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| 19 MARCH 2007 | ||
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| 19 MARCH 2007 | ||
| Statement of the President Re: Effects of Strong Peso |
| The strength of the peso is
boosting social amelioration by denting the price of water, gasoline, LPG and food. We are making headway in the social payback of economic growth and this is the real story taking place in the lives of the people. The combined potency of a robust economic blueprint and the productivity of Filipinos here and abroad has caught the eye of investors and political observers who are now seeing a permanent trajectory of economic and political stability. The focus of the world is not only on the Philippine economic wonder but the way we are making democracy work while keeping the threat of terror at bay. We are consolidating the political, economic, social and security ramparts of nation-building in a manner and pace that has never been done; and this is a tribute to the resiliency, excellence, spirit of enterprise and courage of the Filipino people. |
| "Armed forces must be the vanguard of a strong economy" - PGMA |
| FORT DEL PILAR,
Baguio City-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated today the importance of peace and
security in growing the economy and uplifting the lives of the people as she exhorted the
Armed Forces of the Philippines to be the "vanguard of a strong economy." "You are the enablers of a peaceful and productive life among our people," the President said during the graduation ceremonies here this morning of the Philippine Military Academy's 282 members of the "Maragtas" Class of 2007. "Maragtas" is an acronym for "Marangal na mga Tagapagligtas" (honorable protectors). In her speech, the President said the "combined potency of a robust economic blueprint and the productivity of Filipinos here and abroad has caught the eye of investors and political observers who are now seeing a permanent trajectory" of economic and political stability. "The focus of the world is not only on the Philippine economic wonder but the way we are making democracy work while keeping the threat of terror at bay," the President stressed. She said that while the young Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs are helping eradicate poverty, the young soldiers "spearhead the fight against terror." Noting that the people are now starting to feel the benefits of a growing economy, the President vowed that the government would work harder to assure the security and freedom of those residing even in the farthest community. "We are making headway in the social payback of economic growth," she said, adding that the strong peso is boosting social amelioration as seen in the lower prices of water, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and food. The President also noted that the Maragtas Class of 2007 comprised the first PMA graduates after the passage of the Human Security Act or the anti-terrorism law that "gives us a potent piece of armor to shield not only the people but our economy as well from the scourges of evil." She said that the formula to an enduring peace is freedom from fear and freedom from want, that is why the government is working hard on growing the economy alongside achieving lasting peace and security. "The force of political stability must be seen in all facets of our national life -- safe streets, inviolable homes, public mobility free from crime. Workers, public servants, farmers, professionals and investors must enjoy equal protection and freedom from fear," the President said. She said as a tribute to the "resiliency, excellence, spirit of enterprise and courage of the Filipino people," the government is well on its way to consolidating the political, economic, social and security aspects of building the nation "in a manner and pace that has never been done." To the graduates of the PMA Maragtas Class 2007, the President has one marching order: "Have a leader's heart and love the people you serve. Become legends in your own time not only in your success stories but also the success of the people in the community you serve. Step forth with courage, integrity and loyalty." Among the 282 graduates this year of Asia's premier military school are 23 women, led by Maragtas Class of 2007 valedictorian Cadet First Class Audrelee Mojica, 23, of Indang, Cavite. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Polls |
| The
government will apply the full force of the law against private armies and individuals
posing a threat to free and orderly polls, especially in election hot spots and areas of
concern. Threats and intimidation shall not be allowed to subvert democratic choice and we shall check intimidation and fraud at all levels. We will not allow lawlessness to disrupt political stability and the gains of the economy. President Arroyo has instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to resolve campaign-related crimes in the soonest time and bring home the message that we mean business when it comes to clean and peaceful polls. |
| Palace vows action vs election-related violence |
