by anyajulia | Oct 16, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Increase in merchandise exports in August 2009 rebounded with a 4.9-percent month-on-month growth after contracting by 2.8 percent in the previous month. This was buoyed by the strong recovery of manufactures.
Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Augusto B. Santos said that Philippines along with Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia posted positive growth in their respective exports while other Asian neighbors such as Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam suffered month-on-month drops in exports in August.
Exports of manufactured goods grew by 8.4 percent from the previous month, owing to the positive performances of total electronic products (8.1%), chemicals (67.4%), wood manufactures (76.3%), and garments (9.9%). (NEDA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 16, 2009 | Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vows that her administration will work aggressively to ensure growth, generate jobs, and increase revenue. We will pursue poverty amelioration program even as it tackles the grim task of rehabilitation to address the damage left behind by typhoons.
The President announced the creation of the Special National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission to determine the cost of rehabilitation and raise the fund to cover that cost.
The country would push for grants or non-repayable inflows; concessional loans such as the zero-interest yen loan package from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); and, as a last option, commercial borrowings either through bonds or other instruments. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 16, 2009 | Headlines, National News
October 17-23 has been proclaimed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the National Week of Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP). Thus aiming to unite the support of all sectors of society in the fight against extreme poverty.
Arroyo has tasked the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to take the lead, monitor and evaluate the celebration with the Regional Kalahi Convergence Group (RCKG), local government units and other key stakeholders in poverty reduction.
Thus, included in the compounded celebration of the NWOEP is the Stand Up and Take Action (SUTA) Against Poverty on October 16-18 and World Food Day (WFD) on October 16.
SUTA is a 3-day campaign of the United Nations intended to provide an opportunity for development partners to gain a deeper understanding of poverty, development and food security issues.
Similarly, the WFD, with this year’s theme of “Achieving Food Security in Times of Crisis,” is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed year-round action to alleviate hunger. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 16, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in its Update on the Incidence of Cost Overruns in the ODA (Official Development Assistance) portfolio, reported that 19 projects incurred cost overruns amounting to PhP28.53 billion in end-September 2009. This amount was lower than the P33.34-billion worth of overruns incurred involving 21 projects in end-2008.
Cost overruns are defined as additional costs over and above the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) approved budget.
Moreover, loans for three Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-assisted projects that incurred cost overruns closed or were completed during the period January to September 2009. These projects are: the Casacnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project, Bohol Irrigation Project II and Laoag River Basin Flood Control and Sabo Project. (NEDA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 15, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) Chief S/Supt. Augusto Marquez bared the force of the NPA in the province is already “manageable” although that doesn’t mean they are now complacent in their vigilance against the rebel movement. They are now a diminishing threat.
Rebels used to beset the provinces of Cebu and Bohol but because of government interventions that included pouring of basic government services and counter operations in affected areas, the NPA’s force weakened until they dried out.
Marquez said they are closely coordinating with the military in their area and strengthening intelligence network to ensure the force of the leftist movement will not gather strength through the recruitment of new members.
As the election season builds up, the NOPPO chief expressed concerns on the possible rise of cases of extortion by the NPA to political candidates. Elections are an avenue for the NPA to make money where they extort funds from the candidates so they can be allowed to campaign in rebel-infested areas dubbed as the ‘no permit, no campaign’ policy, Marquez revealed.
Marquez appealed to candidates not to give in to the demands of the NPA and to report to the police or military any attempts by the rebel movement to extort money. (PIA)
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