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15 FEBRUARY 2004 |
| The Good News: BMW remains bullish on RP economy |
BMW Philippines Corporation, remaining bullish about business prospects in the country, has unveiled plans to open two new dealerships. In 2003, BMW posted the third highest growth in sales for the German luxury car maker in Asia having sold 802 vehicles, a 17.1 percent rise from its performance in 2002. Only the region’s star performer China and fast-rising Vietnam registered higher sales growth rates last year The passage in 2003 of Republic Act 9224, which rationalizes the excise tax on motor vehicles, has encouraged BMW and other luxury car makers to sell more cars as it allows them to bring down their prices. It has also given them a competitive edge vis-ā-vis the importers of used vehicles, which are shipped mostly through the Subic.Bay Metropolitan Authority. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in December 2003 also signed Executive Order 156, which bans the importation of used vehicles. This also helps luxury car makers to be more competitive in the local market. "BMW now dominates the premium segment of the Philippines with a market share of over 60 percent and all BMW models are outselling their equivalent competitors," said Luder Paysen, senior vice president for the BMW Group sales division. The impressive performance prompted BMW’s local subsidiary to aim at breaking the 1,000-unit mark, a figure deemed easily achievable after implementing the expansion plans this year. "We are going to open two new dealerships in the Philippines. One in Alabang (in Muntinlupa City) and another one in Davao City," said BMW Philippines Corp. president Mark H. Gilbert. He said, " While there are definite plans to expand our dealer network in these key areas, negotiations are still underway. As such, no details regarding these developments are available at the moment." The setting up of a dealership in Alabang is intended to further expand its share in the growing luxury car market in the metropolis, particularly in the southern portion of the National Capital Region. The decision to open a dealership in Davao, on the other hand, is a testimony to the company’s confidence in the country despite some bad publicity coming out of Mindanao. "The decision to open up a dealership in Davao is reflective of BMW’s long-term commitment to the Philippine market. There continues to be a huge potential for both BMW cars and motorcycles in Davao, and we will strive to offer them the best products and after sales services," Gilbert said. |
| Palace congratulates negotiators for success of Oslo peace talks |
Malacaņang today congratulated the peace panels of both the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) for reaching an agreement in the just-concluded first round of peace talks in Oslo, Norway. Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said, in a radio interview with RMN Networks this morning, that "we are happy" over a last-minute breakthrough in the impasse sparked by the terrorist listing of the NDF-CPP-NPA (NDF-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) and the NDF chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison. The breakthrough accord came after both panels had worked overtime on the wording of the draft statement with respect to the issue of removing the NDF-CPP-NPA and Sison from the list of Foreign International Terrorist Organizations of the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union. In agreeing to undertake effective measures to resolve the terrorist listing issue, the government panel made it clear that the NDF has to show legal and moral basis to be removed from the list. In the interview, Bunye lauded the efforts of both peace panels, particularly Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, chairperson of the government’s peace delegation to Oslo; Secretary Silvestre Bello III, chairman of the negotiating panel; and the members of their group. Bunye also acknowledged the significant role in the successful parley by the government of Norway as third party facilitator. He said that the second round of talks is likely to be held in March 2004, but the venue is yet to be chosen. "Mayroon silang napag-usapang mga confidence-building measures na ipapatupad at kabilang na rito’y ang pagbuo ng tinatawag na Joint Monitoring Committee na titingin sa status ng implementasyon ng Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws (They have discussed confidence-building measures, and one of them is setting up a Joint Monitoring Committee that will look at the status of implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law)," he said. "Yan ang isa sa mga kaganapan doon sa Oslo (That’s one of the decisions at Oslo)," he added. |
| GMA condemns killing of Mindoro Oriental town vice mayor |
Malacaņang today deplored the killing of a vice-mayor, who was a mayoral bet in Naujan, Mindoro Oriental, even with the start of the campaign period for local elections still to come. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo strongly condemns the slaying, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said this morning in a radio interview. She has instructed a thorough investigation to find out the motive, arrest the killers and bring them to justice, Bunye added. Such matters are under the direct responsibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bunye said. "The PNP has procedures for candidates who receive direct threats and on how to help and provide security for them. I hope they can immediately study and act on such requests for protection," the Presidential Spokesman said. Still, the President, who is committed to clean, honest, peaceful and orderly elections, took it upon herself to order an immediate investigation of the killing, he said. Shot by gunmen on motorcycles Friday night after attending a campaign rally of the Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K-4) was Vice-Mayor Jovy Magsino in sitio Amugis, according to newspaper reports. A companion of the K-4 mayoral bet, the K-4 secretary general for Mindoro Oriental, also died in the shooting. |
| GMA extends help to Benguet vegetable farmers |
BAGUIO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went to Benguet Saturday to help vegetable farmers iron out their problems. In a nightcap with national media, the President said she just conferred with local government executives of Benguet on how to reduce the transport costs of farmers to make them competitive, starting with the Hanselma Highway. Because her administration poured funds on the highway built when her father, Diosdado Macapagal, was President, travel time from Bontoc to Baguio has been greatly reduced, she said. "Now in one day, you can do two round trips," the President said as she emphasized the need of farmers for fast, efficient transport of their produce. Cold storage facilities have also been constructed and four refrigerated vans acquired to keep the vegetables fresh for the market. Expanding their markets will also help producers earn more. Big food companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Jollibee and MacDonalds’ will soon come in and buy directly from them, resulting in competitive prices with the elimination of middlemen. The President said she has also raised the tax on imported vegetables and will set up measures to curb smuggling of produce from other countries. |
