President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bares the results of her recent three-country visit during the regional media interview hosted by John Sapio of MBC Aksyon Radyo Iloilo Thursday Night in Barangay Tiring Elementary School Cabatuan Iloilo. With her are Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, 3rd District Representative Arthur Defensor, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr., and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde. (Alfredo Francisco/OPS-NIB Photo, Sept 25 2009 Photo 2)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the 15,000th Botika Ng Barangay in Cabatuan, Iloilo Thursday. With her are, from left Cabatuan Iloilo Mayor Ramon Yee, Presidential Legal Adviser Raul Gonzales, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. PGMA 3rd District Representative Arthur Defensor, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla. (Alfredo Francisco/OPS-NIB Photo, Sept. 25, 2009 Photo 1)

OPS Sept. 25, 2009

CABATUAN, Iloilo – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay here Thursday as part of her program to provide Filipinos access to cheaper but quality medicines.

Shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from her three-country global engagements, President Arroyo proceeded to this municipality to lead the opening rites of an important milestone in Philippine health care.

President Arroyo was welcomed by Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, 3rd District Representative Arthur Defensor, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Raul Banias, Department of Health Undersecretary David Lozada, DOH Regional District representatives and other officials.

She also briefly chatted with several residents who are direct beneficiaries of her Botika ng Barangay program, including Lorna Cabiloy and Merly Tilder who both thanked the President for the cheaper prices of medicines now available for their respective families.

The 15,000th outlet was installed at the Tiring Central Elementary School compound here. It is also the 17th outlet in Cabatuan alone. It will benefit at least 7,000 local residents from four barangays.

Residents can buy drugs at half the price in the outlet that contains 25,000 worth of medicines. Prices of medicines in Botika ng Barangay outlets are 62 percent lower compared to leading brands.

Medicines being sold in these outlets include over the counter medications for common household illnesses and selected prescription drugs. The half-priced medicines are proven to be essential in the alleviation of common illnesses and directly help ease the burden of high cost of living especially to those in need.

Botika ng Barangay is part of President Arroyo’s social program to make available frequently used medicines at half the price for the less privileged Filipinos, including senior citizens.

Cabatuan resident Lorna Cabiloy during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay. Video below.

PIA 2009/09/23

Iloilo City (23 September) -- "The launching of the 15000th Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in the country will provide easy access to cheaper medicines, not only to the poor residents of Barangay Tiring but also its neighboring communities".

This sentiment was both shared by Mayor Ramon Yee of Cabatuan, Iloilo and Genovevo Monticado, Punong Barangay of Tiring, in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.

Monticado said he was very happy when Mayor Yee told him about the project after it was presented to the local chief executive by the Department of Health (DOH) 6.

"Nalipay gid kami sang ginpresent ini sa amon ni Mayor and we are very thankful to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for this laudable project", said Monticado.

Brgy. Tiring is the biggest barangay in Cabatuan with a population of 2,411. It is 4 kilometers away from the town proper and 20 kms. away from Iloilo City.

DOH 6 Representative Mary Agnes Halili said the establishment of the BnB in Tiring will spare poor residents from traveling 3 kilometers just to buy cheaper medicines at Brgy. Gibuangan, Tigbauan where the nearest BnB is located.

Halili also said that to reach Brgy. Gibuangan, residents have to cross a river and when it is flooded they have to ride a banca.

Monticado said for a start, they will receive P25,000 worth of medicines from the DOH.

"Aside for the fact that our residents can now have easy access to low-priced medicines, the opening of the BnB also opened an employment opportunity in our community," the barangay chief said.

The BnB will be manned by a DOH-trained operator in the person of Anna Lina Leonor who will be assisted by Helen Alegria, both residents of Tiring.

Barangay Tiring is the latest addition to the 16 barangays in the town with existing BnB outlets and have benefited in the program launched by President Arroyo in 2003 aimed to ensure accessibility and availability of affordable medicines to poor people in the communities, including insurgency-affected areas.

