President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left today for Bangkok to attend the 11^th Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) being hosted by the government of Thailand.

The President’s chartered aircraft flew out of the Villamor Airbase, in Pasay City. at exactly 8:00 A.M. for an estimated three-hour flight to Bangkok.

Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who has been designated government caretaker in the President’s absence, Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo and other Cabinet members saw the Chief Executive off the airport.

The presidential party included Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas, Energy Secretary Vince Perez, Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, Presidential Management Staff chief Secretary Silvestre Afable, Jr., Official Development Assistance Absorption Secretary Marita Jimenez, and Presidential Adviser on International Competitiveness Roberto Romulo.

Eight Metro Manila mayors were also with the President. They are Manila City Mayor Joselito Atienza, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, Valenzuela City Mayor Emmanuel Carlos, Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido Tinga, Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando, and Pateros Mayor Rosendo Capco.

Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, Press Secretary Milton Alingod, Senate President Franklin Drilon, and Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Narciso Abaya, Jr. were also at the airport for the sendoff.

In the two-day summit that reels off tomorrow, President Macapagal-Arroyo will join the heads of state and government of the 20 other member economies of APEC, including US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

President Macapagal-Arroyo played host to President Bush, who paid an eight-hour state visit to the Philippines on Saturday.

This is the third time that President Macapagal-Arroyo is attending the APEC Leaders’ Meeting. The first time was in Shanghai in October 2001; the second at Los Cabos, Mexico in October last year.

At the Bangkok summit, the President is expected to sustain the momentum began by the Group of 21 that called for trade liberalization and scrapping of the subsidy to farmers in the developed world.

The Philippines is a leading member of the Group of 21, a block formed by developing countries at the recent meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cancun, Mexico, to protect their national interests from unfair competition, especially in the agriculture sector, from the rich countries.

While in Bangkok, the President will also hold bilateral talks with other APEC leaders on the sidelines of the main APEC forum. She is scheduled to meet separately with the leaders of Chile and the People’s Republic of China. Bilateral meetings with other leaders are still being worked out.

The President, along with the leaders of the seven ASEAN member countries, which are also affiliated with APEC, will jointly meet with US President Bush before the main APEC leaders’ forum.

The President and the First Gentleman will also have an audience with Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Chakri Mahaprasat, the king’s palace.

APEC was established in Canberra, Australia in l989 to further enhance economic growth and prosperity in the region and to strengthen the Asia Pacific community.

The first meeting, on the ministerial level, was attended by only 12 countries.

Now APEC’s 21 members—referred to as "member economies"—account for more than 2.5 billion people, a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 19 trillion US dollars, and 47 percent of the world’s total trade.

APEC also represents the most economically dynamic region in the world having generated nearly 70 percent of global economic growth in its first 10 years.

BANGKOK (via PLDT)—The Philippines has been cited as one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia Pacific region, a tangible proof that the economic reforms initiated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the past two and a half years of her administration are paying off.

Statistics obtained from the APEC Secretariat here, showed that of the 21 member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Philippines ranks sixth in gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for this year.

The two-day 11^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting reels off tomorrow with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other world leaders attending, including US President George W. Bush, Chinese President Hu Jintao, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

APEC’s GDP growth forecast for the Philippine for 2003 is 4.0 percent, only slightly lower than Malaysia’s 4.1 percent. As expected, China notched the highest growth rate with 8.0 percent, followed by Vietnam with 6.9 percent, and Russia and Thailand with identical 6.0 percent.

The 4.0 percent growth forecast of APEC is slightly lower than the 4.2 percent economic growth this year as forecast by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The NEDA had earlier set a full-year GDP growth target of 4.2 to 5.2 percent.

It is interesting to note that among the Asian nations, the Philippines is classified, along with Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, as having the highest growth rates for this year.

Singapore has a minuscule 0.5 growth rate, Japan with 0.8 percent, Hong Kong with 2.1 percent, South Korea with 3.1 percent, Taiwan with 3.1 percent, and Indonesia with 3.4 percent.

