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04 FEBRUARY 2004 |
| The Good News: Investments in ecozones up by 400 percent in January |
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has reported that economic zone investments for the first month of the year went by 400 percent to P9.571 billion. "Investments for January totaled P9.571 billion, which went up by more than 400 percent year on year from only P1.839 billion," PEZA Director- General Lilia B. de Lima said. De Lima pointed out that investments with the government continued to grow last month, despite political jitters, as both local and foreign companies embarked on expansion projects. PEZA, which is one of four investment promotion agencies of the government, grants incentives in the form of tax perks to local and foreign investors. The three other agencies are Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the Board of Investments (BOI), and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). While PEZA could not name the specific expansion projects yet as per requests from the companies themselves, de Lima said that these were all in the electronics sector. De Lima also clarified that while some electronic companies have been expanding to China as well, this does not mean that they will be abandoning their operations in the Philippines. "They are not leaving. We continue to get a fair share of the expansion market," de Lima said. Many of the companies, who have existing investments in Philippine economic zones, were observed to be upgrading and improving their existing technology in order to stay competitive in the international market. Expansion projects, especially those in the manufacturing sector, were capital-sensitive, because of the heavy machinery involved. The increase of investments in January was a good indicator of faith in the Philippines despite political uncertainties caused by the coming May elections. "Many negative things are being said about the investment climate but the expansion projects show otherwise," de Lima said. According the de Lima, the continued expansion of companies in ecozones disparage earlier pronouncements by some economic and political analysts that uncertainty ahead of the May elections has prompted many investors to adopt a wait-and-see attitude in investing in the Philippines. As for last year’s investments, PEZA has reported that these amounted to P28.395 billion, up from P27.445 billion in 2002. Among the major electronic companies that had performed well last year were American-owned Texas Instruments Philippines, Inc. at the Baguio City Economic Zone and Amkor Technology and Toshiba Information Equipment Philippines at the Laguna TechnoPark, Inc. De Lima said that the government’s investor-friendly investment policies, as well as the continued favorable economic figures of the country, have greatly helped in enticing more foreign investors to put their funds here. |
| Statement of the President: Re Peso |
Our economy is sound and strong, there is absolutely no sense in extreme scenarios. The transient pressure on the peso is coming from perceptions of instability fueled by isolated military adventurism and excessive politicking. We can all help by staying calm and focusing in constructive economic endeavors and dealing with the effects of the oil price hike in the spirit of sacrifice and solidarity. I raise a renewed warning against currency speculators, as well hoarders and profiteers. We must join hands in cushioning the adverse effects of the situation on the average Filipino family. The DTI and the DA are closely working with local government units in keeping a close watch on prices of basic commodities. The LTRFRB is in close dialogue with leaders of transport groups on fare hike issues. We hope that a common ground is reached that will be in the best interest of the transport industry and our commuters. |
| Statement of the President: Re Lifestyle check |
The lifestyle check for Cabinet officials is a standard operating procedure that is part of our campaign for good governance. All the Cabinet officials are aware of that and open to any investigation |
| Statement of the President: Re Ill Gotten Wealth |
We are working with Congress to see to it that human rights victims and agrarian reform communities will be the primary beneficiaries of recovered ill -gotten wealth. This money is intended for political and social equity and we will not lose sight of this priority |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Re Budget deadlock |
The President is still optimistic that both houses of Congress will reach common ground, considering that both the House and the Senate leadership are still in constant contact. The important thing for the President is that any agreement reached best serves the interests of the average Filipino, with the least adverse impact on vital anti-poverty programs and projects. |
| GMA leads in survey conducted by New York-based firm |
A recent survey conducted by the New York-based Roper ASW Asia Pacific for the BusinessWorld showed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would handily win in her bid for a full six-year term if elections were held today. The survey, conducted from January 21-25, showed that 28.3 percent of the respondents would vote for her, followed by former senator Raul Roco with 24.8 percent. Movie actor and main opposition candidate Fernando Poe, Jr., came in fourth, with only 11.7 percent. He was even elbowed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, another opposition candidate, who got 12.6 percent. Evangelist Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord charismatic movement had a measly 1.2 percent. Roper ASW Asia Pacific is a regional office of Roper ASW whose headquarters are in New York. Since l997, the Roper ASW Asia Pacific has been operating from its regional office in Manila, conducting research and surveys