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| 20 JUNE 2007 | . | |
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| 20 JUNE 2007 | . | |
| Concerned PGMA orders PDEA to resolve 'rugby' problem in Sta. Mesa |
From pump-priming the economy to preventing drug abuse and petty crimes, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appears to be in the thick of it all. This morning, during another of her now regular visits in Manila barangays, particularly those in the vicinity of Malacaņang, the President made an urgent call to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Dionisio Santiago after viewing a video of a growing menace in a barangay in Sta. Mesa: Teen-agers sniffing "rugby," a popular solvent in a park in the area. The President directed the PDEA chief to immediately address the problem, which has caused residents living within the vicinity to fear for their and their children’s safety. In their telephone conversation, President Arroyo relayed to Santiago the concerns of the officials and residents of Barangay 587, V. Mapa, Sta. Mesa, Manila. She told Santiago to act expeditiously in relieving the concerns of the residents of the barangay who said the individuals sniffing rugby, mostly children and teen-agers, had been behind the spate of holdups and robberies in the area. Aside from resolving this issue, the President responded favorably to the other "requests" of the officials and residents: to dismantle the illegal jeepney terminal along Old Sta. Mesa road which has been blocking the ingress and egress of patrons in and out of the various business establishments in the area, and for financial assistance in purchasing a water tank to store more than 3,000 liters of water for fire-fighting purposes. The President instructed Manila Police District Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzoza to coordinate with the station commander of the area and with Barangay Chairman Clarence Ortiz to come up with suggestions and recommendations on how to resolve the problem. The President also told Ortiz to coordinate with the Maynilad Water Corp. on the possibility of installing a fire hydrant instead of purchasing a water tank. Prior to her meeting with officials and residents of the barangay, the President awarded a Permit to Operate a Tindahan Natin convenience store to Barangay 587 secretary Carmina Puno and 125 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship vouchers to Ortiz. |
| PGMA launches first LPG-diesel hybrid vehicle |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally launched today the Philippines’ first-ever LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)-diesel hybrid vehicle, the newest in the growing list of alternative fuel options, in simple ceremonies at the MGE Terminal along Seminary Road, Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City. The launch coincided with the anniversary of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) which is celebrating its 20th year of total commitment and service to the nation. Upon her arrival at the MGE Terminal, the President presided over the ribbon cutting rites formally opening the MGE-Macro Auto LPG refilling station, one of numerous LPG-refilling stations sprouting around Metro Manila. The President was then given a walking tour and presentation of the facilities, including the ceremonial fill-up of the country’s very first LPG-diesel hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle is in the form of a simple passenger jeepney fitted and converted to accept a final mix of LPG and diesel as its fuel source. According to Yuli Porras, president of Pasang Masda, one of the numerous jeepney operators and drivers associations in Metro Manila and owner of the hybrid jeep, his "converted" diesel engine now runs on a mixture of 70 percent diesel and 30 percent LPG. He said that after the conversion, his jeep, which plies the Project 8-Quiapo route, does not consume much diesel fuel, has more torque and now "mas swabe" (runs smoother). He added that the P70,000 conversion fee is the best investment he has ever spent his money on. Aside from viewing the hybrid jeepney, the President also inspected around 50 taxicabs, jeepneys and buses already converted to use LPG-diesel fuel. The President was presented the first batch of "World Class Public Utility Drivers" who underwent a five-day driver’s training course at the National Center for Transportation Studies at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. The training course was undertaken with the cooperation of the Automobile Association of the Philippines, Toyota Philippines and the LTFRB. The launching of the LPG-driven public utility vehicles is in support of the Modernization Program of the Department of Transportation and Communications. |
| Ermita raises possibility of political amnesty to Honasan, Trillanes |
There is a big possibility that Senators-elect Gregorio Honasan and Antonio Trillanes IV would be granted political amnesty in the spirit of reconciliation, good governance and national progress, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said today. At his regular media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Ermita cited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s policy of extending a hand of reconciliation to detractors of her administration, including armed rebels and political leaders. "President Arroyo’s policy since day one of her administration has been to push for the peace process. And peace process means making peace with those fighting the government," he said. Noting that in previous years the national leadership extended its hand of peace to anti-government personalities, Ermita said he does not see any reason why this same gesture cannot be extended to political leaders opposed to the President. "So there is a high probability, that indeed, in the spirit of reconciliation and in the spirit of making things move forward, in the name of good governance for the sake of our people, there is nothing that would prevent the President, and I think the President may just do that (grant amnesty to Honasan and Trillanes)," Ermita said. Ermita, however, explained that it was up to the courts trying the cases against the two senators-elect to decide if the charges against them would be considered as extinguished with their election to public office, or if they have to wait for the courts’ ruling on their cases. |
| Bunye names Capadocia OIC Press Undersecretary for Media Relations |
| Press
Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye has designated Assistant
Secretary Jose P. Capadocia as Officer-in-Charge in the Office of the Press Undersecretary
for Media Relations effective Friday, June 22. Capadocia will replace Press Undersecretary Isabel Canlas de Leon who has resigned effective Friday to go back to private life and give ample time for her family. In Department Order No. 001 signed last June 18, Bunye tasked Capadocia to continue to discharge his functions as Officer-in-Charge of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) in concurrent capacity pursuant to Office Order No. 104-A dated August 16, 2005. Capadocia presently holds the post of Assistant Secretary under the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS). In a press briefing this afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita also announced the appointment of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Deputy Commissioner Lilian Hefti as Officer-in-Charge of the BIR, replacing BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Bunag. Ermita said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will give Buņag an ambassadorial post in Europe. |
| Ermita gives ultimatum to GOCC execs who still cling to their posts |
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita gave today the officials of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) included in the reorganization until the end of June to submit their courtesy resignations. At his regular media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Ermita said that of the total 117 heads of GOCCs and GFIs, only 19 heads of agencies have submitted their courtesy resignations. Ermita said these heads of GFIs or GOCCs under government line departments would not likely meet the submission deadline this Friday Ermita added that he is also getting a clarification if the other agencies not falling under the line departments are included in the reorganization. "When I gave out the instructions on Monday, it was supposed to be on Friday. But I doubt it very much if they can make that on Friday, so I can extend that and repeat the instructions whether they submit it within the month, or by the end of the month of June," Ermita said. Ermita said the courtesy resignations should be coursed to the search committee which is looking for overstaying or underperforming chief executive officers or board members of GOCCs and the other agencies. Ermita said results of the revamp would be better distinguished by the first or second week of July. |