DOH 6 reported that there are 1,604 BnBs in the region and 14,999 nationwide, as of September 22, 2009. (PIA)

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the opening of the 15000th Botika ng Barangay in the country in Brgy. Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo, September 24, 2009. With her are (from right) Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Congressman Arthur Defensor, Governor Niel Tupas and Secretary Raul Gonzalez. (PIA). Video below.

PIA 2009/09/25

Cabatuan, Iloilo (25 September) -- Regional Director Ariel Valencia of the Center for Health Development of the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas said the successful establishment of Botika ng Barangay (BnB) outlets in this municipality and elsewhere in the region is a recognition of the close collaboration between the local government units (LGUs) and barangays involved.

Speaking at the launching of the botika in Barangay Tiring of this municipality, September 24, Rivera said the willingness of parties involved to become partners in an endeavor that gives relief to people has led to the establishment of 1,605 BnBs in the region.

The tiring BnB became the 15,000th to be put up so far in the country since the project was launched in 2003.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo flew in to Iloilo shortly after arriving in Manila from a three-nation foreign visit to launch the project, which will make safe, effective, affordable, and quality drugs and medicines available to the people.

Making this kind of drugs and medicines available is part of the Half-Priced Medicines Program of President Arroyo, which has been further enhanced by he enactment of the Cheaper Medicines Law this year.

The partnership or collaboration is embodied in a memorandum of agreement that is signed by the DOH, local government unit, and BnB operator prior to the operation of the botika.

The agreement mandates the CHD-DOH to facilitate the acquisition by BnBs of supplies of drugs and medicines and extend other necessary support. For its part, the LGU shall assure space for the BnB, assist in providing pharmacist-supervisor for the BnB, and provide additional grant funds as may be needed.

The community spirit is one of the inherent traits of the Filipinos, which helps them undertake some projects or activities through self-help or the so-called bayanihan spirit. (PIA 6-JSC)

Cabatuan resident Glenda Singalicio during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay. Video below.

(OPS Sept. 25, 2009)

CABATUAN, Iloilo – Braving heavy rains, thousands of Ilonggo residents welcomed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with enthusiasm Thursday as she opened the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay at the Tiring Elementary School in Barangay Tiring here.

The residents thanked the President for the program aimed at providing cheaper but quality medicines for the poor.

Mateo Elementary School Principal Erna Arlanza was profused with gratitude as the Botika ng Barangay finally reached their community.

“Since the medicines being sold in the Botika ng Barangay OUTLETS are 50 percent lower compared to branded ones, it is a big help to most of us residents since majority of the people here are poor. The money that will be saved can be added to our daily needs,” Arlanza said.

According to her, people who buy maintenance drugs for hypertension and other diseases can greatly benefit from this effort initiated by the government.

Tiring Barangay Captain Genovevo Montecado was likewise all praise for the program, saying it is a big help to residents as they would no longer travel far to get affordable but high quality medicines.

Montecado said there residents have a hard time buying medicines in another outlet located three kilometers away because they need to cross a river just to get there.

The barangay captain noted that he can now buy his daily dose of multivitamins in the newly-opened outlet and save half the amount for his other needs.

Residents of Barangay Tiring during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay.

PIA 2009/09/25

Cabatuan, Iloilo (25 September) -- Mayor Ramon Yee led his more than 50,000 constituents in thanking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for putting importance on the health needs of Filipinos by establishing Botika ng Barangay in the country and launching the 15,000th outlet in their municipality yesterday, September 24.

The milestone botika is located in Barangay Tiring whose Barangay Health Station also serves as a service area for 5 adjacent barangays of the municipality.

In his message, Yee said he is happy for his people that President Arroyo made the day important and memorable for Cabatuananons.

Tiring Punong Barangay Genovevo Montecado was euphoric that his humble barangay was chosen by President Arroyo as one of the sites of the Botika ng Barangay project in the country.