in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The latest survey results came on the heels of favorable showings of the President in two polls undertaken by respectable groups. The Makati Business Club (MBC), in a survey undertaken among its members in January, supported the electoral bid of the President. She got the nod of 47.6 percent of the respondents as being the "most fit and capable" in running the country. In the MBC survey, Roco also a good second place with 29.3 percent, while actor Poe got zero. The MBC, founded in l981, is composed of over 800 chief executive officers and senior executives representing almost 450 of the largest corporations in the Philippines. Another survey, also conducted in late January, by the prestigious Social Weather Stations (SWS) for the AMA Group of Companies, showed that 33 percent of the respondents believe that among the candidates, the President possesses the best qualities to solve the country’s economic problems. The Roper ASW survey also showed that many Filipinos believe in the sincerity of the President and that she is doing a good job for the country. The survey showed that 50.6 percent of the respondents believed that the President is doing a good job, while 50.7 percent said that they believe in the President’s sincerity. The President’s performance rating of 50.6 percent was up from the 49.7 percent that she got in December, while belief in her sincerity climbed to 50.7 percent from 44.6 percent registered in December. The survey also showed that contrary to the opposition propaganda line, there is optimism among Filipinos as the country entered 2004, with consumers, particularly in Metro Manila, expressing hope for a brighter future. The upbeat mood, according to the survey, helped lift consumer confidence in January to its highest in seven months. The consumer confidence index (CCI), the survey said, gained 2.1 points to 103.6 in January, from 101.5 points last December. The renewed consumers’ confidence was anchored mainly on raised hopes for the economy, particularly on their near-term prospects. After the better-than-expected 4.5 percent growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2003, optimism for the next six months soared, with 40.5 percent of the respondents expecting the economy to improve, up from only 26.3 percent in December. Another 21.7 percent said the economy would worsen while the remaining 37.6 percent expected the economy to remain the same. The survey also showed that more consumers, or 32.1 percent from December’s 30.5 percent, expected their income to rise within the next six months. The greater number (48.2 percent) expected a mere steady condition in the first six months of 2004. |
| GMA sees no extreme measures to avert peso slide |
The economy is sound and strong, there is absolutely no sense in extreme scenarios, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today vis-a-vis the peso sinking to an all-time low of P56.20 to the dollar and adverse speculations following it. "The transient pressure on the peso is coming from perceptions of instability fuelled by isolated military adventurism and excessive politicking," the President emphasized this morning in an official statement. "We can all help by staying calm and focusing on constructive economic endeavors and dealing with the effects of the oil price hike in the spirit of sacrifice and solidarity," the President added as she warned currency speculators, hoarders and profiteers. "We must join hands in cushioning the adverse effects of the situation on the average Filipino family," the President said. She said the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agriculture are working with local government units in keeping a close watch on prices of basic commodities. The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board is in close dialogue with leaders of transport groups on fare hike issues, she added, hoping "that a common ground is reached that will be in the best interest of the transport industry and our commuters." Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye expanded on the President’s statement, saying that comparing the Philippine situation now to what had happened in Argentina is an exaggeration. "The peso is reacting to negative political news and mud-slinging," Bunye said. "If we can lessen mud-slinging and conduct the campaign on a high level, like emphasizing on programs and not on character assassination, the political temperature will go down. If the political temperature goes up, our trade and the peso get affected," Bunye explained. Bunye also stressed the need to raise the political maturity of the citizenry for the improvement of our democracy, citing the old saying "we deserve the leaders we select." It is important that our leaders present the foundations of their platforms and program of actions rather than indulge in character assassination, Bunye added. |
| GMA gives P1-M for drug rehab center in Dumaguete City |
DUMAGUETE CITY – In line with her fight against illegal drugs, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today gave P1 million fund assistance to Negros Oriental Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center to support the anti-illegal drug program of the province. The President handed out the check to Gov. George Arnaiz during the opening ceremonies of the provincial sports meet at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex at the provincial capitol compound. The President pledged the amount when she inaugurated last November the rehabilitation center in Barangay Talay here. "A sound mind in a sound body, sports not drugs," the President told more than 10,000 people who gathered at the sports complex. The President also thanked the teachers for their important role in shaping the values of the youth and also during elections. Citing the windfall 2003 tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the