The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has introduced another "creative" measure to make it easier and more convenient for professionals to pay the value added tax (VAT).

BIR Commissioner Guillermo Parayno has enjoined professionals – initially the actors and talents -- to avail themselves of the withholding system that their networks could facilitate for them.

Parayno said the networks that BIR officials have conferred with agreed to the withholding scheme.

This included ABS-CBN, which has some 800 talents, that cited the partnership as a model that other professional groups and institutions could replicate.

Considering their very tight schedule as actors and actresses and rather than visit the bank monthly and maintain all kinds of record keeping, they expressed willingness to have the VAT withheld at the source, he said.

Professionals made their first VAT payment on March 20. The government expected a high of P8.6 billion in revenues from the VAT on professionals.

Parayno reported this development to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho and officials that attended the 3^rd Revenue Command Conference in Malacanang early this week.

The BIR chief likewise noted that the BIR was very satisfied with the registration of professionals. About 10,000 individuals from the country’s seven regions have registered in February.

"By this time, that should (have increased) to some 15,000. So if we prorate that or extrapolate that to the entire country, we should be reaching the target," he said.

"We are doing our very best to make their first transition as less painful as possible," Parayno added.

Parayno said the new scheme is expected to swing to the BIR side the life insurance underwriters, who have been very vocal against the VAT imposition.

Meanwhile, Camacho noted the BIR’s efforts to make it easy for professionals to pay their VAT.

"Part of the reason why the resistance on the part of professionals have died down is the fact that the BIR has gone out of its way to explain and make it very easy, not only in the registry, but even in the payment (for professionals)," Camacho said.

The tax agency earlier launched the BIR-on-wheels program, wherein the BIR went to hospitals and studios to register professionals for their VAT payments.

The 10-percent VAT was required under a 1997 law. But its application to professionals, particularly those in the show business, was deferred for five years by a subsequent law that expired on Dec. 31, 2002.

Magandang araw sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan.

Sa gitna ng nangyayaring matinding krisis ngayon sa Middle East, lalo nating dapat pag-ibayuhin ang ating pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan para sa katatagan at kagalingan ng ating bayan.

Tayo rin ay nakikiisa sa mga mamamayan ng Iraq sa kanilang pagpupunyaging makalaya habang pumapanig tayo sa coalition forces na nakikipaglaban para mabawi ang nasabing kalayaan. Ito ay hindi isang hidwaan sa pagitan ng Iraqis at mga Pilipino. Ito ay isang labanan sa pagitan ng kalupitan at kasarinlan.

Nakikibahagi tayo sa panalangin ng mga Muslim para sa kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan ng Iraq. Patnubayan sana sila ng Maykapal na maging ligtas sa kapahamakan. Kasama nila tayo sa paghihintay ng isang magandang kinabukasan na may kalayaan at kasaganaan.

Habang ipinagdarasal natin na matapos na kaagad ang giyera doon, patuloy nating ipapatupad ang ating mga kaukulang hakbang at aksyon para mapagaan ang epekto ng krisis na ito sa Gitnang Silangan sa ating pambansang pamumuhay.

Ang ating pagkilos ay nakatuon sa dalawang bagay: ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan sa Gitnang Silangan at ang pagiging listo natin dito laban sa terorismo.

Kitang-kita naman natin nitong mga nagdaang araw na ang ating pagiging kasapi ng coalition of the willing ay hindi mapanganib para sa OFWs sa Middle East. Sila ay nasa pangangalaga ng ating mga embahada, kanilang employers at host governments. Kaya, huwag sanang masyadong mag-aalala ang kanilang mga pamilya dito, at tayo ay kasama nilang magdarasal para sa kapayapaan.

Para mabawasan ang inyong alalahanin, naghahandog tayo ng libreng tawag o bukas na linya ng komunikasyon para sa ating OFWs sa Middle East at sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas. Para sa kanilang mga kamag-anak dito, may mga cellular phone booths sa OWWA headquarters sa F.B. Harrison, Pasay City, duon din sa Ninoy Aquino Stadium at diyan sa Malakanyang, sa Public Action Center, at labing-isa regional offices ng OWWA na matatagpuan sa mga pangunahing lungsod ng bansa.

