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| 26 FEBRUARY 2007 | ||
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| 26 FEBRUARY 2007 | ||
| PGMA cites immense contribution of BPOs to jobs creation program |
| CEBU CITY --- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo cited today the enormous contribution of the information and
communications technology (ICT) sector, specifically the business process outsourcing
(BPO) players, to her administration's thrust to create at least six to 10 million jobs by
2010. At the inauguration this morning of the first Sykes Enterprises Inc. Center in Cebu province, the President thanked Chuck Sykes, president and chief operating officer of the global company, for the direct jobs as well as the indirect employment opportunities created with the establishment of six Sykes centers in the Philippines. "May you have more Sykes (centers) here in the Philippines. Thank you for the 10,000 jobs you have given the Filipinos and also for the jobs you have given for the businesses around your BPO centers," the President said. "Even if they don't have the call center English, they get jobs because of you," the President told Sykes, referring to the thousands of indirect employment created around the BPO centers such as those benefiting janitors, waiters, jeepney drivers, among others. The ICT sector, specifically the call centers and BPOs established in various parts of the country, has greatly contributed to the national economic growth with the service sector topping the list. Sykes' senior vice president and managing director for Asia-Pacific Rim Mike Henderson said the Philippines' booming economy made Sykes decide to "expand our business" in the country. "We continue to look for ways on creating jobs and contribute to the local economy," Henderson said, adding that with the government's support, they "look forward to expanding our business even more." The President led the ribbon-cutting and the unveiling of the marker at the main entrance of Sykes-Cebu located on F. Cabahug Street, Cebu. The President then made a quick tour of the call center operations area and interacted with some of the Cebuano staff of Sykes. Sykes is a global leader in providing outsourced customer contact management solutions and services in the BPO arena. It has some 17,000 staff members in 16 countries. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Sykes now has six BPO centers in the Philippines, of which five are in Metro Manila. In its Cebu center alone, Sykes has 1,700 employees and aims to increase that number to 2,700. The inauguration of the Sykes-Cebu coincided with the 10th anniversary of Sykes in the Philippines. Earlier, the President visited the exhibit of Cebu's furniture makers at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug. The Cebu furniture makers have been among the country's leading exporters. |
| PGMA creates Lanao Advisory Council |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has authorized the creation of a Lanao Advisory Council (LAC) empowering the 16 Royal Sultanates in Mindanao to make recommendations to promote peace and development in their area. The 16 Royal Sultanates are recognized in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, Marawi City, Iligan City, and several towns in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. The President signed Executive Order No. 602 last Feb. 9 creating and establishing the Lanao Advisory Council to advise the President on issues and problems affecting their area. Under the Executive Order, the Council shall give advice and recommendations to the President on matters that would promote peace and development, facilitate the settlement of conflicts, and assist in the implementation of government programs in their areas of responsibility. Each of the 16 Royal Sultanates shall be entitled to equal representation in the LAC. The sultanates shall be represented by their respective sultan, who shall elect among themselves the chairman and vice chairman of the Council. |
| Palace: Quick action on Melo commission recommendations |
| The government of
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo highlighted several actions already taken or currently
in progress towards solving the important issue of extrajudicial killings of activists and
media members. "The government is more than sincere in its efforts to resolve these killings; we have taken immediate concrete steps," President Arroyo said. The President assigned Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol to monitor the progress of the directives she issued on January 31, 2007 based on the recommendations of the Melo Commission. "I have made it a top priority to resolve the killings of political and agrarian activists and of members of the media and to prevent further killings," said President Arroyo. "And I am confident that we are on the right course." On the directive to the Department of Justice to strengthen and enhance the Witness Protection Program, Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez has liberalized admission requirements, particularly when the threat level on bona fide witnesses is high. Regional State Prosecutors are authorized to grant provisional coverage to high risk witnesses under threat pending confirmation of their admission to the program. Secretary Gonzalez directed all WPP implementers and personnel, particularly the Regional State Prosecutors, City and Provincial Prosecutors, to adopt a proactive stance in seeking out bona fide witnesses in cases involving political killings, media murders and human rights violations. The Department has organized a team of prosecutors to oversee, coordinate and follow all cases involving witnesses at high risk, for expeditious prosecution of cases. The President has requested the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to delve deeper into the matter of extrajudicial killings. She has approved the release of P25 million for the Commission to apply to its general mandate under the Constitution which includes monitoring, investigating, education and training. On the directive for the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to come up as soon as possible with an updated document on Command Responsibility, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon issued on Feb. 4, a memorandum ordering strict adherence to the doctrine of command responsibility. One of the points stressed by Justice Jose Melo, chairman of the Melo Commission, is the need to ensure that all military officers understand and correctly implement the doctrine of command responsibility. Command responsibility refers to the "accountability or responsibility or answerability of the commander of a Military Force or Unit for the acts of his men, inclusive of the authority to order, to direct, to prevent or control the acts of his men." (People v. Lucero, G.R. No. 63423-24). Under Executive Order No. 226, dated February 17, 2005, commanders are duty-bound to closely monitor, supervise, direct, coordinate and control the overall activities of his subordinates and to submit an offender to the proper authorities. On the directive for the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to draft a letter to the Supreme Court requesting the establishment of special courts to prosecute the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings, the letter to Chief Justice Reynato Puno was signed by the President on January 31, 2007. The Chief Justice announced in mid-February that the Supreme Court will set up the courts as requested as soon as possible. On the directive for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to request technical assistance from the European Union for the investigation, the DFA has already made the request. In relation to this, the Melo Commission briefed members of the diplomatic corps on February 13, so they can understand the investigative need. Diplomats from Europe, Japan and other countries as well as the UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston welcomed the news of these actions by the Arroyo administration in separate briefings earlier this month. |
| PGMA thanks Cebuanos for ASEAN Summit's success |
| CEBU CITY---- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo hosted this afternoon a "merienda cena" or thanksgiving
reception at the Malacanang sa Sugbo here for the ASEAN Summit Cebu Organizing Committee
to show her appreciation of their efforts to ensure the success of the Philippines'
hosting of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the East
Asia Summit last January. "Daghang salamat, Sugbu, daghang salamat, Sugbu-anon! (Thank you very much Cebu, Thank you very much Cebuanos)," the President said. The President acknowledged one by one all those who helped make the ASEAN Summit "a shining moment" for the Philippines. "Thank you, Cebu Organizing Committee, for your unstinting cooperation and unwavering commitment," the President said in the Cebuano dialect. She said "everybody left Cebu happy" after the Summit because of the gracious and entertaining hosting of the Cebuanos. "When I was in Davos (Switzerland), because a great deal has been talked about the ASEAN, everybody talked about Cebu rather than the Philippines," the President said proudly. "I want to thank all of you, because of you, the Philippines has been so proud in hosting one of the best ASEAN Summits," she added. Cebu Province hosted the 12th ASEAN Summit last January after Myanmar declined to host it. Despite the short time to prepare for it, Cebu was able to deliver. Preparations for hosting an ASEAN Summit usually take two years. "I can't really mention everyone...Congratulations to all of you and once again, daghang salamat!," the President said. |
