by anyajulia | Aug 4, 2009 | Headlines, National News
US President Barack Obama described the Philippines as a small-sized country but “punches above its weight in the international arena.
Obama also complimented President Arroyo for her “outstanding work on a whole range of issues.
He said Arroyo is somebody who knows the issues (from terrorism to nuclear proliferation)…and has experience leading the Philippines through some very difficult times….”
It was Obama’s acknowledgment that President Arroyo did roll with the punches over the endless tirades and derision by political rivals and critics of her foreign trips and alleged hounding of the White House for a meeting with the world’s most powerful leader.
Despite all this, Obama said “although the Philippines is not the largest of countries, it, punches above its weight in the international arena, borrowing a term from boxing. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Aug 4, 2009 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gives the country the opportunity to honor and show respect, appreciation and gratitude to former president Corazon Aquino by declaring Wednesday August 5 as a special non-working holiday nationwide.
Former President Aquino succumbed after fighting cancer for months and would be laid to final rest on Wednesday.
Through Proclamation 1851, PGMA said it is but proper for a grieving people to be goven the opportunity to honor and show their respect, appreciation and gratitude to the beloved former President.
Moreover, the Philippine President who was still in New York when she issued the holiday proclamation also issued Proclamation 1850 declaring August 1 to 10 as a period of national mourning for former President Corazon Aquino. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Aug 3, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Upon learning of the death of former President Corazon Aquino in the early morning of August 1, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared a ten-day period of national mourning.
“Today, the Philippines lost a national treasure,” President Arroyo said. Arroyo added that the former President helped lead a revolution that restores democracy and the rule of law to the nation at a time of great peril.
A separate statement which was issued by Malacanang stated, thus:
“Former President Cory has been the country’s icon of democracy. She has restored democracy and continually defended it during her rule from those who challenge the hope that was brought about by the Edsa 1 people power. President Aquino was also the inspiration of so many nations around the world that aspired for a government that is free from tyranny and from the bondage of dictatorship. We are one with the entire Filipino nation in prayer and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the late president Cory Aquino.”
Her legacy was the restoration of democracy and its institutions in the country when she led a bloodless, military-backed people power revolt in 1986 that toppled the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Former President Aquino, 76, died at 3:18 a.m. of cardio-respiratory arrest. She was battling colon cancer for about two years. The Former President Cory was confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month due to loss of appetite. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Aug 3, 2009 | Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued the Executive Order 817, known as the National Firearms Control Program, as to lessen the proliferation of loose firearms in the country and encourage the official and legitimate registration of firearms,.
As early as August 1, the PNP had started processing applications for registration of loose firearms and renewal of expired licenses to encourage applicants to process and avail the amnesty at an early time.
All holders of firearms with expired licenses will be given the chance to renew their expired licenses, waived of penalties and surcharges from August 1 to October 31, 2009. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Aug 3, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The signing of Executive Order 821 by President Arroyo prescribing a maximum drug retail price for some selected drugs and medicines. Its implementation is on August 15.
Republic Act 9502, or also known as the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, will provide access by the poor of affordable medicines for diseases that account for the leading causes of morbidity and is critical to improve the health and productivity of the Filipinos.
As part of this, Arroyo hiked the PHILHEALTH’s coverage so that 86% of the country’s population is now covered as compared to 36% before the President’s term and also the establishment of thousands of Botika Ng Barangay where prices of medicines were sold at lower rates to benefit the poor and marginalized sector of society.
Recently, the pharmaceutical companies voluntarily reduced the prices of 16 essential medicines heeding the President’s call for them to help in providing affordable medicines. (PIA)
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