Grants from the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) totaling $3.48 million in the 1999-2003 period has boosted the Philippines’ agricultural modernization program, and the aid will continue up to 2005.

In a report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe J. Lhuillier, concurrently RP Permanent Representative to FAO in the past five years, said the United Nations specialized agency has been fully supportive of the government’s efforts to strengthen food security by modernizing service facilities in the agricultural sector.

The FAO has commended the Philippines for improving farm irrigation systems, distributing post-harvest machinery and building farming service facilities, constructing farm-to-market roads, and initiating the use of high-yielding rice variety.

According to records, the government spent P24.21 billion for agricultural and fisheries modernization in 2001; P24.36 billion in 2002; and P33 billion in 2003.

A FAO study indicates that hunger worldwide is worsened not by lack of food, but by lack of money to buy food, Lhuillier said. Agricultural jobs give rural folks money for food and other basic necessities, he said.

"It has been my focus as FAO representative to achieve these. The grants we have obtained might seem small, but they are a strategic push forward, as we try to regain the old glory of our agricultural sector," he said.

He said the Philippines, which was elected twice to the FAO Council (2001-2003 and 2003-2005), has obtained the following grants:

• "Assistance in Processing Analysis and Utilization of Farm Level Data" valued at $144.000;

• "Strengthening BFAR’s Capacity for HACCP-based Quality Assurance", $193,000;

• "Emergency Supply of Agricultural Inputs in Flood-Affected Provinces of Region XI and XII (Caraga)", $357,500 for nine months;

• "Training for East and South East Countries on Uruguay Round Follow-up and Multilateral Trade Negotiations on Agriculture", $179,000;

• "Strengthening the Devolved Agricultural Extension Services in Support of the Philippine Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act" $269,000;

• "Emergency Supply of Inputs in Conflict-affected Areas of Central Mindanao", $199,000;

• "Regional Training in Meat Inspection in Asia", $373,000;

• "National Demonstrations on the Lactoperoxidase System of Milk Preservation in Selected Southeastern Asian Countries", $369,000;

• "Farm Income Diversification and Market Development in the Framework of the Special Programme for Food Security", $348,000;

• "Emergency Supply of Agricultural Inputs to Typhoon-Affected Farmers in Benquet Province", $246,000; and

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has urged a "two-fisted approach" to suppress crime and terrorism, as well as maintain peace and peace in the country.

Speaking at the 22^nd National Convention of REACT Philippines, held Saturday evening at the Harbor Lights Hotel in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, the President said, "Kung lalabanan natin ang mga terorista, mga komunista, mga rebelde, kailangan dalawang kamay ang ginagamit natin. (If we are to fight the terrorists, the communists, the rebels, we must use a two-fisted approach). The left-hand approach and the right-hand approach."

"The right hand is the pro-arm of the law. Kasama doon ang strong intelligence, kagaya ng tinulong ninyo noon kay Vic (Brig. Gen. Victor Corpuz of ISAFP). The left is the hand for reaching out… reaching out to the poor, reaching out for peace, reaching out to remove the root causes of insurgency and terrorism," she said.

She attributed the concept of two-fisted approach to crime-fighting to Corpuz whom she cited for giving her the "right intelligence report" on the military adventurism at Oakwood Hotel in Makati City last July. Formerly chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), Corpuz now heads the Civil Relations Services of the Armed Forces and is honorary chairman of REACT Philippines.

President Macapagal-Arroyo also lauded REACT Philippines for helping in the government’s peace and order drives, particularly in bringing down the rate of kidnappings to the lowest level in the last 11 years.

"Tayo ay nagtulungan din para bumaba ang ating problema ng shabu. At marami sa mga nadakip na mga druglords o nakumpiska na mga shabu o nasarado ang mga factories ay dahil sa mga volunteers na nagsusumbong (We worked together to reduce the drug menace. Many druglords were arrested; shabu supply, confiscated; and laboratories, shut down, because of information provided by volunteers).

The Regional Emergency Assistance Communications Team (REACT), with national headquarters located in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, emphasizes volunteerism and uses modern communications in its work.

She narrated that as a little girl, she opened her grandfather’s desk drawer in their house at San Juan, Rizal, and saw a set of books about the free masonry movement. She learned from her mother, the late Dr. Evangeline Macaraeg Macapagal, about her grandfather’s involvement and membership in the masonry movement in the 1920s.

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was lauded by the Provincial Health Officer for the renovation of the Cauayan District Hospital that she inaugurated today.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Glenn Matthew Baggao credited the present administration for the renovation of the hospital at a cost of P50 million.

