After stagnating for the past few years, the country’s exports of coffee increased by 76 percent to 740 metric tons (MT) valued at $2.019-million last year from only 420 MT worth $1.44 million in 2002.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that this is a good indication Philippine coffee exports are back on track.

Of the year’s coffee exports, 80 percent, or 590 MT, were processed coffee and 20 percent, or 150 MT, were green beans, according to a report by DTI’s International Coffee Organization Certifying Agency.

Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and the United Kingdom bought 90 percent of the 588,500 kilos of instant coffee exported by the Philippines last year. The remaining 10 percent were exported to Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Palau Islands, the report showed.

The robusta variety of green beans, meanwhile, was exported to the United States and Switzerland at 12,000 kilos each, while Liberica green beans, better known as "Barako," amounting to 126,000 kilos was exported to the Middle East.

DTI Undersecretary for International Trade Thomas Aquino said the department expects export of Philippine coffee to yield higher figures this year, owing to the production cutback by traditional exporters like Brazil, and the prevailing high prices of coffee in the world market.

"It must be noted that processed coffee sold in the world market carries Philippine brands. These brands compete with internationally known coffee products in the world. The good acceptance of Philippine coffee will push Philippine coffee manufacturers to produce more and better products," Aquino said.

Data from the London-based International Coffee Organization show that total coffee production of 45 countries posted a combined 14.6 percent reduction to 102.5 million bags in 2003 from 119.95 million bags in 2002.

This resulted in the volatility of coffee prices in the world market, which is very advantageous to minor coffee exporters like the Philippines because increase in prices go with higher demand.

The Philippines was able to export Liberica green bean coffee to the Middle East at a price range of $1.225 per kilo to $1.825 per kilo on the average.

If this report is true, I would like the DFA to demand an apology for the unfair and baseless accusation that we belong to a list of countries harboring terrorists.

The premise of the question is fallacious and the survey question itself reflects irresponsibility.

The Philippines has been a staunch supporter of the global war against terrorism and has proven its worth in reducing the operational capability of terrorists domestically and transnationally.

We shall deal with transport strikes with maximum tolerance, the rule of law and principled negotiations with all affected sectors.

Protesting transport leaders must police their own ranks and refrain from harassing those who would not join them.

We ourselves are interested in the speedy disposition of these cases and we likewise look forward to early action by the Comelec.

We did not expect such insolence to be hurled against the President but it seems that uncontrollable temper and insolence somewhat go together in the leadership of the opposition.

Generation of electricity to meet future demands and prevent the shortage that plagued the nation in the early ‘90s comes next in the government agenda.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced this during her one-on-one with Philippine Star publisher Max Soliven on his television show, Impact 2004, Friday.

"I said it before, this is our demand, this is our supply. This gap has to be closed," the President explained.

"I am saying the electric power industry is next in the reform agenda. We have to privatize our generation cost now and we also have to bring in new power plants," the President said.

The President said she has been inaugurating a number of power plants lately, like those in Bantayan Island in Cebu, Meran in Iloilo, and two others in Batangas City.

She has ordered Energy Secretary Vince Perez not to privatize our generation cost sequentially but to prepare the bidding documents for all and make them available to sell the moment anybody is willing to buy.

Recently, the sale of four generation assets of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) has been already approved by the board of directors of the Private Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), according to Finance Secretary Juanita Amatong, who also chairs PSALM.

Among the Napocor plants to be disposed off and privatized are the 22-megawatt Loboc Hydroelectric Plant, the two-megawatt Barit, 0.4-megawatt Cawayan, 3.5-megawatt Talomo and 1.55-megawatt Agusan hydroelectric plants.

Amatong also said the response from the energy sector has been favorable with different multinational groups and power companies showing keen interest.

It may not be ideal but it is the only acceptable and feasible solution, House Committee on Oversight Chairman Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda explained of the compromise deal in the joint restructuring plan for Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (MWSI).

The deal was necessary in view of larger national concerns, Salceda said in the conclusion of his committee’s analysis and assessment of the joint plan citing the following:

• uninterrupted provision of water services,

• interest of the 3,000 MWSI employees,

• international credibility vis-a-vis foreign investors and creditors,

• impact on the announced policy for privatization of significant business interests of the government,

• impact on Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and fiscal position of the government, and

• impact on local banks and the Philippine financial system.

"The joint restructuring plan offers a rational and orderly way to dispose of the liabilities of Maynilad in order to facilitate a smooth takeover of its assets and operations, i.e., without jeopardizing the delivery of services while minimizing its disruptive effects on our status in international credit markets and providing a more stable financial platform for MWSI to eventually turn around and allow government to earn revenues," Salceda added.