President said she would urge the next Congress to provide funds for the new salary standardization and bigger election allowance for teachers. The President arrived at 10 a.m. on board the presidential chopper at the Sibulan Airport here from Cagayan de Oro City. She was welcomed at the airport by local, police and military officials led by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Felix Guanzon, Governor Arnaiz and 3rd Infantry Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Gabriel Ledesma. The President was met with a rousing welcome and chants of "Gloria, Gloria," when she entered the complex at around 10:30 a.m. Welcoming he President were the participating students, the school and local officials from the 20 towns and five cities in the province led by Governor Arnaiz, Vice Governor Jose Baldado, City Mayor Agustin Perdices, 1st District Rep. Jacitno Paras, and 3rd District Rep. Herminio Teves. The President declared the games open by releasing blue and white balloons in the air. |
| Arnaiz throws support behind GMA but won't leave NPC |
DUMAGUETE CITY -- Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz this morning reiterated his support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the coming May 10 elections even if it would mean his removal as a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). But Arnaiz said he will not resign from the NPC, of which he is the provincial chairman in Negros Oriental, but will wait for party leaders to remove him. "It is up to them if they will remove me, but I am supporting President Arroyo because I believe she is the one who can steer the country towards progress and development," said Arnaiz, in reaction to questions from the press on the possibility of the NPC endorsing actor Fernando Poe, Jr. as their standard bearer. During his monthly press conference at the Capitol Tuesday morning, Arnaiz also hinted at the possibility of him and Rep. Emilio Macias II of the second district of Negros Oriental having to part ways as far as the presidential contest is concerned. Until yesterday, Macias, also an NPC member, had not yet endorsed any presidential bet. |
| Negros Oriental geothermal plant gets P1.5 billion additional fund |
DUMAGUETE CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today announced an additional P1.5 billion fund for the extension of the Palimpinan II geothermal power plant in Barangay Puhagan in Valencia, Negros Oriental that supplies power to the provinces of Negros, Panay and Cebu. The President made the announcement during the inauguration of the P20-million rehabilitation and concreting of Flores Avenue here, a strategic access road that would strengthen the Strong Republic Nautical Highway system being an important linkage between the Dumaguete port and the provinces of Negros Oreintal and Occidental. The President has ordered the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide and source out the fund for he expansion of the power plant that has already energized 100 remote barangays in Negros Oriental. The President said investors would surely feel secure with the presence of the power plant, the road and port rehabilitation and expansion here, and with Dumaguete City being one of the centers of education in the Visayas. "Investors will surely come in if they see good infrastructure and human resources," the President told a crowd of local officials and port workers in Barangay Looc at the local port here. At the ceremonial inauguration, the President rode on a grader accompanied by Governor George Arnaiz and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Al Cusi to signal the start of the 1.2-kilometer concreting of Flores Avenue. Cusi said the rehabilitation and concreting of Flores Avenue is part of the P15-million project for the construction of the local port’s passenger terminal complex and additional RO-RO (roll on-roll off ferry) ramps and fast craft berths. After the inauguration, the President had lunch with the local officials at the Bethel Guest House at the Rizal Boulevard here. |
| GMA tops in Miriam College mock polls |
Even among high school students, performance, more than anything else, appears to be the one solid criterion that voters would be looking for in this year’s polls. In a mock election conducted today by the high school department of Miriam College, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won hands down over four other presidential candidates, garnering 726 votes, more than 50 percent of those who participated in the exercise. Former Senator Raul Roco placed second with 498 while Senator Panfilo Lascon was third at 93. Coming in fourth was Bro. Eddie Villanueva who even got more votes than actor Fernando Poe Jr. Villanueva had 41 to Poe’s 32. Forty-six voters abstained. Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, who represented the President in the mock miting de avance organized by the students, faculty and staff of Miriam College last Monday, said the Chief Executive was declared winner in all categories and was ahead of the rest in every aspect of the balloting. Those who participated in the straw balloting were students from first to fourth year high school, the members of the faculty and staff of the high school department. Sponsor of the event was the Social Science Group. Bunye believes that the solid achievements of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration which he stressed in his speech provided the difference in the mock elections as it gave the voters a glimpse of what the administration has done and what it intends to do. It also showed that the youth would go for solid achievements, not empty rhetorics, according to Bunye. |
| GMA cites potentials of Negros Oriental as I.T. hub |