Punong Barangay Enriqueta Prayre from nearby Barangay Cadoldolan, which is included in the catchment service area of Tiring’s barangay health station, had these words about the project: "Nalipay gid ako kag ang akon mga pumuluyo sa barangay nga may Botika ng Barangay nga marapit kanamon." (My constituents and I are happy that there is a Botika ng Barangay near our barangay."}

President Arroyo flew in to Iloilo for the launching of the milestone botika ng barangay shortly after arriving in Manila from a foreign trip that took her to Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a "Panayam sa Pangulo" with Iloilo broadcaster John Sapio during her visit to Cabatuan, the Chief Executive described her three-nation swing as very fruitful.

The botika serves as the distribution network the Half-Priced Medicines Program adopted by President Arroyo to make available to Filipinos cheaper but effective drugs and medicines in fulfillment of her State of the Nation Address (SONA) promise.

A total of 1,605 of this facility has already been established by the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas. Available in the botika are varied generic over-the-counter and at least 8 prescription drugs and medicines that are commonly bought by people.

Seventeen botikas have already been put up in the municipality of Cabatuan. (PIA 6-JSC)

15000th BOTIKA NG BARANGAY. DOH 6 Director Ariel Valencia (3rd from left) supervises the preparation of the 15000th Botika ng Barangay in the country in Brgy. Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo set to be launched by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, September 24, 2009. Also, in the picture are Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banas, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee (partly hidden) PIA 6 Director Janet Mesa, PMS 6 Chief Ruby Plagata and Tiring Punong Barangay Genovevo Monticado (partly hidden). (LAFrench/PIA)

PIA 2009/09/24

Iloilo City (24 September) -- The establishment of Botika ng Barangay (BnB) outlets nationwide is a major component of the "Half-Priced Medicines Program" that was adopted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to make available to poor Filipinos medicines that they commonly buy at cheaper prices.

It is also a fulfillment of a promise made by President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) early in her administration.

The botikas serve as the distribution network for cheaper medicines, which are now mandated by the Cheaper Medicines Law.

The 15,000th of these barangay-based outlets will be launched today, September 24, by President Arroyo in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo.

The particular BnB has brought to 1,605 the number of BnBs established by the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas.

As of this date, Western Visayas (Region VI) has the fourth highest number of BnB outlets in the country after Region I (1,061), Region IV-A Calabarzon (1,621), and Region III (1,679).

The BnB network is determined by the DOH in coordination with the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).

The Half-Priced Medicines Program gave rise to the Pharma 50 unit which operationalizes, manages and monitors the implementation of all DOH initiatives, programs and projects whose paramount objective is to achieve the reduction of price of drugs and medicines.

Another component of the program is the Parallel Drug Importation. This and the BnB go hand in hand with existing programs of the DOH to make drugs and medicines accessible to poor Filipinos at reduced prices including Generics Advocacy, Philippine National Drug Formulary, and Essential Drug Price Monitoring System.

The botika project was first implemented in 2003 in communities including insurgent-affected areas. Available in these stores are low-priced generic over-the-counter drugs and eight prescription medicines. The products are half of their 2001 prices. (PIA 6-JSC)

Cabatuan resident Merly Tilder (with mic) during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay. Video below.

Sec. Cerge Remonde's Column (OPS, Sept 29 2009)

Just how sincere President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is when it comes to attending to the health needs of our people was once more shown when right after arriving last Thursday from her ten-day three-nation swing that brought her to Turkey, London, and Saudi Arabia, our seemingly indefatigable president immediately proceeded to Cabatuan, Iloilo to inaugurate her administration’s 15,000th Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in Barangay Tiring here.

The BnB is one of the favorite programs of the president that has brought to the doorsteps of our poor much cheaper but quality most-sought-after medicines. The money saved can now be used for other equally essential needs.

