President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last night presented citations to 24 overseas Filipinos and 10 foreign organizations for this year’s Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas for their contribution to Philippine development and progress and for promoting the interests of Filipino communities abroad.

In a ceremony held at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall, the President presented the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino award to Dr. Cosme R. Ragas, a talented academician, medical researcher and a multi-awarded physician based in the United States. Ragas is the founding president of the Philippine Economic and Cultural Endowment (PEACE).

Ragas was selected as Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino awardee for his significant contribution to the country’s development.

The President presented the Kaakabay ng Bayan Award to the International Medical Help for Children (AMIE), for its exceptional contribution to Philippine progress and development.

AMIE, a non-government organization based in Belgium, is actively helping the very poor Filipinos and other people from developing countries to earn a decent living and overcome difficulties, by providing them with financial assistance for livelihood projects and sponsoring the education of children.

The President also presented the Banaag Award to Filipino and foreign individuals or associations for advancing the cause of Filipino communities abroad or for supporting specific sectors/communities in the Philippines.

Among the Banaag Awardees were Babaylan-Switzerland, an organization of Filipino migrant workers and homemakers based in Europe; Estrella C. Beatty of Cyprus; Norma R. Benzon; Center for Philippine Concerns based in Australia; Lolita B. Compas; Dr. Zenaida S. Concepcion based in Libya; William D. Dechavez based in the USA; Dr. Ruby L. De Guzman-Formoso based in Canada; Sonia S. del Rosario also based in Canada; Filipino Association in Brunei based in Brunei Darussalam; Filipino Communities Council of Australia, Inc; Filipino Community Center, Inc. based in the US;

Dr. Marcos R. Fojas of Greece; Kalayaan organization of United Kingdom; Bridget Lew based in Singapore; Maharlika-Switzerland based in Switzerland; Benjamin T. Manglona of the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands; National Organization of Professional Teachers – Hong Kong based in Hong Kong; Philippine Association of Metropolitan Washington Engineers based in USA; Dr. N. Ravindranathan of Brunei Darussalam; Dr. Francis V. Talangbayan based in the US; and Benjamin S. Tomelden, Jr. based in United Kingdom.

She also presented the Pamana ng Pilipino awards to the following; Manolo I. Abella, chief of the Migration Branch of the International Labor Organization (ILO) based in Geneva; Dr. Belinda A. Aquino based in Honolulu, Hawaii; US Benjamin Cayetano, Governor of Hawaii and the only US Governor with Filipino ancestry; Arlene Joan Chai based in Australia; Lina L. Ciani based in Italy; Joanne de Asis-Benitez, based in the US, founder and chairman of Asia Pacific Capital Partners, a boutique investment firm based in New York City and Manila that specializes in identifying financial opportunities worldwide, and the only Asian woman on the prestigious Selection Committee for the US Liberty Medal, the American version of the Nobel Peace Prize; Cesar M. de la Cruz, based in Indonesia; Renato B. Garcia, based in United Kingdom and the only Filipino conferred by Queen Elizabeth as the Member of British Empire (MBE) in August 2002, for his dedicated service to mentally-incapacitated people; Michael Patrick L. Guingona based in the US; and Josie C. Natori based in the US.

The awards system was institutionalized in 1991, through Executive Order No. 498 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

Since its establishment, the awards have so far been conferred on 166 Filipinos and private organizations overseas.

The first set of Presidential Awards for 22 individuals and organizations was given by then President Fidel V. Ramos in December 1993, while the second set, conferred also by President Ramos in December 1996, was received by 45 individuals and organizations.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) today welcomed the assessment made by Moody’s Investor Service that the Philippines is far from economic crisis, saying that the country’s overall economic situation under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "is healthy and continues to gather strength."

"Amid the economic and political shocks, both internal and external, that intervened in 2001, the Philippine economy posted a growth in real gross domestic product of 3.2 percent, one of the highest in East and Southeast Asia," the NEDA said.

NEDA pointed out that the country’s average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.1 percent in the first nine months of 2002 is the highest so far among the leading economies in Southeast Asia."

