We take the mixed outlook on the Philippines on the positive side. We are off to a good start and all we have to do is to sustain our focus and keep on track with our economic blueprint.

It is important to note that the outside world is focused on the Philippine economy and not on the noise of Philippine politics. This is aligned with our prime focus on investments and jobs.

MARILAO, Bulacan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed today PhilHealth cards to the families affected by the Northrail Project and relocated to the eight Northville communities in the province of Bulacan.

In a simple ceremony at the Northville IV Resettlement Project in Barangay Lambakin in Marilao this morning, the President handed the PhilHealth Family Cards to beneficiaries represented by the local executives of the towns of Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto and the city of Malolos. The occasion coincided with the government’s Medical and Dental Outreach project in the area.

Assisting President Arroyo in the program were Vice President Noli de Castro, Bulacan Governor Josie dela Cruz, Bulacan Representatives Reylina Nicolas and Lorna Silverio, National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Federico Laxa and Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) Chairman Roberto Pagdanganan.

Those who received the PhilHealth cards on behalf of the resettled railroad families were Marilao Mayor Epifanio Guillermo, Meycauayan Mayor Eduardo Alarilla, Guiguinto Mayor Boy Cruz, Malolos City Mayor Danilo Domingo and Balagtas Municipal Social Welfare Officer Mary Carmen Mina, representing its Local Government Unit (LGU).

"Salamat sa PhilHealth sa mabilis na pag-ayos nila ng mga papeles. Gawa nang mag-released tayo ng P500 million para sa PhilHealth para kayo, pupunta kayo sa ospital, may magbabayad ng inyong bill, iyong gobyerno dahil insured na kayo sa gamot, iyon ang pinamigay natin," President Arroyo explained to the crowd.

Aside from the PhilHealth assistance, the Chief Executive also assured the relocatees of access to half-priced medicines to be made available to the Botika ng Barangay in their communities through the PITC.

She also announced that the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will start putting up electrical posts in the area in the next two weeks to immediately address the problem of electrification in the Northville IV relocation site.

President Arroyo added that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also ready to provide skills training and daily livelihood seminars in all Northville Resettlement sites.

Malacanang took exception today to Moody’s negative rating of the country’s credit outlook, but instead of being disheartened by it, vowed to redouble its efforts to build on its solid achievements in improving the revenue base, and eventually trim down significantly the government’s debt levels.

"We take the mixed outlook on the Philippines on the positive side. We are off to a good start and all we have to do is to sustain our focus and keep on track with our economic blueprint," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement this morning.

As forecast by the Department of Finance (DOF), international credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Service (MIS) maintained its July 2005 negative outlook on the country’s credit worthiness, citing concern over the continuing political noise and worries that tax collection from the Reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) might fall short of government projections.

On the other hand, another international credit rating agency, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services said it had revised its credit rating from negative to stable as it affirmed its ‘BB+ local currency and ‘BB-/B’ foreign currency ratings.

S&P said that "the outlook reflects expectations concerning revised expectations concerning the prospects of policy continuity and adherence to fiscal consolidation, which foreshadows improved chances for overall deficit reduction, and stabilization of the country’s debt dynamics."

Bunye stressed that it is "important to note that the outside world is focused on the Philippine economy and not on the noise of Philippine politics. This is aligned with our prime focus on investments and jobs."

He noted that Standard & Poor’s acknowledged the significant headway the government has achieved in fiscal consolidation.

PORT DICKSON, Malaysia -- The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels have wrapped up the "consensus points" of the contentious ancestral domain issue, paving the way for the signing of the Ancestral Domain Agreement late next month and the opening of formal peace negotiations.

In a joint statement issued by government panel chairman Silvestre Afable Jr. and MILF panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal at the conclusion of the 10^th round of the GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in Port Dickson last Tuesday (Feb. 7), the two parties said the conclusion of the consensus points placed the "peace process on track for concluding the Ancestral Domain aspect of the June 22, 2001 Tripoli Peace Agreement."

Among the consensus points reached were:

• Joint determination of the scope of the Bangsamoro homeland based on the technical maps and data submitted by both sides;

• Measures to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people arising from their unjust dispossession and/or marginalization;

• Bangsamoro people’s right to utilize and develop their ancestral domain and ancestral lands;

• Economic cooperation arrangements for the benefit of the entire Bangsamoro people.

The two panels agreed to forge, as soon as possible, an overall framework for the forthcoming formal talks, together with the inventory of crucial issues to be tackled, the general procedures and parameters and the indicative timeline for the signing of a comprehensive agreement between the government and the MILF within 2006.

The panels agreed to conduct joint advocacy drives on the ancestral domain issue to broaden public understanding and support for the GRP-MILF peace process.

To achieve this objective, a joint committee was formed to draw up the guidelines, plan the advocacy campaign, and seek the participation of non-government organizations, people’s organizations and civil society groups in advocacy activities.

Both panels reaffirmed the need to intensify capacity-building programs with the assistance and support of the international community and donor institutions.

They agreed in principle to the establishment of a Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute in Cotabato City as a capacity building center for emerging leaders and professionals.

The panels expressed their appreciation to the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the establishment of a durable, comprehensive and lasting peace in Mindanao.