DUMAGUETE CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that Negros Oriental has the potential of becoming an information technology (IT) hub due to the availability of highly trained and skilled human resource in the province. There are many foreign investors interested in putting up call centers in Negros province due to the availability of highly trained and English-speaking workforce," the President said in Cebuano. The President told this to some 3,000 students, teachers and school officials when she launched the Students Assistance Fund for Education for a Strong Republic (SAFE 4 SR) at the Luce Auditorium of the Siliman University here. The President said her economic policies to attract investors open job opportunities particularly for the country’s young graduates. In an earlier press conference at the Bethel Guest House here, the President told media men that her foreign policies have contributed to the creation of three million job in less than three years. This January alone, the President said there was a 23 percent increase in foreign investments in the country, including the P13.9-billion investment in the National Steel Corporation (NSC) in Iligan City. The President received the same rousing welcome from an estimated 2,000 students, teachers and school officials also at the launching of the SAFE 4 SR educational assistance at the St. Paul College of Dumaguete City. Accompanying the President was Presidential Adviser for the Youth Affairs Dennis Cunanan Later, the President and her party left the Sibulan Airport at 3:45 p.m. on board a Learjet for the flight back to Manila. |
| Gov't implementing reforms at AFP as cited by Feliciano Commission, says Palace |
Malacanang assured the military today that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has always been open to grievances of the soldiers and has been taking appropriate steps to address them. The assurance was given by Presidential Adviser Carolina Hernandez who said the government has instituted reforms in response to the clamor by radical soldiers, notably the so-called Magdalo group that staged a failed mutiny in Makati City in July last year. "True, there are reforms being undertaken after those incidents. But there are also reforms that have already been undertaken long before this incident (Oakwood mutiny)," Hernandez said in a press briefing at Malacanang. At the same time, Hernandez offered her office as an alternative venue for airing of concerns by the soldiers. She pointed out that the troops were largely hesitant to formally lodge grievances through the traditional grievance mechanisms in the military such as the Inspector General’s Office because of the military culture of great awe to senior officers. In November last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo designated Hernandez as her adviser on the implementation of the recommendations of the Feliciano Commission which was created to conduct a fact-finding inquiry on the botched military uprising. Hernandez herself was a member of the Feliciano Commission. In today’s briefing, Hernandez noted that there was a tendency to give the people the wrong impression that the government only acts in the wake of military adventurism such as the Oakwood mutiny and the Kawal Pilipino controversy. Hernandez cited the grant of salary increases to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the last of which was implemented last month. She also revealed that she has established close coordination with the AFP hierarchy and the defense department pertaining to an information campaign on government efforts to implement the Feliciano Commission’s recommendations. "We want to go to the ground…to talk to the soldiers about the Feliciano Commission report," Hernandez said. |
| GMA bucks petitions for fare hike |
DUMAGUETE CITY -- Claiming that the weakening of the peso and the increase in the price of crude oil are both temporary in nature, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that she would resist any transport fare hike so as not to unduly burden the riding public. In a press briefing here this morning after she opened the Negros Oriental Provincial Athletic Meet, among other scheduled activities, the President said she would rather explore other possibilities to alleviate the transport groups’ cost of providing service. "We will resist (any transport fare hike). The good formula that we’ve been able to do in the past, we will do so by looking for ways to improve the cost structure," she said. The President expressed gratitude to the transport groups for not having increased their fares in the past during her watch, saying that the government will continue to look for solutions together with them "as they have always been during my administration." "I would like to stress that the increase in the price of gasoline which comes from the increase in the price of the dollar and also the price of crude oil are both temporary in nature," she said. The peso slide, according to her, comes from the uncertainties of politics and the military misadventure of five junior officers. The crude oil price increase, she said, is due to the increase in demand, these being winter months in most countries. "Kaya temporary ito. Ang importante, maipaalala natin sa taumbayan lalo na iyong mga speculators na hindi natin papayagan ito (So everything is temporary. The more important thing is to remind the public, particularly speculators, that we will not allow this)," she stressed. Despite the setback, the Chief Executive said the economy remains sound, citing the 5.5 percent growth rate, which according to her is even higher than those of most neighboring economies and trading partners. The 23 percent increase in foreign investments, including 400 percent in export processing zone investments, she noted, is a good enough indicator that the economy is vibrant and strong. She likewise cited the reopening of the National Steel Corp. in Iligan City yesterday as proof that investors are confident of the country’s sound economic policies. |
