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| 18 FEBRUARY 2006 | ||
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| 18 FEBRUARY 2006 | ||
| PGMA rallies all Filipinos to unite in compassion for the Southern Leyte landslide victims |
BINALONAN, Pangasinan—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo enjoined today the Filipino people to unite in compassion for the victims of the massive landslide in Southern Leyte. In her message at the inauguration this morning of the P68-million new Binalonan public market which highlighted the celebration of the town fiesta of Binalonan, Pangasinan, the President said the Filipinos should set aside whatever differences and unite to pray and support the victims of the tragedy. ''I challenge all Filipinos of all political parties, religious affiliations to unite in compassion for the victims of the tragedy," she said, referring to the massive landslide that buried hundreds of houses in Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte Friday morning. She also asked the people of Binalonan to use the ocassion (town fiesta) to pray for their fortunes as well as for the less fortunate. ''It is important that we unite as one nation to rise again and face these challenges together,'' the President said. She vowed not to stop the rescue and retrieval operations until the last landslide victim is recovered. ''Hindi ako matutulog hanggang hindi nakikita ang lahat ng biktima, lalo na ang mga bata,'' the President stressed. On Friday afternoon, immediately after being informed of the tragedy, the President ordered all concerned government agencies to immediately deliver relief goods and conduct rescue operations the fastest way possible. It was reported that at least 500 houses were buried in the massive landslide. From Pangasinan, the Chief Executive flew to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City where she presided over a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to assess the latest developments in the tragedy. |
| PGMA to Sec. Ermita, establish task force to investigate Southern Leyte tragedy |
BINALONAN, Pangasinan—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed this morning Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to create a multisectoral task force that will investigate the flash floods and landslide that left hundreds of houses and people buried in mud in Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte Friday. The President said she wants a thorough investigation on the tragedy so the government can come up with mitigating and preventive measures to avoid the occurrence of similar incidents in the future. ''I am ordering Executive Secretary Ermita to establish a multisectoral task force to provide a whole investigation and study what the nation needs to take to prevent, if not eliminate, this kind of tragedy from happening again,'' the President said in her message during the inauguration of the P68-million Binalonan public market this morning. She underscored the need to have a mechanism for the safety of the people, especially in risk areas during the rainy season. She also stressed the need for the national government to review again its flood mitigation program even as she urged local government units to help by identifying the risk areas in their barangays, towns, cities and provinces ''We must be prepared. Vigilance is called for to prevent another tragedy,'' she said. In Southern Leyte, she said the government, with help from the private sector and the international community, is now focused on the rescue of every survivor, the retrieval of all victims and the rehabilitation of the areas affected. She also said that with more funds available now due to the passage by Congress of revenue generating measures, the government can now build infrastructures with better engineering. She thanked the United Nations for sending a team of experts that will assess the situation in the area and the United States government for allowing the soldiers participating in the Balikatan exercises in Mindanao to help in the rescue and retrieval operations. |
| Statement of the President on Southern Leyte Disaster |
These are the times that try
our souls. The nation must join hands and embrace the survivors as if they were family. It
is our moral obligation and national character to rise up and give comfort to our fellow
citizens in this terrible hour of need. ***** First and foremost, the government is focused on
the rescue of any survivors that have escaped the initial tragedy but need assistance.
Second is to make every possible effort to recover every victim in order to give some
comfort to surviving family. And finally, we must provide immediate relief to the
survivors and begin to rebuild a safe and secure home for the survivors. |
| PGMA delivers health education benefits to Binalonan folk |
BINALONAN, Pangasinan—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered this morning health and education benefits to the people of Binalonan, Pangasinan as part of her administration’s program giving focus to health and education concerns. The President distributed a total of 2,125 PhilHealth cards to the residents of 24 barangays of Binalonan which she visited on the occasion of its town fiesta and the inauguration of the P68-million new Binalonan public market. Funds for the construction of the market was loaned out by Quedancor (Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation). The Arroyo administration intends to give health insurance to the poorest of the poor so they can avail themselves of enhanced health services. She also awarded high school vouchers or scholarships to 50 deserving elementary school pupils graduating from the town's 11 elementary schools this year. Each school voucher entitles the recipient student to enroll in private high school. This is part of the Arroyo administration's way of addressing the backlog in classrooms and lack of public school buildings and at the same time helping private schools survive. The President also awarded 22 free patent land titles to the same number of farmer beneficiaries here. Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr. expressed the townsfolk’s gratitude to the President for her ''unequivocal support and assistance to the town's development.'' He noted that President Arroyo never fails to attend the town’s fiesta. For her part, the President said this is because of her maternal relatives in Binalonan. After unveiling the marker of the new Binalonan public market, the President told the local residents that she could not stay long with them this time as she has to attend to more important matters, particularly the tragic Southern Leyte landslide. Among those with the President in her visit here was Mrs. Gina de Venecia, wife of House Speaker Jose de Venecia. |
