Purefoods Hormel Company, Inc., a unit of the San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. will open soon a P2-billion manufacturing and processing facility in Cavite to supply Hormel and Purefoods products to Asia.

Purefoods Hormel Company, Inc. president Fransisco Alejo III said that the construction on the six-hectare factory in General Trias started last year, and will be operational by May or June.

"It will be one of the biggest meat processing facilities in Asia and will complement our existing Marikina plant," Alejo said.

Purefoods Hormel is a 60 percent- 40 percent partnership of San Miguel Pure Foods and Hormel Foods USA. San Miguel Corporation purchased Purefoods from Ayala in 1999.

Purefoods Hormel produces and markets processed meats and food service items. Aside from processed meat plants in Marikina and Cavite, it also operates two hog farms.

Hormel Foods International Corporation president Richard A. Bross told reporters that the Cavite plant would be the supply hub for Purefoods and Hormel chilled and frozen products to be shipped to other Asian countries.

Countries where San Miguel operates such as Vietnam and Indonesia, will be pilot supply target areas.

Hormel vice president for Asia-Pacific David L. Longacre said the Marikina plant would focus on canned Hormel products.

"The new facility will have a capacity of 240 metric tons a day for production of hotdogs alone," he said.

Longacre said that the Cavite plant would also make ham, bacon, sausages, and food service items such as pizza toppings and bacon bits, which would all be vacuum-packed.

Only the Philippines, Japan and Korea are licensed to manufacture Spam in Asia. Some six billion cans of Spam have been sold worldwide.

"Purefoods Hormel has been experiencing double-digit growth every year since 1999," said Alejo.

Purefoods Hormel’s revenues grew by 18 percent last year, and given the expected expansion of the food sector, this growth is expected to sustained this year.

Its flagship product is hotdog, while corned beef and luncheon meats are also major revenue contributors.

"We are very bullish. The Philippines is a young market and we expect to continue to maintain the double-digit growth," Alejo said.

I have to protect the interest of the average Filipino, especially the riding public.

I have ordered the DOTC to cancel the franchises of jeepney operators who violate the law.

We shall provide alternative transport to cover strike-affected routes, including military trucks, more buses and more train runs.

The DOTC and MMDA have been given the authority to undertake all measures to maintain steady public transport presence and ensure that passengers are not stranded.

We will deal with this issue with the rule of law, sustained dialogue with the majority of well-meaning transport operators and with a clear view of the public interest involved.

The problems of the transport groups have not fallen on deaf ear since the government has been exerting all efforts to address these problems.

Up to this point, there is nothing in the investigation that shows this was a terrorist incident.

The Coast Guard confirms this and is on top of an in-depth probe.

We will get to the root cause of this specific matter in due time.

The calls to the media, text messages and rumors are the work of pranksters.

These could also be coming from terrorists themselves, but only as an afterthought to propagandize their evil cause and instigate fear.

I urge calm and sobriety and I ask the media not to propagate panic and untoward speculation.

Nevertheless, what is important is to find those missing, and I assure their families that this will be our current priority.

We will establish the cause of the fire and undertake the necessary measures to ensure it is not repeated.

The supposed report is absurd, especially the inclusion of Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Vidal in it.

But what is even more absurd is for the opposition to use this incredible report as a campaign issue in an obvious attempt to boost their dwindling support.

While we believe that there are indeed certain destabilization plans in the air, the administration is handling this with and utmost sense of responsibility.

The DFA is already coordinating with US authorities to get all the necessary information involving our seafarers and to ensure that the injured Filipinos in the tanker blast are well taken care of.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Executive Order No. 286 directing all government agencies to actively support and implement programs on the "Bright Child."

EO 286 defines the "Bright Child" program as the "delivery of a one-brand package of interventions on food and nutrition, health, early education and psycho-social programs for young children resulting in their optimum growth and development."

The President signed EO 286 on February 23 and was released three days later by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo.

