The explosion in Jolo is an isolated incident and we must not be unduly alarmed.

I commend the military and police and the civilian community for working together in the discovery of this bomb plot.

I salute the slain and wounded soldiers for their vigilance and gallantry without which our citizens will not be safe from terror.

I have directed the NDCC and the local chief executives to start the evacuation of residents in areas deemed as prone to landslides and flashfloods in order to prevent the occurrence of another tragedy.

Let us aim for a zero casualty count.

The NDCC shall also preposition food and medical supplies in areas that could be isolated.

Let us learn from our lessons in disaster management and safeguard public safety and welfare.

In behalf of our people, I express my deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of the tragedies in China and Iran.

We know the pain and anguish brought by these disasters and we pray for the souls of those who perished and for the quick recovery of the wounded.

We must hold steadfast to our faith in the Almighty in these trying times.

We are not being singled-out.

The terror alert is global amidst reports that Al-Qaeda will attempt a catastrophic attack within the US and other geographical targets of opportunity.

President Arroyo has made her point on humanitarian compassion for the former President with full deference to the prerogatives of the court.

She is pleased with the decision of the Sandiganbayan but will wait until it rules with finality on other outstanding issues before considering her options, which may include extending further assistance to facilitate proper medical treatment for the former President in the US.

With justice in the lead, the President is wielding her political leadership to reconcile political conflict so that the entire nation can rally behind the economy to build more infrastructure, create jobs and improve wages.

The AFP and the PNP have been on heightened alert to address this threat; and there has been no let-up in the government’s anti-terrorism campaign.

We are combining sustained vigilance and peace overtures to win over the insurgents as we reconcile all political forces to unite the whole country.

The President is determined to wield strong leadership to pull the nation together behind the economy to build more infrastructure, create more jobs and bolster individual enterprise.

Mga kababayan, nais kong pasalamatan ang lahat ng tumulong sa mga biktima ng kapahamakan sa Southern Leyte at iba pang bahagi ng Katimugan. Kasama rito na mga nagtulong ang iba’t-ibang indibiduwal at organisasyon, pati na ang United Nations at maraming bansa, tulad ng Estados Unidos, Alemanya, Hapon, China, na mabilis na nagpadala ng tulong sa mga apektado nating kababayan. 

Sa maikling panahon ng aking pagka-presidente, napalapit tayo sa mga ibang bansa kagaya ng Amerika at sila ngayon ay naasahan natin ng malaking tulong. Kasama na rito, hindi lamang ang tulong sa sakuna kundi na rin ang foreign investments, mga importanteng imprastraktura at tungo sa kakayahan ng mga indibiduwal. Kailangan natin itong mga bagay upang makamit ang mga batayang hangarin ng karaniwang pamilyang Pilipino.

Sa aking paglilibot sa buong bansa, sa aking pagkukwento sa karaniwang pamilyang Pilipino, naunawaan ko ang kanilang mga hangarin, pagkain sa bawat mesa, trabaho, tahanang tiyak, kalusugan, edukasyon para sa mga anak. Pagkain sa bawat mesa ng pamilyang Pilipino ang ating hangarin kaya’t ginawa ko sa aking maikling panahon bilang Pangulo ang pinakamalawak na programang irigasyon sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Sa huling bisita ko nga sa Hapon, pinangako sa akin ni Prime Minister Koizumi, na popondohan nila ang irigasyon sa Pangasinan na manggagaling sa tubig ng San Roque.

Pagkain sa bawat mesa ng pamilyang Pilipino ang ating hangarin kaya dinala ko ang teknolohiyang nahanap ko sa China, na nagdodoble, triple, ng ani ng mga magsasaka ng palay. Ito ay nadala natin sa 100 libong ektarya, kaya umangat ng husto ang ting mga palayan, ngunit kulang pa iyon. Sa susunod na ilang taon, madadala natin itong magandang binhi sa 500 pang libong ektarya. Ito ay bunga na rin ng aking karanasang nakahanap ng tamang binhi at bunga na rin na tayo’y malakas sa mga importanteng bansa, gaya ng China.

Hangarin ng karaniwang Pilipinong pamilya ang ating pinagdidiriwang sa Kapaskuhan. Inaasahan natin na sa Bagong Taon, lalong dadami ang trabaho, na siyang hangad rin ng karaniwang mamamayang Pilipino. Bunga ng inangat ng investment ng taon na 26%, ito ay nakamit natin kahit na naghihirap ang mundo, rehiyon, at kahit na maraming nagbabatikos sa akin sa loob ng ating bansa. Palagay ko po bunga na rin na sinikap kong maging kaibigan ang Amerika at iba pang bansa na nakakapagdala ng investment sa ating bansa. Marami tayong mga call centers na pumasok. Ang Ford Motors ay gagawa ng sasakyan sa ating bansa. Ang Intel, Texas Instrument at iba pang electronic company ay dinadagdagan ang kanilang mga investments; telephone companies ay nagdadagdag din ng kanilang puhunan, kaya nga ang daming karaniwang pamilya ang may cellular. Ang SM at iba pang mga regional companies ay sunod-sunod ang pagtayo ng bagong mall at tindahan. Pati na rin ang maliliit na negosyante ay maraming nakahiram ng puhunan, bunga na rin ng pinahiram sa atin ng IFC, ang International Finance Corporation, na naka-head quarters sa Washington D.C.

