27.4 billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway saying it will spur the development of Clark and Subic zones. The President will attend a morning mass at the centuries-old San Agustin Church in Lubao, a practice she keeps for her birthdays. Several Cabinet members are expected to join the President in Lubao and extend their birthday greetings.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the birthday of the President will be "an ordinary working day" as she has ruled out any lavish parties. "President Arroyo wants it simple. It will be an ordinary working day for her," he said.After the Lubao visit, Arroyo will return to the Palace to preside in the National Anti-Poverty Commission meeting with top government officials. Before flying to the Vatican City to attend the funeral for Pope John Paul II, the President will also host a dinner tonight for the delegates of the 11th Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly in the Palace.
In a press conference during a visit to Clark, Pampanga, the President reiterated that her only wish was for Filipinos to unite amid the economic challenges besetting the nation. "As I said earlier, my birthday wish is unity for the country and success in the fight against poverty," she said.
The President has shrugged off her recent poor approval ratings, calling it the political price for the urgent fiscal reforms she is implementing.Pulse Asia said the approval rating of Arroyo fell to 38 percent, the lowest level since she took office in 2001, mostly due to her perceived inability to curb the rising prices of basic goods, corruption in government, and to improve peace and order.
Arroyo said she was trying to sustain economic growth in the face of rising oil prices while cutting government expenditures. She also pushed for the passage of the value added tax hike bill in Congress to boost revenues and prevent a fiscal crisis in two yearsOn the eve of her birthday, the President was presented by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) with songs, dances, and an art exhibit at the presidential museum in the Palace.
NCCA Executive Director Cecile Alvarez said the song "Kurakot" by Alex Socorro, the grand winner in the NCCA songwriting contest in celebration of the National Arts Month, was launched during the birthday asalto for the President. It was sung by Louie Camo and interpreted by the EarthSavers DREAMS Ensemble, Katribo performing group, and KALAHI Baseco Boys.
Around 30 Pampanga-based artists also opened an exhibit at the museum underscoring the importance of culture and art education in fighting poverty and corruption. It was presented as a birthday gift to the President.
Arroyo leads groundbreaking rites for expressway project
By FRED M. ROXAS
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — President Arroyo yesterday led the groundbreaking for the R27.4-billion, 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway project, citing that the infrastructure will spur the development of Clark and Subic economic zones.
"I believe this is the future of Clark and Subic economic zones," Arroyo said at the United Parcel Service (UPS) Intra-Asia Hub at its 3rd anniversary celebration.
Arroyo said that the new highway will benefit Filipinos in terms of generation of jobs and opportunities for government better services.
At the groundbreaking ceremonies, Arroyo was accompanied by Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman General Narciso Abaya, Presidential Adviser for Clark and Subic Francisco Licuanan, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Antonio Ng, CDC Chairman Rizalino Navarro, and Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
Arroyo also said that the expansion of the UPS Intra-Asia Hub in Clark will enhance the development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as the future international airport in the country.
She also said that low budget airline carriers will start daily flights at the DMIA starting this month.Arroyo said that Clark and Subic would be the logistic and competitive hub in Southeast Asia where UPS hasexpanded its cargo hub operations as far as Osaka, Japan.
David Abney, president of UPS International, said that the firm is the largest cargo service hub in Asia, adding that UPS will conduct 24 weekly flights at the DMIA to service Asia and Japan.Abney said that UPS is committed to providing world-class service to the Asian region.BCDA Chairman Abaya also said that the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway project will start this month and is expected to be completed in the 3rd quarter of 2007.Abaya said that the project will cost about R27.4 billion, including the taxes and the payment for the right of way and civil works. (Fred M. Roxas)
