The Department of Energy (DOE) has energized some 53 villages in the Zamboanga peninsula since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in as Chief Executive on Jan. 20, 2001.

In a report to Malacanang, the DOE said that as of end-April this year, it has provided electricity to 30 barangays in Zamboanga del Norte, 20 in Zamboanga del Sur, and three in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Citing the agency’s accomplishment vis-ā-vis the President’s pledges in her July 2001 State of the Nation Address, the DOE named the "energized" barangays as follows:

Zamboanga del Norte – Diwaan and Carang in Dapitan City; Diwan, Dipolog City; Buenavista, Gutalac; D. Maring and San Jose, Kalawit; Sto. Niņo, Katipunan; San Jose and La Victoria, La Libertad; Mabuhay, San Roque and La Libertad, Liloy; Upper Minang, Villahermosa, Tanayan and Pinamar, M. Roxas;

Sto. Tomas, Mutia; Sikitan and Lower Gumay, Pinan; Linabo, Polanco; Nilabo and Mabuhay, Rizal; Bagong Baguio, Buenavista and Tinindungan, Sergio Osmeņa; Litolet, Siayan; and Dumalogdog, Imelda, Sto. Rosario and J. Macias, in Sindangan.

Zamboanga del Sur – Bulawan in Pagadian City; Baluno, Lumayang, Sibulao, Busay, Pasilmanta and Panubigan in Zamboanga City; Acad, Aurora; Guintolo-an, Buug; Dalapan, Guipos; Sapang Pinoles, Lakewood; Tuburan, Mahayag; Tubong, Midsalip; Colojo, Pitogo; Calube, San Miguel; Culasian, Miasin and Tanlapan, San Pablo; San Miguel, Sominot; and Libato in Tambulig.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has started implementing its revised recruitment rules and regulations that would favor actual and would-be land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Order No. 10 is facing "no more legal impediments" after the Supreme Court stopped the effectivity of injunctions directed at the implementing rules issued by the POEA.

A DOLE report reaching Malacaņang said the recruitment rules would highly favor overseas performing artists whose training, assessment and certification could proceed under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The DOLE said the POEA rules would bring about "a higher standard of protection" for land-based OFWs who have been getting speedier, higher-quality and friendlier services.

The high court, through Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza, issued last May 23 its decision on the POEA rules and DOLE order and rendered inoperative the March 12 and March 20 decisions of two lower courts that prevented the rules from being carried out.

On March 12 this year, Judge Jose Paneda of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 220 restrained the implementation of the rules in response to a civil case filed by the Asian Recruitment Council Philippine Chapter, Inc.

Eight days later, Judge Lucas Bersamin of the Quezon City RTC Branch 96 issued a similar order in a civil case filed by Rey Salac et. al.

DIPOLOG CITY—The targets set by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her first State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the accomplishments of concerned government agencies were tackled Friday during the joint meeting of the Regional Development Council-Regional Peace and Order Council (RDC-RPOC) held at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center here.

Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo, who reported about the status of SONA targets, said that a total of 157,400 urban poor households have already been provided with shelter security.

Saludo also reported that the number of signatories for housing permits has significantly been reduced after the implementation of Executive Order No. 45 prescribing time-period for issuance of housing related permits and clearances.

Under E.O No. 45, the number of days within which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should issue housing-related permits is reduced from 90 to 45 days; Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), from 45 to 30 days; Department of Interior and Local Government, from 2-3 months to 30 days; Department of Agriculture, from 2-6 months to 30 days; and Department of Agrarian Reform, from 110 days to 70 days.

Saludo also reported that a total of 1,531,446 beneficiaries, or 306 percent of the SONA target of 500,000, have been enrolled in the government’s national health insurance program (NHIP). A total of 1,722,364 rural poor beneficiaries from 374,427 families have also been enrolled in the NHIP, Saludo said.

At the RDC-RPOC meeting, Saludo also reported that all 73 Department of Health-retained hospitals are now stocked with selected low-cost quality drugs. Another 61 hospitals operated by local government units are now selling some of the low-cost medicines, he added.

Saludo further said that P6.22 million worth of medicines have been sold nationwide while P15.31 million worth are now available in the DOH-retained hospitals.

On the SONA target of distributing of 200,000 hectares to the landless, Saludo said that a total of 104,261 hectares have been distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform in 2001 and an additional 14,219 hectares have been distributed from January to April, 2002.

DIPOLOG CITY (via PLDT)—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today distributed checks, certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs), health cards, lot awards, agricultural products and farm implements to qualified beneficiaries of Zamboanga del Norte and its nearby towns and cities.

