President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves for Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday (September 3) to address the 15^th general meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), an independent, policy-oriented organization of high-level business, academic and government representatives from 22 Asia-Pacific economies.

The President is expected to arrive at the Brunei Darussalam Airport at 8:45 A.M. Following arrival courtesies, she will motor to the venue of the PECC general meeting, which opened on Monday (September 1).

One of the two keynote speakers on the closing day of the PECC general meeting, the Chief Executive is scheduled to deliver her address at 10:30 A.M. The other speaker is Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Dadawi.

President Macapagal-Arroyo will have a private luncheon hosted by the Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Virginia Benavidez at the envoy’s residence. She is also expected to meet with members of the Filipino community.

Before the Chief Executive leaves for Manila in the afternoon, she will have a one-on-one meeting with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam.

This is the second time that President Macapagal-Arroyo will visit Brunei since she assumed office in January 2001. She first visited Brunei on August 22, 2001.

Established in 1980, the PECC is the only tri-partite non-governmental organization and official observer to the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC). Committed to promoting economic cooperation in the Pacific Rim, It has provided information and analytical support to APEC ministerial meetings and working groups.

The 15^th general meeting of PECC has for its theme: "Securing the Future a Strategic Path for the Next Decade." As a regional forum for cooperation and policy coordination aimed at promoting economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, the PECC operates based on the following premises:

• The respective strengths of business and industry, government, academic and other intellectual circles can be better focused to promote the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, scientific and technological development and environmental quality in the region.

• Trade, joint ventures, mutual aid and other forms of linkage, when developed in a spirit of partnership, fairness, respect and genuine cooperation, strengthen the foundation needed for a prosperous, progressive and peaceful Pacific region.

• Promotion of active collaboration on matters of common interest in economic, environmental, social, scientific, technological and management fields will contribute significantly to the realization of the Pacific region’s economic potential.

• Human resource development through the provision of training and research assistance by Pacific economies is especially significant in enhancing development.

• Increased cooperation in trade and development of natural resources (agriculture, fisheries, minerals and energy), industrial adjustment, expansion of free and open trade investment, and the improvement of transportation and communication capabilities, will contribute to raising the standard of living throughout the Pacific region.

• Development of the Pacific region cannot take place in isolation from the rest of the world economy and should be consistent with the objectives of improving global growth and trade performance. The PECC should liaise with other international and regional organizations having complementary aims and purposes and ensure that duplication of activity is avoided.

Batangas Governor Herminigildo Mandanas, president of the Federation of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) of the Philippines, said today that people in government are still very concerned about delivering basic services to the Filipino people despite destabilization efforts by some desperate elements.

In a press briefing in Malacaņang, Governor Mandanas, who is chairman of the Region 4-Calabarzon’s RDC, underscored the fact that there are still many members of the administration, elected or appointed, "who are really sincere in pushing through the development of our country and the delivery of basic services."

"While other people are talking about Vicky Toh or the First Gentleman, we just want to reassure everyone that we are concerned about the education of the poor children," Mandanas said.

Mandanas said the Federation of RDCs is concerned about making sure that there is food in the table, jobs available to the people, and that there is peace and order.

He assured that some P100 billion is being accelerated for the educational program of the youth. The provinces, cities and municipalities, without using the national budget, are raising this amount to support "this very important investment in our youth," he said.

Aside from education, and employment generation, Mandanas said the country has the most number of Filipinos who have been given free health services, brought about by the cooperation between the national and local governments.

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today called on the officers and employees of the Department of Defense (DND) to be proactive and share in the task of reforming the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the military service.

In her remarks at the commemoration of the 107^th Cry of Nueva Ecija held at the Provincial Capitol here, the President said that she wants to create "an irreversible momentum" of reforms in the AFP that would promote snappy performance, move logistics to the field and reward courage and sacrifice.

"My priorities now are to reform the armed forces, push forward the peace process and relentlessly drive the anti-poverty campaign. Precious time has been lost and we must multiply our gains," the President said.

The President also paid tribute to the Novo Ecijanos for the key role they played in the country’s history, Nueva Ecija being one of the eight provinces that revolted against Spain at the turn of the century.

That is why, the President, said Nueva Ecija is forever etched in the Philippine flag, being one of the provinces represented in the eight rays of the flag.

The President said that during these times, Nueva Ecija is again in the forefront of efforts to save the Republic, citing the role being played by local officials from Governor Tomas Joson III to the lowly barangay tanods in maintaining the peace.

She lauded, in particular, Major Gen. Alberto Braganza, commander of the 7^th Infantry Division, based at Fort Magsaysay here, for seeing to it that not a single soldier under his command joined the July 27 Oakwood mutiny.

The President said there is a need for unity among the people, particularly in a big province like Nueva Ecija, because if lawless elements would not be stopped, everybody will be affected.

She then urged some 12,000 barangay tanods, who just graduated from the Barangay Training program, to be always on the alert against terrorist or lawless elements and to inform police authorities on the activities of people, especially those with arms, so that peace can be preserved.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina presented the new barangay tanod graduates to the President.

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today bared the start of the bidding process for the Cabanatuan Bypass Road that is expected to spur economic activities in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces in Central Luzon.

The President made the announcement in her message during the 107^th anniversary of the Cry of Nueva Ecija held at the Provincial Capitol here, adding that she had already sourced the P2 billion needed for the project.

Before coming here, the President said she also found out that the problem of the red onion farmers in the province was due to irregularities in one of the offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) which she immediately ordered investigated.

Farmers in Nueva Ecija have been complaining of low price for their produce due to the onion importations in the country.

The President said she has already directed Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo to look into this matter as she assured that the biggest financial support for agriculture is going to Nueva Ecija, being the country’s food basket.

So far, the President said, the province was able to get the biggest support in agricultural technology from the national government.

The President arrived around 10:15 AM at the provincial capitol accompanied by Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Renato Diaz, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, and Press Secretary Milton Alingod.

Among those who welcomed the President were Governor Tomas Joson III, Palayan City Mayor Lorelei Fajardo, Maguindanao Congressman Didagen Dilangalen, Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) chief Major Gen. Romeo Domingo and 7^th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Alberto Braganza.

In her message, the President also said the ongoing hearing on the failed Oakwood mutiny last July 27 would reinforce efforts to implement honest reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and contribute to the speedy return of investor confidence in the country.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today witnessed the turnover of the P100-million check for the construction of detention and rehabilitation centers for drug users all over the country.

The check, from the P1-billion standby fund earlier earmarked by the President, was turned over by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Rosario Uriarte to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. in simple ceremony at the State Dining Room in Malacaņang.

Also witnessing the turnover were Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Comptroller Col. Armando Llamasares and PCSO chief-of-staff Raul Ancheta.

In a command conference against illegal drugs last July in Angeles City, the President directed Lina and the heads of other law enforcement agencies to hasten the expansion of the jail facilities and the opening of rehabilitation centers nationwide to accommodate the growing number of drug pushers and users netted in the government’s intensified crackdown against illegal drugs.