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| 08 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| 08 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| PGMA to DepEd: Speed up decentralization to upgrade education quality |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the Department of Education (DepEd)
to speed up the decentralization of education management in order to improve
the department's operating efficiency and upgrade education quality. "Clearly, there is a need to empower schools because they can make informed and localized decisions on improvement initiatives based on their own unique needs," the President said. "Decentralization is a key to upgrading education quality particularly for schools in the countryside," she added. In line with this, DepEd is working for the implementation of the School-Based Management (SBM), a key component of the department's Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA). BESRA is a widely-accepted reform initiative which recognizes that schools, as the key providers of education, should be able to continuously improve by being empowered to do so. SBM gives school heads and their teachers a wide berth to create linkage with the local government and the private sector and be able to tap them for the improvement of the local school. "The underlying principle in SBM is that the people directly involved and affected by school operations are the best persons to plan, manage and improve the school," Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said. According to Lapus, it is very important to create an environment where all the people involved in the decentralization process not only agree but also commit to make that change happen. "Together with correct decentralization policies, we must be able to strengthen all the stakeholders' capacity to perform their task under a decentralized setup," he said. DepEd has already wrapped up a series of workshops participated in by key DepEd officials from the regions and the central office where the roles and functions at different levels were fleshed out in detail. The competencies necessary to perform these functions were likewise identified. "These competencies will have to be developed professionally since decentralization is a change management initiative," Lapus added. Lapus also stressed that it is the role of the national, regional and division offices to make sure that all the necessary support structures are in place to aid the local stakeholders in managing their schools. DepEd has the biggest manpower complement in the entire government bureaucracy with more than 500,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel in 2,384 school districts, 180 divisions in the country's 16 regions. DepEd's foreign-assisted projects have paved the way for experimentation and study of different decentralization models. The Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP) and the Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project (SEDIP) have piloted various initiatives in 23 provinces towards improving DepEd's readiness for SBM. Currently, only public secondary schools enjoy fiscal autonomy. This leaves elementary schools, which constitute the majority of public schools, dependent on mostly centralized management setup. Based on DepEd experience, TEEP has proven that given the correct policies and conditions, elementary schools can effectively implement and benefit from SBM. |
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| Expand markets for RP good products -- PGMA |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the Philippine commercial and
agricultural trade delegation to the United States to expand existing
markets and tap new outlets in the American market for Philippine farm
products. "I want the delegation to Washington this year to maximize trading opportunities because the United States remains one of the top destinations for the Philippines' agricultural exports," the President said. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap will lead the delegation to Washington in March this year. Philippine exports to the US reached $542.348 million or 23.33 percent of the country’s total exports for the first eight months of 2007. It is the top buyer of the Philippines' coconut (copra) oil, desiccated coconuts, preserved pineapples, dried mango and mango juice, carrageenan and tuna. Yap had visited Washington, D.C., in November to attend a meeting of the Coral Triangle Initiative and hold separate talks with acting US Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner, US Trade Representative Ambassador Susan Schwab, and Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel to discuss a proposed free trade agreement between the Philippines and the United States, along with the country's bid to allow the entry of bananas in the American market. During US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney's visit to the DA last November, Yap also briefed the ambassador on his meeting with US trade and state officials, who had assured him of the speedy processing of the pest risk analysis for Philippine bananas. The move could soon allow the entry of this high-value commodity into the American market and boost the country's export earnings by $6 million yearly. Kenney was also updated by Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla on the status of 14 US-assisted agricultural, fishery and biotechnology projects worth over P7.7 billion that have either been completed, are underway or due for implementation this year. As part of the Official Development Assistance of the United States for Philippine agriculture, five projects worth over P5 billion have already been completed, six others totalling more than P1.7 billion are ongoing, and three more projects with a combined funding of almost P887 million are due for implementation this year. Fondevilla said that the US had approved P7.725 billion worth of projects under the Public Law (PL) 480 Food Program, of which P5.993 billion of funds had already been released. |
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| PGMA vows to translate economic gains to real benefits for the people |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed today to translate the gains of the
