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| 04 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
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| 04 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
| PGMA orders AFP-DND to take speedy action on extra-judicial killing, disappearances |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take speedy action on cases of
extra-judicial killings and disappearances, and adopt effective measures to
avoid military abuses. In Administrative Order (AO) 197, the President also directed the AFP and the Department of National Defense to draft a legislative proposal instituting “safeguards against disclosure of military secrets and undue interference in military operations inimical to national security.” Signed by the President on Sept. 25, AO 197 likewise instructs the DND/AFP to speed up the recruitment, training, equipping and deployment of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs) to replace transferred troops “as well as investigate and, if necessary, stop and punish schemes to fraudulently collect salaries through ‘ghost’ CAFGUs.” Under AO 197, the DND and AFP were directed to work closely with the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) subcommittee on killings and disappearances to expedite the resolution of cases of extra-judicial murders and kidnappings. The three government agencies were instructed to formulate “effective reforms to avoid abuses with regular reports to the Commander-in-Chief through the Executive Secretary as PHRC chair.” The President has strongly condemned the series of killings and kidnappings of political activists and journalists, and has vowed to resolve the murders and put a stop to human rights abuses. The Melo Commission, which was created by the President following the spate of extra-judicial killings, recommended the establishment of separate courts, expedite prosecutions, expand victim assistance and increase funding for more investigators. The President also instructed the DND, AFP, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to work closely with local government units (LGUs) to “fast-track local peace initiatives, especially local ceasefires, particularly in Bohol, Butuan and other priority areas for peace assemblies.” She also directed this group to work with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and other sectoral and civil society groups “in advocating with Congress to concur soonest with the amnesty proclamation.” She also directed the DND and the AFP to report to her, the troops, the public and the media, the status in the implementation of the recommendations of the Davide and Feliciano Commissions, and what further measures will still be done. The Davide Commission was established to look into the series of failed coups during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. The Feliciano Commission, on the other hand, was a presidential fact-finding group tasked ny the President to look into the circumstances behind the July 27, 2003 mutiny, including the grievances aired by the young military officers. It was headed by former Supreme Court Justice Florentino Feliciano. |
| President orders all gov't agencies to support Clark's P1.95-B power project |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered
all heads of concerned government agencies to support the implementation of
the government’s P1.94-billion, 230-kilovolt power infrastructure project
for the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ). The President likewise directed all government departments and instrumentalities to support the investment of the US-based Texas Instruments at the Clark Freeport Zone and Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ). The order, which was embodied in Executive Order No. 666, was signed by the Chief Executive last Sept. 25. It also directed all state agencies to “give full support and assistance” to TRANSCO (National Transmission Corp.) and CDC (Clark Development Corp.) to expedite the implementation of the 230-kv Concepcion-Clark Power Transmission Project (CCPTP). The CCPTP will provide the power infrastructure requirements of existing and future CFZ locators, and fulfill the government’s commitment to provide the power requirements of TI’s P1.7-billion expansion project at the Freeport. “There is a need for all concerned government entities to fulfill the commitments of the Philippine government to TI in return for the latter’s decision to locate in the CFZ,” the EO said. The President pointed out that the TI expansion project would “bring in numerous suppliers of TI and thus make the Philippines more attractive to foreign direct investments, thereby generating more locators in CFZ that will generate more employment, boost exports, and enhance the country’s economic growth.” TI’s additional investment in the country is expected to attract 500 of its suppliers to also locate at CFZ, thus the need to increase the industrial zone’s power supply capability. In anticipation of increased demand for power supply, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and TRANSCO have agreed to build a more reliable transmission system to meet the power requirements of existing and future locators at the CFZ. The power project, which will be implemented
in three stages, has an economic life of 30 years, according to the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which approved the project. Fifty percent of the cost of Phase 1 will be reimbursed by CDC to TRANSCO, the EO said. The Second Stage, or Phase 2, will likewise be implemented by TRANSCO and CDC, but the total cost of the project will be shouldered by CDC. Phase 2 is expected to be completed in May 2009. “In particular, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and CDC shall grant free access and free use of right-of-way in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and inside the CFZ,” EO 666 further stated. In view of the urgent need to deliver to TI the Philippines’ power infrastructure commitment in time with the scheduled commercial operation of the company at CFZ, the President also authorized the CDC, as the owner representative, to directly negotiate for the TI Load-End substation “subject to existing laws, rules and regulations,” while TRANSCO will provide full technical assistance. TI will also enjoy discounted generation and transmission rates for up to 10 years of its contract at CFZ. The President stressed that TI’s $1.7-billion expansion project at CFZ is the “single biggest investment in Philippine history,” breaking “the China Myth” as the preferred TI investment destination. Initially, the TI expansion project will cover eight hectares of land at CFZ and employ around 3,000 people at the start of the project. Once fully operational, the number of TI’s employees at the zone is expected to increase to 10,000. The power and other infrastructure projects in the area will also fulfill the President’s vision for CFZ and Subic Freeport Zone as the premier logistics hubs in the Asia-Pacific region as outlined in her 10-point agenda. |
| PGMA invites India pharmaceutical firms to make RP base of export operations |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) -–
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday invited India’s pharmaceutical
companies to make the Philippines their main base of operations in Southeast
