by anyajulia | Aug 8, 2008 | Headlines, National News
The United States will provide a P1.9- billion grant to the Philippines to support the Arroyo administration’s “investing in people and capacity-building” program, and help sustain the country’s economic growth.
According to Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza, the President wants the bulk of the grant to be mobilized for capacity-building on reforestation and environmental programs as a whole.
Part of the grant would also support the country’s infrastructure, energy modernization and health projects, including water supply and sanitation, he added.
Dureza said the President is also pushing for the inclusion of farm-to-market roads in the funding program in support of the country’s food security program.
Inclusive of the government’s counterpart fund of P600 million, the total amount would reach P2.645 billion, Dureza added. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Aug 8, 2008 | Headlines, National News
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) expressed elation over President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s upcoming visit to China, saying it will pave the way for more Chinese investments in the Philippines.
“We express our full support to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to China to further strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and China,” said the FFCCCII in a statement signed by FFCCCII president John H. Tan.
The Chinese business group stressed that the President’s Aug. 7-10 China visit “will pave the way for more investments in the Philippines with the scheduled business meetings between the Philippine delegation and Chinese businessmen.
“President Arroyo’s attendance at the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony upon the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao also manifests the importance we give to foster our friendship with China and a good opportunity for President Arroyo to give encouragement to our Filipino athletes who will participate in the Olympic Games,” Tan said. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Aug 8, 2008 | Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered an audit of oil and power companies to ensure that the downtrend in world oil prices will immediately benefit the public in the form of lower prices of the socially-sensitive commodity.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told a press briefing that the President directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake the audit.
He said the President wants to ensure that oil and power companies are fully compliant with the Oil Deregulation Law, and that the lowering of oil prices in the international market are correspondingly reflected in the local market.
For his part, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said that the President directed Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to conduct a “more strict audit of oil firms” during the joint National Price Coordinating Council and National Food and Energy Council (NPCC-NFEC) meeting.
The President wants the claim of oil and power companies of “under recoveries” verified through strict auditing procedures, Remonde added. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Aug 8, 2008 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo raised from P10.5 million to P15 million the cash pot for the gold medal that Team Philippines will win in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The President made the announcement during the courtesy call of Team Philippines on her at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall.
An Olympic gold medal would be first for the Philippines. The country has been participating in the World Games for 84 years, or since 1924, but has come up with only nine medals, none of them gold.
The Philippine Olympic Commission had earlier announced that the athlete who wins the first Philippine Olympic gold will receive P10.5 million, but the President added P4.5 million, to make it P15 million.
The President also gave $1,000 allowance to each of the athletes.
In this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing from Aug. 8 to 24, the Philippines is sending 15 athletes who will compete in eight sports disciplines: boxing, taekwondo, shooting, archery, diving, swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.
Reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao was appointed by the President as the country’s special Olympics envoy and flag-bearer during the parade of nations. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Aug 8, 2008 | Headlines, National News
In response to the call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to provide non-wage benefits to employees and their families as income extenders, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), launched the “Diskwento: Presyong Pang-Empleyado,” a non-wage benefit project which aims to improve workers’ access to basic consumer products at very affordable prices.
The Project is through the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
According to Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque the Diskwento project aims to ease the burden of high and rising prices of basic consumer products on the employees’ purchasing power and to improve employees’ access to basic and prime commodities through the mobilization of retail outlets selling basic food and non-food consumer items at low, low prices.
Roque said the “Diskwento” project also intends to involve the private sector in delivering affordable basic and prime commodities to employees.
The labor secretary said the provision of a package of non-wage benefits was also in line with Administrative Order No. 232-A issued recently by President Arroyo to further strengthen the clustering of social welfare reforms into a national social welfare program. (PIA/Bohol)
