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| 18 SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
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| 18 SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
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PGMA's Opening
Statement during the NEDA Board Meeting Malacañang Aguinaldo State Dining Room 18 September 2007 |
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Mga kababayan, sa pagsulong ng ekonomiya at
pag-angat ng kabuhayan, kailangan nating isulong ang pamumuhunan, lalo na sa
imprastraktura at mga serbisyong bayan na lalong aakit ng investment at
lilikha ng trabaho. Kaya naman pinulong natin ngayon ang neda board upang
aprobahan at madaliin ang mga proyektong napakahalaga sa kaunlaran, kabilang
ang expressway at tren, upang bumilis ang daloy ng tao at produkto sa
kamaynilaan. Kasama rin ng ating pagsusulong ng kaunlaran, kailangang pagtibayin ng pag-iral ng batas at panatag na politika. Ito ang hanap ng bawat investor. Nakita nila ito sa payapang pagtanggap ng bayan sa hatol ng sandiganbayan. Ngayon, batas din ang ating susundin sa paglutas ng iba pang usaping kaharap natin. Iniaatas ko kay Secretary Mendoza ng DOTC na humarap at magpaliwanag sa Korte Suprema hinggil sa kaso ng National Broadband Network. Walang pamumulitika at batay sa ebidensiya ang mga proseso ng hukuman. Doon matitimbang nang wasto kung ayon sa batas at kapakanan ng bayan ang kasunduan. Handa ring tumulong ang pamahalaan sa pagsisiyasat ng ombudsman sa mga paratang ng katiwalian na nakasampa na roon. Sa demokrasya, natural lang ang magkatalong pananaw at posisyon. Ang mahalaga, may mga hukuman at proseso ng batas upang magdesisyon sa anumang di pagkakasundo sa payapang paraan ayon sa hustisya at ebidensya nang walang pamumulitika. Mahalaga rin sa pag-akit ng kapital at pag-unlad ng lahat ng mamamayan ang kapayapaan. Dapat wakasan ang mga atake at pangingikil sa mga negosyong nagbibigay ng trabaho at serbisyo sa taong bayan. Inaatasan ko ang ating sandatahang lakas na pag-ibayuhin ang depensa sa mga paninira at pagpaslang ng mga kaaway ng bayan. Sa pakikibakang ito ng ating mga kawal, marapat igalang ang kanilang pamunuan at mga lihim militar, na napakahalaga sa pagtatanggol ng ating bansa. Samantala, kailangang isulong ang pagkilos ng mga gobyerno at pamayanang lokal upang magpundar ng kapayapaan sa mga lalawigan, sa ilalim ng amnestiya at pagbabalik-loob ng mga dating rebelde. Sa hangarin nating ito, nananawagan tayo sa kongreso na bigyan ng agarang aksiyon ang ating proklamasyon ng amnestiya. Mga kababayan, sumusulong na ang bansa sa landas ng progreso, katatagan, pag-iral ng batas, at pagtingala ng sandaigdigan. Pag-ibayuhin nating lahat ang mga layuning ito, pag-unlad, serbisyong bayan, at katatagan ng bansa sa mapayapa at demokratikong paglutas ng mga suliranin alinsunod sa batas. Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang demokrasya at pag-iral ng batas sa ating bansa. |
| PGMA raises budget for upgrading of gov't hospitals from P500 M to P1.3 B next year |
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DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte – The budget
for the improvement and upgrading of government hospitals would be increased
from P500 million to P1.3 billion next year to further improve the provision
of quality health care services to the Filipinos, particularly the less
privileged ones, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday. The President made the announcement during the media interaction that followed her inauguration of the P289-million Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center (ZNMC) in this city Monday afternoon. "The fund for the upgrading of government hospitals will be raised from P500 million to P1.3 billion," the President said in her opening statement. The increased allocation, the President said, would help in the upgrading of more than 100 government hospitals nationwide from primary to secondary, or from secondary to tertiary. She said these would provide accessible, affordable and specialized health services to the people, particularly to those in the rural or remote areas. For 2008, the President said some P370 million would also be allotted by the national government for the purchase of half-priced medicines by the Department of Health (DOH) for distribution to local government units and government hospitals. "Asahan po ninyo na ang kalusugan ng ating mamamayan ay ating babantayan," the President stressed. Under the President's health reform program, the DOH has been mandated to improve and increase access to health care services, and reduce the financial burden on poor families through the provision of half-priced medicines and universal coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). At the same time, the President said P1 billion has been allocated to the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) for the purchase of half-priced medicines from India next year. She said about 4,000 more Botika ng Barangay and Botika ng Bayan would be established this year throughout the country so more people, especially in the rural areas, can avail themselves of half-priced medicines. By next year, the President said a total of 15,000 Botika ng Barangay and Botika ng Bayan would be available nationwide. President Arroyo also clarified that the purchase and importation of half-priced medicines is not a monopoly of the PITC. "Anybody who wants to buy half-priced medicines from India can do so even without going through PITC," she said. The President invited members of the drug industry to take the opportunity to buy half-priced medicines from India during her state visit there on Oct. 4-5. |
