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02 OCTOBER 2003 |
| GMA declares October as Toastmasters Month |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared the month of October 2003 as Toastmasters Month. The President issued Proclamation No. 474 to commemorate the anniversary of the Philippine Toastmasters, known as District 75, and to further propagate the mission of the organization. The celebration of the Philippine Toastmasters Month would be coordinated with the rest of the districts of Toastmasters International throughout the world. Toastmasters International, to which the Philippine Toastmasters is affiliated, is an international non-profit organization founded in October l924. It is dedicated to making its members better communicators and leaders of society. In Proclamation 474, the President emphasized the urgent need to develop the communication and leadership skills of Filipinos to enhance their competitiveness nationally and internationally. The President called upon all agencies of the government, professional, civic and religious organizations, and the mass media to extend their wholehearted cooperation and support to the Philippine Toastmasters in this laudable effort of making the Filipino a better thinker, listener and speaker. |
| Greater problem of terrorsim main consideration in Reyes' appointment to a new gov't post |
Malacaņang today said that the primary consideration in the appointment of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes as Ambassador-at-Large for Counter terrorism is the greater problem of terrorism that knows no boundaries. In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that the country has regional allies in the fight against this threat and there has to be one particular person who will coordinate with them. "This is the job of Secretary Reyes," Bunye said. Bunye also asked the people not to prejudge Reyes on charges that he was involved in the Davao bombing and for his critics to wait for the findings of the presidential commission tasked to look into the accusations against him. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo swore in Reyes to his new post in a simple ceremony Wednesday in Malacaņang. After he was sworn in, Reyes said that his principal objective is to see to it that in the country’s fight against global, regional terrorism and domestic terrorism, its efforts would be coordinated and synchronized with the efforts of other countries. Reyes was appointed Secretary of National Defense in March 2001 and resigned the post in August this year after the failed Oakwood mutiny. |
| Bush to be given a warm welcome within the country's reasonable means -- Palace |
When US President George W. Bush arrives here this month, he will be accorded the traditional Filipino hospitality given to visitors in the country within reasonable means. In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Bush is an important guest who deserves special treatment with "reasonable resources" to ensure a meaningful and memorable welcome. "We have to put our best foot forward whenever there is a very important visitor to our country," Bunye said. Bunye said despite the short visit of Bush he would be welcomed with the traditional Filipino hospitality. When asked on how much the government will spend for the visit of Bush, Bunye said, "what is reasonable under the circumstance will be made." Bush will make an eight-hour visit here on October 18 before proceeding to Bangkok to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. During his visit, the US Chief Executive will address a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa before he leaves the country. Malacaņang earlier created a National Committee to take charge of preparations in connection with the state visit of Bush. In Memorandum Order No. 115 issued by Executive Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, the committee headed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople shall be responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of all preparations and arrangements, including the implementation of all presidential instructions on the visit. The committee will also be responsible for preparing the detailed program of the visit, including the provisions for security and media coverage. Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon is the co-chairman of the committee. Members include Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, Public Works and Highways Secretary Florante Soriquez, Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, newly designated Ambassador-at-Large Angelo Reyes, Trade and Industsry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina, Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Budget and Management Secretary Emilia Boncodin. Also included in the committee are Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Group Commander of the Presidential Security Group Col. Delfin Bangit, and Chief Presidential Protocol Cecilia Rebong. |
| Statement of the President: Anti-drug campaign |
