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| 11 SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
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| 11 SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
| NFA ups rice deliveries 25-50 percent, keeps close watch on price violators |
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The National Food Authority (NFA) has increased
by 25-50 percent rice deliveries to its 31,400 outlets nationwide to soften
the impact of the high prices of commercial rice on the public. NFA Deputy Administrator Ludovico Jarina also assured consumers that the “price of NFA rice remains at P18 per kilo nationwide.” During the taping this afternoon of The Cabinet Speaks, a television program hosted by Press Undersecretary Martin Crisostomo over NBN TV, Jarina reiterated that despite the long dry season being experienced by farmers in many parts of the country, the public can rest assured that there is enough supply of low-priced rice. The price of commercial rice rose to P26-P27 per kilo two weeks ago, prompting NFA to immediately increase deliveries of NFA rice to its outlets. Aside from the regular NFA outlets, low-priced NFA rice is also available at the 8,140 Tindahan Natin that have been established in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s hunger mitigation program. In addition, 197 NFA rolling stores make three regular trips a week to depressed areas of the country to sell rice, Jarina said. NFA employees are also closely monitoring the movement of rice supply in Metro Manila’s 252 markets to ensure that NFA rice is not diverted to unauthorized outlets or sold above the fixed price of P18 a kilo, he added. The NFA official also appealed to the public to report to the NFA -- mobile phone No. 0917-6210927 -- any outlet selling NFA rice above P18 a kilo. Jarina said the extended dry spell has delayed planting and harvesting by one to two months from August-September to September-November in most parts of the country. To beef up the NFA rice inventory, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the importation of an additional 260,000 metric tons (MTs) of the cereal from Thailand and Vietnam. With the rice importation and the onset of the harvest season, Jarina said the projected NFA rice inventory by end-December would be good for 50 days. As part of the rice self-sufficiency program by 2010, the government is currently rehabilitating and maintaining irrigation projects and farm-to-market roads, and espousing the use of hybrid rice varieties and modern techniques and facilities such as mechanical dryers, Jarina said. These measures, Jarina added, would help farmers increase production, reduce post-harvest losses, lead to steady supply of rice, and end the regime of rice importation. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: TRO |
| We are awaiting copy. We’ll respond accordingly upon receipt thereof. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Cabinet Meeting |
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Matters taken up during the Cabinet Meeting:
Government procurement policy, pro-performance system for planning and
monitoring, agency performance, excellence program, housing permits and
proposed guidelines on the updating of the Medium Term Philippines
Development Program (MTPDP) A smaller group met afterwards to hear the briefing of Secretary Mendoza on ZTE. Please stand by for the Cabinet Secretary’s statement. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation |
| Just to clarify, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation 1362, declaring Sept. 12, 2007 as a National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation of Our Nation, on August 15, 2007. |
| Statement of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo: DOTC explains broadband project to Cabinet |
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After the Cabinet meeting today, Transportation
and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza reviewed with several
secretaries the key aspects of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project. Secretary Mendoza showed how the project would save the government more than P3 billion a year. The annual cost will be P990 million when repayments begin on the proposed 20-year, 3 percent interest rate concessional loan to fund the project, after five years’ grace period. On the other hand, DOTC explained, the NBN system would provide telecom services now costing P4 billion yearly for national agencies alone, plus billions more for local governments, government corporations, community e-centers, and other state entities down to the poorest municipalities. The NBN system will have 300 WiMAX wireless broadband stations to serve 25,800 offices nationwide. These facilities are several times larger than the systems proposed by competing suppliers. Secretary Mendoza also recounted the procurement process: • DOTC/CICT review of rival proposals for more than a year. • NEDA Board approval of project proposal. • Advice from the Government Procurement Policy Board that NBN is covered by executive agreement (EA) with no public bidding. • China's designation of ZTE, a state telecom firm, as supplier under the agreement. • Department of Justice opinion that the contract was indeed covered by EA. Secretary Mendoza added that the ZTE contract still awaits Department of Budget and Management (DBM) commitment to allocate funds for loan payments (forward obligation authority), and a loan agreement with China's Export-Import Bank yet to be negotiated by the Department of Finance. The DOTC head noted that cases relating to NBN are now in the Supreme Court and the Ombudsman, where testimony and other evidence on legal and governance issues may be filed. He supports the President's longstanding policy of upholding transparency, integrity, the government and the public interest, and the inviolability of valid contracts in all government transactions. For reference,please contact Sec. Saludo at 0919-399215 |
| Outgoing Netherlands envoy gets highest Philippines award |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred
today the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Gold Distinction) on
outgoing Netherlands Ambassador Robert Vornis for rendering exceptional and
meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines. At a brief conferment rites held at Malacanang’s Music Room this afternoon, the President presented to Vornis the Presidential Sash, Badge, Star and the Presidential Plaque of Citation of the Order of Sikatuna. She was assisted by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales. Ambassador Marciano Paynor read the citation. The citation reads: “Ambassador Vornis’ tour of duty is highlighted by his consistent support for the Philippine government’s efforts against extrajudicial killings, for facilitating the country’s listing in 2003 as a priority country for the Dutch official development assistance.” The outgoing envoy was also cited for promoting the Philippines as an investment destination of Dutch energy companies and for actively supporting peace-building efforts of the country. The citation also recognizes Vornis’s efforts for securing his government’s support for the training of Filipino judges and justices for seats in the International Court of Justice. The Order of Sikatuna, established in 1953, is conferred by the President of the Philippines upon individuals, diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines. The order is usually given to individuals for their outstanding services in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines. Also at the same venue, the President thanked the outgoing Sri Lankan Ambassador Wijekoon Mudiyanselage Senevirathna who had ended his tour of duty in the Philippines. “Thank you for all you have done for my country, particularly in strengthening the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Sri Lanka,” the President told Ambassador Senevirathna. |
| Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: ZTE |
| Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Secretary Peter Favila, Secretary Romulo Neri, Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Secretary Ricardo Saludo, Secretary Cerge Remonde, Secretary Jesli Lapus and myself were present during Secretary Mendoza’s briefing. |
| Palace: National Day of Prayer for Peace, Sandiganbayan verdict mere coincidence |
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Malacanang said today that it was simple
coincidence that the National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation of
our Nation and the Sandiganbayan ruling on the plunder case against former
President Joseph Estrada would take place on the same day (Wednesday, Sept.
12). Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared Sept. 12, 2007 as a National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation of our Nation last Aug. 15 yet, or a good three weeks before it was reported in media that the Sandiganbayan would hand down its decision on the Estrada case. Bunye pointed out that last year, the President also issued Proclamation No. 919 declaring the same date (Sept. 12) as a National Day of Prayer, Conversion, Reparation and Consecration for Our Nation in order to promote peace and unity among Filipinos. Bunye issued the clarification following speculations that the National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation was timed to coincide with the proclamation of the Sandiganbayan ruling. “The President signed Proclamation No. 1362 last August 15 in order to attain the national goals and sustain the gains of the country’s economic reforms,” he added. In signing Proclamation No. 1362, the President noted that it is time for the Filipinos to make “a reaffirmation of our commitment to this goal through personal reflection, change in attitudes, and solidarity for the public welfare and the development of our country.” The goal of peace and unity has, all too often, lost its relevance in a nation that is “beset by hostility, bitterness, constant conflict and too much politics,” she pointed out. |
