In her speech at the culmination of the four-day First Energy Summit at the SMX Convention Center of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the President gave out the order as she stressed that the government would increase its infrastructure spending to shield the country from the slowing down of the US economy and serve as a springboard for further economic growth.

“As of last month, there are now lights in all but three percent of the country’s 42,000 barangays. We will wire up the remaining 1,400 villages before 2010,” the President said.

“I have ordered a surge in infrastructure spending as a firewall against US volatility and as springboard for further growth. We are focused like a laser pointed on infrastructure boom and expansion of public services,” the President stressed.

Providing electricity to every household in the country has been included in the President’s 10-point pro-poor agenda.

The President, determined to uplift the lives of the poor, is aware that the lack of access to electricity in the country's poorest rural communities leads to limited job opportunities and low productivity among residents, which in turn serve to perpetuate poverty.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has said the electrification of the remaining 1,400 barangays is crucial as these are located either on top of boondocks, or are islands difficult to reach or areas with security problems.

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In her message at the close of the four-day First Energy Summit at the SM Mall of Asia on Tuesday, the President pointed out that to mitigate the high cost of electricity, it is necessary to accelerate the implementation of the open access program pending the approval by Congress of the proposed amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

The proposed amendment to Section 31 of the EPIRA seeks the privatization of at least 70 percent of the total generating assets of the government-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor) and National Transmission Corp. (Transco) in Luzon and the Visayas.
Thus far, only 42 percent of Napocor’s generating capacity has been sold to the private sector.

In an open access regime, large power consumers can chose their power suppliers, unlike under the present system which restricts their choice to those operating in their respective areas.

Needless to say, lower electricity cost is an attractive come-on for new investors to do business in the Philippines, and for investors already existing in the country to expand their operations, the President said.

“The private sector has expressed their willingness for an early implementation of open access even without the 70 percent privatization. I, therefore, urge industry players, particularly private generation companies and distribution utilities, to cooperate in finding solutions on how to implement open access now,” she said.

The President pointed out that with only 42 percent of Napocor’s generating capacity sold, consumers are deprived of the opportunity to choose where to secure their power supply based on the most competitive rates.

The proposed amendment to the EPIRA or Republic Act No. 9136 would pave the way for a more vigorous involvement by private investors in power generation, transmission and distribution of power in Luzon and the Visayas.

The proposal to amend Section 31 of RA 9136 calls for the privatization of at least 70 percent of Napocor’s total generating assets in Luzon and Visayas.

The proposed amendment also seeks to transfer the management and control of at least 70 percent of the total energy output of power plants under contract with Napocor to the independent power producers (IPPs).

“We cannot underestimate the contribution of energy to our economy. We are encouraged by major investments in generating facilities,” the President said.

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Formerly the Women and Children Concerns Division (WCCD), the WCPC now serves as the focal point of coordination and cooperation between the PNP and the different government and non-government organizations (NGOs) involved in enhancing the programs and activities for the protection and welfare of women and children in the fields of investigation, training and counseling.

The President lauded the construction of the WCPC, noting that the inauguration of the facility comes just a few weeks ahead of the celebration of Children and Women's Month in March.

"Malapit na ang Children's Month. Ngayon, tayo ay nasa run-up na tungo sa celebrasyon ng Women's Month at magandang pagkakataon ito (inauguration of WCPC) na i-highlight yung mga ginagawa ng pulis para proteksyunan ang mga bata at mga kababaihan," she said.

She added that aside from catering to the needs of women and children, the Center also showcases the design and artistic flair of a "woman's touch."

The President suggested that the Center is painted in "cool pastel colors like feminist purple" and should have "victim-friendly" reception rooms.

She added that the facility should have shelves for assorted reading materials on domestic violence, not to mention a clean comfort room.

Prior to the inauguration of the WCPC, the President urged the all-female Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) group always to be ready to “respond to extreme cases of domestic violence where a hostage taking is involved."

"We want to show that police girl power is not only limited to sisterly counseling. It packs a mean firepower as well," the President said.

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