Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri says that the positive import trend observed in November 2003, is indicative of higher investments in the country this year..

Neri, who is also director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), was referring to data released recently by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showing increases in all import categories, with capital goods rising by 2.6 percent; raw materials and intermediate goods, 5.1 percent; and consumer goods, 4.2 percent.

The NSO reported that for the second straight month in November, 2003, imports grew by 4.3 percent to $3.2 billion, bringing the cumulative imports last year to a total of $34.38 billion, or five percent higher than the previous year.

Capital goods imports, according to the NSO, sustained the growth rate of the previous months and totaled $1.32 billion, reflecting an increase of 10.7 percent for the period January to November that fueled recovery of the transportation and telecommunication industries.

"The positive capital goods hint at a broader investment recovery as extensive capital build-up was recorded in the form of telecommunication equipment (10.4 percent), power generating machines (1.3 percent), aircraft, ships and boat (49 percent), among others," Neri said.

The NEDA chief said the increase in imports of raw materials and intermediate goods indicate a sustained build-up in inventory for future production.

"Noteworthy is the 8.3 percent increase in imports of electronic products, a critical source of inputs for the domestic electronics industry, which augurs well for the Philippine electronics sector," he said.

The rebound in consumer goods imports from the decline of previous months, Neri said, was lifted by demands in the holiday season. He cited the 41 percent increase in home appliances, 27.1 percent increase in passenger cars and motorcycles, and 10.3 percent increase in other manufactured products.

Imports of textile yarns and fabrics and made-up articles have not yet bottomed out, but the local garments industry, according to Neri, remains confident that the country will realize a five percent growth this year.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported that it exceeded its tax collection targets for December and the full year of 2003, citing an "expanding" economy, administrative reforms, and improved tax compliance as the key factors to its success.

Tax revenues for December amounted to P36.7 billion, exceeding the monthly goal of P34.5 billion, or up by P2.2 billion.

For the full year, tax collections reached P425.3 billion, above the annual target of P424.billion by P1.3 billion.

Our focus on governance is unrelenting.

Our economic platform is clearly delineated in the day to day actions of the government.

Yesterday, the President broke ground for the new Iloilo International Airport as another step forward in expanding our economic frontiers domestically and globally.

She also launched additional megawatts of power for the Panay grid as part of our effort to stabilize the power supply in the Visayas grid over the next ten years.

These are the large ticket economic items that will draw investments, create jobs and bring prosperity to the average Filipino.

CABATUAN, Iloilo – The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and residents of Iloilo that implementation of the P6.2 billion new airport project here will be free from graft and corruption.

DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza made the assurance in response to questions by local media during a press conference held Sunday night at Model Senior Citizens Center here.

"Well, there are some insinuations (of irregularity in the bidding), but I would like to assure you that the process we undertook was very transparent. It was devoid of any irregularity and it was above board," Mendoza said.

Mendoza said that the oversight committee and the steering committee, chaired by Senate President Franklin Drilon, can testify that there was no irregularity in the bidding process for the new airport.

Aside from Drilon, members of the committee included Iloilo Governor Neil D. Tupas, Jr., Congressmen Arthur Defensor of the 3^rd District and Augusto Syjuco of the 2^nd District, and the mayors of Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara, the host municipalities.

"Of course, kung meron mang napakainteresado dito sa project ay si Senate President Drilon, to see to it that this project is not only pursued and completed but also not tainted by corruption," Mendoza added.

For his part, Drilon explained that if the alleged irregularity had any basis, a complainant should come out by now, particularly from the ranks of landowners of the 186-hectare airport site.

"It (project) covers 186 hectares, and yet not a single landowner has ever complained that some individuals made money. We purchased 186 hectares," Drilon said.

He also assured the people of Iloilo that he will not allow the airport project to be tainted with corruption.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered strict quarantine to insulate the country from the bird flu epidemic that has swept at least seven Asian countries.

This developed as Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye gave assurances that the country remains safe from the avian flu. Nevertheless, the Department of Health (DOH) has taken precautionary steps to prevent the inroad of the disease into the Philippines, Bunye added.

"We need to keep a tight rein and a watchful eye on inbound poultry products for as long as the bird flu threat lasts," the President said in a statement.

The President said the country’s experience with the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has sharpened its defense Mechanisms against the bird flu epidemic.

"Our vigilance mechanisms have been honed by the SARS threat and the concerned agencies have teamed up in implementing precautions against the entry of infected poultry into the country’s markets," Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said.

"Zero incidence is our objective and everybody must work on it," she stressed.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza also ordered a strict scrutiny of all incoming shipments of meat products particularly those from countries affected by the bid flu epidemic.

Bunye assured the public that there is no bird flu case yet in the Philippines and pointed out that the DOH is on top of the situation and has taken the necessary precautions.

In a radio interview, Bunye said the country’s experience with SARS is expected to serve the government in good stead.

ILOILO CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated the local officials and organizers of the 2004 Dinagyang Festival for successfully staging the traditional thanksgiving feast in honor of Senior Sto. Niņo.

The President spoke extemporaneously in Ilonggo during the awarding of trophies and cash gifts to winners in the festival held Sunday night at the Freedom Grandstand here.

Dinagyang is a thanksgiving feast offered by the Ilongos to the Lord Almighty for the blessings bestowed on them. The festival, which showcases the socio-economic progress of the city and the province of Iloilo, seeks to promote Ilonggo cultural heritage.

