by anyajulia | Jul 24, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) will highlight the achievements of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration and the status of the government’s projects and programs at the opening of the Joint Congress on July 27.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita cited the BEAT THE ODDS program of the government which the president will tackle.
BEAT THE ODDS is an acronym for the government’s priority project which stands for: Balance budget, Education for all, Automated elections, Transportation and digital infrastructure, Terminate hostilities with the MILF and NPA, Heal the wounds of EDSA’s I, II and III, Electricity and water for all, Opportunities for livelihood and ten million jobs, Decongestion of Metro Manila, and Develop Subic and Clark.
Ermita reiterated that this is President Arroyo’s last SONA and she wants to inform the Filipino people on the accomplishments of her administration and the status of the projects and programs that she initiated for the welfare of the citizens. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Jul 24, 2009 | Headlines, National News
An executive order for the imposition of maximum drug price ceilings on several essential drugs may be signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before she leaves for the United States late this month. This was the statement disclosed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
The EO will take effect on August 15.
The report from the Department of Health will be the basis of the draft executive order that they will submit to President Arroyo “to implement the intent and spirit of the Cheap Medicines Act, “ Ermita adds.
In a letter submitted to the Office of the President, the health department disclosed that they have finalized the review and validation of the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) letter of undertaking where prices of 16 drugs were voluntarily reduced by 50 percent while five other were non-compliant.
President Arroyo last year signed into law RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. Under the law, any individual or organization listed with the Bureau of Food and Drugs may import medicines and sell them at affordable prices to the public. (OPS/PIA)
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by anyajulia | Jul 23, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Some P500-million fund is now available to help the transport sector to convert diesel-fed engines into liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) capable machines. This is in accordance with the government’s “green agenda”
Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Hermogenes Esperon disclosed that the release of this fund is in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s advocacy to combat climate change by instigating measures to bring down pollution by cutting down the production of greenhouse gases of which carbon emissions from automobiles is a leading producer.
He said that the release of the fund “is actually in accordance with our “green agenda,” and one of the recommendations in our weekly global resiliency impact monitoring program which pushes for the construction of more Green buildings and materials recovery facilities to combat pollution”.
Esperon said the fund is sourced from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC), also known as the Road User’s Tax.
The PMS head explained that the collections go to a special fund administered by the Road Board which the Secretary of Public Works and Highways chairs, emphasizing that the P500-million will now be loaned out to transport cooperatives or individuals for the conversion of diesel engines “so that they could use alternative fuels such as LPG”. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Jul 23, 2009 | Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asks Filipinos to continue praying for the health and recovery of former president Corazon Aquino who is battling cancer.
The 76-year old former leader was diagnosed with colon cancer early last year and had undergone a series of chemotherapy sessions and surgery.
The Aquino family has requested the public to continue praying for the former president so that her pain may be lessened. It has also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and love for Mrs. Aquino who is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Jul 23, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
At the Bohol Cultural Center, during the 155th Bohol Foundation Day, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was conferred the Datu Sikatuna Award of Excellence today (Pasidungog nga wa’y Makatupong)
The Datu Sikatuna Award “Pasidungog nga wa’y makatupong” is conferred to the President, because for the Boholanos, what the President has done to Bohol is something that they are very proud of. This was the statement of Governor Erico Aumentado.
In her acceptance speech, President Arroyo thanked the local officials and the Boholanos for the award that acknowledges her contributions to the development of Bohol. She also lauded the youth groups in the province for taking good care of the environment here. Arroyo adds that the national government will continue to give more programs to Bohol for its welfare. (PIA-7)
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