties who are signatories to the accord.

“This is evident in the increases in trade volumes and in certifications in processes and procedures like custom procedures,” Favila said.

For his part, Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean hailed the signing of the agreement as one of the largest trade arrangements that would help the region overcome and surpass the economic crunch sweeping the world.

"This is an extremely strong signal to the rest of the world that the Asian region remains committed to pursuing economic growth, exports and jobs to help drive the economic recovery," Crean said.

Crean said that based on recent studies in Canberra, the agreement would add some $48-billion to the gross domestic product of each ASEAN member-country, Australia and New Zealand over the next 20 years.

New Zealand Trade Minister Tom Groser, meanwhile, said trade figures could double with the implementation of the free trade pact.

“Putting together the 12 economies with existing gross domestic product of $1.2-trillion, the FTA with ASEAN is very significant in terms of political and commercial development,” Groser said.