PGMA lauds Rural Bank for lending to micro-entrepreneurs
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this morning thanked the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) for helping the country’s marginalized people or the “base of the pyramid” as RBAP’s 52nd anniversary theme states.
“With your assistance, the
Aside from the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, other global groups such as “the Economist” magazine have also taken notice of the robust growth in microfinance operations of the
The President said the creditable economic performance of the country “enabled us to continuously grow for the past eight years. In fact we have not been through the normal boom and bust cycle since 2001. These same strong fundamentals will enable us to keep growing despite the destructions brought by typhoons “Ondoy” “Pepeng”, and “Quedan” and, with your help, we can propel the
The President also acknowledged the role of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), headed by its president and chief executive officer Gilda Pico, in channeling P180 billion to retail financial institutions like rural banks.
Rural banking was introduced by the late President Elpidio Quirino in the late 1940s to be a catalyst for countryside development. As a senator, the President authored the law rehabilitating the rural banking system in the country.
Last year, privately-owned rural banks posted an outstanding loan portfolio of P6 billion to 290,000 clients.
PGMA distributes relief goods in Lubao village
BGY. BARUYA, Lubao, Pampanga -- As part of her continuing effort to assist victims of tropical storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed food packs to residents of the barangay on Wednesday.
This remote barangay, located near the boundaries of
Joining the President at the
Each food pack contained three kilos of rice, instant noodles, luncheon meat, corned beef, and soy sauce.
The President arrived late in the afternoon. She was promptly mobbed by her cabalens despite the drizzle.
Garbed in a cream colored jacket over a pink blouse and gray slacks, the President gamely waved and shook hands with whoever was lucky enough to get close to her.
While the President was busy distributing the food packs, a PGMA medical and dental mission treated the typhoon victims.
PGMA exhorts CREBA to help make RP most favored tourist destination
Cagayan de Oro City --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today called on the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA) to help the government make the
In her keynote address at the three-day 24th National Convention of the CREBA at the Atrium of the Lim Ket Kai Center here, the President said the tourism sector has been growing for the last eight years with government infrastructure support such as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway which has provided seamless movement of people and goods from Luzon to Mindanao.
Moreover, the President said the tourism sector grew significantly especially after the tourism super region plan was fleshed out.
“One breakthrough for the tourism was when we completed the
However, the Chief Executive noted that the lack of tourism establishments such as hotel rooms impede the supposed soar of the sector.
“You build them (tourism establishments) and they come,” she said.
The President added that the
CREBA is the country’s largest organization of real estate brokers, developers, professionals and suppliers. The convention’s theme is “Pinoy Economic Stimuli in a Global Recession: Mass Housing and World Class-Tourism.”
NDCC still conducting review, consultations on proposed early lifting of state of calamity -- Golez
MANILA, Oct. 8 — Malacanang said on Thursday the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is still conducting consultations among local government officials and thorough review of the extent of the damages caused by storm "Ondoy" and typhoon "Pepeng" in various parts of the country before it can make recommendations to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the partial or total lifting of the nationwide state of calamity.
Press Undersecretary and Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez, in a media briefing at the
According to Golez, the NDCC has a system in assessing the damages up to the barangay level, and each step of the way up would mean different coordination and this coordination is being used right now in order to find out the realities that are happening on the ground.
He said the soonest time possible for the NDCC to recommend the lifting of the state of calamity would all defend on NDCC Chairman and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., that is if he is able to finish the consultations and thorough review and study on the extent of the damages made by the two weather disturbances.
”We cannot hurry up that because when we talk about the NDCC, you try to get in touch with all the cities and barangays, municipalities, the provinces that were devastated by the calamity and it takes a process, it takes a while before we get to have a clear picture of what is happening,” Golez added.
”But of course, Secretary Teodoro is doing everything to come up with a speedy resolution on this problem,” the deputy presidential spokesman stressed.
He explained that President Arroyo has not given any deadline for the NDCC to submit a recommendation on the lifting of the state of calamity.
Golez also said Teodoro, being the NDCC chairman, expects that all local government units are now implementing a rehabilitation plan in their respective provinces, cities, towns and barangays.
Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said a large business association has indicated full support and understanding for what the government has to do in this time of crisis.
”So, yung mga nagki-criticize dyan, they’re not necessarily representatives of the entire business community which, by the way, is extremely supportive of the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government,” Olivar added.
Duque assures supply of medicines for sick typhoon victims
“We have enough supply of medicines for the persons who are now sick in evacuation centers because the government and various private and non-government organizations continue to procure medicines to maintain an adequate stock of drugs for respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, skin infection and minor injuries,” Duque said.
Duque particularly cited the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and it members because of their continuous donation of drugs for typhoon victims.
The DOH chief also assured that there will be continuous procurement of drugs to supply those who are in need of the proper medicines.
The DOH earlier reported that 6,725 persons in evacuation centers are now suffering from the said diseases.
Duque admitted that 50 percent of the total infected persons have been reported to have upper respiratory tract infections. He also reiterated Thursday that there is no outbreak of disease in any of the evacuation centers.
He said medical teams from the DOH fielded in evacuation centers are monitoring the situation to also assist the sick and elderly. Government doctors were also sent to relief centers to conduct stress briefing on flood victims.
Duque said they will continue to check the health conditions of evacuees to avoid a possible outbreak in the crowded evacuation centers.
He also urged typhoon victims to maintain the practice good personal hygiene like boiling water use for cooking and drinking, washing hands with soap and water before and after eating and after using the toilet, using toilet facilities/portalets for one’s personal needs, using protective clothing to avoid dengue.
Reports said more than 70,000 families remained in evacuation centers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces where floodwaters have not yet subsided.
PGMA grants absolute pardon to Surigao disbursing officer
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has granted absolute pardon to Ernesto Galon Navallo, a disbursing officer of the
He was arrested on Nov. 15, 1984 but was released after posting bail.
The Presidential pardon was reported by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during his regular Wednesday briefing at the
The President has also granted conditional pardon with parole conditions to Orlando Oroso Bas Jr. alias
She commuted the sentence of: Salvador de la Cruz Agapito; Eliseo Domingo Agcaoili; Vicente Estrada Alhambra alias Benny; Almer Cayabyab Alonzo; Noel Antioquia Anacio; Santos Brimon
Indonesia renews pledge supporting GRP, MILF peace process
MANILA, Oct. 8 – The Indonesian government Thursday reiterated its commitment supporting the ongoing peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to put an end to the armed conflict in southern
Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Irzan Tandjung made the pledge during a testimonial ceremony at the launching of the Ambassador Manuel T. Yan’s Peace Resource Center (AMTYPRC) at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in
"Allow me to take this opportunity to reiterate that
He said
Tandjung also said that “
The Indonesian envoy recalled how the late Ambassador Yan devoted his untiring effort, working for a just and lasting peace in southern
During the period of the GRP-MNLF peace negotiations, Tandjung said General Yan had worked intensively with his Indonesian counterparts, Ambassador Wirjono Sastrohandoyo and then Direct or Nur Hassan Wirajuda, the current Indonesian foreign minister, for a peaceful settlement to the Mindanao armed conflict.
He said the Center in honor of Ambassador Yan is a testament that “peace can be achieved and promoted through common resolves.”
Yan was former Philippine ambassador to
Yan was a public servant for 63 long years and had served 12 presidents during his lifetime. (PNA)
