«            PGMA calls city mayors to join hands vs. global economic crisis 

«            Task force probes alleged Oil Deregulation Law violators

«            PGMA turns over assistance package to retrenched OFWs from Mindanao

«            200 scholars in Palawan availed of PGMA scholarship program

«            Upgraded Davao seaport seen to cater more foreign vessels

«            Palace to seek clarification of SCs ruling on Romulo-Kenney agreements

«            PGMA commends SMC on business expansion despite global crisis

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PGMA calls city mayors to join hands

vs. global economic crisis

MANILA (PNA) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday called on the city mayors to join hands in dealing with the present global economic crisis that has spread and jeopardized the well being of people across the globe.

Addressing before the 2nd National Convention of the League of the Cities of the Philippines (LCP) at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City, the President said this is the time for national and local leaders to forge alliance in managing the impact of the global financial turmoil.

“It is a crisis for 2/3 of the world and we are not one of the 2/3 yet, so we must join altogether to prevent the global crisis from becoming a Filipino crisis,” the President said.

In doing this, the Chief Executive has asked the local executives not to neglect those who feel the hardship of global downturn.

She acknowledged the vital role played by the LCP in helping the country remained as “an island of stability.”

In partnership with local government units, the President said the government has been able to invest unprecedented amount in education, health care, infrastructure and other social services.

“Building the edifice of a strong republic is the responsibility of all levels of the government," the President said as she thanked the city mayors “for taking the lead for economic stewardship very seriously."

“You make the jobs of the national government easier because you take also much what has to be done for economic reforms,” she said.

She lauded the local executives for showing utmost efficiency in the implementation of crisis management like in dealing with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), avian flu and numerous national disasters and calamities.

More importantly, the President commended the LCP for instituting ways to simplify business processes in the cities.She said the one-stop shop for businessmen applying for permits and licenses is convenient and well appreciated by investors.

“This put the Philippines on the map as an attractive destination for business, which will ultimately redound to the benefits of our people in terms of jobs and incomes,” she said.

Likewise, she described the covenant presented by Metro Manila Mayors as “truly monumental and momentous” which sees to reduce red tape and cost of doing business in the metropolis.

Led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila, and LCP President Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. of Mandaluyong City, the Metro Manila mayors presented to the President the signed covenant aimed to improve the business environment by simplifying and standardizing business registration and permit processing for new business.

Finally, the President called on the local executives to continuously pursue the goal of having the Philippines on the verge of the first world in 20 years (PNA/PIA9-BST)

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Task force probes alleged Oil Deregulation Law violators

The Departments of Energy and Justice are working closely to study possible violations of the Oil Deregulation Law. A task force has been formed, known as the Department of Energy – Department of Justice Task Force (DOE-DOJ TF), to process complaints and cases of alleged unreasonable pricing of oil products including Liquified Petroleum Gas.

Few days ago, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes demanded written explanations from oil companies about recent price increases of diesel, gasoline and E10. Reyes made the move after consumer watch groups requested DOE to compel oil players to explain the price hike.

Oil companies raised their prices on diesel, gasoline and E10 by 25 centavos a day before Valentines Day.

DOE is now looking into the data of oil companies to make sure that the prices of local oil products are consistent with the existing global pricing.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, on the other hand, ordered the DOJ team to coordinate with their DOE counterparts in the task force in filling cases against violators of the Oil Deregulation Law.

DOE-DOJ TF is also tapping the Philippine National Police to put up hotlines in police stations. (PIA9-BST)

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PGMA turns over assistance package to retrenched OFWs from Mindanao

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to turn over today (Thursday) a total of Pl.5 million livelihood assistance, on top of 35 scholarship certificates, to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Mindanao who were retrenched due to the current global economic crisis.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Jalilo dela Torre said the 30 livelihood assistance checks are worth P50,000 each. Of the 30 OFW-beneficiaries, 10 are from the Davao Region, 10 from Region 10 and the third batch of 10 from the CARAGA region.

The 35 scholarship certificates under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship (PGS) program will be awarded to 25 APEX Mining employees who lost their jobs, and 10 retrenched OFWs.

The livelihood and scholarship programs are part of the government’s “pay back package” for OFWs who lost their jobs due to the global financial crisis.

The assistance package, which forms part of the government’s P300-billion stimulus package, includes a P250-million support fund, skills training for in-demand jobs in other parts of the world, and the setting up by the DOLE and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of assistance desks in provinces.

In the midst of the global economic crunch, the Arroyo administration has crafted a P300-billion stimulus package to pump prime the domestic economy, even as international credit ratings have maintained their positive outlook for the Philippines despite the challenges facing the global economy this year. (PIA9-BST)

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200 availed of PGMA scholarship program in Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY (PNA) -- Exactly 200 scholars, who are currently enrolled at the Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trades (PPSAT), received their support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's scholarship program.

According to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Palawan Director Arnel Campued said the 200 scholarships are funded out of the P500 million from the government’s pump priming fund of the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship.

Campued said the work scholarship aims to insure skills training programs produce the best quality workers for job openings in industry.

Among the skills training programs are shielded metal arc welding, building wiring, installation and consumer electronics servicing, food and beverage services, housekeeping, front office services and baking/pastry production.

He said the PGMA’s scholarship program hopes to provide skills and competencies to job seekers through appropriate training programs that are directly connected to existing jobs for immediate employment and to empower private education and training institutions to offer relevant training programs that meet job requirements

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Upgraded Davao seaport seen to cater more foreign vessels

DAVAO CITY (OPS) --- Following the Php 420 million port expansion of the Sasa Wharf, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Southern Mindanao district office here is all set for the entry of more cargo vessels from the South East Asia, Middle East, United States (US) and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

"The port can now accommodate eight ships at the same time," said Southern Mindanao Port District Manager Abdussador Sawadjaan during the port's inauguration Friday last week. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo graced the inauguration of the Davao port expansion project which is part of her affirmative action under the Mindanao Super Region strategy.

