Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, Jr. said today that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration would concentrate this year on "doable projects," like providing water supply to "waterless" communities in Metro Manila as part of the health program and extending credit to small and medium enterprises.

In a radio interview, Bunye said that the first Cabinet meeting for 2004, presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacaņang Wednesday, reviewed the peace and order projects, including the campaigns against terrorism, kidnappings and illegal drugs.

The meeting, which was participated in by new Cabinet members – Acting Secretaries Delia Domingo Albert of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Cesar Purisima of the Department of Trade and Industry, and Merceditas Gutierrez of the Department of Justice, National Security Council Officer-in-Charge Gen. Victor Mayo and Acting Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Joe Nathan Tenefrancia -- also discussed the administration’s economic and infrastructure programs, he said.

Bunye said that the "doable" projects under the health program, on which the administration will focus attention, is the provision of water supply to "waterless" communities, particularly in Metro Manila.

"There are an estimated 300 waterless communities in Metro Manila, and this will be given attention as soon as possible," he added.

The Presidential Spokesman said that the Cabinet also decided the continued lending to small and medium scale enterprise as one of the thrusts of the economic program.

"’Yong pagbibigay ng puhunan doon sa mga maliliit na tinatawag na small and medium enterprises, dahil ito ay isang mabisang paraan para mapaikot ‘yong capital at makapagsulong ng ating ekonomiya (Extending credit to small and medium enterprises is one of the effective ways of plowing back the capital and advancing the economy)," he said.

Bunye also said that Purisima, former chairman of the accounting firm Sycip Gorres and Velayo, will continue the programs and projects initiated by his predecessor, former Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II who had resigned to run for the Senate under President Macapagal-Arroyo’s ticket in the May 2004 elections.

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that nearly half of the 160,000 waterless families in 300 communities Metro Manila have already been provided with water connection and supply.

The President said that the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, in collaboration with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and private concessionaires Manila Water Company Inc. (MWCI) and Maynilad Water Inc. (MWI), has reported that 76,000 families or about 50 percent of the targeted 160,000 families in Metro Manila are now enjoying clean water supply.

The rest will be attended to before the start of the commemoration of the two phenomenal EDSA I and 2 Peoples Power revolution late this month.

The President formally opened today three public faucets that would provide water to some 1,000 families in Barangay 775 in Dagonoy, San Andres Bukid, Manila as part of her "Patubig ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo" program.

The public faucets comprised the sixth pilot project completed under the Patubig program.

The President clarified, however, that the MWCI would still replace the age-old water pipes in Dagonoy to ensure that the local residents will have potable water supply.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo expressed confidence that the Patubig task force would be able to accomplish its mission before the EDSA I and II anniversary kicks off with a 40-day prayer-vigil on January 20.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that she favors a charter change, which will incorporate a shift from the presidential to parliamentary form or federal government to enable the Philippines to catch up with the socio-economic progress of its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

The President said that the parliamentary form of government will improve the political interface between the executive and the legislature and thereby galvanizes reforms more efficiently and effectively.

"We have been left behind by other countries in East Asia," she said in a radio interview. "It is only fortunate that we have been able to outpace them in economic growth during the short time that I became President."

She noted that the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia with a presidential form of government. "Our present form of government has many gridlocks, which have become a hindrance to our socio-economic growth," she said.

The President said that all East Asian countries have adopted the parliamentary form of government, which enables them to quickly pass laws and usher in change.

A parliamentary form of government, she pointed out, would allow the Philippines to catch up with its Asian neighbors in political and economic modernization and consolidation.

"The Philippines is the second largest archipelago after Indonesia," she said, adding that Indonesia, like Malaysia, has a federal form of government.

She said that a federal form of government hastens the process of government decision-making and implementation of laws and programs, particularly for the countryside, and this translates to faster economic growth.

President Macapagal-Arroyo said that this is the reason why she has ordered the transfer of the Department of Agriculture from Quezon City, Metro Manila, to Mindanao. "This is only necessary since our food basket is in Mindanao. We have no agriculture in Metro Manila," she said.

With a federal form of government, she said, decisions for Mindanao will be made right in Mindanao, and does not have to pass through the tedious bureaucratic system, like when such decision is made in Manila.

The President made the shift to federalism one of the campaign platforms of her Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4) in a speech she delivered before filing her certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections.

Malacaņang today reassured the public that contrary to apprehensions by some sectors, the May elections would push through as scheduled.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye made the assurance in the light of speculations that the polls may be cancelled because the administration is dividing the issue of charter change.

"Definitely, there will be elections in May, 2004," Bunye said in a press briefing. ""There are no ifs and buts about that."

Bunye said the President has not made any specific plans with regard to charter change.

"What the President has said so far is that she’s in favor of fundamental change in the way we do things. And that includes altering the system of government. But as to specifics, we have issued an earlier statement that this will be tackled after the May 2004 elections," he said.

In the same briefing, Bunye said Malacanang has already ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to implement measures to counter the threats of extortion by elements of the communist New People’s Army.

The order was in reaction to reports that several candidates in the forthcoming elections are being asked to shell out campaign fees to the NPA in several NPA-controlled areas.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the formulation of a comprehensive program designed to stamp out illegal gambling and provide alternative source of income for those displaced by the campaign.

The President issued the directive to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jose Lina during a phone patch interview at Malacaņang with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane and Davao City Archbishop Fernando Capalla, president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

In giving the order, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said the government "will be humane and show compassion to the ordinary people who many have gotten involved in (illegal) gambling for lack of any other source of income."

"For them, we offer alternative livelihood with the attendant training, financing and other means to earn a living," the President said.

To ensure successful implementation of the anti-gambling drive, President Macapagal-Arroyo enjoined the law enforcement authorities to coordinate with the local government units and non-government organizations.

"I am honored that the CBCP has agreed to be a partner of our law enforcement agencies because gambling is part of (the Filipino) culture that needs to be changed not only through (law) enforcement but also through the unquestionable moral authority of the Church," the President stressed.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo cited the CBCP for helping in the government efforts to eradicate corruption in the bureaucracy.

She also said her administration’s agenda for reforms must benefit the "average" Filipino, adding that the government will do everything to ensure that corruption bred by illegal gambling is weeded out.

"That’s why I have to remind all our regional (PNP) directors that having a big part of payola is going to be part of what will bring sanctions against you," the President said.

She pointed out that she understands the common citizens’ desire for reforms is anchored on having a job and a decent source of livelihood.