stable and mature Philippine economy to real benefits for the people. In her opening statement during the first meeting of the Cabinet this year at Malacanang’s Aguinaldo State Dining Room, the President said that in spite of the record breaking oil price hike in the global market, the country’s economy continues to grow due to the fiscal and economic reforms already in place. “Our economy has reached a new level of maturity and stability due to the economic reforms we implemented. Now we will translate the positive results of our reforms to real benefits for the people,” the President stressed. The President cited the international auditing firm Grant Thornton’s study that the Philippines, during the three-year period beginning 2006, has topped the survey on business confidence. “This means the government is well on track in sustaining the economic growth that resulted from the implementation of economic reforms that strengthened investors’ confidence and increased revenue collection,” she said. Thus, she said the Cabinet meeting was convened today to discuss more measures on translating the benefits of an improving economy to the people, especially the poor. The meeting’s agenda included energy issues such as the proposed tariff cut on imported oil and the holding of an Energy Summit; protection of the environment, including the Laguna de Bay shoreline; the progress report on the country’s fulfillment of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); the Rural Development Plan and the economic viability of the soon-to-be constructed Panglao Airport on Panglao Island in Bohol. The President said the government would use its increased revenue collections in easing the impact of steep oil price in the world market on sectors directly affected such as the transport and export sectors and on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The price of oil in the world market hit $100 per barrel last week due to the tension in Pakistan and the escalating violence in Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer. In a move to further improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolk, the President said additional funds would be released for the Rural Development Program. “We will map out plans for rural development to finally eradicate poverty and make food cheap and readily available,” she said. “In all these programs and projects, poverty is an overarching goal,” the President added. “We will continue to work on further improving the economy so as to improve the lives of the people and fulfill our commitment to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals by cutting by half the incidence of poverty by 2015,” she stressed. |
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| Conduct capability upgrading program with utmost transparency, PGMA tells AFP |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said on Monday that the Capability
Upgrading Program (CUP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must be
conducted with utmost transparency. She issued the directive to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. during the AFP command conference held at the Tejeros Hall of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The President pointed out that as the allocations for the projects under the CUP are “very big,” the biddings should be conducted with utmost transparency. “We like to wipe out graft and corruption,” she added. The President, who is also commander-in-chief of the AFP, also directed the military to maintain its campaign against communist terrorists, adhere strictly to the guidelines of the peace process, and coordinate closely with the joint ceasefire committee and the international monitoring team to ensure that the prevailing peace on the ground is maintained. Reiterating the government’s adherence to the protection of human rights, the President also said the AFP will pursue its role as a partner in national development under the National Development Support Command. Aside from Teodoro, whom the President hailed as an “inspiration” to the AFP with his leadership of the defense department over the last six months, and Esperon, also present during the Camp Aguinaldo conference were heads of the various commands nationwide and other military top brass. The AFP capability upgrading program is divided into two stages: Phase l, with an allocation of P11.2 billion was implemented last year, while Phase II, with a funding of P5 billion is set to be implemented this year. The P16.2-billion AFP CUP consists of a total of 97 projects, 34 under Phase I and 63 projects under Phase II. Of the 34 projects under Phase I, 20 have been completed, four are still in the pipeline, while the rest are in various stages of procurement, according to the AFP. Stressing that “we really have to clear up the bidding process,” the President instructed Secretary Teodoro to immediately submit a report on the AFP’s P5-billion helicopter project, especially that for the night-capable attack helicopters. “I ask you to handle these large sums of money with transparency,” the President reiterated to the AFP. The President then stressed to the AFP-DND leadership that in ensuring a “strong and modern military,” the Arroyo administration has “put the money where our rhetoric is, and I am glad that the AFP capability upgrade is being implemented…” |
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| President welcomes NEDA report on RP's progress on Millennium Development Goals |
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Gladdened by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) report
that the Philippines is on track toward achieving the eight United Nations
(UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target by 2015, President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo ordered her Cabinet today to ensure that the “appropriation
for the MDG” is kept intact. The NEDA report said that the country has surpassed 80 percent of the MDG target. The President issued the order during a two-hour Cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacanang this morning. The MDG is incorporated in the government’s economic reform program under the Medium Term Development Plan. The NEDA report, however, said the country still lagged behind in its efforts to achieve the MDG targets on education, specifically complete elementary education for all, and maternal mortality. Under the MDG, maternal mortality must be reduced by two-thirds by 2015. To remedy this problem, the President ordered the inclusion of obstetrics and gynecology services in all hospitals, especially for the poorest of the poor. Acting on the MDG Midterm Progress Report last October on maternal mortality, the President also ordered the inclusion of child birth in the coverage of health insurance. “It used to be that health insurance only covered sickness and so they would say child birth is not sickness, therefore, you shouldn’t include child birth,” she said. “But maternal mortality is something that we must avoid so we are including child birth now in our health insurance,” she added. She also said the government would use the government’s increased revenue
collection to upgrade local government hospitals from primary to secondary
because the latter have facilities for childbirth and caesarian delivery.
