 |
||
| 31 AUGUST 2007 | ||
|
|
||
| 31 AUGUST 2007 | ||
| PGMA tells Pinoy in Malaysia of RP's record breaking 2nd qtr growth |
|
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proudly announced to the Filipino community here Thursday night the country's record-breaking second quarter economic growth, saying the Filipino migrant workers were instrumental to the feat. In a dinner hosted for her by the Filipino community at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Nikko here, the President reported that the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 7.5 percent while its Gross National Product (GNP) grew by 8.3 percent, the highest in two decades. GDP refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. The steep rise in GDP and GNP, according to the President, has brought the economic growth of the country to 7.3 percent in the first half of the year, the fastest pace in 20 years. "And as I said, you have contributed to our 8.3 percent GNP growth rate. Ang overseas remittances mula sa katulad ninyong Pilipino sa labas ng bansa ay umaabot na ng $13 billion or 11 percent of our gross national product," the President said. The Chief Executive pointed out that aside from the remittances, the government's strict fiscal reforms have likewise helped in the growth. She said the passage of the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) Law was the "biggest single act" that "in one bold stroke raised enormous amounts of revenue." The newfound revenue, according to her, has given long overdue funding for investments in human and physical infrastructure which, she said, is "in the frontline in our campaign to reduce poverty." "To instill permanent change, we're making long overdue investments in human and physical infrastructure. This includes billions of pesos in education, healthcare and training along with billions in new bridges, roads and ports to upgrade the competitiveness of the Philippines," the President said. "Therefore, the infrastructure is in turn attracting more investments and creating more jobs, ultimately improving the lives of our people," she added. The President reiterated her fervent wish that soon working abroad will not be the end-all, do-all decision of a Filipino to earn more for his family but just a "career choice." "You, the overseas Filipino workers are honored by our government and our people for your sacrifice and dedication to your work, your family and your nation – our nation. We welcome your contribution but we are working towards the day when Filipinos no longer need to go abroad for a job; that overseas work is just another career option and not the only choice one would have to earn a living. Our ambitious economic reforms are helping break the offshore cycle," the President said. The President added that with the help of the Central Bank, more and more OFWs are turning to alternative measures such as investing and dealing in stocks, to ensure that their hard-earned money is put to better use. "The Bangko Sentral has been promoting a culture of savings and encouraging OFWs and OFW families to channel these savings into investments. Today, remittances are increasingly being used towards investments in human resource capital through education and health care for beneficiaries, physical capital through acquisition of real properties, including land purchases and home construction," she said. "There are also overseas Filipinos who invest in Financial and Capital investment through financial instruments…The culture of remittances is indeed changing and we hope this trend continues," she added. President Arroyo arrived in Kuala Lumpur Thursday afternoon to join other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the 50th anniversary celebration of Malaysia’s independence from British rule. |
| PGMA hails KL's help in Mindanao peace talks |
|
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (via PLDT) – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the Malaysian government for its help in ensuring
that the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) remain on track. The President made the remark in a speech before members of the Filipino community at the Hotel Nikko here -- her first official activity during her two-day official visit to Malaysia. The Philippine leader arrived in the Malaysian capital Thursday to honor an invitation by the King of Malaysia to attend the anniversary of his country's 50th year of Independence from British colonial rule. She said it was important for her to attend Malaysian’s Independence Day celebration in appreciation of Kuala Lumpur’s support for the Mindanao peace process. “As you know, Malaysia is a leader in a broad-based coalition that includes America, Japan, the European Union, Sweden, Libya and other OIC (Organization of Islamic Conferences) countries to keep the peace, to isolate the genuine security threats and to promote the economic well-being of Muslim and Christian residents alike of Mindanao. Kaya napaka-importante ang Malaysia sa ating bansa," the President told the Filipino community here. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who is accompanying the President in her Malaysian trip, said the peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF are proceeding “very well” with Malaysia acting as facilitator of the negotiations. With the help of Malaysia and other OIC countries like Libya, Brunei and other nations, it is only a matter of time before a permanent settlement of the Mindanao conflict is reached. Libya and Brunei are members of the multinational International Monitoring Team supervising the Mindanao peace process. The GRP-MILF negotiations, which were originally scheduled to resume last week here, have been reset for next month. Romulo said that members of both the GRP and the MILF negotiating teams were preparing to go to Malaysia in the next few weeks. |
