by Misael | May 23, 2008 | Headlines
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed the importance of a long-lasting peace and a secured community in attaining economic growth.
In her message at the Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) of Western Visayas (Region 6) held in Bacolod City, the President took note that the Western Visayas Region has vastly improved in its security problems that economic progress is well on its way for the region.
“We have achieved a great deal. Western Visayas is vastly improved in terms of security and economic growth. The current agreement with the RPM-RPA is making things better” the President said.
The President said a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) would “bring a new era of economic development, enumerating the areas Cauayan, Hinobaan,Ilog,Candoni, Kabankalan and Sipalay or C.H.I.C.K.S. that would benefit from a peace pact.
The peace pact, coupled with the government’s thrust to invest in the people would propel economic development, the President said.
Peace not through the barrel of the gun, but through economic development was first noted in the Bohol peace initiatives. The first LPSA was also held in Bohol. (PIA/Bohol)
by Misael | May 23, 2008 | National News
King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland will arrive in Manila for a two-day state visit — the first by a Swazi King.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to meet the King to discuss new areas of cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and higher education, as well as initiatives in the international arena.
The state visit is expected to yield agreements on economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation, and lead to the establishment of a bilateral consultative mechanism between the Philippines and Swaziland.
Prior to his arrival in Manila, King Mswati will travel to Cebu and Bohol on a private visit. (PIA/Bohol)
by Misael | May 23, 2008 | Headlines
PANGLAO ISLAND,BOHOL–President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on all political leaders to support government efforts in tackling the twin global challenges of spiralling oil prices and food shortage.
In her opening statement at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Cabinet group meeting at the Garden Square of the Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa in the world-famous Panglao Island, the President stressed that too much politicking would not help solve the problem on oil and food.
”We have much to do to bring affordable food, energy and power to our people. I call on all our leaders to help us in this urgent task, and leave the politicking for 2010,” the President said.
The President added that the people are now feeling the impact of rising oil and food prices and the government continues to implement mitigating measures to ease the burden.
Thus, she called on those who take advantage of the situation to stop and instead help government in its efforts.
”Let us give priority to food, livelihood and the basic needs of our people,” the President said adding that she remains focused in improving the lives of the people, unmindful of political bickerings.
”(Politicking) will not bring food on the table, affordable electricity and transport fare,” she said. (PIA)
by Misael | May 23, 2008 | Features
PANGLAO ISLAND, Bohol – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the construction of the P4.17-billion Panglao-Bohol International Airport here to boost the tourism and trade potentials of this world-class destination province.
The President led the capsule-laying ceremony in Barangay Tawala assisted by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, and Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala.
After the capsule-laying, the President was briefed by Cusi on the status of the project funded through MIAA’s P3-billion income and P1 billion from the DOTC.
Cusi informed the President that the international airport is targeted to be operational in the first quarter of 2010 and can accommodate one million passengers per year.
The President said no foreign loans were sourced in the construction of the Panglao International Airport as government revenue agencies have consistently exceeded their targets these past few years.
Upon completion of the project, the President said foreign tourists can now come directly and visit the famous destinations in Bohol that include the Chocolate Hills, a candidate in the Internet search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and Balicasag Island, a popular breathtaking dive site which she herself had a look.
The President said Bohol, the tenth largest island of the Philippines, is one of the tourism centers of the country. Located in the heart of the Visayas, it is famous for the tarsier, the world’s smallest primate; pristine beaches and dive spots, caves and crystal springs, ancestral homes, and centuries-old churches.
In an earlier interview, Cusi and Mendoza said the Panglao International Airport would not only cater to tourists and cargo but is expected to boost trade, investments and economic activity in Bohol as it would be a magnet for industrial parks and economic zones.
AMID CRITICISMS
The multi-billion key infrastructure project also merited a good number of critics, one which is led by University of the Philippines Professor of Economics Ernesto Pernia and long-time airport critic and former Panglao Municipal Tourism Committee Chairman Agustin Cloribel.
Working against time in efforts to at least stall or scrap the project, Boholanos for Truth, Accountability and Reform (BOTAR) posted a paid ad in a local paper daring the provincial leaders to clarify issues involving the project.
Questions raised against the plan are its economic viability, serious environmental concerns, perceived corruption and dirty politics.
Governor Aumentado however shrugged off all these assuring that everything has been in order and that the government is doing its best to put up mitigations to outweigh the environmental issues against the economic and social benefits Bohol and the entire region can get from it. (rachiu/PIA)
by Misael | May 14, 2008 | Features
ANOTHER window opens with brighter prospects for Bohol as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), one of the country’s most recent sources of funds in development assistance comes here.
The Bohol visit though, is no indication that Bohol’s priority anti-poverty development projects would automatically funnel funds from the multi-million dollar grants portfolio that the MCC has been granting to the world’s countries thrashing out of poverty, MCC Vice President John Hewko says.
He stressed however that the Philippine is already eligible and a core team in Manila actually decides which projects, sectors or geographic area can be granted aid in the Philippines.
The Philippines has lately achieved MCC grant eligibility and all local development efforts needing assistance now compete for it.
On the other hand, Department of Finance Undersecretary Roberto Tan assured that the Philippine government would like to be very broad in its consultations to be able to come out with a framework that has the most impact to communities.
The MCC in Bohol also immerses the bigwigs of the US grant agency to the development innovations in Bohol, one which was presented to them by Provincial planning and Development Officer Atty. John Titus Vistal.
Hewko lauded Bohol presentation calling it excellent, and one of the best in their 20 or more provincial and city government interactions across the globe.
With the rave, hopes still remain high as MCC’s hinted that Bohol could hold an ace in its attempt to dip into MCC fund sources. MCC saw that its goals are consistent with Bohol’s development priorities.
In another show of unity and support, both Governor Erico Aumentado along with Capitol department heads and Vice Governor Hererra with his flank of legislators sat through the entire interaction held at the Chatto Conference Hall May 14.
In another presentation, Hewko cited that their corporation aims to provide greater resources to countries that are taking responsibilities in their own development.
He added that their assistance jibes with development as a key pillar in US policy aims.
According to Hewko, the MCC is a United States Government corporation designed to work with some of the poorest countries in the world.
MCC, he said is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people.
Its mission is to reduce global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth.
Citing local efforts, MCC said they are into helping countries with sound governance and economic policies, broad country ownership of development efforts and with clear objectives, measurable results and with a high level of transparency.
Bohol has all of these in place, MCC officials said after the presentation. (rachiu/PIA)
