President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo banned all civilians, starting today, from carrying firearms in all public places as part of the administration’s campaign for peace and order.

In her speech during the celebration of the 12^th anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame, the President directed the PNP chief, Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., to suspend indefinitely the issuance of permits to carry guns in public places.

"Civilians may no longer be allowed to bring their guns outside their residence," the President said.

"Henceforth, only the uniformed men in the military and law-enforcement officers are authorized to carry firearms in public places and only pursuant to existing law," the President said.

The issuance of permits will now be limited only to ownership and possession of guns, not to carry them in public places, the President said.

The President said those who want to use their guns for target practice "will be given special and temporary permits from time to time and only for that purpose."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today announced that last year, the second year of her presidency, the country’s gross national product (GNP) grew by 5.2 percent, even higher than the official forecast of 4.5 to 5.0 percent.

In her speech at the 12^th anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame this morning, the President that the growth rate in 2002 exceeded the growth in most of the other economies in the world.

"That growth rate is our highest growth rate in the Philippines since the l997 financial crisis," the President said.

In a formal statement, the President also said that the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2002 grew at 4.6 percent, also exceeding the GDP growth forecast for last year of 4.0 to 4.5 percent and the 2001 growth of 3.2 percent.

GDP refers to the total value of goods and services produced within the country for a given period while the GNP refers to the GDP plus income from Philippine firms abroad and earnings from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"It is the strongest economic performance of the country since the l997 Asian economic crisis," the President said in her statement.

But the President said that for the growth rate to be felt by the Filipino people, especially the underprivileged, it must be translated into social equity.

"We shall stimulate investment in the agricultural sector. Small and medium enterprises shall be strengthened by providing them the needed capital and improving access to credit for micro financing," the President said.

The President said that the government will also jumpstart housing by improving access to loans and financing.

There should also be greater movement of goods and services in the country by reducing the cost of transporting goods, including grains, from Mindanao to Luzon.

According to the President, the country’s growth was more impressive when seen in the backdrop of a continuing slowdown in the global economic environment brought about by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri today said that continued macroeconomic stability, especially those relating to fiscal policy, would be important to sustain the country’s economic growth.

In a report to the Malacaņang, Neri said that growth in all production sectors last year has "surpassed expectations."

"We credit this to policies that have created a stable macroeconomic environment in 2002, as well as structural and productivity-enhancing reforms such as the reduction of tariff rates," Neri said.

Neri said that the country gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 4.6 percent and the gross national product (GNP) by 5.2 percent in 2002, the strongest growth rates recorded since the l997 financial crunch that hit Asia.

GDP refers to the total value of goods and services produced within the country for a given period while the GNP refers to the GDP plus the income of Philippine establishments abroad and earnings from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"These growth rates exceeded the high end of our official forecasts," said Neri, who is also the director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Neri said that last year, there was remarkable growth in all sectors in industry.

He said that mining and quarrying were boosted by the production of natural gas from the Malampaya fields and in copper and gold mines.

"The rebound in private construction for housing and trade establishments, such as malls, halted the slump in construction. However, we remain watchful of the manufacturing sector because performance across sectors remains checkered," Neri said.

He said that in 2003 and over the medium-term, the administration is looking at ways to improve the competitiveness of these sectors.

Neri said that with deregulation, the telecommunication sector recorded a robust growth last year of 8.9 percent while trade continued to benefit from strong consumer demand, as giant local retailers opened up new malls in regions outside Metro Manila.

According to Neri, agriculture turned in a positive growth of 3.5 percent despite the adverse impact of El Niņo on corn production.

He said that the slide in palay production was mitigated by measures such as the distribution of high yielding and certified seeds and the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities.

The distribution of fingerlings in fishery, planting of drought-resistant crops, and stepped-up credit support to agriculture all helped boost agricultural production, Neri said.

"With the economy on a healthy footing in 2002, we see growth being sustained in 2003. GDP is expected to grow 4.2 – 5.2 percent and GNP by 4.5 – 5.4 percent this year," Neri said.

