Projects to be funded by official development assistance (ODA) will boost infrastructure construction in 2004, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri.

Neri said that the public infrastructure undertakings this year include the construction of the Iloilo and Bacolod airports, the North Rail Project and the South Rail Project.

In Southern Luzon, the projects include the improvement and rehabilitation of the Batangas Port, the extension of the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road from Lipa City to Batangas City and the rehabilitation and extension of the South Luzon Expressway.

Neri, who also heads the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said the number of several good infrastructure projects this year accounts for, among other factors, the higher growth forecast of the government in 2004 which is 5.2 to 6 percent, up from 5.5 percent actual gross national product in 2003.

He noted that due to fiscal tightening to meet the deficit, government construction dragged down the 2003 economic figures when public construction declined by 29 percent, while private construction expanded by 10.4 percent.

Due to better prospects in construction, Neri said investments in the sector in 2004 will grow by 7.7 to 8.3 percent. Of this, public investment in construction is expected to surge by 10.1 to 11 percent, while its private counterpart will expand by 5.0 to 5.9 percent.

The growth in the country’s construction sector will also benefit the housing industry and result in more private sector initiatives in the sector, the NEDA chief added.

Earlier, the NEDA said that government efforts to remove bottlenecks in project implementation and make the people feel their impact on poverty alleviation and national development appear to be gaining ground.

Neri reported that the disbursement rate for Official Development Assistance (ODA) hit 95 per cent for the first nine months of 2003 compared to 74 percent and 76 percent in 2001 and 2002.

"We have spent 95 percent of the scheduled loan disbursement for January to September on projects," Neri said.

He said this development prompted the donor community to commend the Philippine government for improving the ODA performance during a consultative meeting last month.

The donor community is composed of developed countries and multi-lateral agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the World Bank.

Neri said the improved ODA performance was a result of the government efforts to clean up the ODA portfolio and remove bottlenecks in project implementation.

These measures, he said, included focus on results and outcomes of the projects and their impact on poverty alleviation and regional development, conduct of cost efficiency review of all projects and the adoption of appropriate strategies such as domestic technologies, skills and services.

Neri said that the government welcomes the lower level of new ODA commitments since it is consistent with the country’s fiscal program.

The donor community pledged $2 billion in loans and grants compared to the previous $2.2 billion, a level which Neri said is in line with the government’s fiscal limitations.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today congratulated Gen. Arturo Lumibao, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) for the arrest of kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) suspect Ronnie Tan, listed No. 12 in the list of most wanted kidnappers in the country.

Tan and four other suspects in the Dominga Chu kidnapping case were presented to the President at the PSG Compound at Malacanang Park before the President flew to to Tuguegarao, Cagayan for the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association opening ceremonies.

NAKTAF chief Secretary Angelo Reyes, who presented the kidnapping suspects to the President, was joined by NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco and CIDG Chief Lumibao.

According to Reyes, Tan was arrested by elements of NAKTAF, Presidential Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER) and CIDG in his hideout in Barangay San Roque, Sto. Tomas, Batangas last Friday, February 6.

Tan has been tagged as a member of the Mostrales KFR Group, responsible for the kidnapping of a certain Grace Ong in September 2001 along Faraday St. Makati City.

Tan was the personal driver of Grace Ong and allegedly acted as the tipster for the Mostrales KFRG. He claimed to have been kidnapped, together with his employer, but was later released unharmed by the group. The Mostrales KFRG was also labeled as the group responsible for other kidnapping cases involving Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Metro Manila.

During follow-up operations by the NBI and the NAKTAF of the Dominga Chu kidnapping case, they arrested four more suspects aside from the three abductors.

These are Rogelio Morfe, aka "Mata," the alleged mastermind, Danilo Druga, the financier of the group, Ricky Lagado, one of the abductors, and Vicente Anciado, owner/driver of the get-away blue Hyundai race van which was recovered at his residence in Tondo, Manila.

Dominga Chu was kidnapped last January 21, 2004 in Pasay City after attending the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

She was rescued two days after by the NBI and the NCR Command under Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza in Barangay Maligaya, Caloocan City.

Morfe’s group admitted to be responsible for at least six abduction last year involving Filipino-Chinese victims.

The Citizen’s Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP) has lauded President Macapagal-Arroyo’s for her firm advocacy of federalism as a constitutional reform that the country needs in order to speed up its development.

In a statement, Rey Magno Teves, CMFP national convenor, expressed their gratitude to the President for her unequivocal support for a shift to federalism and parliamentary form in her public statements here and abroad.

In a dialogue with CMFP leaders, the President stressed her agreement with the CMFP that our highly centralized, inefficient and ineffective unitary form of government should be replaced by a federal system.

If elected to a full six-year term in the May elections, the President said she would initiate charter change by urging Congress to call a constitutional convention whose delegates may be elected at the same time as the barangay elections in 2005, in order to save funds.

The President explained her reasons for giving more power, authority, and resources to regional governments are based on the following objectives: (1) to bring governance and public service closer to the people; (2) to speed up development in all regions; (3) to empower the people by improving their lives and their access to decision-makers; (4) to reduce corruption; and (5) to make government more responsive and accountable to the citizens.

