Tacloban City —President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address the growing concerns of the residents affected by the Supreme Court ruling ordering the demolition of structures built along waterways in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
The President issued the directive after the presentation of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) on the waterways-related demolition and eviction during the joint NEDA-NAPC Cabinet Group Meeting at the VIP lounge of the Tacloban airport here.
The Chief Executive asked the MMDA to explain to the residents the agency’s implementation of the High Court’s decision ordering it to lead the dismantling and removal of all structures along Pasig-Marikina-San Juan Rivers; Paranaque-Zapote-Las Pinas Rivers; Navotas-Malabon-Tullahan-Tenejeros Rivers and connecting waterways and esteros in Metro Manila as a way to clean up Manila Bay.
Likewise, the President directed the DPWH to convene the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) recommended by PCUP and local government units (LGUs) to assist it in carrying out the order to residents near the Meycauayan-Marilao-Obando rivers in Bulacan; Talisay in Bataan river; Imus in Cavite river; Laguna de Bay and other rivers connecting waterways and esteros that discharge waste water into the Manila Bay.
The Court’s decision, handed down in December 2008, directed the MMDA and DPWH to immediately act and discharge their duties to effect the cleanup, restoration and preservation of the water quality of Manila Bay.
These two agencies specifically ordered to dismantle “structures, constructions and encroachments” along the rivers and tributaries that flow into the bay.
PGMA stresses importance of sports to develop youth
“Sports develop our youth, not only in health but in character, discipline, self-confidence, courage to win and teamwork and these are the qualities that we want to develop in our students who are in training in sports,” President Arroyo said in her short message during the formal opening Tuesday (April 28) of the weeklong multi-sports event.
The President also emphasized that the Palarong Pambansa is part of a comprehensive program of the government to help the country in facing the immediate challenges arising from the world economic meltdown.
“The same kind of traits is not only important in confronting the immediate challenges but also in the progress of our nation for the good of our youth,” she said.
President Arroyo also took time to inform the more than 20,000 crowd -- including athletes and officials that witnessed the colorful opening rites -- that the government is serious in investing more in infrastructure projects.
”Our investments in the infrastructures like the roads, airports and ports that you used in coming here, and as well as our investment in human capital including education, health and sports, these will support the programs of our country,” the President stressed.
In keeping with the Palaro’s theme, “Unity, Peace and Progress,” the President challenged local and sports leaders coming from the country’s 17 regions to work together to achieve progress.
“Working together as one nation and people, I am confident that we will not only survive but prosper in this time of global crisis.
President Arroyo acknowledged the presence of Vice President Noli de Castro, and congratulated the local government headed by Gov. Jericho Carlos Petilla for hosting the Palaro.
It is the first time in 26 years the province of Leyte to host the prestigious meet since 1983, the height of the rivalry between Palaro products Elma Muros and Lydia de Vega.
The President delighted the huge crowd when she greeted them in the local dialect, “Maupay na aga ha iyo nga tanan (Good morning to all of you)”; and drew thunderous applause when she officially declared the Palaro open.
“I hope this Palaro 2009 will display the teamwork of our students for the show of our unity as one nation and, in this spirit, I now declare the Palarong Pambansa open,” the President declared.
The President was accompanied to the stage by Secretary Jesli Lapus of the Department of Education (DepEd) which conducts the annual multi-sports event participated in by more than 10,000 athletes and officials from the country’s 17 regions.
Aside from Petilla, other local officials who joined the President include Rep. Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s first district and mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City which hosted the 2008 Palaro meet.
The Leyte province has spent P70 million to refurbish the Leyte Sports Development Center and 18 other venues throughout the province.
Among the calendared sports disciplines for the weeklong sports meet include athletics, archery, arnis (secondary only), badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing (secondary only), chess, football, gymnastics, sepak-takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, taekwondo and volleyball.
Powerhouse National Capital Region (NCR) is the reigning overall champion both in the elementary and secondary divisions, but last year’s second placer Western Visayas is hoping to end the Big City’s sports supremacy.
Completing the list of sports delegations from the regions are Southern Tagalog, CALABARZON, Central Visayas, Central Luzon Region, Northern Mindanao, Ilocos Region, Southern Tagalog, MIMAROPA, Davao Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, CARAGA, Cotabato Region, Cagayan Valley and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The games resume on Wednesday (April 29) with 21 gold medals at stake, including 16 in the swimming competition. Aside from time trials, five golds are up for grabs in Athletics.
Leyte gets new economic zone
The President’s proclamation was announced by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde at a press briefing following the out-of-town Cabinet meeting held at the VIP Lounge of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.
“I am very happy to announce the good news for the people of the province of Leyte this issuance of presidential proclamation, creating and designating two parcels of land as special economic zone,” Remonde said.
Gov. Jericho Carlos Petilla described the PICC award as a good indicator that his province is taking the right direction in business promotion and encouraging businessmen to invest in Leyte.
