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| 10 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| 10 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| PGMA places Task Force Subic under Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has placed Task Force Subic under the
jurisdiction of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in a move to
plug loopholes in the government’s anti-smuggling operations at the Subic
Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The presidential directive was contained in Executive Order (EO) No. 687 which she signed last Dec. 28. The EO also mandates the streamlining of the anti-smuggling operations at the SBMA. The President stressed that largescale smuggling and “other related practices” do not only undermine the economy by posing a threat to national security. “There is a need to closely supervise the activities of Task Force Subic so as to effectively curtail smuggling and other related practices against customs laws at the Subic Bay Freeport and all areas under the jurisdiction of the SBMA,” she said. Task Force Subic was created under Executive Order 384 to “prevent and suppress smuggling and other related practices against customs laws at the SBMA.” Its transfer to the jurisdiction of the PASG came in the wake of reports of alleged rampant smuggling of assorted products, including luxury vehicles, at the Freeport. The Constitution, particularly Section 17 of Article VII, provides that the President shall have control over all executive departments, bureaus and other offices; and that the President shall ensure that all laws be faithfully executed. The President also has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the executive department. Likewise, the Chief Executive has the power to transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other executive department, according to an earlier executive order, EO 292 (Paragraph 2, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III). |
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| PGMA orders expanded role for LGUs in management of mineral resources |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given local
government units (LGUs) a broader role in the sustainable development of the
country’s natural resources as part of government efforts to attract more
investments in the mining sector. Under Executive Order (EO) No. 469-A, which she signed last Dec. 28, the President included the LGUs, through the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LBP) in the Minerals Development Council (MDC). EO 469-A amends EO 469 creating the MDC issued on Oct. 11, 2005. Under EO 469, the MDC was composed of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Trade and Industry (DTI), Finance (DOF), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), among others. Under the amended EO, the expanded membership of the MDC will now include local officials down to the barangay level. The President explained that “there is a need to increase the membership of the . . . Council to make certain the broader participation, and more extensive representation of local government units.” She added that the inclusion of representatives of local government units in the MDC “will ensure the promotion of socially responsible mining development at the local level.” Under the new EO, the DENR will chair the MDC, with the Presidential Adviser for Multilateral Development acting as vice-chairman. Aside from the local government leagues, the other members of the MDC are the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Finance, Trade and Industry, Land Reform, Agriculture, National Defense, and Labor and Employment, the Presidential Management Staff, National Commission on Indigenous People, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippine Information Agency, and the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines. As mandated by the new EO, an Executive Director with the rank of undersecretary shall be appointed by the President to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Council. The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines shall be represented by its president, while representatives of the council shall have the rank of undersecretary. The government has declared that the mining sector will serve as springboard for the prosperity of the Philippines, next to information technology (IT) which has been growing by leaps and bounds annually. With the country’s mineral resources valued at $840 billion, the mining sector would be one of the growth drivers of the economy, NEDA said. The mining sector is now booming due to the stratospheric rise in metal prices in the world market brought about by the high demand for metal products by China and other industrializing countries like Russia, India and Brazil. The boom in the mining sector could also be attributed to the Supreme Court’s ruling of December 2004, which it affirmed in February 2005, that cleared doubts about increased foreign participation in local mining. The government undertook concrete steps to cut red tape, produced a strategic plan, formed an MDC and sought dialogues with concerned stakeholders such as the church and non-governmental organizations, to soften their opposition to mining projects. The Philippines is the fifth most mineral resource-rich country in the world, third richest in world gold reserves, fourth in copper, fifth in nickel, and sixth in chromite. Some 30 major mining projects have been identified for investment promotion and investments in mining, minerals exports, and employment in the mining sector have all doubled in the last five years. The government has predicted some $10 billion in mining investments in the next few years. |
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| PGMA moves to expedite construction of Pangil Bay bridge |
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OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has
taken steps to expedite the construction of Pangil Bay bridge located in
Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental after its winning contractor – Hanjin Heavy
Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. (HHICCL)--cited certain "problems"
