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| 07 AUGUST 2007 | ||
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| 07 AUGUST 2007 | ||
| Economic progress, social justice, peace and order top PGMA's proposed legislative agenda for 14th Congress |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo outlined her
administration’s proposed legislative agenda featuring measures that would
sustain the country’s economic gains, social justice, peace and order during
the first Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting
of the 14th Congress held in Malacañang this morning. The President, in her opening remarks, said the draft P1.227 trillion 2008 national budget, the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and a proposed national strategy to conserve resources and help arrest climate change are on top of her proposed measures for economic progress. She described the proposed national budget as an “annual priority” and the ratification of the JPEPA as a “left-over urgent business from the last Congress.” The JPEPA, which was sealed on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Helsinki, Finland in September 2006 by the President and former Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, was almost ratified by the Senate during the 13th Congress. Issues on possible dumping of toxic wastes by Japan into the Philippines delayed its ratification. The President is optimistic that during the 14th Congress which opened last July 23, the JPEPA would be ratified as the Japanese government has assured her in her recent visit to Japan that they would care for the environment and not make the Philippines its dumping grounds. As to the proposed national strategy on resources conservation, the President introduced it in relation with the prolonged dry spell that some parts of the country are experiencing now, particularly northern Luzon. “Let me introduce the third topic this way: The present water and power shortages due to the dry spell deliver a wake-up call for our generation to urgently embark upon a determined and well-funded wide-ranging strategic initiative to conserve resources even as we strive for development,” she President said. She instructed the Departments of Energy and Environment, along with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), to work with Congress and key sectors of society to “draw up a package of policies and programs designed to progressively reduce the usage of water and energy per unit of farm, factory and other economic output.” The President explained that such is the direction the whole world would eventually have to go, thus it is the Philippines’ “competitive advantage to race ahead in this inevitable imperative to maximize the growth we generate for every drop of water and spark of energy we use.” She underscored the importance of caring for the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources in moving the Philippines towards a modern status. “We must build up the environment through forest conservation and expansion, to absorb greenhouse gases warming the world, and to enhance our water resources while preventing flooding, erosion and siltation,” the President stressed as she urged all sectors to “work together” to attain a resource-efficient and environmentally-sound development. Earlier, the President had expressed hope that through the LEDAC meeting, the legislative and executive branches of government could “work together to solve common problems.” ”The people are watching this council with high hopes that everyone is ready to get to work for the nation to move forward toward a modern nation; that everyone is ready to work for economic progress, social justice and peace and order,” the President said while congratulating every legislator present “for your service and dedication to the nation.” The LEDAC is considered as the best venue for Congress and Malacañang to discuss and eventually agree on proposed legislations that would benefit the people. The LEDAC was created under Republic Act 7640 to ensure consistency in coordinating legislative and executive development planning and budgeting. Among those in attendance were Senate President Manuel Villar, Senators Manuel A. Roxas II, Francisco Pangilinan, Juan Ponce Enrile, Gregorio Honasan and Rodolfo Biazon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arrroyo, Paranaque City Rep. Roilo Golez, and Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas. The Cabinet men in attendance were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., among others. |
| PGMA inducts Teodoro as new Defense Chief |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administered
the oath of office today to incoming Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro who
said he would do his best at his new post. “I am honored and humbled by the trust of the President and I promise to execute my duties to the best of my abilities,” Teodoro said after the induction rites held in Malacanang. Teodoro, a former Tarlac congressman, said among the general instructions the President gave him was to continue with the planned features and facilities upgrade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and to pursue the investigation of the “Basilan incident.” The Basilan incident refers to the July 10 encounter between Philippine Marines and Muslim extremists where 14 Marines were killed, 10 of whom were beheaded. The President also asked Teodoro to focus on the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) so that disasters such as the extended dry spell being experienced in the country can be deterred. “Even if the rains are coming, we wish to deter future incidents from happening again and we have to put in place our capabilities to protect the civilian population to service their needs,” Teodoro said. He thanked the President, her official family and the AFP for warmly welcoming him into their ranks. He also thanked his immediate family, especially his wife, Tarlac Rep. Nikki Prieto Teodoro, “for all their sacrifices and support.” Prior to his appointment, the 43-year-old Teodoro was a three-term representative of Tarlac province. Teodoro took over the Defense portfolio held in acting capacity by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales after President Arroyo reappointed Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. as Public Works and Highways chief last June 30. |