| Pahayag ng Kalihim ng Gabinete Ricardo Saludo: Alamin ang batayan ng balita |
|
Nananawagan po tayo sa media at publiko na
usisain ang batayan ng mga balita at batikos. Kung minsan, ang bilis nating maghinala dahil sa haka-haka at usap-usapan, gaya ng nangyari sa isang pakontest sa TV at mga paratang ng ilang politiko. Bago sana husgahan ang kapwa, usisain muna ang batayan. Kung may suspetsang katiwalian sa gobyerno, magsampa ng kaso at ebidensiya, gaya ng ginawa ng isang kongresista. Kung may reklamo naman sa pribadong kompanya gaya ng estasyon ng TV, magsumbong sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na siyang mag-iimbestiga. Gayon din sa ekonomiya. Nagpagod ang ating mga tapat na kawani ng pamahalaan sa paglikom at pag-analisa ng datos sa ekonomiya. Huwag naman sanang balewalain ang mahusay nilang trabaho dahil lamang sa mga nagdududang text at batikos na wala namang basehang datos. At pagtanong sa publiko kung nararamdaman ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya, ipakita rin sana ng media ang ilan sa daan-daang libong nagkatrabaho, nagkabahay, nagkakoryente, pagamot at iba pang biyaya, at hindi lang ang mga taong baka hindi pa nakikinabang sa progreso ang ipinapalabas. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga pahayagan at programang nagbabalita nang may matibay na batayan. |
| DFA to provide consular assistance to Joma Sison |
| KUALA LUMPUR,
Malaysia (via PLDT) – Self-exile communist leader Jose Maria Sison, who was
arrested last Tuesday in the Netherlands on double-murder charges, is
entitled to regular Philippine consular assistance as a Filipino citizen,
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said last night. In an interview before the start of the dinner hosted by the Filipino community for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Nikko here Thursday evening, Bunye said, however, that the prospects of repatriating Sison to the Philippines is still out of the question because of the absence of an extradition treaty between the Philippines and the Netherlands. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has opined that despite the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries, Sison could still be repatriated to face charges against him in the Philippines through diplomatic channels. "As a Filipino, he (Sison) will be entitled to the regular consular assistance which would include visitations and seeing to it that he is provided the legal assistance he would need. That will be handled by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs)," Bunye said. "As for repatriation, I don't think so because we don't have any extradition treaty (with the Netherlands) at this time. So, Mr. Sison will be exclusively within the control of the Dutch government and we will just let the Dutch judicial process proceed," he added. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo seconded Bunye's statement, saying it is every Filipino's right to be provided legal assistance by the government for any infraction committed in another country. The self-exiled founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was apprehended by Dutch policemen for his alleged involvement in the killings of two leaders of the communist underground in the Philippines -- Romulo Kintanar and Antonio Tabara. |
| PGMA confers Order of Lakandula on RP ambassador to Malaysia |
|
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (via PLDT) – President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred last night the Order of Lakandula with the
Rank of Grand Officer (Maringal na Pinuno) on Philippine Ambassador to
Malaysia Victoriano Lecaros for his exceptional and successful service as
spokesperson of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held
in Cebu City last January. The conferment ceremony was held before the dinner hosted by the Filipino community for the President at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Nikko here. The President lauded Lecaros as "a very good spokesman" and extolled his important "achievements" during his stint as the Philippine ambassador to Vietnam. She recalled that when a joint agreement between the Philippines and China on a joint oil exploration in the South China Sea hit a snag following Vietnam’s protest, it was Lecaros who brokered the inclusion of Vietnam in the exploration activity, paving the way for a "three-party agreement" among the three countries. “Ipinaliwanag niya sa kanila (Vietnam) at nang tuloy silang magprotesta sa ating kasunduan sa China, sumama ang Vietnam kaya three-party agreement na ang ating kasunduan," the President said. |
| PGMA joins world leaders in greeting Malaysia |
|
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (via PLDT) – President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined world leaders in greeting Malaysia on its