Asia. In her speech before the Confederation of Indian Industries at the ballroom of the Taj Mahal Hotel this afternoon, the President said the Philippines is strategically located as a base of their export operations to Northeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She said that only two days ago, the Quality Affordable Medicines Act was approved by the Philippine Senate on second reading and the House of Representatives is expected to follow suit soon. "The final passage of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act will be a major milestone in our administration's efforts to promote better health and longer productive lives for our people," the President said. She thanked the senators for their speedy action on the bill as she called on the House to approve the measure. "The people have waited far too long for this measure to be enacted," she said. The government said the enactment of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act will promote better health, particularly among the marginalized Filipinos. When enacted into law, the President said the measure would provide the legal framework to allow the production of cheaper medicines in the Philippines instead of sourcing them from abroad. "We share this good news with the Indian business community to encourage your pharmaceutical companies to set up production facilities in the Philippines so that you can keep your market," she said. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: On cheap medicines |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
appreciates the unity of the Senate and the House of Representatives in
pushing for legislation that would make medicines in the Philippines more
affordable, just like in India. Certainly, she intends to share this good new with her Indian hosts as she engages the leaders of India and its dynamic business community. The President announced that she will certify Senate Bill 1658 sponsored by Senator Mar Roxas and which was approved on second reading yesterday. The Quality Affordable Medicines Act is a major milestone in the administration’s efforts to promote better health and longer productive lives for our people. The people have waited far too long for this measure to be enacted , and we are glad there is now light at the end of the tunnel for millions of ailing Filipinos. |
| Statement of the President: On India's economic growth |
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We are delighted with the
growth of India, along with China, to add to the power of Japan in the
region. In the Philippines, we benefit from this growth. India’s awakening can only lift up our nation. This is a positive healthy development. We welcome the economic growth of India. We hope for greater integration between the Philippines and India through closer political, economic and security engagement. In the Philippines, India is involved in textiles, business process outsourcing (BPO), and steel, in addition to being the largest supplier of half-priced medicines. We are looking forward to future cooperation in tourism and in movie production. |
| PGMA backs India's 'Look East' policy |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) --
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that the Philippines supports
India's "Look East" policy that could open more opportunities for
cooperation and integration between their economies. Speaking before Indian businessmen at the Taj Majal Hotel here, the President said that India, now the world's fourth largest economy, has made impressive economic strides in recent years. "India is becoming an undeniable driving force behind global economic growth. Because of the growing market of India and China, growth in Asia is transitioning from being export-driven to being domestically-driven," she said. “We are delighted with the growth of India, along with China, to add to the power of Japan in the region,” the President said, adding that the Philippines benefits from this growth. She said India’s awakening can only lift up the Philippines. “This is a positive healthy development. We welcome the economic growth of India.” The President said India's ascendance to the world economic stage has political, economic and strategic implications for both India and the East Asian region. "That is why we support India's ‘Look East’ policy and your plans to integrate with both South Asia and Southeast Asia. We hope this policy will include greater economic integration between the Philippines and India," the President said. She expressed the hope that there will be greater integration between the two countries through closer political, economic and security engagements, and cooperation in tourism and movie production. Aside from being the Philippines’ biggest supplier of half-priced medicines, India is also into textile, business process outsourcing (BPO) and steel in the country. The President said her state visit here to entice more investments reciprocates the state visit of Indian President Abdul Kalam to the Philippines in 2006, and the participation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the East Asian Summit held in Cebu last January. "We hope these three visits coming one after the other will lead us toward closer political security and economic engagement," the President said. |
| $60-M trade agreements signed between RP, India |
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MUMBAI, India (via PLDT) – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing here Thursday of three trade
agreements worth more than $60 million that are expected to further
strengthen economic ties between the Philippines and India. Signed in the presence of the President were the Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between IPVG Corporation of the Philippines and Credence Analytics of India; Family Vaccines and Specialty Clinic (Philippines) and Panacea Biotec Ltd. (India); and the Joint Venture Agreement between Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (India) and Macropharma Corp. (Phils). The President who, prior to the event, keynoted the Confederation of Indian Industries meeting at the Ballroom of the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, was joined in the signing ceremony by Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes. The agreement between IPVG Corp. and Credence Analytics of India provides for the establishment of knowledge process outsourcing facilities for the banking and financial sectors which represent 30 percent of the total global outsourcing industry estimated to reach $110 billion dollars by 2010. The estimated transaction is valued at US$50 million in one year for IPVG. IPVG Corp. Chairman Jaime C. Gonzalez and Credence Analytics (India) Pvt. Ltd. President Vijay Simha signed the MOA for their respective companies. IPVG Corp. is a publicly-listed company in Makati City engaged in businesses relating to information technology, and manages and operates, among others, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company. Credence Analytics is an India-based specialist financial solutions firm that offers software products and outsourced services primarily to banking and financial units and businesses. The MOA signed by Panacea Biotec Ltd. Managing Director Rajesh Jain and Family Vaccines and Specialty Clinic Inc. of the Philippines through its Managing Director Jaime Enrique Gonzales provides for the importation and distribution of medicines and vaccines leading to the setting up of additional 100 clinics and providing quality and affordable healthcare to a minimum of half a million Filipinos. The estimated transaction value is US$10 million over two years. The joint venture agreement between Emcure Pharmaceuticals Executive Director Arun Kumar Khanna and Macropharma Corp. President Jose Salvador M. Rivera provides new, effective and reasonably priced medicines to the Philippines. Emcure chose to award exclusive marketing rights to Macropharma because of their similar adherence to current goods manufacturing practices and to high ethical standards in drug marketing. Emcure manufactures and distributes pharmaceutical products and formulations in India and markets the same in the domestic and international markets. Macropharma is in the business of marketing and selling of pharmaceutical products in the Philippines and is desirous of promoting, marketing and selling the products of Emcure in the Philippines. In this agreement, Macropharma will be able to initially offer drugs in renal diseases, including anti-rejection drugs for renal transplant and anti-cancer therapy. |