Malacanang assured today that the government will apply the full force of the law against private armies and individuals posing a threat to a free and honest midterm polls in May, particularly in election hot spots and other areas of concern. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye pointed out that threats and intimidation will be checked at all levels and not be allowed to subvert the will of the electorate. "We will not allow lawlessness to disrupt political stability and the gains of the economy," he stressed, referring to the reported cases of election-related violence. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 29 cases of violent incidents have occurred since the start of the campaign period last Jan. 14. PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon has ordered the intensification of the campaign against all forms of criminality, particularly those related to the elections. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to Bunye, has instructed the PNP to resolve campaign-related crimes in the soonest possible time "and bring home the message that we mean business when it comes to clean and peaceful polls." Calderon has expressed confidence that the police field units will be able to preempt and prevent politically motivated violence in the so-called election hot spots. He said he would hold all unit commanders accountable under the doctrine of command responsibility for negligence or inaction in preventing and arresting persons behind election violence. "I will not hesitate to relieve and place under investigation any unit commander who will fall short in performing his election duty," Calderon said. |
| PGMA inaugurates vegetable processing and packaging plant in La Trinidad |
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited today this vegetable and strawberry capital of Northern Luzon to ensure that there is enough supply of vegetables to markets in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and to grace La Trinidad’s world-famous Strawberry Festival 2007. The President led the inauguration of the vegetable processing and packaging plant at the La Trinidad Trading Post. The plant is part of the Cold Food Storage Facilities of the government to ensure steady and continuous supply of vegetables in Luzon, including Metro Manila. She also inaugurated the Solid Waste Management and Materials Recovery Facility at the Trading Post and unveiled the plan for the Betag-Pugus Trading Post farm-to-market road. The President later spearheaded the ceremonial cutting of the miniature replica of the strawberry shortcake that won for the capital town La Trinidad the Guinness Book of World Records on the Largest Fruit Shortcake in March 2004. The strawberry shortcake replica measures 2.5 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide and three feet long. It weighs 261 kilos and contains at least 1,920 slices. The original strawberry cake that was included in the Guinness Book weighed 21,210.40 pounds or 9,622.29 kilos. It was made by various bakers from the entire province. La Trinidad is also known for its strawberry farms that foreign and local tourists visit during summer to taste the red, juicy fruit produced in this agricultural capital town. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Agrarian Secretary Nasser Pangandaman accompanied the President during her visit here. The President and her party were warmly welcomed by the residents of La Trinidad led by Mayor Nestor Fongwang and Benguet Governor Borromeo Melchor. |
| PGMA pledges P70-M to finish Acop-Kapangan road project |
KAPANGAN, Benguet – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pledged today P70 million to finish the 27-kilometer Acop to Kapangan road project here. The President made the announcement during ceremonies commemorating the Kapangan Town Fiesta which also coincided with the inauguration of the town's newly-constructed P18-million three-storey municipal building. Funding for the project, she said, would be taken from four government sources, namely, the Department of Agriculture (P20 million), Department of Agrarian Reform (P20 million), Department of Public Works and Highways (P20 million) and from the province of Benguet (P10 million). Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, and Benguet Governor Borromeo Melchor, who accompanied the President, said they would be able to come up with the needed funds from the savings of their respective offices. DPWH Acting Secretary Manuel Bonoan told the President of his agency's pledge through a telephone conversation he had with the Chief Executive while she was on her way here. The President underscored the importance of having this road project completed at the soonest possible time so that the time spent for "people travelling to Kapangan and goods travelling from Kapangan to the lowlands" would be lessened greatly. She pointed out that the usual one-and-a-half-hour journey to and from Kapangan would be reduced to roughly 45 minutes to an hour and would also translate to savings on trip fares for the people. Residents here cheered and clapped loudly at the President’s announcement. Also during the event, the Chief Executive distributed an initial 45 of 200 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to deserving beneficiaries of the different barangays here and awarded P1 million worth of reeling machines to the Kapangan Livelihood and Multipurpose Cooperative for the expansion of their silk-making business. Kapangan is known for its silk business and is part of the Department of Trade and Industry's One Town One Product (OTOP) program, a priority program of President Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. Through OTOP, chief executives of cities and municipalities take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage. |