Ang overseas communication facilities naman ay naka-set up sa Kuwait, Saudi Arabia at Dubai.

Bukas na po ang ating Oplan Kalinga website www.oplankalinga.gov.ph para sa mga news, advisories at mga mahahalagang impormasyon na nais ninyong malaman sa kahandaan ng pamahalaan na mapagsilbihan ang ating mga OFWs at kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Meron tayong Kamustahan Lines na nasa Ninoy Aquino Stadium sa Harrison, Manila na bukas 24 oras para sa libreng tawag sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay na nasa Middle East. Katuwang natin ang PLDT, AMA Computer College, SMART, GLOBE, SUN CELLULAR at iba pang cellular companies sa serbisyong ito sa inyo.

Samantala, inatasan ko na ang ating Department of Foreign Affairs, katulong ang Middle East Preparedness Team, na gawin ang lahat upang alagaan ang kalagayan ng mga Pilipino sa paligid ng Persian Gulf. Karamihan sa kanila ay mananatili kung sila ay nasaan, protektado ng mga depensa sa anumang pag-atake na inihanda ng kanilang tinutuluyang bansa sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga puwersang Amerikano.

Doon naman sa mga kailangang umalis sa mga mapanganib na lugar, naayos na ang mga plano para dito, kabilang na ang mga kailangang travel documents at inarkilang sasakyan. May relocation centers silang mapupuntahan na may sapat na pagkain, tubig, at iba pang kagamitan. Ang ating mga embahada ay laging bukas para sa kanila para sila ay matulungan at mabigyan ng impormasyong kailangang-kailangan.

Tinitiyak ko sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay dito na hinding-hindi natin sila pababayaan. At iparating din sana ninyo sa mga nasa ibayong dagat na ang kapakanan ng kanilang mga naiwan dito ay patuloy nating pangangalagaan.

Ang ating contingency plans para protektahan ang interes ng publiko ay matagal na nating pinaghandaan. Sa pagsiklab ng digmaan, ang ating ekonomiya ay makakaranas ng bahagyang pagbabago, pero hindi ito magtatagal dahil matibay ang ating mga tuntuning pangkabuhayan o economic fundamentals. Bumababa na rin ang presyo ng langis.

Ang ating in-country crude oil supply o langis na nasa bansa na, ay tatagal ng animnapu't-dalawang (62) araw. Ito ang pinakamataas na natalang imbentaryo sa loob ng sampung taon. May padating pa na 16 million barrels na maghahatid sa ating imbentaryo hanggang sa kalagitnaan ng Hunyo.

Para maiwasan ang pagtaas ng pamasahe, nagbukas tayo ng gasolinahan sa tatlong terminal ng pampasaherong sasakyan para magbenta ng murang krudo. Dalawa dito -- ang nasa Mandaluyong at Quezon Avenue -- ay isa sa pakikipagtulungan ng Eastern Petroleum para sa mga kasapi ng Pasang Masda. Ang pangatlo, na nasa Cubao, ay katulong ang Flying V para naman sa mga miyembro ng Piston. Mayroon na ring bubuksang ganito ang Petron sa Quiapo.

Tungkol naman sa supply ng pagkain, hindi tayo magugutom kahit na ang giyera ay tumagal pa nang dalawang buwan dahil ang stock natin ng bigas ay tatagal ng siyamnapu't-limang (95) araw. Ito rin ang pinakamataas na imbentaryo ng bigas sa loob ng tatlong dekada.

Ang ating supply ng asukal ay sapat para sa isandaan at dalawampung (120) araw, o apat na buwan. Ang supply ng cooking oil naman ay tatagal ng animnapung (60) araw, o dalawang buwan.

Ang ibig sabihin ng lahat nang ito ay hindi tayo dapat ma-alarma. May sapat tayong pagkaing naka-imbak at kailanman ay hindi tayo kailangang pumila o mag-rasyon.

