The Port Management Office of Batangas (PMO-Batangas) has announced that the average volume of cargo it handles has risen by 17 percent since the roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations commenced in the middle of 2003.

Initiated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Ro-Ro program aims to speed up the development of the countryside by enhancing trade and delivery of goods and services.

Port of Batangas manager Constatine T. Farinas, Jr. said more shipping operators are showing interest in investing in the Batangas-Calapan route due to the viable market opportunities it offers.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported that the Batangas-Calapan route is the second most successful among all the Ro-Ro routes, next to the Roxas-Caticlan link.

At present, four shipping operators serve the Batangas-Calapan route: Montenegro Shipping Lines, Starlite Express, Ace Shipping Lines and Viva Shipping Lines.

The recently-completed Phase One of the Batangas port, with an area of 20 hectares, is equipped with six Ro-Ro ramps and a domestic general cargo open storage where vehicles can be parked until boarding time.

Farinas said that the PPA-Batangas expects the overall volume of both containerized shipments and general cargo to go up by at least 12 percent this year due to increasing number of Ro-Ro operators and investors.

He added that the port management is continuously working to bring down the passenger and freight rates, as well as the Ro-Ro fees, while continuing to maintain, if not increase, PPA revenues.

"We are trying to emphasize the difference between the Ro-Ro and the passenger rates because people tend to confuse the rates for these particular services," Farinas said.

The final road to victory starts today as the local campaign cuts in.

We are the only coalition that has a 100 percent fill up in all electoral posts.

These will provide the direct link with the popular vote that we need to bring our fight to the grassroots.

All our local candidates support our platform for change and this will be consolidated and integrated throughout the country.

We have held the high ground of issues in this campaign and this will be carried by our candidates at the local level.

Politics is muddling the truth behind the Maynilad controversy but we have faith in the people’s sense of fairness and enlightenment.

Once they have a full grasp of the issues and directly benefit from the services of the water firm under government’s management, the people will realize that we made the right decision.

The cases filed against me are a means to prevent me from serving the people and they will not deter me a bit from doing my duty.

Every case filed against me is an opportunity for my detractors and the opposition to grandstand in the media.

The opposition should not use the courts as a mudslinging, harassment and campaigning device.

The courts are a forum of the truth and of noble intentions, not an instrument to impede earnest public service.

We have reduced the capability of terrorist groups to launch attacks in the country, but we are taking no chances.

We are monitoring all levels of underground activity.

This is not a political witch hunt but a real accounting of dangerous persons and intentions.

Some people may see opportunities for terrorism as the election fever heats up.

Malacaņang said today that the depreciation of the peso against the dollar is a "temporary phenomenon," which could be expected to end after the elections on May 10, 2004.

In a radio interview this morning, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said a major cause of that "temporary situation" is the "political jitters," which the country experiences during this election year.

"Kung minsan naaapektuhan din ‘yong ating pananalapi dahil sa weakness din ng ibang regional currencies (Sometimes, the peso is also affected be the weakness of other currencies in the Asia-Pacific region)," he said.

But, Bunye assured the people that the country has strong economic fundamentals. "Our inflation rate is low and our interest rate has also remained low," he said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today issued Proclamation No. 586 declaring March 25 of each year as the "Day of the Unborn" in the Philippines.

The proclamation, signed Wednesday (March 24) by the President, stressed the need for comprehensive health services "to prevent and effectively manage complications of pregnancy and child birth."

Noting that almost 3 percent of fetal deaths in the Philippines is due to the effects of maternal health, nutrition and socio-behavioral factors, the proclamation said that "it is necessary that quality and timely interventions before, during and after pregnancy be developed through comprehensive health services."

The President announced her declaration of the "Day of the Unborn" during a holy mass, held this morning at the Heroes Hall of Malacaņang. Msgr. Augusto Laban, assisted by Fr. James Reuter and Fr. Dane Clay, celebrated the mass.

The proclamation of the "Day of the Unborn," which coincides with observance of the Feast of Annunciation in Roman Catholic countries, seeks to "promote a culture of life and defense of life from the moment of conception."

Among those present during the eucharistic celebration were Press Secretary Milton Alingod, Presidential Adviser on Ecclesiastical and Media Affairs Conrado "Dodie" Limcaoco, nuns and laymen from religious orders.

In a statement, Limcaoco said that he suggested to the President the proclamation of the "Day of the Unborn" after reading an article about it in Zenit, a Catholic international news service.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said the takeover of the Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) is not detrimental to the government as the Lopezes, not the government, would continue paying its debts worth billions of pesos.

The President said the government takeover of Maynilad will ensure the provision of potable water to the poor communities in Metro Manila.

The President made the announcement this morning during the launching of another " Patubig ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo" project in Barangay Bagbag, Quezon City.

"Yung issue na iyan walang binabayaran ang gobyerno sa mga Lopez. Ang mga Lopez tuloy pa ring babayaran ang utang nila (In this case, the government does not pay the Lopezes. The Lopezes will continue paying Maynilad’s debts," the President said.

