PGMA back from
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 Sunday night after attending the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
She was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.
Also joining the President was a delegation from the House of Representatives led by Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, Anna York Bondoc of Pampanga, Rachel Arenas of Pangasinan, Zenaida Angping of Manila, and Maria Cosculluela of Buhay Partylist.
The President and her delegation were accorded foyer honors led by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
In an interview, Remonde hailed this year’s APEC Summit which produced two very important results: the agreement between the 21 APEC member countries to expand their economic community and the ASEAN-US Summit, a historic first between the regional bloc and US President Barack Obama.
“President Obama committed to bring ASEAN and US relationships into a higher level than the high level that it is already in now,” Remonde said.
Remonde added that the US is also supportive of the ASEAN vision to create an economic community by 2015 and the ASEAN consensus on climate change, disaster risk management, global warming, the lifting of trade barriers and protectionism and the promotion of migrant workers.
He pointed out that because of this commitment, the
No drastic increase in fuel prices despite lifting of EO 839 -- Palace
Malacanang on Monday expressed confidence that there will be no drastic increase in prices of fuel products despite the lifting effective Monday of Executive Order No. 839 mandating an oil price freeze at October 15 levels.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a radio interview this morning that the President reminded the oil companies to respect the conditions set during the emergency meeting in the Palace last Friday, when the lifting of the oil price freeze was announced.
President Arroyo called the meeting with leaders of the oil industry, business sector, transport and labor groups, along with officials of the Departments of Energy (DOE), Trade and Industry (DTI), and Transportation and Communications (DOTC) before she left for
According to Remonde, President Arroyo asked the oil companies to observe their social responsibility as their means of helping the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
Remonde said the oil firms were also told to adhere to the conditions not to impose immediate increase on their pump prices and give discounts to the transport sector to ease the burden of the general public.
The Press Secretary added that Malacanang also expects the transport groups will be true to their word that they will not ask for a fare increase after the lifting of the executive order.
PGMA lifts price cap
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday issued Executive Order (EO) 845 which lifted the implementation of EO 839, according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
President Arroyo signed EO 845 which formally lifted EO 839 or the oil price freeze order, on November 15 and will take effect today.
According to Ermita EO 839 was issued by President Arroyo because the country was in a state of calamity brought about by a succession of typhoons that resulted in widespread devastation suffered by millions of Filipinos in Metro Manila and the rest of
In response to the public clamor and to alleviate the plight of the affected victims of typhoons that hit country, EO 839 directe4d the oil companies to maintain the prices of petroleum products prevailing on October 15 for the duration of the state of calamity in the entire Luzon.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have determined that while the state of calamity subsists, the extreme emergency situation which served as the underlying reason for the issuance of EO 839 no longer exits, although rehabilitation efforts continue to be undertaken in order to assist the victims of the calamity.
The Department of Justice-Department of Energy (DOJ-DOE) task force which is mandated under EO 839 and Republic Act 8479, also recommended the lifting of EO 839 and the adoption of the proposal submitted by the oil industry for a more targeted and focused calamity assistance program in selected areas in Benguet, Naguio City, Isabela, Cainta, Marikina City, Malabon City and Pasig City.
President Arroyo also called an emergency meeting last Friday before leaving for
All sectors did not object to the proposal of lifting EO 839 along with the lifting of the price control on basic and prime commodities.
President Arroyo before announcing her decision, asked the oil companies not to impose drastic increase on oil prices once EO 839 was lifted, give discounts to the transport sector and do their social responsibility in assisting the victims of calamities.
EO 845 likewise directed the DOJ-DOE task force to implement the package of proposals submitted by the oil players consistent with their respective rules and regulations.
ASEAN names PGMA head of Nuclear War Treaty Review
The choice of Mrs. Arroyo to head the review was announced by the nine other leaders of South East Asian Nations, with the concurrence of President Barrack Obama, in a joint statement issued Sunday at the Shangrila Hotel, where the ASEAN-US was held.