The Chief Executive, who arrived here Friday as part of her continuing consultation with the people, especially those in the countryside, personally presented the government assistance to the beneficiaries in ceremonies held this morning at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center here.

Assisted by representatives of concerned agencies, the President turned over checks from Quedancor totaling P406,000 for various urban and rural poor livelihood projects in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Governor Isagani Amatong, and two individuals, Adelina Ogoc and Cesar Gerona, representing the beneficiaries, received the checks from the President.

From the President’s Social Fund, the Chief Executive turned over a fund check worth P600,000 as scholarship assistance for Abu Sayyaf victims for fiscal year 2002-2003. The check was received by Assistant Regional Director Dr. Portia Gesilva of the Department of Education.

The President also turned over from the Department of Agriculture the Certificate of Completion for the rehabilitation of the Kalawit Marcelo Road Expansion Project worth P2,498,490.87. The certificate was received by Governor Amatong.

She also distributed through Governor Amatong Certificate of Awards for 10 units of portable global positioning system or GPS for the implementation of the nationwide Bantay Dagat program from the Bureau of Fisheries and Agricultural Resources (BFAR).

Two units of marine sea cages worth P3,223,800 were also turned over by the President to the municipalities of Leon Postigo and Sindangan, and another two units of stilt dryers worth P390,416 for Sindangan.

Another three units of marine sea cages worth P214,625.91 and one unit of stilt dryer worth P369,120.00 for Dapitan City were turned over by the President.

From the National Irrigation Administration, President Macapagal-Arroyo presented the Certificate of Completion for the Dipolog City Communal Irrigation System worth P2,376,880.00. The certificate was received by Ildefonso Jimenez, president of the Irrigators Association of Zamboanga del Norte.

Other government assistance distributed by the President were the following:

• Checks worth P346,632 for various projects in the municipality of Leon Postigo;

• Checks amounting to P160,000 for projects in Bethlehem, particularly the Polanco Water System;

• Checks amounting to P350,000 for various projects in the municipality of Pinan;

• Checks worth P200,000 for various projects in Katipunan

• Checks amounting to P232,000 for projects in Roxas;

• Checks amounting to P220,000 for projects in La Libertad;

• A check amounting to P120,000 for the Multi-Purpose Hall of Bitugan, Sirawai;

• Checks worth P487,030 for various projects in Manukan;

• Checks amounting to P195,549 for various projects in Jose Dalman;

• Checks amounting to P67,000 for various projects in Rizal;

• A check amounting to P44,618 for the Day Care Center in Godod;

• A check worth P140,000 for the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Livelihood Project in Baliguian;

• A check amounting to P160,000 for the Mutia Spring Development Project; and

• A check amounting to P120,000 for the Day Care Center in Barangay Cogon, Dipolog City.

From Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the President presented a notice of scholarship awards to 80 deserving students from the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

The President also led the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 137 beneficiaries from the Department of Agrarian Reform.

She turned over a check worth P534,295.31 for the Rizal Mangrove Sub-Project of the Rizal Federation for Coastal Resources Management Inc. and distributed land patents to some 101 beneficiaries from the province of Zamboanga del Norte, all from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

From the Department of Labor and Employment, President Macapagal-Arroyo awarded the following:

• Checks amounting to P675,000 for the Rural Workers Association of Sindangan, Dipolog City and Dapitan City for the promotion of rural employment through the Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (PRESSED); and

• Checks amounting to P400,234 for the 437 grantees of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

The President also turned over Certificates of Lot Awards from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to 279 beneficiaries of the Dipolog Resettlement Project-Phase II.

From PAG-Ibig, she gave out Certificates of Lot Awards to 76 beneficiaries in the Holy Rosary Subdivision.

A total of 500 PhilHealth cards were likewise distributed by the President to indigent beneficiaries in Dapitan City.

From Philrice, the President turned-over 200 bags of hybrid rice seeds for the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

DIPOLOG CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today urged the people of Zamboanga Peninsula to continue to reach out and support her administration’s quest for an honorable and just peace in Mindanao based on tolerance, understanding and a common sense of nationhood.

Speaking in fluent Cebuano in a program commemorating the 50^th founding anniversary of the province of Zamboanga del Norte held at the Dipolog City Gymnasium and Sports Center here, the President emphasized that only through peace can the region expect to achieve development and progress.

"Peace will bring us security and a brighter future for our children," the President pointed out.