| PGMA tells DOTC Chief Mendoza: Shed light on NBN deal before SC |
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Citing the integrity and fortitude of the
highest court in the land to come up with fair and unbiased decisions,
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed today Transportation and
Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza to appear before the Supreme Court
and explain the $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal between
the government and ZTE Corp. of China. In a statement read before convening the Cabinet-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting in Malacañang this morning, the President said an SC decision will finally put to rest all controversies hounding the contract. “Iniaatas ko kay Secretary Mendoza ng DOTC na humarap at magpaliwanag sa Korte Suprema hinggil sa kaso ng National Broadband Network. Walang pamumulitika at batay sa ebidensiya ang mga proseso ng hukuman. Doon matitimbang nang wasto kung ayon sa batas at kapakanan ng bayan ang kasunduan,” the President said. “Sa demokrasya, natural lang ang magkatalong pananaw at posisyon. Ang mahalaga, may mga hukuman at proseso ng batas upang mag-desisyon sa anumang di pagkakasundo sa payapang paraan ayon sa hustisya at ebidensiya nang walang pamumulitika,” she added. |
| PGMA wants gov't infra projects fast-tracked |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo convened today
the Cabinet-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting
in Malacañang to fast-track the government’s various infrastructure projects
which are vital in sustaining the country’s economic growth. Among the projects the President wants fast-tracked are the construction and rehabilitation of expressways and railroad stations which, she said, would help move more people, goods and services to and from Metro Manila. “Mga kababayan, sa pagsulong ng ekonomiya at pag-angat ng kabuhayan, kailangan nating isulong ang pamumuhunan, lalo na sa imprastraktura at mga serbisyong bayan na lalong aakit ng investment at lilikha ng trabaho,” the President said in her opening statement. “Kaya naman pinulong nating ngayon ang NEDA Board upang aprubahan at madaliin ang mga proyektong napakahalaga sa kaunlaran, kabilang ang expressway at tren upang bumilis ang daloy ng tao at produkto sa ka-Maynilaan,” she added. Infrastructure development and upgrading has been an integral part of President Arroyo’s legacy agenda which, according to her, is the only way to go to improve the lives of Filipinos. The President also stressed the importance of maintaining peace and order which is an important prerequisite that investors look for before deciding to invest. She said the subdued and orderly way Filipinos accepted the Sandiganbayan’s guilty verdict on former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s plunder case showed that the government is on top of all situations. “Ito ang hanap ng bawa’t investor. Nakita nila ito sa payapang pagtanggap ng bayan sa hatol ng Sandiganbayan. Ngayon, batas din ang ating susundin sa paglutas ng iba pang usaping kaharap natin,” she said. In this connection, the President called on the Armed Forces to remain vigilant to maintain peace and order. “Inaatasan ko ang Sandatahang Lakas na pag-ibayuhin ang depensa sa mga paninira at pagpaslang ng mga kaaway ng bayan. Sa pakikibakang ito ng ating mga kawal, marapat igalang ang kanilang pamunuan at mga lihim- militar, na napakahalaga sa pagtatanggol ng ating bansa,” she said. The President also called on Congress to expedite its concurrence to her Amnesty Proclamation which, she said, would greatly assist in the government’s peace efforts by allowing former rebels and enemies of the state to return to the fold of the law. “Mga kababayan, sumusulong ang bansa sa landas ng progreso, katatagan, pag-iral ng batas at pagtingala ng sandaigdigan. Pag-ibayuhin nating lahat ang mga layuninng ito: pag-unlad, serbisyong bayan, at katatagan ng bansa sa mapayapa at demokratikong paglutas ng mga suliranin alinsunod sa batas,” she said. |
| PGMA witnesses unloading of "Fruits of Hope" from North Cotabato |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed
today the unloading at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City of 25,000 lbs. of
native fruits from North Cotabato which were flown into the metropolis via
the military’s C-130 as the administration’s initial transport assistance to
the fruit farmers down south. The fruits. were rounded up from farmers of North Cotabato where President Arroyo was supposed to have signed her Executive Order on GIGA or “generating investments in geothermal areas” last week, but was prevented from flying to the slopes of Mt. Apo for the ceremony because of foul weather. The fruits -- composed of lanzones, rambutan, pomelo, mangosteen, marang and durian – were unloaded at the fixed-wing hangar of the Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) at Villamor Air Base. They were brought in via the newly conceived “Fruits of Hope” project of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). North Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sakdalan and PNRC head Sen. Richard Gordon both thanked President Arroyo for lending the military’s C-130 cargo planes as initial free bulk transport for the farm-to-market linkage project. Sakdalan dubbed the project as “prutas ng pag-asa at kapayapaan”; while Gordon enthused that the direct linkage of the farmers and the vendors