Gayunpaman, may monitoring teams tayo na mag-iikot sa lahat ng palengke para matyagan ang presyo ng mga bilihin. At para magtagumpay ito, kailangan ding magbantay ang mga mamamayan at i-report ang sinumang tindera na magtataas ng presyo nang hindi dapat.

Binabalaan ko ang mga nais magsamantala, tulad ng pagtatago ng supply o paniningil ng sobra. We will protect our consumers from unscrupulous traders who engage in hoarding, profiteering and opportunist speculations. Nagpapasalamat naman tayo sa nakararaming negosyante na tapat na tumutulong para maging matatag ang ating supply at presyo ng pagkain at ibang pangunahing bilihin.

Para alagaan ang ating pambansang seguridad, pinakilos na natin ang buong pamahalaan, kabilang na ang local governments, AFP at PNP. Tinatawagan ko ang ating pribadong sektor, ang civil society at mga mamamayan na makipag-ugnayan at makipagtulungan sa kanila upang pangalagaan ang ating mga komunidad.

Inaatasan ko ang lahat ng pamahalaang lokal na pulungin kaagad ang kanilang crisis management councils, at pangasiwaan nang personal at malapitan ang pagpapatupad ng ating contingency plans. Susubaybayan lahat ito ni DILG Secretary Joey Lina na palagiang mag-uulat sa akin.

Hinihiling ko ang ating buo at tapat na pagmamatyag. Dapat tayong maging listo laban sa tinatawag na collateral terrorist attacks o pag-atake ng mga desperadong extremists na may simpatiya sa nangyayari sa labas ng bansa.

Kung may maririnig kayong anumang bulung-bulungan o banta nang kaguluhan, itawag ninyo ito kaagad sa Patrol 117 o Text PNP 2920.

May hotlines din tayo sa iba't-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan tungkol sa mga pangyayaring kaugnay ng kasalukuyang krisis, tulad ng DFA at Middle East Preparedness Team Action Center, Department of Energy's Consumer Welfare Office, at OWWA.

Magkaisa tayo, Muslim man o Kristiyano, sa tungkulin ng pagbabantay at pagpapairal ng katahimikan. Ang kaligtasan at kagalingan ng ating bansa ay nasa ating kamay. Bawa't Pilipino ay dapat maging responsable sa kaniyang kapuwa. Ito ay isang makasaysayang pagkakataon para tayo ay magbuklod sa panahon ng krisis, na makailang beses na nating ginawa noon.

Isantabi na natin ang anumang di matuwid na pagkiling o pagpanig sa iba. Pagsanibin natin ang ating mga puso at lakas para harapin ang mga kailangang gawin. Sa ating pagsasama-sama, kaya nating pagtagumpayan ang krisis na ito.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today rallied every Filipino to be responsible for his fellowmen, as she enjoined the people to do their patriotic duty of guarding and maintaining national peace.

"Ang kaligtasan at kagalingan ng ating bansa ay nasa ating kamay (the welfare and safety of the country lie on our hands)," the President said in a radio message aired nationwide.

She said the prevailing domestic and global crises have become another historic opportunity for Filipinos to once more unite and overcome.

"Pagsanibin natin ang ating mga puso at lakas para hanapin ang kailangang gawin (Let us join our hearts and strength to look for the right moves to get through the crises)," she added.

The President stressed that the Filipino nation is one with the Iraqi people in the latter’s struggle for freedom.

On the government’s decision to support the coalition forces, she said: "Ito ay hindi isang hidwaan sa pagitan ng Iraqis at mga Pilipino. Ito ay isang labanan sa pagitan ng kalupitan at kasarinlan (This is not a fight between Iraqis and Filipinos. This is a war between tyranny and freedom)."

She said that the Filipino nation has joined their Muslim brothers throughout the world in praying for the safety of the people of Iraq.

And while everyone prays for a swift end to the Iraqi crisis, the government will continue to carry out necessary measures to mitigate the effects of the Gulf war on the people’s socio-economic well-being, she said.