| Palace confident of JPEPA ratification |
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Malacanang expressed confidence that the Senate
would eventually ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
(JPEPA) following the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)
meeting called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this morning. In a press briefing, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said he observed that many of the senators present in the LEDAC meeting agreed on the importance of JPEPA “to help fuel the country’s economy” and “to interact with the globalized trend.” “I got the sense that many of them would want to ratify” the agreement, but there are suggestions and proposals for some safety nets and communications strategy that would have to be undertaken to make JPEPA more understandable by the majority of the people, Bunye said. “And I believe there was a general agreement on the next step for the ratification to take effect as soon as possible,” he added. Bunye said that Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, during his presentation, urged the senators to take their final stand on JPEPA. “He (Secretary Favila) said further that we do not want to miss the boat. We are in a globalized economy and we cannot afford to work alone. We have to interact with the global economy,” Bunye noted. Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assured President Arroyo that the Japanese government would never dump toxic wastes in the Philippines. Abe made the assurance during the President’s official working visit to Tokyo last May. |
| PGMA thanks LGUs for providing counterpart funds for PhilHealth coverage of two million Filipinos |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked today
local government units (LGUs) around the country for providing counterpart
funds for the coverage of some two million Filipinos nationwide under the
Philippine Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth). The President acknowledged the contribution of the LGUs during her visit this afternoon at Barangay Libis Nadurata in Zone 2, District 2 of Caloocan City. The President asked Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri and Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Mitzh Cajayon to provide the P3.5-million counterpart fund for the yearly coverage of more than 20,000 PhilHealth beneficiaries in Caloocan City. “Here in Caloocan, we are asking you to provide P3.5 million yearly for the PhilHealth coverage of one-fourth of our population,” the President said. Amid intermittent rains, the President was warmly welcomed at the Barangay Hall by some 500 residents led by Mayor Achiverri, Cajayon, Barangay Chairman Roehl Nadurata, and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando. During her visit, the President distributed PhilHealth cards to some 250 beneficiaries, awarded a certificate to operate a Tindahan Natin, and 100 scholarship vouchers for welders, caregivers, and call center agents. During an interaction with the residents and leaders, Barangay Chairman Nadurata asked the President to upgrade Talakitok, Tanigue and Nadurata Streets that lead to C-3 to solve the flooding problem in the area. He also asked the President to widen C-3, to establish footbridges along A. Mabini Street and C-3, and to rehabilitate their dilapidated Barangay Hall. Nadurata said floodwaters usually rise knee-high in several portions of his barangay particularly during rainy seasons. After the barangay visit, the President had a meeting with the city officials at the Caloocan City Hall. |
| LEDAC agrees to push approval of 28 priority legislative measures |
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Eschewing political colors, the
Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) agreed today to
work together for the early passage of 28 priority measures intended to give
the country’s economic progress a strong push, bolster educational reforms
and social equity, and preserve and protect the rule of law. “It was very fruitful,” Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye described the LEDAC meeting, the first with the 14th Congress. “There was an open exchange of views,” Bunye said, adding that during the meeting held at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of Malacanang, opposition legislators offered “constructive suggestions on the pet proposals of the administration.” The LEDAC’s common legislative agenda was divided into three general headings: 1) economic progress, 2) educational reform and social equity, and 3) peace and order and the rule of law. The priority proposals encompass the legislative agenda President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo enumerated in her 7th State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) before the joint session of the two houses of Congress last July 23. Under the heading of economic progress are the following: amendments to the EPIRA Law to allow more access and competition, creation of the Civil Aviation Authority, the national appropriations bill, simplified net income taxation (SNITS), rationalization of fiscal incentives, credit information system; Establishment of the Personal Equity and Retirement Act (PERA), national tourism policy, amendments to the Customs Brokers Law, Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), national strategy to conserve resources and help arrest climate change; renewable energy, Land Use Act, anti-trust, agricultural competitiveness enhancement fund (ACEF), and the promotion of IT entrepreneurial venture. Under the educational reform and social equity category were affordable and quality medicine, long term care for senior citizens, establishment of a poll watchdog fund, stiffer penalties for election violence, the use of farmlands as loan collateral, University of the Philippines Charter, reversal of the devolution of district hospitals, and the review of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act and the Agri-Agra Law. Under the heading of peace and order and the rule of law, the LEDAC agreed to work on the following measures: strengthening of the witness protection program; the creation of special courts for the speedy administration of justice, the imposition of stiffer penalties for political killings, and the imposition of the harshest penalties for rogues in uniform. Bunye said that next to the national budget proposal for 