The President said the residents of Barangay Bagbag and other poor communities in Metro Manila, who earlier asked for water interconnection, clearly understand that they will benefit greatly from the government move to take over the administration of Maynilad.

The President urged the Barangay Bagbag residents to explain the issue to everyone so the public will clearly understand the government move to take over MWSI would benefit poor and waterless communities in Metro Manila.

"Mauunawaan ng taumbayan na tama ang desisyon ng pamahalaan. Wala ng makakapigil sa atin na magdala ng malinis na tubig sa tahanan ng karaniwang Pilipino (The public will understand the government made the right move. No one can stop the government from providing potable water to the homes of the ordinary Filpinos)," the President said.

The President was welcomed at 9:20 a.m. in Barangay Bagbag by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles and Barangay Chairman Carlito Bernardino.

After a short briefing, the President ceremonially opened the faucet of a water tank that would bring potable water every afternoon to some 800 households in the areas of Katipunan Kaliwa 2, Blas-Roque Compound, Wings Compound, and Dupax Compound in Barangay Bagbag.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye today commended the principal sponsors of the Clean Water Act of 2004, particularly reelectionist Senator Robert Jaworski, which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed on Monday.

In a radio interview over Radio ng Bayan, Bunye said that this very important piece of legislation is aimed at controlling the pollution that destroys water, such as the pollution that comes from households and factories.

According to Bunye, the law also intends to provide centralized treatment system for the urban areas to maintain clean water.

Jaworski, chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, was the principal author in the Senate version of the bill (Senate Bill No. 2115) which gives more teeth to a comprehensive water management program, thereby assuring strict water quality standards.

The principal author in the House of Representatives version of the bill (House Bill No. 5398) was Representative Augusto Baculio, chairman of the house committee on ecology.

According to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Eliza Gozun, the Clean Water Act is an important law that would pursue all issues that affect the state of the country’s water quality.

STO. TOMAS, Pangasinan—Pangasinan will go all-out for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo following the pledge of support given by the influential "Biskeg na Pangasinan" (Strength of Pangasinan), an alliance of political leaders pushing for development of the province.

The statement of support for the President was read during the birthday Wednesday night of Sto. Tomas Mayor Antonio Villar Jr., an acknowledged political kingpin of the province. Among those who attended were Governor Victor Agbayani, Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, Congressmen Amado Espino of the second district and Generoso Tulagan of the third district, provincial board members, mayors and other political leaders.

Vice Governor Lambino, secretary-general of "Biskeg," said the group is made up of 12 provincial board members, six congressmen and 38 of 48 city and municipal mayors of Pangasinan.

The statement settled the issue on who "Biskeg" should support in the coming elections after this has been left hanging since the start of the election period.

This development brushed aside suspicions that the alliance was bent on supporting Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr., who was "Biskeg’s" guest during a special meeting held last January in Villar’s home in Sto. Tomas.

"Biskeg" was a movement in central Pangasinan that spread up to the eastern and western parts of the province. It is made up of political leaders from Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Kampi and other parties.

The group espouses unity among political leaders and all Pangasinenses so that development of the province could be speeded up.

Lambino said after reaching a consensus, the members of the group will concentrate on one goal—that is to ensure the victory of President Arroyo in Pangasinan in the coming elections.

The statement reads inpart: "We hope that with our unity in Pangasinan, we could deliver to the President the majority votes she rightfully deserves being a true daughter of the province."

In pledging its support for the President, "Biskeg" said that the incumbent Chief Executive has "the experience, intellectual capability, quality leadership, strong governance and good track record in dealing with the various problems besetting the country today."

The group vowed to bring together local leaders who belong to various political groups to rally behind the President by setting aside political differences.

"Together we can build a strong Pangasinan, together we can build a stronger Republic as envisioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," "Biskeg said.

Gov. Agbayani said "Biskeg" is a very strong force in Pangasinan, since it is composed of the leaders with varying political orientations.

The entry of local candidates in the campaign starting today boosts President Gloria Macapagal’s bid for a full six-year term of office as well as that of the bets running with her under the banner of Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K-4).

Presidential Campaign Spokesman Michael T. Defensor said that K-4, an alliance of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Kampi and other political groupings, has fielded local candidates in all congressional, provincial and municipal posts at stake in the May 10 elections.

"Maraming lugar ang suportado ng mga kandidatong lokal ang ating Presidente kung saan walang kandidato o suporta ang ibang partido (In many places, the local candidates are supporting the President, while in places where other parties don’t have candidates, her opponents don’t have any support at all)," Defensor said.

Defensor also said that in some places, rival camps are supporting the President, her vice presidential running mate Senator Noli "Kabayan" de Castro and the entire K-4 senatorial ticket.

He cited in particular the province of Leyte, where outgoing Governor Remedios Petilla and former Congressman Sergio Apostol, who is now running for governor against Petilla’s son, Jericho, are both supporting President Macapagal-Arroyo.

BATANGAS CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today thanked outgoing Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and the people of the province for their support for her administration, particularly in pushing for infrastructure development in the province.