BANGKOK (via PLDT) – The Philippines has called on some member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to be "a little more circumspect" on their travel advisories to their citizens.

In a press briefing here Sunday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Delia Albert said that this call was made during the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and the senior officials meeting held here on the run-up to the 11^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Earlier, Australia, New Zealand and Canada had issued travel advisories to their citizens asking them to refrain from visiting the Philippines because of the reported resurgence of terrorist threats in the country.

Albert, a career official at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), however, said that it is the sovereign right of every country to issue travel advisories to safeguard the lives of their citizens.

She said that although the Philippine government’s call for more circumspection is not binding to the other members, APEC "remains as a viable and responsive organization."

Albert headed the Philippine delegation to the AMM representing Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople who has to remain in Manila Saturday for the state visit of US President George W. Bush.

The AMM precedes the two-day APEC leaders’ summit set to start here tomorrow with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and her counterparts from the other 20 member economies, attending.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the AMM said that APEC member economies reiterated their pledge to achieve the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment by harnessing the diverse and unique strengths of the 21 member economies to create jobs and raise the standards of living of its people.

BANGKOK (via PLDT)—Leaders of the 21 member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), including President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are expected to strengthen their cooperation in the global fight against terrorism during the 11^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting that opens here tomorrow.

Organizers said that the war on terror is expected to dominate discussions in the two-day summit to be attended by three of the world’s most powerful figures, US President George W. Bush, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Philippines has been in the forefront of the regional efforts to fight terrorism. It has spearheaded, along with Malaysia and Indonesia, in creating a regional alliance against terrorism, which was later joined by Thailand and Brunei Darussalam.

The President was among those who expressed full support to the United States-led international coalition against terrorism immediately after the September 11 (2001) terrorist attacks on the US.

The recent arrest here of Jemaah Islamiyah operations chief Hambali, suspected mastermind in the Bali bombing 12 months ago, has made the issue of terrorism all the more important to the APEC gathering.

The bombing of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta in early September, also said to be the work of Hambali, has highlighted the need for APEC unity on terror.

The President said that terrorism knows no boundaries as she stressed the need for cooperation among nations in the fight not only against terrorism but also against poverty, which invariably breeds the recruits for terrorism.

She said that convicted Indonesian terrorist Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, who was killed Monday in Mindanao, signals the fall of a "key domino" in transnational terrorist conspiracies that operate in the region.

A counter-terrorism task force was set up by APEC last February. At APEC’s most recent meeting in August, members voted in favor of adopting biotechnology designed to foil terrorists who had had plastic surgery to avoid detection.

During their meeting here, APEC leaders are expected to sign the l999 International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism.

Last year during its 10^th Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, APEC adopted the STAR initiative (Secure Trade in the APEC Region) to improve security at air and sea terminals.

All APEC member countries have now adopted a counter-terrorism action plan that records the measures they have undertaken to implement APEC’s counter-terrorism objectives, their capacity-building needs, and the assistance they can offer to the other APEC member economies.

BANGKOK (via PLDT)—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived here today for the 11^th Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) being hosted by the Thai government.

The President’s chartered Philippine Airlines aircraft, PR 001, landed at the terminal of the Royal Thai Air Force base here at exactly 9:55 A.M. after an estimated three-hour flight from Manila. Manila is one hour ahead of Bangkok.

The President, accompanied by First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo and a lean Philippine delegation, was met at the terminal by Thai Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangura.

Shortly after her arrival, the President, along with the leaders of the other six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that are also APEC members, will have a luncheon meeting hosted by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In the two-day summit from October 20-21, the President will join the heads of state and government of the other 20 member economies of APEC, including US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

This is the third time that the Chief Executive attends an APEC Leaders’ Meeting. The first time was in Shanghai in October 2001; the second at Los Cabos, Mexico in October last year.

This is also the third time that President Macapagal-Arroyo and US President Bush met at an APEC summit. Both leaders assumed the presidency of their respective countries almost at the same time in early 2001.