All ten ASEAN leaders, supported Obama in his efforts to put nuclear disarmament on the global agenda.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The leaders of ASEAN also welcome the efforts of the President of the
The ASEAN leaders also encourage nuclear weapon states and other parties to the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) to conduct consultations, to resolve issues and ensure commitment to the treaty.
“We also declare our support to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and welcomed the declared intention of the
The group welcomed the establishment in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) of an Inter-sessional Meeting on Non-proliferation and Disarmament as a venue to further explore dialogue and cooperation on these issues.
The ASEAN leaders and Obama also urged North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks process and to fully implement its commitment made in September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-party Talks to abandon its nuclear weapons program including its nuclear tests which have been creating tension in the region.
APEC vows to work for sustainable growth
SINGAPORE – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the 20 other leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Sunday vowed to work together for a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable growth to bring prosperity in the region in the light of the global slowdown and in preparation for the anticipated world economic rebound.
The President and the other APEC leaders made the commitment in their joint declaration at the close of their two-day Leaders Summit at the Istana government palace here.
“In line with new trends and emerging challenges, our agenda has grown in breadth, depth, and complexity. But our common goal remains the same – to support growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, through free and open trade and investment, as embedded in the Bogor Goals,” the APEC leaders say in the declaration.
The APEC leaders vows “to reject protectionism, keep markets open and free and maintain economic stimulus policies until a durable economic recovery has clearly taken hold.
“We will work together to strengthen the momentum towards strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth, as set out at the recent G-20 Summit in
Looking beyond supporting the recovery, the APEC leaders say there is a need to develop a new growth paradigm for the changed post-crisis landscape, and an expanded trade and investment agenda that will strengthen regional economic integration (REI) in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We will put in place next year a comprehensive long-term growth strategy that supports more balanced growth within and across economies, achieves greater inclusiveness in our societies, sustains our environment, and which seeks to raise our growth potential through innovation and a knowledge-based economy,” the declaration also says.
For a more balanced growth, APEC leaders are committed: to promote current account sustainability and open trade and investment to advance global prosperity and growth sustainability; undertake macro prudential and regulatory policies to help prevent credit and asset price cycles from becoming forces of destabilization; and promote development and poverty reduction as part of the rebalancing of global growth. To be implemented are necessary reforms in infrastructure development, agriculture/food management, social security, education and workforce training, and regulatory frameworks through the support of International Financial Institutions and Multilateral Development Banks.
To foster inclusive growth, the Leaders committed to undertake structural reforms and develop and provide better access for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for more than 90 percent of all businesses in the APEC region and employ between 50 and 80 percent of the workforce.
“We instruct our Ministers and officials to further advance APEC’s inclusive growth agenda in 2010, and develop a multi-year programme to build capacity for structural reforms and SME development, employment creation, and the development of social safety nets,” they said. To promote sustainable growth, the APEC Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to tackle the threat of climate change and work towards an ambitious outcome in
“Global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will need to be accompanied by measures, including financial assistance and technology transfer to developing economies for their adaptation to the adverse impact of climate change,” the declaration concludes.
With the global economic rebound in sight, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that world GDP will rise by nearly 3 percent in 2010, and that all APEC economies will shift to positive GDP growth next year.
Palace prepares 'heroes welcome' for Pacquiao
Press Secretary Cerge Remondo announced on Monday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the preparation of another heroes welcome for the boxing champion Manny Pacquiao when he arrives. Pacquiao made another global record in boxing history as the only boxer to win seven titles in seven different weight divisions after taking the World Boxing Organization welterweight title on Saturday (Sunday here) at the MGM Grand Arena.
”Ipinag-utos ng Pangulo na ihanda ang heroes welcome sa pagbabalik ni Manny sa bansa (The President has a heroes welcome for Manny on his return to the country),” Secretary Remonde added.
Pacquiao earned a place in boxing history after he defeated the much bigger Miguel Cotto of
Remonde also stressed although President Arroyo failed to watch the fight, she joined the country in rejoicing for the latest victory of Pacquiao.
