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| 02 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
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| 02 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
| Controversy over broadband project won't affect RP-China relations - Bunye |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) – Press Secretary and
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said today the controversy over the
$329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project will not affect the
warm relations between the Philippines and China. He said Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila has explained the situation to Chinese officials through extensive back-channel discussions and the latter said they would respect the Philippine government’s position on the matter. “This situation is properly explained and I believe that you already heard from the Chinese officials that they understand and would respect the decision of the Philippine government,” Bunye said, referring to the controversy over the NBN project to be undertaken by ZTE of China. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the suspension of the ZTE deal due to allegations of overpricing and corruption. In an earlier statement, the President explained, however, that even as “we defer the said China projects, this should not be construed as a precedent for every disgruntled project proponent and his backers to undermine undertakings that comply with the law and benefit the nation. All branches of government must ensure that vested interests do not exploit our democracy to block development.” Suspended along with the NBN project was the cyberspace education program of the Department of Education (DepEd) which is geared towards improving the quality of the country’s educational system through the introduction of state-of-the-art communications facilities. Pointing out that the government stands to lose P3 billion a year as a result of the freezing of the two programs, the President said the suspension of the NBN and cyberspace education projects has “created a gap in these aspects of our ten-point agenda. Government telecom savings of P3 billion a year from broadband may not be forthcoming, slashing that much from fund for social services. And world-class ICT (information and communications technology) might no longer 4th to 6th class municipalities and the least endowed schools.” |
| PGMA builds trade, diplomatic bridges with host countries, says Bunye |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT) -- President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo’s China and India visits are part of her effort to build
and strengthen trade and diplomatic bridges between the Philippines and her
host countries. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye told members of the Malacanang Press Corps covering the President’s two-nation trip that the she looks forward to a stronger Philippine engagement with China and India economically, culturally and diplomatically. "The President has always expressed the belief that the more bridges we cross the better for the country and for our people. And this is one of the kinds of bridges that the President is now crossing," Bunye said in an ambush interview at the main lobby of the Eton Hotel, the Chief Executive’s official residence while in Shanghai. Citing the importance of the President’s trip to China, Bunye said it was a distinct honor for her to be asked personally by Chinese President Hu Jintao to open the 2007 World Summer Games Special Olympics for mentally disabled persons. The 52-strong Philippine contingent to the Special Olympics is the biggest among the participating countries. The Filipinos will participate in various competitions, including basketball, football, badminton, gymnastics, power lifting, athletics, aquatics and table tennis. The President will be joined at the opening of the Special Olympics by world leaders from the academe, government, mass media, and other sectors involved in projects to mainstream the intellectual advantage of the persons with disabilities. After her two-day China visit, the President will proceed to India, where she is scheduled to meet with Indian President Pratibha Patil, the first female president of India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the ruling Congress Party. "So this is part of her ongoing program to be very active in the region as well as in the international arena," Bunye said. |
| ASEAN Sec-Gen to join schools tour in Tanauan |
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Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong will join the ASEAN Schools Tour which will
visit Tanauan City in Batangas on Oct. 12. The ASEAN Schools Tour is a project of the ASEAN Secretariat intended to acquaint more than 4,000 students across the region with the regional aggrupation. Since its launch in June this year, the tour has had stops in Phuket, Thailand; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei; Vientiane, Lao PDR; Penang, Malaysia; Singapore; Makassar, Indonesia; and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The Philippines will be the ninth stop of the tour, which will run until December this year. Secretary-General Ong, along with Foreign Affairs officials and representatives of the ASEAN embassies in Manila will meet with 500 students from the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) and other schools in Tanauan at the FAITH campus. They will meet with students aged 12 to 16 and engage them through various activities focused on ASEAN such as quizzes and writing and art contests. The program for the Schools Tour includes a screening of an animated film on ASEAN, an open forum, a cultural presentation, and a tour of the campus by the guests. Ong will also present awards to the winners of the various ASEAN-focused contests in the schools in Tanauan. |
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PGMA's Departure Statement on Her Visits to China
and India |
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Today, we leave for Shanghai on the first leg of
a two-nation swing that will take us to China and India, two of the fastest
growing countries in the region and in the world. Our visits underscore our
country’s continuing commitment to be regionally and globally engaged,
