PGMA sound economic policies fuel GDP growth to 7.3 % in Q1
"We see the strong growth as benefiting from the sound economic management we had in place for years," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said in a regular press briefing.
Latest data from the National Economic and Development Authority show that the
"We see this as a sign that confidence remains strong. This really underlines the sound management that allows you to maintain a strong growth overall," he said.
The NEDA said the uptick was attributed to the improvement in the global economy, brighter economic outlook, increased business and consumer confidence, and election-related spending. (PNA)
PGMA to inaugurate housing project for science workers
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will inaugurate tomorrow (May 28) a housing project for close to 500 employees of the Department of Science and Technology and a public school building project in Molino,
Dubbed as “Scientia Villas,” the housing units sit on a 13.1 hectare site in Barangay Molino 3, Bacoor, parceled into 570 homelots and allocated to 170 current and retired employees of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), 200 employees of DOST and its agencies and 50 employees each from four other government agencies.
The science villas are directly funded by PagIbig, the government’s socialized housing agency. The site was developed by Moldex Realty Inc. and will be fully completed in October 2010.
The Chief Executive will be received at the Scientia Villas by Cavite Governor-elect Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., Rep. Wendel “Jun” Abaya Jr., Bacoor Mayor Edwin “Strike” Revilla, Vice President Noli de Castro who also chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro, Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Director Nuna Almanzor and Molino 3 Barangay Captain Apolonio Advincula Jr.
Mayor Revilla will deliver the welcome remarks while the message and overview of the project will be given by Secretary Alabastro, to be followed by the turnover of keys and certificate of entitlement and lot allotment (CELA) to five family beneficiaries.
The President will then proceed to Queens Row Elementary School in Barangay Queens Row Central also in Molino for the inauguration of the newly completed two-classroom, two-story schoolbuildings for the incoming grade 6 pupils. Currently, the grade 6 classes have 60 to 70 pupils per classroom on three class shifts per day.
Upon her arrival at the
The science villas started when the Molino lands were acquired by the National Institute of Science and Technology (now ITDI) under the Friar Lands Act 1120 for agricultural research and experimental sites. In 1975, one parcel (of four hectares) was set aside for scientific and housing purposes.
In 1992, the ITDI Director used part of the Molino property to demonstrate the application of interlocking bricks through a memorandum of agreement with the National Housing Authority.
Three years later, the ITDI sought the assistance of HUDCC to revive the housing project using a portion of the Molino property. In June 2001, President Arroyo issued an Executive Order declaring the ITDI Molino property a housing site.
In September 2002, an exemption clearance was obtained from DAR based on RA 6657 (or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law) and Department of Justice Opinion of 1990.
In June 2003, a direct financing scheme by PagIbig was worked out to facilitate the development of the property. (OPS)
Leave to next administration the Imelda Marcos jewelry issue--Palace
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today ordered the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to hold off any further moves leading to the auction of the jewelry of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.
The order to the PCGG was coursed through Commissioner Ricardo Abcede by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza who said President Arroyo is now leaving it to her successor to decide on the final disposition of the Imelda Marcos jewelry.
While Secretary Mendoza noted much headway has been made by PCGG towards the jewelry auction, he said time has run out on the process, and the issue is best left to the in-coming administration.
The jewelry was confiscated by the government after the Feb. 1986 EDSA Revolution and has been kept at the Central Bank vault for more than 20 years. (OPS)
P10-B fund for disaster reconstruction now ready
The government may now allocate for use in disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation projects un-programmed funds in the 2010 budget following the approval of borrowings from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank (WB) that will form part of the additional revenues required in the budget law.
Presidential Spokesman Secretary Ricardo Saludo said today during a Malacañang press briefing that the foreign funding commitments that will come in the form of soft or concession al loans will now “unlock” un-programmed funds in the 2010 budget for use in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, flood control and other facilities and services as the country recovers from the destruction for the past two years caused storms Frank, Ondoy and Pepeng.
