CHAIR OF SUB COMMITTEE ON ASIA AND PACIFIC AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT OF HOUSE FOREIGN
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF STRONGER US TIES WITH ASEAN
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30 MARCH 2009 WASHINGTON DC –Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, Chairman of the Sub Committee
on Asia and Pacific and Global Environment Sub Committee, emphasizes the importance of continuing
dialogue and further strengthening the lines of communication between ASEA, its members and the
United States Congress at a meeting with the ASEAN Washington Council (AWC) on Capitol Hill recently.
During the meeting, Philippine Ambassador to the United States and AWC Chair Willy C. Gaa urged
greater dialogue and interaction between AWC and US Congress
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ASEAN Washington Council (AWC) meeting with Congressman Eni Faleomavaega,
Chairman of the Sub Committee on Asia and Pacific and Global Environment Sub
Committee
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PGMA orders state colleges to relax tuition fee rules to minimize dropouts among
students
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TAGBILARAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today (Wednesday) directed all state colleges
and universities (SUCs) to exercise greater flexibility in their tuition fee payment schemes to minimize the
high dropout rate among poor students.
The presidential order was issued through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) after she
signed Republic Act (RA) 9547, otherwise known as an “Act Strengthening and Expandng the Coverage of
the Special Program for Employment of Students, Amending for the Purpose Provision of Republic Act
7323, otherwise known as the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES)” at the Bohol
Wisdom School here, this afternoon.
The President reacted to reports that the “no-payment no periodic examination policy” being implemented
by the 110 SUCs nationwide was one of the main causes of the high incidence of college dropout among
young students belonging to poor families.
“I have issued an Executive Order for the Commission on Higher Education (to) instruct all state
universities and colleges to devise a flexible, socially-sensitive tuition fee payment plan and reform the no-
payment, no periodic examination policy that is currently being applied,” she said.
The President said two concerns have been brought to her attention, namely the rigid tuition fee payment
rules of SUCs, and the clamor to expand the coverage of the Students’ Assistance Fund for Education.
“The no-payment, no periodic examination policy I understand is one of the main reasons young students
from poor families drop out of college. This has to change to ensure a decent graduation rate for
colleges,” she said.
The President said the Student Assistance Fund for Education would receive the fullest of endowments.
“That Executive Order also instructs the administrators of the Students’ Assistance Fund for Education to
expand the coverage of the program. On top of tuition, beneficiaries of the program should be able to
receive monthly stipend to subsidize the students’ transport fares and laboratory, research and book
allowance,” she added.
“I am happy to sign before the youth of the country the new law creating the Special Program for
Employment of Students. This law will expand opportunities for poor students to acquire hands-on
training and earn some money which they will use to continue schooling,” the President said.
In today’s global economy, she said, knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth and the government
must pour all savings and revenue into programs that help the poor and the middle class. “This includes
more and more investments in the economy, environment and education,” she said.
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Over 70,000 jobs created by CLEEP as of February 2009 -- Remonde
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Malacanang today reported that as of February 2009, a total of 70,377 jobs have been generated by the
Comprehensive Livelihood Employment and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) with P588
million already obligated for the projects under CLEEP.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the emergency employment programs have benefited 64,034
individuals and 580 households in 26 micro small and medium enterprises in 1,368 barangays and 150
cooperatives.
Remonde, citing the report submitted by lead convenor, Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban, of the
National Anti Poverty Commission, said the total CLEEP program of the Arroyo administration aims to
generate close to 500,000 jobs worth P9.8 billion.
CLEEP involves projects being undertaken by the Cabinet members assigned in different regions of the
country such as: Botika ng Barangay and repair and rehabilitation of health facilities of Health Secretary
Francisco Duque in Ilocos region; the cash for work, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, livestock
dispersal, tamang abono, One Town One Product (OTOP), non OTOP and oyster/roadside maintenance
of Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral in CAR and ARMM.