"Ang ating pagkilos ay nakatuon sa dalawang bagay: ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan sa Gitnang Silangan at ang pagiging listo natin dito laban sa terorismo (Our moves are focused on the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East and the alertness of Filipinos here against terrorism)," she added.

The President said overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the Gulf are far from harm’s way, stressing that "sila ay nasa pangangalaga ng ating mga embahada, kanilang employers at host governments (they are under the care of our embassies, their employers and host governments)."

To ease the apprehension of relatives of Middle East-based Filipino expatriates, she said the government has opened call centers that could link OFWs in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and their relatives in key cities in the Philippines.

The Kamustahan Lines, which offer free long-distance cellular and telephone calls to as long as three minutes, are open for 24 hours at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Other call centers are at the Public Action Center in Malacanang and the head office and 11 regional offices of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The centers are made available with the support of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, AMA Computer College, Smart, Globe, Sun Cellular and other telecommunication companies.

Also open is the Oplan Kalinga website www.oplankalinga.gov.ph which issues regular news, advisories and important information on government programs for OFWs and their loved ones.

The President also said she had ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT) under Ambassador Roy Cimatu to do everything possible to see to the safety and welfare of OFWs in the Gulf.

They are safe from any attack from hostile forces, thanks to their host governments in cooperating with the American troops, she said.

Those who are leaving areas of perceived danger would be helped by the DFA and the MEPT, she noted, adding that travel documents and transportation would be facilitated for them.

Relocation areas for OFWs are in place with enough food, water and other needs. Embassies are always open to serve them.

In the home front, the President said she had placed the government’s full resources on national security, particularly those of local governments, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

She called on the private sector, civil society and the people to cooperate with authorities in protecting the communities.

"Dapat tayong maging listo laban sa tinatawag na collateral terrorist attacks o pag-atake ng mga desperadong extremists na may simpatiya sa nangyayari sa labas ng bansa (We must maintain a high level of alertness to deal with collateral terrorist attacks and sympathy attacks from extremists)," she said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today reminded army commanders to be doubly aware and extra sensitive to the strategic implications of tactical decisions that they make in the field.

The President made the reminder as she upheld the authority of field commanders to render tactical decisions within their area of responsibility.

She recently issued a command directive that defined strategic implications of tactical operations.

In a speech during the 106^th anniversary of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, the President said that while her directive is stressed in the army’s doctrine development program, "the policy-making prerogative of civilian authority shall not be impaired."

The directive, she added, should apply to brigade commanders and above. "It is their decision, it is their authority, it is their responsibility."

She has authorized the Secretary of National Defense to determine the applicable levels of command responsibility attendant to her directive.

The President explained that a "tactical operation acquires strategic implications which our commanders must take into account even on the ground, when it involves public perception beyond the immediate area of operation, or when it involves adverse consequences such as general state of law and order, socio economic activity and political stability within or beyond the immediate area of operation."

A field commander shall conduct operations in a manner that shall entail the following:

• The least possible impact of such operations in the community of non-combatants especially on their livelihood and normal conduct of every day lives,

• The minimum evacuation from homes or areas of food production,

• The close coordination with pertinent agencies of government within his or her area of concern when socio-economic dislocations are expected or become imminent as a result of such operations,

• The full safety assessments in coordination with the Philippine National Police for areas prone to conflict tailover or collateral acts of terrorism,

• The strategic sensibility to the peace processes and negotiations within affected armed groups, and

• The over-all adherence to national policies and public interests.

The President said that all pertinent campaign plans should be updated to incorporate a psychological operations component as well as comprehensive civil-military coordination component.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the roots of the Philippine involvement in the "coalition of the willing" dated back to the period immediately following the September 11, 2001 attacks when she made a strategic decision to join the global war against terrorism.

The President, speaking during the 106^th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, said that "even before I became President of the Philippines, we had long been in the frontline against terrorism in our own land."

She said one country alone could not eliminate terrorists like the Abu Sayyaf as they link to other terrorist organizations that give them financial support and material.

"The global coalition that was formed to check terrorism helped us in our battle with the Abu Sayyaf," she said.

Global, political and economic security has become closely intertwined, she said adding that "separate national interests are woven into the overall fabric of counter terrorism."