The EO was in pursuance of Republic Act 8980, which requires the promulgation of a comprehensive policy and a national system for early childhood care and development (ECCD) to promote the welfare of Filipino children. The ECCD system has an integrative program using complementary strategies that include service delivery for children from conception to six years old.

EO 268 provides for the allocation of P5 million from the President’s Contingent Fund for a campaign to promote the "Bright Child" program and for seed money to initially implement the integrated programs in nutritionally depressed communities.

President Macapagal-Arroyo has mandated the Council of the Welfare of Children/National Early Childhood Care and Development Coordinating Council (CWC/NECCDCC) to ensure the sustained inter-agency and multi-sectoral collaboration in the implementation of programs on the "Bright Child" at the national and local levels.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) was also tasked by the President to assist the NECCDCC in sourcing funds needed for "Bright Child" programs.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, on the other hand, is tasked to do periodic evaluations and assessments on the nutritionally depressed communities which are considered areas for the programs on the "Bright Child."

EO 286 underscores the urgent need for both government and the private sector to intensify collaboration in promoting the child-friendly movement by supporting the "Bright Child" program.

The "Bright Child" program also calls for educating parents and caregivers as well encouraging their active involvement in government efforts to raise awareness about the quality of life for young children and their families.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that the Abu Sayyaf claim of responsibility for the explosion and fire that destroyed Superferry 14 off Corregidor Island on Friday (February 27), could be the "work of pranksters" or of terrorists, "as an afterthought to propagandize their evil cause and instigate fear."

The President said, in a statement, that "up to this point, there is nothing in the investigation that shows this was a terrorist incident."

"The Coast Guard confirms this and is on top of an in-depth probe," she added. "We will get to the root cause of this specific matter in due time."

In a radio interview this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye provided a more detailed explanation on why the Abu Sayyaf claim was groundless.

"There were no metal fragments found in the victims’ wounds. The evacuation, according to the victims, was carried out in an orderly fashion. The supposed site of explosion was used as the evacuation point. These negate the Abu Sayyaf claim of responsibility for the Superferry 14 sabotage," Bunye said.

Bunye said that the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are continuing their search and rescue operations. The President has directed them to do so until all the missing passengers have been accounted for, he added.

In her statement, President Macapagal-Arroyo said that what is important now is to find those missing and, "I assure their families that this will be our current priority."

She called on the people to remain calm and asked the media not to propagate panic and untoward speculation. "We will establish the cause of the fire and undertake the necessary measures to ensure it is not repeated," she said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s all-out war against illegal drugs resulted in the dismantling of another shabu laboratory in Quezon City and the seizure of an estimated 30 kilos of high-grade methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P60-million and 3,700 kilos of ephedrine.

The President personally congratulated the different drug enforcement agencies and local residents for the discovery of the clandestine drug laboratory located at 193 Scout Chuatoco St., Barangay Obrero, Quezon City.

During her inspection of the shabu lab, the President was accompanied by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jose Lina Jr., Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and PNP Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOT) chief Police Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay.

The confiscated ephedrine chemicals were packed in 148 sacks when discovered by the raiding team and scattered in the eight-room two-storey apartment rented by Taiwanese nationals.

"I would like to congratulate DILG Secretary Lina, the Dangerous Drugs Board under his leadership, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Anselmo Avenido Jr., AIDSOT chief PNP Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay and the residents here who tipped the authorities about the presence of this shabu laboratory that paved the way for our operatives to dismantle this shabu laboratory," President Arroyo said after inspecting the shabu lab.

The President expressed her confidence that the Drug Free Philippines by 2010 can be achieved with the dismantling of this shabu laboratory in line with her administration’s intensified anti-illegal drugs operations.

She said that upon receiving unverified reports from concerned citizens in the area, the PNP immediately put under surveillance the premises and confirmed the presence of shabu equipment used for manufacturing high-grade shabu.