She said that her reflections and commitment to a shift to federalism is based on her practical experience in governance as trade and industry undersecretary, social welfare and development secretary, senator, vice president, and as president.

The CMFP said that there is now growing support for federalism among leaders in local government, civil society, academe, and business.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today called on all candidates to conduct their campaign on a high level to give voters the opportunity to make the right choices as she reiterated her administration’s commitment to clean, orderly and honest elections.

"As the campaign starts tomorrow, I would like to call upon all the candidates to take the high road of prudence, decency and civility in the fight for the vote," the President said in a statement.

"Our people deserve an electoral campaign that gives them a good view of the platforms of each contender, a balanced presentation of issues by the media, and a high regard for democratic principles," the President added.

She also reiterated her desire that the polls be held in a manner to enhance and highlight the nation’s democracy.

The President also ordered all government agencies to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the performance of its functions.

"Our commitment to clean, orderly and honest polls is undiminished and all concerned government agencies are at the beck and call of Comelec in the attainment of this objective," she said.

The Integrated Communities Urban Poor Association, Inc. of Angeles City (ICUPA) has issued a manifesto of support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her bid in the May 10 elections.

ICUPA, which has a membership of 15,000 families, singled out the President’s "unwavering support to the urban poor sector towards the provision of decent, affordable shelter to the underprivileged and homeless citizens" in assuring her of their unwavering support.

"We are blessed and fortunate to have fully realized our lifelong dream to have our own land titles under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo F. Lazatin through the Local Urban Poor Affairs and Housing Office in coordination with the Urban and Housing Development Coordinating Council, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and the National Housing Authority," ICUPA said.

Recent expressions of support for the President have come from the city and municipal mayors of Quezon, members of the royal families of the two Lanao provinces in Mindanao, and Negros Oriental officials and residents led by Gov. George Arnaiz, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

In Cebu, local officials from opposing political parties have also expressed their full support for the May 10 bid of the President. They said they would cross party lines just to support the President who, according to them, has done a lot to improve the lives of the Cebuanos.

The President has focused the attention of her administration on improving the lot of the nation’s needy by creating and implementing programs for their welfare.

Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said today that chickens being sold in the country are safe to eat and that consumers should not avoid buying chickens so as not to negatively affect the prices of other commodities.

"The prices of basic commodities have been stable in the last several months. However, we should start buying chickens to avoid an upward pressure on the prices of pork and beef," Purisima said in a press briefing held this afternoon in Malacanang.

Purisima said that the Philippines, along with Malaysia and Singapore, has not been affected by the avian flu.

He stressed that local dressed chickens, as well as those coming in from the West Coast, are safe to eat as certified by both the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture.

"Some of our imported dressed chickens come from the West Coast in the United States, which are generally safe from the avian flu. I want to clarify that the US government has imposed a strict quarantine of chicken coming from Delaware, which was earlier reported to have been infected by the avian flu," Purisima said.

About 12,000 chickens were destroyed in the northern US state of Delaware on a farm that raises chickens to sell at live markets in New York, prompting Japan, Singapore and South Korea to slap import bans on all US poultry.

He added that the DTI will be launching the "Bantay Bilihin" program to monitor the prices of basic commodities, particularly pork, beef and fish to lessen the impact on prices caused by the avian flu scare.

"We will be launching the "Bantay Bilihin" to prevent overpricing by retailers. This will include the daily posting of the suggested retail prices of basic commodities, particularly meat and fish products in wet and dry markets nationwide," Purisima said.

He said that this move by the DTI aims to prevent hoarding among suppliers and retailers and ensure that prices of commodities are stable and reasonable.

Purisima said that there is currently an oversupply of chickens in the country and that the Philippines is looking at exporting chickens to some countries in Asia, particularly Japan.

Japanese Conglomerate Marubeni Corporation is set to import 30,000 metric tons of dressed chickens from the Philippines, which was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as free from the highly-contagious avian flu.

Vietnam and Brunei have also made inquiries to buy chickens from the Philippines to replace their regular imports from China and Thailand which are plagued by the avian flu.

DIFFUN, Quirino -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today stressed the importance of agricultural modernization, especially for farmers of the province of Quirino.

Speaking in Ilocano at the Quirino Municipal Stadium here, the President said her administration has been spending P20 billion yearly for the past three years for the farmers all over the country, including the farmers of Quirino.

"This is so far the biggest budget provided for the farmers all over the country," she said.

Farm-to-market roads are also funded by the yearly P20 billion budget for the modernization of agriculture, "so that farmers can easily bring their products to the market," the President said.

The President cited the Bugkalot Tribe who were provided with farm-to market roads. "They can now visit the market places, just like other farmers living in Quirino, without difficulty," the President said.

In the history of the Philippines, the President said her administration has irrigated the most land,100,000 hectares in Quirino alone.

The President also disclosed that last year’s typhoon "Harurot" inspired the launching of the "Kalsada Ko Alagaan Ko" project in Cagayan Valley where many farmers lost their jobs because of the typhoon.

