PGMA wants nothing but unity on 63rd birthday
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LUBAO, PAMPANGA -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spent her 63rd birthday amid the welcoming hands of
her kabalens today and wished nothing but unity for a country aiming to become a first world nation in 20 years.
The President made the wish after hearing mass officiated by Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto at the St.
Agustin Church here.
The birthday wish has actually been the goal of her administration since she assumed the presidency nine
years ago. She took more aggressive steps to realize the vision in 2006 when she launched the so-called
“Super Region” development strategy that set aside five growth regions where massive investments were
plowed into infrastructure, human resources, tourism, agriculture and information and communication
technology
It was the Chief Executive’s first out-of-town since the medical confinement of the First Gentleman Jose Miguel
Arroyo last March 25 for a torn aorta.
It has been customary for her for several years now to start her birthday with a thanksgiving mass at the San
Agustin Church. Before the mass, many of the welcoming kabalens sang a happy birthday song.
The President arrived with son Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo with wife, Angela, daughter
Evangeline Lourdes ‘Luli’ Bernas and two grandchildren, Mikaela and Evie.
Her other son, Representative Diosdado Ignacio Arroyo was with the First Gentleman at the St. Luke’s Hospital
in Taguig City.
But the President said her husband is “fast recovering.”
The President also expressed her gratitude to all the people who ''prayed for the fast recovery'' of the First
Gentleman.
Also in attendance were Vice President Noli De Castro, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Finance Secretary
Jesli Lapus, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr.
In his homily, Archbishop Aniceto called on the people to ''heed the call of the President for unity'' as the whole of
Christiandom celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
''We must build bridges... Let there be no division between the forgiven and the forgiver,'' Aniceto said.
The Archbishop noted that the President's birthday still falls within the Holy Season of Easter as ''we continue to
enjoy the Pentecost in the next 50 days.''
''May the Lord continue to shower special blessings to the President,” he said.
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49 NPA rebel returnees get livelihood assistance
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Manila (5 April) -- A newest batch of 49 former rebel returnees of the New People's Army (NPA) operating in
Negros Occidental and Camarines Sur have availed of the livelihood assistance under the government's Social
Integrated Program (SIP).
In a press release coming from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), it said that
OPAPP distributed P20,000 in check for each former NPA combatant as immediate cash assistance while
papers are being processed for their reintegration to society.
The largest group of 36 NPA returnees came from Camarines Sur, while 13 others came from Negros
Occidental.
No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed the P20,000 immediate cash assistance to the
returnees from Camarines Sur while Maria Hope Hererra of OPAPP based in Negros Occidental distributed the
checks in Bacolod City last week.
On March 26, 2010, some 15 former members of the New People's Army (NPA) from the different areas of
Eastern Samar received an initial amount P20,000.00 under the SIP through OPAPP.
The simple awarding of checks to the beneficiaries was done by Army officials and PSWDO Gil Rebamontan in
simple ceremonies at the Governor's Conference Hall in Borongan.
Similarly, in Samar, a day earlier, one Erlinda Rosales also received cash assistance from the SIP while two
from Northern Samar namely, Maricel Delorino Guno @ Mariz and Joel Ocasla Cabunas got their checks from
Mr Florentino Somera Jr. of OPAPP.
Aside from the P20,000 immediate cash assistance, a former NPA combatant can also avail of the
government's livelihood program that will give them assistance in kind such as a working animal, or a hand
tractor, or a sari-sari store, a tricycle to start his/her own small business.
The SIP has been making waves since it was launched in 2008 giving former rebels a chance to change their
lives as they go back to the mainstream of society.
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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH PROGRAM IN TAMPA, FLORIDA
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The Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. conducted a consular outreach program in Tampa, Florida
during the 15th Annual Philippine Festival organized by the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) at the
Bayanihan Arts and Events Center.
Led by Consular General Domingo Nolasco, the consular team composed of Janeth Falsis, Emma Colobong
and Joey Macatula processed 327 applications for machine-readable passport and 169 petitions for dual
citizenship, among other consular services rendered to Filipinos in the area.
Prior to the oath taking ceremony, Consul General Nolasco briefed the participants and their families on the
benefits of dual citizenship as well as the relevant laws on Philippine citizenship. As a reiteration of Philippine
Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa’s call for Filipinos to participate in the 2010 Philippine national
elections, Consul General Nolasco took the opportunity to urge registered overseas absentee voters in the
audience to submit their electoral ballots to the Embassy before May 10, 2010.
The consular outreach program is part of the Embassy’s vigorous efforts to conveniently bring specific consular
services to Filipinos under its jurisdiction. END.
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Led by Consul General Nolasco (right), the consular team consisting of Joey Macatula (left), Emma
Colobong (second from left) and Janeth Falsis (third from left), stand alongside PCFI Board Member Bert
A. Almeda (second from right). Mr. Almeda provided logistical and transportation support during the
consular outreach at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa, Florida.
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