PIA Dispatch (25 May 2010)

PGMA leads father’s centennial

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga –- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this morning led ceremonies commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of her father, President Diosdado Macapagal, during her visit to this province.

The President formally opened the photo exhibit of the former president entitled “The Life and Times of President Diosdado P. Macapagal: A Photo Exhibit” held at the Angeles University Foundation here.

The exhibit showcases a collection of 100 photographs that essays the life of President Macapagal, who is lovingly called “Apung Dadong” by his Cabalens, as a student, a lawyer, a family man and as a public servant.

The exhibit, which coincides with the 48th founding anniversary of the AUF, also features books and other personal mementos written by Apung Dadong, who celebrates his centenary on September 28.

Through the exhibit, the AUF aims to perpetuate the legacy of Apung Dadong as a stateman imbued with untainted integrity, extraordinary honesty and unquestionable commitment to duty.

In her speech keynoting the event, the President expressed her thanks to the University for their efforts to keep the memory of her father alive.

“Our family is grateful that you remembered Diosdado Macapagal not only as President of the country but very fondly as Chairman of the Board of Directors until his death in 1997,” the President said.

“Thank you for honoring his legacy not only as Chairman of the Board but also as President. His legacy is now going to be remembered because you are helping enable Filipinos for generations to come to his life and times, and his contributions to the Filipino nation, and to be able to remember both memories from an objective and historical point of view, and also through those who knew him during his lifetime,” she added.


Palace hopeful of presidential proclamation before June 12

Malacanang is hoping Congress can proclaim the country’s next President as scheduled before June 12 this year.

In a media briefing at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Rogelio Peyuan said government is hoping Congress will promptly finish its canvassing which is being keenly awaited by the public as well as the other winning candidates.

Earlier Congress targeted to start canvassing for the presidential and vice presidential positions on June 4.

Congress will convene in a joint session today to sit as National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) to thresh out the rules for the start the formal ballot canvassing tomorrow.

Peyuan said the House of Representatives and the Senate have given assurances to proclaim the new President hopefully “on June 10 or 11.”

Currently, Peyuan said the present administration continues with its governance activities while all government agencies were earlier tasked by the President to form their respective transition committees for the smooth turnover to the next administration.


Reduced tariff for crude oil, petrol products

The National Economic Development Board (NEDA) agreed today to eliminate the tariff on crude oil, refined petroleum products, asphalt, rolled coils and other products to help stabilize prices and rein in inflation.

Trade Secretary Jesli Lapus said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) made the recommendation and was thoroughly discussed at today’s joint Cabinet- NEDA meeting presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City.

Lapus said the tariff reduction for crude oil and refined petroleum products is from three percent to zero that will reduce the pump prices of gasoline and diesel.

For hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils, Lapus said the recommendation is removing tariff from seven percent to zero in the light of the expected rise in the price of galvanized GI sheets in the world market.

“This is a revenue loss for the government but a gain resulting in a lower cost of living for the public,” Lapus said.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the elimination of tariff will result to some P3.4 to P4 billion annual loss in government revenues.

Teves said a draft Executive Order is now being prepared for the President’s signature to include tariff reduction on mixed alkylbenzene (3 to 1 percent); monofilament yarns (10 to 1 percent).

He said tariff on rice will be reduced from 40 percent from 2010-2014 and 35 percent on 2015.

Teves said tariff on sugar will be reduced to 38 percent in 2011; 28 percent in 2012; 18 percent in 2013; 10 percent in 2014; and 5 percent in 2015.

Aside from these products, Teves said tariff on refined coconut oil will be reduced from 10 percent to zero and this product will also be moved from the sensitive list to the normal track of preferred tariff in consistent with the tariff reduction agreement among the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).