politically, economically and diplomatically. While in China, I will have bilateral meetings with President Hu Jintao, under whose leadership our overall relations have grown to become more confident, mature and comprehensive, punctuated with substantial and important projects aimed at deepening exchanges in a number of areas, including trade and investment. China is currently our third largest trading partner with whom we have had a substantial trade surplus since 2002 and our Framework Agreement on Expanding and Deepening Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation is expected to further enhance bilateral merchandise trade with China. While in Shanghai, I shall also have the opportunity to keynote the Philippine Business and Investment Forum, organized by the Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce. We will join President Hu in the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics. Philippine participation in this year's Special Olympics is organized and coordinated by the Special Olympics Philippines headed by its current President Mariano Ong Inductivo. The Philippine delegation this year will be the largest so far and will include 52 athletes who will participate in nine events: basketball, football, badminton, gymnastics, power lifting, athletics, aquatics, table tennis, and bocce. Afterwards, I shall speak at the Global Policy Summit on the Well-being of People with Intellectual Disabilities, a gathering of leaders from government, academia, health care, disability; business, philantrophy, sports, to discuss challenges and opportunities for full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Following the inauguration of the Filipino joint venture at the container terminal in Shandong, we will be flying to India on a State Visit. We look forward to meeting with President Pratibha Patil, the first female President of India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, their party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other Indian political leaders. India currently supplies our huge demand for half-priced medicine. It is the pioneer in Business Process Outsourcing, the fastest rising industry in the Philippines. |
| Philippines is not afraid of globalization, says PGMA |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)—President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo said here today the Philippines is not afraid of
globalization in the thought that it would be a stepping stone to poverty
alleviation and the country’s modernization. Witnessing the fast and extraordinary expansion and progress of the Chinese economy under globalization, the President said her visit in this city, China’s commercial and financial center, is expected to open up new avenues of trade and investment opportunities between China and the Philippines. The President made the remarks before the Philippine Business and Investment Forum (PBIF) held this afternoon at the Grand Ballroom of Le Royal Meridien Hotel here. The forum was organized by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC) or the Shi Mao Group, the most influential business organization in Shanghai. “Like China, we believe in the power of global trading to alleviate poverty and modernize nations through market forces,” she said. The President told the businessmen that the Philippines has been aggressive in seeking multilateral and bilateral trade relationships in order to compete for the globalization. Having a personal hands-on role in an attempt to move the DOHA Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks forward, the President strongly believed that this initiative is favorable for the Philippines, and good for the world. “Our faith in the marketplace both at home and abroad has been a boon to the Philippine economy,” the President said. She also expressed confidence that the overall relations of the Philippines and China is now more mature and comprehensive punctuated with substantial and important projects aimed at deepening exchanges in the areas of trade and investment. The President noted that China is the Philippines’ third largest trading partner with a substantial trade surplus since 2002 through the framework agreement on expanding and deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation. She also reported that as
a result of her administration’s fiscal reform measures, the country is now
on its “path to permanent economic growth and stability.” |
| PGMA allays fears of environmentalists as she invites Chinese investors |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)—President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo assured today environmentalists that the Philippines will
not tolerate any unregulated exploitation of the country’s natural resources
as several international mining firms had expressed strong interest to
invest in the country’s mining industry. The President made the assurance in her speech during the Philippine Business and Investment Forum (PBIF) organized by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC) at the Grand Ballroom of the Le Royal Meridien Hotel here this afternoon. While the Philippine economy benefits from the significant expansion of the mining sector, the President stressed that the national government will make sure that mining companies will continue to work closely with the civil society organizations and local government executives to make them comply with the rules and regulations for the protection of the environment. “We will not tolerate any unregulated exploitation of our people or resources,” the President stressed as she assured them that the national government will not lose its focus to guard the importance of sustainable development in the mining sector. The President invited the Shanghai businessmen to invest in mining in the Philippines because the country is rich in mineral resources, especially in nickel. She also told them that the Philippines has opened its door for tourism investment in the wake of big demand for rooms in hotels and resorts because of the increasing number of foreign visitors’ arrival. “We welcome you to visit the country to experience for yourself the Philippines beach resorts and other tourist spots,” the President said. On energy, the President told the Chinese businessmen that her government is eager to privatize the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), a move that will free the government of its subsidy and allow the country to make more investments in other infrastructure areas. As part of the Green Philippines campaign, the President said that her administration is for the development of alternative sources of power by harnessing energy from the sun, wind and geothermal resource and clean fuels through biofuels. She also informed them that the country has a big potential in the information and communications technology investments because the Filipinos are highly competitive in the business process outsourcing. |