The President also congratulated the Department of Education (DepEd) for its implementation of the Food-for-School Program as she noted that one of the problems cited in the MDG is the high dropout rate of elementary school children. Studies show that children who enroll in day care centers and pre-schools are the ones who usually finish grade school. Food-for-school programs in day care centers and pre-schools entice parents to send their children to schools, the study showed. The MDG, with its eight goals, was signed by 186 UN member states in 2000 as their commitment in improving the lives of the poor. The eight goals are as follow: 1. Eradicating by one-half extreme poverty and hunger between 1990 and 2015 or the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people; and halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger between 1990 and 2015; 2. Achieve universal primary education by ensuring that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, would be able to complete a full course of primary school; 3. Promote gender equality and empowerment of women by eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015; 4. Reduce child mortality by reducing by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate; 5. Improve maternal health by reducing by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio; 6.Reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; 7.Ensure environmental sustainability; and 8.Develop a global partnership for development. |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's
Opening Statement during a Press Conference
on the Reduction of Tariff Rates on Imported Crude Oil Presidential Broadcast Studio Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang January 8, 2008 |
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MAGANDANG HAPON, MGA KABABAYAN. UPANG AKSYUNAN ANG PAGTAAS NG HALAGA NG LANGIS SA BUONG MUNDO, INIATAS NATIN SA GABINETE NA AGAD IPATUPAD ANG MGA KAGYAT NA TULONG SA MASA. UNA, IBABABA NATIN ANG TARIPA SA LANGIS AT MGA PRODUKTONG PETROLYO. HIHILINGIN NATIN SA MGA KOMPANYA NG LANGIS NA GAMITIN ANG BAWAS UPANG IBABA ANG PRESYO NG DIESEL. ILALABAS NATIN ANG EXECUTIVE ORDER NITO BUKAS. PANGALAWA, IPINAMAMADALI NATIN ANG MGA PROGRAMA UPANG MAPALAKAS ANG PRODUKSYON AT PAGMUDMOD NG PAGKAIN. SA PRODUKSYON, KASAMA ANG PATUBIG, FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS, POST-HARVEST FACILITIES. BUKOD DITO, MAGTATAYO RIN NG MARAMING BAGSAKAN SA MGA BARANGAY NG URBAN AREAS LALO NA IYONG NAGBEBENTA NG MURANG BIGAS, GULAY AT KARNE AT TINDAHAN NATIN NA MAGBEBENTA NG MURANG BIGAS. PANGATLO, MAGPEPETISYON ANG GOBYERNO SA ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION UPANG PALAWAKIN ANG MGA DISKWENTO SA KURYENTE PARA SA PINAKAMAHIHIRAP NA PAMILYA, YUNG MGA PINAKAMALILIIT NA GUMAGAMIT NG KURYENTE, YUNG LIFELINE RATES. PANG-APAT, INIATAS NATIN SA DPWH (DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS) NA DAGDAGAN ANG PAG-EMPLEYO NG OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH SA PAGMANTENE NG KALSADA. ITO YUNG OYSTER PROGRAM, NA PALALAWAKIN NATIN LALO NA DITO SA URBAN AREAS KUNG SAAN MAKIKINABANG ANG PINAKAMALAKING BAHAGI NG ATING MGA MAMAMAYAN. PANLIMA, PALALAWAKIN NG TESDA (TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY) ANG KURSONG PANTRABAHO. ACTUALLY, SA NGAYON PINALAWAK NA NGA NG TESDA YUNG KANILANG PROGRAMA SA WELDING -- DAHIL ANG HANJIN, SIYA LANG MAG-ISA AY 40,000 NA ANG HINAHANAP NA WELDERS -- MGA BUTCHERING AT SAKA CALL CENTERS. PERO NGAYON PALALAWAKIN DIN NATIN YUNG PAGKAKARPINTERO, KASI MUKHANG KAILANGAN NA KAILANGAN NG ATING LUMALAGONG KONSTRUKSYON. GAYON DIN YUNG MGA TRABAHONG HINAHANAP SA MIDDLE EAST, DAHIL SA PAGTAAS NG PRESYO NG LANGIS, LALONG LALAGO ANG MGA EKONOMIYA NG MIDDLE EAST. KAYA LALONG HAHANAP SILA NG MGA MANGGAGAWA AT PABORITO NILA ANG PILIPINO. KAYA UPANG MAKAPAGSAMANTALA TAYO SA GANUNG HAHANAPIN NILA YUNG MGA SKILLS NA KAILANGAN DOON AY PALALAWAKIN NATIN SA TESDA. AT PATULOY ANG ATING PAGPROTEKSYON SA KARAPATAN NG ATING MGA MANGGAGAWA. HALIMBAWA, TINAAS NA NGA NATIN ANG MINIMUM WAGE PARA SA MGA KATULONG SA BAHAY. NOONG ARAW 200 DOLLARS, NGAYON 400 DOLLARS NA. GAYON DIN PALALAWAKIN NATIN ANG TRABAHO SA MGA CALL CENTER AT BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING. PALALAWAKIN NATIN ANG TRAINING DAHIL SA PAGTAAS NG PRESYO NG LANGIS SA AMERICA, AT KAHIT NA SA EUROPE, LALONG DADALHIN NIYA SA LABAS ANG ILANG TRABAHO PARA MAS LUMAKI ANG KITA NILA O MAMENOS ANG KANILANG LOSSES. AT DADALHIN SA LABAS ANG PANGANGAILANGAN NILANG SERBISYO NG MGA CALL CENTER AT BPO AT PABORITO ANG PILIPINAS KASAMA NG INDIA. IN FACT, KUNG SA CALL CENTER O BPO LAMANG ANG PAG-UUSAPAN NATIN NUMBER ONE NA TALAGA ANG PILIPINAS KAYA PAPALAWAKIN NATIN ANG TRAINING DOON. PANG-ANIM, DARAGDAGAN DIN ANG MICROFINANCE AT PAUTANG SA MGA MUNTING NEGOSYO, UPANG DUMAMI ANG KABUHAYAN AT TRABAHO. PAMPITO, MAGBUBUKAS NG MARAMI PANG MURANG BOTIKA NG BARANGAY AT BOTIKA NG BAYAN. MAMAMAHAGI NG LIBU-LIBO PANG PHILHEALTH CARD PARA SA PAGAMOT NG MAHIHIRAP. WALA DITO NGAYON SI SECRETARY DUQUE DAHIL NANDOON SIYA SA KALINGA INAASIKASO YUNG ATING MGA MAHIHIRAP DOON PARA SA KALINGA, PERO DAPAT I-CONGRATULATE NATIN SI SECRETARY DUQUE AT SAKA YUNG NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL DAHIL BUMABA YUNG HUNGER RATE FROM 21% TO 16%. ITO ANG MGA MABILIS NA AKSYON NG INYONG PAMAHALAAN PARA TULUNGAN ANG MAMAMAYAN AT PAMILYANG PILIPINO. |
