Japan’s conglomerate Marubeni Corporation is eyeing the importation of some 30,000 metric tons (MT) of dressed chicken from the Philippines.

The Philippine Association of Boiler Integrators, Inc. (PABI) said representatives of Marubeni have approached Agricultural Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. and PABI members to work out the possibility of acquiring part of their import requirements from the country.

"Marubeni wants to be able to immediately bring to Japan an initial 30,000 MT of frozen dressed chicken. This volume is part of their regular imports from China which, like Japan, is also plagued with the bird flu epidemic," PABI said.

Aside from Japan, two other Asian countries, Vietnam and Brunei, have also made inquiries to buy chicken from the Philippines which was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as free from the highly-contagious avian influenza virus.

Exporting chicken to these three countries should help local poultry raisers who are reeling from the drastic drop in chicken sales and prices.

Prices of live chicken have fallen to an average of P40 per kilo from the high of P68 per kilo posted on December 31, 2003 when demand rose during the Christmas season.

Poultry growers’ losses are mounting as prices have been steadily declining with the consumers shying away from chicken.

"We are already selling chicken at P40 per kilo, which means we are losing P20 per kilo," said Gregorio San Diego, president of the United Broiler Raisers Association.

He said that the intended importation by some Asian countries of local chicken, and the announcement of the WHO (that the Philippines continues to be free of the highly contagious avian influenza flu) will help the sector recover.

"These developments will help ease the fear of local consumers," he said.

OSLO, Norway – When the government panel sits down anew at the negotiating table with its counterpart from the National Democratic Front Tuesday (Feb. 10), both parties have foremost in their minds how to speed up the whole process leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities.

The government negotiators call it an enhanced process. The NDF terms it accelerated. It all boils down to the procedure, actually.

While the government panel wants to simultaneously discuss the socio-economic reforms (SER) and political and constitutional reforms (PCR), two of four substantive items in the agenda, the NDF wants to do it sequentially but with a shortened time frame.

The first substantive agenda item, that on human rights, has already been done with, ending in a signed agreement March 16, 1998. It was the first big accomplishment of the two parties since the Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, which brought both the government and the NDF to the negotiating table.

The mere fact that both parties want to cut short what has proven to be a long, tedious process, has given government negotiators a higher level of confidence, that finally, despite the many kinks that have yet to be ironed out, the decades-old insurgency problem would be solved and peace will soon be at hand.

"We still face so many uncertainties, very contentious issues but this time our level of confidence is higher because of the strong push given by our President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," said panel chairman Silvestre Bello III on the eve of the talks.

Together with the support of the other departments, specifically the Department of National Defense, and the active participation of the Royal Norwegian Government as third party facilitator, Bello said "we are confident that we could bring these talks to its logical conclusion and that is a just and lasting peace for our country."

Bello, along with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and the members of the government panel, arrived in this Norwegian capital 10:00 P.M. Monday (5:00 P.M., Manila time) after a 21-hour flight from Manila via Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam.

Despite the long flight, the delegation was in high spirits following the warm sendoff given by the President during a mass at the Our Lady of Peace Shrine along EDSA Sunday.

Anders Gronli of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry welcomed the 15-man Philippine delegation that also includes Education Undersecretary Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Atty. Rene Sarmiento, Ana Theresa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Tarlac Gov. Jose Yap as panel members; panel adviser Cerge M.Remonde, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Ma.Cleofe Gettie Sandoval, Atty Sedfrey Candelaria, RebeccaTanada, Maj. Ferdinand Baraquel, OPAPP Executive Director Carla Munsayac-Villarta and Oscar Bathan of the secretariat.

The four-day talks will also focus on the Joint Monitoring Committee, the mechanism that will monitor the partial implementation of the signed agreement on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

The government panel will likewise push for confidence-building measures, including the release of political detainees, the indemnification of victims of human rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship, NPA desistance from collecting Permit Campaign fees, and measures for reducing violence during the formal talks and campaign period.

"We will also attempt to get the NDF to commit that this peace process will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities," Bello said. "Pag nakuha natin yan makakatulog na ang ating mga kababayan for the next 10 to 20 years (If we get that commitment, our people can now sleep soundly in the next 10 to 20 years)."

