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| 23 MARCH 2007 | ||
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| 23 MARCH 2007 | ||
| PGMA hopes Senate will ratify JPEPA soonest |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope today that the Senate would "ratify speedily" the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) so as to enhance the facilitation of goods and services between the Philippines and Japan. "We should have done it at the same time with the anti-terror bill," the President said during an interview with Japan’s Jiji Press at Malacaņang’s Orchids Room this morning. The President said the assurance from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Japan would care about the Philippine environment would hopefully pave the way for the JPEPA’s ratification by the Senate. The President transmitted to the Senate last Nov. 17 the certified true copy of the JPEPA together with the Instrument of Ratification for the latter’s consideration. "At the end of the day, it’s still their (the senators) call. We can only propose," the President said. She said the Philippines would benefit from the JPEPA’s eventual implementation as Japan would be "opening up its agricultural market for the Philippines." "It (JPEPA) is beyond market access. It includes human resource development, financial services, information and technology, energy and environment, science and technology, transportation and infrastructure," the President said. She added that Japan would also be opening up its healthcare services market, where Filipino nurses and caregivers would be allowed to work in Japan. The JPEPA was signed on Sept. 9, 2006 by President Arroyo and then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the sidelines of the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting held in Helsinki, Finland The agreement would strengthen the economic cooperation between the Philippines and Japan through increased cross-border flow of goods, persons, investments and services. It also provides for the protection of intellectual property rights, controlling ant-competitive activities and improvement of business environment. Among the salient points of the JPEPA are the following:
Concurring with the ratification of the JPEPA were the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Department of Budget and Management (DBM),Tariff Commission, and the Department of Justice (DOJ). |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Self-rated Poverty |
We note these findings of high self-rated poverty but the official, concrete data on poverty incidence show a picture that is improving for each passing year. For instance, the average self-rated poverty during different administrations is as follows: Marcos 64.5, Aquino 63.4, Ramos 62.2, Estrada 59.56 and Arroyo 56.32. Nonetheless, this administration is working on specific conditions and areas that must be subject to action and relief. The government is doing this under the stewardship of President Arroyo and we are already making a dent on poverty although we realize that a long road lies ahead. There are no quick fixes for poverty and hunger which must be the subject of relentless, focused efforts based on a clear vision and platform--to ensure that economic gains are felt and enjoyed by the poor and everyone is lifted up the social ladder. In the meantime, the President’s signing into law of this year’s budget will increase the flow of social returns to the people in terms of adequate food on the table, decent jobs and broader access to basic social services. At the same time, the budget would shore up confidence and investments and give us the wherewithal to modernize the economy through broader digital and physical infrastructure that will open more jobs and windows of opportunity to leverage the spirit of enterprise, excellence and productivity of the Filipino. |
| Bunye disputes self-rated poverty incidence survey with official data |
Contrary to published reports that there is high self-rated poverty outside Metro Manila, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said today the official data on poverty incidence shows a picture that is improving with each passing year. In a statement, Bunye cited figures showing that the average self-rated poverty during different administrations was on a declining trend from the time of former Presidents Ferdinand Marcos (64.5 percent), Corazon Aquino (63.4), Fidel Ramos (62.2), Joseph Estrada (59.6) and incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (56.32). Bunye assured that despite the trend, the Arroyo administration is working on specific conditions and areas that must be subject to action and relief, noting the findings of the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. "The government is doing this under the stewardship of President Arroyo and we are already making a dent on poverty although we realize that a long road lies ahead," he said. The first quarter survey of the SWS, conducted Feb. 24 to 27, showed that 53 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, with figures rising in all areas but falling in Metro Manila by 15 points from 54 percent last November. Self-rated poverty, according to the SWS survey rose in Luzon from 48 percent to 53 percent. In the Visayas, it also went up from 55 percent to 59 percent and in Mindanao from 54 percent to 57 percent. The net result, the SWS said, was that self-rated poverty stayed virtually unchanged at the national level at 52 percent last November and 53 percent last February. Bunye stressed that there are no quick fixes for poverty and hunger, pointing out that it must be the subject of relentless, focused efforts based on a clear vision and platform to ensure that economic gains are felt and enjoyed by the poor "and everyone is lifted up the social ladder." "The President’s signing into law of this year’s budget will increase the flow of social returns to the people in terms of adequate food on the table, decent jobs and broader access to basic social services," he explained. Bunye pointed out that the approved budget would shore up confidence and investments and give the government the wherewithal to modernize the economy through broader digital and physical infrastructure "that will open more jobs and windows of opportunity to leverage the spirit of enterprise, excellence and productivity of the Filipino." President Arroyo signed yesterday Republic Act No. 9401, or the 2007 National Budget allocating P1.126-trillion "as social payback to the people for the fiscal turnaround of their government." |
| Statement of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo L. Saludo: SWS surveys confirm gains vs. poverty and hunger |
The latest self-rated poverty (SRP) survey from Social Weather Stations, conducted last month, confirms the modest gains against poverty made by the Arroyo Administration since 2001. The overall decline in SRP under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is clear from the SWS chart which shows SRP staying steady just above 50%. The February data will also cut average SRP under President Arroyo, already the lowest among the four presidents of the past two decades. Up to November 2006, average SRP in various administrations were: Aquino 63.4%, Ramos 62.2%, Estrada 59.6%, and Arroyo 57.3%. Economic gains, first felt in capital, cuts poverty in Metro Manila The February data also show that the economy upturn, which is first felt in Metro Manila, has made a big dent in poverty in the National Capital Region (NCR), cutting SRP to 39% last month, from 54% in November. As economic benefits spread further outside the metropolis, other regions will see poverty declining. The spread of economic gains throughout the country has already cut poverty incidence to 23% of families last year, from 27.2% in 2000,according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. In terms of individuals, that represents a decline of 5.5. million in the number of poor Filipinos, from 25.5 million in 2000 to 19.9 million last year. The Medium Term Philippine Development Plan targets a further reduction to 16.8 million by 2010. Government social services help reduce household spending Monthly spending among households that rate themselves poor has held steady, and one big reason is the expansion of social services under the Arroyo Administration. Free elementary and high school education, PhilHealth insurance, cheaper medicine, and low-cost Tindahan Natin outlets have cut family spending. Thus, the Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, which assesses the living standards of the bottom 30%-40% in income, has shown steady gains in employment, education, and health since 1999. Most notably, indigent beneficiaries of PhilHealth now number 24 million, compared with 1.5 million in 2000. These services will expand even more dramatically from this year on, thanks to increased government revenues and declining debt spending. In the 2007 budget, economic services and social services will grow by more than P30 billion each, even as debt service drops by about P20 billion. Programs to fight hunger get top priority Hunger incidence has generally gone up and down with rice inflation, but since November, the two indicators parted ways. Hunger worsened in Luzon due to typhoons. Hence, government will redouble efforts to rehabilitate damaged areas, working with local government units (LGUs) of poor provinces. |
