President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed yesterday a total of 400 certificates of lot assignments to urban poor beneficiaries of Paranaque.

She also gave out checks for P5,000 to P15,000 to some 200 urban poor beneficiaries as assistance for their livelihood projects.

The President led the lot distribution ceremonies at the Baclaran Elementary School Central in Paranaque.

The land covers parcels of lot situated in Paranaque City and owned and administered by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). The areas are known as Sitios Maligaya, San Juan, Sta. Rita and Puyat Compound, and have a total land area of 3.78 hectares.

In her brief remarks, the President noted the significant role played by lone Rep. Eduardo Zialcita for actively working for the processing of lot awards and who even paid the surveyor from his own funds to facilitate the submission of the subdivision plan.

The President further noted that some of the beneficiaries have been waiting to own the lot they are occupying for 35 years. She cited Eusebio Lucas, 64, and Sergio Ballar, 76, who are now the proud owners of 40-sq. meter lots each.

"Sa wakas, kayo na ang may-ari ng lupa (Finally, you are the owners of the land)," the President said.

The President assured that by February 14 next year, she would be distributing lot assignments at the Sitio Seaside.

Meanwhile, the President’s check distribution was coursed through Quedan Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation (Quedancor), the credit and guarantee arm of the Department of Agriculture.

The 200 urban poor beneficiaries came from Barangays San Antonio Valley, Manlo Green, BF Homes, Sto. Nino, Sampaloc, San Dionisio and Baclaran.

These 200 beneficiaries, most of whom have small businesses of their own, received the checks under Quedancor’s GMA-Cares-Urban and Rural Poor Program.

The program has been designed to uplift and augment the income of the marginalized urban poor under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration’s commitment to fight unemployment and reduce widespread poverty.

Representing Quedancor at the distribution ceremonies was its president and chief executive officer, Nelson Buenaflor.

In compliance with the instructions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the military and police to maintain vigilance during the Christmas season, PNP Chief, Director General Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. today placed the entire 114,000-strong national police on "heightened alert" for the holidays.

Of particular concern in this nationwide security measure is the celebration of the nine-day "Simbang Gabi" in all Catholic churches in the country, marking the official start of the traditional Filipino Christmas celebrations that usually last up to the first week of January.

The heightened alert is a preventive measure to thwart any attempt by criminal and terrorist groups to take advantage of the traditional holiday celebrations.

Earlier, Ebdane issued Letter of Instruction "Pamasko 2002", the PNP’s Christmas Security Plan involving all PNP Regional Offices and National Support Units.

The 17 PNP Regional Offices around the country were instructed to maintain a high state of operational readiness and to implement their security plans during the Christmas season.

According to PNP spokesman, Senior Superintendent Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Oplan Pamasko-2002 aims to ensure coordinated implementation of intensified measures to address domestic security threats associated with the Christmas holidays such as increase in petty crimes, the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 26, and firecracker-related injuries and accidents.