Public Works and Highways Secretary Simeon A. Datumanong has ordered the termination of the contract to build the Bayugan-Awa-San Francisco (Prosperidad) Road Section of the Surigao-Davao road in Mindanao.

Datumanong said the contractor, LS Sarmiento/Conception Basic/J&P Builders, in a joint venture, was unable to meet project schedules and had been committing work slippages since the project was started more than a year ago.

The contractor then vowed to adopt a "catch-up program" that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Philippine-Japan Highway Loan (PJHL)-project management office prepared.

But a recent ocular inspection showed that the contractor did not make good in its promise.

Physical accomplishment on the 36-kilometer road project, earlier scheduled for completion in less than a year, was recorded at a dismal 37 percent.

The P486-million road project, located in Agusan del Sur, is implemented under the supervision of DPWH-PJHL-PMO.

It is funded under a loan agreement between the Philippine government and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

"Once the loan closing date for this project expires, the government will shoulder the remaining construction costs, so we have to execute immediate remedies in accordance with existing laws," Datumanong said.

Undersecretary Manuel M. Bonoan, in-charge of the construction operations, said the DPWH might employ the next lower bidder or the contractor undertaking the adjacent road project to complete the works for the delayed Surigao-Davao section project.

Meanwhile, DPWH-PJHL-PMO Director Danilo Trajano said the agency would carry out maintenance works on the road section, so as not to inconvenience the motoring public.

Trajano also reported the completion of the Langkilaan (Trento)-Monkayo section of the Surigao-Davao Road Project.

The project, under contract with VT Lao Construction/Grace Construction (joint venture), covers the rehabilitation of the 18.35-kilometer road with portland cement concrete pavement and asphalt concrete overlay on 6.7-meter carriageway.

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) was chosen as the first target agency from among 161 countries to avail of the World Economic Forum trade enhancement initiative.

The BoC has been rated as among those that have made progress in customs modernization.

The agency ranked number one in E-Commerce Readiness among government agencies in the country.

It is expected to assist other countries that will undergo a similar initiative as the implementation of the project starts.

A non-governmental organization, the World Economic Forum, launched the initiative, focused on the assessment and improvement of customs processes of a specific country.

This would support trade facilitation through the application of E-Government policies and practices.

Recognizing the vital role of trade and investment in economic growth, the WEF engaged stakeholders from all sectors of society, along with international groups, to support the implementation of the initiative.

During the WEF annual meeting in New York attended by Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho early this year, only 20 firms from different countries and other industry sectors were chosen to participate in the initiative.

Camacho has named BoC Commissioner Antonio M. Bernardo as the BoC representative to the WEF.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today announced that she had invited Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III to oversee the creation of the new Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

In a radio address, the President said Sen. Sotto "will work closely with the administration without resigning from the Senate."

She cited the senator for having painstakingly researched and worked on the passage of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, of which the latter was the primary author.

"Nakilala rin si Sen. Sotto sa kanyang masigasig na kampanya laban sa droga sa loob at labas ng Senado (Sen. Sotto was also known for his no-nonsense campaign against illegal drugs in and out of the Senate)," she said.

She said she was thankful to Sen. Sotto for accepting the challenge and responsibility.

She remained confident that the senator would "give to this task the full measure of his dedication, patriotism and professionalism."

The President also disclosed that she, in her State of the Nation Address before Congress on Monday (July 22), would tell on illegal drug syndicates, which continued to be considered threats to national security and enemies of the state.

She again lauded the members of the National Capital Regional Police Office-Metro Manila Drug Enforcement Group who recently raided a drug laboratory in Quezon City and seized some P118 million worth of high-grade shabu, chemicals and paraphernalia used in producing illegal drugs.

The police also arrested seven Chinese nationals and three Filipinos, said to be operating the laboratory, in a house at Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

In her radio address, the Chief Executive described the manufacture and trafficking of illegal drugs as a big social menace victimizing not only adults but also thousands of young Filipinos.

She said many homes have been broken and lives destroyed because of the use of and addiction to illegal drugs. Many families continue to live in fear over the threat of drug abuse by a family member.

"Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ipinasa ng Kongreso, at dalian kong pinirmahan, ang RA 9165 para buwagin ang mga sindikato ng droga, parusahan ang mga kriminal at iligtas ang mga biktima at mga magiging biktima pa ng dangerous drugs (This is the reason why Congress passed and I immediately approved RA 9165 to bust drug syndicates, punish criminals and save victims and prospective ones from dangerous drugs)," she said.

She urged the people to turn to the total implementation of RA 9165, to begin with the creation of the DDB. "This is where we need expertise and commitment," referring to Sen. Sotto.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today cited two experts from the United Kingdom’s world-renowned Scotland Yard for helping members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) upgrade their knowledge on handling kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) cases.

The President personally attended the PNP seminar on hostage negotiations for KFR cases, underscoring her administration’s all-out campaign against KFR syndicates and gangs in the country.

