President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday (Manila time) said the Philippines’ “relative resiliency” to the global financial crisis is due to the “preparations we made long ago when we took the bitter pill of economic reforms after the Asian financial crisis that prepared us for the current crisis.”
Speaking before the first plenary at the Lenox Pavillion of the Congress Hall in St. Petersburg, anchored by Maria Bartiromo of CNBC’s “Closing Bell” program, the President said the Philippines posted a GNP of 4.4 percent growth from January to March this year, which compares favorably well with the negative growths of the neighbors in Asia and in the region.
She reiterated her message in Korea—where she came before going to Russia—about sustaining growth through “increased but controlled spending on vital food, energy and human and physical infrastructure programs and creating more jobs.”
She said the country has expanded and diversified its markets for its products and services in China and the Middle East, which are not affected by the current global meltdown.
“We have diversified our markets and partners for our products and services—since we export a lot of our skilled Filipino workers – in China and the Middle East,” the President said.
She said the country addressed its monetary and fiscal concerns several years ago in preparation for any global challenges like the one facing most countries in the world now.
She also wished the best for the Russian economic programs as she told her audience that Russia could be the next major economic power in the future.
“On behalf of the Filipino people, I wish the best for Russia’s economy and I hope that you will be able to grow into one economic powerhouse.”
“We invested heavily in long overdue physical and human infrastructure,” she said.
She spoke of tentative signs of recovery in some of the biggest international markets.
For instance, she said, America is already exhibiting signs of improvements in consumer spending and consumer confidence.
The US, being the most powerful nation in the world, is now showing signs of recovery which will benefit all other countries in the world, especially its trading partner and allies like the Philippines.
In China, the housing and auto sectors are growing. It is importing iro ore and other raw materials again which it stopped last year. “So that is also a very important sign,” she said.
PGMA orders PNP to identify and track down suspects in attempted assassination of DOTC official
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued a marching order to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a thorough investigation into the attempted assassination Wednesday of Transportation Assistant Secretary Elmer Soneja – identify and track down the perpetrators.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said the PNP was instructed to make sure such incident will not happen again.
He said the incident is “alarming and worrisome” as the attempt on the life of Soneja was “carried out in broad daylight in the middle of traffic in a progressive city.”
“The Palace is condemning such evil activities of these people,” Golez, said.
Golez noted that the previous killings of two government officials were also carried out in the same manner at Soneja’s.
Five men shot Soneja while he was driving along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Pasig City Wednesday morning, hitting him in the arm and torso.
Soneja is the head of the Department of Transportation and Communications’ bids and awards committee on the NBN-ZTE deal, and he testified at the Senate inquiry into the deal in 2008.
Golez however said it was still early to conclude that the attack was connected with his testimony on the cancelled broadband network deal
“Let’s wait for the investigation by the Philippine National Police. We cannot make hasty generalizations on these incidents. That’s why we need thorough investigations,” he said.
Duque says Dengue deadlier than A/H1N1
At the Friday Balitaan sa Rembrandt, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said Dengue fever has killed 57 in country while A/H1N1 has none.
Confirmed A/H1N1 cases may have reached 33 with the addition of 4 new cases as of June 5.
Duque explained that the changing climate has shortened the incubation period of the dengue virus: from 12 days, it was cut down to seven.
As far as Dengue fever is concerned, Duque said DOH is keeping an eye on the National Capital Region particularly in CAMANAVA, Cebu, Davao and Dagupan where most cases are coming from.
Another killer is leptospirosis which targets the liver.
Leptospirosis can be obtained from prolonged immersion in flood waters contaminated by urine from infected rats.
Duque is expecting that the number of A/H1N1 cases will rise in coming days because of the on-going contact tracing as well as undisturbed international travel.
He manifested mild acute febrile respiratory symptoms on June 2 and consulted a doctor on June 3 heeding the DLSU officials’ advice to its students when it suspended all its classes in Taft.
“The three DLSU cases are responding well to their treatments and do not even have fever anymore, including the latest case. Contact tracing though is still in progress,” Duque said.
The three other cases all have a history of travel: all came from the United States and one of them is a 29 year-old female foreigner.
The rest are siblings, a 9 and a 7 year-old, both females, who arrived in the country on June 3.
All three are recovering from their illness in health facilities.
ADB has issued its own guidelines to prevent the spread of A (H1N1) among its employees and has been updating the Department on the condition of the positive case.
