Palace pleased with approval of poll automation budget
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MANILA, March 3 (PNA) -- Malacanang expressed elation today over the passage in the Lower House of
the long-pending poll-automation budget, saying automated balloting is one of the priority projects of
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In a radio interview this morning (Tuesday, March 3), Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said, “Kami (the
Palace) ay natutuwa na na-i-pass iyan (poll automation) kagabi (Monday, March 2) ng third and final
reading sa Kongreso.”
“If you recall, nanawagan nga tayo noong weekend na ini-remind na natin iyong mga supporters ni
Pangulo sa Kongreso na itong full automation ay isa talaga sa mga priority projects ng Pangulo.
“Kaya po tayo natutuwa na na-pass ‘yan… sa House, at sana po, talagang tuloy-tuloy na iyan para isang
magandang legacy iyan na mai-iwan ng ating mga current leaders para sa next generation na
magkaroon na tayo ng more efficient administration of elections,” Remonde said.
The Press Secretary also said ‘yes’ when asked if a special session will be called to ensure the approval
of the supplemental budget for the automated polls before the Lenten break.
Meanwhile, Deputy Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that the “approval of the poll automation budget
on final reading is a victory for Filipino voters who deserve clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections
that deliver fast and decisive results.”
“This is a legacy the (Macapagal-Arroyo) administration is proud to share with all Filipinos,” she added.
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PGMA underscores importance of national and local government partnership to
combat effects of global financial crisis
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today underscored the importance of national and local government
partnership in combating the adverse effects of the global financial crisis.
In her keynote speech at the inaugural rites of the spanking and brand new Rizal Provincial Capitol
Building in Antipolo City this morning, the President said the solid partnership among national and local
officials and private sector leaders make a formidable force for development and against major threats.
Such unity, the President pointed out, is reflected by the effective fiscal and economic reforms instituted by
her administration, through the support of other leaders, which have shielded the country from the wave of
threats and challenges since last year of the huge spikes in food, fuel and rice prices, and now the global
financial crisis.
She said the sacrifices and measures undertaken by her administration in the recent past have enabled
government to shore up its finances and invested in public welfare that now benefit the people in many
aspects including the shield against the harsh effects of the global crisis.
With the President at the inaugural rites were Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III, Representatives Michael
John Duavit and Adelina Rodriguez of Rizal’s first and second districts, respectively; Reps . Roberto Puno
and Angelito Gatlabayan of Antipolo City’s first and second districts, respectively; Antipolo City Mayor
Danilo Leyble; DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Cabinet Official for Regional Development (CORD) for
Region IV Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
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Palace assures PGMA will sign P1.45-T 2009 budget in 10 days
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Malacanang today assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will sign the P1.45-trillion 2009 budget in
10 days. The formal enactment of the national appropriations measure is expected second week of March.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is still
reviewing the 2009 budget.
Congress ratified the 2009 budget last January 22. Palace officials, however, said the President has yet to
thoroughly review the budget before she signs it to make sure there are no insertions that may be
questionable or inconsistent with the spending program of the government.
“I had information from the Secretary of Budget that it’s very highly probable that towards the second week
of March, the budget will be submitted to the President for approval, anywhere between 14 to 15 March,”
Ermita said.
The Executive Secretary could not confirm whether or not the President would veto portions of the budget.
It was reported earlier the President might veto unwanted provisions and reductions made by lawmakers
on the country’s debt service payments.
In the final version of the 2009 budget, Congress has reduced debt service funds to P252 billion.
The government has been operating on a reenacted 2008 budget for the past two months now.
Ermita said the increase in the allocations for certain agencies in the budget reflects the government’s
focus on social welfare services and infrastructure development.
The budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was increased by 118 percent
to P10.76 billion from P4.96 billion in 2008.
The four other agencies with the biggest allocation increases from their 2008 levels are the Department
of Agriculture, P42.6B (67.5-percent); Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P12.8 billion
(51.2 percent), Department of Health, P79.5 billion (40.4 percent), and Department of Public Works and
Highways, P137 billion (34.3 percent).
The 2009 budget also includes a P50-billion economic stimulus package to help the country cushion the
impact of the global financial crisis.
