President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed today the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to focus more attention on creating virgin coconut oil manufacturing plants in coconut-rich provinces of the country as part of the government's technology business incubation program.

The President issued the directive in her speech at the launching of the "Perlas ng Pangkabuhayan Pinoy" during the 30th anniversary celebration of the TLRC at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City this morning.

The six-day celebration highlights the achievements of the TLRC in the past three decades, particularly its essence, significance, value, and preciousness to the Philippines as a government institution concretely providing livelihood and business opportunities to Filipinos.

In her speech, the President cited the growing world demand for virgin coconut oil and extolled the resources of the country to meet such a requirement.

She pointed out that the coconut-rich provinces of Bicol, particularly Albay, and the Southern Luzon provinces can be capable of meeting worldwide demand for virgin coconut oil as long as the government's Technology Business Incubation Program (TBIP) is implemented effectively.

TBIP, according to the President, is a program aimed at increasing the "survival rate" of budding small and medium enterprise businessmen through a wide array of financial investment options and business opportunities in manufacturing, exporting, retailing, franchising, distributorship, dealership, and direct selling, among others.

"Gusto natin na marami sa mga incubation center ay tungkol sa virgin coconut oil kasi marami sa ating mahihirap ay nasa coconut areas. Malaki and demand for virgin coconut oil sa buong mundo at gusto natin na ang virgin coconut oil ay kasing kilala ng olive oil ng Italy," the President said.

"Kaya sana ay maging isang technology resource na ililibot ng TLRC sa buong bansa at tulungan ang DOST na gumawa ng incubation center para magkaroon ng mga planta ng virgin coconut oil iyong iba't ibang magniyo-niyog sa ating mga lugar tulad ng mga tinamaan ng bagyo sa Bicol at Marinduque," she added.

In the same speech, the President lauded TLRC's commitment of aligning its various technology and livelihood programs with that of the government's fight against poverty by providing well-paying jobs and keeping the prices of basic commodities stable and secure.

"I'm happy to see that the programs and services of the TLRC are becoming more and more aligned with our agenda of generating jobs and alleviating poverty through the principle of technology -- the foundation of future development," the President said.

"This is the agenda with which I expect TLRC to contribute meaningfully in the coming years. Expect TLRC to be a leading center of entrepreneurial technology-based resources, a virtual one-stop shop for entrepreneurs with strengthened and modernized services in technology and business information, hands-on training, organizing and linkaging," she added.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the guest of honor tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 22) at the wreath-laying ceremony marking the start of the four-day EDSA People Power celebration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio.

The 21st commemoration rites have been divided into the Military Day, Youth Day, Religious Day and People’s Day, respectively, to honor the various sectors that played a big hand in the bloodless revolution that toppled the dictatorial 14-year rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986.

President Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1224 earlier this year declaring Feb. 22-25 every year as "EDSA People Power Commemoration Week" to perpetuate and propagate the spirit of the historic 1986 event.

Special guest in Thursday’s Military Day starting at 7:30 a.m. is former President Fidel V. Ramos who, along with then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, broke away from Marcos to trigger the first People’s Power revolt that was widely praised and emulated throughout the world.

Ramos will be introduced by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita before his inspirational message.

A fellowship breakfast and a press conference will follow at the Bulwagan ng mga Bayani with Ramos and former Senator and founder of the August Twenty-One Movement, Agapito "Butz’ Aquino as guests.

In Friday’s Youth Day, radio and television broadcasts of the EDSA 1 Documentary will be aired starting at 3 p.m. for appreciation by the youth.

The Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation will also inaugurate the Jovito Salonga Hall and Alfonso T. Yuchengco Auditorium at the Bantayog Memorial Center in Quezon City.

The Religious Day on Saturday will feature a Eucharistic Celebration at noon and a Cultural Show at 6 p.m. at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in EDSA.

Yellow will be the color of the day on Sunday which has been designated as People’s Day at the People Power Monument along EDSA.

President Arroyo will lead the flag-raising ceremonies which will be held simultaneously with other rites in all cities nationwide starting at 7:45 a.m.

The President will be assisted by Vice President Noli de Castro, Ramos, former President Corazon Aquino, Ermita and AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

The Spirit of EDSA Foundation will present special awards to the Pondo ng Pinoy, Gawad Kalinga and the Overseas Filipino Workers as well as a Mahal Kong Pilipinas Posthumous Award to the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

The government is prepared to look into Professor Alston’s recommendations and see how these can be dovetailed with the measures already slated by President Arroyo as a result of the Melo Commission Report, such as the strengthening of the witness protection program and the creation of special courts by the Supreme Court.