It added that given the first three-quarter performance for 2002, the economy is on track to meet the government’s whole year growth of 4 to 4.5 percent for real GDP and 4.5 to 5 percent for real GNP.

NEDA said the two major pillars of the administration’s economic policies consist of the following:

• Short-run macroeconomic policies designed for sustained and broad-based growth of output, income, and employment; stable prices; sound balance-of-payments position; and poverty reduction with improved distribution of income and wealth; and

• Long-run policies for industrial restructuring.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today designated Romulo L. Neri as Socio-economic Planning Secretary replacing Dante Canlas, who resigned.

The Chief Executive announced Neri’s appointment during her keynote speech this afternoon at the 28^th Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion.

The President thanked Canlas for his contribution to the remarkable economic performance during the past 20 months, "where my goal of growth with price stability was realized despite the shock that intervened during the period."

She also said that based on resolutions passed during the business congress, she saw the need to shift from the dominantly macro-economic and demand side to focus on micro-economic and supply side, productivity enhancing measures.

Neri was Director-General of the Congressional Planning and Budget Office in the House of Representatives, a position he held since 1990 until his appointment. As such, Neri provided advice to the leadership of the House of Representatives on socio-economic issues, particularly on fiscal and monetary policies, performance of government agencies, development financing and the budget of the national government.

He has had a wide range of consulting experience in enterprise, corporate and development finance involving organizations such as Citibank, the Asian Development Bank, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the First Pacific Philippines, and the House of Representatives.

Neri was also Associate Professor for Corporate Financial Management of the Asian Institute of Management from 1986 to 1990.

Other positions he held include, among others, the following: Corporate Planning Manager of the Canlubang Sugar Estate (1980-1985), Assistant Finance Manager (Assistant Treasurer) of the Philippine National Oil Company (1979-1980), Planning Coordinator of the Philippine National Oil Company (1976-1977), and Planning Coordinator of the Luzon Stevedoring Corporation (1975-1976).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced that as a Christmas gift and token of gratitude to the Overseas Filipino Investors (OFI) for their significant contributions to the country’s economy, the government has created the Kabayanihan program to install an integrated system of delivery of basic services to overseas Filipinos at work sites abroad and at home in the Philippines.

Speaking during the 2002 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas last night, the President said the administration is working doubly hard to strengthen workers’ protection and expanding bilateral relations with other countries, particularly those that host large numbers of Filipinos, and with corporations, associations and even individuals involved in OFW or OFI activities.

The President said she would rather call the Overseas Filipino Workers OFI because of their significant contribution to the economy and the crucial role they play in the country’s growth and stability and the future of their families.

Under the Kabayanihan program, the overseas Filipinos can avail themselves of the services provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The President also said that starting in January next year, the Kabayanihan will open a website which the overseas Filipinos could use to send their suggestions on how the government could improve services, particularly for their welfare.

She said OWWA has now on-site welfare services, including expanded and voluntary membership with OWWA, while the DOLE, OWWA, and POEA have provided electronic identification card or e-card services to the overseas Filipino.

"The e-card is the ultimate ID card of overseas Filipinos. With this e-card, it will no longer be necessary for an OFW to fall in line at POEA to obtain an overseas employment certificate for exemption from the travel tax and airport terminal fees," the President said.

The President explained that by simply presenting the e-card, the holder can have immediate access to OWWA welfare services, POEA processing requirements, and even duty-free shop discounts.

The e-card can also be used as credit card and as an automated teller machine (ATM) card for Philippine commercial banks.

The President also announced that as part of the Kabayanihan program, the OWWA is providing health maintenance services or OWWA medicare to all overseas Filipinos.

Also, the DOLE and Pag-IBIG have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that aims to expand Pag-IBIG membership among overseas Filipinos and provide them assistance in acquiring homes at affordable means.

She also informed the overseas Filipinos that the Pag-IBIG Fund has reduced the equity requirements of its housing program to about 10 percent for the OFWs.

