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01 APRIL 2004 |
| The Good News: Max's chicken eyes further expansion abroad |
Give it to the Pinoy. The House that Fried Chicken Built will soon try to accommodate the big foreign market. With the success it is reaping here and some key areas of the United States, Max’s Chicken is eyeing expansion abroad to continue the legacy that started 59 years ago in a residence-turned café on Scout Tuazon in Quezon City. Some of the areas being eyed by the Filipino chicken chain are Hawaii, New York, Las Vegas and some parts of California. Serving mostly American servicemen shortly after the Second World War, the restaurant has since become a household name with its native and flour-free chicken concocted by a niece of Stanford-educated Maximo Gimenez, the owner. To date, the company has expanded to 90 company-owned and franchised stores in the Philippines and the United States. Last year, it was named as the Most Outstanding Filipino Franchise by the Philippine Franchise Association of the Philippines for having opened 38 franchised branches in a span of five years when the Pinoy chicken chain started franchising its stores. It was cited for having maintained food quality and service amid the expansion. Max’s Franchising Inc. Chief Executive Officer Robert Ocampo said the chain was honored for its good operations franchising program "We were able to grow at a steady pace, in terms of sales and also employment opportunities," he said. The restaurant ended 2003 with P2.2 billion in sales and hopes to breach the P3 billion mark at the end of the year. It currently employs 1,500 workers and provides 400 to 500 job opportunities for Filipinos annually. Even the branches abroad are crewed by Filipinos who originally come from the Philippines, according to Ocampo. In spite of the bird flu epidemic that hit neighboring countries, Max’s hopes to open 37 more franchises this year, placing the yearend total to 50. It also hopes to open its 100th branch before the end of the year. Since opening its first branch in 1960, there was no stopping expansion as Max’s followed suit with branches in Makati, Caloocan and in Southern and Northern Luzon. In the US, it can be found in four key areas of California where many Filipinos reside. It was only after 48 years did Max’s entertain the idea of franchising, mainly due to numerous offers from interested parties. In 1993, Max’s tapped the help of FranCorp, an American franchising company to help in the study which resulted in the establishment of Max’s Franchising Inc in 1997. A year later, the restaurant opened its first franchised store in Harrison Plaza followed by 37 more in the next five years. The company is currently studying the Mindanao market for expansion possibilities. It would soon open stores in key cities in Bicol and Western Visayas. "We hope to be in each major city in the Philippines," Ocampo said. Despite its success locally, Max’s is keeping its expansion efforts abroad as conservative as possible. "The owners, in penetrating the US market, are very conservative," Ocampo said. "That’s why their initial entry points are areas where there are strong or big Filipino communities." Max’s clientele in the US are 99 percent Filipinos, according to Ocampo. "It’s so difficult to get Americans to patronize the stores. If you have a strong base of Filipinos in the area, you have a market," he said. |
| Statement of the President: Re Anti-terrorism |
The opposition must never make terrorism a political issue. By doing this they are playing into the hands of evil. They are out of touch of the security needs of our nation. It is my obligation to protect the people and I will stop at nothing to do so. If the opposition wants to waffle on defending the nation, they would do so at their peril, and at the peril of the average Filipino. The issue is not the elections, it is protecting the people. That is what I am doing; and that is what they should be supporting. |
| Statement of the President: Re SC ruling |
We welcome the Supreme Court ruling as a vindication of good governance. We are confident that the decision would pave way for the junking of other charges leveled against President Arroyo. We hope that the High Court’s ruling would serve as a wake-up call for the opposition to shift their campaign to a higher plane instead of engaging in the politics of obstruction and harassment. |
| GMA cites need for ' holistic thinking ' towards good government |
BATANGAS CITY - Stressing moral governance in her platform of government, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reiterated that what the country urgently needed is a holistic thinking towards good government. The President said that her late father, President Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo was former student of the late President Jose P. Laurel. She said that with the late Laurel, her father learned the principle of fundamental thinking where it is now popularly known as holistic thinking. She likewise expressed elation and respect for the Laurel family during the 37th commencement exercises on Wednesday of the Lyceum of Batangas where she was welcomed by the university President Peter P. Laurel. "Maraming natuto ang tatay ko sa matandang Laurel. Ang natutunan ng tatay ko sa late President Laurel nung propesor pa niya sa U.S.T. ay