"The government is certainly better off with the deal than without it. But, it is just easy to speculate that the deal could have been better. Faced with a trade-off between ‘a bird on hand and two in the bush,’ the Arroyo administration chose the ‘bird on hand,’" it ended.

The deal entails the following:

• MWSS will be paid P2.75 B in cash upfront and P5.247 B in equity for a total value of P8 B versus the P1.7 B in uncollected concession fees as awarded by the arbitration committee,

• If MWSI recovers and earns in the future, then the government will not only just recover the P4.5 B equity but even earn more from the profits of MWSI,

• A protracted stalemate would be bad for the financial status of MWSS because (1) its current tariff structure is not sufficient resulting in forgone revenues and (2) protracted uncertainty would also affect operational productivity, both of which would mean lost cash generation that could be used to pay concession fees,

• The Lopez group is not a majority beneficiary of the deal and will suffer writeoffs of P3.8 B,

• Ondeo (or Suez Water) will suffer writeoffs of P2.7 B and forced to fork out an additional P880 M in new credit to MWSI,

• Bank creditors stand to lose the least since they will not suffer any writeoffs,

• The residual loan of P-10 B in post-restructuring MWSI will not be assumed by the national government.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised to further boost the chances of today’s youth in landing better jobs with quality education through modifications in Math, English and Science subjects.

In a political rally last night in Dagonoy Plaza, San Andres Bukid, Manila, the President disclosed that the next installment of her administration would focus in providing quality education for members of ordinary Filipino family to complement the massive health insurance program her leadership has started.

"After the changes made in the school curriculum, our youth will have better chances in having good jobs, in having quality and effective education," President said in her speech.

She stressed the government will use listing of poor families who presently hold PhilHealth cards to determine possible poor but deserving students who will be among the government scholars in her next term of office.

The President revealed her target in her next installment is having one scholar for every ordinary PhilHealth cardholder family.

Government will exercise maximum tolerance in transport strikes.

"We will deal with transport strikes with maximum tolerance, the rule of law and principled negotiations with all affected sectors," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today in an official statement.

The President also called on protesting transport leaders to police their own ranks and refrain from harassing those who would not join them.

She assured the public that the government is prepared to offer alternative transport to commuters and "fully enforce public safety and convenience to the best we can."

In seeking a principled dialogue with the transport groups, the President said that the government is taking into consideration not only their needs but also those of the riding public, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said this morning in a radio interview.

But if the dialogue does not succeed and they go on with their strike they should abide with the President’s request for them to police their own ranks and desist from harassing other drivers who do not join them and continue to ply their routes, Bunye said.

Moderate groups continue to heed the President’s call for them to be reasonable, Bunye said.

But some groups persist in pushing through with a three-day strike starting tomorrow in Metro Manila in their bid to secure a fare increase and rollback in prices of fuel.

Reports by a morning daily that Senator Edgardo Angara has been offered the Senate Presidency by the administration are pure baloney.

We have enough talent within our own ranks.

Besides, the post is not vacant.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded the National Food Authority (NFA) for increasing its efficiency in the delivery of cheap rice to the poor after noting that 2.3 million Filipinos availed of the more affordable NFA rice in January 2004 alone.

The rice, sold between P14 and P16 per kilogram at various NFA outlets and its rolling stores, is much cheaper compared to the P20 to P23 per kilo commercial rice sold in public markets, grocery stores and other retail outlets.

"True to my instructions of making sure that more poor families are served by the NFA, I am happy to announce that about P151 million worth of affordable rice was distributed to some 2.33 million low-income Filipino families for January alone," the President said.

She said her administration’s policy of keeping the prices of rice and other basic food items stable and affordable would continue despite the added stress to the economy due to the political season.

The President gave instructions to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry to make sure that the prices of basic commodities are unaffected by the gathering political storm as the nation nears election day.

"We need to insulate the basic needs of our people from the current political heat. The expanded reach of NFA is proof that the governance of our state of affairs continues and is even improving despite all of these sordid attacks from rival camps," the President said.

She noted that the NFA under Administrator Arthur Yap, who is also Agriculture Undersecretary for Luzon, had already exceeded its target of 2 million beneficiaries under the agency’s Targeted Rice Distribution Program (TRDP) in January alone.

"Our institutions are setting new records, our hybrid rice farmers are also breaking harvest records, and our national goal of rice self-sufficiency is on track. Let us spread optimism among our people rather than engage in political mudslinging all the time," the President stressed.

