March 04 2006

PGMA monitors prices of basic commodities at Manila's Dagonoy Public Market

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited and inspected the new Dagonoy Public Market in San Andres, Manila this morning to ensure that the prices of basic commodities remain at normal levels despite the recent attempts to destabilize the government.

The President’s visit at the market located at Dagonoy and Onyx Streets was her first public activity a day after she lifted the State of National Emergency on Friday, exactly one week since she declared it on Feb. 24 under Presidential Proclamation 1017.

Immediately upon her arrival at the market site at around 10:15 a.m., the President inspected the "Timbangan ng Bayan" located at the hallway near the main entrance of the market building.

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Dagonoy Market Administrator Warren Codina and other local and barangay officials welcomed the Chief Executive.

The President also went around the vegetables, meat, fish and dry goods sections and checked the prices of the basic commodities being sold by the stall holders/vendors.

Nits Alberto, one of the vegetable dealers who was interviewed briefly by the President, said the Chief Executive asked her on the status of vegetable prices.

"I told her (the President) that the prices are still okay with the exception of tomatoes which registered a slight increase in price. Hindi kasi panahon ng kamatis ngayon at walang delivery ng kalakal," Alberto said in the vernacular when interviewed right after the President left her stall.

In a radio interview this morning , Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the President’s visit at the Dagonoy public market is part of her promise to continue promoting the welfare of the Filipino people by ensuring that prices of basic commodities are kept at normal levels.

"By visiting public and private markets and monitoring the prices of basic commodities, the President is proving her concern for the welfare of the ordinary citizens," Bunye said in the vernacular.

The new Dagonoy Public Market was completed in February 2004. It was among the recipients for the year 2004 of the "Huwarang Palengke, Mura na, Malinis pa" award, a yearly contest initiated by the Department of Agriculture and the Metro Manila mayors.

The contest aims to recognize the efforts of the private and public market owners and operators to make available cheap/affordable but nutritious, safe and quality foods to the people, observe cleanliness and protect the rights of the consumers.

The Dagonoy Public Market has 456 stalls, including 220 wet sections, 112 dry goods sections, 22 fast food and two ice sections.

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Palace says human rights case vs PGMA will not prosper

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye believes the human rights case filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by Senator Jamby Madrigal before the United Nations will not prosper.

In a radio interview this morning, Bunye said the case was based primarily on the declaration of Proclamation 1017.

"Maraming nagsasabi na wala ring mangyayari diyan dahil unang-una ay iba iyong situation ng pagkakaproklama ng 1017 (Many are saying the case will not prosper because of the situation that led to the declaration of Proclamation 1017)," Bunye said.

In the case of media, Bunye said no broadcast station or newspaper was shut down and nobody was prevented from filing or airing their reports during the declaration of a national emergency.

In the case of The Daily Tribune, Bunye said the Philippine National Police (PNP) immediately pulled out of the newspaper office after the lifting of Proclamation 1017.

"Anyone practicing responsible journalism has nothing to fear," he said.

But Bunye reminded that the Revised Penal Code, with or without the declaration of a state of national emergency, has certain provisions that should be followed and serve as a guide to media such as those pertaining to sedition, inciting to sedition, and inciting to rebellion.

"Kung wala namang paglabag na amounting to inciting to sedition, palagay ko ay malaya ang bawat isa na magpahayag ng kanyang damdamin, whether for or against this administration (If there is no violation amounting to inciting to sedition, I believe everyone is free to express his/her feelings whether it is for or against this administration)," Bunye said.

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Palace urges Filipinos to unite for economic growth

Malacañang has called on the Filipino people to unite and support government efforts in further improving the country’s economy by building a firm and strong Team Philippines.

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said Filipinos must unite and focus on things that would be good for the economy, stressing the need for law and order in achieving economic growth.

"I’m asking the Filipino people to give more attention to things that would improve our lives and the economy. Law and order is essential in achieving economic growth. Let us be a team, a strong Team Philippines in achieving this goal," Bunye said in a radio interview this morning.

Now that the destabilization moves mounted by the critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had subsided, Bunye said the Chief Executive can again concentrate on governance and the economy.

He said the Arroyo administration worked hard on strengthening the country’s economic fundamentals, which are the major factors why investors remain confident and bullish on the country as can be gleaned in the strong performance of the peso and the stock market even during the weeklong State of Emergency from Feb. 24 to March 3.

"Temporary situations (coup plots/State of Emergency) did not affect investors’ confidence as they believe that the Chief Executive is in control of the situation," he stressed.

The peso suffered a slight setback on the day the State of Emergency was declared by the President, but bounced back stronger this week, closing at P51.18 against the US dollar, its highest finish since July 30, 2002.

The stock market likewise rallied with investors’ bullishness, ignoring the political noise as they are confident that the situation is only temporary.

The President, in her 10-point pro-poor agenda, has vowed to improve the economy by inviting more investors who will create more jobs for the Filipinos and help improve their lives.

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04 MARCH 2006