by anyajulia | Aug 19, 2008 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (East Timor) signed three agreements with the Philippines on education, marine and fisheries, and diplomat training and development.
The three agreements were signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta.
The first Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was on Academic Cooperation that will strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance between the Philippines and Timor Leste in the provision of education and professional training.
This include Academic networking and exchanges as well as reciprocal access to institutions of higher education; trainings and exchange of academic staff, teachers, experts and students; among others.
The second was on Marine and Fisheries Cooperation which shall promote cooperation in the sustainable development and responsible management of marine life as well as encourage consultation and greater cooperation on agreed areas of fisheries.
The third agreement signed was on the Training and Development of Timor Leste Diplomats at the FSI.
This MoU provides for the acceptance of junior diplomats of Timor Leste into the FSI’s Foreign Officers’ Cadetship Program and FSI’s other training programs. (PIA/Bohol)
by anyajulia | Aug 19, 2008 | Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently set aside some P786 million for the Coconut Industry Investment Fund Safety-Net Program (CSNP), said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
According to Yap, another P86 million is allotted for the upgraded insurance program that would benefit some 1.02-million coconut farmers nationwide.
The amount earmarked by President Arroyo is in line with her State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), to raise farm productivity, particularly, for the coconut sector.
Yap also revealed that the DA and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) are carrying out a P107.94 million program to intercrop corn in coconut plantations across the country.
He explained that said intercropping project is a component of the President’s Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) that aims to revitalize new or idle coconut farms and to increase the income of coconut farmers, on top of producing and making available more food for low-income families.
PCA Administrator Oscar Garin disclosed that last year, over 100,000 farmers benefited from a P100-million corn intercropping program of the DA in Bicol and other parts of Luzon.
This year, the PCA is carrying out three short- to long-term initiatives that will involve the massive fertilization, intercropping and planting of coconut to sustain the growth of this top Philippine export, Garin said. (PIA/Bohol)
by Misael | May 23, 2008 | National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has named Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to be her new spokesman in a concurrent capacity when Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye officially leaves Malacanang on July 3.
The President revealed this at the Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa where the Cabinet meeting was also held earlier in the day.
The President arrived in Bohol to lead the capsule laying ceremony of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
Bunye, concurrent Presidential Spokesman, has already been appointed to the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) effective July 3.
Ermita has long been conducting his weekly media briefing in Malacanang. (PIA/Bohol)
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 | 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)