The provincial administration was also cited for its efforts to promote the province as an Information Technology (IT) destination through the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (PEZA) declaration of the Leyte ICT Park and the launching of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI).
No Mexican Swine flu in the Philippines
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap reiterated Tuesday that there is no swine influenza outbreak in the Philippines and eating pork is safe.
“Consuming meat products continuously to be a safe activity, we’re calling this (virus strain) the Mexican Swine Influenza,” said Yap referring to the local term the NDCC has adopted as the more appropriate reference to the influenza strain (Swine Flu) believed to have originated from farm hogs in Mexico.
Yap added that the Animal Health Organization based in Paris has found no evidence that the influenza virus is transmitted by food.
Instead, as reported by Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde, there are indications that the virus jumped from one person to another.
“This is new strain (Mexican Swine influenza) is described from cases and deaths from Mexico and several other areas in the United States has not identified previously from animals or humans. The occurrence of illness and the absence of definite pig exposure among the first cases strongly suggested human to human transmission,” said Villaverde.
Being a new strain, there is no vaccine for the Mexican Swine Influenza.
The World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert to Phase 4 but government is not worried.
“Even though there’s a world-wide declaration of a Phase-4 event, the Philippines is classified as a non-affected country,” Defense Secretary and NDCC chair Gilbert Teodoro said, “But be that as it may, we have take all necessary steps to maintain if not improve our readiness to meet a theoretical pandemic should it affect the Philippines. The Department of Health will issue bulletins from time to time regarding the Mexican Swine Flu.”
Affected countries will have to rapidly contain the illness by preventing those with fever or under febrile conditions from leaving the country while those non-affected must heighten its surveillance, hospital and clinical care, logistics which will include medicines and supply, public information and advocacy.
Yap has ordered the temporary suspension of all hog and pork imports from afflicted areas and has mobilized concerned offices under the Department of Agriculture.
“I have ordered the Bureau of Quarantine to heightened alert in all airports and seaports to ensure that hand-carried meat products are thoroughly screened to prevent the entry of products from afflicted zones and the National Meat Inspection Service to monitor meat establishments and slaughter houses, inter-province movements of live hogs and products to ensure proper safety certification.”
Yap added that even the measures implemented during the height of the Reston Virus infections in Pandi, Bulacan are still operational.
DOH, as reported previously by Secretary Francisco Duque III, activated its surveillance mechanism particularly screening of inbound passengers in international seaports and airports since last week following the WHO announcement that the influenza strain has developed into a public health emergency of international concern.
Villaverde said passengers under “feverish condition” will be isolated and treated to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the San Lazaro Hospital and the Lung Center of the Philippines.
The signs and symptoms of the influenza in Humans include: fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, and nausea/vomiting and diarrhea.
“We have already conducted orientation on the interim guidelines and we are establishing the mechanism wherein we can organize our field hospitals and other emergency operation center,” said Villaverde, “with our experience in the Avian Influenza, for which we remained zero-case, we are quite assured that our readiness is in placed. Also, our experience with SARS triggered most of our preparation now. We are in that stage of readiness. Also, more recently, the Reston Virus. We have conducted some exercises and so many scenarios that will make our health workers and health managers more able to respond to this condition.”
To reduce the risks of infection, DOH has proposed several ways including avoiding places described as afflicted areas; and covering mouth and nose with tissues or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.
RP eyes China’s huge market for its exports to mitigate impact of global recession
Rolando Tungpalan, deputy director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said during a media briefing here today (April 28, Tuesday) that the joint NEDA-NAPC Cabinet Group meeting focused on how the Philippines could take advantage of China’s huge market which "has picked up very strongly despite the global economic recession."
With the World Bank’s forecast that the pickup in China will strongly support growth in the rest of Asia by raising demand for commodities and products, the government will actively promote Philippines exports to China and Chinese investments in the Philippines.
“China has demonstrated that it has a huge market and that it is prepared to assist partner countries, including the Philippines like in providing loans and investments,” Tungpalan said.
Likewise, the government shall tap Chinese official development assistance (ODA) for community infrastructure projects, particularly for waterless barangays.
Based on the Global Recession Impact Monitor (GRIM) presentation, China’s stimulus package is seen to be working, with its stock market rising by 47 percent in April, and its car sales hitting a monthly record last March.
China is reaching out to the rest of world to provide loans and investments. It is also making a push to lock up energy reserves across the globe by offering much-needed credit to governments, the latest being a $10 billion oil-for-loan deal with Kazakhstan.
In pursuit of strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has proposed various plans and programs that include a US$10-billion China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation which will be set up to accelerate the construction of infrastructure in the region to improve connectivity.
China will set up a US$15-billion credit fund for cooperation projects, and provide US$5 million for the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund. It also wants to beef up financial ties with ASEAN members, Japan and South Korea.
In the next five years, China will also offer 2,000 government scholarships and 200 Master of Public Administration (MPA) scholarship grants to developing economies of East Asia.
