25 APRIL 2003 |
| GMA asks people to follow stringent gov't measures to avoid SARS infection |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today called on the people to follow the stringent measures being imposed by the government to prevent the spread of the dreaded severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS to the country. In her speech at the inauguration of the new Navotas municipal hall, the President said that to stop the killer pneumonia from spreading in the country, it is imperative that incoming passengers, including overseas Filipino workers, should undergo SARS screening tests and should follow quarantine rules. The President appealed to the people to observe strict quarantine rules, saying that if the government has to use force in enforcing these rules, this is all for the people’s own safety and well-being. "Lahat ay sana maunawaan ninyo kung ang bakal na kamay ng batas ay gagamitin doon sa mga hindi sumusunod, ito ay dahil na rin para maiwasan natin yung infection (I hope everyone will understand that if we have to use force against those who refuse to follow quarantine rules, this is because we do not want the infection to spread)," the President said. The lone fatality of a probable SARS case, Adela Catalon, reportedly got infected with the disease while working as a nursing aide in Toronto, Canada. In a press statement this morning, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit admitted that the father of Catalon, who died recently, was the first local transmission of SARS. Dayrit said that autopsy findings released late Thursday showed that the elder Catalon had cancer in the abdomen or sarcoma. "However, the lungs showed bronchopneumonia which could have been the immediate cause of his death," he said. Dayrit, who heads the SARS crisis management committee, said that before his death, the x-rays of the elder Catalon were not definitive of pneumonia, which was why he was classified as just a suspect SARS case. "Today, after the autopsy on the lungs of the deceased father of Adela, we shall be reporting him as SARS case and the first local transmission," Dayrit said. According to the President, because of the stringent measures undertaken by concerned government authorities, the committee headed by Dayrit, SARS infection has been checked in the country. The President explained that quarantine measures are not aimed at putting a stigma on individuals in a certain place, like the one imposed in a barangay in Alcala, Pangasinan. "This is just a safety measure," she stressed. |
| Other city mayors ask GMA for more authority over policemen |
Mayors from the country’s highly-urbanized cities asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today to grant them additional authority over their respective policemen, particularly over members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who are subjects of complaints or facing cases in court. In a luncheon meeting in Malacanang, the mayors said some PNP personnel who are facing charges are usually reassigned to other areas wherein, consequently, the complaint or cases against them do not prosper. The mayors asked the President that they be granted the same powers as the mayors of Metro Manila who were already given executive powers to fire erring policemen. But the President reminded them that they have enough powers under laws that only need implementation such as the recommendation for an investigation through the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) and nominating their candidates for chief of police in their respective areas. The President also reminded the mayors that under the Local Government Code, transfer or reassignment of PNP personnel is not allowed without the permission of the local chief executive. The President added that an earlier survey showed the people are not in favor of devolving the local PNP to the mayors. Mayors from the 115 highly-urbanized cities in the country are wrapping up a one-and-a-half-day Urban City Summit at the Manila Hotel discussing common problems, programs and other ideas on important issues such as decentralization, local autonomy, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and problems on squatters. The mayors from the highly-urbanized cities are also planning to form their own group that would be part of the League of Cities of the Philippines. "Maraming mga common problems, mga programa at ideas na puede naming pagtulungan katulad nitong decentralization at local autonomy na isinasaad sa Saligang Batas. Kailangan naming pagkaisahan na ipatupad para makatulong ng mas higit ang mga urban cities sa pag-unlad ng bansa (There are many common problems, programs and ideas that we could cooperate on, such as the decentralization and local autonomy stated under the Constitution. That we need to collectively implement so the urban cities can greatly push for our country’s progress)," Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said. Others present during the meeting were Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, Executive Secretary Romulo, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, Olongapo City Mayor Kate Gordon, Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo, Valenzuela City Mayor Emmanuel Carlos, and Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando. |
| GMA prioritizes health services in war-torn Pikit villages |
