Good Newsarchives.pia.gov.ph/press/download/gn110724en.pdfGood News July 24, 2011 Vol.1 / No.13 Updates from Government Agencies 2 Presidential Communications Development and Strategic

Good NewsUpdates from Government Agencies

SONA EDITION

July 24, 2011

Vol.1 / No.13

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office

FOR the second time, the President will be reporting to Congress and the Filipino people the State of the Nation. In only a year, the new administration has cleaned house, eliminated waste, and put in place the foundations for a more prosperous, peaceful, and progressive future.

Whether it is maintaining fiscal discipline, allowing P12 billion in savings to fund socio-economic services

not included in the 2011 Budget, or addressing the energy needs of the Visayas by increasing generation

capacity by 610MW and establishing a Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the shortcomings of the past are being addressed with political will in the present.

All these and more are with a view to putting in place policies and programs that will lead to inclusive growth for the future. In addition, a green future for

* Unlawful use of sirens

Without Wang Wangstransportation is closer to becoming reality with the adoption of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NEVS) in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Another example of this combination of thrift, focused spending, and reforms, is the reduction of rice imports by 80%: from 2.02 million MT in 2009-2010 to 386,243 million MT for the same period in 2010-2011; while building 1,814 km of Farm-to-Market Roads for farmers to bring their bumper crops to market. All this in a society marked by fewer incidents of rebel activity, as well as the continuing identification and prosecution of suspects in extrajudicial killings.

This has been a year of renewal for our country. As the administration embarks on its second year, there is more reason for citizens to travel on the straight path towards growth for all, as public confidence in our damaged institutions is restored.

Government funds socio-economic services with P12B in savings

DEFT management of expenses and fiscal prudence, as a result of the Aquino government’s Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach, has resulted in savings used to fund projects not included in the General Appropriations Act of 2011.

Continued on page 3 Continued on page 4

A just and lasting peace through a closure pact between the government and CPLA

SINCERITY and good faith are what the Aquino government brings to the table as it works to resolve decades of armed conflict with communist and separatist groups.

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Good NewsUpdates from Government AgenciesJuly 24, 2011 Vol.1 / No.13

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office2

A cleaner way forward through electric tricycles

A partnership between the Aquino government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has established a national strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of road transport in the Philippines.

The National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NEVS) is being implemented to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila was the first local government unit to receive 20 electric tricycles (or e-tricycles) for testing and demonstration.

These “green” vehicles have a seating capacity of six to eight passengers and run on rechargeable batteries. Charging takes about 20 minutes and drivers can charge their vehicles in four charging stations throughout the city.

The e-tricycles will allow drivers to save money intended for buying conventional fuel and will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On top of this, the ADB has committed $500 million to support the e-tricycle project.

Later on, the strategy calls for introducing a wide range of electronic vehicles, such as tricycles, jeepneys, buses, and cars with the help of local entrepreneurs and technical experts.

The Department of Energy (DOE) envisions that the promotion of e-tricycles will spur development of local capabilities to design and maintain small-sized electric cars. This will entice private investors to set-up local manufacturing facilities that will lead to the creation of more jobs and a dynamic market for locally assembled units for export to the ASEAN region in the future.

A parallel effort is the Fueling Sustainable Transport Program (FSTP) that seeks to convert public and private vehicles from conventional to alternative fuels. These include compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electric power. With ADB funding, the DOE, through the FSTP, likewise, aims to launch a series of pilot runs of electric and LPG jeepneys, as well as demonstration runs of electric buses and cars to show their viability in the country.

In the long run, DOE expects to reduce the number of gasoline and diesel-fed transport vehicles in the country by 30% by 2020, providing a cleaner way forward for Philippine transportation.

President Aquino rides in the prototype e-tricycle steered by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos for the inaugural test drive during the Launching of E-Tricycle at the Mandaluyong City Hall Grounds. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)

DOJ and PNP team up to solve extrajudicial killings

IN fulfilling a promise to end the impunity of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), the Aquino government is pursuing the delivery of justice for victims. It has established a special Task Force to review cases, expedite investigation, and speed-up the prosecution and resolution of cases.

Since its creation under the Department of Justice (DOJ) in December 2010, the Special Task Force on Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances has reviewed 187 cases of alleged EJKs. It is currently supervising the handling of 69 cases, 63 of which have already been filed or are pending in court while six cases are undergoing preliminary investigation.

According to the DOJ, there were 178 reported cases of unexplained killings before the Aquino government took over. From July 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011, there were a total of 15 cases of EJKs. Of this number, cases have been filed against the perpetrators of eight incidents of EJKs, while seven EJK incidents are still under investigation by the Task Force.

Meanwhile, Task Force Usig of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which is tasked to handle and review cases of alleged EJKs perpetrated since 2001, is currently handling 162 extrajudicial cases. Of these, 102 have already been filed in court, 59 others are undergoing investigation, and one case is already considered closed.

