Aside from the diplomatic breakthrough among China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, the agreement is expected to boost the energy independence program of the Arroyo administration.
At a time of soaring prices of oil in the world market, it really makes sense for the Philippines to forge strategic alliances with its neighbors and allies in ensuring stable energy supply, not only in the country but in the whole region.
Let us hope that this research venture is successful so we can move on to the next stage of actual exploration.
When that happens, the South China Sea will become, in the words of President Gloria, a sea that unites rather than divides.
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President Gloria just completed a three-day swing of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Jolo, and Lamitan, Basilan.
In a bid to strengthen security of land tenure among deserving Filipinos, President Gloria distributed Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADT), free patents, and Certificates of Land Ownership and Acquisition (CLOA) to recipients in Dumincag, Zamboanga del Sur, and Pagadian City.
Stressing that property rights are civil rights, the President handed out titles to covering tens of thousands of hectares.
As the name suggests, the CADTs cover areas which are considered ancestral domains.
Free Patents are original titles to lands of the public domain, outside ancestral domains, which are declared as alienable and disposable. They are processed by the DENR through the Bureau of Lands.
CLOAs, on the other hand, cover former large landed estates parceled out to CARP farmer beneficiaries.
President Gloria observes that wherever she has handed out titles, a perceptible change among the beneficiaries happens. She is amazed at how lot occupants start beautifying their homes and improving their homelots once they receive their titles.
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We have heard of the tenpoint legacy program which for quick recall, President Gloria has summarized in the acronym BEAT THE ODDS. B for balancing the budget. E for education for all. A for automated elections. T for transport and telecoms infrastructure. T for termination of hostilities with the MILF and NPA. H for healing the wounds of EDSA 1, 2, and 3. E for electrification of the barangays and energy independence. O for opportunities for livelihood and employment. D for decongesting Metro Manila and DS for developing Subic and Clark as a vital logistics hub for Asia.
Now the President has put a definite time line for the implementation of her agenda.
Phase 1. Consisting of the first 12 to 18 months of her current term, will focus on fiscal reforms. This consists of passing revenue measures, plugging corruption leakages and rationalizing the power sector.
Phase 2 will encompass the second and third years of her term. This phase will emphasize the upgrading educational standards and lowering the cost of food. The primary focus will be on education, food production and infrastructure development.
Phase 3 will focus on achieving a critical mass of success with the rest of the 10point agenda during the second part of her term, building on the foundation provided by the earlier phases.
Transforming the vision to reality will require the help of everyone, including you and me.
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We can not understand the US State Department. Citing increase in terrorist threats, the department is about to propose the inclusion of the Philippines in a dirty money laundry list. But just a few weeks back, US Ambassador Ricciardone was saying that precisely the reason for proposed aid cut in the Philippines is the abating terrorist threat. Clearly, the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.
Note: Previous articles may be accessed through www.news.ops.gov.ph/palace_bunye.html