yung tinatawag na fundamental thinking, sa ating lengguwahe ngayon, yung holistic thinking, yung hindi na iisipin ang pangyayari sa sariling niyang pangyayari na bahagi ng isang kabuuan," she said. She said that if we looked at the system as a whole in solving the problem , then we look at the holistic system rather than solve it by itself it will have the tendency in outgrowing the system. She even extended her congratulation to all the Lyceum graduates, the parents and their relatives. "Binabati ko ang lahat ng nagtatapos ngayon, mga estudyante ng Lyceum maganda ang inyong kinabukasan dahil maganda ang inyong pinag-aralan dito sa Lyceum," she said. She told the graduates that during her three-year term, for the last 11 years there was low level of reported strikes whether labor or transport unrest. She added that with the immediate prioritization and implementation of foreign policy in her term, this has became the great weapon for investment and jobs creation. "Dahil sa foreign policy marami ang namuhunan, marami ang nagtiwala, nadagdagan ang trabaho," she said. She attributed this foreign policy with the late President Laurel and his son, the late Vice-President Salvador Laurel who were the great believers and implementors of foreign policy. She said that from 5 million cellphone units, under her term, the country now registered 25 million cellphones units. She said that before her term it is only 2,006 call centers but now it has 60,006 call centers nationwide. With this fundamental changes, she said that more jobs will be created in the next six years if God providence allowed her. "Sa fundamental changes na ginagawa natin para magkaroon ng ginhawa, para magkaroon ng trabaho ang ating mga graduates," she said. |
| GMA to provide scholarship for each poorest family |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that her administration would provide one scholarship for each of the poorest families in the country under her Education for All program as early as next school year. Speaking at the 39th commencement exercises of the Novaliches High School in Quezon City this morning, the President said the Education for All program would be launched within this year, if she would be given the people's mandate in the May 10 elections. "Sa susunod na school year puwede nating bigyan ng scholarship bawat isa sa pinakamahirap na pamilya sa ating bansa (Next school year, we could provide scholarship for each of the poorest families in our country)," she said. The President said details of her Education for All program would be spelled out on Easter Sunday. The Education for All program is a continuation of her Student Assistance Fund for Education for a Strong Republic (SAFE 4 SR), she said, adding that SAFE 4 SR has helped the families of poor students to come up with much-needed fund, particularly towards the end of their schooling. In launching SAFE 4 SR, she noted that 40 percent of the parents of senior college students from poor families usually run out of funds when their children reach 3rd and 4th year college. That eventually results in high dropout rate, she said. This year alone, the President said that almost 150,000 3rd and 4th year college students were provided with interest-free fund assistance. The President advised the 1,333 graduating secondary students to reciprocate the sacrifices of their parents by doing their best in whatever course they would take and to stay away from illegal drugs that have already ruined the lives of many students and families. President Macapagal-Arroyo handed out the certificates and other awards to the top 16 graduates led by class valedictorian Sally Baltazar who garnered the PGMA Leadership Award and PGMA Academic Excellence Award. The President was warmly welcomed by some 3,000 students, teachers, parents, and local officials led by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte when she arrived at 7:45 A.M. at Novaliches High School in Barangay San Agustin. Among the welcomers were City Schools Superintendent Dr. Victoria Fuentes, school principal Sheridan Evangelista, and Barangay chairman Almario Francisco. |
| GMA orders CHED to work out details of scholarship program |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officials today to prepare guidelines of the one scholar for one member of every indigent family program to be started this school year opening in June. Addressing the 35th Commencement Exercises of Pasay City East High School (PCEHS) at Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City this morning, the President said she plans to make the announcement about the Education for All Program in her Easter Sunday message. The Chief Executive disclosed to the 810 graduating students that the scholarship program would be the next thrust of her administration, if she gets a fresh mandate in the May 10 national elections. According to President Macapagal-Arroyo, the government learned about 40 percent of college dropouts are children of families from the marginalized sector. Because of this, the Chief Executive has formulated the Student Assistance Fund for Education for a Strong Republic (SAFE 4 SR) that would provide easy-to-pay loans for third and fourth year college students so they can finish their studies to ensure a better future after graduation. She also urged the graduating class to pursue their