The government has generated an estimated savings of about $850 million or P44 billion in present value as a result of the renegotiations of contracts between the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and its fuel suppliers, including the independent power producers (IPPs), according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

Energy Secretary Vicente Perez, Jr. said that the resolution of the issues in contracts with IPPs would lead to a lower universal charge to consumers while preserving the sanctity of the contracts.

Perez said that the successful resolutions so far cover a total of 16 contracts, including the contract with the Navotas gas turbines, the Pagbilao coal-fired plant, and the Subic bunker-fired plant.

He said that the savings accruing to the government were offered by the IPPs within the terms of the contracts, following a series of bilateral discussions with the DOE and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).

In November last year, the DOE and Napocor, represented by PSALM, were able to resolve remaining issues of the build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract with the Kepco Ilijan Corp. (KEILCO).

This resolution of the issues of the KEILCO contract resulted to some $38 million savings to Napocor, Perez said.

KEILCO is the operator of the 1,200-megawatt (MW) Ilijan combined cycle power plant in Ilijan, Batangas, the country’s largest natural gas power facility.

Meanwhile, PSALM president Edgardo del Fonso said that out of the 35 IPP contracts, ordered reviewed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, only 12 are now pending discussions, with issues involving 23 contracts "more or less" resolved.

Del Fonso said that of the 12 contracts still to be discussed, eight still need to be discussed with other government agencies, and this include the controversial Caliraya-Botolan-Kalayaan.

Discussions between an IPP and the government form part of the second phase of the review of IPP contracts aimed at finding loopholes or onerous conditions inserted in the contracts.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon introduce different kinds of drought-resistant rice varieties that could be used in water scarce areas such as the provinces in Central Mindanao and Tanay, Rizal.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. said these rice varieties use 40 to 50 percent less water and would greatly contribute to increasing rice production even in areas that do not have sufficient water supply due to drought or lack of irrigation system.

"Sa pagpapadami ng binhi, kailangan ng isa o dalawang cropping seasons pa para makapili po yung ating mga magsasaka sa paggamit ng ibat-ibang variety, depende sa kalagayan ng kanilang lugar (In one or two cropping seasons, we expect we will have enough certified seeds of different rice varieties that would suit to the climatic conditions in the farmers’ respective areas)," Lorenzo said in an interview.

Lorenzo said local rice varieties such as the Apo, UPLR-1 and Magat were initially planted in Tarlac province under a new "aerobic rice technology" that used less water but still obtained higher yields compared to traditional farming methods.

The rice is called aerobic because it is grown in soil where oxygen is present compared with anaerobic soil where oxygen is absent due to flooding by irrigation.

Lorenzo was tasked by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to focus on basic sectors where there is a large concentration of marginal farmers and fishermen.

He said the DA immediately prepared a model farming system to increase farmers’ production and income. This includes the introduction of new farming techniques such as the aerobic rice technology and the use of hybrid rice varieties that have posted record yields in the provinces of Davao del Sur, Ilocos Norte and Kalinga.

Lorenzo said he is quite happy now as farmers learned to use modern farming techniques introduced under the DA program, "May Dating Na, May Aksyon Pa. Sigla at Yaman Para sa Kanayunan."

Lorenzo said these efforts to increase food production in the country could also be the reason a recent survey showed that poverty incidence had decreased.

This year, he said, the DA is working hard to decrease rice importation.

Lorenzo said more than 1 million metric tons of rice were imported last year not to include rice smuggling. Hopefully, he said, the country will not import rice as early as next year and eliminate rice smuggling.

Lorenzo said their objective is to eventually stop the importation of different kinds of farm products and make the country attain self-sufficiency in food.

The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has hastened the implementation of vital maritime safety projects to assure the safety of domestic seafarers.

In a report reaching Malacanang, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the agency has programmed the completion of 120 lighthouses in different parts of the country.

Mendoza said the construction of 72 lighthouses had been completed, four are ongoing, and by May, the construction of 17 more lighthouses would be started.

He said the DOTC might realign some P50.5 million in necessary funds to complete another 27 lighthouses by the end of the year.

Along the same line of maritime safety, the agency would soon operate at least 36 social reform related feeder ports nationwide, the earliest by next month.

