Government efforts to resuscitate the mining industry have received a big boost with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s issuance of Executive Order No. 270 that outlines a National Policy Agenda on Revitalizing Mining in the Philippines.

The new EO, according to the Bureau of Mines, is expected to encourage new investments in the industry, the revitalization of which could generate at least $7.5 billion annually.

Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun said the National Policy Agenda is crucial to revitalization of the minerals industry, because it focuses on policy gaps in mineral resources management that the Mining Act of 1995 and other existing policies had not been able to address.

"The order gives flesh to the President’s pronouncement last year on a policy shift from tolerance to promotion of mining," Gozun said.

EO 270 aims to promote responsible mineral resources exploration, development and utilization to enhance economic growth in a manner that adheres to the principles of sustainable development and with due regard for justice and equity, while being sensitive to the culture of the Filipino people and respect for Philippine sovereignty.

World Bank manager for mining department, Peter van deer Veen, said that this development will help resolve the uncertainty among private investors on how they will do business in the Philippines.

"This would also help address the questions and concerns being raised by civil society groups that have in the past disrupted mining projects," Veen said.

EO 270 underscores the principles that will guide the revitalization based on "points of convergence" reached in nine months of consultations among government, industry, and civil society groups as well as prospective local and foreign investors.

The EO also directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to formulate a Minerals Action Plan (MAP) based on a set of principles agreed upon by the government, industry players and civil society groups.

The top priorities for the MAP will include the rehabilitation of old and abandoned mines and pursuing accountability for the negative impacts of mining.

"We recognize that this is the single biggest source of concern and lack of confidence in the development of the minerals industry," Gozun said.

"This will require considerable amount of resources but we will not allow ourselves to be idle and do nothing while waiting for the resources to come."

Malacaņang assured the people today that the supply of meat in Metro Manila markets will return to normal by this afternoon.

In separate radio interviews, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye and Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr., said a meeting with the Meat and Hog Dealers Association of the Philippines (MHDAP) has been successful.

In response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appeal, the MHDAP called off its planned "meat holiday" in Metro Manila markets in protest against the high costs of feeds and transportation, which have been cutting into their margin of profit.

"Naging matagumpay ang pagpupulong, ang nangasiwa rito’y si Secretary Cito Lorenzo at kinausap niya inyong mga meat suppliers, at matapos ang mga paliwanagan ay pumayag ang mga meat suppliers na ituloy ‘yong kanilang pagsu-supply ng meat, pork, dito sa Metro Manila (The meeting with meat dealers was successful. After Secretary Lorenzo clarified to them the issues, the dealers agreed to continue supplying meat to Metro Manila markets)," Bunye said.

Lorenzo said that despite the MHDAP’s decision to stop the "meat holiday," the meat supply in Metro Manila markets this morning had been reduced by about 70 percent.

He attributed this situation to the "late advice" given meat dealers, particularly the out-of-town suppliers, that the MHDAP had already called off the "meat holiday" in Metro Manila markets..

By this afternoon, however, Lorenzo said, the meat supply in the Metro Manila markets will be normalized.

MHDAP officers and members lauded President Macapagal-Arroyo’s immediate action on their problems and, thus, averted what could have been a meat supply crisis in Metro Manila.

The President welcomes the early resolution of this constitutional issue on which she has already expressed her personal belief.

The President fully supports the business community in the pursuit of clean and honest elections.

The government can now expedite the process of compensating the human rights victims during the dark years of Martial Law and pushing the agrarian reform program to new heights.

This is a triumph for justice as it is a triumph for the small people yearning for jobs and more opportunities to succeed.

This is part of our fight for change.

The charge that this money will be used for campaigning is hogwash.

Presidential Campaign Spokesman Michael Defensor today welcomed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec’s) dismissal, for lack of merit, the disqualification case against opposition candidate Fernando Poe, Jr.

"Now we can present our platforms of government. This should be the level of debate by now," Defensor said in a radio interview, minutes after the Comelec First Division ruled that the pieces of evidence presented by two private lawyers on Poe’s citizenship were "not substantial."

Although lawyers Andresito and Victorino Fornier, who petitioned for Poe’s disqualification, said that they would file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec en banc, Defensor said both camps could "now engage in the campaign and educate the people" about their respective programs of government.

He said that the disqualification case against Poe overshadowed more important campaign issues.

Defensor said that the ruling K-4 Coalition Ticket headed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her running mate, Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, is campaigning on the platform of performance, solid achievements and experience during the three years of the present administration.

Malacaņang had earlier categorically denied that it was behind the moves to disqualify Poe, saying that the President has been committed to uphold "decency, civility and good governance."

On Thursday, the President appointed Marietta Chou, a career official of the Records Management and Archives Office (RMAO), as officer-in-charge of the agency, after she approved the application of Director Ricardo Manapat for indefinite leave of absence.

Rescued kidnap victim Dominga Chou today ruled out hiring personal bodyguards, saying she still feel secure and confident with the capability of law enforcement authorities to protect the people.

The 67-year-old Filipino-Chinese businesswoman issued the statement after she was presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacanang following her rescue in Caloocan City by combined elements of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Armed Forces of the Philippines – National Capital Region Command (AFP-NCRC).

Chou was accompanied to the Palace by NAKTAF chief Secretary Angelo Reyes, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco, NCRC commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Braganza and John Kaw of the Filipino–Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chou lauded the President and her rescuers for her safe release from the clutches of her abductors, believed to be members of the dreaded Waray-Waray kidnap-for-ransom gang.

The Filipino-Chinese community was also ecstatic over Chou’s rescue. "This is very good news. We are very happy," said Teresita Ang-See, president of the advocacy group Citizen’s Action Against Crime.

"I hope kidnappers see that the government means business and their days are numbered," Ang-See added.

Four suspected members of the ring were arrested in the raid. They were identified as Ricky Lagado, Edwin Delfin, Marvin Peralta and Joselito Tamayo. The operatives also confiscated two Cal. 38 revolvers and several rounds of ammunition..

The President also commended the composite team that swooped down on the kidnappers’ hideout in Barangay Maligaya in Caloocan City at about 6:30 this morning.

"I am happy to get out of my sick bed for a few minutes to welcome Mrs. Dominga Chou who was rescued this morning in Caloocan City. I congratulate Gen, Braganza, the new commander of the Metro Manila Armed Forces Command. This is his first day in his new post," President Macapagal-Arroyo said.

She also cited Wycoco, along with Chief Superintendent Arturo Lomibao, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police.

Charges of kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions were being prepared against the arrested suspects.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been told by her doctors to take a rest for at least 48 hours.

In his press briefing this afternoon, Bunye said the President took the advice of her doctors and is now resting.

He said that Dr. Phaveena Aguinaldo, the President’s attending physician, has diagnosed her with fever and cough.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) denying the petition to disqualify presidential aspirant Fernando Poe, Jr.

In his regular press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said that the early resolution on the disqualification issue against Poe would be a good signal to the country’s democratic system.

"The President welcomes the decision on this particular case. It’s good that we have an early resolution of this constitutional question. And as you very well know the President has already expressed her personal belief on this particular issue. She said that the more choices we have the better for our democratic system," Bunye said.

Bunye said that the President has called on all sectors in society to support the Comelec as an institution and to rally behind the holding of the May 10 elections.

"The President believes that in order for us to have this clean, honest and orderly elections we should have a Comelec that is supportive of this particular aim. And she is calling on all sectors to support the Comelec as an institution," Bunye said.

"The more we cooperate towards this end, the better for all of us," he added.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have shown signs of economic growth as the peace and order situation in these southern provinces started to stabilize.

"Ang unang-unang kailangan lalo na sa Sulu ay iyong kapayapaan. Kaya una nating ginawa ay sinugpo natin ang Abu Sayyaf (A primary requirement, particularly in Sulu, is peace. That is why what we did first is to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf)," the President said in a radio interview.

Super Radyo-Zamboanga City asked Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo what her plans are for the two provinces "which appeared to be left behind by the other provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)."

The President pointed out that from the estimated 4,000 Abu Sayyaf members before she took over the reins of governance, the strength of the outlawed Muslim group has been reduced to as low as 100 combatants.

At present, the President said, various government projects and programs are helping the two provinces catch up with their neighbors.

President Macapagal-Arroyo cited the propagation of carageenan farming in Sulu with financial assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The President said a coffee plantation was also established in Sulu while a port was put up in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to spur their economic growth and provide additional livelihood for local residents.

The Chief Executive said the nearby island province of Basilan has dramatically improved following the holding of the RP-US Balikatan exercises in the area.

The President said the US troops helped build an airport and a circumferential road in Basilan.