One of my first directives in the anti-drug campaign was to stop the recycling of captured drugs for the market. I would like a speedy and thorough probe of this case so that the suspects can be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible, and punished severely if found guilty. The axe will fall on rogue cops of whatever position or rank. There must be no hesitation among all our law enforcement agencies to purge and excise crime syndicates operating from within their respective organizations. There must be a clear line separating the uniform and the underworld, otherwise law enforcement would be a sham. |
| Statement of the President: SWS Survey |
There has been some negativism cutting across almost all institutions and this is part of the vagaries of governance. The government cannot fight a public mood occasioned by excessive speculation, rumor mongering and contrived threats. But the fact remains that we have consolidated the military organization, put development programs back in track and restored international confidence in the stability of the Philippines. We are confident things will be looking up soon as we pass this unusually rabid phase of the political season. National consolidation is moving ahead and there is no turning back. |
| Statement of the President: MILF |
We have known for sometime now that some MILF groups are infected with terrorist cells and we have called upon the MILF leadership to purge these from its mainstream. One of the prime objectives of the peace negotiations is precisely to insulate the rebel formations from terrorist enclaves and this is why we have the support of Malaysia, the OIC, the UN and the American government. But certainly, the rush of terrorist events in the region demands a more intensive and urgent effort on the part of the MILF to completely purge its ranks of terrorists. This is a sine qua non to peace and must be decisively and relentlessly pursued. |
| GMA orders release of P1-B for road maintenance program in Quezon |
UNISAN, Quezon—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today ordered the release of P1 billion for the national roadside proper maintenance program dubbed "Kalsada Ko, Aalagaan Ko." The President said that the amount will be allocated to all barangays located along the stretch of the 333-kilometer highway from this town to Urdaneta, Pangasinan for the employment of roadside workers from this month up to October next year. She said that the program will generate some 150,000 barangay roadside workers, who will be tasked to clean the pavements and drainage lines of the national highway. The President said under the "Kalsada Ko, Aalagaan Ko" program, unemployed residents would be given jobs, particularly those agricultural workers who were recently affected by typhoons. "This program will also directly give full participation of every barangay for the proper maintenance of roadsides of the national highway," the President said. The President said the fund for this program comes from the collections of the Land Transportation Office from the Motor Vehicle Users registration fee from 2001. The President also instructed former Congressman Danilo Suarez to start the second phase of the road construction and improvement from Unisan, Quezon, to the Bicol Peninsula. Under the program, the workers will be provided with uniforms, raincoats, boots and caps. "In the end, it has a multiplier effect on the business side, particularly on our economy," the President said. Suarez told the President that there are almost 6,000 workers employed for the first phase of the Unisan-Urdaneta project. Under heavy rains and strong gusty winds, the President also visited the Caigdal Livestock and Nursery Center after she disembarked from the presidential helicopter that landed at the Beredo Elementary School compound. More than 2,000 local officials and townsfolk warmly welcomed the President who hugged and shook hands with some of them. Among those who were present were Congresswomen Aleta Suarez and Lynette Punzalan, Quezon Governor Wilfredo Enverga and Congressman Raffy Nantes. Also with the President was Public Works and Highways Secretary Florante Soriquez. |
| PNP belies reports of crime surge in Camanava, Metro Manila |
The Philippine National Police (PNP) today belied reports that there has been a crime surge in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area in Metro Manila. In a report to Malacaņang, Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, chief of the Public Information Office of the PNP, said that from January to September this year, only six incidents of kidnapping and three bank-armored van robberies have been reported. According to Bataoil, intensified follow-up operations against kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) suspects and the perpetrators of the Planters Bank and Allied Bank robberies are being conducted by the PNP based on solid leads. Bataoil also reported that in the recent Union Bank armored van robbery in Ever Gotesco, Caloocan, the suspect, Diosdado Mellomida, a security guard for the bank was arrested 12 hours after the incident with part of the loot (P103,000) in cash recovered from him. With his arrest, police investigators have identified his cohorts, particularly the alleged mastermind, who are now the subject of massive follow-up operations, while investigators are also trying to establish whether the same group is behind the MRT armored van heist last Monday, Bataoil said. Yesterday, October 1, an operation was conducted by police operatives against suspected bank robbery/KFR suspects. A shootout ensued which left three KFP suspects dead. The other members of the group who managed to escape are still being hunted by the police operatives, Bataoil said. Bataoil likewise reported the fielding of more police personnel in commercial districts as a preventive measure against similar incidents. "They were ordered to conduct increased police visibility, establish additional checkpoints and conduct heightened implementation of Oplan Bakal and Oplan Sita programs in crime-prone areas of the metropolis," Bataoil said. |