House Deputy Speaker Raul Gonzales, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas assisted the President in the distribution of trophies.

The winners in the 2004 Dinagyang festival, who received trophies and cash prizes, were Tribu Aguilawan (2^nd runner up), Tribu Maragtas (1^st runner up) and Tribu Kahilwayan (champion) in the Kasadyahan category.

Vacationing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or Balik Manggagawa, who came home during the holiday season, expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the efficient services they received on the processing of their e-receipts, overseas employment certificates (OECs) or e-cards during the holiday season.

This was the feedback received by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) from Balik Manggagawa or vacationing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who trooped to the POEA Central Office, mall satellite offices and in the POEA regional offices to have their e-receipts, or e-cards processed during the peak season from Dec. 16, 2003 to Jan. 15, 2004.

In a report to Malacaņang, POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said that POEA and OWWA have set up satellite processing centers in various malls nationwide to bring the services closer to the OFWs.

This was part of the Pamaskong Handog program for OFWs implemented by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration through POEA and OWWA.

Baldoz said that for the duration of the peak season Balik Manggagawa processing satellite centers were opened at Robinsons Galleria Mall in Ortigas, Festival Super Mall in Alabang, SM Davao, SM Cebu, SM Iloilo and SM Pampanga.

Some 38,542 Balik Manggagawa or OFWs trooped to the POEA Central Office, POEA regional offices and the various malls for processing of their e-receipts, OECs and e-cards.

Former President Corazon Aquino today thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the "great honor" of naming her old office at the Premier Guest House as the President Corazon Aquino Room, a day after her birthday.

In remarks after unveiling a marker and a simple blessing ceremony, the former President said she had many beautiful memories not only of the office but of the entire Premier Guest House.

When she assumed the Presidency after the EDSA I revolution in February 1986, Tita Cory, as she is fondly called, held office at the Premier Guest House in front of the Malacaņang Palace.

She received dignitaries, diplomats and official calls at the office located at the second floor of the Premier Guest House. At the lobby and reception area on the first floor, the President used to administer the oaths of appointed officials of her government.

"I think the reason I chose this instead of working in Malacaņang was I knew I was just a guest, that I would not be here forever," the former President said pointing out that her role then as President was "very temporary."

Mrs. Aquino was President from 1986 to 1992. She was instrumental in the restoration of democracy in the country by leading the People Power Revolt, or EDSA I revolution in 1986, that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

After the blessing ceremony, the President ushered "Tita Cory" to a lunch she tendered for the occasion in honor of the former President at the Premier Guest House.

Present at the lunch were the immediate members of the President’s family, namely: First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, son Pampanga Vice Govenor Mikey Arroyo and daughter-in-law Angela, son Dato, and daughter Lulli.

Malacanang today allayed fears of a temporary military takeover in the government and expressed confidence in the continuing loyalty of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the Constitution and to their Commander in Chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The remarks were made by Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye during a press briefing in reacting to the reported call by the so-called Citizens’ Committee on the National Crisis (CCNC) to the AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso Abaya to temporarily take over the government until a new President receives mandate in the coming May 10 elections.

"We cannot speak for that particular group (CCNC) but we can say that as far as the AFP is concerned, they respect the Constitution, they respect the chain of command and they are loyal to their Commander in Chief," Bunye said.

The Presidential Spokesman said that President Macapagal-Arroyo remained committed to have the elections pushed through as scheduled, dispelling the belief of some group about a No-Election (No-El) scenario.

He noted the President’s confidence on the loyalty of the military which was earlier proven when the Macapagal-Arroyo administration survived several crisis, including the failed July 27 mutiny.

Malacanang assured the public today that no government resources would be utilized for the campaign of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is seeking a full six-year term in the May 10 elections.

"The resources of the (government) should not be utilized for partisan politics. It should be service-oriented," Housing Secretary Michael Defensor said in a press briefing at the Palace.

Speaking in his capacity as campaign spokesman of the ruling K-4 coalition, Defensor also stressed that officials and employees of the various departments of the executive branch should not be coerced to get involved in the political campaign.

He clarified, however, that under the guidelines drawn up by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice, Cabinet secretaries may persuade the people to take part in the political exercise without sacrificing their mandated functions as government officials.

He explained that electoral involvement of members of the President’s official family should be within the limits of the guidelines drawn up by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice.

"Definitely, governance should not suffer, and it should continue as what they have in the United States," Defensor said.

He pointed out that major government agencies such as the departments of health, social welfare, public works and highways, justice, national defense and the interior and local government cannot be involved in the campaign and would have to continue doing their official functions.

Defensor also said the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) will take over the role as the government’s official mouthpiece pertaining matters of governance when the campaign season officially begins on February 10.

On the other hand, a media bureau would be set up specifically for the campaign.

"If it will be on the governance aspect, then they (OPS officials) will have to respond. But if it will be on the campaign, then it will be the media bureau of the campaign to respond to that," Defensor explained.

For his part, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said despite the distractions caused by the seething political climate, President Macapagal-Arroyo remained focused on governance.

"You will notice, the activities of the President are clearly delineated along the lines of bringing to the people substantive projects…substantive activities that will bring economic benefits for everybody," Bunye said in his own press briefing at Malacanang.

He cited as example Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo’s trip on Sunday to Iloilo where she inaugurated a 114-megawatt power plant and launched the Panay Power Delivery Program. She also presided at the groundbreaking rites for the proposed new international airport in Iloilo City.