In Mactan City, Cebu, the DOTC would bid out the construction of a buoy base.

Still in the Visayas, 27 beacons would be built along the San Juanico Strait. At least 43 lighthouses would be erected regionwide.

Mendoza likewise disclosed that one of two 56-M search and rescue (SAR) had been delivered and commissioned while four 35-M SAR would be delivered within the year.

Impossible? Not with the Strong Republic Nautical Highway now open to serve the public providing an alternative route for local tourists wishing to go island hopping to the Visayas and Mindanao through the western seaboard.

Inaugurated only recently by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the nautical highway offers an efficient and shorter way to travel down south without having to leave your cars or vehicles behind.

A system of roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels, terminals and ports allows vacationers to bring their vehicles all the way from Batangas City to the islands of Mindoro, Panay, Negros and Mindanao.

The same route will give businessman a cheaper way to trade from Mindanao to the Visayas and to Luzon. Trading can now be also direct between the islands of Mindanao, Luzon, Panay and Negros and Mindoro.

Just pay the terminal fee of P200 at each port of entry and you’re off to your vacation at either Boracay or Dakak or some other destinations along the way!

Here’s how:

From Manila, drive to the Batangas City port and board the Ro-Ro with your vehicle to Calapan City. From Calapan, drive south to Roxas where you catch the daily Ro-Ro trips to Caticlan.

Two Ro-Ro vessels leave Roxas, Oriental Mindoro at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will dock at Caticlan port at around 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. The same Ro-Ro boat leaves Caticlan 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. for Roxas.

Iloilo city via Ivisan is about four-hour drive from Caticlan. One many drop by Roxas City (about 10-minute drive from Ivisan) to buy some fresh seafood. Roxas City is the seafood capital of the Philippines.

One can go further east and have a side trip to Gigantes island and the magical caves of Sicogon and its sandbar. When in Iloilo, one can drop by Guimaras island to have a taste of the Philippines’ finest mangoes or before going further down south to Bacolod.

You can also go dolphin and whale watching at Bais City, then to Dumaguete and finally board the Ro-Ro to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. When in Dumaguete City, you may want to have a side trip too, in the enchanted island of Siquijor.

You don’t want to bring your car? No problem.

Malacanang released today Executive Order No. 195 creating the Inter-agency Task Force for the Coordination of Philippine Humanitarian Assistance to Iraq.

In the EO dated April 14, 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the immediate formulation of a consolidated plan of proposed Philippine assistance for the immediate needs of the Iraqi people, taking into account the evolving assistance environment.

The President said Philippine assistance would include participation in the United Nations, Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) and other humanitarian, medical and related activities for Iraq.

The Task Force should be chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, with the Secretary of National Defense as co-chairman and the Special Envoy of the Middle East Preparedness Team as executive director. Its members will be the following: the Secretaries of Health, Interior and Local Government, and Social Welfare and Development; the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Director General of the Philippine National Police; Executive Director of the Office of Muslim Affairs; the Philippine Ambassador to Iraq and Kuwait; and other officials to be designated by the President.

The Task Force shall also perform the following functions:

-- Conclusion of arrangements with receiving/host government whereby the Philippine personnel contingent in Iraq are not put at personal risk from application of local law when deployed abroad upon orders;

-- Conduct of public information, education and communication campaign on the hazards and risk, if any, involved in the sending of peacekeeping/humanitarian missions.

The President also said the Task Force will establish a Technical Working Group to discuss in detail guidelines, programs and projects to accomplish the areas of Philippine participation in humanitarian assistance to post-war Iraq.

The President said that the Philippines, as member of the United Nations, has actively contributed and participated in the various initiatives of the UN Security Council aimed at providing assistance to Iraq as stipulated in UNSC Resolutions 661 (1990), 985 (1995), 1284 (1999), 1472 (2003).

The President said the Philippines has also contributed significantly to the UN initiatives for Iraq as evidenced by the deployment of elements of the Armed Forces for Iraq (UNGCI) for service as a humanitarian assistance protection force, as well as participation in the "Oil for Food" Program for Iraq.