Relative to this, the President asked the help of the people, especially the local government officials down to the barangay level, to support the soldiers in the ongoing operation against terrorists and other lawless elements in what she called the SSSB area of Zamboanga del Norte.

SSSB is composed of the municipalities of Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian, all in the western part of Zamboanga del Norte.

"Let’s all help in flushing out the bandits and terrorists from their lairs in the barangays or in the cities," the President said.

The President urged the people to support the military in the war against terrorism so that peace can be achieved and development can be speeded up.

For the many coconut farmers in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, which is composed of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay, the President said that on Independence Day on June 12 she will announce the priority projects that will be funded from the Coconut Levy Fund.

The President indicated that one of the projects to be funded will be the Integrated Coconut Processing Plant in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

"I gave instructions to the Philippine Coconut Authority through Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor that you will given support in the construction of the processing plant from the coconut levy fund which may come out on June 12," the President said to the big applause of the listeners, mostly Cebuano-speaking.

With the President during the program were Secretary Montemayor, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante Canlas, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Presidential Adviser on Jobs Creation Luis Lorenzo and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita.

Zamboanga del Norte Governor Isagani Amatong, Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy and Zamboanga del Norte Congressman Angel Carloto led local officials in welcoming the President.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today extolled the country’s tricycle operators and drivers for what she described as their "immense contribution" to the economy.

In her brief remarks at the first-ever summit of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) held this afternoon at the Amoranto Multi-Purpose Hall in Quezon City, the President said the lowly tricycle is a fitting example of the saying "small is beautiful."

"Kasi di ba maliiit ang traysikel, kasing liit ko ngunit malaki naman ang naiaambag sa ekonomiya pati na rin sa ikabubuti ng mamamayan (Isn’t it that tricycles are small, just like me? But they contribute immensely to the economy and to the welfare of the people)," the President said.

The President arrived at the summit venue just a few minutes after her arrival from Dipolog City where she was the guest of honor in the 50^th founding anniversary of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

She was welcomed at the summit by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos.

The President said tricycles have become part of the people’s daily lives, from going to schools and offices, distributing wares to and from the market places, and especially during emergencies.

"Dito natin makikita kung gaano kahalaga ang inyong binibigay na serbisyo sa publiko (It is here where we can appreciate the things that you do for the public)," she added.

Later, the President tried her hand behind the wheel of a tricycle and reeved up its engine to the delight of the crowd.

The theme of the summit is "Tinig ng Toda, Laban sa Kahirapan." Approximately 5,000 tricycle operators and drivers attended the summit.

To assist TODA dependents, the President distributed scholarship programs to some 500 beneficiaries.  

Among those who attended the summit were Quezon City 4^th district Representative Nanette Daza, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Teresita Quintos-Deles, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez and National Security Adviser J. Roilo Golez.

Officials from TODA who attended the summit included Adolfo Quiming, overall chairman of the NCR-TODA Council; Art Cagadas, TODAPHIL (Tinig ng Organisadong Drayber at Operator sa Pilipinas) South Sector representative; Severino del Rosario, TODAPHIL North Sector representative; Luther Estrada, TODAPHIL East Sector Representative; Ace Sevilla, TODAPHIL West Sector Representative; and June dela Cruz, TODAPHIL Quezon City Representative.

Together with five council leaders of the TODAPHIL, Quiming presented to the President the output of the TODA workshops on the following sector: health and safety, organizational development, policy advocacy, national cooperation and community service and economic and livelihood.

SAN FERNANDO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today condoled with the parents of four-year-old Dexter Balala who died yesterday after a hostage-taking incident at the Philtranco Bus Terminal in Pasay City.

The President cancelled her scheduled visit to a housing project of the Couples for Christ in Payatas, Quezon City and motored straight to this city after keynoting the summit of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) held at the Amoranto Multi-Purpose Hall in Quezon City.

The President was not able to hold back her tears upon seeing the boy’s mother, Salvacion, who was weeping all throughout during her visit.

Aside from extending her condolences, the President also gave financial assistance to the bereaved family.

The boy’s father, Darius, was beside his wife during the visit of the President at the family’s residence in San Vicente Street, Barangay Quebiawan in this city.

Dexter and his mother were waiting for a bus at the terminal for their journey back to this city when he was grabbed by drug-crazed Diomedes Talbo and held at knifepoint for two hours.

A police attempt to rescue Dexter failed. Talbo was later killed by Pasay policemen.

San Fernando City Mayor Reynaldo Aquino, who accompanied the President during the visit, said that the city government would provide a burial lot for the boy.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman also accompanied the President during her visit here.