has brought “ibayong kaginhawaan sa mga farmers” in the hinterland areas of Mindanao, what with the fruits lapped up by vendors within an hour after these were unloaded. Gordon and Sakdalan also announced that two transport giants – Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines – have already come forward to help the Mindanao farmers with a “special price” to transport their produce direct to the waiting fruit vendors in Metro Manila. Today’s fruit delivery – already conveniently wrapped in cartons – was fetched at the hangar by members of the Fresh and Green Foods Cooperative of Quezon City which belongs to Entrepinay, a nationwide organization of some 20,000 female entrepreneurs. An officer of the above-mentioned women’s group said the QC fruit vendors account for some 50 chapters of the 155 chapters of Entrepinay nationwide; and that each chapter is composed of some 150 members. QC has a fruits “bagsakan” dubbed Fruit Terminal in Brgy. Holy Spirit, and which terminal has several satellites, including the ones at Diliman, Commonwealth and the Batasan Area. Also on hand to fetch the fruits for sale were representatives from Rustan’s and the National Market Vendors Confederation of Cooperatives (NAMVESCO). The PNRC’s “Fruits of Hope” partners include the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Asia-America Initiative, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Peace Process (OPAPP), Shoemart, Nescafe, NAMVESCO, and the local governments of Sulu and North Cotabato. |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Speech at the Electronics Industry Forum, Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, 18 September |
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Congratulations for organizing this strategic
forum. We all know how strategic the electronics industry is to our economy.
It accounts for 2/3 of our exports, employing half a million people in
well-paying jobs. In the creation of jobs, nothing beats the information
technology industry: call centers, business process outsourcing, and
electronics. I understand that the Philippines supplies 50% of the world's requirements for 2.5-inch hard disk drives and 10% of the 3.5-inch hard disk drives produced by the top three global suppliers Fujitsu, Toshiba and Hitachi. And that for mobile phones, 100% of the Nokia digital signal processors and 80% of Siemens' and Ericsson's are manufactured by Texas Instruments. Texas Instruments is expanding its factory in Baguio and, more significantly, it has started constructing a new $1 billion wafer fab facility at the Clark Feeport Zone, which they chose over other locations including China. I like to think that the Texas Instruments investment is also a validation of the Filipino worker and the quality of the infrastructure and facilities at Clark. It is a good deal for the thousands of wokers who will be employed in that new plant. I have often said that the Philippines is the best value for investment in Asia. There has been a sea change in the Philippines in the past few years. We have broken the back of fiscal irresponsibility and with our revenue, fiscal and investment policies we are charting a new economic course. Aside from Texas Instruments, a number of international companies have recently invested heavily in our country in electronics and other industries. Electronics investments for the first eight months of 2007 posted more than 100 percent growth compared to the same period last year – from $360 million to $763 million. As to other industries, Korea’s Hanjin has built a billion dollar shipyard in Subic and is already making expansion plans. Last year, Marubeni and Tokyo Electric Power purchased power plants in the Philippines for some $3.5 billion and announced another $350 million to expand its facilities in Pagbilao. The American power company AES recently won the bid for the Calaca power plant at $930 million and has informed me of another $1 billion expansion in that plant. These are validation that our strategy is working. The Philippines has become an increasingly competitive location for manufacturing, services and high-skill jobs along with the booming call center business. The Texas Instruments wafer fab shows that we are moving up the industry in the value chain. We also hope to increase the industry’s export earnings through wireless applications (such as mobile phones, MP3s and IPODs), personal computers, and consumer electronics (such as plasma TVs). We offer a strategic location in a fast-growing region, our workforce is well educated, productive and English-speaking. This is a quality we are working hard to maintain through investments in human capital to ensure the competiveness of our workforce. We are writing a new chapter in Philippine economic history through the use of tight fiscal control/ complemented by targeted investments in our people and infrastructure. Because revenue is now on track and our deficit is down – in fact, Gary Teves just reported to me the good news that we posted a budget surplus for the month of August – for the first time in decades, less of our revenue is being used to service debt and more towards investment in our country’s infrastructure and social services, including education and healthcare. In our national competitiveness summit last year, we resolved that by 2010, the proficiency level of Math, Science and English in our schools shall have improved by 30 percent. We are on the way there, but I hereby instruct the Department of Education to fast track English training among our grade school teachers, including principals. We