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- Gov. Edgar Ramones Lara of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has declared his support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, presidential candidate of Lakas CMD, in the May 10, 2004 elections.

Speaking at the opening of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) on Monday in this city, Governor Lara said that Cagayan is "GMA country."

Lara said that the frequent visit of President Macapagal-Arroyo to the province is being seen by the Cagayanons as the President’s way of underscoring the importance of Cagayan to her administration.

"Madame President, this is your fourth time to come to the province of Cagayan in a span of two and a half years. You can therefore claim, Madame President, that we are one with you, that you are, indeed, a Cagayanon by heart. Therefore, you may claim that the province of Cagayan is a ‘GMA Country’ nowadays," Lara said, to the applause of his constituents.

Meanwhile, Tuguegarao City Mayor Randolph Ting commended President Macapagal Arroyo for virtually giving every local government unit (LGU) full fiscal autonomy during her incumbency.

Ting said that from 1998 up to 2000, the past administration had cut a certain percentage of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of all LGUs. But starting in 2001, the Macapagal Arroyo administration has fully restored the IRA, he said, adding that LGUs have realized full autonomy as enshrined in the Constitution.

"It is solely President Macapagal Arroyo, who has fully actualized the release of IRA shares of LGUs, thereby providing more quality services to the people. Madame President, thank you for empowering your people with the much-needed fiscal autonomy," he said.

As the campaign period kicks off today, we reiterate our call to do away with traditional ways of campaigning by focusing on platforms instead of deception or mudslinging.

The nation may be divided now as to who is the most fit to run the country but it is our responsibility as aspirants for the highest public office of the land to bring the Filipinos together for democracy, sound governance and a bright future.

The peace talks are off to a good start. It is now up for both camps to sustain the momentum by mutual sincerity in forging a final agreement amenable to both parties, and serving the interest of the Filipino.

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus to give "very generous incentives" to all teachers who will perform poll duties during the May 10, 2004 elections.

The President announced her directive in a speech she delivered Monday at the opening of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet at the Cagayan Valley National High School Sports Complex.

"I told Secretary de Jesus here, that we should give you a very generous allowance, to make up while you do no have your salary increase," President Arroyo said, to the cheers of thousands of teachers and teachers participating the athletic meet.

The President stated that it was only during her administration that teachers have received substantial incentives, specifically during last Christmas.

She said that under her stewardship, the teachers’ Christmas bonus amounted to P5,000 as compared to only P1,000 they had received under the previous administration.

That marked the first time, said President Macapagal Arroyo, that the teachers whom she called "heroes" during elections, have benefited this much for their hard work in helping the government mold young Filipinos in line with the administration’s nation-building program.

Delegates from five provinces taking part in the regional sports fest, namely, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Batanes, gave the President a rousing welcome.

CAVINTI, Laguna—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today bared her plans of expanding Metro Manila into what she described as Mega Manila through the construction of highways and an efficient railway system that would connect the North and South Luzon growth areas.

In a Pulong-Bayan held this morning here as part of the kick-off of the campaign of the K-4 ticket that she leads, the President said that her vision of a Mega Manila would link the Calabarzon (Cavite Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) growth area in the South and the Clark-Subic economic zones in the North.

She said that with an efficient railway system, people living in Tondo, for example, and are employed in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, could take the train in going to work and still go home to Tondo. Those who live in Sta. Rosa but work in Makati could also commute by using the train system, the President added.

"Yan ang Mega Manila na ginagawa natin ng imprastruktura ngayon (That’s the Mega Manila where we are now building up the infrastructure projects)," the President said.

Aside from several industrial firms in the province, the President said, Laguna is also famous for its tourist spots, notably the Pagsanjan Falls, the Caliraya Lake, Los Banos hot springs, the Seven Lakes in San Pablo and the Mount Makiling in Los Baņos other than the nearby legendary Mount Banahaw in Quezon.

The President said that all these would be fully developed if she will be given a full six-year term as President in the May 10 elections.

