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27 JUNE 2003 |
| Statement of the President |
NPA Attack Our soldiers and CAFGUs made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and I sympathize with their families. It is unfortunate the NPA found a weak spot in our defenses and exploited it. I am directing the military and police to combine their intelligence resources so that we can obviate the element of surprise that is being used to our disadvantage. We have the duty to protect our own far-flung military and police outposts with forward intelligence coverage. Meanwhile, I have also directed that these fresh wave of attacks be dealt with swiftly and forcibly. We must not allow isolated insurgent formations to roam and fester in the countryside. |
| Statement of the President |
Drug Problem in Prisons I am concerned over persistent reports of the use of illegal drugs in our prisons. I would like to announce that any prison official who abets the use of illegal drugs within his or her jurisdiction will be fired. I would like the Director of the Bureau of Corrections to see through the strict implementation of this directive. I want prisoners and prison officials regularly checked for drug use and seasonable reports submitted to my office through the Justice Secretary. |
| Statement of the President |
SWS Survey I believe surveys are a mirror of the people’s most important yearnings and needs. In short, these are sincerity, action and results. I am committed to leadership based on these three points. I thank the people for their trust and support, by which I will continue to be inspired to do my best for the common good. |
| Statement of the President |
Peace Talks We have a separate doctrine for peace, for law enforcement and for fighting terrorism. Upholding the law and fighting terror shall not relent even in the presence of the peace process. We shall not sacrifice our vigilance in these matters for the sake of earning illusory gains in the peace negotiations. The law is not a bargaining chip across the table. This must be clear to everyone—that the authority of Government to enforce law and order shall be undiminished at all times and in all places. |
| Gov't has released P3.5 billion for SMEs, with P6.34 billion available from GFIs, GMA told |
The government, from January to February this year, has released a total of P3.545 billion as loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with P6.34 billion still available from government financial institutions (GFIs). In a report to the President, Secretary Marita Magpili-Jimenez of the President’s Priority Programs and ODA Projects, said the GFIs have committed to mobilize P10 billion for loans to SMEs for the next six months under the SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth (SULONG). The promotion of SMEs is one of the items in the eight-point agenda that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has set to accomplish before the end of her presidency in the middle of next year. Jimenez said that a total of P758 million has already been released from the President’s Social Fund (PSF) as bridge financing for the "Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Mlyong Piso" program. Under this program, which has already been implemented in several selected towns throughout the country, a municipality will select its most important product to be financed by a P1 million loan from the national government. Among the GFIs involved in the SULONG project, the Land Bank of the Philippines topped in the amount of loans released, with a total of P2.2 billion. Some 2,550 SMEs were provided with loans out of this amount. After the Land Bank, the Development Bank of the Philippines came second with a total of P1.089 billion releases to some 192 SME borrowers. Next was the Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.), with P192.75 million released to 152 SME borrowers. This was followed by Quedan Credit Corporation (Quedancor), with P90.41 million released to 6,406 SME borrowers, and the National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF), with P34.25 million released to 754 borrowers. |
| GMA orders AFP, PNP to pool intelligence resources, beef up defefenses |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to pool their intelligence resources and beef up their preparations to prevent a repeat of the "sneak" attack against an Army patrol base in Eastern Samar. In a press briefing in Malacaņang, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President extended her condolences to the families of the members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGUs) who perished in the Eastern Samar attack. The President also assured that this latest attack will be dealt with swiftly and forcibly. According to reports, 11 CAFGU members, five soldiers and the wife of a corporal were killed in the two-hour gun battle in Samar. The detachment of the 52nd Infantry Battalion’s Alpha Company in Barangay Cagpile, about 60 kilometers from the Oras town proper in Eastern Samar, was also torched by the NPA rebels. Although outnumbered and outgunned, the government forces made a gallant stand against the 200 communist rebels who swooped down on them. |