Agriculture is expected to pace 3.0 – 4.0 percent in 2003, as the government continues to implement El Niņo mitigating measures and other measures like the distribution of high yielding seeds, Neri said.

In industry, Neri said, policies that will boost mining, housing and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will support industrial growth in 2003, with the industry sector expected to grow from 3.4 to 4.4 percent thie year.

On Joma Sison

Cooperation between two friendly states in the name of justice is what happened when Malaysian authorities delivered Misuari to the Philippines two years ago. This could be the model in pursuing the case of Sison. We have more reason to convince the Dutch government to deliver Sison to the country. The Philippines and The Netherlands are part of the international coalition against terrorism.

On restoration of English as medium of instruction

The restoration of English as the medium of instruction is a way of preparing the succeeding generations to be globally competitive. The world is our market and in these times of intense competition, we have to make sure that we are not left behind and that language will never be a barrier for us to achieve our goal. This is important for the alleviation of poverty.

On Iraq situation

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today congratulated the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their significant progress in fighting those who threaten the security and peace and order of the Philippines.

Speaking at the 12^th PNP anniversary celebration at Camp Crame, the President also congratulated the PNP for the low incidence of kidnapping and for having eliminated some of the gangs that threaten certain members of the community.

"This is thanks to a combination of intelligence, good police work and a criminal justice system that hands out punishment," the President said.

The Chief Executive likewise congratulated the PNP for their many accomplishments that have defused the strength of the terrorist networks in Asia.

The President, however, pointed out that "terrorism may have become an unfortunate fact of life for everyone in every nation of the world."

This year’s PNP Day, which is annually observed to commemorate the founding of the National Police on January 29, 1991, has "Isang Pulisya, Isang Bansa: Matatag na Republika and Dakilang Adhika," as its theme.

One of the highlights of this year’s anniversary is the presentation of awards to outstanding PNP units and personnel for outstanding performance for the year 2002.

Assisted by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina, Jr., and PNP chief, Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., the President presented awards to the following:

• The Presidential Steamer Award as Police Regional Office of the Year to the Police Regional Office 3 in Central Luzon;

• The NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission) Streamer Award for Best National Administrative Support Unit of the Year to the Headquarters Support Service under Chief Superintendent Alfredo de Vera;

• Chief PNP Streamer Award for Best National Operational Support Unit of the Year to the Intelligence Group under Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal;

• Provincial Police Office (PPO) of the Year – Cagayan PPO under Superintendent Rodrigo de Gracia;

• City Police Office (CPO) of the Year – Davao City Police Office under Suprintendent Laverne Manangbao;

• Municipal Police Station of the Year – General Trias Police Station, Cavite under Chief Inspector Antonio Yarra;

• Regional Mobile Group (RMG) of the Year – 1^st RMG, PRO-1 under Superintent Joel Pagdilao; and

• Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) of the Year – 305^th PMP, PRO-3 under Superintendent Fernando Vilanueva.

The President also handed out individual awards to the following outstanding PNP personnel:

• Superintendent Wilfredo Franco, PRO-Cordillera as the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration;

• Sr. Supt. Erasto Sanchez Sr., SPD, NCRPO – Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operation;

• Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, PRO-Calabarzon – Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer of the Year;

• SPO4 Miguel Vicente Jr., PRO-11 – Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year;

• PO3 Cristuto Pelenio, PRO-11 – Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year;

• Senior Inspector Norma Corbo, PRO-7 – Best Women and Children Concern Desk Officer of the Year;

• NUP Bienvenido Luman-ag, PRO 11 – Best Non-Uniformed Personnel (Supervisory Level); and

• NUP Felix Juguilon, PRO-Cordillera – Best Non-Uniformed Personnel (Supervisory Level).

