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| 19 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
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| 19 OCTOBER 2007 | ||
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| PGMA activates first Carillon Bells system in Tuguegarao City |
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TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – This progressive and
highly urbanized province some 500 kilometers northeast of Manila holds the
distinction as the only province in Northern Luzon to own a Carillon Bell
system. A series of specifically-tuned and precisely-manufactured brass bells consisting of as little as 12 (one-octave) to as much as 48 (four-octave) individual bells, a Carillon Bell is a musical instrument that plays simple to complex melodies by striking the inner cores of each bell system, either individually or in unison to produce different notes. When tasked to play any note or song inputted into its computer-driven carilloneur (Carillon Bell player), the bells produce a sonic experience like no other. To highlight the inauguration of their Carillon Bell system, the people of Tuguegarao invited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to ceremoniously turn on, for the first time, their 12-piece Carillon Bell system. The President arrived at the belfry of the Sto. Nino Shrine in San Gabriel Village, where the Carillon Bells are housed, at 10 o’clock this morning amid loud cheers and applause. She was met by Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan and Sto. Nino parish priest Fr. Bernardo Corpuz who brought the President to the nearby belfry. Laid out at the front of the entrance to the belfry was the main computer that acted as the carilloneur with its red button at the middle of the console which the President pressed to activate the Carillion Bells. When the President pressed the button, the bells began to chime the song "Happy Birthday to You," a song the President dedicated to Archbishop Talamayan who coincidentally was celebrating his 75th natal day today. In the meantime, Fr. Corpuz thanked the President for coming to Tuguegarao to personally grace the blessing and formal opening of his parish's Carillon Bell system. He told the President that he and his parishioners and the people of Tuguegarao would continue praying that overcomes all the trials that come her way. "We will pray for the President as she comes to the town of Sto. Nino. This (the inauguration of the Carillon Bells) is not only a social event but a religious event as well and this makes us all privileged to welcome and honor the highest official of the land," Corpuz said. "At the same time," he added, "we also want to wish her all the best. We lift all the many trials and challenges she is facing right now to the Sto. Nino, the Child Jesus. We always believe in the Sto. Nino." |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
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We have noted the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s
“deep regrets that it inadvertently reported in today’s (Oct.18) issue that
Rep. Bienvenido Abante said President Macapagal-Arroyo was present during
the distribution of cash handouts to politicians last Thursday. Abante had
actually said the President was not present.” But for a single word: not, we can only guess that the report attributed to Congressman Abante would not have merited a six-column banner story. It would have been entirely out of character for PDI if it had come up with a banner story headlined: “GMA not present, says solon.” UNFORTUNATELY, THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. We leave it up to PDI to ponder on how it missed that single all-important word – not -- from the text of the banner story written by reporters Dona Pazzibugan, Christian V. Esguerra and Norman Bordadora. We suppose that PDI editors must feel that its “deep regrets” over the unfortunate banner story is enough to recompense for the disinformation or misinformation its “shoot first, investigate later” treatment of the non-story created. That particular PDI headline story came at a time when agit-prop operations by critics of the administration have reached new heights of nastiness and recklessness. Efforts are underway to sow discord, divide the nation and destroy the hard-earned advances that the economy continues to make. All we ask of the media community is greater circumspection, or at the very least balance and fairness, in the reportage of news events, particularly those of national import. People look up to media as a source of accurate information and enlightenment, not as a purveyor of disinformation and chaos. |
| PGMA greets her archibishop ally and friend on his 75th birthday |
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TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo took time out from her busy schedule today to personally
greet Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan during the latter's 75th