Itong maikling panahon na ako ay Pangulo, humarap tayo sa pagsubok kagaya ng Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) at tayo ay nakaraos. Ang pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan ay mga katangiang Pilipino na siya pangunahing dahilan kung bakit patuloy nating nalalampasan ang mga pagsubok sa ating pambansang katatagan. Unity and sacrifice have been our great virtues. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit sa kabila ng mga maraming hamon nating naranasan ngayong taon, kagaya ng Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), digmaan sa Iraq, terorismo at iba pa, nanatiling matatag ang ating ekonomiya, may pagkain sa bawat mesa, hindi tumataas ang presyo ng isda at bigas na kinakain ng karaniwang mamamayan at napaayos natin ang edukasyon. Inayos natin ang math, science at Ingles para mas maraming trabaho ang makuha ng ating mga anak at siya nga bilang investments na sana sa darating na taon ay magbibigay ng trabaho.

Mga kaibigan, itong Bagong Taon, ituloy natin ang ating pagkakaisa. Maraming salamat at sana ay maging masagana at mapayapa ang Bagong Taon para sa ating lahat!

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given the nation a fitting gift for Christmas by strengthening the protection of children and ultimately, the nation’s citizenry.

On December 23, 2003, President Macapagal-Arroyo has signed a new law, known as An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child, amending for this purpose Republic Act No. 7610.

The new law strictly regulates the employment of working children and fully defines hazardous work and activities. Above all, it provides for stiffer penalties against persons, including parents, who push children to engage in child labor.

The enactment of this landmark law is a victory for the Filipino children.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has said that unabated human trafficking has greatly contributed to the increased women-and-children victims of abuse and exploitation.

Across national borders, it is estimated that from 200,000 to 225,000 women and children have become victims of human trafficking annually in Southeast Asia.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has estimated that in 2002 alone, some 1.2 million children worldwide fell victims to trafficking and labor abuse.

As of September 2003, only 38 countries, including the Philippines, have ratified a United Nations protocol to prevent, suppress, and punish abusers of women and children.

Still in the midst of relief operations to alleviate the plight of the people ravaged by floods and landslides in Southern Leyte and the CARAGA region, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has focused on another area to help Filipinos who may have have been victims in the killer quake that struck Iran Friday.

"The Department of Foreign affairs is coordinating with relief authorities to verify if there are Filipinos among the victims in Iran, and to ensure that they are extended the utmost assistance together with the others," the President said today in a statement.

The President also expressed her deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the tragedies in China and Iran.

Early estimates of casualties in the earthquake of 6.3 magnitude that hit the Iranian city of Bam run into as many as 10,000.

Also on Friday, a gas well burst in southwest China, killing scores with its deadly fumes.

"We know the pain and anguish brought by these disasters and we pray for the souls of those who perished and for the quick recovery of the wounded," the Chief Executive said

"We must hold steadfast to our faith in the Almighty in these trying times," she said.

Meanwhile, the President directed the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and local chief executives to start evacuation of residents in areas in Southern Leyte and CARAGA Region deemed as prone to landslides and flashfloods in order to prevent another tragedy as a new tropical depression threatens Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region.

US-based Ford Motor Company is set to invest an additional $50 million in the Philippines to raise the capacity of its car assembly plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, in line with its commitment to turn the country into its export hub in the region.

The $50 million investment would include facility upgrade, as well as tooling and engineering costs related to new vehicle programs. The additional investment would also raise the plant’s production to 40,000 units annually from just 15,000, and double the number of workers to 1,250 from 650.

For Philippines is currently the only local car assembler exporting its Escape and Lynx models to Thailand under the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation program.

Ford Philippines is also exporting the Mazda Tribute SUVs and Mazda sedans.

The Firm decided to pump-in more investments in the Philippines after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order 224 which grants tax incentives to encourage vehicle makers to increase exports and eventually turn the Philippines into the firm’s regional export hub.

The President said the benefits from the development of the automotive industry’s global competitiveness will outweigh the tariff revenues to be foregone from the grant of preferential tariff on imports.

The export incentives will come in the form of a subsidy worth $400 per car exported, provided a minimum volume of 10,000 units are exported.

The government’s motor vehicle development program (MVDP) includes the passage of the new auto excise tax law, the ban on the importation of used cars, the rescheduling of the country’s most favored nation (MFN) tariff rates, participation in the Asean Industrial Cooperation scheme and the grant of export incentives.

Ford chairman and chief executive officer William Clay Ford said, "Ford’s decision to further invest in the Philippines and boost the export of completely built-up vehicles (CBUs) is timely and well aligned with the Philippine government’s motor vehicle development program. I wish to thank President Macapagal-Arroyo for her support toward the speedy implementation of the new auto policies to address the critical issues identified with the MVDP."

