Forty-eight hours away from walking out of the palace, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo still had her hands full.

In a brief visit to Bohol after leap-frogging from Manila to Ilo-ilo and then to Ubay, Bohol, the working president still needs to let people know that the government is not just coasting to a stop until the next administration picks up the speed.

With time running short and still instilling the government’s dream for Bohol, PGMA used two persons’ help.

Instead of speaking the benefits of the rehabilitated Ubay Roll-On Roll Off (RORO) Port in Bohol’s northeastern side, a construction worker and a businessman did it for her.

William Tadle, a heavy equipment operator of the construction company rehabilitating the P364M port said he had fed his family and found the work he needed to get through life decently.

Ubay port construction phase 1 was done when the country suffered from fiscal scrimp brought about by collapsing world economies in early 2009.

The project, contributed immensely to the government’s comprehensive livelihood and emergency employment program by allowing local employment, said Ubay town information Officer Virginia Dupa.

Tadle and many other workers constructed the port back up area, reinforced concrete pier, roll on roll off ramp, dredging and disposal, port mooring and fendering systems installation and port lighting facilities installation.

In fact, even after phase I, Tadle was still hired to lend heavy equipment support for the construction of additional back up area and thus make a 1.7 hectares more of port working area, according to Marra Builders, the winning bidder for the mega infrastructure project.

On the other hand, Ruben Hamili, a Cebu based agri food supplier said the port helped in getting their hog-lines and poultry feeds supply in time to their outlets in Bohol.

Then, the shipment of stocks from Cebu to their outlets in Bohol takes about four to five days, now its two days or even overnight, assuring their customers of the freshest products, he said in Cebuano in front of the President and some crowd of 3,000.

With the construction of a wider back-up cargo storage areas, businessmen like Ruben Hamili now have the option to transport goods right at their customers doorsteps or have them stocked at the port storage areas to cut on transport costs, says a project media briefer.

The Philippine Ports Authority funds Ubay Port, a component of the country’s Strong Republic Nautical Highways and makes travel by goods and people across the islands fast and affordable while allowing the growth of local tourism.

Ubay Port serves RoRo vessels plying the Ubay-Hilongos, Ubay-Maasin and Ubay-Bato routes, while it opens the possibility of Ubay-Dinagat, Ubay-Nasipit and Ubay-Baybay.

The President, who was not expected to speak in Ubay engagement, gamely took the microphone and asked the two guys to tell the people their stories.

Going out of the palace on Wednesday bearing a stain of criticism for corruption, records would show that the Arroyo Administration has built more that two pervious administrations combined, states Ganito Tayo Noon material printed in major national dailies late last year. (PIA-Bohol)

In her last foreign trip before she hands over the leadership to the next President on June 30, Mrs. Arroyo will grace the opening of the Philippine Pavilion in the Shanghai Expo in China, considered the largest international trade and technology festival in the world.

The opening of the country’s pavilion coincides with the celebration this month of the 35th Philippines-China Diplomatic Ties and 9th Philippines- China Friendship Day.

The Philippine Pavilion was designed to emphasize the theme “Performing Cities,” and showcases the artistic skills and traditions, as well as the economic indicators of urban life in the world, said Philippine Consul-General in Shanghai Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez.

With a theme “Better City, Better Life,” the Shanghai Expo emphasizes the opportunity to explore city life as a crucible for social improvement.

The Expo, participated in by 194 countries, runs from May 1 to October 31, 2010. (PIA-Bohol)

Especially in insulating the Philippine economy from the roller-coaster global forces, said Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza .

According to Dureza, the President’s economic programs are now being replicated in other countries shaken by the US economic meltdown.

They particularly took notice on the president’s program on EVAT, which have greatly benefited the poor.

Dureza accompanied the President in her five-day visit to China for the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing of 45 leaders of Asian and European countries. (PIA/Bohol)

Matud pa ni Dureza, huna-huna ra kana sa mga taga-oposisyon nga kon madayon ang pag-usab gikan sa pederal nga sistema sa kagamhanan gikan sa “presidential” pina-agi sa pag-usab sa batakang balaud, dili moluwat sa pangatungdanan si Presidente Arroyo inig-abot sa tuig 2010.

Ang pagduda nabunga tungod sa pagsuporta sa Presidente sa resolusyon number 10 sa Senado nga gipangamahan ni Senador Aguilino Pimentel, ug uban pang 16 ka senador, lakip na si Senador Manuel Villar.

Gipasabot ni Dureza nga misuporta ang Malakanyang sa maong resolusyon tungod kay haum kini sa tinunga sa kagamahanan ug mga pilipino aron makab-ot ang autonomiya ug kalinaw, labina sa Mindanao.

Ang resolusyon mipatawag og usa ka “constituent assembly” sa kongreso sa pag-usob sa batakang balaud; ug tin-aw usab nga wala niini misay-say nga palawigon ang termino ni Presidente Arroyo, dugang ni Dureza.

Ang problema nga nakita kay sobra ra ka-ayo ang kritisismo ug ka-negatibo sa panghuna-huna sa uban nga usahay makaingon sa pagkalangan sa mga lakang ug reporma sa kagamhanan, alang unta sa kaayuhan sa katawhan, dugang ni Dureza.

Gipahinumdum usab sa Kalihim nga daghang mga okasyon nga milabay nga gipalanug sa presidente nga moluwat siya sa pangatungdanan sa pagtapos sa iyang termino sa tuig 2010. (PIA/Bohol)

The President was particularly pleased with information from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that the political exercise registered a high 80-percent voter turn-out, and was relatively free of violence and complaints.

This is in total contrast to previous elections in the area that were marred with violence, complaints, controversies, and alleged disenfranchisement of voters.