studies either in vocational or college courses and help their parents in completing their studies by being working students during their first two years in college. The President stated that upon reaching senior year in college, cash-strapped students could avail of the P8,000 emergency loan funds as their assurance in completing their studies and in getting their diplomas. "I had directed the CHED officials to come out with the details of the education for all scholarship program so we can implement it this coming school year opening. I will make the proper announcement this Easter Sunday," said President Macapagal-Arroyo who was applauded not only by the graduating students but also by the parents of the 2003–2004 graduating class of PCEHS. She also stressed to the parents that her administration would pursue not only the well-being or the health of indigent families but also the education of their children. The President noted that this is only a "down payment" from her brief governance and in her next installment, she wants to make sure that all poor families in our country will be entitled to one scholarship aside from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) cards. The President said the scholarship program would be based on the listing of indigent families with PhilHealth cards. Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, Pasay City Representative Consuelo Dy, Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Corazon Santiago, Division Superintendent Rosalinda Tongco and PCEHS Principal Lourdes Monje assisted the President in presenting medals to honor students. Presidential Medal for academic excellence was awarded to class valedictorian Edgardo Carlos Jr., while the Presidential Medal for leadership went to Jonna Lauchengco. Other awardees of PGMA Certificates of Awards for Outstanding Achievement were Mary Grace Mendoza for campus journalism, Perlita Valera for arts and culture, Rodalyn Runez for technology and entrepreneurship, Jacky Egalin for athletics and Jonna Lauchengco for student leadership. |
| GMA praises community elders for help in maintenance of peace and order |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded the 1,691 members of the Councils of Community Elders (CCE) for their help in maintaining peace and order as well as in providing information to law enforcement agencies that leads to arrests of some criminal elements. "Thank you for what you have done together with the police and my administration. We have made significant gains in peace and order during the short period that I have been President," she said. The President spoke extemporaneously at the closing ceremony of the 1st National Conference of the Councils of Community Elders Wednesday night at the Manila Hotel. In her remarks, the President told the elders that without their cooperation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) campaign against criminality would have not gained positive results. She said that in her short presidency, the government’s intensive campaign against organized crime, particularly kidnapping-for-ransom and illegal drugs, has unprecedented achievements. The campaign against illegal drugs has netted some 23,000 drug pushers and users and P22 billion worth of illegal drugs, aside from the dismantling of drug laboratories in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan and Cavite, she said. On the anti-kidnapping drive, the President said that even Teresita Ang-See of the Citizens Action against Crime Movement has been impressed with its results. "Mismo si Tessie Ang-See na parating bumabatikos sa ating accomplishments na ipinagmamalaki, siya ay pumunta sa Malacanang noong isang lingo at sinabi na in the last 11 years, this is the lowest kidnapping rate," she added. Before her speech, the President received a copy of the covenant of the CCE for a peaceful, crime-free community. The goals of the covenant are: reinforcement of the crime prevention program and activities such as the campaign against street crimes and terrorism; enhancement of the drive against organized crime groups; strengthening of barangay crime monitoring and reporting system; and improvement of PNP response with the support of the community and other pillars of the criminal justice system. The President ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose D. Lina, Jr. to prepare an executive order that would institutionalize the Councils of Community Elders. The President also urged the elders, along with business and community leaders, to help the PNP by sending their recommendations on studies being conducted to introduce reforms in the police organization. Present during the occasion were Secretary Lina, businessman Jose Miguel Varela, Don Emilio Yap of the Manila Bulletin, and other top officers of the PNP. |
| GMA to parents of this year's graduates: Choose your future |
