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| 12 JANUARY 2007 | ||
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| 12 JANUARY 2007 | ||
| Statement of the President |
| I commend the statesmanship
displayed by the members of the House and the Senate, particularly those in the bicameral
panel deliberating on the proposed 2007 budget. A win-win solution has been reached to seal our continuing fiscal strength and economic growth in front of rising confidence, investments and jobs for the people. We must steel the pillars of the economy as we move towards closer integration in ASEAN and East Asia, and propel the Philippines on the prosperity track with all institutions of governance rowing together in one direction. The budget is a key element in the fight against poverty as it consolidates the fruits of tough economic reforms and brings them to the doorstep of each and every household and community. We are a national team raring to work together with other nations for a caring and sharing regional community. |
| Statement of the President Re: ASEAN |
This year, the Philippines captures a moment of glory as the hub and gateway of partnership and cooperation in ASEAN and the whole East Asian region, as we push forward in one heave of leadership to uplift the lives of the people and preserve their greater safety and security. Let this meeting be another opportunity for the world to witness the best of a sharing and caring community carving out a united response in addressing problems of poverty, terrorism, environmental degradation, trade and energy—marking a vibrant market and a new phase of trade and development across borders. The future looks brighter for the region under the collective stewardship of committed leaders reaching out to each other in the spirit of friendship and common purpose. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Erap |
| It is premature to discuss the issue at this time. |
| ASEAN to reaffirm commitment to DOHA talks |
CEBU, Philippines--The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will call on the 149-nation World Trade Organization (WTO), particularly the major players in the Doha Round of trade talks, to resume the negotiating process. ASEAN Summit spokesman Ambassador Victoriano Lecaros said an official statement to this effect is expected to be officially issued when the 10 leaders of the regional grouping meet here on Saturday. "ASEAN leaders would be adopting a statement that would reaffirm the region’s commitment to the Doha Round of talks," he said during a briefing at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) Thursday morning. Negotiations on the sixth Doha Development Round in Geneva were suspended indefinitely at the end of July last year because of the refusal of the United States and other industrialized countries to cut down subsidies to their farming sectors. The impasse was blamed on the opposing views of developed and developing nations on full trade integration. Developing countries wanted the developed nations to remove their agricultural subsidies that result in trade distortion and make their products artificially cheaper. According to a recent WTO World Trade Report, the total amount of subsidies worldwide has reached $300 billion, $250 billion of which come from the developed countries. The same report said that while agricultural subsidies were on the decline, "industrial subsidies were more prevalent in mining, coal, steel, forestry, fisheries, shipbuilding and automotive industries." In terms of promoting further progress in global trade, the ASEAN countries argue that they have been at the forefront of the effort by entering into free trade agreements with emerging markets such as South Korea and China. Negotiations for a free trade agreement are currently underway with India. The ASEAN leaders are expected to instruct their ministers, senior officials and representatives in Geneva to intensify their efforts and involvement in the negotiations for the resumption of the stalled trade talks. |
| Ministers back RP proposal for ASEAN-China Center on trade, investments, tourism |
CEBU, Philippines – Saying that regional partnerships are vital to ensuring that everyone benefits from globalization, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo Thursday called for closer cooperation between ASEAN and China through the establishment of the ASEAN–China Center on the Promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism. Romulo made this proposal during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting here. He said that "people disadvantaged by economic factors beyond their control should not be forgotten. Managing the social impact of globalization and closing development gaps are crucial in this regard." He added that "being able to take part in the dynamic global economy is of central strategic importance for both ASEAN and China." "The Philippines, therefore, seeks to conclude an MOU to establish the proposed ASEAN–China Center on the Promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism by the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in July this year in Manila," Romulo told the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China. During the meeting, the Secretary also welcomed the resumption of the Six-Party Talks on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. "I expressed our great concern over the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) nuclear issue. I welcomed the recent resumption of the Six-Party Talks and expressed our hope that the talks will remain on track," the Secretary said after the meeting. He also said that he acknowledged the key role that China is playing as host of the Six-Party Talks and that many appreciate China’s efforts to help resolve this issue peacefully. "We commend China for its special role in facilitating the Six-Party Talks. Although the last round of the Six-Party Talks ended inconclusively last month, we are encouraged by China’s determined leadership to keep all the parties engaged in the talks," the Secretary said. Romulo also underscored the importance of inter-regional cooperation, saying the "Philippines supports linkages between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as part of the global effort against terrorism," adding that "ASEAN-SCO relations be elevated from the current secretariat level to senior official or ministerial level." The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental international organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001 by six countries -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its member states cover an area of over 30 million square kilometers, or about three-fifth of Eurasia, with a population of 1.455 billion, or about a quarter of the world's total. |