“We stress that only those who will qualify as CUOs including close contacts of confirmed cases will be tested and will receive treatment for free,” Duque said.
At present DOH includes the following high risk individuals as priority: 1) those who have flu-like symptoms and have recently traveled from affected countries; and 2) symptomatic individuals who were known close contacts of confirmed cases.
In their latest report dated June 3, the World Health Organization reported 19,273 cases and 117 deaths from 66 reporting countries.
DOJ: Mancao's affidavit not yet officially released
MANILA, June 5 - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday clarified that the sworn-affidavit executed by former police Sr. Supt. Cesar Mancao II in connection with the Dacer-Corbito double murder case has not yet been officially released.
"Di pa na-release officially ang affidavit ni Mancao dahil di pa natin mabuksan ang preliminary investigation (Mancao's affidavit has not yet been officially released because we are yet to start with the preliminary stage of investigation)," Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was quoted as saying in an interview over radio station RMN Friday morning.
Mancao has executed a sworn-affidavit on Feb. 14, 2009 before the United States federal court allegedly detailing the "brains" behind the abduction - slay of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.
"Hintayin muna natin si Dumlao para sabay ang preliminary investigation at para bumigat ang kaso (Let's just wait for Dumlao to be able to conduct the preliminary investigation simultaneously to cast a tight lid on the case case)," Gonzalez further said.
Former police Sr. Supt. Glenn Dumlao has withdrawn his opposition against the extradition case filed against him by the Philippine government before the United States federal court.
"Di pa namin pinag-uusapan ang kaso baka sabihin ng mga kritiko na bini-brain wash natin ung tao (We have not yet talked about the case as government critics might accuse us of brainwashing him)," the DOJ chief pointed out.
Gonzalez was referring to Mancao who is now under the protective custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) pending the reopening of the investigation into the controversial case.
RP marks World Environment Day
“Your planet needs you. Unite to combat Climate Change!!!”
The foregoing theme banners this year’s international observance of World Environment Day (WED) marked by the Philippines with rites at the Marikina Riverbanks Activity Center in Marikina City yesterday, Thursday.
The rites, led by the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change, headed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself, was hosted by Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando. The worldwide observance was under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Secretary Heherson Alvarez, Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change said this year’s WED theme “reflects the urgency of saving the life support systems of the Earth – our food and water supply, forests and biodiversity – from the threat of climate change.”
“The Earth is in peril. Unprecedented long droughts and escalating ferocious storms brought about by creeping climate change are affecting archipelagic communities such as the Philippines.
We are calling on all citizens to join us in a carbon cutting coalition campaign versus climate change because we are at war, fighting for survival of the Earth,” Alvarez explained.
Alvarez said President Arroyo has called for “deep and early cuts on carbon dioxide emissions to moderate the creeping climate change of intensifying destructive typhoons.”
He said he will relay the President’s call during the June 1-12, 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference in Bonn, Germany where he leads the Philippine delegation.
Among the on-going WED events in the country are “Gallery of the Seas” boat sails exhibits, bicycle runs, waste management and recycling demonstrations, tree planting, poster painting and slogan writing contests, medical missions and green charcoal cooking demonstrations.
Green groups push for cleanup of dumpsites as RP marks World Environment Day
MANILA, June 5 - In a meeting held Thursday on the eve of the World Environment Day, 16 citizens’ groups vowed to intensify efforts to have the country’s polluting dumpsites closed and decontaminated.
Led by the EcoWaste Coalition, the groups pledged to campaign for government, corporate and citizen action to minimize pollution of the air, soil and water from gaseous and liquid contaminants coming from all abandoned and still operating dumpsites.
“The threat of far-reaching pollution is real. We need to discontinue dumping and put in place all the essential measures and safeguards to reduce, if not thwart, the threats of chemical pollution,” said Rei Panaligan, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.
“It is not enough just to fence the dumps and cover the stinking trash with soil. These are contaminated spots requiring stringent rehabilitation and monitoring even after their closure,” he said.
The National Solid Waste Management Commission, according to the EcoWaste Coalition, should treat the country’s over 1,000 dumpsites as contaminated sites and marshal the required technical expertise and resources to ensure post-closure pollution prevention and surveillance.
The Coalition cited US federal regulation requiring 30-year monitoring and maintenance after closure of “state-of-the-art” landfills because of threats to groundwater quality and other health and environmental issues.
“We are particularly concerned on how the toxic leachate from mixed waste dumpsites, especially those located in watersheds or near water bodies, can adversely affect our long-term access to clean water as well as safe food,” said Beau Baconguis, Toxics Campaigner of Greenpeace.