hampering the project from taking off. HHICCL General Manager Jeong Sup Shim said such "problems" arose out of their "lack of some qualified partnerships” with the local government units (LGUs) of Misamis Occidental. This, he said, has prevented the Korean shipbuilding giant from fulfilling an important requirement of the bridge contract – that of providing the government with a list of Filipino sub-contractors to help in the construction of the bridge. The President, in her speech keynoting the formal launch of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) cards under the "Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino" program in Ozamiz City on Wednesday, said she would be meeting with officials of the Korean shipbuilding company to arrive at a resolution of the problem. The President was quick to divulge, however, that since the problem was only minor, she would be giving the Korean firm until April 2008 to come up with a list of sub-contractors. Jeong expressed confidence that with the leeway provided by the President, the initial stages of construction of the vital link between Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental can now commence. He said that upon hearing the “good news” from the President, HHICCL officials would proceed to their offices to sit down and "analyze the situation." |
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| PGMA declares Jan. 15 and 16 special non-working days in San Pablo and Batangas Cities |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared Jan. 15
and 16, 2008 as special non-working days in San Pablo City in Laguna and
Batangas City, respectively, to give the residents full opportunity to enjoy
and celebrate the feast of their patrons. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that in order for the people of San Pablo City to enjoy the celebration of the feast of Saint Paul, the First Hermit, the President issued Proclamation No. 1441 declaring Jan. 15 as special (non-working) day in that city. Coinciding with the feast of their patron saint is the annual holding of San Pablo City’s Coconut Festival and Mardi Gras Contest. “It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of San Pablo be given full opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamation signed by Ermita by authority of the President stated. In Proclamation No. 1443, the President also declared Jan. 16, 2008, as special (non-working) day in Batangas City to honor and commemorate the feast of its patron saint, the Sto. Niño. |
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| PGMA assures completion of Misamis Oriental Airport before she bows out of office in 2010 |
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LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo pledged today that the P7.853-billion Laguindingan Airport
Development Project (LADP) here will be completed before she bows out of
office in 2010. The President made the assurance during the briefing conducted by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza on the status of the government’s flagship project. The airport complex, which straddles the boundary of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, will serve as the main access point for trade and industry between northern Mindanao and the rest of the country. The LADP envisages the development of a major trunkline airport of international standard to meet the increasing air transport demand and lead to the accelerated development of the region. As of last month, the project management had already acquired 98 percent of the lots from private individuals affected by the airport’s right-of-way. In addition to the 88.44 hectares donated by the Ayala Corporation for the project, the Makati-based firm is donating 94.04 hectares more to the LADP, subject to the approval of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The DAR will decide on the conversion of the Ayala industrial property in the area from agricultural to industrial use. The President was informed that the relocation of settlers in the area was going apace, with 54.46 percent of the residents affected by the project already resettled. The construction of the airport’s perimeter fence is already 90 percent complete, the airport access road 18.76 percent. The contractor of the main airport civil works is Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd of South Korea. The contract for the project was signed on Dec. 28, 2007, while the notice to proceed with the construction of the facility was issued last week. The President thanked Ayala Corp. for donating the land needed for the airport complex. She added that when completed, the project would "attract industrial estates adjacent to the airport." |
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| PGMA orders D.A. to beef up "Bagsakan" terminals to minimize effect of high oil prices |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the
Department of Agriculture to set up more Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs) and
“Bagsakan” or drop-off centers in Metro Manila to minimize the effects on
Filipino consumers of high oil prices in the world market. In a press conference held in Malacanang on Tuesday, the Chief Executive said that there is a need to accelerate the setting up of these terminals in Metro Manila because it is the area that will be most affected by the oil price hike. She added that these terminals must be strategically distributed to key areas in the cities of Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Caloocan, Paranaque and Pasay for easy access of consumers. In the same press briefing, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap reported that there are now 12 “Bagsakan” terminals scattered around the poverty areas of Metro Manila and that 13 more will be set up by July this year. Yap said there are larger “Bagsakan” terminals which cater to whole sale and there are smaller versions that tend to retail. “Twenty-five of these retail stores will also be set up by July,” he added. Yap also said that some of these smaller versions will be set up in Barangays Pag-asa, Escopa,Tatalon, Lagro and San Agustin in Quezon City, while some will be distributed in Pateros, BF Homes in Paranaque, Sta. Cruz in Manila, Pasay, Marikina, Malabon and Taguig. In support of the President’s directive, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Andaya confirmed that funds are available for the additional terminals. |