IBA, Zambales—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that Korean corporate giant Hanjin is investing $1 billion on a shipyard facility at the Subic Freeport Zone.

The President made the announcement during the unveiling of the marker and blessing of the new P8 million building of the College of Law of the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University here.

She said Hanjin’s shipyard project could generate up to 15,000 jobs for the Filipinos.

The Chief Executive said it took a long time to conclude the Korean investment, but finally it will be signed.

She said the Korean investment was supposed to be sealed during the visit to the Philippines last December of Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun but Hanjin Corp. wanted that a road leading to the site be constructed first.

''You see we spent P150 million for the road but we get $1 billion of investments in return,'' the President said, adding that the Korean investment will be a big boon to the fight against poverty.

IBA, Zambales---Saying education is the way out of poverty for Filipinos, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the release of P500 million for student scholarships in the tertiary level or college.

The President made the announcement during the blessing and unveiling of the marker of the new College of Law of the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University here.

"I asked the Department of Budget and Management to release on Monday P500 million for tertiary school scholarships for state universities and colleges (SUCs) throughout the country," she said.

The RMTU would definitely get a chunk of the scholarship fund, she added.

Education is the Filipinos' "key to uplift their lives and get out of poverty," she stressed.

During the past few weeks, the President has ordered the release of funds from the P35 billion economy pump priming allocation to various anti-poverty projects, including education and the construction of roads.

Earlier, she ordered the release of funds for the purchase of textbooks in the elementary level as well as for her "Food for School" program.

IBA, Zambales—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the unveiling of the marker and blessing today of the new College of Law building of the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) here.

Arriving here a few minutes before noon from her earlier visit to Marilao, Bulacan, the President, assisted by Zambales 2nd District Rep. Antonio Diaz and RMTU President Dr. Feliciano Rosete, cut the ceremonial ribbon and unveiled the marker of the newly built College of Law and Students' Center.

The building was constructed at a cost of P8 million.

The President then walked to the site of the university’s proposed Graduate School cum dormitory building where she led the groundbreaking ceremonies

The two-storey structure, with an estimated cost of P16 million, will be financed by a Development Bank of the Philippines loan.

The RMTU was established on Feb. 12, 1998 through Republic Act 8498 authored by Rep. Diaz.

The University charter integrated three educational institutions in the province of Zambales--the Ramon Magsaysay Polytechnic College in Iba, the Western Luzon Agricultural College in San Marcelino and the Candelaria School of Fisheries in Candelaria.

Being the only university in Zambales, RMTU envisions itself to be a university for sustainable development.

In her message, the President said she hopes Zambales would contribute in the country’s mango export industry.

''You lead in research in mango technology,'' she said as she stressed the importance of exporting mangoes for the improvement of the lives of the people of Zambales.

It is reputed that mangoes grown in the province are among the sweetest in the country.

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced today the signing of a $2 million new joint venture between CyberCity Teleservices – Philippines, Inc. (CCT) and Shogee Studios to outsource a Hollywood-class studio services for the global film-making industry.

The President made the announcement of CCT’s expansion program in the country during an informal interaction this afternoon at the Holiday Inn Resort Hotel here.

To be known as the Clark Shogee Studio, the facility will be established in a 40-hectare land inside the Clark Special Economic Zone here. In three to five years, the project is also expected to become a major tourism destination similar to California’s Universal Studio.

The $2 million investment on the Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) and Visual Effects venture is projected to reach $10 million for the three-phase expansion project to build a globally competitive film-making studio in the Philippines.

The Hollywood-style studios will have 2D and 3D animation capabilities and full pre-production and post-production capabilities.

The President said the joint venture is an answer to the Filipino movie industry’s yearning for a studio to cater to small film producers.

"This is part of the Business Process Outsourcing, so they will have a studio that will provide not only a sound stage and ordinary laboratory facility for ordinary movies but also for special effects," the President said.

Shogee president Charles Lawrence and CCT chairman Jonathan Rosenberg signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the joint venture, she said.

Around 400 to 500 Filipinos will be employed during the initial operation of the studio. This number will increase to 4,000 when operations go full blast.

"The use of sound stages, prop and set design will result in a first class outsourced support services for the television and film production industry worldwide," Rosenberg said.

"We are excited to enter into this venture with CyberCity. With their proven record in the Philippines and Shogee’s industry expertise, we shall be creating a new era in film and studio services in the region," Lawrence added.

The President said the local movie industry will benefit from the film-making technology transfer and upgrading of skills and techniques that the new venture will offer.

Chinese and Canadian experts will share their knowledge in film-making with Filipino artists through an intensive training program.

Among the famous films that used Shogee’s technology are King Kong and Lord of the Rings.

IBA, Zambales—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered this afternoon education and health benefits to Zambalenos, particularly in the second district of this province.

She awarded educational assistance in the amount of P5 million, benefitting 45 schools or at least 23,309 students. The amount comes from the President’s Social Fund.

The President also distributed 16,000 PhilHealth cards to 11 barangays here.

Quality education and enhanced health services are two of the five concerns the President has included in her pump priming program. The other concerns are food, infrastructure, and housing.