Medicines being sold in these outlets are more than 50 percent less compared to regular outlets and include over-the-counter medications for common household illnesses and selected prescription drugs. Each BnB carries at least some P25,000.00 worth of medicines.

Each BnB has been estimated to serve an estimated 500 families. With 15,000 outlets all over the country, this means that the program now serves hundreds and thousands to millions of Filipinos, especially the poor and those living in conflict areas.

There are anecdotal reports of how BnBs have also augmented meager income of communities; have assisted in the schooling of some of the operators’ families, and; have made the health and lives better for many Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and some senior citizens who manage some of these BnBs.There are anecdotal reports of how BnBs have also augmented meager income of communities; As quoted by one BHW, “this is one government program that has really been felt by the people all the way down to the grassroots level.”

Tiring Barangay Captain Genovevo Montecado was all praises for the program, saying it is a big help to residents as the nearest drugstore there is three kilometers away and one needs to cross a river just to get there. “This BnB is certainly a great relief,” he said.

For now, the coverage level of BnB is one to three barangays (1:3), a target that the administration achieved ahead of time. But as the president said, “we are not stopping here and will vigorously continue until we achieve the level of at least one for every two barangays.”

Of course, to be assured that everybody is served, it is best to have one BnB per barangay. However, there are factors to be considered, such as: Population, distance of one barangay to another, efficiency in distributing the required medicines to the existing population, and the shelf-life of the medicines.

The president wants health care more affordable as one of her lasting legacies to the Filipino people. Only very recently, she signed into law RA 9502 or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 as part of her pledge of “universal access to essential medicines at half prices by 2010” in her 2001 SONA.

The president also expanded the health insurance coverage under PhilHealth where 92 million Filipinos or 86%of the population are now enrolled. She also ordered the formulation of Province-wide Investment Plan for Health, and launched the Health Education Reform Program (HERO) to address the health needs of students and children, among others.

There is not much time left in her term, but the president remains relentless in personally seeing to it that vital programs, especially those geared for the poor like the BnB, are on track.

Residents of Barangay Tiring during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay.

PIA 2009/09/24

Iloilo City (24 September) -- Matapos ang pagbisita ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa ibang bansa, pinangunahan nito ang pagbubukas ng ika-15,000 Botika ng Bayan sa Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Ang Botika ng Bayan ay kabilang sa mga programa ng administrasyon na naglalayong mapababa ang presyo ng mga gamot na madalas binibili ng mga mahihirap.

Ito ay ipinapatayo sa iba't-ibang bahagi ng bansa upang mabigyang serbisyo ang mahihirap na mamamayan sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Health (D-O-H) at Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC).

Ang nabanggit na programa ay bahagi ng Half Priced Medicines Program na nilikha ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ng National Drug Policy-Pharmaceutical Management Unit (NDP/PMU 50).

Sa pamamagitan umano ng Botika ng Bayan program, makakabili ang mga mamamayan ng murang gamot kung saan aabot sa 62 percent ang pwedeng matipid ng mga ito kung ikukumpara sa ibang botika. (Lgtomas/PIA 12)

Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias briefs PIA 6 Director Janet C. Mesa on the activities and preparations set for the September 24, 2009 visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo to launch the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay. (PIA6/T. Villavert)

PIA 2009/09/23

Iloilo City (23 September) -- From her successful trips to Turkey, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to proceed in this province today, September 24, for the launching of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in the country at Brgy. Tiring in the municipality of Cabatuan.

Launched in 2003, the BnB formed part of President Arroyo's efforts to reduce the cost of medicines commonly bought by the poor to half of their 2001 prices and make them available nationwide through the "Half-Priced Medicines Program".

Based on the record of the Department of Health, as of September 22, 2009, a total of 14,999 BnBs are established in various parts of the country.