"Once again, Filipino grit and determination triumphed over great odds. May this serve as an inspiration to the entire Filipino nation especially the youth," the President’s statement said.
”May this serve as inspiration to the entire Filipino nation especially the youth that there is no limit to our capacity for success for as long as we work hard, put our hearts and focus to achieve our goals. Manny trained long and hard, imposed stringent self discipline, persevered, and above all, has always placed himself in the hands of God. I hope we all learn from his example so that, together, we can also move forward as a nation,” President Arroyo added.
There are no safe firecrackers or fireworks --- DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) today strongly advised parents not to allow children to use firecrackers or fireworks whether of the legal or illegal kind.
“These devices are not toys and are very dangerous, especially in the hands of innocent children,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. “We recommend a ban on the use of these devices in residential areas and encourage local authorities to designate an area where fireworks could be lighted, displayed and handled by professionals or those who are trained in using explosive devices,” he added.
Health authorities said that the top 5 firecrackers that caused the most injuries in 2008 were (1) piccolo, (2) kwitis, (3) 5-star, (4) luces and (5) home-made or altered firecrackers.
“Piccolo, an illegal firecracker, continued to be the number one cause of injury during the last holiday season and it did not only cause minor injuries but also severe ones like the ruptured eyeball of a boy in Bicol,” Duque disclosed.
He explained that the public should always be cautious and not to regard the legal fireworks as safe because Kwitis and Luces, both legal fireworks, were No. 2 and No. 4 in the list.
“The seemingly harmless Luces can burn up to 1093 ºC (2000 ºF) or 10 times the boiling point of water,” Duque said.
Duque also disclosed that the top 5 Firecrackers causing “Blast Burn with Amputation” were (1) Home-made or Altered Firecrackers, (2) 5-star, (3) camara, (4) rebentador, (5) and whistle bomb.
DOH records show that Watusi, long considered as illegal, continued to sneak in the market and caused two cases of injuries this year. The youngest case was a 9-month old girl from Tondo,
The second case was a 31 year-old male from Rodriguez, Rizal with a history of psychiatric treatment. He allegedly ingested 2 boxes of Watusi. He was brought to
Health authorities said that there is also a significant increase in the number of stray bullet incidents caused by the indiscriminate firing of guns. These were reported in the two regions in
ON-LINE REGISTRY
To further improve coordination among agencies and health facilities involved in injury prevention, the DOH is introducing the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System - an internet-based system that allows health facilities to report fireworks injury cases.
The 2008 Fireworks Injury Surveillance Report gathered by the
Duque said that the 733 injuries reported from December 21, 2008 to January 5, 2009, is 280 (28%) cases lower than the previous four-year average, and 136 (16%) cases lower than the 2007 report.
The National Capital Region had the highest proportion of cases reported with 451 (61%) cases, followed by
The ages of cases ranged from 8 months old to 76 years old. Majority (594 or 81% cases) were males. A total of 261 (36%) cases were 10 years old or younger. However, the number of persons in each age group declined substantially, especially the 6 - 10 and the 11 - 15 age groups when compared to the previous year.
“We have total injuries of 714 (97%) cases which were fireworks-related, 17 (2%) cases were stray-bullet injuries and 2 (0.28%) cases were Watusi/firecracker powder ingestion”, Duque noted.
“The top three body parts which sustained most injuries were the hands with 277 (38%) cases, lower extremities with 130 (185) cases and head and neck with 103 (14%) cases.
Most of the injured were discharged after initial treatment in the Emergency Room”, he added.
“The lone fatality reported, a 28 year-old mother from
Meanwhile, there were no injury from organized public display nor tetanus due to fireworks injuries reported for 2008.
A total of 50 sentinel hospitals participated in the surveillance conducted for injuries resulting from fireworks use, stray bullet from indiscriminate firing, and watusi/firecracker powder ingestion related to the Yuletide celebration. The participating sentinel hospitals were located in the National Capital Region (29), Luzon (11), Visayas (5) and