She said that she had fond memories of the town and the province of Laguna, in general, where she was number one when she ran for senator and also as vice president.

CAVINTI, Laguna—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today jump-started her May 2004 election campaign here, a town which is part of the province’s growth area where the bulk of local and foreign investments are located.

The President’s campaign period started with a mass held at the El Salvador del Mundo Transfiguration Church, which was officiated by Rev. Zaldy Punto at around 9:00 a.m.

President Macapagal-Arroyo arrived in Cavinti by chopper from Tuguegarao City to a welcoming crowd of 2,000 led by Cavinti Mayor Floro Esguerra.

The mass was followed by a Pulong-Bayan held at Burol Elementary School and was attended by more than 500 residents and local officials.

The President said she wanted to start her party’s campaign on high ground, moral high ground and political high ground. She also said that her campaign will be based on her government’s platform and not on mudslinging tactics.

"As the campaign period kicks off today, we reiterate our call to do away with traditional ways of campaigning by focusing on platforms instead of deception or mudslinging," President Macapagal-Arroyo said.

"The nation may be divided now as to who is the most fit to run the country but it is our responsibility as aspirants for the highest public office of the land to bring Filipinos together for democracy, sound governance and a bright future," the President said.

The President said that her administration has done a lot for the province of Laguna in terms of furtherance of investments and job generation.

"There are more than 4 million jobless Filipinos when I assumed office. Under my administration we were able to generate more than 3 million new jobs due to the influx of foreign investors, most of them in the province of Laguna," she said.

Multinational companies, which see Laguna as an investment haven include Ford Motors, with an investment of more than $50 million; Intel, with $1 billion new investment, and other electronics and computer manufacturers.

The President said that despite its robust economic development, the province of Laguna, particularly Cavinti, could still expect higher growth figures because of its potentials as a tourist destination.

She also said that the government is in the process of easing the transportation problem of Laguna residents working in Manila through the rehabilitation of the PNR railway route and roads.

"We will construct new road and rehabilitate existing ones from Metro Manila to Laguna. We have started rehabilitating the PNR’s trains. We have put up several of the government’s Pabahay programs in Calabarzon," the President said, referring to the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon growth area.

She also said, " In order to allow call centers to proliferate in Laguna, we have widened the broad band and improved Laguna’s telecommunications infrastructure."

President Macapagal-Arroyo also gave a 2-week food assistance and livelihood assistance to Oscar Limpak, a resident who asked the President’s help for his 14-year old son Christopher who is suffering with polio.

CAVINTI, Laguna—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that her administration would continue to ensure that every Filipino would have food on his table and provided with health care and education for his children.

In the Pulong-Bayan held here this morning that kicked off the nationwide campaign of the K-4 ticket, the President said that in order to realize her vision of food security, she had launched the Gloria Rice, a hybrid rice variety from China but adapted to local climate and soil.

"Ano ang kinakain ng karaniwang Pilipino, di ba bigas, kanin at saka isda (What does the ordinary Filipino eat…rice and fish)," the President said.

The President was joined by her running mate, Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro and the senatorial lineup of the K-4 in the Pulong-Bayan.

The President recalled that when she visited China in November 2001, one of the results of her trip was the introduction in the country of the hybrid rice that she said was a "trade secret’ in China but was offered to the Philippines.

According to the President, China was generous enough to provide us with seeds of the hybrid rice, which were in turn developed by the Philippine Rice Institute in Nueva Ecija.

She said that the introduction of hybrid rice has resulted in a big jump of the harvests of farmers, with one farmer in Mindoro harvesting 290 cavans per hectare compared to 80 cavans using the local variety.

In 2002, the President said, there were only 35,000 hectares planted to hybrid rice but this jumped to 100,000 hectares last year. This year, the President said, the target is to plant 500,000 hectares with hybrid rice.

"The target is for the country to be self-sufficient in rice," the President said.

The President said that her administration is also pushing for the development of the local tilapia as a substitute for galunggong, stressing that tilapia can be cultured in a fresh water environment, notably the vast Laguna Lake.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo kicked today more than just a political campaign.