The President said it has become very important that the farmers who lost their jobs be given substitute jobs just like the emergency employment program of her late father, Diosdado Macapagal.

"This is an employment scheme for the jobless in the different barangays in the entire Philippines, but the inspiration was from the farmers who lost their work because of typhoon Harurot, the President said.

For those who are not yet enrolled with PhilHealth, the President asked the people of Quirino to give their names to Congressman Junie Cua so that they can be given PhilHealth insurance.

"As President, I fought for the things that will make a difference in the lives of the ordinary Filipino – jobs, prices, livelihood, housing, good health, and education," the President said.

She said this is just a down payment for the needs of the ordinary people as her presidency has not yet been given a full six-year term.

"I can do more if you will continue supporting this administration," the President said.

DIFFUN, Quirino – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today lauded Quirino Representative Junie Cua for the successful implementation of her administration’s five pillars of modernization and development in the six municipalities of Quirino province.

The President issued the remarks in her speech during the 2004 Youth Congress held at the municipal gymnasium here this afternoon.

In her speech, the President told thousands of residents and students here that Congressman Cua has successfully implemented her infrastructure modernization program such as the O-Ilaw project which provided electricity to isolated barangays in the six municipalities; connection of 22 high school buildings in far flung barangays; modernizing the agricultural sector; providing livelihood projects for the poor; and sustaining the development of the environment.

The province of Quirino is composed of Diffun, Saguday, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Maddela and Nagtipunan.

The President noted that with the help of Congressman Cua some 2,000 hectares of farmlands have now irrigation systems.

Welcoming the President upon her arrival at Quirino State College (QSC) were Governor Pedro L. Bacani, Representative Cua, Vice Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, Diffun Mayor May Calaunan, Reynaldo Villamayor, president of the QSC and Samuel Benigno, vice president of QSC.

During her speech, the President urged the students of Quirino province to apply for the Student Assistance Fund for Education for the Strong Republic (SAFE 4 SR).

SAFE 4 SR is one of the priority programs of the President to assist and provide educational assistance all the third year and graduating college students, out-of-school youth and even college drop-outs through her version of study now, pay later plan.

The President also ordered Representative Cua to get the names of all residents who have no health care insurance so that they will be included in her Greater Medicare Assistance (GMA) health care program.

In his welcome remarks, Congressman Cua assured the President that the residents of Quirino will support her leadership because they strongly believe in her "experience, good track record, and capability to lead the nation."

"We will assure you Apo (beloved) President that my fellow Quirinians would support you in your candidacy," Cua said noting that because of her help the province got assistance from the national government to achieve modernization and progress.

Governor Pedro Bacani also assured the President of the Quirinians’ full support for her candidacy in the May 10 elections.

"You are number 1 in our hearts, Madam President," Bacani said.

Before Diffun, the President made a surprise inspection of the public markets of Solano and Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun assured the public today the government is exerting all efforts to raise the water level at Angat Dam before the water crisis gets critical.

The water level in Angat Dam this morning was 193.9 meters, more than 7.3 meters below the lower rule but still far from the 180-meter level that would really make for a crisis, according to Gozun.

There has been some rain but it has not sufficiently raised the water level at Angat Dam, she said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already identified deep well sources of ground water, each of which can be tapped for 2,800 cubic meters in addition to the desalination plant in Sucat which can produce 4,000 cubic meters daily to lessen dependence on the Angat Dam for water supply in Metro Manila, Gozun said.

Besides the continuous call to conserve water, the DENR is also looking for measures to lessen non-revenue or unaccounted water. The area covered by Maynilad Water, Inc. loses about 71 percent of its water or about1.6 million cubic meters a day. In the Manila Water Company, Inc. coverage, the losses are 51 percent or 770,238 cubic meters a day.

TUGUEGARAO CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared open the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) Meet this afternoon at the Cagayan Sports Complex here.

"We are all together here at CVRAA because sports is training that is very much needed in our country to progress," the President said in Ilocano.

She also stressed the importance of competition, not only here and abroad as "it teaches us how to follow rules of the game."

She also emphasized good health which, she said, is the aspiration of the ordinary Filipino, as well as jobs, prices, livelihood, housing and education.

The President said that these needs of the people have always been her administration’s priorities, citing the youth and students as her inspiration as President. "When they graduate, there will be sufficient jobs for them because of our efforts to entice investors to come to the country," she said.

The President said she ordered the construction of navigational facilities at the Cagayan airport here so that the foreign investors could enjoy a safe and convenient airport.

The President, who said that the salary of teachers were last raised in 2001, stated that the teachers who are on election duty this forthcoming elections will be given generous allowances to make up for the lack of salary increase this year as they wait for another law to increase their salaries.

Before her speech, the President witnessed the entry into the sports arena of the 2004 CVRAA Friendship Flame held by Marlon Pagalilauan, gold medalist in the 4x4 relays, SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

After the meet balloons were released, the President participated in the singing of the "Himig ng Rehiyon Dalawa."