At the Bangkok summit, the President is expected to sustain the momentum of the Group of 21 that called for trade liberalization and the scrapping of the subsidy to farmers in the developed world.

The Philippines is a leading member of the Group of 21, a block formed by developing countries at the recent meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cancun, Mexico to protect their national interests from unfair competition, especially in the agriculture sector, from the rich countries.

During her two-day stay here, the President will also hold bilateral talks with other APEC leaders on the sidelines of the main APEC forum. Today, she is scheduled to meet separately with the leaders of Chile and the People’s Republic of China. Bilateral meetings with other leaders are still being worked out.

The President, along with the leaders of the seven ASEAN member countries, which are also members of APEC, will jointly meet tomorrow with US President Bush.

Also tomorrow, the President and the First Gentleman, along with the other APEC leaders, will also have an audience with Thai King Bhumidol Adulyadej at Chakri Mahaprasat, the king’s palace.

APEC was established in Canberra, Australia in l989 to further enhance economic growth and prosperity in the region and to strengthen the Asia Pacific community.

The first meeting, on the ministerial level, was attended by only 12 countries.

Now APEC’s 21 members—referred to as "member economies"—account for more than 2.5 billion people, a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 19 trillion US dollars, and 47 percent of the world’s total trade.

APEC also represents the most economically dynamic region in the world having generated nearly 70 percent of global economic growth in its first 10 years.

US President George W. Bush did not say it outright but he feels optimistic about the chances of his friend President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 elections.

"I know my friend is running again, and she’s got a strong agenda to run on," Bush said in an interview at the White House in Washington on October 14 with National Broadcasting Network (NBN) TV senior reporter Toby Nebrida who was among the reporters invited to interview Bush before he left for his Asian swing.

"I would hope that the Philippines would continue to serve as a good example of democracy in the region, in other words, that there be an inclusiveness; and of course, that the elections be carried on in a peaceful way," Bush added as he stressed the elections will be very important for others to watch.

The US President, who was in Manila for an eight-hour visit Saturday, expressed his belief in President Arroyo’s leadership and looks forward to more opportunities of working with her.

"I want to remind the people of this country what a great leader you’ve been when it comes to fighting terror. You have been strong and a stalwart, and that’s what’s needed. I appreciate that very much. We want to continue to help you, and I want to thank you for your vision in fighting for freedom," Bush told Mrs. Arroyo yesterday at the Malacanang Study Room during their restricted meeting.

At the White House, Bush told Nebrida: "First of all, Gloria Arroyo, the President, has been very strong and I appreciate that. And I appreciate my friendship with her. Secondly, the Philippines has recognized that there is a problem in parts of the country and has asked for some help, some training," Bush said.

They are willing to provide it "because there is no question in my mind the will of the government is to bring people to justice and the government has," Bush said.

"I think that our relationship is such – it’s a very close, longstanding relationship – is such that we will see opportunities to work together, and we will work in concert. I could never ask the Philippines to do something that the government wasn’t comfortable doing. But our relationship is good," Bush said.

Bush also expressed his appreciation of the contributions of Filipino-Americans in the US.

"There’s roughly two million Philippine Americans, which is a wonderful contribution in our country. These people are great people. And I know. I work with them right here in the White House. . . And I’m really proud that there are that many Philippine Americans who are citizens of our great land," Bush said.

Under President Macapagal Arroyo’s watch in two and a half years, the government has achieved goals set forth in its socio-economic programs.

In the field of poverty alleviation, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has made housing more affordable, particularly to the lower income groups. Shelter security in public lands were provided to 268,86l informal settlers, while 125,934 households at the bottom 30 percent of the population were provided with housing slum upgrading services.

From January 2001 to June 2003, 432,028 hectares of public and private lands were distributed. Eleven certificate of ancestral domain titles covering 367,440 hectares were also given away.

Food security was enhanced with increased palay production. Under the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Program, P33 billion was disbursed in 2003, primarily for irrigation, post harvest facilities, credit and marketing assistance, and other infrastructure.

