| Service to the poor projects replaces usual grand parade in Independence Day fete |
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| By PNA | |
| Thursday, 12 June 2008 | |
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MANILA, June 12 (PNA) -- Instead of the usual grand parade, the government chose today to commemorate the country’s 110th year of independence from colonial rule by investing in "service to the poor" projects. In her speech keynoting the event held at the Rizal Park this morning, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said this move is in line with this year’s Independence Day theme, "Republic Service, Tungo sa Ganap na Kalayaan at Kaunlaran." "This year we have decided that in keeping with how we are trying to conserve our resources so that we can give direct service to the people during this period of high world prices of oil and food, we have decided to dispense with the parade and use the budget instead to give direct service to the poor," the President said. "Kaya binibigyang diin ang tema na ‘to, ang nangingibabaw na tungkulin ng ating pamahalaan na paglingkuran ang mamamayan upang mabigyan ng katubusan ang mahaba nating pakikibaka para sa kalayaan at upang magkaroon ng kaganapan ang pambansang kaunlaran," she added. Indeed, this year’s commemoration of the Philippines’ Independence Day was marked with an array of projects, programs and lots and lots of kiosks offering livelihood projects which the people could avail of. And in the middle of it all is the Sentro K3 (Kaisahan, Kagalingan at Kalayaan ng Bayan), a showcase of job fairs, sports and cultural activities, medical assistance, technology transfer seminars and demonstrations, which the President formally opened today. Aside from the above-mentioned programs, the Sentro K3 also showcases agri-aqua fairs and exhibits and other special services and assistance extended directly to the people by various government agencies participating in the event.
Specifically, the programs under the Sentro K3 are: -- MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) booths: Offer MSME services, award microfinance checks to beneficiaries and training scholarships to the people. -- Ang Galing-galing Natin: A showcase where all participating government agencies provide interesting exhibits cum lectures and audio-visual shows about government programs. -- Bayan Ko, Lapit sa Puso Ko: A pro-poor program where all participating government agencies provide services to the public, including jobs, housing, health and investments. -- Wow, Pinoy Ngayon: A showcase of Filipino talents in sports, entertainment, sciences and culture. -- Food Trips: The best of Filipino food at affordable prices, will food stalls strategically located in and around the venue. -- Lakad-Aral sa Liwasan: Free park tours for visitors. -- One Town One Product (OTOP): A program of the Department of Trade and Industry promoting the best of Philippine products form the different regions of the country. The President personally visited these stalls after her speech to get a first-hand look at the kind of services being offered to the people. (PNA) |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 ) |
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