The company’s plan to increase production of its Sta. Rosa plant will benefit the country by creating more job opportunities, not only with Ford but also from Ford’s parts and component suppliers.

Ford is the second largest vehicle maker in the world with approximately 335,000 employees in 200 markets in six continents.

The government has scored heavily in the fight against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf band since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term started in 2001, National Security Adviser J. Roilo Golez said today.

There were more than 1,000 members of the Abu Sayyaf in 2001 but they have been reduced to less that 400, Golez said in a radio interview this morning.

Many of their leaders have either been captured or killed, Golez said, citing Mujib Susukan, Kumander Global, Edris, and recently, Ghalib Andang, alias Kumander Robot.

Khadaffy Janjalani, reportedly the leader of the Basilan faction of the Abu Sayyaf, is constantly on the run. With government troops hot on his heels, Golez holds high hopes Janjalani will be captured soon.

The national security is stable, Golez pointed out. Besides reducing the number of the Abu Sayyaf bandits, he said the threat of the Jemaah Islamiyah has been placed under control with more than 200 of its operatives already in jail here and in other countries in the region like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia.

Golez said even US President George Bush and his counter-terrorism ambassador have praised the country’s efforts versus terrorism as a model of success in the region.

The recent bombing in Jolo is an isolated case, Golez also said. Although he admitted that it could be part of a retaliatory attack stemming from the capture of Kumander Robot, he said there is no need to fear that it will worsen.

"The explosion in Jolo is an isolated incident and we must not be unduly alarmed," President Macapagal-Arroyo assured the country in a statement issued this morning.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered a massive evacuation of residents in areas prone to landslides, particularly those in the path of tropical depression "Zigzag," which has changed course to the southwest direction and is now moving towards the Samar-Leyte area.

The President issued the order in the wake of the recent tragedy in Southern Leyte and the Caraga region which claimed more than a hundred lives.

"Let us aim for a zero casualty count," the President stressed during an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) held this afternoon at the Aguinaldo Room of Malacaņang.

"Let’s learn our lesson in disaster management and let’s face this challenges with fortitude and resilience," she said.

Zigzag, at 10 a.m. today, was plotted at 110 kms. northeast of Borongan, Samar with strongest sustained winds of only 55 kilometer per hour near the center. It is expected to be in the vicinity of Mactan, Cebu Sunday morning.

Despite "Zigzag’s" relatively weak strength, the President is not taking any chances.

"It’s better to err on the side of prudence. It’s better for us to be over prepared than under prepared," the President pointed out.

The President directed all local government executives in the affected areas to implement the evacuation of residents, particularly those in sloped or low-lying areas.

She identified the areas in the path of the typhoon as the southern tip of Samar, two thirds of Leyte, whole of Bohol, two-thirds of Cebu and Negros, and some areas in Mindanao, including Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, the Misamis provinces, and Lanao provinces.

The President pointed out that it doesn’t need a strong typhoon to loosen the soil of the affected areas as they have already been battered by continuous rains.

"That is why, we really need to do something fast now, not tomorrow, not the day after," she told NDCC members.

The President said she is setting up a command center at the Malacaņang Guest House to coordinate efforts until after the threat has passed. The command center will issue hourly bulletins.

Evacuation centers have been set up and relief goods have been pre-positioned as the government braced for the worst that tropical depression Zigzag could bring to affected areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

This was announced today by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she activated the Command Center at the Malacanang Guest House for the massive evacuation of residents in sloped and mountainous areas in Southern Philippines which will be hit by "Zigzag" in a few hours.

"We have gotten in touch with local government executives and Regional Disaster Coordinating Council chairmen precisely to instruct and advise them of the evacuation," the President said.

Since presiding over the emergency meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) early in the afternoon, the Chief Executive said she had talked to Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, Gov. Imelda Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte and Gov. Mamintal Adiong of Lanao del Sur.

"Zigzag" is expected to hit Lanao and Zamboanga City tomorrow evening.

"That is the trajectory. We’ll keep updating the trajectory as winds change and ‘Zigzag’ moves every hour," the President said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) headed by Secretary Corazon Soliman said they have already pre-positioned the relief goods for possible evacuees in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Soliman herself will leave for Negros island later this afternoon to direct the operations for the Visayas.

Philippine Information Agency director general Dr. Renato Velasco said PIA regional offices in Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bacolod, Surigao, Agusan, and Zamboanga had already aired to the people the call of the President to conduct preventive evacuation so as to avoid a repeat of the tragedy that befell Southern Leyte and the CARAGA region and her wish for a zero casualty count.

In her statement, the President took the opportunity to express the government’s sympathy on behalf of the Filipino people to the families of the victims in the tragedies in China and Iran.

"We know the pain and the anguish brought by these disasters and we pray for the souls of those who perished and for the quick recovery of the wounded," she said. "We must hold steadfast to our faith in the Almighty in these trying times."

She had ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to verify if there are Filipinos among the victims in Iran and "ensure that they are extended utmost assistance together with the others."