"And so today, we support the ‘coalition of the willing’ because of the sweeping imperatives we faced a year and a half ago," she stressed.

"We do not want weapons of mass destruction to fall into the hands of terrorists operating in the Philippines," she said.

The President disclosed that the US-led forces are clearing threats in Southern Iraq and as the battle for Baghdad begins, "the relative safety of our nationals from weapons of mass destruction, is more or less assured."

She condoled with families of coalition soldiers who died in the line of duty, "just as we condoled with the families of soldiers who perished in the line of duty fighting terrorism in the Philippines."

The President said that joining the "coalition of the willing" did not preclude the government’s full support for the United Nations in meeting the humanitarian crisis.

"We pray that the Iraqi people, as well as other innocent victims of war, will be spared from grave suffering and harm just as our nationals have so far been spared," she said.

She added that the government is prepared to send medical personnel and relief workers to help in post-conflict Iraq.

"While we deal with the ramifications of the Iraq war in the country’s national interests, we must continue to telescope our sights on the fight against insurgency, terrorism, and poverty within our country," the President said.

She congratulated Philippine Army Chief Gen. Gregorio Camiling for the Army’s Plan 00 which enhances an understanding of the dynamics of political stability, economic development, social cohesion, ethical behavior, environmental sustainability and cooperation among nations.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today assured the public that any negative effect of the ongoing Middle East conflict on the country would be short-lived because of the country’s sound economic fundamentals.

In a radio interview, the President said contingency plans to protect the interest of the public have long been prepared by the country’s economic managers.

She said in-country crude oil supply would last up to 62 days, the highest inventory ever registered in the past 10 years.

An additional 62 barrels, she added, would be forthcoming to make the inventory last up to June.

To avoid any increase in transport fares, the government has opened gasoline stations in three terminals to sell cheap crude.

Two of these – one in Mandaluyong and another in Quezon Avenue – were put up through the efforts of Eastern Petroleum for members of the Pasang Masda.

The third one, in Cubao, was set up by Flying V for the members of Piston. Petron would also put up one in Quiapo, she said.

The President also assured that Filipinos would not go hungry even if the war in Iraq lasted for two months since the rice inventory would last up to 95 days, also the highest stock in the last three decades.

As to the supply of sugar, the President said the country has enough to last 120 days or four months. Cooking oil inventory, she said, is good for 60 days or two months.

"Ang ibig sabihin ng lahat nang ito ay hindi tayo dapat maalarma," she said. "May sapat tayong pagkaing nakaimbak at kailanman ay hindi tayo kailangang pumila o mag-rasyon (What all these means is that we should not panic. We have enough food supply. We don’t have to resort to food lines or rationing)."

She said the government has set up monitoring teams to keep watch over the prices of prime commodities. For this to succeed, the President asked the people to report unscrupulous traders who would take advantage of the situation.

"Binabalaan ko ang mga nais magsamantala, tulad ng pagtatago ng supply o paniningil ng sobra. We will protect our consumers from unscrupulous traders who engage in hoarding, profiteering and opportunist speculations," the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star Medal to Capt. Oliver Almonares, who she cited for the rescue of Abu Sayyaf hostages Gracia Burnham and Erwin Resoroni in Culasian, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte on June 7 last year.

The President noted Almonares’ courage and gallantry in the face of terrorists as he led his unit, the 15^th Scout Ranger Company, in engaging 30 Abu Sayyaf members led by Hadji Aldam Tilao aka Abu Sabaya that led to the rescue of Burnham and Resoroni.

During the 106^th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio, Makati, the President also conferred various awards to other army soldiers and non-government groups that distinguished themselves in their respective fields in support of the Army’s mission.