Before flying here, the President swore in former leaders and supporters of presidential rivals Fernando Poe, Jr., Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Senator and Education Secretary Raul Roco at the University of Mindanao in Matina, Davao.

Baggao said Cauayan District Hospital officials made several representations for the release of funds for the renovation of the old buildings since 1982 but it was only during the partnership of Gov. Faustino Dy, Jr. and the President that concrete action was realized.

"Gov. Faustino Dy, Jr. envisioned envisioned these various innovations in the health section including the Provincial Health Care Program. Today marks the inauguration of the new building and the Cauayan District Hospital with Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as out guest of honor," Baggao said.

After cutting the ribbon, the President inspected the facilities of the hospital that will service the increasing number of patients coming from 15 of the 37 towns of Isabela. It is one of four district hospital projects in the province worth P200 million. She was accompanied by her vice presidential running mate Senator Noli de Castro.

Prior to the rehabilitation program, the old buildings constructed in 1973 deteriorated due to damages brought about by typhoons that hit the area and it was only through the initiatives of Gov. Dy and Congressman Faustino Dy, with the help of the President, that the district hospital has been renovated.

Prominent among those attending the inauguration were Gov. Faustino Dy, Jr., Vice-Governor Santiago Respicio, 3^rd District Representative Faustino Dy III, Cauayan City Mayor Cesar Dy, Department of Health Regional Director Purita Danga, Provincial Health Officer Rita Mariano and Baggao.

Davao City – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will do her best to make the Philippines the top exporter of coconut oil in Asia during her next administration, she promised the million coconut farmers in the country today.

The President issued the statement in her speech during the 1st Coconut Farmers Convention -- "Alay sa Bayaning Magniniyog: Programang Pangkaunlaran para sa Kinabukasan" -- at the University of Mindanao gym attended by some 10,000 farmers from the different provinces of Mindanao.

Leaders of the coconut farmers responded by reading their pledge of support for the President’s candidacy and assured her thousands of farmers in Mindanao will vote for her.

In her speech, the President assured them that under her leadership and the entire K-4 coalition the coconut industry would have a good future.

"Makakasigurado kayo kay Pangulong Gloria at sa K-4 (Koalisyon ng Karanasan at Katapatan sa Kinabukasan) coalition ng kasaganaan sa industriya ng niyog (You can be sure the coconut industry will prosper under President Gloria and K-4)," the President said.

The President said her heart and wisdom will be on their side and she’s willing to go over with what she has already done to ensure that in the near future, the lives of the small farmers will be improved.

"If I am elected this coming election I will do my very best and continue what I have already done in my short presidency to further boost and improve the coconut industry," the President said in Visayan.

To date, the Philippines’ top export products to the United States, Japan and Europe are electronic supplies, garments come second and coconut oil is third.

She also said that because of her campaign to promote the coconut oil mill in the private sector, a big coco oil mill was established in Davao Del Sur last month.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s legions of supporters nationwide swelled further as disillusioned followers of her rivals in the May 10 elections defect in Davao City, in a steady flow to her camp.

This morning, a large group of supporters of opposition presidentiables Fernando Poe Jr. and Sen. Panfilo Lacson switched loyalty and rallied behind the President who is seeking a full six-year term.

The new pro-Arroyo converts were admitted into the fold of the ruling Koalisyon ng Karanasan at Katapatan sa Kinabukasan (K-4) in simple rites held at the University of Mindanao gym in Matina, Davao City.

A leader of the group, Raymundo Matuginan, said he decided to shift political affiliation because of his utter disappointment over Poe’s politics of silence.

"I have been waiting and longing to hear his platform of government which is of paramount importance, But until now, nothing has been said," Matuginan said.

He criticized Poe for treating his presidential candidacy "as if it were in the movies."

"We need to know at this time, that is why we are now looking for someone who will certainly support us, especially in our hardship and poverty. We have decided to shift our unified support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Matuginan stressed.

For his part, Helmer "Bong" Fabian revealed that he was an active supporter of Lacson, but decided to withdraw his support for fear that Lacson, if elected president, might declare martial law.

Fabian scored Lacson for talking about criminality and anomalies under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration "even without basis, hoping that this will make him famous."

President Macapagal-Arroyo reciprocated by promising her followers that she gives high priority to the needs of the masses.

The President reiterated that providing free education, particularly to children of impoverished families, is one of the key concerns of her six-point platform of government if given a new mandate by the people.

The snowballing support for Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to increase her lead in the pre-election surveys over Poe, her closest rival.

"It’s no longer a statistical tie. We now have a bandwagon of support for President Arroyo," K-4 Campaign Spokesman Michael Defensor said.