To augment efforts, the PNP distributed a “Handbook on Personal Security Measures” to media practitioners for protection against personal threats and danger.



Government funds...(continued)

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the ZBB enables the government to identify and terminate programs that no longer deliver intended outcomes. Consequently, the savings generated from these terminated programs were transferred to programs that are performing well and priority programs in education and health. Due to the prudent management of public funds, the government has been able to provide P12 billion in funding for other key social and economic services that were not included in the 2011 National Budget. The P12 billion in savings went to the following programs: •P2 billion to the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to address the fuel requirements of its Small Power Utilities Group to avert the fuel shortage in off-grid islands across the country;

•P450 million for the government’s fuel subsidy for public utility jeepneys and tricycles to offset the impact of rising fuel prices;

•P850 million for the salaries of 10,000 registered nurses hired and deployed to poor rural communities in the country;

•P4.2 billion to build 20,000 houses for the military and the police;

•P727 million to cover the transport costs of 86 rail carriages donated by the Japanese government to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Corporation and to rehabilitate the PNR line from Manila to Naga City;

•P423 million for the acquisition of the US Hamilton class cutter, which will help strengthen the perimeter security within the Malampaya area;

•P2.8 billion to cover the implementation of the third tranche of the Salary Standardization III (SSL 3) for government employees;

•P99.92 million to pay for the differential in salaries of judges as a result of SSL 3; and

•P568 million for the implementation of the PAMANA program to benefit conflict-affected communities.

As part of the ZBB approach, the DBM is also gradually transferring Special Purpose Funds back to the departments for greater accountability, making the Priority Development Assistance Fund more transparent.

The Aquino government is committed to investing in physical and social infrastructure for the Filipino people. It is likewise committed to inclusive governance that shares the gains of its improved fiscal position with all stakeholders.

Rice imports drop 80% as agriculture sector rebounds

ATTAINING rice self-sufficiency is the central goal of the Aquino administration’s Food Staples Self-Sufficiency Roadmap (FSSR) for 2011-2016, which also serves as the country’s blueprint for food security.

A report from the Department of Agriculture (DA) shows an improved agricultural output and lesser dependence on imported rice for the first year of the Aquino government.

The agriculture sector as a whole grew by 4.2% in the first quarter of 2011 from a negative growth of 1.08% in the first quarter of 2010. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics reported a 4.04 million metric ton (MT) palay production from January to March 2011, or 15.6% higher than the 3.49 million MT produced in the same period last year.

Expansion in palay harvested area, availability of irrigation water and services, and aggressive advocacy of the DA in the implementation of its Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project, which distributes high quality seeds to qualified palay farmers, contributed to the increase in palay output.

Meanwhile, the country’s rice importation dropped significantly by 80% from an import volume of 2.02 million MT from July 2009-June 2010 to 386,243 MT from July 2010-July 2011.

According to the DA, the decrease in volume of actual rice import arrivals can be attributed to the good harvest and the comfortable stock position of the country. Likewise, rice shipments were scheduled better.

Looking forward, buffer stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA) will consist mainly of palay purchased from local farmers – a long-standing demand of the rice farmers.

In 2010, the total rice imported was 2.38 million MT. For this year, the government will import 64% less than the previous year or 860,000 MT, with 200,000 imported by the government, and 660,000 by the private sector. For 2012, rice imports are expected to further decline to 500,000 MT, with 100,000 imported by the government while 400,000 imported by the private sector.



A just and...(continued)

After only a year in power, this administration has made unprecedented headway in the peace process. The Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), for instance, finally signed a closure pact with government after nine months of dialogue. The former armed group has now committed itself to peace and socio-economic development, ending almost a quarter century of hostilities in Northern Luzon.

Resumed negotiations with Communist and Muslim rebels have also borne results. A report from the Department of National Defense (DND) notes a significant

President Aquino and CPLA Chair Arsenio Humiding, with CBA President Marcelina Bahatan, exchange symbolic tokens as part of the Galigad ceremony—a traditional gesture which symbolizes the passing-on and acceptance of responsibilities. The CBA/CPLA offered a hand-woven G string ensemble while the President handed over a capiz peace sculpture that represents the merging of two peace symbolsCory’s yellow ribbon and P-Noy’s dove. (OPAPP)

decrease in the number of incidents initiated by the New People’s Army (NPA) in view of the ongoing peace process with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). The same report also showed a decrease in the number of attacks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), from 97 in the first semester of 2010 to only 42 in the same period of this year.

As the peace process moves forward, the Aquino government remains committed to forge just and lasting peace for the nation.



Visayas power supply stable, cheaper, and more reliable under Aquino administration

AFTER just a year in power, the Aquino government has made significant progress in providing stable and sustainable energy in the Visayas.

According to reports from the Department of Energy (DOE), power availability in the Visayas during the previous administration was significantly lower than demand. This resulted in crippling power outages and a dip in business confidence. Before commissioning new power plants under this government, the power supply capability of the Visayas was only 1,043 megawatts (MW) compared to the demand of 1,164 MW.

