WOW Philippines, Byahe Tayo sa Pinas This Summer.

http://www.tourism. gov.ph /media_source/ byahetayo. wmv

Inspired by Live Aid, USA for Africa, then DOT Secretary Dick Gordon tapped into the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit(OPM) among others to volunteer their talents in helping promote the Philippines amidst a negative image of kidnappings, Abu Sayyaf, SARS, etc.

The original video was aired on TV in 2003 and cd's were released in 2004.

To quote the cd flap:

"21 artists, 5 recording days, 1 song, One Country."

WOW PHILIPPINES Byahe Tayo!
The Bonamine Travel Advocacy Campaign.

Acknowledgments:

The Department of Tourism and Bonamine of
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare would like to thank the
following artists who joined the Artists for
Philippine Tourism and lent their talents, voices and
images at no cost in production of this music video
in support of DOT's and Bonamine's"WOW
Philippines Byahe Tayo" campaign to promote domestic
tourism:

Freddie Aguilar Ogie Alcasid
Apo Hiking Society Joey Ayala
Rico Blanco Jong Cuenco
Sharon Cuneta Janno Gibbs
John Lesaca Francis Magalona
Jolina Magdangal Nina
Rico J. Puno April Boy Regino
Lea Salonga Paolo Santos
Rey Valera Mike Villegas
Jessa Zaragosa

We would also like to acknowledge the
contributions of Rene Nieva, who wrote the lyrics for
the song; Rico Blanco, Mike Villegas and Angelo
Villegas, who did the musical arrangements and Noel
Nieva, who directed the making and editing of the
music video.

Please feel free to copy and send to your
relatives and friends to help in promoting the
Philippines as a travel destination for Filipinos and
foreigners alike.

Tara na, byahe tayo sa 'Pinas!

http://www.tourism. gov.ph /media_source/ byahetayo. wmv

Also on Youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRbwijlFmfo

Maximization of SCTEX infrastructure

"The new expressway connecting Subic and Clark and all the way up to Tarlac (SCTEX) is very positive news for the country, said Senator Richard J. Gordon, founding Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Gordon explained that the SCTEX completes what he calls the 3-2-1 development plan for the regions of Central and North Luzon.

"We are now providing potential locators the option of using the three airports of Manila, Subic and Clark plus the two seaports of Manila and Subic and the new expressway connecting all three major economic centers. This is but the first phase of a national development plan that we have been advocating since 1980," said Gordon.

Gordon stressed, however, that building the physical infrastructure alone is not enough to spur economic growth. The local government units in the area should already segregate or allocate lands along the new highway for the creation of economic zones and industrial parks. Coupled with special incentives, plus an aggressive marketing effort and effective public relations strategy, this formula will attract the expected foreign and domestic investments and businesses.

In addition, Gordon called on the local government units concerned to act fast and work immediately on laying down support structures such as power, water and other utilities as well as determing definitive prices per square meter of land and the other costs of doing business.

"The 3-2-1 development plan, once harnessed to its full potential, will spread economic growth to Pangasinan in the near term but also bring higher levels of development to Laoag in Ilocos He also pointed out that this will not only provide much needed jobs and business opportunities for people in the area, it will also help in decongesting Metro Manila and thereby magnify the impact of these infrastructure projects.

Speaking from experience, he shared that this was the strategy he implemented when he took over Subic.

"Subic was a wasteland under hundreds of tons of ash after Mount Pinatubo erupted. There were practically no jobs left after the bases closed. We ignored the defeatist mentality of the time, we overcame with the help of a forward looking plan for promotions and development, and with the support of thousands of hard working volunteers we made Subic into a major magnet for tourism and investment in Asia," said Gordon.

Faster Senate Probes Sought

Witnesses must be required to execute an affidavit before appearing in Senate investigations to minimize lying and prevent the Senate from going on a wild goose chase, Sen. Richard Gordon said yesterday.

“I don’t want the Senate to go on a fishing expedition all the time, especially on sensational cases such as the broadband deal because we deprive the people of the ability to understand and follow what is happening,” he said.

Gordon said the procedure would also keep Senate investigations from dragging on with no definite direction.

“It is important that we have a piece of paper where we can really look over and have a basis for questioning,” he said.

“We will be able to prepare ourselves; we would not be surprised and no other parties will be surprised.”

Gordon said yesterday Senate rules provide that any witness may submit a written statement even if not under oath to the appropriate committee not less than 24 hours before the hearing.

“In other words, the filing of statements is merely discretionary,” he said.

“I have filed Senate Resolution 321 to amend this rule by making the submission of sworn statements mandatory in all inquiries that may involve criminal prosecution later.”

Gordon said senators would ask the questions for the deposition and the witness would be locked to his statement.

“At the end of the sworn statement, they will say nothing more,” he said.