birthday celebration at the St. Peter's Cathedral here. Aside from celebrating his natal day, Talamayan is also commemorating the "closing-out" of several milestones in his life which include his golden anniversary as a priest and his 22 years as Bishop of Tuguegarao. Talamayan, who has been a long-time ally and spiritual leader of the President, began the celebrations by inaugurating the Carillon Bells of nearby Sto. Nino Shrine, then partaking in a Eucharistic celebration in his honor and by having lunch thereafter with the President and her contingent at the Bishop's residence. "It is my honor to be able to be part of these many jubilees. For instance, he's (Talamayan) Golden Anniversary as Reverend Father last Nov. 30, his 22 years as Obispo (bishop) last Jan. 12, and his 21 years as Arsobispo (Archbishop) of Tuguegarao. Truly a year of jubilees for our beloved Archbishop," the President said near the end of the concelebrated Mass. The President also cited Talamayan for his book "In Aedificationem Corpus Christi (In the Building of the Body of Christ)" which she said served as her “inspiration to work harder for the betterment of the lives of our less fortunate brothers and sisters.” "Through this book, we are able to remember always the many virtues of Archbishop Talamayan. We are able to remember his combination of cosmopolitan sophistication and the simple love for the people that he serves," the President said. Turning to Archbishop Talamayan, the President said, "May you continue to inspire the people to become servants of the people." "I thank them (Archbishop Talamayan and others like him) because they always help me, inspire me and remind me of the preferential option for the poor in pursuing our economic development," the President said. She said Archbishop Talamayan's "selfless service" should be emulated by all who serve the people. "Archbishop Talamayan joins other Filipino leaders who embody selfless service. Archbishop Talamayan is always there for any one of us from high positions and from the poorest section of society whenever we need him," the President said. "Let us all pray to God that we will be blessed with the wisdom, the courage and the strength to keep on building and creating until we reach reconciliation and progress for all," the President said. In ending, the President greeted Talamayan on behalf of all the faithful "Happy Diamond Jubilee and thank you for all you have done to our church and to all our people." |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye |
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While we respect the individual opinions of the
three bishops, we definitely disagree with their characterization of the
President. We believe that this is not the view of the majority of the members of the Catholic community. The complaints that are being raised by the three bishops have been and are being taken up already in the courts and in different official fora. President Arroyo remains to be the duly elected and legitimate President of the Republic and she is resolved to continue working for economic progress until the end of her term in 2010. |
| PGMA to grace 60th anniversary of Ormoc City's Charter Day |
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ORMOC CITY – From a small town in the 1950s,
this Eastern Visayan city has metamorphosed into a fast-developing business
hub in Region Vlll. On the occasion of its 60th Charter Day tomorrow (Saturday), Ormoc City is abuzz with festivities and preparations designed to make the special day truly special. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is arriving here tomorrow afternoon to grace the occasion. She will be welcomed by thousands of local folks at the Ormoc Superdome to commemorate the time 60 years ago when Ormoc became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 179. The President is scheduled to award a P125,000 check to the city’s Self-Employment Assistance (SEA-K) program and award certificates of land ownership to local farmers. She will also witness the giving of a plaque of appreciation to the Japanese government for funding the multi-million-peso Ormoc City Flood Mitigation Project and the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Ormoc Flood Mitigation Structures. The Chief Executive will also receive a briefing on the two projects designed to enhance the function and sustainability of the structures. Phases I and II of the multi-million-peso Ormoc flood mitigation project were completed in March, 1999 and August, 2002 respectively, to avoid the recurrence of the devastating 1991 Ormoc City flashfloods that killed more than 5,000 people and left more than 3,000 others missing. Total damage of the 1991 floods was placed at US$23 million. Phase 1 consisted of three silt dams and four bridges with a total cost of P370.4 million. The slit dams, designed to trap floating logs and debris to prevent them from clogging up the river channels, are the first of its kind in the country. Phase 2, on the other hand, consisted mainly of drainage works, slope protection, hydraulic drops along the Anilao and Malbasag Rivers. However, typhoon “Gilas” in July 2003, damaged a 100-meter stretch of the Nadongholan dike while the access maintenance road at the Biliboy Sabo Dam was eroded and some 40 meters of revetment were damaged. The President made history as the first president of the Republic to visit Ormoc City when she graced this city’s Charter Day Celebration way back on October 19, 2004. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: On Makati blast |
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The President is deeply saddened by this
incident and extends her sympathies to the families of the casualties. The President has ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to extend all possible assistance to the victims to mitigate their suffering. She has also ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to get to the bottom of things and to leave no stone unturned. |
| President urges strengthening of coops as gov't partners in anti-poverty campaign |
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ALABEL, Sarangani Province – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has called for the strengthening of people’s cooperatives