The President likewise awarded plaques of recognition to the following private individuals and non-governmental organizations for their "invaluable support" to the PNP, namely: Senator Robert Barbers, Congressman Joseph Felix Marie Durano, Governors Josefina de la Cruz of Bulacan and Emmanuel Pinol of North Cotabato; Mayors Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City, Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat of Zamboanga City and Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara of Cabanatuan City; Davao del Sur PNP Director Sr. Supt. Samuel Navaja, Dr. Emilio Yap of the Manila Bulletin, former Gen. Santos Mayor Adelberto Antonio, United Nation’s Children Fund, Soroptimist International Philippines Region and the Zonta Club of Iloilo City II.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today directed Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. to get all the misfits and undesirables who are still in the PNP to further strengthen public faith in the uniform.

The key is to jail the rascals in uniform, whether active or retired, the President said in her speech at the celebration of the 12^th anniversary of the PNP at Camp Crame.

The President at the same time asked the general public to help weed out these rascals in uniform by using their cell phones and texting PNP 2920 to report the activities of criminals and bad cops.

"Nananawagan ako sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan. Ilagay ninyo ang numerong 2920 sa inyong mga cell phones at mag-text na kayo (I call upon all our citizens: store No. 2920 in your cell phones and use it to text reports to the PNP)," the President said.

The President said that before addressing the officers and men of the PNP, Ebdane briefed her about the "A-Ba-Ka-Da" campaign against PNP members who are "abusado, bastos, kotongero and di-kanais-nais (abusive, arrogant, extortionist and undesirable)."

"Let us step up this campaign…This goes well with our intensified drive against graft and corruption in government," she said.

The President also said that Ebdane also informed her about the over 50 rascal policemen who have been fired and dismissed since he became PNP chief, adding that she was eagerly awaiting quick action on the 32 police personnel who are facing proceedings, the 16 other who are undergoing advance investigation and an inherited 350 who are being investigated for various offenses.

She also cited the need to continue to professionalize the police force by increasing training opportunities and enforcing the education requirement for police recruits.

The President likewise said that after increasing the pay of the police, she increased the pay of the soldiers.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today designated National Security Adviser Roilo Golez as crisis manager to oversee the preparation and implementation of the contingency measures of the Philippine government in the event of an actual open conflict in Iraq.

The President also directed Golez to provide periodic briefings to media regarding the updates and developments in the implementation of contingency plans.

During a press briefing in Malacanang, Golez explained that the contingency measures that are already in place in the Middle East are very similar to those set in place in the wake of September 11, 2001 terror attack in the United States and the Bali, Indonesia bombing.

Golez admitted that his office already established a direct line with the US Department of State, Department of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the US National Security Council. He said the US has agreed to give advance notice on the start of hostilities, should the situation come to that.

He also said that to further ensure the welfare of some 1.4 million Filipino workers in the Middle East, the government has identified 16 agencies as Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPR) which have their respective contingency plans.

Among the agencies included in the OPR are the following: the Department of Foreign Affairs, Middle East Preparedness Team, National Security Council, Department of the Interior and Local Government/Philippine National Police, Department of National Defense/Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Energy, Department of Labor and Employment/Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency, Office of the Press Secretary/Philippine Information Agency, National Food Authority, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today expressed the hope that the conflict in Iraq would be resolved peacefully under the auspices of the United Nations.

In her speech during the 12^th Philippine National Police anniversary celebration at Camp Crame this morning, the President urged the Iraqi government to give the United Nations Security Council Resolutions the most urgent and serious compliance, for the sake of mankind.

"Any action is premature for the Philippine government to speculate on at this time, except to assure our countrymen (that) we are prepared to secure our Filipinos in the Middle East and our oil supplies," she said.

During a press briefing at Malacanang, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the recent State of the Union speech of United States President George W. Bush indicates that the US is adhering to the UN process with his announcement that Secretary of State Colin Powell will meet on February 5, 2003 with the UN Security Council to present more evidence and intelligence reports on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.

"While we welcome this positive development, we also recognize that there is a strong possibility of war in Iraq," Golez said.

Golez said President Macapagal-Arroyo has set in motion the preparation and implementation of contingency plans in the event of an actual conflict.

