PMS at 38
 05 August 2008

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THE Presidential Management Staff (PMS) turned 38 last July 29, a day after the President’s 8th State of the Nation Address.

With the anniversary usually occurring around the time of the SoNA, it has become tradition for PMS to move its celebratory activities until after the President makes her report to Congress.

PMS anniversaries, per force come in installment period. As in the past, it begins with a thanksgiving mass with the President, and this year, Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan, D.D., led a Eucharistic celebration with replete meaning and food for the mind and spirit.

The Bishop’s homily was based on the multiplication of the bread, where, five barley loaves and two fishes fed 5,000, not counting women and children. Archbishop Talamayan explained that that story’s message is about loving that is expressed in giving — not only of material possessions but of giving one’s self.

The good Bishop could not have picked a more apt story, as I see in government work, particularly that part of providing services and infrastructure, and creating the atmosphere and environment for individuals to prosper, is also a bold attempt to multiply meager resources.

For instance, riding on the tail of the National Nutrition Month, we note yet another celebration of multiplication of bread to sustain our people. On 30 July 2008 — the veggie-enriched canton noodles product labeled "Proud Harvest" was launched at the Dagonoy Public Market in San Andres, Bukid.

The launching was the fruit of a partnership for progress, one made between the government, the academe and the private sector and a testament to the power of unity. When she visited La Trinidad, Benguet on 22 March 2008, the President granted P10-Million financial assistance from the President’s Social Fund to the Veggie Noodles and Veggie Meat Processing Center Project of the Benguet State University (BSU). The President put me in charge of overseeing the implementation of the project.

Through the project, the President seeks to mainstream veggie-based noodles as a healthy and more affordable alternative to the present supply in the market, which is wheat-based. The project shall not only benefit consumers, but also the farmers in the salad bowl of the Cordillera provinces, from whom the raw materials for the veggie noodles shall come. Processed to become noodles, vegetables shall have a longer shelf-life — addressing the issue of vegetables as a perishable commodity.

GoNegosyo and RFM Corporation, who are our partners in the promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit, have volunteered to undertake the marketing and mass production of the commodity in supermarkets. In the meantime, the government shall make the nutritious and affordable veggie noodles available to the masses through the Tindahan Natin outlets nationwide.

Truly, unity can work wonders for our people. This year’s anniversary is a great opportunity to once again renew our commitment to partner with concerned sectors of society and, by the grace of the Almighty, work wonders for the betterment of the Filipino nation.

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