PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the acceleration of the government’s key infrastructure projects to “maintain growth” amid a slowdown in exports and remittances due to the “rapid appreciation of the peso.”

In signing Administrative Order 206 on October 30, the President cited the “slowdown in the growth of exports and remittances due to the rapid appreciation of the peso” and the fact that “delays are being reported in many Super Region infrastructure projects”

The President ordered the so-called Super Region champions, Cabinet members assigned to oversee the implementation of important projects in specific regions, to intensify “infrastructure monitoring and fast-track work and bidding, while ensuring transparency, then meet construction targets for the year 2007.”

Under AO 206, the Department of Budget and Management will coordinate with implementing agencies for the prompt release of funds for Super Region projects, so that most infrastructure outlays are obligated by January 2008.

The President also ordered the Pro-performance System and the Procurement Transparency Group to begin operations for proper monitoring, agency advisories and remedial action for infrastructure work.

Among the Super Regions champions are Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Central Philippines Super Region;  Edgardo Pamintuan, Luzon Urban Beltway; Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, Mindanao; and  Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap,  North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle.

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the acceleration of the government’s key infrastructure projects to “maintain growth” amid a slowdown in exports and remittances due to the “rapid appreciation of the peso.”

LOCAL paper manufacturers are asking the government to stop the export of recovered or waste paper as this is diminishing their raw materials that eventually forces them to source from abroad, which is more expensive.

MILITANT fishermen’s groups vow to step up their legal efforts to stop the scheduled start of exploratory oil-drilling operations next week by a Japanese company in Tañon Strait between the islands of Cebu and Negros.

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is currently studying the possibility of extending direct lending to local government units to help improve the bank’s assistance and portfolio performance in the Philippines.

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has created the Philippine Film Export Services Office (PFESO) to help turn the Philippines into an ideal international film and television location site and, at the same time, generate interest in local films abroad.