| Indonesia to host 7-nation counter-terrorism gab |
CEBU, Philippines--Indonesia will host a convention on counter-terrorism in March this year among the six original members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and possibly Australia, according to Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. Romulo made the announcement following a dinner with foreign ministers at the opening of the 12th ASEAN Summit at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa Wednesday. Australia, an ASEAN dialogue partner, has been invited to attend the convention. Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Vic Lecaros, who is also the summit spokesman, said the original ASEAN members who will participate in the convention are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Romulo said Indonesia, which is taking the lead in the seven-nation confab to be held in Jakarta "will get together to a meeting of military intelligence and other agencies involved in counter-terrorism." However, no specific date in March has been set yet. "We are all attending that meeting precisely to look into how we can implement or carry out the convention on counter-terrorism," Romulo said. The topic is one of the priority matters to be discussed during the summit in Cebu which is underway. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been battling the al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines where scores of terrorists have been killed or captured the past decade. On the other hand, Indonesia has its hands full fighting the terror group, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). Some JI members have been hiding in the mountains in southern Philippines where they are being hunted by government forces. Last Saturday, Gufran, alias Abu Samur, a JI member and reportedly the right hand man of Dulmatin, a top JI leader who fled to the Philippines, was killed in an encounter with Philippine Marines in Sulu. Ambassador Benjamin Defensor, Jr., a retired four-star general, said during the round-table that this is the first time that a convention on counter-terrorism is included in a summit. Defensor, head of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation anti-terrorism task force, said that never before that a convention on counter-terrorism was held, except on framework discussion to fight terrorism. This is an indication how serious the Philippines is in fighting terror in all fronts, Defensor said. |
| Romulo thanks ASEAN plus 3 partners for supporting Mindanao peace process |
CEBU, Philippines – Speaking after the ASEAN-Plus Three Ministerial Meeting which he chaired Thursday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said that the southern Philippines peace process has moved forward, thanks to the strong support of the international community, particularly fellow ASEAN members and its Plus Three partners -- China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. "It is in this spirit that I expressed before the gathered ministers of ASEAN and our Plus Three partners in today’s meeting our profound gratitude for being our partners for peace," Romulo said. During the meeting, the Secretary stated, "Let me thank China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as our ASEAN partners, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, for backing peace and development in the southern Philippines. They have provided a broad range of support, from facilitation of the peace talks to joining interfaith dialogues, and from extending humanitarian and post-conflict assistance to funding development projects." In the context of national and global economic development, Romulo also emphasized the importance of supporting efforts to get the Doha Development Round moving forward. "On the Doha Round, the resumption of talks is essential. All WTO members need to show political will and to offer concessions to secure a balanced outcome," he said. In making this statement during the meeting, the Secretary noted the important role that the Plus Three countries can play in bringing about the success of the Doha Development Round. "China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as major global traders, should show leadership to encourage this outcome," he said. |
| China, Japan, South Korea hail ASEAN efforts to find peaceful solution to NoKor nuke issue |
CEBU, Philippines – China, Japan and South Korea expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to find a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, chair of the ASEAN this year, has been pushing the regional grouping’s efforts to dissuade North Korea from going ahead with its nuclear program to ensure peace and stability in the region. China, Japan and South Korea are ASEAN’s Plus Three Partners. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Japanese Senior Vice Foreign Minister Katsuhito Asano and South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon took cognizance of ASEAN’s move to convince Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions during the ASEAN foreign ministers’ working lunch Thursday chaired by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo. "The Philippines fully supports the Six-Party Talks and the relevant United Nations Resolutions that press for a peaceful outcome to this problem," Romulo told his fellow foreign ministers. "For this reason, the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair, offers its good offices and a venue to facilitate the continuation of diplomacy," he added. Romulo also acknowledged the key roles being played by China, Japan and South Korea in maintaining peace and stability in the region through the Six- Party talks. "We count on the collective leadership of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to make headway at