as partners of government in the fight against poverty. In her address at the opening of the Cooperatives Summit in Region XII yesterday (Thursday, Oct. 18), the President said cooperatives have demonstrated their effectiveness in bringing people together to address problems common to their communities, notably peace and order, and poverty. She said that the performance of the 25,000 active cooperatives operating throughout the country amply demonstrates the latent power of cooperatives in improving the lot of their members. These cooperatives, which have generated P50 billion worth of business transactions in the past six years, were greatly instrumental in improving the economic situations of 5.5 million Filipinos nationwide, the President said. “Labaw sa 25,000 ka aktibong kooperatiba sa nasod maoy partner nato aron makalingkawas sa kapobrehan ang 5.5 million ka Pilipino sa niaging unom ka tubig. Sa mi-aging tuig, ang suma sa transaksyong nahimo sa mga kooperatiba sa Pilipinas gabili ug P50 billion. Ang mga kooperatiba maoy nagtipig ug hapit P20 billion ug naka-pool ug halos P10 billion nga capital investment.” The President noted that the cooperatives sector has been a big help in generating employment; aside from helping grow the number of small entrepreneurs in the country. “Silang tanan nagtabang sa atong programa sa pagpausbaw sa micro, small and medium enterprises,” the President told members of Southeastern Mindanao cooperatives who gathered at the capitol gymnasium here for a meeting and awarding of certificates of appreciation and recognition of this year’s five outstanding in Region XII. The outstanding coops are: • Multi-Purpose Agriculture Sector: Polo Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Polo, Polomolok, South Cotabato) has total assets of P162 million with paid-up capital of P12 million. Organized in 1972 with only 35 rice and corn-producing farmers who contributed one sack of dried corn per hectare per harvest, the coop partnered with San Miguel Foods in dried cassava production, with Davao Sugar Central for sugarcane production, and with DOLE for pineapple production. The coop now 1,050 members. • The Credit Sector: Lucky 7 Public School Teachers Credit Cooperative in Polo, Polomolok, South Cotabato started out as a “paluwagan” among a former principal who contributed P5,000 as starting capital, and his seven teachers who contributed P2,000 each. The group has since bought its own lot, now the site of a commercial building costing P800,000. • Non-Agriculture Sector: Dolefil Employees Cooperative Complex (DECCO) based at the DOLE Complex in South Cotabato has total assets of P316.8 million from its operation of appliance centers, pawnshops, gas stations, LPG and motorcycle dealership, and memorial parks. • Health Services: Community Health Services Cooperative of Midsayap, North Cotabato; and • Transport Services: Only seven years old, Bio-Crest Multi-Purpose Cooperative (General Santos City) started in 2000 with only one bus. Now, it is the only bus transport group servicing the “perennial war-conflict areas of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.” The coop now operates 22 deluxe buses, six aircon buses, seven cargo trucks and one utility vehicle throughout Mindanao. |
| Palace disputes report on unliquidated funds |
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Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman
Ignacio Bunye disputed today reports that Malacanang has unliquidated funds
amounting to P615.3 million since 2006. He said records show that the Office of the President had liquidated a total of P160.66 million and adjustments covering the period January-October 18 this year. These adjustments resulted in unliquidated funds totaling P454.635 million as of Oct. 18, 2007, compared to the reported P615.294 million in unliquidated funds as of December 2006. Of this figure, P3.223 million were unliquidated advances of cash disbursing officers (CDOs), P3.98 million due from officers and employees, P314.99 million from other receivables, and P132.4 million still to be liquidated by previous administrations. Malacanang records show that minus the unliquidated funds of previous administrations of P132.4 million, the present administration’s unliquidated funds would amount to P322.204 million. Bunye pointed out that newspaper reports attributed to the Commission on Audit (COA) did not take into account the comments of OP Deputy Executive Secretary Susana Vargas in a letter submitted to COA Chairman Guillermo Carague, through resident auditor Samuel Sison, last Sept. 4. “Management has not been remiss in reminding the accountable officers of their responsibility to liquidate their cash advances. For those who still fail to liquidate within the prescribed period, we either withhold their salary or deduct a reasonable amount from their salary. Management has also refrained from granting additional cash advance, unless urgent and necessary, if prior years’ cash advances remain unsettled,” Vargas said in her letter. Part of the comments made by Vargas last Sept. 4 included the P269.5 million in loans granted out of the President’s Social Fund (PSF) in 2003 and 2004 which, she said, does not lack supporting documents. Vargas commented that funds were drawn from the PSF upon the request of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) themselves as start-up funds under the “Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyon Piso,” program that was institutionalized under Executive Order 176 of 2002. Vargas said SME beneficiaries were also informed that PSF releases were granted as soft loans, and a team was created to monitor loan payments and handle issues that may arise from the implementation of the program. Relative to the P94.45 million unsubmitted vouchers for 2003 and 2004, Vargas said these disbursement vouchers were already submitted, including the paid vouchers for February to December 2004, of calendar years 