50th Hari Merdeka or Grand Independence Day celebration at the Merdeka
Square here Friday. The President, along with 10 other top foreign leaders, were warmly welcomed by the Malaysian King and Queen, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, atop the Very Very Important Person (VVIP) main stage. The Royal Couple thanked the foreign dignitaries for their attendance at the historic event. Representatives from countries invited to the occasion started arriving at the Merdeka Square as early as 6:45 a.m. The first to arrive were the representatives from the United States, New Zealand and the Netherlands, followed by the Vice President of Vietnam, the representatives of Japan, and the Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Singapore, and Laos. The Crown Prince of Thailand, Sultan of Brunei and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York also represented their heads of state, or their respective countries. During the three-hour ceremony that formally launched the whole-day rites, President Arroyo witnessed colorful and grand performances bannered by 26,000 Malaysian crew and security personnel. The event was highlighted by a splendid aerial performance by the Royal Malaysian Air Force which showed off their flying and combat maneuvers. The President earlier said her attendance in the event was in "honor" of King Agong and a demonstration of the Philippines’ fraternity with one of the original five co-founders of the ASEAN, the others being the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore. As part of the celebrations, the Philippine leader will attend a High Tea ceremony hosted by the Royal Family for visiting foreign dignitaries at the Melawati Putrajaya or Royal Palace Friday afternoon. The celebration will be capped by a grand extravaganza at the Merdeka Stadium later in the evening which the President will also attend before returning to Manila at past midnight tonight. |
| PGMA tells gov't agencies to break down barriers to early completion of projects |
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday
instructed all frontline state agencies to break down the barriers --
notably red tape -- that impede the completion of government programs and
projects on schedule. She underscored the urgency that all departments put their act together to attain government targets on economic growth, employment, revenue collection, investments, infrastructure and power rate reduction, among others. The President said the Super Regions, infrastructure agencies, state corporations and the infrastructure monitoring task force of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) must be “merciless in ripping through undue obstacles in the way of long overdue priority infrastructures.” She said that in previous years the implementation of priority infrastructure projects was usually stymied because of the government’s huge deficits and the failure of Congress to enact the annual appropriations law. But following the implementation of fiscal reforms, specifically the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) Law, funding problems for programmed projects have become a thing of the past. “Let us end the days when our public works were held back by huge deficits and reenacted budgets. To this end, we also urged Congress to speedily enact next year’s budget for, hopefully, even a faster growth in 2008,” the President said. She said that she had directed Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, chairman of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), to work closely with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and other leading business groups and thresh out their concerns “so that we can report solid gains and solutions when the Philippine Business Conference comes around in a couple of months.” “Peter, please slash more red tape, as well as the drag of power costs on our exporters and manufacturers,” the President added. In a meeting with Department of Energy (DOE) officials last week, the President stressed the need to reduce power cost and speed up the privatization of some of the generating capacity of the National Power Corporation (Napocor). She also urged Congress to prioritize the amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to enable both industrial and home users to have access to cheaper electricity. The President also instructed PMS to undertake the spadework for macro, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs to secure financing from government as well as private financial institutions. |
| PGMA allows Gonzales to go on sick leave; Palace appeals for fair reporting |
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has granted the request of
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to go on a one-month sick leave for medical
check-up and designated Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera as
