Reduced tariff for crude oil, petrol products
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The National Economic Development Board (NEDA) agreed today to eliminate the tariff on crude oil, refined
petroleum products, asphalt, rolled coils and other products to help stabilize prices and rein in inflation.
Trade Secretary Jesli Lapus said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) made the recommendation and was
thoroughly discussed at today’s joint Cabinet- NEDA meeting presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at
the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City.
Lapus said the tariff reduction for crude oil and refined petroleum products is from three percent to zero that will
reduce the pump prices of gasoline and diesel.
For hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils, Lapus said the recommendation is removing tariff from seven percent to
zero in the light of the expected rise in the price of galvanized GI sheets in the world market.
“This a revenue loss for the government but a gain resulting in a lower cost of living for the public,” Lapus said.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the elimination of tariff will result to some P3.4 to P4 billion annual loss
in government revenues.
Teves said a draft Executive Order is now being prepared for the President’s signature to include tariff reduction
on mixed alkylbenzene (3 to 1 percent); monofilament yarns (10 to 1 percent).
He said tariff on rice will be reduced from 40 percent from 2010-2014 and 35 percent on 2015.
Teves said tariff on sugar will be reduced to 38 percent in 2011; 28 percent in 2012; 18 percent in 2013; 10
percent in 2014; and 5 percent in 2015.
Aside from these products, Teves said tariff on refined coconut oil will be reduced from 10 percent to zero and
this product will also be moved from the sensitive list to the normal track of preferred tariff in consistent with the
tariff reduction agreement among the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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PGMA leads father’s centennial
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ANGELES CITY, Pampanga –- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this morning led ceremonies
commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of her father, President Diosdado Macapagal, during her visit to this
province.
The President formally opened the photo exhibit of the former president entitled “The Life and Times of
President Diosdado P. Macapagal: A Photo Exhibit” held at the Angeles University Foundation here.
The exhibit showcases a collection of 100 photographs that essays the life of President Macapagal, who is
lovingly called “Apung Dadong” by his Cabalens, as a student, a lawyer, a family man and as a public servant.
The exhibit, which coincides with the 48th founding anniversary of the AUF, also features books and other
personal mementos written by Apung Dadong, who celebrates his centenary on September 28.
Through the exhibit, the AUF aims to perpetuate the legacy of Apung Dadong as a stateman imbued with
untainted integrity, extraordinary honesty and unquestionable commitment to duty.
In her speech keynoting the event, the President expressed her thanks to the university for their efforts to keep
the memory of her father alive.
“Our family is grateful that you remembered Diosdado Macapagal not only as President of the country but very
fondly as Chairman of the Board of Directors until his death in 1997,” the President said.
“Thank you for honoring his legacy not only as Chairman of the Board but also as President. His legacy is now
going to be remembered because you are helping enable Filipinos for generations to come to his life and
times, and his contributions to the Filipino nation, and to be able to remember both memories from an objective
and historical point of view, and also through those who knew him during his lifetime,” she added.
The President expressed hope that historians, scholars and the academe will continue perpetuating the life and
times of her father by studying further “the personal papers that he and my mother left, particularly here at
Angeles University and Clark, and with their alma matter, the University of Santo Tomas, and also the books he
authored after his term as president.”
She cited Commission on Higher Education chairman and AUF board member Emmanuel Angles as “one of
these scholars” who continue to keep the memory of her father alive.
“I hope that the Diosdado Macapagal Foundation which has been recently reconstituted and where Manny
(Angeles) is a member will be able to marshal the proper scholars to document his lasting contributions to our
nation,” the President said.
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The Philippine Embassy announced a full slate of art exhibits – from paintings to pottery - in the month of June
to commemorate the 112th anniversary of Philippine independence.
Showcasing Filipino artistry, craftsmanship and heritage, June month begins with the launch on June 1st of
“Brown Strokes on a White Canvas,” which features paintings by more than 20 Filipino and Filipino-American
artists from the community.
Now on its seventh year, “Brown Strokes on a White Canvas,” is presented in partnership with the Philippine
American Foundation for Charities, Inc.
To be launched on June 10th, during the week of the 112th anniversary of Philippine Independence, is the
exhibit “Lupang Hinirang” by Chicago-based visual artist Paul C. Balan.
Lupang Hinirang Series 1 through 10 is a visual representation of the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.