First, he said, the President created the Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT) led by Ambassador Roy Cimatu.

"This addresses the safety and well-being of our 1.4 million OFWs in the Middle East," said Golez, who has just been designated by the President as crisis manager to oversee the preparation of the contingency measures.

Golez noted that Ambassador Cimatu has already formulated a very comprehensive and intricate plan which was approved by the President.

He added that Ambassador Cimatu will leave this weekend for the Middle East "so he can oversee on site the implementation of this contingency plan."

According to Golez, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has also set in motion the overall contingency plans in the event that there are repercussions within the Philippines.

"We view such repercussions as highly improbable, but nonetheless we do not take anything for granted and assume the attitude of a ‘good father to his family,’" he said.

Golez enumerated the significant roles and functions during major events of the 16 concerned agencies dubbed Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPRs). They are as follows:

• Department of Foreign Affairs – provide close coordination with foreign embassies here and abroad and elicit feedbacks and situationer; monitor pronouncements from relevant UN bodies on a periodic basis once or twice daily;

• Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT) –activate preparedness plan; carry out strategies and undertake negotiations with the parties in the Middle East;

• National Security Council – manage the conflict management center, monitor and analyze events, consolidate reports and provide policy directions, operational guidance in information dissemination and feedback to concerned offices of primary responsibility (OPRs); provide daily, periodic conflict situation report;

• Department of the Interior and Local Government/Philippine National Police – maintain peace and order throughout the country and secure Economic Key Points (EKPs);

• Department of National Defense/Armed Forces of the Philippines/National Disaster Coordinating Council – support in the peace and order activities; prevent other lawless elements from complicating the situation; and provide intelligence and disaster preparedness plan;

• Department of Energy – activate energy contingency plan on power supply; provide information and advisories on energy concerns in terms of oil supply and power generation;

• Department of Labor and Employment/POEA/OWWA – provide information on labor issues and concerns particularly on OFWs; formulate contingency measures on forced repatriation of OFWs due to conflict;

• Department of Trade and Industry – implement contingency measures on the delivery of basic goods and stability of prices; monitor prices of basic commodities due to hoarding or shortages;

• Department of Transportation and Communications – plan for contingencies in the transportation and communication sector and provide policy directives for the security of airports, seaports, and transport terminals;

• Department of Social Welfare and Development – take care of evacuees and victims due to the conflict;

• Department of Health – provide advisories to the general public on health and safety measures;

• Department of Public Works and Highways – maintain preparedness plan for security measures on identified vital installations and Economic Key Points; coordinate with local governments and police authorities;

• National Intelligence Coordinating Agency – provide intelligence and information to the Conflict Management Center, validate and verify information received;

• Office of the Press Secretary/Philippine Information Agency – implement Information, Education and Communication Plan (IEC Plan); take charge in the information dissemination to the general public;

• National Food Authority – activate food contingency plan to ensure steady supply and stable prices of rice; and

• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – provide information on inflow and outflow of investment funds, disseminate information and advisories to banks.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today welcomed the new ambassadors of Romania and the Kingdom of Spain who presented their credentials in separate ceremonies held at Malacanang.

Romanian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Radu Homescu conveyed to the President the best wishes from Romanian President Ion Iliescu, noting that the President is responsible for the prosperity and peace of the Philippines.

The envoy also told the President that the Romanian government and people were looking forward to her visit to the country, adding that "Your personality is very known in Romania."

The President replied that now that Romania has a full ranking ambassador in the country, bilateral relations would surely be strengthened.

Homescu was charge d’ affaires of the Romanian chancery in the Philippines before his appointment was ambassador.

Meanwhile, Spanish Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ignacio Sagaz Temprano told the President that his assignment as envoy to the Philippines is "the culmination of my career."

"I’ll do my best to bring the two nations closer," he said after presenting his credentials to the President.

"Please convey our appreciation to his Majesty for appointing you," the President told the new Spanish envoy.

His Filipina wife, Aurora, accompanied Temprano during the Palace ceremonies.