"Jeep ni Erap" to tackle Mindanao development"
Balita News
will extensively discuss his administration's vision and programs to
accelerate Mindanao's transformation into the country's food basket and
primary business hub in his weekly radio-TV program "Jeep ni Erap; Ang
Pasada ng Pangulo" to be aired live this Saturday from Zamboanga City.
The hosting of his program from the Sarimanok News Network studio
will be the President's last activity in Zamboanga City Saturday morning
before he flies to Dipolog City.
Mr. Estrada went to Mindanao Thursday for a five-day official visit
to inspect development projects in the South and see for himself what
more needs to be done to speed up its transformation into a land of
peace, growth and prosperity.
Joining the President and co-anchor Ted Failon in tackling
Mindanao's development and future in the weekly program are guests
Secretary Robert Aventajado, presidential adviser on economic affairs
and chairman of the committee on flagship projects; Lt. Gen. Angelo
Reyes, commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
southern command; Mayor Ma. Clara Lobregat of Zamboanga City; and
Director Acmad Tomawis, head of the Office of Muslim Affairs.
The President is also expected to briefly discuss this week's
relevant issues, such as the celebration of the 13th anniversary of the
EDSA People Power Revolution, the suspension of the peace talks with
communist rebels, the state visit of President Suleyman Demirel of
Turkey, and the settlement reached by the Presidential Commission on
Good Government with the Marcoses and human rights victims who won a
class suit against the Marcos estate.
The President has vowed to fulfill his campaign promise of making
up for decades of government neglect of Mindanao by transforming the
island into the country's food basket and Southeast Asia's trade hub.
Complementing his administration's economic agenda for Mindanao is
the President's pledge to bring lasting peace to the South, where
sporadic attacks by extremist groups and secessionist rebels have
delayed the implementation of government development projects.
His administration is also undertaking a massive infrastructure
build-up in the South to speed up the delivery of goods and services to
and from the island, and help revitalize its agriculture sector and key
industries.
The Estrada administration's economic blueprint for resource-rich
Mindanao will be implemented alongside a sustainable development program
to help reserve the South's abundant natural wealth and lush
forest.(PNA) rgc /OPS/gcb
PNA 02261711