| Chinese President says good RP-China relations will continue blooming |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)—- Chinese President Hu Jintao said today the good relationship between the Philippines and China would continue blooming even with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "difficult decision" to cancel the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp. In an interview this afternoon at the Eton Hotel here where President Arroyo and her delegation are billeted, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said President Hu expressed understanding on the issue during the 30-minute bilateral talks with the President this morning at the Xi Jiao Guesthouse here. Bunye said the President clearly presented her decision to President Hu who understood and accepted it. "The President explained the difficult decision not to continue with the NBN contract and the President counted on the good relations between our two countries for understanding. We are gratified that President Hu offered understanding when he said that our relationship is in very good shape and the Philippines has been a great ally," Bunye said. The Press Secretary said President Arroyo first described to President Hu the good relationship between the Philippines and China based on respect, consultation and mutual benefit and ably presented the large picture of the NBN issue much to the satisfaction of President Hu. "And the Chinese President offered understanding for the decision taken by President Arroyo," Bunye said. President Hu's understanding substantiated the earlier pronouncement of Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez that the NBN issue is not a concern at all here and Chinese businessmen are still upbeat on investing in the Philippines. During their bilateral talks, Bunye said President Hu also thanked the President for accepting the invitation to attend the opening tonight of the Special Olympics here for the intellectually disadvantaged children. Bunye said the President likewise greeted President Hu on the 58th anniversary of the National Day of China that the Chinese people started celebrating yesterday. Bunye said the President also described China as the fastest-growing country in the region and in the world and the Philippines sees China's rise as a significant opportunity for the Philippines. "At this point, the President reiterated the strict adherence of the Philippines to the One-China Policy and this was very much appreciated by President Hu," Bunye said. Looking forward, he said President Hu described the efforts of the foreign ministers of both the Philippines and China to work out a joint program for cooperation. "He (President Hu) also described the great efforts of our trade ministers for developing a five-year economic development program to provide clear guidance for cooperation," Bunye said. Bunye said the two leaders also discussed trade relations, including the bright prospects for Chinese businessmen investing in mining and other sunrise industries in the Philippines. |
| RP sends biggest delegation of 'special' athletes to China olympics in Shanghai |
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SHANGHAI, China (via PLDT)- Filipino athletes
competing in the Special Olympics Summer Games here got their morale booster
from no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who met and wished them
good luck this afternoon during the first day of her two-day official visit
in the People's Republic of China. The Special Olympics is being held for the first time in Asia in this city to promote concern and understanding for people with intellectual disabilities, that is also part of the social aspects of the President's reforms. The President arrived here Tuesday morning together with her official delegation that included Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, a number of lawmakers and businessmen. After holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the President mingled with and had a photo taking-session with the Filipino team at the lobby of Eton Hotel where she is billeted. At the start of their bilateral meeting at the Xi Jiao Guesthouse here, the President thanked President Hu for inviting her to grace the opening of the Special Olympics at the Shanghai Stadium tonight. Because China is such an important country for the Philippines, the President informed President Hu that the Philippines this time is sending its biggest delegation of athletes so far. "We had the biggest delegation this time at 52 athletes with intellectual disabilities. And they will be participating in nine events," the President said. During the toast at the succeeding banquet in honor of the visiting dignitaries, President Hu said the Special Olympics advocates equality and inclusion, encourages special people to realize their potentials and gives them a chance to be productive citizens and share the fruits of human civilization. "The Special Olympics Games represents the ardent hope of people throughout the world for friendship, cooperation and peace,” Hu said. President Hu said China will continue to promote the well-being of special people and work with other countries to improve the well-being of special people and contribute to the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity. The Philippines and China started their relations in the political and economic aspects, and now even in the social aspects of development particularly with the President as keynote speaker of the Global Policy Summit on the Well-Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities during the second day of her visit here on Wednesday. After their photo session with the President, Special Olympics Philippines president Mariano Inductivo said the 52-member Philippine special athletes team is very focused and happy with the President's presence here and they would surely try to win gold medals in the friendly competition. Inductivo said the Philippines has been training and sending 8 to 65-year-old special athletes to the Special Olympics since 1987 where the Filipinos are competing not much for the joy of victory but more on friendship and understanding among the competing nations. Inductivo said the Special Olympics was previously held in Ireland in 2003 and the next competition would be held in four years in Athens, Greece. |