the anticipated resumption of the Six-Party Talks that China has been hosting," the Secretary said. He also expressed the hope that the Six-Party Talks will lead to a peaceful and comprehensive solution of the North Korean nuclear issue. "The Philippines has an important stake in the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Filipinos have shed blood under the flag of the United Nations to help bring peace to the peninsula. We have 47,000 Filipinos there, whose safety and welfare are our priority concerns," Romulo. Saying that the stability of the entire region and the future of proliferation are also at stake, the Philippine official also pointed out that "all these make the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula imperative." He added that ASEAN is "encouraged by the resumption last month of the Six -Party Talks. We urge that these talks continue without any further delay." Romulo said "diplomatic option remains a very high priority" in the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. "I believe we should also be consistent in conveying to the North Koreans the expectations of the international community with respect to denuclearization, particularly in the context of UN Security Council resolution 1718," he said. Prior to the meeting, Romulo had suggested that it may be beneficial to the Six -Party Talks if a parallel Track Two Talks could be held, as this would allow for greater flexibility, with its informal and non-attribution nature. "Next month, we will host a meeting, under the auspices of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) of experts and eminent persons on Northeast Asian security and it is our hope that our proposal for this Track Two approach will receive support," he said. |
| Romulo: Economic cooperation key to sustain regional growth |
CEBU, Philippines--Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo has urged his counterparts in ASEAN to strengthen support for sub-regional growth areas such as the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), stressing that economic cooperation in the sub-regional groups is key to sustain overall growth in Southeast Asia. At the ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting held here Thursday night in advance of the 12th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Romulo also welcomed the support of Japan, an ASEAN dialogue partner, for initiatives to bridge development gaps in the Southeast Asian region. "Growth in sub-regional areas is crucial to achieve our goals of a more prosperous and progressive Southeast Asian region and we have to follow through with support vital in sustaining growth in the sub-regions," Romulo pointed out. "Japan’s interest to become a BIMP-EAGA Development Partner promises fresh growth opportunities for a strategic area that is crucial for the stability of Southeast Asia and of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole," Romulo added. Created in 1994, BIMP-EAGA aims to spur and sustain growth in identified less-developed and geographically proximate areas through economic complementation and sharing of resources and markets. BIMP-EAGA cooperative efforts include the establishment of air and sea linkages, agro-industry and fisheries cooperation, joint tourism development and Customs-Immigration-Quarantine and Security (CIQS) harmonization. The other sub-regional growth areas in ASEAN are the Greater Mekong Delta River Sub-region, the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle and the Singapore-Johore-Riau Growth Triangle. To consolidate the gains of sub-regional growth areas, Romulo also called for the conclusion of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP). Proposed by former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the AJECP’s realization was supported by the leaders of ASEAN and Japan in a Joint Declaration in 2002. |
| ASEAN reiterates commitment to peaceful solution to North Korea issue |
CEBU, Philippines--Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said Thursday that ASEAN is ready to do what it can to help move the Six-Party Talks forward as he underscored the commitment of the Philippines and ASEAN to secure the Asia-Pacific region from the threat of nuclear weapons At the ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministerial Meeting here held in advance of the 12th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Romulo said the Philippines is in "total solidarity" with the ROK in efforts to exhaust "all possible peaceful avenues" to keep the Korean Peninsula free from nuclear weapons. While welcoming the resumption of talks last month, ASEAN members urged the use of diplomacy and meaningful dialogue to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue. ASEAN members likewise reiterated their call for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to adhere to the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1718 and the Joint Communique of September 2005 that call for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. Romulo called on the DPRK to continue the Six-Party Talks "without delay" and pointed out ASEAN’s strong support for the establishment of conditions that would enable the talks to resume. He also said that it may be beneficial to the Six-Party Talks if a parallel Track Two talks could be held, as this would allow for greater flexibility, with its informal and non-attribution nature. "Next month, we will host a meeting, under the auspices of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) of experts and eminent persons on Northeast Asian security and it is our hope that our proposal for this Track Two approach will receive support," Romulo said. Leaders of ROK, Japan and China will meet at the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to discuss regional issues and developments, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. ROK, Japan and China are part of the Six-Party Talks, along with the United States, the DPRK and Russia. Romulo pointed out that the "nuclear proliferation in the Korean Peninsula threatens the security of all of us in our region and the world." The Philippines chairs the 10-member ASEAN until July of 2007. |
| Romulo cites need to strengthen ASEAN-Japan alliance vs terrorism to ensure regional security |
