We welcome the oil price rollback and we anticipate more price cuts so that the people can have some relief from inflationary pressures.

The fielding of compressed natural gas buses this year would also help cut back transport costs while easing pollution.

Congress has acknowledged the exigency of improving our fiscal position and we should not let the momentum slip from our hands.

The global disaster response can bank on Filipinos to help get the work done in various fields.

We offer the heart and talent of the Filipino worker who is renowned in all four corners of the world.

The government has fully complied with its commitments on the resumption of the peace talks with secessionists in the South, such as the phased redeployment of AFP troops from Buliok and the withdrawal of the cases filed against Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders and members.

This, among others, highlighted the accomplishments of the Philippine comprehensive peace process in 2004, one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s legacy agenda for a just end to the Mindanao conflict.

In its report to Malacaņang, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAP) grouped its accomplishments under peacemaking and peacekeeping, on one hand, and peace building and conflict prevention, on the other.

Aside from keeping the peace talks alive, the government continued to observe the agreement on the cessation of hostilities with the MILF, particularly through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Local Monitoring Teams (LMTs).

In addition, the 62-man International Monitoring Team (IMT), composed of representatives from Malaysia, Brunei and Libya, is currently deployed in Mindanao to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. A civil society-led Bantay Ceasefire group is also monitoring the truce.

On rehabilitation and development, a joint needs assessment (JNA) has been conducted in the target areas, specifically on the following: human development, rural development, finance and private sector, and governance and institutions.

Although the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front (NDF) were postponed, the government and NDF leaders continued to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) through the Joint Monitoring Committee on CARHRIH.

The government, in particular, vigorously conducted information and advocacy campaign on said agreement in strategic areas, including the AFP and PNP establishments.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the strategy plan on the resumption of the peace talks with the communist rebels.

Also in 2004, the government continued to pursue confidence building measures towards the resumption of the peace talks.

On the indemnification of victims of human rights violations, both houses of Congress have come up with their respective versions of a bill to amend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), which, in effect, will provide for said indemnification.

Among the accomplishments of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2004, the enactment of the Clean Water Act stands out.

Malacaņang today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to launch an aggressive information campaign on the spread of meningococcemia.

In his regular press briefing, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the President issued the directive amid reports of a meningococcemia breakout.

Bunye said the President directed DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit to give a regular press briefing to shed light on the current state of disease management to avoid speculation.

Dayrit has earlier announced a decrease in the reported cases of meningococcemia.

He said only two suspected cases are under observation in hospitals since Thursday.

He said the DOH has continued efforts to contain the disease.

On Thursday, the DOH reported five new cases of meningococcemia, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 18 for January alone.

The Department of Budget and Management will make provisions for the medical, engineering and forensic teams that the country will send to countries affected by the tsunami last month.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a press briefing today that compared to the commitment of other countries who attended the Special ASEAN Summit meeting in Jakarta, the country’s commitment will be modest.

"What is important is we are doing our share," Bunye stressed. "But we would like to just let the whole world know that the Philippines is not wanting in Bayanihan spirit."

Compensating for the Philippines’ financial inadequacy, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had offered the services of the country’s "world class workers" in health care and engineering in the relief and rehabilitation of the tsunami-hit countries in South and Southeast Asia.

The President made the commitment in her speech Thursday in Jakarta.

Malacanang today said that the government is not giving up hope that Roberto Tarongoy, held captive in Iraq, would be safely released soon.

In his regular press briefing, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis "remains hopeful about the fate of Tarongoy."

Tarongoy, a Filipino accountant, has been held hostage by armed Iraqis since November 1 last year.

Bunye assured the nation that Seguis will remain in Iraq "for as long as needed" as Tarongoy’s captors maintain contact with the Philippine team in the said country.

Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles welcomed the call of the Philippine National Red Cross for a 6-month humanitarian ceasefire in seven municipalities in Quezon and Aurora to enable the unimpeded flow for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in calamity stricken communities.

"We support such a ceasefire and we will consult immediately with the Secretary of National Defense for a common position that can be elevated to the President, " Deles said in a statement.

"I agree that this is not only good for the humanitarian cause but for confidence building in the peace negotiations, " she added.

Deles said the stricken communities needed the latitude to rebuild their physical and psychological foundations and armed conflict would only aggravate their misery.

"We are for a holistic peace based not only on the absence of armed conflict but the presence of just social and economic structure, " she said.

Deles also called on the CPP-NPA to heed the call of the Red Cross and demonstrate sensitivity to the public welfare.