President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commended last night the organizers and participating producers of the 31st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for the successful conduct of the annual event and showcasing the best in the Filipino film industry.

The Chief Executive expressed her appreciation for the people behind the 31^st MMFF when she graced its star-studded awards night at Aliw Theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex in Pasay City.

The President also lauded the actors, directors, cinematographers and all others involved in the film industry, saying they represent the "very best" in the Filipino.

During the program, the President awarded the P1 million cash incentives to the producers of "Ako, Legal Wife," "Enteng Kabisote 2," "Exodus," "Kutob," "Mulawin," "Shake, Rattle and Roll," "Terrorist Hunter," "Blue Moon," "Mourning Girls," and "Lagot Ka sa Kuya Ko."

The cash incentive is part of the President’s initiatives and efforts to convince the local film producers to produce quality films that portray the cultural and economical aspects of the country.

The just-ended festival, she noted, proved that despite economic uncertainties, technological breakthroughs that pose stiff competitions, the continued dominance of foreign films at the box office, the rampant piracy and waning local patronage, the Philippine cinema industry is alive and ready to compete with the world film markets.

In her message during the kick-off rites of the 31st MMFF last Dec. 24, the Chief Executive urged the Filipino people to take part in the ongoing focus on films made in Asia not only for the jobs it would create but also for the tourists and cultural interest it would attract.

"The Filipino is among the best in the world," she said. "Some of our films have made it big in international film festivals. Let us nurture the potential that we discovered so that our country would be further recognized in this art."

The MMFF, according to the President, has a noble intention in supporting Filipino-made films particularly at the time of the year when families gather to share the joy of the Yuletide season.

Realizing the pivotal role of Filipino film-making in helping the creative industries as a potent economic force for national development, the President has created an adhoc Creative Economy Council spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA) to help and relive the local film industry.

Since the MMFF was established 31 years ago, the Philippine cinema has had a long and colorful history which produced a number of masterpieces that earned respect and patronage of the overseas market.

Upon her arrival at the CCP Complex at around 9:00 p.m. Friday, she was welcomed by Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando, Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Director General Atty. Esperidion Laxa, and Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) President Ruperto Nicdao.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed today the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P500 million on Monday, Jan. 9, for the government’s pro-poor education program.

She made the announcement during the launching of the "Food for School Program" this morning at the Pangasinan National High School (PNHS) here.

The Chief Executive said the P500 million additional amount for the Department of Education (DepEd) would come from the P35-billion fund for the government’s pump-priming economic program for the first quarter of 2006.

She stressed that the additional fund for DepEd would ensure the realization of her government’s policy on education---providing quality education to every Filipino child.

The President said the government’s priority in education is to close the school building-classroom gap in the elementary level as she noted there are more than enough private high schools in the country that could take in excess public school students through the issuance of "vouchers."

"The number one priority in education is closing the school building gap, the classroom gap, particularly in the grade school, elementary level," the President said as she entered the Gabaldon building, which is undergoing rehabilitation.

She added: "For the high school, there are many private high schools that don’t have enough students anymore and we don’t want them to close down. So our policy is this, our DepEd money will go to building grade school classrooms and giving out high school vouchers so that the students can enroll in a private high school or in another high school."

The President, upon her assumption of office in January 2001, vowed to build 6,000 classrooms or 1,000 school buildings a year, aside from institutionalizing the day care and values formation program in the school curriculum, in a move to improve the quality of education in the country.

Such a plan has been included in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and in her 10-point pro-poor agenda, the blueprints of the Arroyo administration for 2004-2010.

Upon arrival here, the President was welcomed by DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani, DepEd Region I Director Vilma Labrador, DepEd Pangasinan Division I OIC Superintendent Alma Torio and PNHS Principal Zenaida Cervantes.

She was joined by House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Representative Amado Espino and Lingayen Mayor Jonas Castaņeda.

The historic Gabaldon Building, located at the PNHS compound, would be restored and used as additional classrooms for the 5,300 student- population of the institution.

The President also distributed Math textbooks to PNHS secondary students and one kilo of rice and health card to each Grade 1 and preparatory pupil.

The Grade 1 and pre-school pupils would each receive one kilo of rice daily for the whole year.

The President also thanked the people of Lingayen for helping her win the 2004 elections.

The Council of State meeting scheduled on Jan. 24 is expected to provide a forum and direction to the state of politics in the country, according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

In separate radio interviews this morning, Ermita said the meeting will go on as scheduled with no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former President Fidel V. Ramos heading the list of political figures expected to attend.

"I believe that the two leaders (Arroyo and Ramos) have the interest of the country at heart when they attend the meeting," Ermita said in the vernacular.

He expressed the hope that the meeting will pave the way for unity and understanding among the country’s political leaders and give Filipinos a respite from the bickerings that characterized the past year.

The Council of State, created during the term of former President Corazon Aquino, is a forum for the exchange of ideas, fostering of national cooperation, proposing meaningful reforms in government and advising the President on matters of public policy.

Before the Council of State meeting, the President and Ramos will also attend the National Directorate meeting of the administration’s Lakas-CMD party scheduled on Jan. 14.

The National Directorate is the highest policy-making body of Lakas and composed of national officers that include Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. as secretary general.

Ramos is the founder and chairman emeritus of Lakas while the President is chairman.

"This only goes to show that former President Ramos is still supportive of the party and the administration of President Arroyo," Ermita said.

It will be recalled that speculations arose that Ramos was joining the opposition following his reported meeting with Senate President Franklin Drilon and former Senator Vicente Sotto III last Jan. 2.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan--- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the release of P100 million from the government’s P35-billion pump-priming economic program fund for the completion of the Dumalandan Bridge here.

The President issued the directive to Budget Secretary Romulo Neri and Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane during the launching this morning of the "Food for School Program" at the Pangasinan National High School in Lingayen.

"Our most important public works here is the Dumalandan Bridge," she said as she noted that the needs of the people of Lingayen are given priority by the administration, particularly in education and public works.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release the fund on Monday so the construction of the half-finished P220-million worth Dumalandan Bridge can be completed.

The President herself led the groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of the bridge in April 2001, three months after she assumed office in January of that year.