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Monday, July 28, 2008
Arroyo vows Pinoy survival from global crisis
MANILA (3rd Update, 5:42 p.m.) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo explained to the Filipino people how revenues from the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) would help the country survive from the global economic crisis.
In her report to the nation Monday afternoon, the President said removing the tariff on oil products would reduce the country's chances of coping with the global crisis.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"Because tough choices were made, the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have money to care for our people, to pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes," Arroyo said.
This is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions. For starters, it is hard to identify villains, unlike in the 1997 financial crisis, she added.
"To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world. Yet even as we reach out to those who need, and who may need us, we strive for greater self-reliance," said Arroyo.
She added: "How do we solve these many complex challenges? Special care and attention in this hour of need."
The country must first have a targeted strategy with set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing. Second is food self-sufficiency; less energy dependence; and greater self-reliance in our attitude as a people and in our posture as a nation. Third, short-term relief cannot be at the expense of long term reforms. "These reforms will benefit not just the next generation of Filipinos, but the next President as well," she said.
Arroyo stressed the importance of VAT in facing all these challenges. VAT is important because debts were reduced, enough funds for the masses and infrastructures being built, she said.
"Take VAT away and you and I abdicate our responsibility as leaders and pull the rug from under our present and future progress, which may be compromised by the global crisis," said Arroyo.
The government has persevered, without flip-flops, in its much-criticized but irreplaceable policies, including oil and power VAT and oil deregulation, Arroyo said.
Government critics have been calling for the removal of VAT to help the people cope with rising prices of fuel and other goods.
On texting
In the same speech, she announced a 50 percent cut in the rates of text messages following talks with telecommunications companies.
Arroyo said texting is a way of life and she has asked telecommunications companies to lower the cost. "It is now 50 centavos per text," she said.
However, an advertisement by Smart, one of the telecommunications company, stated that the 50 centavos text to other networks is only for a limited time and one has to register daily.
The promo will end by October 22, 2008.
Typhoon aid
"We released P1 billion for the victims of Typhoon Frank," she said Monday.
Her administration supported a supplemental Western Visayas calamity budget from VAT proceeds, as a tribute to the likes of Rodney Berdin, 13 years old, of Barangay Rombang, Belison, Antique, who saved his mother, brother, and sister from the raging waters of Sibalom River.
Cheap NFA rice
The President also announced the availability of P32 per kilo commercial rice in the market. She said National Food Authority (NFA) rice is among the region's cheapest.
"While we can take some comfort that our situation is better than many other nations, there is no substitute for solving the problem of rice and fuel here at home. In doing so, let us be honest and clear eyed - there has been a fundamental shift in global economics," Arroyo said.
We are providing seeds at subsidized prices to help our farmers, she further said.
Rice production since 2000 increased an average of 4.07 percent a year, twice the population growth rate.
Family Planning
By promoting natural planning and female education, Arroyo said the government has curbed population growth to 2.04 percent during my administration, down from the 2.36 in the 1990's, when artificial birth control was pushed.
"Our campaign spreads awareness of responsible parenthood regarding birth spacing. Long years of pushing contraceptives made it synonymous to family planning. Therefore informed choice should mean letting more couples, who are mostly Catholics, know about natural family planning," she said.
The President also calls on government workers, national and local, to be more responsive and accountable to the people. " This is a time of challenge. Let's be more helpful, more courteous, more quick."
"I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people's well-being. Hindi ko papayagang humadlang ang sinuman sa pag-unlad at pagsagana ng taong bayan. I will let no one - and no one's political plans - threaten our nation's survival," she said. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (July 28, 2008 issue)
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