PIKIT, Cotabato—Disease-inflicted persons staying in evacuation camps here will have little to worry about when they move back to their homes and farms they left behind at the of February’s fierce fighting between soldiers and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels. The state is ready to respond to their primary health needs in terms of setting up rural health centers – run by state medical personnel and equipped with adequate medical supplies – in their own areas. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during her visit to this agro-fishery rich town last Tuesday (April 22), has directed health officials to work on the speed establishment of the health centers in the war-affected villages here. The President sought for one such health center to immediately operate in Bagoinged, where she discussed the normalization of peace and security conditions in the area and the socio-economic growth of its residents. The health centers will institutionalize the delivery of vital health services being provided in the meantime by Itinerant Medical Teams (IMT) of the Department of Health’s Regional Health Unit (RHU). DOH regional epidemiologist Dr. Marlow Ninal said the IMTs have been conducting regular evacuation camp rounds focused on disease detection and treatment. Patients needing hospitalization are immediately referred to hospitals. This is coordinated with non-government group Tabang Mindanaw and the Pikit Municipal Health Office. Ninal said the DOH action would prevent further disease-related fatalities, adding that diarrhea and measles remained the leading causes of deaths in the evacuation camps here. He reported that as of March 31, at least 10 of the 36 deaths noted in the camps were caused by diarrhea. Following closely were eight deaths due to measles. Other causes of mortality included pneumonia, seven deaths, tuberculosis, one death; and other, 10 deaths. Ninal said at least 708 cases of diarrhea and 184 cases of measles were documented since the evacuation camps were put up last February following the military’s recapture of the MILF’s biggest lair, the Buliok Complex. He attributed the situation to the "deterioration in environmental sanitation." This included, among others, poor safeguarding and water quality; improper disposal of human excreta, wastewater and garbage; inadequate insect, pest and rodent control; unsafe food handling; and the absence of or non-maintenance of site drainage. Toilet facilities installed in a number of evacuation camps have become non-functional because of lack of water supply and maintenance. The IMTs, he said, are working in camps in the war-affected Pikit barangays of Buliok, Bulol, Gli-gli, Macabual, Inug-ug, Kalacacan, Nunguan, Bagoinged, Bulod, Rajah Muda, Balong, Lagunde, Takepan, Tinutulan, Barungis, Kabasalan, Talitay, Nalapaan, Dalengaoen, and Balatican. |
| Statement of the President on SARS |
The state has the intrinsic duty and right to protect the common good. Health quarantines against SARS are intended to insulate the larger public welfare against the isolated onslaught of a dreaded disease. Let us not make this a human rights issue. We shall balance strict sanctions against humane measures. I am saddened by reports that the people of Barangay Vacante in Alcala, Pangasinan are being ostracized and I appreciate the sacrifice they are making to protect others. But let us not belabor these issues or conjure up scenarios of unlawful regimentation. I shall do what is right for our people and I expect the people to do what is right for public interest. We are all in this together and we will pull through this crisis together. |
| Statement of the President on MILF attack |
This attack is a travesty of the peace process. It shall be met with firm counterforce, active defense of the affected communities and by safeguarding civilians caught in the crossfire. The perpetrators are terribly mistaken if they think they can obtain concessions in the peace talks by this dastardly act. But we shall not be distracted from our main task of peace and development. I have launched a massive program of interrelated social, economic and cultural measures that will strike deep into the roots of conflict. We shall fight despair with hope, wielding superior vigilance, relentless upliftment of the poor and peace diplomacy. |
| Statement of the President on Luzon Balikatan |
This is the first Balikatan exercise being held after the successful liberation of Iraq. I am sure many valuable lessons will be shared. Far from being a magnet to terrorism, the RP-US partnership is an effective deterrent to terrorism because it affirms the principle of transnational vigilance. A country is more vulnerable to terror when it is alone and without reliable allies. Let us shed off the illusion that our nation will be terror-free if we shed off our security alliance with the United States. This is naïve and dangerous thought. |
| Gov't undeterred by S&P rating, resolves to maintain pro-growth economic policies |
The Department of Finance (DoF) today said that the government is undeterred by the latest action of Standard and Poor’s (S&P) placing the Philippines’ long-term foreign currency ratings a notch lower to BB from BB+ because of the country’s long-term fiscal concerns. In a statement, Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho pointed out that the positive macroeconomic and recent fiscal developments will likely weaken S&P’s observation in the next few months, as the government continues to maintain its pro-growth economic policies and reforms. Camacho said that, in particular, the fiscal sector has shown definite improvements in revenue collections since the latter part of 2002. "The government also continues to regard the fiscal situation as one of the more important challenges in sustaining growth in the medium-term and is very focused on it," Camacho said. Camacho said that it is unfortunate that the recent revision of S&P’s rating on the Philippines did not consider recent developments, particularly in the improvement in revenue collections, which has been the lynchpin of government’s economic program, and the positive developments in the economy as a result of the resolution of the Iraqi crisis. "Nonetheless, it appears that the market may have already priced in the rating of S&P and is not likely to react given the trends we are now reflecting in our fundamentals," Camacho said. Camacho also said that the necessary reforms to increase tax collection efficiency are already being undertaken. "We would like to stress that this transition period to better and sustained revenue collection also requires time. Despite this, the government is quite pleased by the pace of reforms in this area, particularly in the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs," Camacho said. Camacho noted that the economy’s fundamentals remained sound in 2002 with the real gross domestic product (GDP) growth pacing at a healthy 4.6 percent that is indicative of the soundness of the administration’s Philippine Economic Plan. In 2003, Camacho said, the country’s macroeconomic environment remains stable with inflation continuing to remain at historic lows and relatively low interest rates. Meanwhile, government’s external trade remains stable and there has been a return to stability in the foreign exchange market with the close of the Iraq crisis, Camacho said. |
