November 16 2007

New Papal Nuncio to the Philippines presents Letter of Credentials to PGMA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received today the Letter of Credentials of Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams as new Apostolic Nuncio and representative of the Vatican to the Philippines.

The Papal Nuncio told the President that “It is a great privilege and honor for me to serve the people of the Philippines who are a great believer in God” and vowed to fulfill his new mission in the country with love and dedication.

“I am also confident that I would fulfill my duty and mission here in your country and to truly serve the purpose of our Holy Father, the Pope,” he told the President during a ceremony in Malacanang.

In reply, the President expressed the hope that the new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines would further strengthen the pontifical and diplomatic relations of the Vatican with the Philippines.

“It is also a great honor for us that you will serve as a new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines. I am sure you will truly serve my country and my people and in strengthening the relations of the Vatican with the Philippines. Welcome to the Philippines,” the President said.

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) Honor Guards gave arrival honors to the new Papal Nuncio at the Malacanang’s grounds with the playing of the national anthems of the city state and the Philippines.

After the arrival honors, the Papal Nuncio proceeded to the Malacañan Palace to sign the Presidential Guest Book

After the President received the letter of credentials of the Papal Nuncio in a formal rites at the Rizal Hall, the two proceeded to the Music Room for their one-on-one meeting.

The incoming Papal Nuncio was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Undersecretary of the Office of the Religious Affairs Fatima Valdes, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Rev. Msgr Wojsiech Zaluski, Rev. Msgr GiorgioChezza and Rev. Msgr. Stefano Mazzoti.

Archbishop Adams arrived in the country last Nov. 1 after he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the country’s new Apostolic Nuncio last Sept. 3.

He had replaced Archbishop Fernando Filoni who was appointed Substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State in June, 2007.

An apostolic nuncio or papal legate is considered the representative or ambassador of the Holy See to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference and particular churches.

His principal task is to make firm and effective the bonds of unity between the Pope, the head of States and the bishops.

The 63-year-old Papal Nuncio was born in Philadelphia, USA on Aug. 24, 1944 and was ordained to priesthood in May 1970. He is the 14th in the line of Apostolic delegates and Apostolic Nuncios to the Philippines.

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Taiwan-RP joint venture to build 300-MW coal-fired power plant in Subic

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone has attracted yet again another big-ticket investment with Redondo Peninsula Energy, Incorporated (RP Energy) investing $420 million in a 300-megawatt (mw) coal-fired power plant in the SBFZ starting next year.

RP Energy officials, who paid a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang this morning, said their investment would double to $840 million once Phase 2 of the project is completed.

The power project is a joint venture of Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation (TCC) and Aboitiz Power Corporation (APC).

The $420-million initial investment is only for Phase l of the power plant. Completion of Phase 2 would also double the plant’s capacity to 600-mw.

RP Energy officials said the power project would be operational by 2011, in time for the projected power supply crunch in Luzon of 1,950 MW in 2010-2014.

The President was briefed on the project by TCC and APC officials composed of TCC president Brian Hsu, TCC vice president Henry Wu, TCC project manager Sean Chen, APC president Erramon Aboitiz, APCE vice president Luis Miguel Aboitiz and APC chairman Jon Aboitiz.

Also present were Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Chairman Ed Pamintuan of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza.

Miguel Aboitiz said their circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology is clean and environment-friendly, adding that being one of the most efficient coal-fired power generators in Luzon, the facility is guaranteed to easily pass the national emission level standards.

The Taiwanese investors said they are very appreciative of the government’s support to their project.

“We believe the national economy of the Philippines has entered a stage of steady and robust growth under Your Excellency’s leadership and we are very comfortable with the prospect of our project,” they told the President.

In her trips abroad, the President has made it a point to promote Clark and Subic as an alternative and competitive investment hub in the Southeast Asian region.

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16 NOVEMBER 2007