According to the NFA, it opened 2,823 new outlets in 888 municipalities nationwide. These new outlets represented 60 percent of the total outlets set up by the food agency during the month. From these new stores, about 2.11 million individuals had been able to get their cheap yet quality rice to meet their food needs.

Metro Manila has the largest number of rice outlets opened up under the TRDP at 432. Next to it is the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where 288 such units now operate. This is followed by Eastern Visayas with 276, Southern Tagalog with 238, Caraga with 221 and Cagayan Valley with 219.

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit warned of dire consequences to the health of urban communities served by Maynilad if government is prevented from taking over the private water firm.

"I fear for the health of residents in the concession area of Maynilad if their water supply is disrupted for a prolonged period of time," Dayrit said while noting that the Maynilad-serviced areas include urban poor communities where congestion and sanitation are major problems.

The health secretary said the government’s decision to take over Maynilad is rooted in its mandate to ensure the delivery of basic social services to the people.

He recalled the outbreak of cholera in the Tondo area during the months of October and November last year. The outbreak occurred in the area of the Maynilad concession and was caused by illegal connections and leaking and contaminated pipes.

"If the government had not stepped in, we may be experiencing water riots in these areas because the sweltering summer heat makes it difficult for any household to be waterless for more than 24 hours," Secretary Dayrit explained.

He said his comments are purely related to issues of health and hygiene, which are among the major concerns of his department. "I honestly believe that it is wrong to view this issue from a purely political perspective. We also need to look at issues relating to health , sanitation, employment and productivity if government had allowed a total cut-off in water services in these areas," he added.

Secretary Dayrit said it was unfortunate that the opposition continued to attack the administration for intervening in the Maynilad case.

Who says Mindanao is opposition country?

Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Gov. Ambassador Lininding P. Pangandaman believes otherwise, saying Mindanao is an administration bailiwick and Muslims will go for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the coming May 10 polls.

One just has to go by regions, he said, to realize that indeed this is the first time in the political history of Mindanao that practically all the national and local executives in the area are unified in their support of the President and her ticket.

"From the CARAGA region to the Northern region and Central Mindanao then the Southern region to the Western region and the ARMM area, you can hardly name a national, regional or local executive official who is not for the President," Pangandaman said.

"This display of political solidarity is galvanized by the knowledge that the President has a comprehensive program of development in Mindanao with a firm resolve to eliminate poverty as the root cause and obstacle to peace and progress," he added

Pangandaman, who was also a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, anchors his belief on 10 factors that he hopes to spread and develop in the course of the campaign in Muslim communities nationwide.

These are:

• The Muslims look up to the President as one who has no bias and prejudice against the Muslims, and with a strong concern for their well-being.

• They believe she is a leader with strong political will who will not hesitate to exercise that will in pursuit of national unity and solidarity based on justice, fairness and goodwill.

• She appointed Muslims in premier Cabinet positions such as the DPWH, the DOJ, thus restoring the voice of the Muslims in Cabinet, the first time in four decades.

• She is perceived as a leader whose concern for the interest and welfare of the Muslims is in her blood being the daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal who recognized the Arabic language as equal to English and Spanish.

• Her peace and development agenda hopes to conclude a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by all reasonable means without sacrificing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.

• Among the presidentiables, the President is the only one perceived to be from Mindanao with an ancestral home in Iligan City, her mother having been born there.

• This will be the first time that the country will have an elected President from Mindanao.

• In her program of government, the President has identified Mindanao as a priority area for development.

• In accordance with the Constitution, the President is the first chief executive who has taken the initiative, by way of Executive Order No. 283, of strengthening, encouraging and promoting the cultural and educational well-being of the Muslims through a Madrasah Development Coordinating Committee.

• Over and above all, the President has the competence, training and experience to steer the intricate stewardship of the Republic.

"After undergoing the training and obtaining the experience as president and having proven her competence, it would be more prudent for the Filipino people to allow her to complete the program of government she formulated and started for the sake of continuity," Pangandaman said.

Added to this, he said, is the President’s popularity and acquired good diplomatic relationship with heads of states and governments of other nations.

Malacanang today shrugged off insinuations that the reported defection of about a hundred local officials belonging to Lakas-CMD, Nationalist Peoples Coalition and Liberal Party would affect the candidacy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the forthcoming May polls.

"Absolutely not, the campaign is proceeding well," Presidential Deputy Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said in response to the published reports that congressmen, mayors and governors are set to join the camp of opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

Reports said the defectors will meet with the movie actor at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan allegedly to join the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP).