Saludo, who is also secretary general of the Special National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission (SNPPRC) created by President Arroyo, said JICA released last month P3.5 billion in concessional loans and the World Bank board approved last week another $258 million also with soft terms, to assist the Philippine reconstruction efforts.
“These foreign loans will help us unlock the un-programmed funds in the 2010 budget so we can push ahead with our reconstruction and rehabilitation programs and in the process prepare the country for the coming rainy season,” said Saludo.
In the 2010 General Appropriation Act, Congress offered the un-programmed funds for reconstruction on the condition that the government must put up additional revenues which could include domestic and foreign borrowings.
Saludo said the SNPPRC, in partnership with the private sector–led Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) headed by Manuel Pangilinan, have already spent P8 billion for reconstruction and recovery, coming from the realigned budgets of several agencies pending the release of the 2010 budget for reconstruction.
“We are grateful to some of the agencies which have realigned some of their funds to get the reconstruction and recovery programs going even before the actual funds in the budget are released,” Saludo said.
Just recently, some P600 million were released for typhoon Frank projects in
The borrowings from JICA will be for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the reconstruction of infrastructure (roads, bridges and others) and upgrading of flood control systems. ‘We need to prepare these flood control systems for the coming rains this July,” Saludo said.
Finally he said that the $258 million loan from the World Bank will also “help us use the un-programmed funds in the budget.”
Agencies deemed to be given funds from the P0 billion reconstruction funds are Department of Education (DepED) for classroom reconstruction; Department of Health (DoH) for hospital rehabilitation; more infrastructure and flood control works for the DPWH; relocation of evacuees and people living along waterways for the National Housing Authority (NHA) and finally, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its continued recovery assistance to flood victims and shelter assistance for those who lost their houses.
The 2011 budget also contained provisions for additional reconstruction funds as indicated in a national budget call last May 17 and Item 2.3 of the National Budget Memorandum which specifies: “recovery and reconstruction projects with the objective of building back better and implement quality improvements, disaster resilience and climate change adaptation given the damage and losses inflicted by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.” (PND)
PGMA opens new Ro-Ro port in Masbate
SAN PASCUAL (
The P46.39-million port which was constructed under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway Project of the President is part of the central nautical highway under her 10-point “Beat the Odds” program.
Aboard a
The town has been reeling from a drought since November brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Wearing a hooded raincoat, the President was welcomed by San Pascual Mayor Zacarina Lazaro, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Assistant General Manager for Operations Raul Santos,
The President proceeded to cut the ceremonial ribbon formally inaugurating the San Pascual port and its new RoRo facilities.
She proceeded to the PPA building where she was briefed by
During the briefing, Arroyo said the new port connects
"Ports are important part of my 10-point program -- to connect the entire
A 57-kilometer national road, which is now under construction, will connect the newly-opened port with another port located in Claveria town.
In the central nautical highway plan, San Pascual port will be the entry point of cargo and passenger vessels from Pasacao port in Camarines Sur and San Andres port in Quezon. Claveria port will be the exit point of local products to
The President said that with bigger ports, trade and commerce between and among neighboring islands become very active and progressive.
The construction of the new RoRo port, started in July 26, 2007, and was completed on January 21 last year.
It has expanded facilities that can accommodate bigger cargo and passenger vessels passing through routes to and from Quezon, Masbate, Romblon, Cebu and
After the briefing, the President inducted into office incoming officials of San Pascual led by Rep-elect Narciso Bravo, Jr., Mayor-elect Jojo Rivera and Vice Mayor-elect Zacarina Lazaro.
This is the first time that President Arroyo is visiting this town. Her father, the late former President Diosdado Macapagal, came here with her mother Dr. Evangeline Macaraeg Macapagal on Dec. 28, 1962.
Considered as the "bridge between
Its port is a sanctuary for cargo vessels during tropical storms. (OPS)