| PGMA supervises airlifting of medicines, relief goods to Southern Leyte |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally supervised the airlifting today of some 30,000 lbs. of assorted medical supplies, relief goods and disaster response equipment to the mudslide stricken areas of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. In an unscheduled visit to the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the President also coordinated with the medical and rescue personnel from the Department of Health, Philippine National Red Cross, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The disaster response personnel include four K-9 teams from the Army and the PNRC which will facilitate the search and recovery efforts as well as 20 doctors and medical personnel from the DOH and PNRC for the humanitarian assistance team. In addition, the PAF sent an additional 20 rescue personnel from the 505th Search and Rescue Group and 13 Philippine Air Force-affiliated rescue volunteers. The President, who motored to Villamor Air Base following a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Committee (NDCC) in Camp Aguinaldo this morning, even went inside the two C-130 planes which carried cargoes that include emergency kits for children, medicines, blankets, tents, body bags, and assorted foodstuffs from the DOH and PNRC. The rescue equipment from the Office of Civil Defense-NDCC and other government agencies include four rubber boats, generator sets, spine boards, and communication equipment. The personnel and equipment has been off-loaded at the DZR Airport in Tacloban City, Leyte where they will be ferried by helicopters and delivered by trucks to the stricken areas of Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Leyte. In addition to the two C-130 planes, seven PAF helicopters have also been dispatched to the area, with three choppers already in Southern Leyte ferrying disaster response personnel and much needed emergency supplies from Tacloban. Four more choppers are on their way from the 2nd Tactical Operations Wing in Mactan and Tactical Operations Group 6 in Iloilo to augment air assets in Southern Leyte. The PAF reported that flight operations are being hampered by poor visibility and bad weather in Southern Leyte. Rescue work is also hindered by the thick soft mud that prevents the use of heavy earth moving equipment and precludes helicopters from landing in the area. |
| PGMA assures ASEAN business leaders of RP support |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured leaders of the 17th ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) that the Philippines would continue to be a "strong player in strengthening the ramparts of regional economic integration, regional security and business partnership." The President made the assurance in a speech during the welcome dinner she hosted for the ASEAN-BAC officials Friday night at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall. "Let me assure you that we shall continue to work together for an ASEAN economic front that can compete with the rest of the world – driven by your private enterprise and secured durable strategic alliances," the President said. Aside from the 4th Council Summit, the Philippines is preparing to host the 12th ASEAN Summit in December in Cebu City. "In preparation for that, I bid you the best in this particular meeting where you will map out your work plan for the rest of the year and drawing up a ten-year action that is truly and strategic consistent with our regional goals," the President said. She disclosed that despite the political noise, the country’s economy is doing well due to the implementation of her fiscal reform measures. During the dinner, the President witnessed the presentation of the ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry Distinguished Service award to Jose S. Concepcion, Jr., RFM Corporation chairman, by Freddy Lam Fong Loi, president of the ASEAN-CCI. Concepcion, former president of ASEAN-CCI from 2000-2002, received the award in recognition of his contribution and zealous dedication towards the goal of ASEAN-CCI in its 34 years as an institution ASEAN-BAC is a private sector body established by the heads of governments with the mandate of mainstreaming the business sector in the ASEAN economic integration activities and facilitating the economic integration of the region. Its membership is composed of three industry captains each from the 10 ASEAN countries appointed by their respective heads of governments. ASEAN-BAC’s major initiatives are the annual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ASEAN-BIS) and the ASEAN Pioneer Projects Scheme (APPS). |
| PGMA calls on Filipino people to help victims of Leyte mudslide tragedy |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rallied today all Filipinos to pray and help in the continuing rescue and relief operations in the tragic landslide that practically buried an entire barangay in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. The President issued the call when she presided over an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) this noon in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. "We will not rest until all the last remains of our beloved countrymen, women and children will be recovered and given a proper and decent burial. I call on every Filipino to pray for the victims and all of the survivors. We must rally our people in this time of grief," the President said. The President called on every Filipino of every political party or religious affiliation to mobilize and work together to help the victims of Friday morning’s flooding and landslide that buried the entire barangay of Guinsaugon in St. Bernard town. The President said the government is now focused on providing relief assistance, including search and rescue operations to recover other victims that could still be trapped in the barangay, particularly the schoolchildren, faculty and staff of the barangay school. During the meeting, NDCC Executive Director and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Glenn Rabonza informed the President that some 1,500 inhabitants in about 40 hectares in Barangay Guinsaugon are feared buried in 30 feet of mudslide. Rabonza said 22 bodies have been recovered while 246 students and teachers are feared still trapped in the barangay school. Rabonza said among those recovered at the site were British national Rebor White and 19 others who are still unidentified. Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral informed the President that 88 survivors are now housed in evacuation centers, 41 of whom have been brought to the Anhawan District Hospital due to injuries. At present, rescue and relief operations are still considered dangerous and hampered by heavy rains that can bring in more landslides. The President tasked Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to form a multi-agency task force to study measures necessary to prevent a repeat of the incident. "I call on Executive Secretary Ermita to establish a multi-agency task force to provide a full investigation and accounting of the tragedy so that we can learn what happened in this community and what the nation can take to minimize if not eliminate this type of tragedy from occurring again," the President said. The President said other places in the country may be considered endangered because of the heavy rains brought by the onset of the La Nina weather phenomenon. The President said vigilance is vital at this time in landslide-prone areas such as Southern Leyte, the CARAGA region, and Antipolo, among others, to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. If necessary, the President said government is considering possible evacuation of people if their areas are considered dangerous. The President also thanked and commended the efforts of the police, soldiers, ordinary citizens, non-government organizations, and other volunteers, including the international community. Among them were US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Paul Jones who informed the President that two US navy vessels for the Balikatan exercises are now on standby that could provide 17 helicopters, blankets, water and other equipment. Jones also informed the President of the $100,000 assistance of the US government that would be given to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Nileema Noble also informed the President of their $50,000 immediate assistance to the Philippine government. Aside from monetary pledges, donors from the international community are sending equipment, and medical and rescue teams. Among them are the USAID (P2.9 million), UNICEF (14cartons of medicines), Japan (disaster response team with doctors), and the Spanish NGO Unidad Camina de Rescate y Salvanto (6-man team with five K9s). |
| PGMA says gov't determined to make peace a reality in Mindanao |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed to continue mopping up the last enclaves of terrorists lurking in the remote jungles while the government is looking for the near conclusion of the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Speaking during a welcome dinner for top leaders of the ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) at Malacaņang’s Ceremonial Hall Friday night, the President said her government is determined to make peace a reality in Southern Philippines. "And even as we work and make peace a formality, we shall continue to mop up the last enclaves of terrorists who lurk in the remote jungles," the President said. The President told her guests that "we are watching the gains in the economy with a strong drive in the law and order front and we expect this to multiply confidence, investments and jobs." She added that the stirrings of a new dynamism are now evident in Mindanao as her administration is pushing the "frontiers of peace and development forward." "We will be able to do this because of the help from our ASEAN friends such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, among others," she stressed. Malaysia is now hosting and facilitating the ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF negotiating panels while Indonesia is helping the Philippines lobby for a permanent observer status to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the chairmanship in the Committee of Eight. Brunei helped the Philippines in the International Monitoring Team on the ceasefire agreement with the Moro rebels. Last month, the GRP and MILF negotiating panels agreed to settle the issue on ancestral domain and expect to conclude it soon to pave the way for the final conclusion of the peace process. The President took the opportunity to thank the government agencies and private sector which have expressed sympathy and gave help to the victims of the tragic landslide in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. |
| Drugbusters get big pat on the back from PGMA |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded today the law enforcers responsible for the big drug bust in the so-called one-stop shabu shop in Pasig City. In simple rites at Malacanang, the President paid tribute to the men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for dismantling the "Shabu Tiangge" last week. "Congratulations to all of you and keep up the good work," the President told the members of the task force who were personally invited by her to the Palace to be recognized for their colossal efforts and dedication to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. The task force secured a search warrant last Feb. 9 and raided the compound along F. Soriano St., Barangay Palatiw in Pasig City which openly sold shabu with prepared drug paraphernalia, equipment and apparatus. Narrow cubicles were also made available for rent. The operation resulted in the arrest of hundreds of persons, including minors, caught patronizing the Shabu Tiangge. Those arrested are presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center while the minors are now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). During the program, PDEA Director General and Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido Jr. briefed the President on the developments of the government campaign against illegal drugs. He told the President that after the successful operation of the combined elements of PNP-Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP-AIDSOTF), NBI, and PAF, they were able to arrest 44 people in a drug bust in Tramo, Pasay City on Feb. 14. On Feb. 15, PDEA also raided a house at No. 12 Hamburg St., Merville Subdivision, in Pasay City and confiscated Ketamine Hydrochloride worth P53 million reportedly belonging to Harris Abichandani, an Indian National. The following day, they also conducted a successful drug-bust operation on Elias St. in Sta. Cruz, Manila. |