“If they introduce in their testimony a new element not found in their deposition, then they should explain why they did not mention this earlier.”

Gordon said his proposed amendment to the Senate rules is from the Rules of Court promulgated by the Supreme Court for use in courts nationwide.

“The evident purpose is to enable the parties to obtain the fullest possible knowledge of the issues and facts before the start of the trials and prevent them from being carried on in the dark,” he said. – Aurea Calica

Gordon eyes faster Senate probes
Monday, March 10, 2008
Philippine Star
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080309116

Modernizing Weather Forecasting

SENATOR Richard Gordon has sought the modernization of the country's weather forecasting system to minimize damages by natural disasters.

In filling Senate Bill (SB) 2080, Gordon proposed the acquisition by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) of the state-of-the-art-of-war weather and geophysical equipment and facilities within the next six years.

It is imperative, he said, for the Philippines to have a modern weather forecasting and warning system because of the numerous disasters that hit the country every year.

"These natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, and landslides, and earthquakes place in great danger the safety and lives of our citizens and cause considerable damage to property," Gordon said.

Under the bill, Pagasa shall adopt a four-pronged modernization program such as establishment of regional weather service centers in strategic areas across the country to broaden Pagasa's bases for delivery of services to each region; modernization of physical resources and operational techniques through the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, with emphasis on weather and flood monitoring and warning system and agro-meteorological observation system to strengthen services for agriculture; intensification of human resources development to keep pace with rapid international scientific and technological advances; and upgrade of research and development capability through amore rationalized and integrated approach, with focus on improvement of operations, and specialized services development for cost recovery.

Gordon said funding for the project will come from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). The bill also grants Pagasa the authority to enter into loan agreements with, or accept grants and donations, from foreign and local financial institutions.

The proposed measure also gives Pagasa elbowroom to adopt a sustainable cost recovery program like getting subscriptions for its specialized weather information and other scientific data.

The bill also proposes the creation of a modernization oversight committee to monitor implementation of the project. The secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will chair the committee, with members coming from the Senate and the House of Representatives. (CPB/Sunnex)

Monday, March 10, 2008
Sun Star Manila
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2008/03/10/news/lawmaker.seeks.weather.bureau.modernization.html

Calamba, Laguna Typhoid Fever Relief

A medical mission geared toward providing residents with free check-up and medicines like hyposol is currently being carried out by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) together with the city health office, the television report added.

PNRC chairman and Sen. Richard Gordon personally checked with the victims from Barangay Sucol, where more than 900 people had already been hit by the virus.

A separate radio report quoted local village officials in Sucol as even noting a curious trend there where the victims being rushed to hospitals were mostly pregnant women.

The organization is also holding a series of forums where health experts and government officials speak and provide pointers to locals for the prevention of the deadly disease.

Gordon has vowed to send in more tents and beds for the ailing patients.

200 suspected typhoid patients swamp Laguna health facilities
GMA itv
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/83763/200-suspected-typhoid-patients-swamp-Laguna-health-facilities
03/07/2008 | 02:59 PM

Women’s Day remembered, Magna Carta needed

Senator Richard Gordon noted that the 36th session of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in August 2006 had raised as a principal concern the Philippines’ lack of progress in enacting a comprehensive legal framework on gender equality. He added that this concern was raised 25 years after the Philippines had ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW.

“The Magna Carta of Women aims to address this concern,” Gordon said.

The measure defines discrimination, addresses gender issues in health, education, training, livelihood, employment, political participation, media, marriage and family relations and property ownership.

Gordon added, “It also provides for the adoption of special measures to protect women’s human rights and allow women to realize their full human potentials alongside men.”

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/08/yehey/top_stories/20080308top7.html

FEATURE

Women’s Day remembered, bills forgotten

By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter Manila Times 3/8/2008

EO 464 Revocation and MC 108

Senator Richard Gordon said Malacañang’s decision was correct. “It should never have been issued,” he said.

He also said that the revocation of EO 464 should include the scrapping of MC 108. Gordon said EO 464 stemmed from the invocation of MC 108.

EO 464 REVOCATION
Senators also want Memorandum Circular 108 scrapped
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:54:00 03/05/2008 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080305-122968/
Senators-also-want-Memorandum-Circular-108-scrapped

Senate decides against accepting SC proposal
By Hannah L. Torregoza
Manila Bulletin
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080306118669.html

Snap Polls not in Constitution

Sen. Richard Gordon said snap elections are not allowed under the 1987 Constitution.

“Even if the Constitution is amended now to allow snap elections, it could not be immediately applied to the [Arroyo] administration. A law is prospective, never retroactive, or it becomes an ex post facto law,” he argued.

Gordon said even if snap elections are called, the winner would serve only the unfinished term of the incumbent, not the full six-year term.

GMA keeps to her schedule
despite heckling incident
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/04/yehey/top_stories/20080304top6.html