The same record showed that DOH Center for Health Development (CHD) I-La Union has established 1,061 BnBs; CHD II-Cagayan Valley, 400;CHD III-Central Luzon, 1,679; CHD-IV-A Calabarzon, 1,621; CHD IV-B Mimaropa, 885; CHD V-Bicol, 374; CHD VI-Iloilo City, 1,604; CHD VII-Cebu City, 663;CHD VIII- Tacloban City, 801; CHD IX-Zamboanga City, 595; CHD X-Cagayan de Oro City, 985; CHD XI-Davao City, 750; CHD XII-Cotabato City, 357; CHD-CAR, 608; CHD-NCR, 613; CHD-CARAGA, 367; and ARMM, 283.

There are also 892 Kabalikat ng Botika Binhi (KBBI) outlets and 462 pharmacies by the National Pharmaceutical Foundation established nationwide according to the DOH.

The KBBI are funded by the members of the Peso for Health with counterpart from the local government unit.

The DOH, in coordination with the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) was tasked to lead the distribution network of medicines being sold at the BnB outlets.

Medicines that can be accessed at BnBs are low-priced generic over-the counter drugs and other prescription drugs such as for diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

According to Ed Vreeke, GTZ-EC consultant, for BnBs, assessed that have been operating for at least 2 years, some 85 percent remain functional serving around 500 patients per month per outlet. Earnings from the BnB run to an average of P14,000 per year. (PIA)

Department of Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay.

(OPS Sept. 25, 2009)

CABATUAN, Iloilo –There will be no increase in private hospital fees, after all.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the announcement here Thursday night following an agreement reached between government authorities and private hospital administrators.

In a regional media interview hosted by John Sapio of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) Aksyon Radyo, President Arroyo said that Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla was able to persuade administrators of private hospitals to forego their service fee increases.

In return, they will be given discounts and rebates from pharmaceutical companies.

Padilla, accompanied President Arroyo here along with Executive Secretary Ermita, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde and other members of the cabinet.

He said that his meeting yesterday with the Philippine Hospitals Association (PHA) and the drugstores association took place last Wednesday.

Private hospitals has warned the public of the of the increase, saying they need to recoup their losses arising from the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law.

Prompted by Tuesday’s action of private hospitals, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III challenged private hospitals to open their financial books to back up their claims.

Last August 15, the government implemented a 50-percent reduction in the prices of selected medicines under the maximum drug retail price (MDRP) system and a 10 to 50percent price cut on other drugs through the government-mediated access price (GMAP) program. The programs were fully implemented last September 15.

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO discusses the benefits that the residents of Brgy. Tiring will avail of from the Botika ng Barangay (BnB) such as low-priced and quality medicines during the Regional Media Interview held as part of her visit in Brgy. Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo to open the 15000th BnB in the country, September 24, 2009. Joining the President are (from left) DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, the host John Sapio, Congressman Arthur Defensor, Governor Niel Tupas, and Lorna Cabilin, a BnB beneficiary. (LAFrench/PIA)

(OPS Sept. 25, 2009)

CABATUAN, Iloilo – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attributed the country’s fiscal resiliency to her administration’s sound economic reforms that cushioned it from the effects of the global economic slowdown.

In a regional media interview hosted by John Sapio of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) Aksyon Radyo here Thursday, President Arroyo pointed out that government’s effective coordination of fiscal and monetary policies proved beneficial to the economy, steering it away from recession.

Speaking in Hiligaynon, the Chief Executive thanked the lawmakers who passed the value added tax reform because the government now has money to invest in human and physical infrastructures.

She added that the economic growth posted in the first semester of this year can largely be credited to the government’s speedy implementation of the Economic Resiliency Plan which included measures aimed at generating jobs through infrastructure spending and supporting the poor through conditional cash transfers.

President Arroyo noted that the country’s labor market has remained resilient despite the global economic downturn because 980,000 jobs were generated in net employment as of July this year.

She noted that a total of 304,933 have been employed nationwide through the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of the government.