Saludo stressed that the President’s political campaign is "moving very well and advancing strongly" because of her detailed platforms and focus on governance.

He said the focus on governance and platforms of the administration has won great support not only from the people but also from the political leadership across the spectrum of political parties.

"It is focused on governance and that detailed platforms of the President is winning support not only from our people but definitely from the leadership, the political leadership of the nation all across the political spectrum," he added.

BACOLOD CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said that if she will be given a new mandate in the May 10 elections, she would implement an ambitious scholarship program that would provide free education to one member of every indigent family in the country.

In her address at the 2004 Samahang Kabataan National Congress, which opened at the Bacolod Convention Plaza here, the President said that the scholarship program would be based on the listing of indigent families with PhilHealth cards.

According to the President, based on the records of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, there are some 5 million poor PhilHealth cardholders, with another 2 million cardholders who are very poor.

She said this would be the target of the scholarship program, stressing that her administration would pursue not only the well being or the health of those who are in the marginalized sector but also the education of their children.

The President said that there is now an ongoing program for cash-strapped students, the Student Assistance Fund for Education for a Strong Republic (Safe 4 SR), that provides easy-to-pay loans for third and fourth year college students so that they could continue their studies until they graduate instead of dropping out.

But the President insisted that this is only a "down payment" for her administration’s program of "Education for All."

"The next installment, kung akoy pangulo pa (if I will still be president), is to make sure that everyone of the poor families in our country, everyone of the indigent families in the country will be entitled to one scholarship," the President said.

That way, the President said, every indigent family in the country will have one child who can have a very good chance to get a job for the next generation.

"Education to get a job because that is the desire of every Filipino family, to have a job in order to have food on the table," the President said.

The President, who was supposed to take her rest day today, flew to this city and arrived here at about 3:30 p.m. to address the youth congress.

She was accompanied by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina, Press Secretary Milton Alingod, Campaign Spokesman Michael Defensor, Paulo Benigno Aquino, chairman of the National Youth Commission, and Presidential Assistant for Youth Affairs Dennis Cunanan.

Among those who welcomed the President and her official party at the Bacolod Airport were Bacolod City Mayor Joy Valdez, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Elpidio Zayco, Bacolod City Congressman Monico Puentevella and other local officials.

SK National Federation President Ariel Arcillas welcomed the President at the convention, where she was also conferred the title of SK National Chairperson Emeritus.

Some 500 SK chairmen from all over the country attended the congress, which has for its theme, "Kultura Iba-Iba, Kabataan Magsama-sama sa Isang Matatag na Republika."

In her well-applauded speech, the President also lauded the youth for its role in the government’s anti-drug program, which, according to her, has notched an unprecedented success under her administration.

"I want to thank the youths for helping the government bring the battle against drug to the barangays," the President said.

All’s well that ends well.

Major transport groups today decided to cancel their planned transport holiday tomorrow after being assured by the government of three concessions that would alleviate their plight while their petition for fare hikes is still being heard.

In a press briefing in Malacanang that followed talks between the government and officials of various transport groups, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the two parties agreed to:

• Shorten the number of kilometers of the basic P4 fare hike from 5 to 4 kms.

• Oil companies to give P2 discounts on diesel fuel
• The Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to give out-of-line permits for jeepneys to avail of their discounts.

Mendoza said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who had ordered him to look closely into the plight of the transport groups, expressed her gratitude to the jeepney operators and drivers for their understanding of the situation.

"Lahat ay gagawin ng pamahalaan upang matugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan (The government will leave no stone unturned to answer their needs)," Mendoza said. "Kailangan natin ang isang matahimik at mapayapang lipunan (We all need a peaceful and orderly society)."

In the briefing in Malacanang, Zeny Maranan of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) said they are happy with the results of the meeting.

"Ito ay isang kaligayahan sa amin dahil ito’y isang dagdag kita para sa mga tsuper. Hindi namin hinangad na kalabanin ang pamahalaan (We are happy with the results of the meeting. It is never our intention to fight the government)," she said.

All but one of the transport groups was represented in the meeting with only the hardline Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON), which boasts of 20,00 members, nationwide ominously absent.

LTFRB chief Ma. Elena Bautista said they are prepared for any eventuality in case PISTON still pushes through with its own strike.

"Sisiguraduhin natin na ang commuters ay hindi maapektuhan (we will make sure commuters will not be affected). We will also make sure those who will not join the strike will be protected by police," she said.

Bautista said they have already identified the routes where PISTON is expected to stage their transport strike. These are Alabang Novaliches, Monumento, Cubao, Philcoa, Bulacan and Caloocan.