| GMA orders release of P15 million for repair of Naguilian road |
BAGUIO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the release of P15 million for the immediate repair of a road curb along Quirino Highway that is also known as "Naguilian Road." At a Pulong Bayan (town hall-type of meeting) Saturday, many residents and officials sought the help of the President, pointing out that the unrepaired sections of the road pose danger to motorists and pedestrians. The road suffered severe damage due to typhoons last year. Apart from wide cuts, Naguilian Road damages included riprap slides and eroded pavements from Barangay Insan down to Barangay Monglo in nearby Sablan, Benguet. Meanwhile, the President lauded the on-going rehabilitation of the 100-kilometer Hanselma Highway, which is also known as Baguio-Bontoc Road. Benguet Governor Raul Molintas, who is also chairman of the Regional Development Council, said that the rehabilitation process is now more than 50 percent. The highway is the most vital road in the region as it branches to all parts of the region, like Abra, Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province in the west, and Kalinga, Apayao, and Ifugao in the East. President Macapagal-Arroyo promised to provide additional funds for highway repairs, if necessary. She recognized the importance of the highway for economy and tourism. "With a rehabilitated Hanselma, our tourists can go faster to places of interest in our region. Also the farmers can transport their harvests faster to markets" she said. |
| GMA says economy still sound despite peso decline |
BAGUIO CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated on Saturday night that the country’s economic fundamentals remained sound despite the continual decline of the peso. In a talk with newsmen at the Mansion House here, the President assured the people that the peso deterioration "is transient and artificial," and blamed political bickering and destabilization attempts against her administration for the devaluation. "It is because of politics or people talking of destabilization," Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said. "The economic fundamentals are sound," the President said, adding that the Philippines, like Malaysia, attained a 5.5 percent growth rate in gross national product (GNP) in 2003. She noted foreign investments grew 23 percent last year. She cited as an example of "solid investments" in the country Texas Instrument’s decision to triple its investments to $100 million. The President also pointed out that solid investments mean more jobs opportunities. She also said the agricultural sector has responded to the government’s P20-billion agricultural modernization program. More farms are now being planted with Gloria rice variety which can double or even triple the volume of harvests, she said. Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, Jr., noted that farmers were pleased with the outcome of the Gloria hybrid rice program. A farmer from Tabuk, Benguet for instance, harvested some 270 cavans of rice from a hectare planted to Gloria rice, he said. President Macapagal-Arroyo indicated that various sectors of the economy such as exports, investments and services have shown signs of improvements, despite reduction in government infrastructure projects because of budget constraints She clarified, however, that the government always has the option to increase its infrastructure projects "specially now with the Marcos wealth already in government hands." But the President cautioned against overspending, saying the recovered Marcos wealth should not be spent in just one year, but spread out over a longer period of time. |
| GMA vows to do more for Cavite |
GMA, Cavite – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed here today that she would continue to deliver economic progress to the province which has a special place in her heart. Addressing a throng of supporters gathered at the Webb gymnasium here, the President underscored her achievements for Cavite that date back to her stint at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the late 80s. Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo and her senatorial candidates under the ruling Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4) barnstormed Cavite, home province of her grandmother Escolastica Romero-Macapagal, mother of the late President Diosdado Macapagal. She recalled that in 1988 when she was still DTI assistant secretary, she crafted the Cavite Trade and Industry Masterplan for the economic growth of the province. At the time, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said, there were only three factories, but because of the economic fundamentals laid out, Cavite’s industrialization boomed with the entry of hundreds of factories. "Noon, tatlo lamang ang factories dito. Pero dahil sa mga patakarang inilagay, and tatlo ay nagging daan-daan (Before there were only three factories here, but because of the policies laid out, the three became hundreds)," the President said. Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said through her initiative,six economic zones were established in Cavite, creating some 100,000 jobs for local workers. She also cited the Cavite Coastal Road Extension project extending the existing coastal road traversing Pasay City, Zapote town all the way to Noveleta town in Cavite. The President revealed that she was able to secure an additional $70-million funding for this project during her state visit to the United States. From General Mariano Alvarez, the President and her senatorial team motored to Silang and Dasmarinas towns with a whistle-stop at the Imus Cathedral.
Accompanying the President in her Cavite sortie were senatoriables Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Senators John Osmena, Rodolfo Biazon, Roberto Jaworski and Robert Barbers, Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., lawyer Pia Cayetano, former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, former Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and Gov. Parouk Hussin of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The K-4 team attended a special mass at Imus Cathedral before proceeding to the residence of Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. along Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor. Danny Crisologo, a tricycle driver, confirmed that President Macapaga-Arroyo, indeed, brought a lot of jobs to Cavite. "Marami siyang nagawa ditto at marami pa siyang magagawa para sa amin. Nararamdaman naman ito dahil maraming Caviteno and nagkatrabaho sa EPZA (She was able to do many things here and we know she will be able to do more. We feel it because many Cavitenos were able to land jobs in EPZA (Export Processing Zone Authority)," he said. Seventy-seven-year-old Nicano Abes said Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo was what the country needs right now. "Marami siyang programa para sa senior citizens, pero mas higit siyang kailangan mahalal para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan, lalo na yung mga bata pa (She has many programs for the senior citizens, but it is the youth that needs her for their future, especially the children)," Abes stressed. |