2008, discussions on the ratification of the JPEPA were the lengthiest. “I got the sense that many of them would want to ratify (the JPEPA) but there were some suggestions that would make it easier for the Senate to ratify (the proposal),” Bunye said. He added that senators wanted to see for themselves the proposed safety nets intended to protect the country from becoming a dumping ground for Japan’s toxic wastes. There were also suggestions that a “communication strategy” be adopted to help the common tao understand what JPEPA is all about, and what benefits the country would derive from the agreement. Bunye also said there was general acceptance of the need for a comprehensive approach to the problem of climate change after the legislators viewed newly-appointed Environment Secretary Lito Atienza’s presentation on the global weather phenomenon. In her opening remarks, President Arroyo said that the pet measures would move the country forward toward its goal of becoming a modern nation and a First World economy in the next two decades. |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's opening statement during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting, Aguinaldo State Dining Room, Malacañang, August 7, 2007 |
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Welcome to the first LEDAC with
the Fourteenth Congress. And once again I want to congratulate every legislator for your service and dedication to the nation. The people are watching this council with high hopes that everyone is ready to get to work for the nation to move forward towards a modern nation; and that everyone is ready to work for economic progress, social justice and peace and order - - the three main item: in our legislative agenda. Through the LEDAC, we hope that all parties and the two political branches of government can work together to solve common problems. Our Senior Deputy Executive Secretary for Legislative Liaison, Jake Lagonera, will present the framework of our proposed legislative agenda in terms of three areas I mentioned: economic progress, social justice and peace and order. Then we will have presentations on three topics related to the area of economic progress: the proposed budget. The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, and a proposed national strategy to conserve resources and help arrest climate change. The first topic, the budget, will be presented by Nonoy Andaya; and of course it’s an annual priority. The second topic, the JPEPA, is leftover but urgent business from the last Congress. And let me introduce the third topic in this way: The present water and power shortages due to the dry spell deliver a wake-up call for our generation to urgently embark upon a determined, well-planned and well-funded wide-ranging strategic initiative to conserve resources even as we strive for development. Hence, I have instructed NEDA, DOE and DENR, to work with Congress and key sectors of society. To draw up a package of policies and programs designed to progressively reduce the usage of water and energy per unit of farm, factory and other economic output. This is the direction the whole world will eventually have to go. It’s our competitive advantage to race ahead in this inevitable imperative to maximize the growth we generate for every drop of water and spark of energy we use. We must also build up the environment through forest conservation and expansion, to absorb greenhouse gases warming the world, and to enhance our water resources while preventing flooding, erosion and siltation. And we count on all sectors, starting with out congressional leaders, to work together toward this goal of resource-efficient, environmentally sound development. So thank you once again, and now SDES Lagonera will begin his presentation. Please, although we will have our open forum at the end of the four presentation, Jake’s and the three topics, please feel free to interrupt at anytime that you think you should interrupt. Thank You. |
| People hoping LEDAC would move RP forward |
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Saying that an expectant Filipino people are
watching with high hopes for the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory
Council (LEDAC) to move the country forward to a better future, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called today on all parties, as well as Congress and
the Executive department, to work as a team to solve common problems. In her welcome address at the opening of the LEDAC meeting in Malacanang this morning, the President said Filipinos are watching the council “with high hopes that everyone is ready to get to work for the nation to move forward toward a modern nation; that everyone is ready to work for economic progress, social justice and peace and order.” It was the first LEDAC meeting with the 14th Congress. The President described the national budget, the first topic of the meeting, as an annual priority. “The second topic, the JPEPA (Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement), is a leftover urgent business from the last Congress.” Stressing the urgency of joint legislative-executive action on the current dry spell and its effects, the President described the present water and power shortages as a “wakeup call for our generation to urgently embark upon a determined, well-planned, well-funded, wide-ranging strategic initiative to conserve resources even as we strive for development.” The President said she was instructing government agencies working with Congress and key sectors of society like the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to come up with a package of policies and programs intended to cut down on the use of water and energy per unit, factory and economic output. Power and energy conservation is the “direction the whole world will eventually have to go. It is our competitive advantage to race ahead in this inevitable imperative to maximize the growth we generate for every drop of water and spark of energy we use,” she said. The President also underscored the need to “build the environment through forest conservation and expansion, to absorb greenhouse gases warming the world, and to enhance our water resources while preventing flooding, erosion and siltation.” “We count on all sectors, starting with our congressional leaders, to work together toward this goal of resource-efficient, environmentally sound development,” she pointed out. |