PNP Chief Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. led those participating in the workshop conducted at the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response building in Camp Crame.

Following a briefing, the President said the very restricted seminar was part of government efforts to secure help from Scotland Yard.

"Ito ay bahagi ng ginagawa natin na mas ma-enhance pa yung professionalism ng ating mga police sa pagsugpo sa mga malaking criminal syndicates na ginegreya natin ngayon (This is part of our efforts to further enhance professionalism in our police force, especially in the war against criminal syndicates we are waging)," she said.

She said the Scotland Yard experts are conducting training sessions to brief the police on how to further improve the handling of KFR cases.

In her brief visit to United Kingdom last January, the President worked out an agreement with Scotland Yard to train the PNP in curbing transnational crimes, including kidnapping.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today stressed the importance of good governance and public service, as she led officials in citing ten cities in the 1^st League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) "Best Practices" Awards at the Century Park Sheraton Hotel.

The President was assisted by Tagaytay City Mayor and LCP president Francis Tolentino in the awarding rites.

Adjudged the top city was Island Garden City of Samal for the Samal City Mariculture Farm, a reservation area that promotes mariculture as an alternative source of livelihood for marginalized and sustenance fisher folk.

The mariculture farm is patterned from the conceptual framework of an industrial park, providing a communal mooring system for a seacage project.

Bagging the second place was Lipa City for the "Lipa City Public College: Free College Education for All," a program providing free education to poor and gifted children in college.

Placing third was Balanga City for its "Taxpayers’ One-Stop Shop," a scheme providing a simplified systems and procedures in business transactions.

Earning the fourth place was the Science City of Munoz for its "Developing the Matingkis Farm-Tourism Project," a program addressing the farmers’ need for irrigation water and subsequently increasing the volume of palay production by as much as 62 percent.

Fifth was Dumaguete City for the "Land for Urban Poor housing Program," a land acquisition program addressing the basic need for affordable and decent housing.

The other five cities that made up the top 10 entries were Bago City for its "Community-based Disease Surveillance System"; Batangas City’s "Batangas Environmental Management Council," Palayan City’s "Smile Bilis-Action Program," Sagay City’s Oplan Paglilingkod," and Vigan City’s Vigan Heritage Conservation Program.

Before the awarding rites, the President witnessed the launching of the LCP’s Good Urban Governance Norms.

LCP vice president for Mindanao and Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat and Panabo City, Davao del Norte Mayor Rey Gavina presented to the President a signed declaration of commitment for the endeavor.

Dubbed as the Manila Declaration on Good Urban Governance, the manifesto enjoined city mayors to set priorities in improving the investment climate and promoting social and economic growth in their respective areas.

The declaration also called for the commitment of every mayor to speedily respond to the barest minimum needs of their constituencies.

"I will traverse all boundaries, whether political, cultural or ethnic, geographical or communal, just so to ensure my city works for all and that all persons responsibly enjoy their right to the city," the declaration said.

Ten city mayors also presented to the President the City Action Plans for Poverty Reduction through Good Urban Governance.

MARILAO, Bulacan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their continued vigilance against crime syndicates, following the neutralization of three members of a kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) gang here.

The President, who motored to this town, lauded members of the newly-created Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) unit and policemen of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office.

The lawmen engaged elements of the Villaver kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group along Mahogany St., Town and Country Executive Village in Barangay Abangan Norte, this town at about 1:30 p.m. today.

Three suspected members of kidnap-for-ransom gang were killed during the shootout with lawmen, a report from the PNP reaching Malacaņang said.

The report said the Villaver KFR band operated under the Fajardo KFR Group, one of the top KFR groups in the PNP’s target list.

The President inspected the site where the shootout occurred and conferred with PNP chief Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. on the all-out war the government is waging against kidnappers and other crime syndicates, to include those in illegal drugs and smuggling.

The PNP report named only two of the slain suspects as Lito Mercado and a certain Alvin, said to be the group’s negotiator. The third suspect, who remained unidentified, was the driver of the group’s car.

The police said they recovered the car, a Mitsubishi Lancer with plate number UDK-478; three bullets of a cal. 38, a cal. 45 automatic pistol, two cellular phones, and three hand grenades.

Initial reports from Bulacan police director Senior Superintendent Edgardo E. Acuņa said the suspects were spotted by PACER intelligence operatives and the Marilao police under Superintendent George Torcuator.

The PNP report said the suspects were involved in various high-profile kidnappings including the abduction of Connie Wong y Cheng and Police Officer 1 Dionisio Burca, Jr. in October 2001; the kidnap of Mary Grace Cheng-Rosagas in June 2001; and that of Ricardo Tan in February 2002.

They were also involved in the robbery-holdup of the Rural Bank of Meycauayan, Bulacan in July 2001 and that on RAMCAR Meycauayan in the year 2000.

Shortly before motoring to Marilao, Bulacan, the President cited two experts from the United Kingdom’s world-renowned Scotland Yard for helping members of the PNP upgrade their knowledge on handling KFR cases.