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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Arroyo allocates P10 billion to fight poverty
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered Monday the allocation of P10 billion, including $120 million (P5.4 billion) worth of Chinese-funded projects, to finance programs that would fight extreme poverty.
Arroyo, in her speech at the regional workshop on the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia, said the amount would be used to generate jobs, livelihood, and basic services to eradicate extreme poverty.
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The President ordered the China Projects Oversight Panel, which is co-chaired by Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, to earmark an initial $120 million for programs and projects drawn up by local officials and national agencies to uplift areas and communities suffering from extreme poverty.
Arroyo said communities that would benefit from the projects would be identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission in consultation with the bishops and non-governmental organizations.
She added that areas with a high incidence of severe hunger and/or high unemployment serve as top priority. She said the projects should be proposed by year’s end for the 2008 launching.
Arroyo also ordered the Cabinet to prepare for the speedy implementation of programs and projects for next year, as approved by Congress.
“The aim is to earmark about P5 billion worth. Along with China projects to be proposed under my earlier instructions, a total fund of P10 billion would be mobilized to fund extreme poverty,” she said.
She also directed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to submit to Malacañang a list of areas where projects would be launched in tandem with local peace initiatives.
This developed as President Arroyo inaugurated the Barangay Food Terminals and Bagsakan Center at the Pritil Public Market in Tondo, Manila where Filipinos living near the area can go for affordable food items.
Arroyo led the ribbon-cutting and was assisted by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Representative Benjamin Asilo.
The activities also included the commemoration of World Food Day ’07, a global initiative of nations calling for worldwide realization of the human right to adequate food.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (October 16, 2007 issue)
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