Leachate, as defined under R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, is a contaminated liquid produced when waste undergoes decomposition, and when water percolates through waste undergoing decomposition.
Old and new dumps located near or within watersheds and critical water sources such as the Laguna Lake basin and the Ipo and Marikina watersheds can leach dangerous contaminants, from pathogens to persistent toxic chemicals, which can seriously threaten water safety and food security, the groups said.
“The closure, cleanup and rehabilitation of all dumpsites should also be undertaken with earnest attention and speed to ease their impacts on the changing climate,” Noli Abinales of Buklod Tao said.
Dumpsites are major producers of methane, a climate-warming gas, formed from the decomposition of organic materials without oxygen. Methane is 72 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time frame.
“Knowing that many people subsist by reclaiming recyclables in dumpsites, we find it necessary for closure plans to include concrete opportunities for humane and sustainable livelihood for waste pickers,” stated Amy Derano of the Diocese of Caloocan Ecology Ministry.
Present at the meeting were the representatives of the Advocates for Environment and Social Justice, Akbayan-Bulacan, Buklod Tao, Concerned Citizens Against Pollution, Diocese of Caloocan Ecology Ministry, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Greenpeace, Health Care Without Harm, Krusada sa Kalikasan, Mother Earth Foundation, November 17 Movement, Sanib Lakas ng Inang Kalikasan, Save Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Sining Yapak, Upholding Life and Nature, Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Jobs, Livelihood, Discounts and Concerts for 111th June 12
On June 12 celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Day, DOLE Secretary and NOC chair of the 111th Independence Day Marianito Roque said that in keeping with this year’s theme “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan: Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan” the event will have a three-day jobs generation activities in Rizal Park and in 18 sites around the country.
Specifically, Roque said the triple-one anniversary will focus on 3 target beneficiaries. The first day June 12 is reserved for displaced government workers for emergency contract employment or vacant plantilla positions and the qualified workers in various government agencies. There is an estimated 50,000 positions for the combined vacant plantilla positions for qualified jobseekers and emergency contract workers in various government agencies, bureaus, corporations nationwide.
On the next day June 13, some 1000 companies from the private sector shall offer 75,000 positions as well as LGUs and on June 14, 50,000 land and sea-based jobs for OFWS shall be given by 1,000 local recruitment agencies/ contractors.
Also, to pursue last year’s theme of “bringing government closer to the people” President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed her cabinet secretaries to implement the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program as part of the government’s economic resiliency plan addressing the global financial crisis. The various CLEEP Stewards/champions shall bring to the people in all regions jobs, emergency employment contracts, livelihood, housing, scholarships and entrepreneurial opportunities to be led by DOLE and NAPC.
According to NHI Exec. Director Ludovico Badoy, chair of the NOC Technical Working Committee, these services shall start with the historical flag raising and wreath-laying rites and complemented with the various government services such as assistance on NBI clearance, NSO birth certificate, SSS claims, PAGIBIG housing assistance and the Diskwento Project of DTI, LTO driver’s license, DFA passport and other services. The simultaneous flag raising under Sentro Kagitingan and wreathlaying ceremonies shall be led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the country’s annual nationwide tribute to our heroes.
Sentro Kasipagan shows the industriousness of the Filipino workers shall be manifested in the job openings, emergency employment contracts, livelihood, presyo diskwento as well as the granting of scholarships by TESDA and CHED vouchers of DSWD, hiring of DepEd teachers, police and army personnel of PNP, DND/AFP, street sweepers of MMDA, construction workers for DPWH, NARS Program of DOH, Green Technology of DENR and others.
Sentro Kagalingan on the other hand, highlights the creativity of the Filipino talent which will showcase in the Kalayaan evening concert outstanding Filipino artists who have crossed international borders and put the Philippines in the global map such as Charice Pempengco, the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, and the legendary Pilita Corrales. There is also a search on Pambansang Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan of DepEd to recognize outstanding students and a tribute to artist Francis Magalona by leading bands.
The public will enjoy this year’s Independence Day from morning to night time since the DOT, NPDC, NCCA, DND-AFP, PAGCOR, PETA, FFCC, MMDA shall provide a 3-day cultural shows/entertainment and free performances during the celebration of our 111th Independence Day as well as free LRT/MRT rides on June 12 from 7:00 – 9:00 AM and 5:00 – 7:00 PM