Sawadjaan added that the port has been serving foreign vessels from Singapore, China, Middle East, Japan, Korea, United States and other domestic and local shipping lines.

Undersecretary Thompson Lantion of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) also stressed that with the expansion, Davao City can now cater more vessels from the BIMP-EAGA as Mindanao is strategically located within the sub-region.

The Port of Davao, otherwise known as Sasa Wharf, holds the distinction as the premier export and import hub in Mindanao, and ranks fourth nationwide in terms of container cargo traffic and container volume performance.

It also serves as the front liner in the exchange of commerce and trade between provinces and other parts of the country and the principal seaport for most commodities produced along the Davao Gulf.

In 2007, the port facilitated a total of 3.2 million metric tons of cargoshipments for both domestic and foreign markets.The port has been the leading conduit of export mostly for Cavendish banana and other fresh fruit exports of Southern Mindanao.

Sawadjaan, on the other hand, is optimistic for an increase of Php 30 million in revenues this year.

"Although this is already a modest estimate considering the global financial crisis", he said.However, the expansion could bring a six-fold increase in revenues in the coming years according to Lantion."This is part of the stimulus package of the government to mitigatefinancial crisis", Lantion said.

The Davao port rehabilitation and expansion project is part of the multi-billion infrastructure projects under the Mindanao Super Region which is President Arroyo's overall development strategy that aims to enhance the competitive advantage of regional groupings.

Under the Super Region strategy, Mindanao's strong potential to become the country's agribusiness center is being developed and harnessed through major infrastructure support.

Launched in 2006, the project involved the rehabilitation of 42.35 m x 18 m quay and expansion which includes the construction of 3,179 square meter Reinforced Concrete (RC) Wharf, 13,180 square meter back-up area, mooring and fendering area, drainage system, port lighting and rockworks. (PIA9-BST)

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Palace to seek clarification of Supreme Court’s ruling on Romulo-Kenney agreements

Malacanang said today it will seek clarification with the Supreme Court on its ruling that the Romulo-Kenney Agreements were not in accord with the visiting forces agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines.

In a press statement, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that while Malacanang reiterates its utmost respect for the high court ruling upholding the constitutionality of the VFA, including the provision on Criminal Jurisdiction in Article V, it “is the view of the Executive that the Romulo-Kenney Agreements were very much in accord with Section 6, Article V of the VFA.”

The Romulo-Kenney Agreements were signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney.

Ermita said Section 6 of Article V on Criminal Jurisdiction of the VFA states that the “’custody of the United States personnel over whom the Philippines is to exercise jurisdiction shall immediately reside with the United States military authorities x x x from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings.’”

He said this VFA provision on criminal jurisdiction “clearly implies that pending final judgment, custody of the accused shall be with the United States military authorities.”

“This is contrasted with Section 10 of the same Article V which talks about the United States personnel serving sentence in the Philippines, in which case the confinement of Philippine authorities of US personnel shall be carried out in facilities agreed upon by appropriate Philippine and United States authorities,” he added.

This means, Ermita pointed out, that custody shall rest with the Philippine authorities once the accused starts serving his/her sentence or after a final judgment shall have been rendered.

In the case of US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, his appeal of his conviction is still pending with the Court of Appeals.

“What is important in all these is that under the VFA, jurisdiction is clearly and unequivocally vested with Philippine authorities at all stages of the proceedings,” Ermita said, as he stressed that the executive department will continue to be “guided by the country’s best interest, by the provisions of the VFA and by the final ruling of the Supreme Court.” (PIA9-BST)

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PGMA commends SMC on business expansion despite global crisis

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commended today San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the country’s largest publicly listed food, beverage and packaging company, for its ongoing expansion that is expected to create at least half a million jobs amid the global financial downturn.

“We visited here dahil gusto naming impagmalaki na marami pa ring industriya na hindi retrenchment ang pinaguusapan kundi expansion,” the President said during her brief visit to the SMC main offices in Pasig City.

Accompanied by Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, the President was welcomed by SMC Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco, President & CEO Ramon Ang and rank and employees including members of the Purefoods basketball team at the lobby of the SMC building.

The President then proceeded to the audio visual room where Ang presented to her the company’s expansion plans, including SMC’s proposal to put up broadband over power line which aims to bring down the cost of internet connection by 50 percent.

“We are not talking of retrenchment here and in fact, we are into business expansion,” Ang informed the President to delight of SMC employees.

Ang presented to the President the Feeding Our Future Program, a joint venture of SMC and the Kuok Group of Companies that will create 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in the one million hectares that will be devoted to food production.

An additional 60,000 direct and indirect employment will be created also under the San Miguel Food Group’s P9.93-billion expansion of its poultry, hog production, feeds and ice cream, businesses, among others.

On the SMC’s vision-mission program, Ang said they have prepared proposals to bring down the cost of electricity and gasoline and diesel; increase water supply, and, Meralco Broadband over Power Lines (BPL).

“It’s a non-stop internet connection technology where you can talk and connect to your relatives abroad for free,” Ang said to the delight of the President and SMC officials and rank and files employees present during the presentation.

“These expansions will not happen if not for the good leadership and the Philippines is lucky to have a President like GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) who has the knowledge in economy and is very hardworking,” Ang added.

The President ended her visit with an interaction with hundreds of SMC employees, including basketball team members of Ginebra, San Miguel Beer of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and another Philippine Basketball League (PBL) ballclub of the company. (PIA9-BST)