CLEEP is the administration's nationwide effort intended to protect the country's most vulnerable sectors --- such as the poor, returning expatriates, workers in the export industry, and out-of-school youths, from threats and consequences of reduced or lost income as a consequence of the global economic crisis --- by providing emergency employment and funding and supervising livelihood projects.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrives at the Iloilo Airport September 24, 2009 to open the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay (BNB)in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo. The rain was not a hindrance to the implementation of the government's initiative aimed at achieving the reduction of price of drugs and medicines.(PIA6/T.Villavert)

OPS 2009/09/23

CABATUAN, Iloilo -- Shortly after arriving from her three-country visit, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will immediately return to business by leading the opening rites of the 15,000th Botika ng Bayan here tomorrow afternoon.

The President will be welcomed by Iloilo Governor Neil Tupas, Sr. and Health Undersecretary David Lozada, Jr.

She will then have a brief talk with Botika ng Bayan beneficiaries and observe the selling of medicines in the outlet.

After the opening rites, the President will proceed to a regional media interview and then attend a reception hosted by Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, Tiring Barangay Captain Genovevo Monticado, and Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Ariel Valencia.

Botika ng Bayan is a program initiated by government in 2001 to reduce by half the cost of medicines commonly bought by the poor and to make them available nationwide through a distribution network determined by the DOH in coordination with the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC).

It is part of the Half Priced Medicines Program where the government created the Pharma 50 unit, an adhoc unit that is currently called the National Drug Policy-Pharmaceutical Management Unit (NDP-PMU 50).

Through the Botika ng Bayan program, reduction of prices of drugs and medicines has been achieved where savings can reach up to 62 percent as compared to leading brands.

Department of Trade Secretary Peter Favila during the Panayam Sa Pangulo held in Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo on Sept. 25, 2009 in conjunction with the opening of the 15,000th Botika ng Barangay.

OP Friday, 25 September 2009

ILOILO CITY (PNA) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s recent foreign trips further put the country’s economy afloat amid the global economic crisis.

President Arroyo, during the "Panayam sa Pangulo" held at Tiring Elementary School in Cabatuan, Iloilo Thursday afternoon said even her previous foreign trips had helped “secure important trade opportunities and foreign investments” thus resulting in “eight years of uninterrupted economic growth.”

President Arroyo and Trade Secretary Peter Favila shared the benefits of their recent trip to the United Kingdom with the residents of Barangay Tiring amid heavy downpour.

President Arroyo said that they talked with new and expanding investors to ensure that their investments in the Philippines will continue as she clarified that “because of the global financial crisis, some corporations cut off some of their investments.”

During the interview hosted by broadcaster John Sapio of Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo, President Arroyo shared that they were able to secure the nod of four giant investors.

These include the Bronzeoak which also operates the first bio-ethanol plant in San Carlos, Negros Occidental.

Favila said the company will invest another P6 billion for the establishment of its integrated bio-ethanol plant in Capas, Tarlac and another P1.5 billion for the putting up of a distillery in San Carlos.

Another giant investor, the T-mobile, which is the biggest phone subscriber in United Kingdom, chose to invest in the Philippines instead of other off shoring centers like India, according to Favila.

The T-Mobile is set to establish its customer operations center in Manila, he added.

Two other investors are the Rio Tonto, the fourth biggest mining corporation in the world and the Metals Exploration.

The Metals Exploration will be putting in 200 million dollars worth of investment in northern Luzon. Already it has invested 50 million dollars in the conduct of a feasibility study.

President Arroyo was in Cabatuan Thursday for the inauguration of the country’s 15,000th Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in Cabatuan.

The President, during the interview, said that investors informed her that they did not encounter any incident of corruption while they were processing their documents in the country.

Favila noted that the Philippines is known in the United Kingdom as one of the countries with a strong economy in Southeast Asia.

President Arroyo was joined by several Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and other local officials during the said event.

After the short media interview, President Arroyo proceeded to the Hotel del Rio where she had a private meeting with several local officials here. (PNA)