Other CLEEP projects assigned to the Cabinet members include: the rehabilitation of irrigation systems,
livestock dispersal, organic fertilizer production program; OTOP and non-OTOP, bantay gubat and
oyster/roadside maintenance, land surveys and watershed management of Agriculture Secretary Arthur
Yap in all provinces; Labor Secretary Marianito Roque’s projects in Bataan, Bulacan and CAMANAVA;
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus’ projects in Pampanga and Tarlac such as hiring of utility workers for
schools, soap making project and non-OTOP, oyster/roadside maintenance;
The hollow blocks making, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, livestock dispersal, organic fertilizer
production, OTOP, oyster/roadside maintenance of Public Works and Highways in Aurora, Nueva Ecija,
Zambales and Cavite; the microfinancing program for the spouses and immediate family members of
PUV drivers and conductors of Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza including
the MRT-LRT route; the roadside maintenance works in the entire province of Batangas of Economic
Planning Secretary Ralph Recto;
The Laguna Livelihood Emergency Employment Accelerated Program (LEAP) Water Lily, OTOP livelihood
project (bayong development) and entrepreneurship programs of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter
Favila in Laguna and Cavite; the microfinance assistance program and road maintenance program of
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno in Quezon and Rizal;
Projects assigned to Vice President Noli de Castro includes: hollow blocks making and proposed
tourism projects (souvenir/handicraft making, pasalubong items, pumpboat for tourists, buhay dagat
diving and marine sanctuary, firefly watching in Iwahig and Palawan; hollow blocks making, technical
education and extension program, mud crab fattening, smoked fish (tinapa making), seaweeds farming,
fish cage culture, sea cucumber culturing, mariculture project, roadside maintenance and non-OTOP
projects in the Mindoro province.
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya is assigned similar projects in the province of Masbate, Albay,
Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur; Sorsogon; Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales is assigned to projects in
Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo; Finance Secretary Margarito Teves for projects in Negros
Occidental, Oriental and Siquijor; Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano for the GREET street lighting
project in Panglao Island, bantay dagat projects (waste collection and segregation), roadside
maintenance and OTOP and non-OTOP livelihood projects in Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Agusan del Norte,
Agusan Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao Sur, Dinagat Island, Biliran, Eastern and Northern Samar,
Leyte, Southern Leyte and Samar.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is assigned to botika ng barangay project, fisherfolk livelihood
assistance, organic fertilizer production, restoration/repair, roadside maintenance, OTOP and non-OTOP
projects in Zamboanga City, Sur and Norte; Social Security System Chairman Romulo Neri is assigned in
Camiguin, Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Oriental, Oroquieta City, Bukidnon for projects
like goat production, mariculture production, roadside maintenance, microfinance innovations in coops,
rehabilitation of flood prone areas and repair of health facilities and botika ng barangay, expansion of
seaweed growing among poor families, coconut and corn intercropping, agroforestry, bantay gubat.
National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is assigned in goat dispersal, organic fertilizer, restoration,
repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems and roadside maintenance in all provinces and barangay
hall, health centers, school building repairs, day care centers and repair and improvement of seawall in
Sarangani, Maasim, Kiamba and Sarangani and North and South Cotabato;
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes oversees projects in microfinance for transport sector in Taguig, Makati,
Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Pasay, Pateros and all other towns and cities of the National Capital
Region except Quezon City; Chairman Bayani Fernando is assigned to projects like buying soil and gravel
aggregates in Marikina, Mandaluyong, San Juan and Pasig, roadside maintenance in all areas in NCR
except Pasig (which is assigned to Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo) while Science and Technology
Secretary is assigned to projects of microfinance for transport, aggregate recycling, OTOP and installation
and operation of DOST Styro plastic densifier at Payatas Dumpsite.
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PGMA creates new national service patterned after U.S. Peace Corps
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President Gloria MAcapagal Arroyo has signed an executive order creating a new national service corps
that will take the lead in promoting the spirit of community and volunteerism in the country.