| GMA declares May 5-9 National Anti-SARS Consciousness, Clean-Up Week |
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today declared May 5 to 9 as National Anti-SARS Consciousness and Clean-Up Week to instill consciousness among the public on the effects of the dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The President issued Proclamation No. 366 as she noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has already monitored 144 deaths in 23 countries as of April 14. The President said it has become essential and timely to develop an integrated and comprehensive health plan to combat SARS or reduce the number of reported SARS cases in the country. Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit reported to the President there are now four positive cases of SARS in the country as of Friday, April 25. "The dissemination of accurate information about SARS and its prevention is vital and should be undertaken at the soonest possible time, while health and social services are rendered responsive to the country and its people’s health needs and problems," the proclamation read. The President said the negative impact of SARS on business productivity, tourism and mobility of citizens has become astoundingly evident. The President issued Memorandum Order No. 98 tasking the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to spearhead the consciousness and clean-up campaign and to issue necessary and appropriate circulars for its effective implementation. All provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and barangays captains in the country were also directed to ensure that the campaign is efficiently and effectively undertaken within their respective jurisdictions. |
| GMA issues E.O. defining powers, functions of government agencies in response to SARS |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today issued an executive order (EO) defining the powers, functions and responsibilities of government agencies in response to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The EO granted Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, the SARS Crisis Management Committee chairman, such powers and authority as would be necessary in order to contain, control, prevent and otherwise restrict the spread of SARS in the country until such time that he shall declare the country free from the contagion. The President also set aside P1 billion as standby fund for purposes of the EO. The order provides that unless otherwise declared by the health secretary, the examination of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircraft, surveillance over sanitary conditions, including the detention, isolation, and quarantine of cargoes, passengers, crews, and all personal effects, the issuing of quarantine certificates, bills of health or other equivalent documents found and passing through all ports and airports of entry in the Philippines shall be vested in the Bureau of Quarantine. The EO also authorized the Secretary of Education to order the closure of schools and the suspension of classes and authorize the use of school buildings and edifices for purposes of containing or managing the SARS epidemic when so determined or upon the advice of the Health Secretary. The order also provides that the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, upon the determination and advise of Secretary Dayrit, shall mobilize the Philippine National Police and exercise control and supervision over local governments for the duration of the crisis and only for the purposes of the EO. The authority includes the isolation and control of quarantine areas, the setting up of checkpoints and other means of curtailing the movements of people, vehicles and animals, and the maintenance of peace and order related to the management of the areas affected by SARS. The Department of Labor shall be responsible for providing information to those leaving for abroad on the countries affected by the SARS including such countries in danger of being affected by the epidemic. DOLE shall likewise monitor, advice, or otherwise control the entry of overseas Filipino workers who may be deemed as a danger to public health. The Department of Foreign Affairs shall coordinate with the various embassies and consulates, provide them with adequate information, provide travel advisories, and such measures and processes that would minimize, if not prevent, the entry into the country of persons suspected of having contracted SARS in the foreign ports of embarkation. Government owned and controlled media establishment and outlets shall support the public information campaign and dissemination through a sustained and continuing media information in coordination with the Crisis Committee. The President said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also tasked to monitor the prices of masks and other anti-SARS paraphernalia after it was reported that the N95 masks at P40 is now being sold at P400. |
| GMA to propose Asean Health Emergency Fund at SARS Summit |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said she would propose the creation of an Asean Health Emergency Fund when she attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit on SARS scheduled for April 29 in Bangkok, Thailand. The President said the fund could be used in combating the dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and its effects on the Asean region. The President said the amount would come from the existing fund of the Asean Foundation. She added she would present her Executive Order defining the functions of Philippine government agencies in responding to the SARS crisis and other bills to be filed providing penalties for persons violating the preventive rules to contain the spread of SARS. |