Consisting of ten 24” x 18” pen and ink compositions, the works highlight the virtues of courage, pride, honor,
duty and love of motherland that inspired Filipinos in their quest for independence and greater peace, progress
and prosperity.
According to Paul Balan, his striking images drew inspiration from Philippine folklore.
Balan is from the town of Paete, a town known for its sculptors, painters, musicians and poets. Balan is a
descendant of Pablo Bague, one of Paete’s master sculptors.
Chicago-based Balan is an Associate Artist for the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program.
Capping the month will be the exhibit of stoneware potter Hadrian Mendoza entitled, “Carabao” which will be
launched on June 18th.
Named after the Philippines’ water buffalo, the exhibit shows three dimensional works evoking Philippine
symbols and icons, including the carabao.
Mendoza is a graduate of Mary Washington College in Virginia and was a former student of Washington, D.C.’s
Corcoran School of Art where he was awarded the prestigious Anne And Arnold Abramson Award for Excellence
in Ceramics. Mendoza recently received and completed the 2007-2009 Toyota Foundation Grant: “Asian
Neighbors Network Program: Unlocking Southeast Asia’s Potential.
The exhibits will all be held at the Embassy’s Carlos P. Romulo Hall. END.
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“BROWN STROKES ON A WHITE CANVAS” KICKS OFF EMBASSY EXHIBITS IN JUNE
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“Brown Strokes on a White Canvas” will kick off a month-long series of exhibits at the Philippine Embassy in
June commemorating the 112th anniversary of Philippine Independence. Now on its seventh year, “Brown
Strokes” will feature the works of more than 20 Filipino and Filipino-American artists, including Red Mansueto
whose work is shown here. “Brown Strokes” will be launched on June 1st and will run through June 8th. “Brown
Strokes” is presented by the Philippine Embassy in partnership with the Philippine American Foundation for
Charities, Inc.
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FILIPINO IMAGERY, DEMOCRATIC VALUES HIGHLIGHTED IN EXHIBIT INSPIRED BY
NATIONAL ANTHEM LYRICS
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An exhibit inspired by the lyrics of the Philippines’ national anthem will be launched at the Embassy of the
Philippines in commemoration of the 112th anniversary of Philippine Independence. Chicago-based visual
artist Paul C. Balan’s “Lupang Hinirang” Series 1-10 features ten 24” by 18” striking images of pen and ink
compositions that depict the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem and draw richly from Philippine folklore.
Balan’s works highlight the virtues of courage, pride, honor, duty and love of motherland that inspired Filipinos in
their quest for independence and greater peace, progress and prosperity. Balan is from the town of Paete, a
town known for its sculptors, painters, musicians and poets. Balan is a descendant of Pablo Bague, one of
Paete’s master sculptors. Balan is an Associate Artist for the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program. The
exhibit will be open to the public at the Embassy of the Philippines’ Carlos P. Romulo Hall from June 11th
through 17th. END
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EMBASSY FEATURES AWARD-WINNING CERAMIC POTTER’S WORKS IN JUNE EXHIBIT
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Award-winning ceramic stoneware potter Hadrian Mendoza will cap June’s lineup of Embassy exhibits in June
commemorating the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Mendoza’s “Carabao,” named after the
Philippines’ water buffalo features three dimensional works evoking Philippine symbols and icons, including
the carabao as seen in the photo. Mendoza is a graduate of Mary Washington College in Virginia and was a
former student of Washington, D.C.’s Corcoran School of Art where he was awarded the prestigious Anne And
Arnold Abramson Award for Excellence in Ceramics. Mendoza recently received and completed the 2007-2009
Toyota Foundation Grant: “Asian Neighbors Network Program: Unlocking Southeast Asia’s Potential. “Carabao”
will be launched on June 18th and will run through June 30th at the Embassy of the Philippines’ Carlos P.
Romulo Hall. END
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Philippine Embassy Welcomes Songspell Foundation Singers from Mindanao
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Members of Songspell Foundation during their courtesy call at the Embassy of the Philippines' on 20 May 2010
in connection with their concert “One Dream, One Voice” which was held on May 23, 2010 at the Holiday Park SC
in Silverspring, MD. Songspell Foundation members, whose ages range from 5 to 18, are on their eighth
international tour. Based in Davao City, the group has earned acclaim as performers of Filipino popular, folk and
international songs.
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