Another benefit under the program is the Social Security Service (SSS) provident fund or flexi-fund services for overseas Filipinos. The provident fund or flexi-fund was designed to enable OFIs to save their hard-earned money while working abroad.

The President thus encouraged all OFIs to invest in the flexi-fund because "it is like a savings account with a higher than bank interest rate and, more importantly, it is withdrawable anytime they want."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last night ordered Secretary Jose D. Lina, Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to intensify the government campaign against illegal drugs by pinpointing the drug lords in the country.

The President also directed Lina to unmask rascals in uniform within the Philippine National Police (PNP) who serve as protectors of drug syndicates.

In her speech during the 2002 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas held at Malacaņang, the President directed Lina to pursue the government’s battle against illegal drugs.

"Now that the kidnappings have slowed down, I order Interior Secretary Joey Lina to pinpoint and concentrate on the drug lords and rascals in uniform," the President said.

This afternoon, during her speech at the Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel, the President also announced the successful joint operation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), PNP and Drug Enforcement Agency on a drug warehouse in Navotas, resulting in the seizure of precursors capable of producing P1 billion worth of shabu.

She said the drug bust operation in Navotas and the discovery of a shabu laboratory in Lawang Bato in Valenzuela City last week were the biggest operations so far of the law-enforcement agencies, netting a total of P2.2 billion worth of shabu.

"This is the fruit of the government’s relentless anti-drug campaign which followed a series of spectacular drug seizures in Real, Quezon province; San Narciso in Zambales; Pasay City; Varsity Hills in Quezon City; Paranaque; San Juan and other places," the President said.

The President also ordered Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo to work harder and continue his fight against smugglers in the Bureau of Customs order of battle.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today announced that her administration is shifting its focus in economic planning from the dominantly macroeconomic and demand side to the microeconomic and supply side, productivity enhancing measures.

Speaking at the 25^th Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel, the President, however, thanked outgoing Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante Canlas for his contribution to what she termed as "remarkable" macroeconomic performance of her administration.

"During this past 20 months, my goal of growth with price stability was realized despite the various shocks that intervened during the period," the President said.

In her address, the President also announced her designation of Congressional Budget Planning Head Romulo Neri to be the new Socioeconomic Plannning Secretary, vice Canlas.

The President said that the strong republic she is speaking of is not just a vague notion but "a clear set of reforms and a hard plan of action."

To fight graft and corruption, the President created a Presidential Oversight System for government procurement with powers to review, on a pro-active basis, any suspected favoritism, over-pricing and unethical practices in government transactions.

The President offered former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao to head the oversight committee.

The President also said that he has asked Congress to speed up the bill to "corporatize" the Bureau of Internal Revenue as the National Revenue Authority.

To further protect the intellectual property rights, the President said that government has provided more resources to the Videogram Regulatory Board, "which is why they have been able to confiscate millions of counterfeit products, close down the factories producing them, and prosecute the persons arrested in the factories."

Stressing that her administration is bent on curbing smuggling, the President announced her creating a few days ago a new Anti-Smuggling Intelligence and Investigation Center, headed by former Police General Miguel Coronel, to help the Customs Commissioner in going after big-time smugglers.

The President said that she will pay close attention to strengthening the justice system.

Relative to this, the Chief Executive urged the businessmen to stop using the judiciary as an extension of other competitive activities by not bringing what would be essentially business rivalry into the level of court disputes. "The use of business mediation processes should be encouraged," she said.

On infrastructure, the President said she will accelerate the completion of the South Luzon Expressway to Batangas City, especially the distance from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, and from Lipa City to Batangas City.

"Two days ago, we approved the equity funding needed to commence the long-overdue improvement of the North Expressway," the President said.

The President also revealed her intention to make the Clark and Subic corridors a magnet and showcase for investments and tourism by declaring the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport the airline hub for the Asia- Pacific region.

"We need to unleash the goodwill of donor countries and institutions that have long accumulated in unused and untapped official development assistance (ODA) funds," the President said, emphasizing that tens of billions of pesos in grants and concessional credit are choked up within the bureaucratic apparatus of the government.