officer-in-charge of the Department of Justice (DOJ) effective Sept. 1. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the President wanted Gonzalez to recover completely following his recent hospitalization due to a bleeding stomach ulcer. Malacanang had earlier squelched rumors that the President was planning to replace the 75-year-old Justice secretary due to his health condition. Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo called on the media today to exercise fair reporting and check first the basis of the derogatory news reports and criticisms. “Bago sana husgahan ang kapwa, usisain muna ang batayan,” he urged. “Kung may suspetsang katiwalian sa gobyerno, magsampa ng kaso at ebidensiya, gaya ng ginawa ng isang kongresista,” he said in a statement. Saludo issued the appeal in the wake of the cynical comment by certain members of the press on the recently released data showing the country’s strong second quarter economic performance. “Nagpagod ang ating mga tapat na kawani ng pamahalaan sa paglikom at pag-analisa ng datos sa ekonomiya. Huwag naman sanang balewalain ang mahusay nilang trabaho dahil lamang sa mga nagdududang text at batikos na wala namang basehan,” he said. Data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed that the Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace in 20 years in the second quarter of 2007 as government spending and private consumption expanded. The gross domestic product (GDP) -- or the value of goods produced and services rendered, not including income from abroad -- grew 7.5 percent from the second quarter of 2006, bringing to 7.3 percent the average growth in the first semester. It was the highest annual growth rate since the 7.7 percent in the third quarter of 1986. The data showed that services posted the highest growth at 8.4 percent in the second quarter, compared with 6.7 percent in 2006. The strong performance was partly attributed to the booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which includes call centers. The industry sector also performed strongly, growing 8.0 percent in the second quarter as compared with 4.5 percent in the same period last year. This was largely due to a 33-percent growth of the mining and quarrying sub-sector and 21 percent in construction. The growth outshone the second-quarter GDP performance of Asian neighbors, such as Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia, but trailed Singapore’s 8.6-percent and China’s 11.9-percent expansions. The gross national product -- the GDP plus income from abroad, like remittances by overseas Filipino workers -- expanded 8.3 percent, a substantial improvement over the 6.4-percent growth in the same quarter last year. Net factor income from abroad grew 16.6 percent. |
| Saludo calls for dissemination of truthful news and information |
|
Malacanang called today on the media and the
public to look first into the basis of a particular news, information or
criticism before they jump to conclusion. The Palace made the appeal through Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo who said in a statement that: “Sometimes we are quick to get suspicious on the basis of mere conjectures and hearsays,” citing as an example the controversy created by a certain TV contest and the charges hurled by some politicians. He said it would be ideal to look into the basis of the furor before making a judgment. “If we suspect graft in the government, we should present a case and evidences in court, like what a certain congressman did,” Saludo said. “Similarly, if we have complaint against a private company like a TV station, we bring the case before the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for it to investigate.” He said the same is true in the economy where loyal employes of the government work hard in gathering and analyzing data on the economy. “Let us not brush aside the fruits of their hard works only because of baseless test message and criticisms.” “On the question of whether the public feels or not the effects of economic development, the media should also show the data on the number of who got new jobs, housing shelters, electric service, free medical services and medicines and other benefits -- and not only write about the number of people who may not have benefited from the fruits of economic progress,” Saludo said. He said Malacanang is thanking both the print and broadcast media that disseminate news and information that are backed up by research and study. |
| Statement of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo: Let's check the basis of reports |
|
We call on media and the public to look into the
basis of news and criticism. Sometimes, we would quickly be suspicious just because of speculation and rumor, as may have happened with a TV contest and the allegations of some politicians. Before we judge, it’s only proper to check the basis of a media report or comment. If there are suspicions of corruption, a case and evidence can be filed with investigating bodies, as a congressman has done. If it is a private firm involved, like a TV station, a complaint can be filed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which can investigate. The same can be said for our economy. Government statisticians worked hard compiling and analyzing our gross domestic product (GDP) data. Let us not impugn their painstaking efforts on the basis of text messages and comments expressing doubt but not presenting any data. As for the question of whether people are benefiting from economic growth, we hope media will also feature some of the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who got jobs, electricity, homes, health insurance, cheaper medicines and other benefits, not just those who may still not feeling the bounties of our progress. We thank those in the media who report news with objectivity, balance and solid facts. |
