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| 08 JUNE 2007 | . | |
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| 08 JUNE 2007 | . | |
| PGMA distributes 100 scholarship vouchers to Sampaloc barangay residents |
The day after her fruitful six-day, three-country visits to the Vatican City, Portugal and China, the first thing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did was to visit this morning a barangay in Sampaloc, Manila to distribute 100 scholarship and training certificates to its residents. The President, accompanied by Vice President Noli de Castro Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chairman Percival Chavez. and National Housing Authority (NHA) administrator Federico Laxa moved around the place with residents of Barangay 579, Zone 56, Buenos Aires street in Sampaloc Manila this morning. The President awarded a "Certificate to Operate a Tindahan Natin" store to Barangay 579 headed by its chairwoman Lorenzana Fontanilla and presented to Fontanilla 100 Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship vouchers worth P10,000 each for qualified residents to take up TESDA’s welding, call center training and workshops.. As she continued to move around the place, a "Botika ng Bayan" that sells cheap basic medicines such as cough syrups and paracetamol and food supplements like multivitamins caught her attention. "Sana makatulong po ito sa inyong lahat dito sa inyong barangay" During an informal barangay meeting that followed, the President instructed Fernando to include Barangay 579 in his "Pook Na Bulok" drainage de-clogging program. She also visited the Sta. Mesa market located near the barangay hall and ordered the MMDA to prioritize the sanitation of the market. As part of the government’s price commodity monitoring program, she also checked prices of meat, fish and vegetables. "Medyo mataas ang presyo ng bilihin siguro dahil sa pagtaas din ng presyo ng langis. Tingnan natin what we can do about it", she told the vendors. |
| PGMA welcomes Iranian official, other foreign delegates to Congress' centenary |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed in Malacanang today the chairman of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, Golomali Hadad Adel, and other foreign delegates who attended the centennial celebration of the House of Representatives, Southeast Asia’s first national parliament. Adel arrived in the country to promote the cultural, social, political, and economic institutions of Iranian society based on Islamic principles and norms. "Welcome to the Philippines," the President said as she greeted Abel at the Malacaņang Music room. After her brief meeting with the Iranian official, the President also welcomed the delegates from the Peoples Republic of China, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia, Russian Republic, Bangladesh and Spain during the luncheon she tendered in their honor at Malacaņang’s Aguinaldo State Dining Room. During the House centennial celebration, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. pointed out that the Philippine Assembly of 1907, composed of 80 elected members, was the first national parliament and indigenous lawmaking body in Southeast Asia. "The Philippine Assembly became the spokesman of Filipino nationalism and the vanguard of our democracy," said De Venecia who is in his fourth term and the longest-serving House speaker in Philippine post-war history. Among those present at the luncheon were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Romulo Neri and Political Adviser Secretary Gabriel Claudio. |
| PGMA calls on Congress to 'write away gridlock' |
Thanking the 13th Congress for passing tough reform measures to move the country forward, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called yesterday on the 14th Congress to "write away gridlock" as it pursues a future of peace, solidarity, stability and prosperity for the country in the next three years. In her speech during the special plenary session for the centennial celebration of Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City yesterday afternoon, the President praised the 13th Congress for approving tough, "bite-the-bullet" legislative proposals, notably the expanded value-added tax (EVAT), intended to move the country forward. "That was the first phase of our turnaround plan to stabilize our budget and spending and then secure increased revenue through better tax and customs collection and through an increase in taxes, especially the value-added tax which you accomplished," the President told the House members. Because Congress approved the reform proposals, the "budget is under control for the first time in a very long time, and the people took the cue with all their might, energy and will. They are rewriting our history," she said. The President pointed out that as a result of the reforms instituted by the government "investments are pouring in, not only foreign investments but investment in small, medium and micro enterprises." "Because of you, there is enough money in our budget to expand our investments in infrastructure and social welfare. Thus, because of you, we are poised to break the back of poverty," she added. The Chief Executive said the success of the economic legislations passed by Congress is amply demonstrated by the country’s growth -- the best in almost two decades -- the stock market surge and the peso, which is now at its strongest in years. Having completed the first phase of its turnaround plan, the government is now well into phase two to "take advantage of our improved economic picture to finally make the long overdue investments in infrastructure, education and health care," she said. In welcoming the 14th Congress, the President said, "let us write another chapter of the proud history of Congress by writing away gridlock, by writing away terror, by writing away destitution." She added that as a new Congress comes in after the election, comes a "time of hope and unity. And we pray that this will be the advent of a new Filipino nation in the palm of the Lord.." She also expressed confidence that the 14th Congress would use it powers to take the country "a significant step forward everyday in the next three years embracing a future of peace, solidarity, stability and prosperity." |
| PGMA, Lao Prime Minister witness signing of accord on protection of investments |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh witnessed today the signing of an agreement on the promotion and protection of investments to create favorable conditions for investments by nationals of both countries based on sovereign equality and mutual benefit. The signing ceremony took place early this evening at Malacaņang’s Reception Hall following the expanded bilateral meeting of the two leaders. Signing the agreement were Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila for the Philippines and Soulivong Daravong, president of the Planning and Investment Committee of Lao PDR. The bilateral agreement, a milestone in the more than 50 years of friendly relations between the Philippines and Laos, provides for conditions conducive to investments, and accords fair and equitable treatment of nationals of both countries in the field of investment. The agreement also contains provisions on expropriation, compensation for losses, fund transfers, subrogation, and dispute settlement, among others. At the start of their expanded bilateral meeting, the President said Prime Minister Bouasone’s visit here would advance bilateral relations and promote shared interests "in terms of social justice, economic development, and common security." "Your Excellency’s visit will surely advance our bilateral relations," the President said. Prime Minister Bouasone, who is in Manila on a three-day official trip, arrived at 5 p.m. in Malacaņang and was accorded arrival honors as a visiting head of state. After the signing ceremony, the President hosted an official banquet in honor of the visiting Lao Prime Minister at the State Dining Hall of Malacaņang. |