In her remarks at the ceremony signaling the topping works of the P300-million Batangas Port Livelihood Center (BPLC) here, the President said what Batangas needs is a president who can understand their needs so that the development of the province would continue.

The President recalled that she was responsible, while still an undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), for the creation of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) growth area, with the international port in Batangas as a vital component.

According to the President, with the expansion of the Batangas port, it was necessary to provide livelihood opportunities to displaced residents in Barangay Sta. Clara, and it was Governor Mandanas, then working with a non-government organization (NGO), who pledged to work on it.

And the result is the BLPC, a joint project of the Philippine Ports Authority and the provincial government of Batangas, the President said.

The President said that the people of Batangas are part and parcel of her administration and what it is doing not only for Batangas but for the whole country.

During the ceremony, Mandanas, who was also celebrating his 60^th birthday, openly campaigned for the President and the entire Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K-4) slate.

The Governor explained to his constituents that the election of President Macapagal-Arroyo for a full six-year term would mean more progress for Batangas and the rest of the country.

"As your father here in Batangas, I seek your support and let us unite in supporting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s bid this coming election. Because, it is only the President’s experience that our country needs for the next six years," Mandanas said.

Some 8,000 Batanguenos attended the ceremony held in Barangay Sta. Clara here.

The governor, who is running for a congressional seat, added that the gift he wished to receive on his birthday from his constituents is an all-out support for the President in the May 10 elections.

"Some political camps are saying that President Arroyo will lose here in Batangas, I am telling them this, you’ll all be very sorry because President Arroyo and the whole K-4 team will win because every Batangeno will deliver the votes needed to bring them to victory in the coming election," Mandanas said, to the cheers of the audience.

Another disqualification case filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Another ho-hum from Malacanang.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye dismissed it, like the others before it, as political gimmickry and harassment in a press briefing this afternoon.

The President’s campaign team expected these and expect more to come, Bunye said.

"They are using the court as a forum for grandstanding," Bunye noted.

This time, the disqualification case filed before the Commission on Elections this morning alleges the President is using the P1.4 billion road users’ tax of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for campaign purposes.

Other charges filed earlier against the President stemmed from the proposed government takeover of the debt-saddled Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and the issuance of free PhilHealth cards to the poor with her pictures on them.

Another charge sought to have her relinquished the presidency for the duration of the campaign to prevent her from using her advantages as the incumbent and level the playing field. It also asked the COMELEC to disqualify her if she does not.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today led the groundbreaking of the 15-hectare site for the new Nayong Pilipino Heritage and Cultural Park, a centerpiece project of the administration for the new millennium that would arouse national pride in the cultural achievements and rich legacies of the country.

The new site of Nayong Pilipino that would be more accessible to the general public is situated at the Central Business Park of Manila Bay Reclamation Area along Roxas Boulevard in Paranaque City.

Its new site offers a picturesque view of the Manila Bay and intends to become a prime cultural landmark that would highlight the country’s significant tourist attractions in miniature form.

During the program, Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc. (NPFI) Chairperson Evelyn Kilayko and Executive Director Charito L. Planas returned its P7.5 million budgetary allotment for 2003 to Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Emilia Boncodin.

The return of the budgetary outlay demonstrated the capability of a government-owned corporation like Nayong Pilipino to accumulate enough savings through the scrapping of unnecessary expenditures and having strong political will, and using the savings for operational expenses.

The park will showcase the rich tapestry of Philippine culture and will make Filipinos more aware of their roots while providing a pleasurable respite. It will also feature interactive learning through its various activity centers.

The conceptual master plan of Bagong Nayong Pilipino Park adopted the first prize winning entry in the master plan contest -- that of Jason Buensalida and Karen Cheung of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Architecture – sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and Arts.

The total project cost for the development of the park is estimated at P450 million.

The original Nayong Pilipino near the airport had to be closed down to make room for the needs of NAIA Terminals 2 and 3.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today congratulated the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF) under the leadership of Secretary Angelo Reyes for the rescue of a 27 year-old kidnap victim, Genevieve Ong Sy, from her abductors last March 20, 2004.

During the presentation of Sy to media at the Music Room of Malacanang, the President said that in the process of the rescue operation, 16 perpetrators, including two Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) agents, were arrested.

The President said that kidnap ransom money in the amount of P500,000 was also recovered, emphasizing that this was another important accomplishment of the anti-kidnapping task force with advisers from the members of the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, headed by Teresita Ang See, and the Chinese-Filipino Community.

Sy was safely rescued by the combined elements of the NAKTAF, Presidential Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group after two days of captivity in Antipolo, Rizal.

Recovered during the operation were three pistols, vehicles used by the kidnappers, a PNP uniform with name plate "Patingan," and the ransom money.

Sy was abducted last March 18, 2004 in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Ang See, the founding president of Kaisa, informed the President that kidnapping incidents have been reduced to the lowest level in 11 years since the formation of the NAKTAF in October last year.

Kaisa is a Tsinoy Non-Government Organization (NGO) working for the integration of Chinese-Filipinos into the mainstream of Philippine society so that they could truly be active partners in nation-building.