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24 JANUARY 2004 |
| The Good News: Inflation rate in January at 3 percent -- NEDA |
The inflation rate for this month is projected at 3 percent, with consumer prices remaining stable despite the hike in prices of oil, chicken and pork, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also forecasts a 4 to 5 percent inflation rate for the next two years after a low 3.1 percent average last year. The BSP also said consumer prices should remain manageable within the same period. Prices of chicken and pork are expected to stabilize or even go down after the Meat and Hog Dealers Association of the Philippines (MHDAP) backed off Thursday from a planned "meat holiday" in Metro Manila and promised to normalize supplies, heeding the appeal of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The leaders of the MHDAP, accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Luis "Cito" Lorenzo, met with the President in Malacaņang Thursday. Meat supply in Metro Manila markets was reduced by about 70 percent Friday morning due to the late advice given meat dealers, but Secretary Lorenzo said that the supply had normalized by Friday afternoon. The low inflation of 3.1 percent last year was lower than the target of 4.5-5.5 percent set by the BSP. BSP Governor Rafael Buenaventura attributed the achievement to the absence of significant demand-driven pressures that could push up consumer prices. Inflation is the increase in the volume of money and credit relative to the available goods, resulting in higher consumer prices. "Looking ahead to 2004, the expected path for inflation continues to be favorable. Current levels of employment and manufacturing capacity utilization continue to support a moderate path for inflation over the BSP’s two-year policy horizon," Buenaventura said. "Inflation rate should see a moderate increase in 2004-2005 as GDP (gross domestic product) growth strengths, aggregate demand conditions improve and planned adjustments in tariff rates and power rates exert a modest cost-push influence on consumer prices," Buenaventura said. Buenaventura assured the President and the Filipino people that BSP "shares the strong commitment of the government to reforming Philippine economy and leading it further on the path to long-term economic development." He said the BSP is committed to contribute to the balanced and sustainable growth of the economy through the promotion and maintenance of price stability and effective supervision over financial institutions under its jurisdiction. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Comelec resolution |
We welcome the Comelec’s decision and we look forward to clean, honest and orderly polls. We decry malicious reports that Malacanang had a hand in the bid to disqualify FPJ from the Presidential race. We have never placed derogatory advertising against any candidate in any newspapers and this can be verified from the editors themselves. The placement of anti-FPJ ads in the Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star is being mixed up with the aborted placement of ads for the government’s hybrid rice campaign. This smear job is the handiwork of malicious quarters out to wreck both Mr. Ronie Poe and the administration. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: Peso movement |
The ups and downs of the peso are driven in part by the day-to-day speculations and vagaries affecting the political situation. But our macroeconomic stability is firm and our political stability is unsullied. Currency speculators must not ride on transient public anxieties. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: May Gloria Ka, Bayan |
We have reformatted the regular President’s report on radio to include Kabayan Noli de Castro. The Gloria-Noli tandem is a partnership for change directed at the welfare of the average Filipino. The issues of water, education and hybrid rice. which are basic to a more secure society and stronger families, will be the first topics to be discussed. Gloria and Noli combine the leadership and experience for the economy and the ability to communicate the issues to the average Filipino. |
| GMA vows to continue pushing her patubig program |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the government would push to the hilt its water delivery program until every household in Metro Manila has been assured of potable water supply. The President said access to clean and safe water would lessen the occurrence of diseases among residents of blighted areas, particularly children, as it would address sanitation problems. "Ang malinis na tubig ay bahagi ng ating pagkain at bahagi ng kalusugan. Napakahalaga sa pagkain at sa kalusugan ang malinis na tubig (Potable water is part of our diet and health)" the President said in a radio chat with Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, her running mate in the May 2004 elections. The radio chat, entitled "May Gloria Ka …Bayan," was aired this morning. This replaces the weekly radio address of the President. Sen. de Castro concurred with the President’s observation that the provision of clean water is important to the health of the populace, particularly in depressed areas. "Maiiwasan ngayon na magkasakit lalung-lalo na iyong mga bata dahilan sa tubig na maruming naiinom nila. Ngayon kung may malinis na tubig, makakatulong na maka-prevent o maiwasan na magkasakit . (We can now prevent the people, particularly the children, from getting sick because they can now have clean water)," de Casto said.The President said her "Proyektong Patubig ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo" provides public access to potable water either by direct connection or temporary use of static and mobile water tanks in certain depressed communities in Metro Manila. The program, launched on Christmas Eve, has assured clean and safe water supply for some 200,000 households in "waterless" communities in Metro Manila. The "Patubig" task force initially targeted about 160,000 households in 300 communities in Metro Manila as project beneficiaries. The task force is composed of representatives from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), and two private water concessionaires--the Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI) and Maynilad Water Services. Other barangays that still do not have potable water supply may coordinate with PAGCOR, the project manager of the Patubig task force. After it has surpassed its target in Metro Manila, the Patubig program has been expanded to include the nearby provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, which comprise the CALABARZON growth area. |
| GMA pairs with 'Kabayan' in new program highlighting gov't programs for the masses |
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye today said the radio program "May Gloria Ka …Bayan" is a reformatted version of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s weekly radio report that tackles and elucidates on the programs and activities being undertaken for the masses by the government. "We have reformatted the regular President’s report on radio to include Kabayan Noli de Castro," Bunye said in a statement. Bunye said the President and Sen. de Castro, a veteran radio/TV commentator and anchorman, who is her vice presidential running mate in the May 10, 2004 elections, "combine the leadership and experience for the economy and the ability to communicate the issues to the average Filipino." The reformatted program that started airing today over Radyo ng Bayan run for around 15 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. and, henceforth, is to be aired three times a week. The first episode focused on measures on how to avert a possible water shortage this summer and the administration’s "Patubig ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo" project that has benefited more than 200,000 households in the waterless communities of Metro Manila. The next episodes would deliberate on the government’s rice hybrid program and the scholarship program for poor students. "The issues of water, education and hybrid rice, which are basic to a more secure society and stronger families, were the first topics discussed," Bunye said. Earlier, the one-hour program "May Gloria Pa ang Bukas Mo" aired every Saturday also on Radyo ng Bayan, was reformatted into a 10-minute radio message of the President. Press Secretary Milton Alingod said the program "May Gloria Ka …Bayan" is similar to the President’s weekly radio message that has been incorporated in the new program. "The only difference is the President is now backed up by Noli in presenting and explaining the significant government programs to the people," Alingod said. Alingod added that there would be no talk of politics in the program. |