We are now faced with the new battle to heal the wounds of war. Our humanitarian and peacekeeping mission to Iraq has a relevance to our own humanitarian and peace keeping missions in Mindanao.

By helping our Muslim brethren in dire need halfway across the world, we deepen our awareness of the need to help our own suffering brethren in Mindanao. Forging ties with the Islamic world has been an integral part of our foreign policy and it helps us immeasurably in the cause of peace and development in Mindanao.

Our support for the restoration of democracy in Iraq, in particular, will have an important effect on the overall drive against terrorism in our country, as we demonstrate that extremism and evil can be transformed by the will of a people into humane self-governance.

The end of Saddam’s regime is no longer an issue. But the war is far from over against suffering, disease and injustice. We will help in our own limited way in this struggle of the Iraqi people by sending Filipinos across the seas to clasp hands with the victims of war.

This universal duty has always been at the heart of Filipinos -- from the Congo in the 50’s, Vietnam in the 60’s and East Timor in the 90’s, from Africa to the Balkans, the Filipino peacekeeper and humanitarian worker is well known.

Public health will never be compromised. I ask for close cooperation among homecoming Filipinos and foreign guests to fully comply with our screening procedures at all ports of entry.

Our individual and collective vigilance against SARS has become a national duty.

The government is prepared to do everything within its power and resources to prevent and control an outbreak.

But it is the diligence and conscientiousness of every citizen that counts most. Would-be victims must come up and identify themselves and their contact trail.

It is time to contemplate the message of peace and to look into our own powers of self-redemption to wage the peace even amidst the persistent signals of conflict.

The President has designated Ambassador Roberto R. Romulo, the Adviser on International Competitiveness, as chair with the rank of Secretary of the newly-created Public–Private Sector Task Force to coordinate Philippine participation in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

The task force, created by virtue of Executive Order 194 which was signed April 14, is a key component of the Philippines’ overall obligation to bring immediate assistance to Iraq and complements the humanitarian assistance which the Philippines is also providing.

Ambassador Romulo carries to his new assignment quite an experience and reputation in the field of international affairs and equally impressive credentials as an accomplished business leader. He served as foreign secretary under President Fidel V. Ramos.

He was former president of IBM Philippines, as well as country manager in Thailand, Burma and Bangladesh. He is currently chair of the Philippine representation in the APEC Business Advisory Council or ABAC, and chair and board member of several local and regional corporations.

Ambassador Romulo leaves this weekend for Washington, D.C. and then to Kuwait as part of the expedited mission to coordinate the public–private partnership that is so vitally needed. He is expected to regularly report his progress to the President.

ON SARS

Airport General Manager Ed Manda has proposed to the President the hosting of a meeting of all airport authorities in Southeast Asia to tackle the SARS problem.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through Executive Order 194, created a public-private sector task force to coordinate Philippine participation in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

The task force is composed of government officials and representatives from the private sector headed by a Senior Adviser on International Competitiveness as chairman.

Among its members are the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, and Energy; Special Envoy of the Middle East Preparedness Team; the Ambassadors to Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and the President of the Philippine Constructors Association as well as other private sector representatives to be appointed by the President.

The task force, in particular, will develop and implement an action plan to maximize and enhance multi-national effort for the reconstruction and development of post-war Iraq.

This includes providing representation on behalf of the Philippine government and the private sector with the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA), national and multilateral agencies and with international firms involved.

It will also assist participation of Philippine companies in the rehabilitation and development of the Iraqi infrastructure like public works, highways, transportation, information and communication, energy, agriculture and public services such as education, sanitation, civil administration and other service industries.

The task force will evaluate Philippine companies and other entities for the purpose of ensuring that the performance of services to be provided are of the highest quality.

The Executive Order signed on April 14, also mandated the task force to expedite the deployment of Philippine manpower and other services in the fulfillment of contracts and such other action relevant to Philippine private sector participation in the reconstruction and development of Iraq.

An executive committee composed of the Undersecretaries of Foreign Affairs and Labor, the administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Executive Director of the Office of Muslim Affairs, and private sector representatives was likewise created through the Executive Order.

The President said the task force may authorize the executive committee to act on urgent matters on its behalf.