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Filipino vets in the U.S. thank PGMA for standing by them in “long quest for
justice and equity”
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Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans all over the United States have expressed their gratitude to President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “for standing by them in their long quest for justice and equity.”
The WWII veterans in the Washington DC area in the eastern seaboard were seconded in their
expression of gratitude to President Arroyo by those in the Los Angeles area in the western seaboard,
according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in its latest website news.
“Speaking on behalf of the veterans, Celestino Almeda conveyed his deep appreciation to President
Arroyo at a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy to honor Filipino World War II veterans and to
celebrate the signing into law of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),” the DFA said.
The DFA said the 92-year-old Almeda “is one of the most active lobbyists in Congress,” adding that the
latter “also thanked all those who helped make this victory possible namely, members of the Filipino
community, officials in the Philippine government, and the advocates and supporters of the bill in both
Houses of the U.S. Congress.”
“One cannot truly appreciate the light if one has not been subjected to the darkness,” the DFA quoted
Almeda as saying when the WWII veteran rejoiced at the signing of the ARRA which contains provisions
that finally recognize the military service of Filipino World War II veterans and provides them with lump-
sum benefits.
Recounting the suffering and ordeal that he and his fellow veterans experienced and witnessed during
the war, Mr. Almeda expressed the joy that he felt on this momentous occasion and stated that he was
happy with the outcome, the DFA added.
Almeda’s sentiments were echoed by WWII veterans in the West. “Mr. Franco Arcebal of the American
Coalition of Filipino American Veterans, in a celebration held in Lake Street Park in Los Angeles,
California, expressed his appreciation for President Arroyo…” related the DFA.
To celebrate the victory of Filipino WWII veterans in their fight for recognition and benefits, Philippine
Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa recently hosted at the Philippine Embassy a reception that
also served as “an occasion to render thanks and appreciation to all those who have supported the
cause of the veterans.”
“The reception was attended by Filipino veterans, leaders and members of the Filipino American
community in the Metro D.C. area, the media, and staffers of key supporters of the bill in the U.S.
Congress such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Bob Filner,” the DFA said.
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Message Re: Developing Central Visayas
as the Country’s Tourism Beltway
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Boracay, our showcase tourism destination, is going well and strong. We have many people all over the
world enjoying this breathtaking shoreline. Our people from the different provinces also come here for
their rest and recreation.
The numbers have gone up. From last January’s 48,000 tourists, we now have 51,000, or an increase of
five percent.
Other destinations in the country are also doing well. In Cebu, arrivals this January also increased by five
percent over the same period last year.
Tourism is one of the sectors we have to strengthen as our response to the global economic meltdown.
We have done it today. We should continue to push it to provide jobs and vast opportunities to our people.
Boracay, like many destinations, used to lack many facilities when I initially assumed the Presidency.
Today, international airlines can now land in Kalibo which has become closer and more accessible to
Boracay because we have improved the roads. Caticlan airport is being expanded by B-O-T with five
bidders.
We have constructed sewer lines to ensure clean water and environmental protection. We have
constructed a port behind the main beach so that the boats will not block the view of the beach and its
beautiful horizon. A garbage disposal system has been put in place to ensure the cleanliness and beauty
of this natural heritage. And we will still expand the garbage and sewerage systems because of the many
investments taking place today.
There are still many things that we have to accomplish but we will continue to promote Boracay as well as
other destinations to ensure that tourism continues to be a flag bearer in economic progress and
development -- 10.6 percent annual average growth for the past four years, the best performance in 20
years of tourism history.
This has prompted investors to put up almost 7,000 new hotel and resort rooms of international
classification with investments worth P550 billion. Two thousand of those rooms will open this year,
employing 3,000 Filipinos.
Shang, where we are now, will open this month. So we will return later this month and we will inspect, not
the facade, but the interior and inner recesses. On the other side of the beach is a major construction of
two new buildings of Regency Hotel which will again open soon.
We will not stop. We will not be cowered by the global crisis. The government, this administration, will
continue to be a strong partner of the tourism industry as we promote our nation and its natural beauty.
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