Taiwanese nationals who also operated the dismantled illegal drugs laboratory in Antipolo City were able to abandon the QC shabu laboratory before the authorities raided the place.

AIDSOT operatives swooped down on the laboratory at 7 this morning by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Natividad Giron-Dizon of the Regional Trial Court (RTC)-QC. They served the warrant in the presence of Barangay Obrero officials.

After the inspection, the President motored to Barangay Sta. Lucia, Fairview, Quezon City to lead the inauguration and blessing ceremony of the Sta. Lucia Mega Health Center.

The Philippines can now veer away from the usual household or domestic helper market in Singapore.

This, after the city state has announced it is relaxing its policy on the hiring of foreign workers, paving the way for Filipino skilled workers in the field of health care, information technology and bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing to work there.

In a report to Malacanang, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Singapore Acting Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen has announced the easing of the rules on foreign workers to get the people they need and keep its edge in businesses.

The DOLE has instructed the Labor attaché in Singapore and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to link up with Singaporean authorities and private sector to put together a plan to tap the latest available labor market in Singapore.

The new policy is a positive development for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as they are, according to DOLE, highly preferred for the sectors mentioned.

In recent months, the job orders being processed by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) are mainly for health care workers. The DOLE expects an increase in the demand for OFWs with the latest Singapore pronouncements.

The DOLE report says it is important for OFWs to be made adept on new programs in the field of information technology to add value to their competitiveness and marketability in a techno-savvy city like Singapore.

The report also says the same is true for aerospace technicians who should acquaint themselves on the latest aircraft technology and inventions.

The Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI), a nationwide non-government, socio-civic organization, has pledged its unqualified support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is seeking a full six-year term in the May 10 elections.

The expression of support was embodied in a resolution presented to the President by the PGBI officers during a courtesy call Sunday night at Malacanang.

The group was headed by retired Col. Virgilio Briones and Col. Romeo Lazo, PGBI vice president for Luzon and president for the National Capital Region and Rizal, respectively.

In another development, the prestigious Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) vehemently denied insinuations that it is supporting the presidential bid of actor Fernando Poe Jr.

During its annual fellowship meeting held last Friday at the AGFO Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the members forged a consensus that their organization "must remain apolitical or non-partisan."

The resolution came following a so-called "December 8 incident" wherein some AGFO members appeared on television and other media outlets with a streamer in the background emblazoned with "AGFO for Poe."

AGFO officials strongly denied the suggestion that their entire organization is supporting Poe’s candidacy although the controversy refused to die down.

"The members may have their own political preferences, but they should avoid dragging AGFO by clearly stating that they are doing it in their own personal capacity;" the AGFO said in a statement.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said today there is no need to suspend classes amid the jeepney strike of a minority group of transport operators, saying the government is on top of the situation.

In a press briefing this afternoon, Bunye disclosed that in a report received by Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera, Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza assured the public the government is in control of the situation.

"As per Secretary Lagonera, (there’s) no need to suspend the classes anymore, according to Secretary Larry Mendoza. So, it looks like the situation is under control," Bunye said.

Bunye reiterated that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is open to a dialogue with any transport group, but is quite disappointed that the striking jeepney sector has already decided to go on with its plan.

He said that any talks with the striking group could be futile, even if the President finds her way to reach out to them since they already have "closed minds."

"You have to recall that they constitute a minority and the rest of the transport sector that are more responsible did not join this particular action," Bunye said in evaluating the transport strike.

He maintained that the President would continue reaching out with other transport groups through Secretary Mendoza and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Maria Elena Bautista.

Earlier, the President ordered the DoTC to cancel the franchises of jeepney operators who violate the law while assuring the protection of the interest of the average Filipino, specifically the riding public.

The President, in a statement, said that the government will deal with the issue within the rule of law but assured other public transport groups that their problems have not fallen on deaf ears.

Malacanang defended the franchise cancellation order, saying it is clearly indicated in the Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) of the LTFRB which states that: