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| 19 JULY 2007 | . | |
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| 19 JULY 2007 | . | |
| PGMA backs BIR intelligence technology projects |
| President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo is pushing for the immediate implementation of two intelligence
technology projects of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that will enhance transparency
and improve tax collection efficiency at the country's main revenue generating agency. "We are embarking on two groundbreaking projects -- the Revenue Watch Dashboard and the LGU Revenue Assurance -- that will utilize advanced intelligence technology in order to help the BIR increase its tax collection in the coming months," Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said. "The President will be personally monitoring the progress of these projects which we hope to launch on BIR's anniversary on August 1," he added. The Revenue Watch Dashboard project being piloted in the BIR is a state-of-the-art, online performance monitoring system that will promote transparency, enhance compliance and encourage increased performance across the different tax units. The computerized online facility will monitor revenue collections versus targets at all levels of organization in the BIR from the national level to the examiners. "This project in effect allows the BIR to monitor tax collections at any given time. More importantly, it will identify areas with revenue leakages, returns with inconsistencies, unusual patterns of tax declarations, and long-running and unresolved notices and audits," Secretary Teves said. "The BIR can then immediately take decisive actions based on the readily available accurate and relevant information." The LGU Revenue Assurance project is in line with the ongoing initiatives of the BIR to uncover revenue opportunities through third party information. The pilot project involves sharing of information between the BIR and the local government units (LGUs). The information shared will be analyzed with advanced analytics and mining techniques, the result of which will uncover underdeclarations, non-payments and even fictitious use of tax identification numbers (TINs). This process will be beneficial to both the LGUs and the BIR as this will have direct effect on their revenue collections. |
| DSWD holds forum on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder |
| In line with the
celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week on July
17-23, with the theme, "Kapag May Access, May Success," the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently conducted a forum on Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The participants were childcare workers, social workers, child psychologists, caregivers, parents, teachers, and employees from the DSWD Central Office, National Capital Region, and Regions III, IV-A and IV-B field offices. Representatives from various non-government organizations and local government units of the cities of Mandaluyong and Marikina also attended the forum which aimed to provide a positive perspective on the ADHD condition to remove the stigma associated with children affected by this situation, the DSWD said. DSWD Undersecretary Luwalhati F. Pablo delivered the welcome message while Undersecretary Alicia R. Bala gave the closing remarks. Resource speakers from the ADHD Society of the Philippines, namely Dr. Lourdes C. Tanchanco, Dr. Felipe S. Balingit, Jr., and Genevieve Gaw, a Special Education teacher, discussed ADHD, including its definition, types and characteristics, causes and management. According to Mrs. Editha Martelino, president of the ADHD Society of the Philippines, ADHD is a medical condition that first appears in childhood, and is a neurologically-based developmental disability which is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Many children with the disorder will continue to have symptoms in adulthood, although the hyperactivity tends to decrease with age. ADHD affects not only the patient, but also those involved in the patient's life. In her closing message, Undersecretary Bala pledged to strengthen relationship with the ADHD Society of the Philippines in advocating for programs for children with this condition. "We hope that this forum has enlightened our participants on the proper ways of dealing with children with ADHD," Bala said. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
I cannot speak for Secretary (Lito) Atienza. I know he can address whatever misgivings some groups may have. I can tell you, however, that the President is very confident that he will be able to fully discharge his duties and responsibilities as Secretary of Environment and as a member of her official family. |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Statement at the Luzon
Urban Beltway Infrastructure Conference Subic Bay International Airport Terminal Lounge, Subic Freeport Zone, Zambales |
| In last
year's State of the Nation Address, I unveiled the Super Regions - Central Philippines,
North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, Luzon Urban Beltway, Cyber Corridor and Mindanao -
where development must spread, away from an unhealthy and inequitable concentration in
Metro Manila. It was not just a gimmick for the occasion but the blueprint of the only viable future. Our Super Regions strategy is doing great for the Luzon Urban Beltway. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Express Road is in its final stages. This first-world motorway will cut travel time between Clark and Subic from two hours to 30 minutes. Clark Airport got its radar approach control in April. Although it will open its new passenger terminal in January, it already has 50 international flights a week, the second busiest after NAIA. We just came from Cubi Point where we inaugurated a new world-class container port that will make the Subic Bay Freeport together with the Clark Freeport one of the best international service and logistics centers in the region. In my State of the Nation Address last year, I said we would connect North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways through C-5. Ginagawa na ang C-5 mula sa Katipunan. Kausap na ang UP para sa ibubutas na daan patungong Commonwealth, na kasalukuyang nilalaparan. Sa kabila ng Mindanao Avenue (sa Quezon City), binibili na ang lupang daraanan mula Barangay Talipapa (Novaliches) hanggang Malinta (Valenzuela City) kabit na ng NLEX. On the South Expressway we are widening Alabang Viaduct up to Santo Tomas, Batangas. By March, SLEX will extend all the way to Batangas Port through the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road. I'm sure everyone wants to know about NAIA Airport Terminal 3. The ceiling that fell wasn't the only thing in danger of falling. Intrusive inspection revealed that the airport cannot withstand an Intensity VI earthquake. The contractor took so long to start the remedial work that government sent a termination notice. Now it's back, taking responsibility for the structural defects. We have pinned them down to complete the work by this year's end. Or else. More modern airports mean more work for the ATO (Air Transportation Office). I am submitting a priority administration measure creating the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Public safety comes first. With regard to energy and power, Luzon needs 150 megawatts additional by 2010. This will be covered by the announced 350-megawatt, $350-million expansion of the Pagbilao plant by Marubeni and Tokyo Electric, part of their $4 billion that constitutes the biggest Japanese investment in Philippine history. Only four percent of Luzon's power comes from oil. Yet power rates are high. I will ask Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act for open access and more competition. Our resolve to provide the necessary infrastructure for growth and prosperity has heightened investors' confidence in our capability to slug it out in the global arena such as the US$1.6-billion Hanjin Shipbuilding facility, considered to be the third largest in the world and the $1-billion Texas Instruments chip plant in Clark. People need to breathe clean air while we also build manufacturing. We have closed 88 firms for polluting the environment. Public safety first, as I said. Nagtayo tayo ng mga tangkeng maglilinis ng maruming tubig sa halagang P300 milyon, para maalis ang panganib sa apat na milyong residente ng Kamaynilaan dahil sa marumi at baradong mga ilog at estero. Earlier this year we proclaimed a critical habitat within the coastal lagoon of Las Pinas and Paranaque. P7 billion in investments from Maynilad's new owners is bringing clean and, at last, running water in Paranaque and other parts of its franchise area. Manila Water just completed a similar P2 billion project for Antipolo. Ang tubig ay nagbibigay-buhay, hindi pumapatay dahil sa baha. Matapos ang maraming taong usapan at malaking gastos sa nakaraan, sa wakas ginagawa sa ilalim natin ang KAMANAVA (Kalookan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) Flood Control Project hanggang Septiyembre 2008. Flood control in Central Luzon will continue with the P5 billion Mt. Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project that will protect San Fernando City, Sasmuan, Guagua, and, of course, Lubao. Who knows, I may run for Congress from my home town. The Luzon Urban Beltway is oozing with prospects. This meeting is a testament to our seriousness and resolve to bring economic vibrancy to the super region. To the local government units, I invite you to take an active part in the development of our Luzon Urban Beltway. Together we shall make the Luzon Urban Beltway a globally competitive urban, industrial and services center. Let us push on with greater solidarity and focus. |
| PGMA opens 1st phase of $215-million Subic Bay Port Development Project |
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE, Zambales – Four days before she delivers her 7th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated today the New Container Terminal 1 (NCT-1), the first phase of the $215-million Subic Bay Port Development Project (SBPDP). "This new world-class container port will make the Subic Bay Freeport (Zone), together with the Clark Freeport (Zone), one of the best international service and logistics centers in the region," the President said during the inaugural ceremonies. The SBPDP and the $425-million Subic-Clark Toll Road are major components of her 10-point legacy agenda. The government said that the upgrading of the Subic and Clark ports to world-class standard will accelerate economic growth in the northern Luzon corridor and lead to the emergence of the area as the most viable regional logistics center in that part of the country. The Subic Bay Freeport and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airpot (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga are linked by the Subic-Clark Toll Road. Both the SBPDP and the Subic-Clark Toll Road projects are funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The two projects will lead to increased economic activities in the hinterlands and generate employment throughout Central Luzon, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said. The President helicoptered to this former US naval base this morning for the opening of the terminal’s operations. Congratulating SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza and Sen. Richard Gordon for the completion of the NCT-1 ahead of schedule, the President said such accomplishments in the infrastructure sector adds to investors’ confidence in investing in the country. "I'm very glad to hear that both Gordon and Arreza have been able to get Philip Morris to locate their logistics center right here in Subic," she added. |
| PGMA 'leaks' important portions of her much-awaited State of the Nation Address (SONA) |
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE, Zambales – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "leaked" to her audiences here more highlights of her upcoming 7th State of the Nation Address (SONA), particularly on the Super Regions projects, and the pressing problems on infrastructure improvements, electricity, and the availability of potable water. The President gave the gist of her SONA before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday (July 23) during her keynote address she delivered before the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) Infrastructure Conference held at the conference room of the Subic Bay International Airport here this morning. The LUB forms part of the Super Regions strategy which also includes the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, Central Philippines (tourism), the Cyber Corridor and Mindanao as the country's next food basket. The President said she was pleased that one of the components of the LUB -- the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is now in its final stages of completion and the LUB, as a whole "is doing great." She said that the completion of the expressway would also please motorists as travel time to and from Subic, Clark, and Tarlac would be cut from two hours to just 30 minutes. Still on the LUB, the President said the development of modern airports, particularly the repair work being conducted on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal III, is another top priority of the government. She said talks between the government and the contractor of NAIA III have concluded with the contractor agreeing to shoulder the cost of repairing the terminal. On infrastructure improvements, the President said the work has started on "linking" the North Luzon Expressway (NLE) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLE) via the C-5 Road. She said the linking between the two expressways would greatly reduce travel time of goods and services between provinces north and south of Metro Manila and would cut costs for both the buyer and the seller. On electricity, the President lauded the $350-million investment of Marubeni and Tokyo Electric to expand the power generated by the Pagbilao power plant to 350 megawatts. She said that this would meet the power requirements of Luzon island which, she noted, would need an additional 150 MW of electricity by 2010. The President also talked about the seemingly rising price of electricity and her plan to finally bring down its cost as the Luzon grid uses only four percent of oil for power generation. She said she would ask Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) while she directed the Secretary of Energy to expedite the privatization of power plants – a main requirement of the EPIRA to finally bring down power rates. "I will have to ask Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act for open access and more competition, kasi yung batas dati sabi, bago magkaroon ng open access kung saan kahit kanino ka pwede bumili ng kuryente, kailangan 70 percent ng ating power plants ay privatized. Eh ang bagal," the President said. "So on one hand, I am tasking the new Secretary of Energy to speed up privatization and on the (legislative side) to also speed up the legislation so that we don't have to wait for 70 percent privatization before our businesses and households begin to enjoy power rates that should be ours because we are not so oil dependent in Luzon and because our peso is strong," she added. Finally on water, the President expressed pleasure that the two water concessionaires – Maynilad and Manila Water – have been able to provide water to a larger number of Filipinos through their multibillion-peso water projects. The President pointed out that all these, particularly the investments in infrastructure, have gotten worldwide attention and allowed more foreign investments to accrue to the country. "Our resolve to provide the necessary infrastructure for growth and prosperity has heightened investors' confidence in our ability to slug it out in the global arena," the President said. "For instance, right here if you look across the bay, you will see the $1-billion Hanjin shipbuilding facility, considered as the third largest in the world. And next month, we will be groundbreaking the $1-billion Texas Instruments investment in Clark," she added. "So we have billion-dollar investments coming in because they have seen us putting our own money, our own investment in infrastructure." In ending, the President called on all Filipinos to join in the development of LUB. "The LUB is oozing with prospects and the meeting that we're having now is a testament to our seriousness and resolve to bring economic vibrancy to the super region," the President said. "So, to you, the local government officials and the stakeholders, I invite you to take an active part in the development of our LUB. Together we shall make the LUB a globally-competitive, urban, industrial and service center," the President said. "So let us push on with greater solidarity and focus." Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza said that the completion of the first phase of the port modernization project will also accelerate the construction of other projects being implemented in the Subic Bay Freeport such as the Hanjin shipbuilding facility. "The completion of NCT-1 boosts our confidence that the Subic Bay Freeport will soon become a key player in the containerized and non-containerized cargo handling business in the entire Asia-Pacific region. This will attract more shipping companies worldwide to use the Subic port, while helping decongest the traffic in the Port of Manila," Arreza said. The operation of NCT-1 will be awarded to global port operator Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) upon the approval and concurrence of the SBMA Board of Directors and JBIC, respectively. SBITC, a joint venture company, is 15 percent owned by SBMA and 85 percent by the Subic Bay International Terminal Holdings Inc. (SBITHI). SBITHI, on the other hand, is a joint venture company of ICTSI and Royal Port Services, Inc. (RPSI) with the former owning 83.33 percent. |