Congratulating the Comelec, the President also congratulated the police and military authorities for their support which made violence almost non-existent; and most importantly the residents of ARMM who, by their active participation, showed that democracy reigns supreme.

The Parish Pastoral for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and other NGOs concerned, were present and monitored the process can attest to the positive results of the exercise.

The “automation of election” is third in the President’s 10-point legacy agenda on socio-economic and political reforms, also known as the Beat-the-Odds program.

We have now seen the future of the Philippine electoral process, and it works, the president said. (PIA/Bohol)

“We express our full support to Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to China to further strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and China,” said the FFCCCII in a statement signed by FFCCCII president John H. Tan.

The Chinese business group stressed that the President’s Aug. 7-10 China visit “will pave the way for more investments in the Philippines with the scheduled business meetings between the Philippine delegation and Chinese businessmen.

“President Arroyo’s attendance at the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony upon the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao also manifests the importance we give to foster our friendship with China and a good opportunity for President Arroyo to give encouragement to our Filipino athletes who will participate in the Olympic Games,” Tan said. (PIA/Bohol)

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told a press briefing that the President directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake the audit.

He said the President wants to ensure that oil and power companies are fully compliant with the Oil Deregulation Law, and that the lowering of oil prices in the international market are correspondingly reflected in the local market.

For his part, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said that the President directed Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to conduct a “more strict audit of oil firms” during the joint National Price Coordinating Council and National Food and Energy Council (NPCC-NFEC) meeting.

The President wants the claim of oil and power companies of “under recoveries” verified through strict auditing procedures, Remonde added. (PIA/Bohol)

The President made the announcement during the courtesy call of Team Philippines on her at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall.

An Olympic gold medal would be first for the Philippines. The country has been participating in the World Games for 84 years, or since 1924, but has come up with only nine medals, none of them gold.

The Philippine Olympic Commission had earlier announced that the athlete who wins the first Philippine Olympic gold will receive P10.5 million, but the President added P4.5 million, to make it P15 million.

The President also gave $1,000 allowance to each of the athletes.

In this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing from Aug. 8 to 24, the Philippines is sending 15 athletes who will compete in eight sports disciplines: boxing, taekwondo, shooting, archery, diving, swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.

Reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao was appointed by the President as the country’s special Olympics envoy and flag-bearer during the parade of nations. (PIA/Bohol)

One of the President’s economic advisers, Salceda explained that the ”concern of the President is how to bring down the cost of power, especially for the poor amid the spiralling price of oil in the world market.”

He said the government must not only review the Independent Power Producers (IPP) contract of Meralco but must conduct a ”general review of all IPPs contract.”

”A review of the IPPs, I think, that’s the best policy,” Salceda added.

Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo batted for the reduction of power rates and called for support of her advocacy for the lowering of electricity charges. (PIA/Bohol)

This happens as she leads the inauguration rites of the Central Seaboard of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).

The SRNH, the Administration’s brain child involves funding the putting up of Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) ports system aimed at perking up inter-island farm trade.

The SRNH also hopes to improve flow and distribution of basic goods and services, reduce travel time and transportation costs as well as promote domestic tourism.

Set in the Central Philippines, thus Central Seaboard, the government funded key improvement projects on intricate network of roads and ports in various regions in Luzon and the Visayas to Mindanao to finally unite the country’s three main islands groups.

While the country has a backbone Maharlika highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao, travel of unprocessed farm goods by land has put up huge losses, one that makes it not as economically viable option for farmers, shippers have complained.

With the SRNH opening up its Central seaboard, the delivery of basic goods and farm produce like vegetables and livestock is easier, more economical and efficient as travel time and costs to and from destinations are considerably reduced, government sources said.

With the Central Seaboard opened, travelers and farm produce from the north going to the south can now take the Bulan Sorsogon to Masbate City ferry, then motor to Cawayan, Masbate where a ferry is again available for Bogo, Cebu.

From Bogo, it would be a land trip to Cebu City where the port has a ferry to Tubigon, Bohol.

In Tubigon, Bohol, one can take the land trip to Jagna Bohol where one exits Bohol to Mambajao Camiguin, and then to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.

In Bohol, the Presidential convoy would be met by well wishers by the roadsides, banners, streamers with the famed presidential brands “Labanan ang Kahirapan” and “Ramdam ang Kaunlaran.”

As early as Saturday, April 26, posters have been noted along Bohol’s coastal roads where the caravan is slated to pass.

The president’s party would be passing through Tubigon, Calape, Loon, Maribojoc, Cortes, Tagbilaran, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez to Jagna, while going through about a little more than a hundred kilometers of highway also known as the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Projects.

The President in her previous speeches had pointed out that aside from the convenience of shorter travel times offered to travelers with the routes of the SRNH, spoilage of farm produce has been lessened which in turn has translated to larger income for farmers.

She also said that the increase of visitors to the various tourist spots around the country is also a by-product of the SRNH.

She noted that local and foreign tourist have been enticed to take the “scenic” route on their way to the country’s numerous tourists destinations.

According to the President, the SRNH is a good example of where increased revenue collections from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) Law has gone to good use.

Meanwhile, just as the President takes the inaugural run, sectors especially in the transport industry have openly lobbied for support to the SRNH.

“There is great investment opportunity and potential in the Road RoRo Terminal System component of the SRNH,” a President of a key government financial facility said.

“I would like to encourage our stakeholders; the shipbuilders, local government units, and private sector investors; to avail of financing opportunities, he pressed.

Moreover, the Development Bank of the Philippines is putting up its Sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP) which is intended to modernize the processing, storage, delivery, and the distribution of grain harvest and perishable goods of traders and farmers from Mindanao and Luzon. (rachiu/PIA)