CEBU, Philippines – Advancing their collective security agenda, the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan are moving towards closer collaboration in counter-terrorism and maritime security, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo announced today. At the ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting here, Romulo underscored the importance of sustaining initiatives for regional security, particularly the ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue which was launched in June last year. "Greater prosperity and progress can only be achieved for all the region’s stakeholders if we ensure the necessary conditions of peace and security," Romulo said. "ASEAN and Japan’s agreements to expand counter-terrorism and maritime security are important moves in advancing our common security agenda," Romulo added. ASEAN and Japan will be holding their second Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Malaysia in 2007. Romulo emphasized capacity building and the provision of modern equipment, ships and training as major components of ASEAN-Japan maritime security cooperation. He said the region’s archipelagic configuration with "its much traveled seas, straits and sea lanes expose us to numerous hazards." "Cooperation to secure our sea lanes is rightly a major initiative," Romulo explained. Citing the important role and contributions of Japan, the Philippine Foreign Secretary pointed out that "Japan’s readiness to expand its efforts in regional security cooperation reinforces regional security." ASEAN and Japan commemorate this year 33 years of collaboration and cooperation. In 2003, ASEAN and Japan signed the Declaration for the Dynamic and Enduring ASEAN-Japan Partnership in the New Millennium. Apart from intensified security cooperation, the 10-member nations of ASEAN and Japan also agreed during the ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting to work closer together in the prevention of pandemics such as the avian flu virus, development cooperation, culture, human resources and SME development. The Secretary also stressed the importance of interfaith and inter-civilizational dialogues, saying he looked forward to closer cooperation with Japan bilaterally, with ASEAN and with international organizations such as the UNESCO. |
| PGMA brings good weather to Cebu -- Garcia |
CEBU, Philippines –"The sun always shines whenever President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visits Cebu." This oft-repeated quote comes from Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who says the President always brings good tidings, including good weather, whenever she visits Cebu. Cebu hosts this year’s summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The week of the summit opened under a nasty weather spawned by an intertropical convergence zone. But it stopped raining starting Thursday to the relief of summit organizers and the Cebuanos who view the events with unconcealed pride. The weather has become a big factor in the holding of this year’s ASEAN summit after the original high-level gathering in December was postponed because of an approaching typhoon. But the good weather continues to hold, as Governor Garcia noted when she met President Arroyo at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport upon her arrival from Manila at 10:45 this morning. The President arrived with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and daughter Luli and was welcomed at the tarmac by Garcia, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman; Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza, Mandaue City Mayor Thaddeo Ouano, Cebu Representatives Nerisssa Soon-Ruiz, Eduardo Gullas, and Red Durano; and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Calderon. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that after more than a week of cloudiness and intermittent showers, it’s all systems go for the summit, weather-wise. |
| Cebu's booming tourism industry gets boost from Chinese foreign minister |
CEBU, Philippines—Cebu’s booming tourism industry got another boost from visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. In a press conference this morning at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, Romulo said that the Chinese official has described Cebu as a "unique corner of paradise." Romulo said that by hosting the summit meetings, the Philippine government was able to bring to the world the beauty of Cebu as a tourist destination and as a convention venue. He said that Minister Li made the comment during the ministerial meeting between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. China is a dialogue partner of ASEAN, along with Australia, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Romulo said that Li’s comment was "significant and welcome" since it came from an official of a country that has one of the largest numbers of global tourists, owing to its remarkable economic growth. According to Romulo, because of the Cebu summits, the number of flights to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport has increased by almost six percent after local companies increased operations in the region. He said that the number of passengers passing through the airport has also increased by 14 percent. "In the 2006 run-up to the ASEAN Summit season, visitor arrivals in Central Visayas from January to September reached 1.2 million, about 11 percent higher compared to the same period in 2005," Romulo said, adding that arrivals of foreign visitors – comprising more than one-third of visitors arrivals – have experienced a remarkable double-digit growth of 18.5 percent. Romulo said that the influx of domestic and foreign delegates during the Summit is expected to raise P1.2 billion in additional sales for local businesses. "I am confident that these numbers will increase. We have placed Cebu on the map of international tourism, investment and trade," Romulo said, adding that these gains are as permanent as the Cebu International Convention Center, which he described as "a powerful symbol of the strong, resilient, determined and hardworking spirit of all Cebuanos." Cebu City is the hub of trade and commerce in the South, given its strategic location in the heart of the Philippine archipelago. It is also the most progressive city, second to Manila. Cebu’s culture was influenced and enriched by foreign practices, flavors and traditions, conceiving a multifaceted culture that is distinctively Cebuano. Many edifices and colonial relics still stand proudly today as testaments of its colorful history. The island province of Cebu is also a land of festivals, with Sinulog as the grandest and most popular celebration. Held every third Sunday of January, Sinulog is done as a tribute to Seņor Santo Niņo de Cebu. Every year, the enthusiastic locals clad in colorful, elaborate costumes converge along the routes of a solemn procession and join the Visayan mardi gras parade, dancing the two-steps-forward-and-one-step shuffle while chanting "Viva Pit Seņor!" to the lively beating of the drums. |
