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22 FEBRUARY 2004 |
| The Good News: Filipino contractors to get priority in goverment projects |
Malacañang has issued an executive order (EO) directing all government agencies to prioritize Filipino-owned construction and consultancy firms in the bidding for government projects. The issuance of EO 278 came after the local construction and consultancy firms had claimed losing out to foreign companies in the competition for big government projects. The Construction Industry Association of the Philippines and the Confederation of Filipino Consulting Organizations said they had been experiencing difficulties in bidding for government projects, because of stiff requirements for participants, such as huge capital that only foreign firms could afford. In addition, government projects funded by foreign loans, do not usually allow the participation of Filipino companies. Construction projects, with funding from official development assistance (ODA), hire the services of firms from the donor countries. In the bidding for projects financed with ODA from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation, for instance, only Japanese firms are allowed to participate. Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said that EO 278 is intended to increase the participation of local contractors in ODA projects, because payment of these loans are shouldered by the government. EO 278, which was issued last February 2, relaxes the requirements on bidders for government construction projects to allow more local companies to participate in the bidding. The EO also states that any government group tasked to negotiate foreign loans to finance government projects, should tap a representative from the private sector to ensure transparency The Department of Finance (DOF), which usually spearheads such government panel, is also asked to invite at least one representative from the Construction Industry Association of the Philippines. EO 278, according to Neri, will boost the local construction sector. It is also expected to increase the industry’s revenue from government construction projects, he said. Neri said the construction industry experienced a 7 percent to 10 percent growth rate last year. This growth rate, however, was pulled down by a decline in government construction activities due to the budget deficit. |
| DTI's 'Bantay Bilihin' to stabilize commodity prices |
The Macapagal-Arroyo government has assured the people that prices of basic goods will remain stable and affordable despite the trend of increasing commodity prices in the world market. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that it is going to implement several measures, including a "Bantay Bilihin" program, so that prices of basic commodities will be stable within the next six months. Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Purisima said that DTI is working closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to solve any supply problem, particularly the availability of chicken in the local market as a result of the bird flu scare. "The prices of basic commodities have been stable in the last several months. However, we should start buying chicken to avoid an upward pressure on the prices of other food items, like pork and beef," he said. Purisima said that DTI is launching the "Bantay Bilihin" program to monitor the prices of basic commodities, particularly beef, pork, fish and other foodstuffs. To prevent overpricing by retailers, he said that the program will require, among other things, the daily posting of suggested retail prices of basic commodities, like meat and fish products in wet and dry markets nationwide. This move by the DTI also aims to prevent hoarding among suppliers and retailers and ensure that prices of basic commodities continue to be stable and reasonable. Purisima said that the Philippines was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as free from the avian flu. Moreover, the Department of Health (DOH) has put in place measures to ensure that chickens in the Philippines continue to be safe to eat. A P250-million fund made available by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is being used to strengthen the surveillance system against bird flu. The President has also directed the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs to take stringent measures aimed at preventing the infection of chickens in the country. |
| Palace calls charges against GMA 'non-issue' |
Malacañang today brushed aside charges leveled by presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva at President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as non-issues. "The point here is who can really bring about changes in the country. Our President believes she has the experience and capability to change the system, change the economy, leadership, our system of governance. That is why she is running," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in radio interview this morning. The support drawn by the President is extensive and that further makes it a non-issue, Bunye added. Bunye went further to say that Bro. Villanueva’s allegation of proffered inducements from emissaries of the President and former President Fidel Ramos for him to withdraw from the race is self-serving "Maybe he just needs issues to project himself so he keeps shooting off," Bunye said. "What is important is that the President is running on the basis of good government and on a high level of campaigning," Bunye added as he emphasized they refuse to be drawn into the mudslinging going on. The Presidential Spokesman also lamented the threat of some retired generals to forment civil unrest if Fernando Poe, Jr. is disqualified from running. "This kind of talk cannot improve the situation," Bunye said. "We should all be responsible. We should respect the Rule of Law and give the Supreme Court a fair chance to decide. We believe the Supreme Court will be fair in deciding this matter so let us not make unwarranted statements that will further confuse the people," Bunye explained. He also reiterated President Macapagal-Arroyo’s total commitment to have the elections as scheduled as he dismissed allegations by the opposition that the "harsh" dispersal of the supporters of Poe is aimed at a "No-el" scenario. This is not a pattern, Bunye said, stressing that on the whole the demonstration some days back was peaceful and so the police let them be. He cited the case at the Plaza Miranda area where the organizers showed discipline so that their demonstration was orderly. If demonstrators show respect to the law and the police, nothing untoward happens, Bunye said. |
| Palace remains hopeful on peace talks with NDF-CPP-NPA |