This administration is doing its best to serve the ends of justice and it looks forward to any form of assistance in helping obtain testimony to pin down the guilty.

The Philippines will resolve these killings under its justice system, supported by well-meaning partnerships with the UN, the EU and other allies for justice and democracy.

The extortion of campaign fees by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is one of the most brazen assaults on civil and political rights.

The government calls on all candidates, particularly those running for local posts, not to yield to the extortion; and the AFP and PNP have standing orders to preempt the NPA’s ability to move around and sow extortion and threats.

The May elections are mainly about the economy.

The people must choose among those who have an economic plan and those who have not; among those who can sustain the momentum of growth, confidence and jobs—and those who will set back the clock.

There are only two choices in this campaign: one is a choice for nation-building; the other is a choice for breaking down the walls of the nation.

Malacanang assured today that the rights of every Filipino citizen would be respected with the passage and impending signing into law of the Human Security Act of 2007 or the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said during his regular media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang the anti-terrorism measure had passed the scrutiny of Congress before it was ratified during the special session that started last Monday.

"Apprehensions on the passage and other components of the anti-terrorism law would be best left to the Supreme Court after its authorization by the President," he said.

Ermita said the President would likely sign the Act very soon, "maybe before Friday."

Once signed, the Human Security Act of 2007 would take effect two months after the May elections.

Ermita said one of the important features of the Human Security Act of 2007 is the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Council to be chaired by himself and with the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) as vice chairman.

Other members are the Secretaries of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Finance (DOF), and the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Ermita said the secretariat would be provided by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) with the support of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), Anti-Money Laundering Council, Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The passage of the anti-terrorism law is part of the country’s commitment to the international community and vital to regional stability.

Malacaņang announced today the appointments by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of former Pampanga Rep. Zenaida Cruz-Ducut as Deputy Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and three other officials to various government posts.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made the announcement during his weekly press briefing this afternoon at the New Executive Building of Malacaņang.

Ducut will be the deputy of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol.

Both Ducut and Apostol were former members of the House of Representatives.

Renato L. Ebarle was named undersecretary at the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff under the Office of the President.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said today the government welcomes all recommendations, including that of United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, in resolving the issue of extra-judicial killings and providing justice to the families of the victims.

"The government is prepared to look into Professor Alston’s recommendations and see how these can be dovetailed with the measures already slated by President Arroyo as a result of the Melo Commission Report, such as the strengthening of the Witness Protection Program (WPP) and the creation of special courts by the Supreme Court," he said in a statement.

To show that her administration is not condoning the killings, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created the Melo Commission as early as August last year, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, to investigate and put a stop to the slaying of journalists and leftist elements.

Upon receipt of the report of the five-man fact-finding body last month, the President immediately issued several directives to different government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

These include the consolidation of the different government agencies and resources, inviting the international community including the European Union to assist in the investigations, ensuring the protection of witnesses, fielding more special prosecutors and the installation of special courts for human rights violations.

The commission last week gave a confidential briefing on their findings and recommendations to Alston, who came to the country on the invitation of the Arroyo administration.

Upon reading the Melo Report, Alston acknowledged the independence of the fact-finding panel but recommended a more balanced outcome of the investigation because of the refusal of the families of victims and leftist groups to cooperate.

"This administration is doing its best to serve the ends of justice and it looks forward to any form of assistance in helping obtain testimony to pin down the guilty," he said.

Bunye said the Philippines would resolve the killings under its justice system with the support of all well-meaning partners such as the UN and the European Union (EU).

"We hope that Prof. Alston’s efforts would open the communication lines between the government and the various sectors concerned that would pave the way for cooperation and renewed trust and confidence to obtain justice," Bunye said.

At his regular media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the report of the Melo Commission was still incomplete due to the refusal of the families of victims and militant groups to cooperate with the investigations.

Ermita said the copy of the report would be made public tomorrow.

"The Melo Commission report will be released. The copies of the report will be made available through the office of Secretary Bunye by tomorrow," he said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has granted executive clemency to nine prisoners in line with her administration’s policy of humane treatment.

In his press briefing held this afternoon at Malacanang’s New Executive Building, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the order granting conditional pardon to the inmates who were convicted of various criminal offenses was signed by the President on Tuesday.