2005 and 2006, and January to July 2007. On donations totaling P8.8 million, Vargas said these were disbursed strictly for the purpose as specified by the donor, and other donations received for socio-economic projects were likewise disbursed solely for its intended purpose. Vargas also said that the transfer of fund in the amount of P112.1 million to government agencies and other non-governmental organizations were properly recorded and its reclassification entry was taken up under Journal Entry Voucher (JEV) No. 2007-07-006203 dated July 31, 2007. In her letter, Vargas said the depreciation for the Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) valued at P949.9 million were not provided since data needed in the computation are not yet available such as the unit cost and year of acquisition. Vargas added that an appraisal committee was earlier created to determine the appraised value of the PPEs purchased from 2003 and below to conclusively compute its depreciation. |
| Leyte braces for PGMA visit, landing anniversary rites tomorrow |
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TACLOBAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate time to visit this premier city in
Eastern Visayas where 63 years ago, the returning American Gen. Douglas
MacArthur made that historic landing at Leyte Gulf that changed the course
of history. On the eve of her arrival here Saturday, Leytenos, particularly Taclobanons are all giddy over her visit, not only because it falls on the anniversary of the landing but also because it would mean inauguration of new projects that will redound to their benefit. On tap during her short stint here is the inauguration of the newly-rehabilitated and enhanced flood mitigation structures in Ormoc City which was ravaged by killer floods several years ago. She is also scheduled to attend the 60th Charter Day celebration of Ormoc before flying in here to induct the officers of the Katig-uban Samarenos Ha Leyte (KASALE) and the Leyte Mayors’ League. The Chief Executive will cap her visit to Leyte by honoring the outstanding Samarenos in the province considered as the gateway to the region. In his anniversary message, Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla, who will lead the President’s welcomers at the Tacloban airport , called on Leytenos to make a new pact with history by winning back “our economic freedom and hastening development to come in.” “Let us make this promise now on these hallowed grounds where our patriots fought one of the greatest battles of all time to set aside the wars between us and become undivided in making our lives better for generations and more,” he said. Leyte was the first province to be liberated by the Americans during the Second World War. General MacArthur’s assault troops landed in the Tacloban and Palo Beaches (White Beach and Red Beach, respectively) and in the neighboring town of Dulag (Blue Beach) on Oct. 20, 1944. These landings signaled the eventual victory of the American Forces and the fulfillment of MacArthur’s famous "I Shall Return" promise. Three days later, at a ceremony in front of the Capitol Building in this city, General MacArthur, accompanied by President Sergio Osmeña, made Tacloban the temporary seat of the Commonwealth Government and subsequently the temporary capital of the Philippines until the final liberation of the country. The provincial government of Leyte and the municipal government of Tacloban were reestablished. Tacloban has grown by leaps and bounds to become the premier city in Eastern Visayas and the gateway to the region. Tacloban’s upcoming Eastern Visayas Regional Agro-Industrial Growth Center located at Barangays New Kawayan, Old Kawayan, Sto. Niño and Tagpuro will host light and medium manufacturing industries, mostly joint ventures with Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese capitalists. The industries that will rise on this estate are relatively labor-intensive and are projected to directly employ more than 5,000 factory workers. Additional jobs are expected to be provided by the ancillary service industries. |
| Statement of the President: On Makati blast |
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Mga minamahal kong kababayan, Kaninang 1:30 ng hapon ang siyudad ng Makati ay niyanig ng isang malakas na pagsabog. Taliwas sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, lumalabas na ito ay hindi nagmula sa pagsabog ng tangke ng LPG. Lumalabas na mas malamang na ito ay dulot ng isang pampasabog. We assure everyone that a full blown investigation is now underway. The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are on highest alert and are fielding an additional 2000 personnel to secure our public places and to prevent a possible similar occurrence. I warn those who seek to destabilize our government not to exploit this incident for their selfish political motives. This is the time for all of us to unite. We urge all sectors to remain vigilant as the government steps up security measures to protect our people. Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na maging mapagmatiyag habang nagpapatupad ang mga awtoridad ng mas mahigpit na seguridad sa mga pampublikong lugar para na rin sa kanilang sariling proteksyon. Sana ay maunawaan ng ating mga kababayan ang mga pag-iingat na ating isasagawa. Ako ay lubhang nalulungkot sa pangyayaring ito at ipinapaabot ko ang aking taus-pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya ng mga nasawi. Ang mga kinatawan ng DSWD at National Disaster Coordinating Council ay kasalukuyang nakikipagugnayan sa mga biktima upang maipagkaloob sa kanila ang angkop na tulong. Sama-sama po tayong manalangin at magtulungan para malampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito. |