Malacañang remained hopeful today that the peace talks between government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (NDF-CPP-NPA) would still prosper. In a radio interview with RMN Networks this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye admitted that conducting negotiations with NDF-CPP-NPA has not been easy. In response to a question about a threat by the NDF-CPP-NPA not to sign a draft accord forged in Oslo, Norway, Bunye expressed hope that the peace process would move on. Bunye said, "Nakita natin noong nakaraang exploratory talks ay maraming naging problema, but in the end, ay napagkasunduan ng dalawang panig na gumawa ng joint communiqué o joint manifesto na kanilang ipinagpapatuloy ‘yong talks (The past exploratory talks (in Oslo, Norway) encountered many problems, but in the end, the two panels agreed on a joint communiqué to proceed with the talks)." "Naniniwala tayo na kapag talagang sinsero ‘yong magkabilang panig ay uusad at uusad ‘yong ating pakikipag-usap (We believe that if there would really be sincerity on both sides, the peace talks will surely move forward)," he added. |
| GMA inaugurates new satellite TV station |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has inaugurated a satellite TV station in the Philippines, owned by the Three Angels Broadcast Network (3ABN). At the inauguration ceremony, held Saturday night at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the President pledged "unprecedented change" that would, among other things, stamp out corruption and strengthen the Filipino family. The President lauded the 3ABN family for their trust and confidence in her administration as shown by their putting up of a satellite station in the country. The 3ABN has 380 television stations worldwide. Some 5,000 officers and members of Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church attended the TV station inauguration. Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo assured the audience, mostly pastors, church workers, and members of SDA, that as long as she is the President, she will not allow the scourge of drugs and terrorism in the country. "I will expand health coverage to all Filipinos, build more housing, expand property rights, and create more jobs with higher wages. We will have clean water and clean government" she said. The President admitted that she is an admirer of the 3ABN’s regular programs on health, education, community service, science and technology, family counseling, and Christian ministry. The new station, she added, "offers Filipinos what we need most -- a healthy mind (and) healthy body anchored on faith in God." The President said that, as a public servant, she puts emphasis on the moral aspect of nation building. "I always emphasize that we can build a better society by fighting poverty and keeping the economic growth not for just a few but for as many people as possible," she added. In his welcome address, Danny Shelton, president of the 3ABN, said that his congregation supports the administration of President Macapagal-Arroyo. In response, the President said, "I thank you for your support for me and I would like to believe that with the grace of God I have been worthy of your support," the President revealed. Earlier, President Macapagal-Arroyo handed out plaques of appreciation to Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido Tejano; Danny Shelton, president of the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN); Emmanuel Billones, franchise owner of the 3ABN; and Moses Primo, director of the 3ABN. Albert Gulfan, president of the Southern Asia Pacific Division of the Seventh Adventist Church covering 17 countries, including the Philippines, and Pastor Larry Feir, communication’s director of the North Philippine Union Mission, assisted the President in the awarding of plaques. |
| GMA's agricultural modernization program to transform Nueva Ecija into major rice exporter |
SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that her P20-billion a year agricultural modernization program will bolster Nueva Ecija as the rice granary of the Philippines and transform the province into a major rice exporter to other parts of the world. President Macapagal-Arroyo told a meeting, held this morning at the Pag-asa Gym here, that Nueva Ecija is the "No. 1 priority" in her agricultural modernization program, a key component of the Koalisyon ng Karanasan at Katapatan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4) platform of governance. She said the future of Nueva Ecija lies with K-4 to make sure the agricultural modernization will continue. "Agricultural modernization’s No. 1 priority is Nueva Ecija. Allow me and the whole coalition team to make the province feed not only the country, but also the other parts of the world," she added. The President’s sortie to Nueva Ecija was highlighted by the formation of a coalition between President Macapagal-Arroyo’s party, Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, and Balane, the dominant local party led by Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas N. Joson. Governor Joson pledged the support of Nueva Ecijanos for President Macapagal-Arroyo, her vice presidential running mate Sen. Noli de Castro, and the K-4 candidates for senator in the May 10 elections. Joson, a staunch supporter of Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo since her entry into politics as a senator, raised the President’s hands before a large crowd at the K-4 rally. He also endorsed de Castro and the K-4 senatorial bets -- Senators Robert Barbers, Robert Jaworski, Rodolfo Biazon and John Osmena, former Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, former Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, former Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas III, former VGB chairman Bong Revilla, former ARMM Governor Parouk Hussin, Atty. Pia Cayetano and actor Lito Lapid. In her speech, the Chief Executive pointed out that her agricultural modernization program has resulted in the development of Gloria Rice, a high-yielding rice variety from China, that can increase tremendously the farmers’ rice harvests. She also said that a total of 1.5 million hectares have been irrigated under her agricultural modernization program. Some 500,000 hectares have still to be irrigated, but this can be easily accomplished if she would be given a new mandate by the people, she added. From San Jose, the President led a motorcade to Cabanatuan City, where she held a Pulong Bayan at the Freedom Park. Officials with the President included Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon Affairs Renato Diaz and Presidential Campaign Spokesperson Michael Defensor. |