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| U.S. House subcommittee chair on terrorism calls on PGMA |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed today United
States Congressman Adam Smith who is on an official tour of the Philippines
to learn more about RP-US relations. He arrived in the country two days ago. “Thank you for visiting us,” the President told Cong. Smith during his courtesy call this afternoon at the Music Room of Malacanang. Among those present were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney. Smith, a Democrat representing the 9th District of Washington, is a member of the US House Committee on Armed Services where he chairs the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities. Smith’s visit is part of his familiarization tour of Southeast Asia also as a member of the US House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. Before Smith called on the President, he was accompanied by Ambassador Kenney this morning in Tuburan, Basilan where they inaugurated a road project which is a portion of the circumferential road network of the province. Smith has many Asian-American constituents in Washington, many of them Filipinos. |
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| PGMA witnesses signing of accord on $2-billion shipbuilding project |
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed today the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and
Construction Co., Ltd. (HHICC) and Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) on
the construction of a US$2-billion shipbuilding complex here. Signing for HHICC was the company's president Park Kyu Woon while Administrator Nimfa de Ocampo signed for PIA. Phividec is the acronym of Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation. The President lauded the "billion-peso plus" investment, saying it would provide jobs and livelihood to some 40,000 Filipinos, especially those living near the shipbuilding facility. She also said that the new investment clearly reflects the favorable outlook of the country in the international community. "Foreign investment (in the country) has grown five-fold from 2003 to 2006 alone. It has continued to rise at double-digit rate in 2007," the President said. "This surge of investments has been anchored by billion-dollar plus investments by several major international companies, not only Hanjin but also Texas Instruments in Clark, Marubeni and AES in the power sector and Mittal Global's upcoming integrated steel mill in Iligan City, among others," she added. "The world is taking notice of the new Philippines that we are working hard to create. That is why Hanjin is bringing US$2-billion to Misamis Oriental," the President said. Under the MOU, HHICC will establish a shipbuilding complex inside the 3,000-hectare Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental (PIE-MO). The Misamis Oriental Shipbuilding Complex is the second shipyard to be built by Hanjin in the Philippines. The Korean firm’s first shipyard in the country is at Subic Bay in Zambales. To be constructed in Park V of PIE-MO, the complex covers an area of approximately 440 hectares. Phividec is a government-owned and controlled corporation established under Presidential Decree 538 as amended by PD 1491. PIA was established to develop and professionally administer the 3,000-hectare Phividec Industrial Estate (PIE-MO) located in the municipalities of Tagoloan and Villanueva in Misamis Oriental. |
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| PGMA distributes checks, scholarship certificates and tool kits to deserving Misamis Oriental residents |
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed checks,
scholarship certificates and tool kits to deserving residents of Misamis
Oriental as part of the commemoration activities marking the 78 th
anniversary celebration today of Misamis Oriental at the Provincial Capitol
here. The checks represented the allocation for the implementation of the Department of Agriculture's Mindanao North Coast Integrated Area Development Project (MNCIADP) in four Misamis Oriental towns, namely Claveria, Villanueva, Jasaan and Tagaloan. MNCIADP is a program that focuses productivity efforts in the Strategic Agricultural and Fishery and Development Zones (SAFDZ). The project is expected to provide "triggers" for sustained agri-fishery-industry sectors' growth within the four major development zones namely: Highland Plateau Development Zone, Cagayan-Iligan Expanded Corridor Development Zone, Panguil Bay-Mt. Malindang Development Zone, and Bukidnon Corn-Livestock Strategic Development Zone. The President distributed the following counterpart funds from the DA to the various LGUs to support the project implementation: Villanueva, P2,203,330; Tagaloan, P1,163,825; Claveria, P969,550; Jasaan, P1,769,000; Misamis Oriental, P650,000. The President also distributed Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship certificates for the training of welding and heavy equipment operators. She said the distribution of scholarships was timely as South Korea’s Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd. is about to build its second shipbuilding facility in Misamis Oriental and would require skilled welders and heavy equipment operators to fill in their work requirements. The President likewise distributed tool kits to “PGMA Galing Mekaniko Ako” scholars who recently passed the mechanical course. The kits contain the basic tools needed by mechanics such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers. Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno received the tool kits on behalf of the mechanics and promised to distribute it immediately. Before returning to Manila, the President inspected the newly constructed Kagay-an Bridge located in the vicinity of Barangays Carmen, Nazareth and Macasandig. The P332.098-million bridge, the city's fifth bridge project that spans across the Cagayan de Oro River, has four lanes and is 20 meters wide and 168 meters long. |
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