| RP has highest yield of hybrid rice in the world, GMA reveals in Nueva Ecija |
CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today revealed that the Philippines has the highest yield of hybrid rice in the world as she announced that the government is spending P1.5 million for the distribution of hybrid palay seeds throughout the country. In her remarks during the distribution of hybrid palay seeds and vegetable seeds at the City Hall here, the President said the highest productivity of lands planted with hybrid rice was recorded in Mindoro. "Kaya kung magagawa yon sa Mindoro, eh, ano pa kaya dito sa Nueva Ecija na number one sa rice production sa buong Pilipinas (If this was done in Mindoro, what more in Nueva Ecija which is number one in rice production in the whole Philippines)," the President said, to the applause of the audience. The President led the distribution of 100 bags of certified seeds of hybrid rice to some farmers, adding that some 567 bags are still forthcoming within the week. She said that with the expected more than 600 bags of certified hybrid rice seeds, the harvests of Nueva Ecija farmers could double. According to the President, the high-yielding hybrid rice seeds come from China. The President said that she has already reversed the old policy of the National Food Authority (NFA). Henceforth, she said, the NFA would now concentrate in buying the crops of local farmers, instead of using its funds in importing rice. She said that rice importation should be left to the rice traders because, after all, they would be importing high-quality rice, which are more expensive and which only the rich could afford. The NFA, the President said, would buy the produce of the local farmers, which is mostly the ordinary variety and is being sold to the public at lower prices. The President said that the NFA has already earmarked some P3.7 billion for the purchase of locally-produced rice, and out of this amount, some P30 million is set aside for Region 3 that includes Nueva Ecija. She also allayed fears that since the buying price of palay from the farmers is good, it might result in high price of rice sold to consumers. "This is not so because of the efficient distribution system now being adopted by the NFA," the President said, adding that if the NFA buys the palay at P9.50 per kilo, it would be sold to the public at P15 per kilo, a price that is within the reach of the marginalized sector of society. |
| GMA assures Nueva Ecija poor residents of low-priced but quality medicines |
CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today inspected the government hospital here to ensure that the operation of Botika ng Barangay (BnBs) is properly implemented and the low- priced but quality medicines are sold to the poor residents of Nueva Ecija. Aside from inspecting the Botika ng Department of Health located inside the Dr. Paulino Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, the President also turned over five boxes of generic medicines to Dr. Hubert Lapuz, hospital officer-in-charge. The President was assisted by Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas Joson, Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar V. Vergara, and former representative Rico Fajardo in turning over the boxes of medicines consisting of 40 different kinds of half-priced medicines to Dr. Lapuz. "Sana makatulong ito sa mamamayan ng Nueva Ecija at maging malusog ang inyong kinabukasan (I hope I could be of help to the people of Nueva Ecija and you would have a healthy future," the President said in her brief remarks during the turnover ceremony. The President arrived here from Unisan, Quezon via presidential chopper to distribute hybrid rice seedlings and assorted vegetable seedlings to the farmers of Cabanatuan. Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon Renato Diaz, and Administrator Arthur Yap of the National Food Authority (NFA) accompanied the President in her short visit here. Mayor Vergara thanked the President for her continued support and assistance to the local government’s program. During the 12th Congress, the President pledged in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) to lower the price of drugs and medicines. The Department of Health (DOH) has entered into a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) to purchase and distribute cheap but quality drugs and medicines through the DOH network of Botika ng Barangay. The government has already expanded its program by procuring some 40 brands of essential drugs worth P75 million and these drugs are already sold to the public in 72 DOH hospitals and some 600 government hospital pharmacies. |