The awardees included:

• Brig. Gen. Dante Bonifacio, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Star for meritorious and invaluable service rendered as commanding general of the Army’s 202^nd Infantry Brigade;

• 1Lt. Rizaldo Laurena, the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action as platoon leader of the 37^th Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company that fought off 100 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elements at Barangay Kitapok, Datu Piang, Maguindanao on June 11, 2002;

• TSgt. Juan Belo, the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action as a crew member of an armored vehicle of the 42^nd Light Armor Battalion during an ambush conducted by 20 dissident terrorists;

• Col. Armando Cunanan, the Outstanding Achievement Medal for extraordinary and distinguished achievement in the conceptualization, development and publication of the Philippine Army Officer Career Management manual;

• Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas Joson, the Gawad sa Kaunlaran, for extending full support to the internal security operations activities of the 7^th Infantry Division;

• Col. Romeo Lim, for meritorious and invaluable achievements in the pursuit of socio-economic and other non-combat activities of the AFP while serving as commanding officer of the 5^th Scout Ranger Battalion;

The 58^th Infantry Battalion received the Commanding General, Philippine Army Streamer Award for being adjudged as the Best Infantry Battalion for 2002

The 8^th Infantry Division got the Command Plaque of Merit for placing second in the Search for the Most Outstanding Literacy Category during the National Literacy Conference and Awards 2002.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today hailed concerned transport groups in Metro Manila as she launched several government-private sector programs intended to mitigate the impact of oil prices on the transport sector.

The President said the launching of at least two Quezon City diesel filling stations offering rebates was one way the government could show its gratitude to the transport sector that has sacrificed a lot by not raising fares.

This would ease the burden on jeepney drivers in this time of crisis, she said.

At the Flying V gasoline station at 15^th Ave. and P. Tuazon Street in Cubao, Quezon City, the President launched the "Tulong sa Pagsulong," a scheme wherein diesel fuel patrons could avail of rebates of as much as five liters for every 10-liter purchase.

Under the scheme, Flying V patrons who buy at least 10 liters of diesel will be given a coupon worth 5 liters of diesel. The patron may accumulate his coupons and have them exchanged to cash of at least P100.

At the Eastern Petroleum station in Quezon Ave. beside the Pantranco terminal, the President initiated the loading of cheaper diesel worth P16.25 per liter to members of the Pasang Masda transport group.

"Ito ay bilang pagpapasalamat sa ating jeepney drivers at ating mga transport groups dahil kahit na tumaas yung presyo ng krudo at gasolina nung panahon na hinihintay ang giyera sa Iraq, hindi pa rin nila tinaas yung kanilang presyo ng pasahe," she said.

Flying V Chairman and President Ramon Villavicencio said the "Tulong sa Pagsulong" scheme was the oil firm’s response to the President’s call to help jeepney drivers who are most affected by the continuous increase in fuel prices.

With the President at the Flying V station were Energy Secretary Vincent Perez, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Dante Lantin, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and other Quezon City officials.

Flying V, in a statement, said that "despite the crisis facing the world today, and even as the increase in pump price is not sufficient to cover the general increase in procurement costs of fuel, it has launched the public service program in response to the call of the President to make sacrifices and sympathize with the plight of the jeepney drivers who serve the general riding public."

Villavicencio said that during these hard times, business sense should be relegated to the background in lieu of the moral responsibility to respond to a cause of those in need.

Among the transport groups set to benefit from the "Tulong sa Pagsulong" scheme are the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, Samahang Operators at Drivers ng Project 4, P. Tuazon Farmers Cubao Inc. and the Group Unite Drivers, Operators into One Inc.

Among the transport group leaders present were Zeny Maranan, Boy Vargas, Efren de Luna, Crispin Rosales, Antonio Cardenas, Patrick Vergara, Nely Terania and Federico Alvarez.

At the Quezon Ave. gasoline station, the President witnessed the loading of gasoline by Secretary Perez, Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin, Roosevelt-San Francisco del Monte Drivers’ Association president Greg Pajarillo and Eastern Petroleum Corp. president Fernando Martinez.

Eastern President Fernando Martinez said the President issued her appeal to the various transport groups and oil companies to ease the burden on the public transport industry as early as February 21.

In addition, a new gasoline station of USA 88 located in Felix Ave. near Cainta Junction is now operational.

The station is owned by Filprice Energy Corp. and offers discounts to jeepney drivers who are members, among others, of FEJODAP.