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| Dramatic drop in fire incidents in Dec. 2007 bared |
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The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported today a 62 percent drop in
fire-related incidents in the country last December compared to that of
December 2006. BFP Officer-in-Charge Chief Supt. Enrique Linsangan attributed the dramatic reduction of fire incidents last month to the success of “Oplan Paalala,” the BFP information drive reminding people to be extra cautious as fire incidents usually increase steeply in December due to the celebration of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Linsangan discussed BFP’s consolidated report on fire incidents in 2006 and 2007 during the taping of “The Cabinet Speaks” this afternoon at the New Executive Building of Malacanang. The weekly television program being aired at NBN-4 is hosted by Press Undersecretary Martin Crisostomo with Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) reporter Michael Lim Ubac and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral. Linsangan said there were only 269 recorded fire-related incidents last December compared to the 709 during the same month in 2006. Of the 269 fires recorded last December, Linsangan said only 27 were attributed to pyrotechnics. Aside from pyrotechnics, the common culprits were faulty electrical wiring, illegal connections, and lack of adequate fire fighting equipment in buildings or establishments, he added. Linsangan said “Oplan Paalala” would continue particularly with the coming Fire Prevention Month of March. He reminded the public to immediately get in touch with the nearest fire station or dial 117 in case of emergency. The telephone number of fire stations are prominently listed in telephone directories. Linsangan also cited the need to amend Presidential Decree 1185, the Fire Code of the Philippines, to increase the P12,000 maximum penalty for non-compliance by establishments of such requirements as fire alarm systems, sprinklers, fire escapes, and smoke detectors. He said the BFP also needs to beef up their estimated 2,600 fire inspectors to ensure that the more 700,000 establishments all over the country comply strictly with fire safety regulations. |
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| PGMA okays 1% oil import tariff cut to mitigate price increases |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved today a one percent reduction in
tariff rates for imported crude oil to cushion the impact of soaring oil
prices in the world market. The Chief Executive made the announcement during a surprise press conference she called this afternoon at the Kalayaan Briefing Room in Malacanang immediately after she convened her economic managers at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Cabinet Group meeting. She said the mechanics of the tariff rates discount would be stipulated in an Executive Order that she had already signed and scheduled to be released tomorrow (Wednesday). The government has been exacting three percent tariff on all imported crude oil. But due to the alarming situation and the possible domino effect of the continued oil price increases in the world market to the prices of basic commodities, the President reduced the tariff to two percent from three percent. To mitigate the impact of escalating prices of crude oil in the world market, “iniatas natin sa Gabinete na agad ipatupad ang mga kagyat na tulong sa masa. Una, ibababa natin ang taripa sa langis at mga produktong petrolyo,” the President said in her opening statement. In the same statement, the President urged the oil companies to use the one percent tariff discount to lower the price of diesel in the country. The prices of unleaded and premium gasoline shall remain at present levels. Last week, world oil prices reached the highest level of $100 per barrel, prompting the President to convene her economic managers to address the issue, and pursue an energy summit at the end of the month. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves explained that the EO would provide safety nets and flexibility on how long the tariff duty discount would stand. Teves also said the government has decided to give up the projected P11 billion windfall in revenue collection from oil imports in order to help Juan dela Cruz from the impact of oil price increases. The President rejected suggestions to suspend the 12 percent expanded value added tax (EVAT) on fuel products to avoid a bloated budget. "Gagamitin natin ngayon ang patuloy na lumalagong kita ng gobyerno upang bigyan-tulong ang mga pinakamahirap na tatamaan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at iba pang bilihin,” the President said. And to further help the people, the President directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast track and expand the programs on food production such as Bagsakan sa Barangay and Tindahan Natin that sell cheap rice, vegetables and meat, as well as the construction of irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, and post-harvest facilities. She also directed the Energy Regulation Commission (ERC) to widen the discount on electricity especially to the poor residential consumers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The President also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to continue hiring out-of-school-youth under the “Oyster” Program to maintain the cleanliness of national and major roads in the metropolis and provinces. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also tasked by the President to expand its ongoing skilled and job-related vocational courses especially on carpentry, butchering, pottery, welding, and electronic courses on business process outsourcing such as call center and medical transcription. She also instructed Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Cerge Remonde to increase the micro-finance and livelihood assistance programs to all small and medium entrepreneurs. The Department of Health (DOH) has also been tasked to open more Botika ng Barangay and Botika ng Bayan outlets in the provinces and to continue providing PhilHealth cards to indigents families. |
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| 2008 is bright for over 90% of the Filipinos |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her opening statement at the Joint
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board and National
Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)-Cabinet Group Meeting today, shared hope of a
bright future for over 90 percent of the Filipinos, despite the continued
increases of oil prices in the world market. For last year, growth is attributed to good economic policies and tax reforms which strengthened tax collection, thus boosting government surplus to reach P12.7 billion by year-end. In the first Cabinet meeting this year, poverty alleviation topped the agenda, which is also the main focus of the administration in 2008. The Office of Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said that based on the recommendation of the Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (CTRM) of the NEDA, an Executive Order will be issued to lower the tariff on crude and refined petroleum products in accordance with existing laws, rules or policies. The CTRM endorsed the proposed EO to the Cabinet after studying the matter with concerned agencies. Diesel fuel, which is mostly used by the public transport sector, shall be getting the largest share of the tariff reduction to minimize the effects of the increased prices of oil products on the riding public. One of the major consensus points reached during the meeting was to spend more on food production and distribution to further strengthen the hunger mitigation program of the government. Said project has consistently been successful since its implementation months ago. The President likewise ordered the beefing-up of the Department of Public Works and Highways “OYSTER” project which will give employment to those living in the Urban Beltway. She also emphasized the need to intensify trainings by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), specifically on skills such as carpentry in view of the booming construction industry. On health, the President stressed the need to continue providing cheaper medicines through such programs as the Botika ng Bayan and Botika ng Barangay. Also stressed is the need to expand the provision of PhilHealth benefits to include those who are unemployed. Relatedly, the President reiterated the need to speed up the upgrading of primary hospitals to secondary hospitals to reduce maternal mortality rate which is one of the objectives under the Millennium Development Goals. To assist families living below poverty line, programs on the “Ahon Pamilya” Conditional Cash Transfer will be implemented this year. This program is intended to cover health and education needs of poor households, including those who are out of school and victims of child labor. These programs are in line with the different programs of the government to address poverty, spur economic activities, increase employment opportunities, reduce cost of medicines, and increase school participation rate, Secretary Saludo said. ***** For reference, please contact Sec. Saludo at 0919-3959215 or Asec. Rivera at Tel. 735-7853. |
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