The "Pulong Bayan (Town Meeting)" will be a regular fixture in the President’s campaign sorties which will allow the barangay folk to be up-close and personal with Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo and her running mate, Sen. Noli de Castro.

For the next 90 days, Mrs. Macapagl-Arroyo and De Castro will be visiting communities, barangay halls, public markets and other places where the common folk meet to answer questions on governance from the people.

In the question-and-answer format, De Castro starts the open discussion with his own question for the President. This opens the discussions for other townsfolk to ask their questions.

In today’s first "Pulong Bayan" in Cavinti, Laguna, De Castro asked the President why she chose the town as the kick-off point of her campaign.

"You know why we chose Cavinti? Because this is a high ground, because we want to start our campaign on high ground, moral high ground and political high ground. (A campaign founded on) platform and not mudslinging,: the President said.

Indeed, it was much like a political gathering as the Cavinti townsfolk interacted with the President and De Castro.

As such, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo was able to highlight the development projects that her administration was able to bring to Laguna.

"The roads here are good, it is not only in Metro Manila that we have good roads. Laguna is not only known for industrial districts—Districts 1 and 2. Other districts are known for tourism like Pagsanjan," she said.

The President added that this is one of the reasons why Laguna enjoys the distinction of being known for both its industrial and tourism districts.

NATIONAL ARTS CENTER, Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed into law Republic Act 9239, also known as the Optical Media Act 2003 aimed at intensifying the government’s campaign against video piracy.

The law ensures protection of intellectual property rights and the development of local talents.

The new anti-piracy law was signed here with Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. and other lawmakers as witnesses. Top movie stars and personalities in the various performing arts also attended the signing ceremony.

The entire K-4 senatorial lineup, along with the coalition’s vice presidential candidate, Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, also witnessed the signing of the new law.

The law provides for sharper teeth to the campaign against piracy of the Intellectual Property Rights.

"The unregulated mastering, manufacture, replication, importation and exportation of optical media in all forms is inimical to economic growth and public interest," the law said.

Under the law, stricter and harsher punishment against the manufacturers of pirated video cassette discs (VCDs) and digital video discs (DVDs) has been instituted.

To implement the policies and attain the objectives enunciated in the law, the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB), created under presidential Decree No. 1987, has been reorganized into the Optical Media Board (OMB).

The OMB is composed of four ex-officio members and five regular members to be appointed by the President, the chairman to be appointed by the President from among the five regular members.

The ex-officio members of the board are the secretaries of trade and industry, interior and local government, and finance and the director general of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) or their duly authorized representatives.

Of the five regular members, three will come from the private sector, and one each from consumer organizations, and from the academe.

In remarks after the signing ceremony, the President said the new law is just one of the examples of the changes that the ordinary Filipinos aspire for.

The President said that because of film piracy and high amusement tax, many showbiz personalities have lost their jobs.

"But in my short term as President, I have come to be aware of your needs – lower amusement tax and strengthened the fight against film piracy – and that’s what we’ve been doing," the President said amid the applause of the audience from the movie industry.

MT. MAKILING, Los Banos, Laguna—At least one hundred showbiz personalities today thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her full support to the movie and television industry after she signed the Optical Media Act of 2003.

The movie and television personalities led by Vic del Rosario, producer and owner of the Viva Group of companies and movie director Laurice Guillen, expressed their full support for the President’s bid in the May 10 polls.

Guillen, along with comedian and writer Leo Martinez, presented to the President a plaque of appreciation to express their gratitude for her policies in improving the plight of the movie industry, particularly in the fight against video piracy and lowering the amusement taxes.

Guillen, in her brief statement, said that the Chief Executive has greatly helped the movie industry, particularly with the Film Academy of the Philippines.

Among the showbiz personalities who extended their support to the President were Ronnie and Mariz Ricketts, Al Tantay, Monsour del Rosario, Ian Veneracion, Sarah Geronimo, Onyok Velasco, Giselle Sanchez, Long Mejia, Raymund Bagatsing, and Rey Pumaloy.

The President also thanked the showbiz personalities for their support for her administration.