Patterned after the United States Peace Corps, the President said the new national service will enlist the
services of the unemployed and underemployed skilled youth or college graduates, aged 18-24, who will
be trained to carry out education and community service programs.
“Today, in front of the youth of our country, I have just signed an Executive Order for a new national service.
This targets 18 to 24 year-olds. This national service shall be composed of a National Service Corps and
a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC),” she said.
The President announced the formation of the new national service in her speech during the launching of
the “Sama-sama Para sa Kalikasan,” a government partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to
protect the remaining marine and terrestrial resources of the country at the Bohol Wisdom School here
this afternoon.
“During these trying times, the Philippine spirit and commitment to caring should prompt each of us to
count our blessings and give back to those who are less fortunate. Our nation needs us all pulling in the
same direction. Volunteering time, skill and resources is a noble undertaking we should all take
seriously,” she said.
Welcoming the President here were some 4,500 SK members and local officials led by Bohol Gov. Erico
Aumentado, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim, Bohol 1st District Representative Edgardo Chatto, 2nd
District Rep. Roberto Cajes, 3rd District Rep. Adam Relson Jala, SK national federation president Jane
Cajes, SK secretary general Patrick Bench Marco, and SK VP for Visayas Karl Giuseppe Gumban.
The Chief Executive said the National Service Corps shall be like a domestic “Peace Corps” composed of
the unemployed or underemployed skilled youth or college graduates. They will undergo a two-year
training on volunteer service focused on their contributions to education and community service programs.
“So I ask the SK to help me recruit such youth to undertake a two-year national service commitment with a
modest stipend,” the President said.
On the other hand, the President said the Youth Conservation Corps or YCC shall be composed of
unskilled or less-educated youth who would be utilized to undertake environmental and infrastructure
projects.
She said that the OYSTER or Out of School Youth Serving Towards Economic Resiliency being
implemented by the police will be subsumed into the YCC.
“Now is the time for pulling together and focusing on family and the community. We must initiate a new
era of volunteerism and community spirit. This should include the government, religious and civic groups
and non-governmental organizations harnessing our people to engage in coordinated volunteer
activities,” the President said.
The President said volunteerism should focus on initiatives such as cleaning up the environment, tree-
planting, building parks, education and bringing comfort to the poor through food banks.
SK President Cajes earlier proposed the putting up of a data bank on areas that need the most attention
such as critical watersheds, denuded forests, damaged coral reefs. The President said can be
implemented in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and
local government units (LGUs).
Cajes also thanked the President for the P10 million she gave to the SK during its national convention in
Cebu last year to fund their Sama-sam sa Kalikasan program.
Cajes said that the amount was the biggest received by the SK in its 10-year existence fpr its nationwide
mobilization and environmental campaign such as tree-planting, building parks, coastal clean-up and
information and education drives.
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PGMA to lead groundbreaking ceremonies of NLEX Phase 2-Circumferential-5
project
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the groundbreaking ceremonies tomorrow of the North Luzon
Expressway (NLEX) Phase 2-Circumferential 5 (C-5) at the Mindanao Avenue-Valenzuela City boundary.
She will be welcomed by Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), and
other top tollways officials.
The NLEX-C5 North Link Project, Phase 2 (segment 8.1) relocation and resettlement program involves
the relocation and resettlement of about 3,347 households affected by the development of the project in
Barangays Gen. Tiburcio de Leon and Ugong, Valenzuela City. It will traverse Metro Manila (East to West)
connecting Mindanao Avenue and NLEX.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) is the project manager of all designated resettlement. It is also in
charge of the census and tagging validation of affected families, the conduct of community
consultations/dialogue and the identification and development of resettlement sites for affected
households through the community association initiative approach (CAIA).
The NHA is also responsible for the actual relocation of families.
On the other hand, the local inter-agency committee (LIAC) will serve as the overall organization structure
for coordination of all participating agencies and other major stakeholders such as concerned national
government agencies, concerned local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs)
and people’s organization (POs).
The LIAC is composed of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinatin Council (HUDCC), NHA and
the Valenzuela City government.
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