| Vital BIMP-EAGA agreements signed today |
CEBU, Philippines – New initiatives in transport, energy and customs, immigrations quarantine security (CIQS) sectors highlight the agreements to be signed during the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) summit Friday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa here. The BIMP-EAGA report, which was prepared by Malaysia, as the standing chair, will be presented to the ASEAN leaders during the start of their Summit this afternoon at Shangri-La. The signing of the CIQS agreements 12 months after the 2nd BIMP-EAGA Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005, is considered a major breakthrough in ASEAN cooperation in the CIQS sectors. The signing ceremonies this afternoon is the first activity to be graced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upon her arrival here for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The BIMP-EAGA is aimed at accelerating economic development in the region through increased investments, the development of human resources, effective use of natural resources and stronger security measures. One of the documents expected to be signed is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Expansion of Air Linkages which designates seven major international airports to be granted fifth freedom traffic rights. These airports are Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam, Pontianak and Balikpapan in Indonesia, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia and Davao and Zamboanga in the Philippines. The MOU provides for the multiple designation of airlines without restrictions on frequency and capacity and co-terminalization with stopover rights and code sharing arrangements. These initiatives are aimed at gradually increasing the number of air links in ASEAN which, in turn, will lead to the steady growth of tourism in the sub-region. Cooperation in trade facilitation is likewise expected to be strengthened with the simplification of customs, immigrations quarantine security rules, regulations and procedures. |
| Australia commits $5 million to fight infectious diseases in ASEAN countries |
| CEBU, Philippines--The
Australian government will contribute up to $5 million (Australian) dollars to help reduce
the economic, social and disease burden of emerging infections that may threaten the East
Asian region. The Australian funding, announced at the East Asian Summit in Cebu, Philippines, will be provided through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and will help ASEAN countries enhance regional preparedness for and capacity to cope with emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza. Activities that would be funded by Australia will include workshops on strengthening regional and national laboratories, reviews of Internet based surveillance networks, training of response team trainers and development of a ministerial agreement on deploying multinational response teams. A new program management team that will be established within the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Expert Group on Communicable Diseases will provide strategic direction. The ASEAN Plus Three Emerging Infectious Disease Programme integrates surveillance, early recognition of outbreaks, diagnostic capability and timely response to emerging infectious diseases, and will respond to the regional priorities of ASEAN member countries. The program is a joint initiative of AusAID, the ASEAN Secretariat, and ASEAN Plus Three member countries that include China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. It will also involve the World Health Organization and animal health stakeholders. ASEAN Plus Three health ministers endorsed the concept at their meeting in June 2006, recognizing the importance of scaling up individual and collective responses to tackle health emergency challenges in the region. Funding for this program will be provided as part of Australia's $100 million (Australian dollar) commitment over four years to combat the threat of pandemics and other emerging infectious diseases within the region, Prime Minister John Howard announced in November 2005. |
| PGMA commends lawmakers for ending deadlock in budget deliberations |
| President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo commended today the members of the House of Representatives and the
Senate bicameral conference committee for showing their statesmanship to end the deadlock
in the budget negotiations and finally allowing the administration to use the proposed
P1.126-trillion national budget for 2007. "I commend the statesmanship displayed by the members of the House and the Senate, particularly those in the bicameral panel deliberating on the proposed 2007 budget," the President said in a statement released by Malacanang shortly before she left this morning for Cebu to lead the 12th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The President issued the remarks in response to a compromise agreement forged between Sen. Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate finance committee, and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, that resulted in breaking the impasse in the budget deliberations. The President noted that "a win-win solution has been reached to seal" the country's continuing fiscal strength and economic growth in front of rising confidence, investments and jobs for the people. "We must steel the pillars of the economy as we move towards closer integration in ASEAN and East Asia, and propel the Philippines on the prosperity track with all institutions of governance rowing together in one direction," she stressed. She said the annual budget of the national government is a key element in the fight against poverty as it consolidates the fruits of tough economic reforms that her administration implemented early last year. The Chief Executive assured the Filipino people that with the impending approval of the 2007 budget, the country's economy will continue to grow and its fruits directly be delivered to the doorstep of each and every household and community in the soonest possible time. "We are a national team raring to work together with other nations for a caring and sharing regional community," she said. With this breakthrough, the proposed P1.126 trillion national budget now contains P574.12 billion for new appropriations, P318.18 billion for debt service, P183.9 billion for Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for local governments and P49.62 billion for other automatic appropriations. |
| ASEAN to ink accord on HIV, AIDS |
| CEBU, Philippines -Leaders of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to sign an agreement that will
tighten regional cooperation in combating the deadly scourge of HIV and AIDS. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said this morning that the ASEAN leaders will adopt the ASEAN Commitments on HIV and AIDS that will firm up ASEAN's collective efforts to fight the two diseases that continue to spread in many parts of the world at an alarming rate. "The ASEAN leaders, in their determination to fight a critical communicable disease, will adopt the ASEAN Commitments on HIV and AIDS," Romulo said at a press conference at the Shang-ri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa. The Third ASEAN Work Programme on HIV and AIDS is expected to be adopted during the 12th Summit of ASEAN heads of state here to underscore the need for sustained region-wide efforts to combat these diseases. The First ASEAN Work Programme on HIV and AIDS (1995-2000) identified the priority areas for regional cooperation against the two health problems. This was succeeded by the ASEAN Work Programme on HIV and AIDS (AWPII) which was implemented from 2003 to 2005. The cooperative efforts in fighting HIV and AIDS is part of the overall theme of this year's summit, "A Caring and Sharing Community." |
| ASEAN leaders back PGMA proposal on resumption of DOHA talks |
| CEBU, Philippines-The leaders
of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have approved President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo's proposal for a stand-alone statement reaffirming the region's
commitment to the DOHA Development Round of talks. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said this morning that the ASEAN leaders agreed to adopt the World Trade Organization (WTO) Stand-Alone Statement pushed by the President which will reinforce the region's commitment to fair and liberal global trade. "The statement will reiterate ASEAN's commitment to the Doha Round and to attaining an ambitious and balanced overall outcome, "Romulo said in a press conference at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa. He also said that the world's major trading powers, including ASEAN's Plus Three Partners -- China, Japan and South Korea -- must show their political will to move the Doha Development Round forward. "I emphasized that all parties, but especially the major trading powers, including the Plus Three Partners, must have the political will to move forward from current positions in order to revive the Round," Romulo added. Negotiations on the Sixth Doha Development Round in Geneva were suspended indefinitely last July because of the refusal of the United States and other industrialized countries to cut down subsidies to their farming sectors. The impasse was blamed on the opposing views of developed and developing nations on full trade integration. Developing countries wanted the developed nations to remove their agricultural subsidies that have resulted in trade distortions and made their products artificially cheaper. According to a recent WTO World Trade Report, the total amount of subsidies worldwide has reached $300 billion, $250 billion of which come from the developed countries. The same report said that while agricultural subsidies were on the decline, "industrial subsidies were more prevalent in mining, coal, steel, forestry, fisheries, shipbuilding and automotive industries." |
| RP reiterates offer to host six-party talks to resolve NoKor nuke ambitions |
| CEBU, Philippines --- The
Philippines reiterated on Friday its offer to host the Six-Party Talks to resolve
peacefully the impasse over North Korea's nuclear program. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo renewed his government's offer following a meeting with his counterparts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the third day of the 12th ASEAN Summit at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa here. He said that China, Japan and South Korea, the three countries that ASEAN believe should play important roles in defusing the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula problem, have expressed their support for the Philippine proposal. "I acknowledged the steady efforts of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to pursue the Six-Party Talks," Romulo said. Other parties involved in the talks are the United States, Russia and North Korea. During a top-level meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers, Romulo stressed the importance of fully implementing the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1718 to resolve the ticklish issue. "Both 'soft' and 'hard' approaches are needed to make it clear to North Korea that the international community expects it to start seriously denuclearizing," Romulo said. Pyongyang's recent test of its long range Dae Po Dong 1 and Tae Podong 1 missiles has sparked vigorous protests from various countries, particularly Japan, South Korea and the US. Romulo said that "to further encourage dialogue, I proposed that the Six-Party Talks participants consider holding T Grack 2 (unofficial) discussions in an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) framework." The most opportune time to do this will be during the forthcoming ARF experts and eminent persons meeting on multilateral security cooperation in Northeast Asia scheduled in Manila next month, he added. According to Romulo, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea "acknowledged that ASEAN can definitely play a key role in helping peacefully resolve this issue," adding that "it is in this context that the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair, will continue to pursue its initiatives." |