are investing P3 billion in science and engineering research and development technology, including scholarships for masters and doctoral degrees in engineering in seven universities. Upgrade know-how and learning, and Filipino talent is unbeatable. We are focused on raising our competitiveness by improving the quality of the country’s human resources, lowering transaction flows and the cost of doing business, developing efficient access to financing, and building a seamless infrastructure network. We are cutting red tape to simplify the requirements for investments. Cost-cutting measures and elimination of red tape will allow our Filipino entrepreneurs and foreign investors alike to move more rapidly to create new businesses. May pondo na tayo para gumastos ng dagdag na sandaang bilyon piso bawat taon, or P1 trillion for our Medium Term Public Investment Program to enhance the natural competitive advantages of the natural sub-economies or “super regions” of the Philippines. We are determined to raise our infrastructure spending to GDP ratio to 4.5 percent which is the ASEAN average. Imprastraktura ang haliging nagtitindig hindi lamang ng ating makabagong ekonomiya: mga kalsada, tulay, paliparan, and power plants. Last week I signed an Executive Order to launch GIGA – G-I-G-A – the Generating Investments in Geothermal Sites project. That Executive Order instructs the local governments to set up economic zones in the jurisdictions near seven geothermal projects sites of the PNOC, so that industries can benefit from the local governments’ use of their geothermal project royalties. In these areas local governments have large bank accounts from royalties that they use to subsidize the electric bills of their constituents. We urge electronics investors to take advantage of subsidized electric bills power in communities hosting geothermal plants. A lower electric bill is is already a powerful draw but we will make it more irresistible by throwing in other fiscal incentives which an ecozone is allowed to grant. The synergy of geothermal power and ecozones will power up progress. The Executive Order instructs the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, whom you are all familiar with, to guide the local governments in setting up these economic zones in geothermal areas. In the region, we will follow the roadmap for the ASEAN integration of the electronics sector, of which the Philippines is the country coordinator. Our strengths are working to sustain our competitiveness for investment. The state of our economy at this mid point in the year brings hope and excitement – our growth is the highest in a generation. The 7.5% GDP increase in the second quarter/ and the 10% gain in capital investment are in line with what the Asian Development Bank says the country needs in order to replicate the poverty-eradicating growth of Asia’s economic success stories. Job creation is strong. Our economy has created six million new jobs in six years and helped lower the rate of poverty, Total employment was 33.3 million last July, 1.2 percent higher than in July 2006. The unemployment rate improved to 7.8 percent from 8.1 persent of the same quarter a year ago. Consumer confidence is up and inflation is holding steady. This slowed the clamor of higher wages, which likewise secured more employment. The foundation of our economic comeback is wide, deep and solid. Across the board, the nation’s economy is pointed in the right direction, and for all the right reasons. The elements of this broad-based success are built on many things and with the help of many people-institutions-and-economic contributors. Notable among these is the electronics industry. We are partners for better technology, regional integration and jobs for Filipinos along the entire value chain. Thank you for your contribution to our economy. |
| PGMA: Gov't to spend P1 trillion for its Medium-Term Public Investment Program |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today
the government has the resources to finance its Medium-Term Public
Investment Program. In a speech at the Electronics Strategic Forum for the Philippines at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, the President said the government is allocating P1 trillion for its MTPI program in the country’s so-called “super regions.” “May pondo na tayo para gumastos ng dagdag na sandaang bilyon piso bawat taon – or P1 trillion for our Medium-Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP) – to enhance the natural competitive advantages of the natural sub-economies or ‘super regions’ of the Philippines,” she announced. The forum was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific. In allocating P1 trillion for the 10-year MTPIP, the President stressed that the government is determined to raise infrastructure spending-to-GDP ratio to 4.5 percent, which is the ASEAN average. “Imprastraktura ang haliging nagtitindig hindi lamang ng ating makabagong ekonomiya: mga kalsada, tulay, paliparan, and power plants,” she pointed out. The President said her administration is investing P3 billion in science and engineering research and development technology, including scholarships for masters and doctoral degrees in engineering in seven universities. She said she had instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) to “fast-track English training among our grade school teachers – including principals.” The President revealed that Finance Secretary Margarito Teves “just reported to me the good news that we posted a budget surplus for the month of August” and that “for the first time