With three new power plants that increased the Visayas generation capacity by 610 MW, the region now has a surplus power supply of about 600MW. These power plants are the 246 MW coal-fired power plant of the Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC), the 164 MW clean coal-fired power plant of the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC), and the 200 MW coal-fired power plant of the KEPCO Salcon Power Corporation.

On top of ensuring that power availability outpaces demand, the DOE has also lowered electricity rates and provided a reliable supply of electricity in the region through the establishment of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

WESM Visayas has also provided good market signals for investors. Currently, there are already 180 market participants for the integrated Luzon and Visayas market. On the other hand, the Effective Settlement Price (ESP) in the WESM for both Luzon and Visayas from January to April 2011 ranged from a high of P3.33/kWh in February 2011 to a low of P2.30/kWh in March 2011. These prices are lower than the NPC regulated price of P4.6727/kWh. This is a big reduction from the 2010 ESPs which ranged from a high of P10.63/kWh in March 2010 to a low of P3.63/kWh in August 2010. Having more players in the market translates to a more stable and reliable supply of electricity, as well as better power pricing for the benefit of consumers. With the commercial operations of the WESM in the region, power outages have been lessened as it allowed even the power plant’s generating capacity, not covered by bilateral contracts, to be dispatched by trading its capacity in the power spot market. This kind of set-up provides better market condition and structure to entice more investors to address future power needs.

The Aquino government continues to build on its significant gains in the energy sector. On top of government efforts, the DOE has also noted increased and constant investor interest to provide long-term solutions in terms of power sustainability for the Visayas.

Aquino administration safeguards Filipino workers overseas

TENS of thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been affected by political upheaval and natural calamities all around the world. Throughout every crisis, the Aquino administration assures its countrymen that they are not alone in facing these ordeals.

In all these areas, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) came to the aid of OFWs through repatriation, consular missions, and the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund.

During uprisings in the Middle East and the nuclear disaster in Japan, assistance amounting to more than P281 million, through the ATN fund, was provided to OFWs in distress. The Philippine government also repatriated a total of 10,369 OFWs from crisis-ridden areas from January to June of this year.

On top of these, Filipinos in transit countries were provided with food, accommodation, transportation, necessary travel documents, temporary visas, immigration assistance, and connecting flights.

In response to the earthquake, tsunami, and reported nuclear leaks in Japan last March 2011, the government initiated mandatory repatriation of Filipinos living within the 50-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear

Power Plant. The Philippine Embassy in Japan, through close coordination with the host government, mobilized response teams within 48 hours to the affected regions and conducted multiple deliveries of basic relief goods to the affected cities. Five consular missions relocated 147 Filipinos to Tokyo and housed them in four relocation centers. The consular missions also provided relief goods to those who did not wish to be relocated. The government also provided assistance to the 2,000-strong Filipino community in Christchurch, New Zealand who were affected by the earthquake in February 2011. In addition, assistance was provided to the families of the 10 Filipinos who died from the disaster. The Embassy in New Zealand also delivered emergency supplies and relief goods such as water-sterilizing tablets, canned goods, snack bars, biscuits, and other foodstuffs, while coordinating with the families of the Filipino victims who were travelling to New Zealand from the Philippines for their travel documents and arrangements. The team also assisted in searches for missing persons and assisted in the repatriation of the remains.

Filipinos abroad sacrifice so much to provide for their families back home. This government is committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare.



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Roads and tramlines boost agricultural infrastructure

TO lessen the nation’s dependence on imports, the Aquino government has placed top priority on agricultural development and, after just one year in office, gains are already being seen.

From July 2010 to May 2011, a total of 1,814 kilometers (kms) of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) were constructed using funds from the Department of Agriculture (DA). In addition, 687 kms more FMRs were completed under locally-funded and foreign assisted projects during the same period.

Overall, a total 2,501 kms of completed FMRs now provide better access to markets and social services, and boost economic activity. These strategic roads allow goods, products, and services to easily flow in and out of barangays. According to the DA, government is also constructing roads of better quality. Noting the frequent damage to FMRs caused by severe flooding in many areas, in July

2010, the President issued an order replacing gravel projects with quality roads that last longer.

Beyond roads, a total of 65 tramlines were completed, connecting remote areas to FMRs from July 2010 to June 2011. The DA disclosed that these tramlines cut the cost of hauling by half, from P2 to P1 per kilogram of produce and reduces hauling time from hours to just a few minutes.

A prime example is the 400-meter tramline at Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet, which reduced hauling time from two hours to just five minutes. Inaugurated in April 2011, farmers now pay only P1 per kilo of produce to cover the cost of diesel fuel, engine maintenance, other repairs, and allowance for the tramline operator.

Infrastructure is crucial in the delivery of agricultural produce and farm inputs. The Aquino government continues to show it is serious in developing this critical link in the country’s agricultural network.

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