In four high school and one collegiate commencement exercises that she went to today, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has only one overriding message to both graduates and parents: Choose your future. "We have two choices for the future in the forthcoming elections," she said. "A future under a leadership based on experience or one that is untested with no platform of governance whatsoever." At the 39th commencement exercises of Novaliches High School in Quezon City this morning, the President said her leadership of experience has already shown its capacity to generate one million jobs a year compared to the leadership of inexperience, which the opposition offers. This kind of leadership, she stressed, offers no platform and is surrounded by people who were able to generate only half a million jobs during their term. "Sana mga magulang, ang malasakit ninyo sa pag-iimpok para mag-aral and inyong mga anak, iyon din ang malasakit nating lahat. Magkaisa tayo sa tamang kinabukasan (Parents, I hope your concern for your children to have quality education would be the same as your concern for the future. Let’s unite for the right future)," she said. The President cited some of her major accomplishments in the short span that she took over the reins of government. Among these are the renewed efforts against illegal drugs, education loan assistance to graduating college students, health insurance for the poor families and job-generating programs. "Gusto kong tulungan ang inyong mga magulang na mabigyan kayo ng magandang kinabukasan. Kinabukasan ninyo para magkaroon kayo ng trabaho.Inaasahan ko na sa mga darating na panahon, maaayos natin ang ating ekonomiya mula sa kaguluhang namana ko (I want to help your parents give you a better future. A future where you can have jobs. I hope that soon we will be able to fix the mess in the economy that I inherited)," she stressed. The President bewailed the fact that she inherited four million jobless people from the previous administration, the very reason why despite her being able to generate three million jobs, the country is still left with about a million more. She said she hopes to generate an additional one million jobs a year if ever she is given the chance to serve a full six-year term. After Novaliches, the President proceeded to the graduation rites at the Pasay City East High School, Balara High School in Katipunan, Quezon City, Southeast Asian College in Pasay City and the Fort Bonifacio High School in Makati City. Wednesday, the President also attended the commencement exercises in three Batangas universities, namely the Batangas State University, Lyceum of Batangas and University of Batangas. |
| GMA committed to push through with May 10 polls -- Palace |
Malacanang today reiterated that the holding of the May 10 presidential elections will push through as scheduled as it dismissed as pure baloney opposition’s claims that the foiled terrorism attacks are connected with the no election (No-el) scenario. In a press briefing this afternoon at the Palace, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye stressed the firm commitment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to holding the elections next month. According to Bunye, Malacanang monitored the report made by National Printing Office (NPO) Officer in Charge Ronald Velasco that 60 percent of the election paraphernalia has already been submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and that the remaining 40 percent is expected to be completed within the first two weeks of the month. Bunye said that this only shows that the accusations by the opposition camp that No-el is linked to the arrests of the four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists are baseless. "All these talks that the alleged terror plot is related to the non-holding of the elections are baloney. We believe that the political opposition should not use this terrorism as a political issue," Bunye said. |
| GMA pays tribute to RP nurses |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid tribute today to Filipina nurses, saying they are world-class and make all Filipinos proud. In her speech at the 7th commencement exercises of the Southeast Asian College (formerly United Doctors Medical College) at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention College, the President said health care workers, particularly nurses, are the ones being sought by employers, not the other way around. "The Filipino nurses make us proud of the Philippines. Nurses and other workers are world-class and great Filipino workers," she said. The Chief Executive said the future lies in the growth sector of the labor intensive skilled sector which also includes tourism, information and communications technology, nursing and allied health care services. Unlike before, she noted that overseas Filipino workers (OFW) no longer face difficulties in seeking overseas placements in other countries like England. "Pero ngayon kung titingnan natin yung Filipino communities ng Inglatera panay mga nurses, matataas ang suweldo, Ganun din sa continental Europe, sa Canada at sa Amerika (But now if we look at Filipino communities in England, they are mostly nurses, highly paid. The same in Europe, Canada and United States)," she said. The Chief Executive attributed these changes to the population policy of other countries. They have come to realize, according to the President, that Filipina nurses "have good reputation, technically excellent and with good character." At the commencement rites, the President was adopted by the 2004 graduating class of the Southeast Asian College as an honorary nurse. School officials who welcomed the President included school President Delfin A. Tan, Peter P. Laurel, chairman of the board of the directors, and Ramon Sytangco, Jr. vice chairman. |
