The outrage of the nation against the proliferation of illegal drugs comes to fore tomorrow when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauches "The Nation’s Outrage Against Drugs: Saving This Generation (Himagsik)" project at the Liwasang Bonifacio.

Representatives from the youth, religious sectors and the civil society are expected to join the President in the nationwide launch of "Himagsik." There will also be launching ceremonies at the city park in Davao City, Fuente Osmena in Cebu City and Burnham Park in Baguio City starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Himagsik launching will also be graced by newly-crowned People’s World Featherweight Champion Manny Pacquiao, billiards legend Efren "Bata" Reyes, and other sports personalities who will exhort the youth to junk drugs in favor of sports.

Singers and other movie personalities have also been invited to join the President in launching the first nationwide coordinated and multi-sectoral fight against illegal drugs.

The launching of Himagsik comes on the heels of the recent successes of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the fight against illegal drugs with over P18 billion worth in confiscated shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) from various factories and laboratories.

"While the significant milestones have been achieved by the government in the campaign against drugs, there is still a need to intensify greater awareness and involvement of all sectors of the society on the urgency and importance of the anti-drugs campaign," said PNP Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force chief, Deputy Director General Edgardo Aglipay.

Under the project, agencies tasked with fighting illegal drugs, including the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), will now be joined by youth and student organizations, religious groups and civil society in generating greater awareness on the evils of illegal drugs.

"There is a need to deflect the general mindset that the anti-drug program is the government’s concern alone. There is a need to send a clear and strong message to the entire Filipino people that the anti drug campaign is the concern of all: the family, the educators, the youth, the religious and all responsible citizens who really care to save this generation from the menacing effects of illegal drugs," said Himagsik project director Secretary Marita Jimenez.

Under the long-term goal of Himagsik, the various law enforcement agencies will sign a manifesto of commitment with the different sectors to come up with alternative projects for the youth in sports, arts, environment and other volunteer work to veer them away from temptations of drugs.

"The project will also enhance the implementation of more viable rehabilitation program for drug dependents," said Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina, Jr.

The Himagsik launch will open with the testimonies of former drug dependents on the evils of illegal drugs as well as the paths they took on their way back from rehabilitation.

There will then be a mass declaration of commitment to the ideals of Himagsik, underscoring that the entire process of the war against drugs—from law enforcement to rehabilitation—should be steadfast and long-term.

Malacaņang today said the proposed implementation of a national ID system is not an invasion of privacy and brushed aside suggestions it could be a prelude to martial law.

There is nothing wrong in the national ID system. The information required for this is the same as those asked when we apply for other IDs or credit cards, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said this morning in a radio interview.

Bunye also said that those who object to the implementation of the national ID system may have things they want kept secret and those who want to have multiple identities. With the national ID, it will be easy to catch those who use different identification papers.

The national ID is a sign of modernization which has proven effective in the United States, Bunye added. It’s implementation in the country is timely as an effective instrument for order. It will actually facilitate a lot of transactions, he added.

There is a need for a law for this and our lawmakers should consider it in the remaining days of the present Congress, according to Bunye.

There are supporters of the national ID system in both houses of Congress and maybe it would be best if more people were to voice their feelings on this issue, Bunye said.

On Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said it is needed for "a safer and more progressive nation."

The peso is expected to gain strength as the year ends with the expected huge inflow of dollar remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Malacanang today said.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, in a radio interview, stressed that the low performance of the peso against the U.S. dollar over the past few days will be short-lived.

"This is a temporary phenomenon and the long-term prospects of the peso are strong especially now as we get closer to Christmas," Bunye said.

Bunye likewise noted that the peso would immediately recover as the economy is expecting the usual huge inflow of dollar transfers from OFWs this December.

He stressed that the fall of the peso would not have much negative effect on the prices of basic commodities.

Bunye explained that the Department of Trade and Industry, in coordination with local government officials, is strictly monitoring the essential costs of merchandise.

"Ang DTI, and even local government officials ay mayroong kapangyarihan na kontrolin yung speculation sa pamamagitan ng hindi makatarungang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin (the DTI and even local government officials have the power to control speculation)," Bunye added.

The peso fell to a record low of 55.730 to the dollar last Friday as investors continue to unload their peso holdings due to, according to reports, rising political uncertainties.

According to traders, the market has been besieged by what analysts perceived as negative developments, especially after actor Fernando Poe Jr. declared his intention to run for president.