| China supports RP call on South China Sea issue |
CEBU, Philippines – China expressed support Friday to the Philippines’ call to expedite the work of the Joint Working Group ensuring cooperation among countries laying claim to the Spratly Islands group in the South China Sea. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing welcomed the call and expressed gratitude "to the spirit of cooperation" shown by the Philippines in implementing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The Declaration, according to Romulo, "remains at the heart of cooperation between ASEAN and China in terms of ensuring that an atmosphere of peace remains in the South China Sea in spite of conflicting claims in the area. The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in part or wholly by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. In November 2002, the claimants signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct." In March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands. Both the ASEAN, which is holding its 12th annual summit here, and China acknowledge the importance of keeping faith with the declaration, according to Romulo. |
| ASEAN to sign accord on regional development |
CEBU, Philippines - Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asians Nations (ASEAN) are set to sign a number of documents during the 12th ASEAN Summit here to further spur economic development and hasten the integration of the 10-member regional grouping into "One Caring and Sharing Community." Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said on Friday ASEAN ministers "have completed the ministerial level work" on these documents for approval at the leaders’ Summit. The ASEAN heads of state are also expected to adopt other important agreements that will affect the region in the years ahead. Founded in August 1967, ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Through the years, ASEAN has become an emerging economic grouping in this part of Asia. The documents to be signed are: - The Cebu Declaration Towards a Caring and Sharing Community. - The Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for an ASEAN Charter. - The Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. - The ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism. - The Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015. - The Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP)-EAGA) on the Expansion of Air Linkages. In a press conference at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa today, Romulo said that the leaders will also adopt the World Trade Organization Stand-Alone Statement, an initiative of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "to reinforce ASEAN's commitment to fair and liberal global trade." The regional bloc will also address aggressively the HIV-AIDS problem through an operational plan. Romulo said that to work out the building of a caring and sharing community, the theme of the 12th ASEAN Summit, the leaders will take note of the following key documents: - Cebu Resolution on Sustainable Development. - Report of the 1st ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting. - Secretary General's Report Card on the follow-up to the 11th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur. - Report of the ASEAN Secretary-General on the implementation of the Vientiane Action Program. - Report of the Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation. Other documents to be adopted during the summit include the Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security; the formal accession of France and Timor Leste to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation for a peaceful and secure Southeast Asia; the ASEAN-China agreements on the Trade in Services Agreement of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area; the Plan of Action to implement the Beijing Declaration on the ASEAN-ICT Cooperative Partnership for Common Development; and the Memorandum of Understanding between the ASEAN Secretariat and the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China. |
| RP calls anew for greater interfaith dialogue cooperation |
CEBU, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has called anew for greater cooperation in interfaith and other inter-civilizational dialogues at all levels in the Southeast Asian region. "Interfaith and other inter-civilizational dialogues for peace are important parts of a comprehensive approach against terror," Romulo told his counterparts during the ministerial meetings preceding the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here. The Philippines, through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has been a leading advocate of interfaith dialogue, a cooperative and positive interaction between people of different faiths leading to tolerance and mutual respect. Romulo likewise reiterated his call for the full implementation of Myanmar’s roadmap to democracy in both the bilateral and ASEAN level. At the ASEAN ministerial meeting, Romulo emphasized the ASEAN consensus contained in the 2006 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Joint Communique. The communique states that while Myanmar needs more political room to manage its internal challenges, it must make greater progress in its roadmap for national reconciliation and democracy. On the Mindanao peace process, Romulo expressed appreciation to the ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners who have extended various forms of assistance for the Mindanao peace process. The assistance ranges from the facilitation of the peace talks to the provision of development assistance. He also thanked the Philippines’ regional partners for providing humanitarian and emergency assistance to help the Philippines manage the deadly impact of recent disasters. |