At the labor front, industrial peace was enhanced in 2002 with only 36 strikes, the lowest recorded in the country in 21 years. The number of rural jobs increased by more than 600,000 from April 2001 to April 2003.

In 2002, the deployment of 1,885,029 Filipino workers to more than 165 overseas destinations was facilitated. Overseas Filipino workers remitted a total of P9 billion from the first quarter of 2001 to 2003.

To safeguard health, essential drugs were made more accessible to the people by reducing the cost of 42 selected drugs by half under the "Gamot na Mabisa at Abot Kaya Program."

For quality education, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has restructured the Basic Education Curriculum to increase students’ contact time in English, Science and Math. A total of 564 school buildings were constructed from July 2001 to July 2003in unserverd barangays, with 43 more to be completed. More than 90 million textbooks on priority subjects were procured for all public schools.

Economic measures adopted by the government resulted in 4.5 percent increase in the gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2003. Inflation decelerated to 2.8 percent in May 2003.

The budget deficit was P79.58 billion or 22 percent below the deficit ceiling of P102.22 billion for January to June 2003. Revenue collections amounted to P306.34 billion, surpassing the 2002 collection performance.

To promote growth of domestic trade and industry, the government launched a program designed to boost lending to small- and medium-scale enterprises that comprise about 98 percent of local industries. Local economic activity was spurred through the provision of P1 million loan to each town for the development of niche products.

The campaign to make the country a premier tourist destination has been intensified. As a result of the Visit the Philippines Year promotion, visitor arrivals have increased and earned $l.64 billion for the country.

The Macapagal-Arroyo administration constructed 5,510 kilometers of national roads and 85,312 km of bridges. The construction of 2,108 flood control projects was completed. Meanwhile, 2,689 kms of farm-to-market roads were built and/or rehabilitated.

In the power and energy sector, 32,255 barangays were energized, representing 88.7percent of the total target up to 2006. The mandatory rate reduction of 30 centavos per kwh was implemented effective July 2001 billing period, while the purchase power cost adjustment of the National Power Corporation was reduced to 40 centavos per kwh.

BANGKOK (via PLDT)—The Philippines and Thailand today signed an agricultural cooperation agreement to promote technology transfer, trade, training and scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed this afternoon at the Oriental Hotel here by Agrilculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo and Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sora–at Klinpratoom.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who arrived here this morning , is billeted at the Oriental Hotel. She will be joining the other 20 member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at the two-day APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting that will formally start tomorrow.

Among the broad areas of bilateral cooperation will be:

• Agricultural, including fisheries and livestock research, development and extension
• Agricultural bio diversity management and conservation;
• Sanitary and phytosanitary measures;
• Promotion of trade in agriculture and fishery products ;
• Agricultural engineering; and
• Enhancement of cooperation and coordination within the relevant international and regional organizations.

The two countries agreed to set up a joint agricultural working group (JAWG) to implement the MOU.

The two parties also agreed to prepare joint programs that may be submitted to the international organizations or any other financial institutions to assist in financing the programs.

BANGKOK (via PLDT)—The Philippines and Thailand today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to increase their collaboration in the development of oil and natural gas in support of the two countries’ respective national development programs.

The MOU was signed this afternoon at the Oriental Hotel here by Energy Secretary Vincent Perez and Thai Energy Minister Prommin Letsuridej.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who arrived here this morning to attend the 11^th Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), is billeted at the Oriental Hotel.

The President will be joining the 20 other APEC leaders in the two-day summit which will formally open tomorrow.

Under the MOU, the two coutries will jointly study, investigate and assess the possibility of cooperation for mutual benefit in the following areas.

• Oil and gas exploration, development, production, distribution and utilization of facilities in the Philippines and Thailand;
• Promotion and development of potential synergy between the two countries and enhancing opportunities of utilization of existing oil related facilities in the respective countries;
• Research and development (R&D) on technological enhancement and improvement of alternative fuels, including but not limited to bio fuels, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG);
• Sharing of knowledge and experience in various areas of the petroleum business through seminars and training ; and
• Joint study in other oil and gas related areas as agreed by both parties.