in decades, less of our revenue is being used to service debt, and more towards investment in our country’s infrastructure and social services, including education and healthcare.” “The foundation of our economic comeback is wide, deep and solid. Across the board, the nation’s economy is pointed in the right direction, and for all the right reasons. The elements of the broad-based success are built on many things, and with the help of many people, institutions and economic contributors, notable among these is the electronics industry,” she explained. The President pointed out the importance of the electronics industry to the economy, saying it accounts for two-thirds of the country’s exports and employing half a million people in well-paying jobs. “In the creation of jobs, nothing beats the information technology industry – call centers, business process outsourcing, and electronics,” she said. The Philippines supplies 50 percent of the world’s requirements for 2.5-inch hard disk drives, and 10 percent of the 3.5-inch hard disk drives produced by the top three global suppliers – Fujitsu, Toshiba and Hitachi. Texas instruments, on the other hand, produces 100 percent of Nokia digital signal processors, and 80 percent of Siemens’ and Erickson’s digital signal processors. |
| Palace sets-up measures to mitigate oil price hike |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, at today’s
Cabinet meeting, called for urgent efforts to cushion the impact of rising
oil prices. The Department of Energy (DOE) reported that crude hit its all-time peak last week. Oil futures point to lower prices later this year, but the President wants action to safeguard the economy now. “The oil price hike spares no country and no class of society,” says Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo. “Fortunately, the strong peso has been cushioning the effect of higher oil prices on our industries. Now the government will further enhance energy conservation and alternative energy programs.” Secretary Saludo said among the actions directed by the President were: • Adding gas stations offering diesel discounts to jeepneys, to avoid fare hikes • Greater use of alternative fuels • Promotion of fuel-saving technology through economy runs • Use of energy-efficient technologies in industry and buildings • Revive demand-side management program for power industry • Increased exploration and development of indigenous energy sources • Intensify energy efficiency and conservation measures, i.e. DOE’s Energy Saving Program • Replacement of incandescent bulbs with more efficient fluorescents • Enhancing monitoring and enforcement of energy rules and regulations • Revive the temporary modification of tariff duties for crude and refined petroleum products amidst the continuing oil price increases The President has also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways to alleviate traffic along the South Luzon Expressway caused by construction in the area. This, she said, will lighten the traffic burden to motorists and at the same time save fuel. ****** For reference, please contact Sec. Saludo at 0919-3959215 or Asec. Rivera at Tel. 735-7853. |
| Senator Santiago: Who's funding Joey? |
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Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Senate finance
committee vice-chair, said that Jose de Venecia III, the accuser in the
controversial NBN (National Broadband Network) deal, has to explain what
group he is representing, adding that she suspects that it is not only his
own corporation, Amsterdam Holdings, Inc. (AMHI) which lost in the bidding. “He lost the bid, but he is not even trying for a rebidding. Instead, he is spraying automatic gun fire on the First Gentleman, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, and DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza. This is exceedingly strange,” Santiago said. Santiago said that she “smells a plot” intended to scandalize President Arroyo herself, and to create intrigue between her and Jose de Venecia, Jr., Speaker of the House and father of the accuser. “The political noise has reached very high decibel. Producing that kind of noise is very expensive. So where is the money coming from?” she said.
Santiago added that for the NBN (National
Broadband Network) to be completed will need congressional approval through
this year’s national budget. |
| PGMA to host lunch for visiting Tongan prime minister tomorrow |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will welcome
in Malacanang tomorrow visiting Prime Minister Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele of the
Kingdom of Tonga. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said President Arroyo will host lunch for Dr. Sevele at the Palace. Prime Minister Sevele is participating in the Asian Development Bank’s “Mobilizing Aid for Trade” Conference from Sept. 18-20. On the sidelines, the Tongan prime minister will also meet with officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Dr. Sevele entered politics in 1999 when he was elected as one of the nine People’s Representatives to the Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea). He was reelected in 2002 and in 2005. He was later appointed as the Minister for Labor, Commerce and Industries. In this position, he negotiated Tonga’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2005. Prime Minister Sevele ascended to his present position on Feb. 11, 2006, an appointment made permanent on March 30, 2006 by Tongan King Tupou IV, making him the first non-noble prime minister of Tonga. |