The President directed the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and other agencies to declog the bottleneck and streamline procedures on ODA and Build-Operate-Transfer projects.

The President also said that the resources meant to construct an array of infrastructure projects vital to development process must be mobilized, including the following: the Mindanao-to-Luzon roll-on/roll-off ferry system, the modernization of the railway systems, extension of the urban mass transit lines, and the reform of the power sector.

She likewise said that her administration is more resolute in its commitment to strictly enforce policies meant to restore ecological balance.

"Our natural gas program has already taken off to exploit the opportunities given out by the opening of the Malampaya Natural Gas Plant," the President said, pointing out that pilot projects to commission public transportation vehicles powered by compressed natural gas are under way.

The President has also instructed the new Environment and Natural Resources secretary to review the mandate of the Laguna Lake Development Authority to reconcile conflicts between law enforcement and regulatory functions.

The President also said that the Special Asset Management bill helping the big banks get rid of their non-performing loans is nearing approval by the bicameral conference committee.

The President cited the recently signed Republic Act 9178, which exempts enterprises with assets of less than P3 million from the minimum wage law.

The President also accepted the Philippine Business Conference’s offer of their time and sincere efforts to work closely with the government to carry the strong republic through.

The President also conferred this year’s prestigious Aurelio Periquet, Jr. Business Leadership Award, Outstanding Countryside Investor Awards, Outstanding Chamber Awards, and the Most Business-friendly Local Government Units Awards.

The President also witnessed the signing of an agreement on the Kalahi Livelihood Project with five firms.

The President also received, in a formal turn-over ceremony, a copy of Nick Joaquin’s book titled "Madame Excelsis: Historying Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

She also received the resolutions culled from various plenary sessions by the participants of the 28^th PBC which banners this year’s theme: "Accelerating Countryside Development Through Global Linkages."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today inaugurated Project METRO, a government program that makes five major corridors in Metro Manila a pilot area where enforcement of laws and ordinances will be strictly implemented.

The Project Metro, undertaken to achieve peace and order, cleanliness, environment preservation and beautification and in line with the vision of the strong republic, was inaugurated at the road median or island of Edsa corner Roxas Boulevard, where a marker was built.

The President, who arrived at the site in the afternoon, released white balloons signifying the start of the project.

The five areas are (M)alacanang Corridor – from the airport through the South Super Highway up to Malacanang Palace; (E)dsa Corridor, from the airport through Edsa up to Edsa Shrine; (T)aft Avenue Corridor, from the airport through Taft Avenue up to Metropolitan Theater; (R)oxas Boulevard Corridor, from the airport through Roxas Boulevard up to Intramuros; and (O)rtigas Corridor, from the airport through C-5 up to Ortigas Center and Libis.

A total of 700 Metro policemen and Metro traffic enforcers and an initial 50 Metro cleaners, anti-smoke belching, Sagip-Pamilia and Sampaguita Girls relief teams have been fielded within the 48.8 kilometers of the Metro corridors.

Briefing tents have been strategically located where traffic, anti-smoke belching and anti-littering violators and jaywalkers will be brought and be briefed on the rules and guidelines. Succeeding violations will require community service.

With these measures, it is believed that proper orientation will be imparted to the people as the pilot area serves as a choke point where pedestrian and drivers will pass through sooner or later.

For the initial implementation, two corridors will be operational – the Roxas Boulevard and Edsa corridors. The other three corridors will be made ready by the first quarter of next year. For the Roxas Boulevard and Edsa corridors, the people are enjoined to cooperate for the next two weeks when pilot implementation will be undertaken. Full implementation will commence by January 2, 2003.

Business groups, oil companies, various socio-civic groups and schools within the area are asked to participate through the Adopt-A- Kilometer Program.

The Metro Foundation will spearhead the non-government organization and private sector support.

The Metro Manila Development Authority will be the lead implementor, with the mayors of the cities of Manila, Pasay, Paranaque, Makati, Quezon, Pasig and Taguig. Participating agencies are the Office of the President, Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Tourism and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.