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| 18 AUGUST 2007 | ||
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| 18 AUGUST 2007 | ||
| Statement of the President: On smuggled vehicles |
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Crushing smuggled cars doesn’t mean that we are
quashing the cases filed against those who tried to illegally bring them in. On the contrary, their prosecution will be pursued in earnest. They will not be allowed to redeem other cars that may be auctioned off through their paid proxies. Not only will they be barred from future auctions; they will be put behind bars. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Peso |
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We view the recent depreciation of the peso as a
temporary correction experienced by a number of emerging markets arising
from the subprime mortgage problem in the US. We believe that our strong fundamentals, specially our strong external position (e.g., BOP (Balance of Payments) surplus, record high international reserves) will support the peso. The peso continues to maintain its relative competitiveness as it follows the general trend in the movement of Asian currencies. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will continue to allow market forces to determine the exchange rate. |
| PGMA reiterates strong gov't resolve vs. smugglers |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated
today that the destruction of 18 smuggled cars at the Subic Bay Freeport
last Thursday was a strong indication of the government’s determination to
finally put an end to smuggling in the country. At the same time, the President stressed that the government still upholds the cases filed against the wrongdoers despite the destruction of the smuggled motor vehicles. “Crushing smuggled cars doesn’t mean that we are quashing the cases filed against those who tried to illegally bring them in,” the President said in a statement. She added that on the contrary, prosecution of the parties responsible for the misdeeds will be pursued in earnest. “They will not be allowed to redeem other cars that may be auctioned off through their paid proxies. Not only will they be barred from future auctions; they will be put behind bars,” she said. In compliance with the order from the President to the Bureau of Customs and as part of the government’s resolve against smugglers and their protectors, four backhoes tore 18 confiscated vehicles worth P30 million into shreds last Aug. 16 at the Subic Bay Economic Zone impounding compound in Olongapo City. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the government will continue to destroy smuggled motor vehicles if it will curb the perennial problem of smuggling in the country. According to him, the government loses P64 to P65 billion annually in potential revenues due to smuggling. Fiscal authorities are hoping that measures against smuggling would help boost revenues and allow the government to wipe out the budget deficit which stood at P39.4 billion from January to July this year. The government hopes to cap the deficit at P63 billion by yearend. |
| PGMA assures sufficient supply of rice and other food products |
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There is sufficient supply of rice in the entire
country, especially in Metro Manila, despite the adverse effects of the
prolonged dry spell in eight provinces in North and Central Luzon and the
impact of inclement weather and heavy rains brought about by typhoons
“Dodong” and “Egay.” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made this assurance as she visited at noon today the South District Warehouse of the National Food Authority (NFA) at the Food Terminal Inc. Complex in Taguig City where she found a buffer stock of rice enough to meet the needs of consumers in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. “Sapat pa rin ang ating pagkain, sapat pa rin ang bigas,” the President declared in her opening remarks at the Pulong-Bayan held inside the warehouse where bags of rice are piled up to the beam and served as a background in the discussion. The “Pulong-Bayan” concept was first introduced by the President in the 2004 presidential election campaign to make sure that all government development projects were brought to the attention of the people everywhere. Upon her arrival, the President inspected the NFA rolling store that sells iron-fortified rice, which is also distributed free under the ongoing food-for-school program of the administration. During the Pulong-Bayan with the barangay leaders and Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) operators, the President instructed Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to put up more Tindahan Natin and rolling stores in strategic areas in Metro Manila, especially during lean months and rainy season. Aside from Secretary Yap, joining with the President in the discussion were Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando, National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jesus Navarro, Taguig 2nd District Rep. Henry Duenas, and Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga. The President said the government has allotted P.5 billion for the construction of irrigation projects and another P.5 billion for the building of farm-to-market roads to ensure sufficient supply of rice and the speedy delivery of farm produce to the consumers. “Gumawa na rin tayo ng Roll-On, Roll-Off ferry systems para dalhin ang mga bigas (and other agricultural produce) galing sa Mindanao patungong Metro Manila sa mababang gastos,” she said, adding that agricultural products from the Visayas and Mindanao will be sold at cheaper prices made possible by reduced transportation costs through the RO-RO system. The President said the number of families in the country who were experiencing severe hunger was reduced to one-half due to the successful implementation of the “food-for-school project.” She said the government has allocated P2 billion for the food-for-school project for 2008 to further reduce the incidence of hunger. |
