Government of Maribojoc: Travel, Business and News

History unfolded anew when exiting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her successor President-elect Benigno Aquino III met Wednesday at Malacanang Palace during a symbolic gesture of unity in moving the country forward further.

“It signifies unity and continuity,” exiting Press Secretary Crispulo “Jun” Icban said on the side of the traditional courtesy call Mr. Aquino paid on President Arroyo that day.

He noted both leaders’ camps made this courtesy call part of activities leading to Mr. Aquino’s inauguration later that day as the country’s 15th head of State.

President Arroyo descended Malacanang Palace’s main staircase for the last time as head of State and headed towards the foyer to receive Mr. Aquino who arrived around 10:20 a.m. for the courtesy call.

They exchanged pleasantries briefly amidst cheers from people who witnessed the courtesy call then proceeded to ride in the presidential car that took them to Rizal Park for Mr. Aquino’s inauguration.

For the event, President Arroyo wore an ecru-colored Filipiniana gown with butterfly sleeves.

Mr. Aquino donned the traditional “barong” in almost the same shade as his predecessor’s gown.

His courtesy call followed the fellowship dinner President Arroyo and her Cabinet had at Malacanang the night before.

Vice-President Noli de Castro said members of the Cabinet enjoyed then reminiscing about their experience working under President Arroyo’s administration.

He’s also thankful for the opportunity to serve in government.

Exiting Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza recalled the President as having mixed feelings during the fellowship night.

“She was very loving that night,” he also said on the courtesy call’s side.

Posted By Christine S. Parinas, Our Contributor

Regional Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo assured the public of the availability of NFA rice to last a few months despite the threat of prolonged drought brought by the El Niño weather pattern this year.

RD Paqueo said that 128,750 bags of imported rice on board M/V BINH PHOUC and 120,000 bags unloaded from M/V VINH HUNG respectively from Thailand and Vietnam arrived recently at the port of Surigao City to beef up the stock inventory of the region. He also disclosed that the third vessel is due to drop anchor this week with a shipment of 130,000 bags of Vietnam rice in Surigao City port.

This supply, he said, is part of the 1.6 million bags expected to arrive in the region this year. The region’s share in the rice importation has increased by 300,000 bags from the original procurement plan of 1.3 million bags as part of the El Nino mitigation plan. These rice imports will also cater the needs of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Province of Dinagat Islands.

With the regional consumption rate of 22,800 bags on the average daily, the NFA can sustain the market demand for the next 127 days. “With this inventory, we are capable of flooding the market with the commodity (and prevent) attempts to manipulate price and (put) consumers at a disadvantaged position,” said Paqueo.

He also noted that while prices of commercial rice have gone up slightly, NFA rice continues to be sold at P18.25 and P25 per kilo. “It is the agency’s commitment to make NFA rice available and visible in the market in order for the consumer to buy rice at low prices”, he said.

Malacanang spokespersons for the last time face the Malacanang Press Corps for their final media briefing on Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said that in his 9 years of service under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he found out that there was no room for ‘lazy people” in the Arroyo government.

”Bawal ang tamad. Ito ang natutunan ko sa siyam na taong pananatili sa Arroyo government [There is no room for laziness. This I learned in my 9 years of serving the Arroyo government],” Mendoza told Palace reporters.

He also said that sometimes, Mrs. Arroyo ‘raised her voice’ but it did not mean that she was personally angry to the official but she only wanted to ensure that her projects could be finished on time.

Presidential Management Staff chief Elena Bautista-Horn described the President as a hard-working president and like any other individual, she also encountered ‘bad moods’ especially when she found that the projects were not finished on target.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Charito Planas said that she had seen 12 presidents and that no one could beat President Arroyo in terms of being a well-focused and a 24/7 hardworking chief executive she had ever known.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said that he had already enumerated all the achievements of President Arroyo in the book “Beat the Odds”.