ROSAL, ROCES, TEN OTHERS PROCLAIMED WINNERS IN LEGAZPI CITY POLLS

LEGAZPI CITY — The Board of Canvassers (CBOC) here has formally proclaimed the newly elected officials in this city on Wednesday (May 12), at 12:57 a.m. at the Ibalong Conference Room here.

Geraldine Rosal, wife of incumbent Mayor Noel Rosal, won the mayoralty race garnering 56,930 votes against Lorna Cristobal, 31,959 votes. Incumbent Councilor Vitorio Roces, on the other hand, was elected vice mayor with 32,887 votes against Michael Imperial who got 31,288 and Ismael Buban, with 20,978 votes.

Newly elected city councilors are Rolly Rosal with 46,891 votes, Jim Andes - 36,017, Cerilo Chan - 34,050, Alex Sy – 32,221, Chito Baldo – 31,596. Chito Ante – 31,516, Melissa Abadeza – 28,462, Oscar Santillan – 28,343, Alan Rañola – 27,955 and Elmo Inzon – 27,613.

The incumbent city dad meanwhile said that with this turn of events, he will give strong support and assistance to the new mayor-elect, particularly on the major and sensitive decisions.

He likewise said that the huge number of votes garnered by his wife is God’s grace bestowed upon the Legazpeños, adding that the victory is an offshoot good governance manifested by his administration and dedication to the people.

On the other hand, Mayor-elect Rosal has thanked all the Legazpeños, mentioning those who supported and shared their efforts and sacrifices during the campaign period until Election day.

Rosal likewise said that she will continue to pursue good governance best practices and programs started by her husband, and she will also push the construction of more roads, school buildings and day care centers, create more jobs for the Legazpeños.

Rosal likewise said that she will focus on Agriculture, Education, Tourism and Health.

At present almost 67 per cent of the population of this city depends on agriculture.

She vowed to improve the irrigation system in all agricultural barangays to supply the needs of the farmers and increase the value of production. She also committed to promote organic farming to trim down the expenses during planting seasons and initiate effective programs for the organizations of the fishermen and farmers.

On Education, Rosal stressed that she will focus on intensifying the local scholarship program tha will provide students the opportunity to be in school, especially those who cannot afford to continue higher education in far-flung barangays.

If necessary, noted Rosal, the city government will form a monitoring team to assess and assist students to ensure of their needs to pursue higher education.

On Tourism, Rosal averred she will pursue extensive promotion of the tourism industry of this city through festivals, media blitz, updated website and tourism mapping like transports, hotels, restaurants and travel agencies.

For the health sector, she vowed to add more barangay health workers and craft and implement an effective program to fight malnutrition and anti-tuberculosis.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor-elect Roces said that he will focus on the legislative tracking by means of transparency and monitoring of all the ordinances and resolutions, professionalization of employees trainings and seminars.

He will see to it that councilors will be working effectively with their respective committees.

Roces likewise said that he will work for the creation of a website where all ordinances, resolutions, other local policies to educate the public, also vowing to support all the long-term development plan of the city government. (MPSolis, Legazpi City LGU/PIA)

COMELEC PROCLAIMS WINNERS OF ELECTION 2010 IN ALBAY

ALBAY Province — Incumbent Albay Governor Jose Ma Clemente Salceda (LP) has retained his post garnering and overwhelming 466,605 votes trouncing aspiring Maria Linda O. Montayre of LKKK, with 17,638, Marcelino C. Gallardo of PGRP, with only 5,397.

The BOC proclaimed Salceda Wednesday (May 12) as the duly elected governor of the province.

Salceda said, “I thank Albayanos for the 98 percent affirmation of our Albay Rising Vision and strategy for economic and social progress, adding that I am indebted to my constituents and pledged to repay it by working hard to further improve the quality of life of the Albayanos, specially the underprivileged.

Salceda’s running mate Harold Imperial got 185,330 votes edging Jesus Calisin of NP, with 142,287; Raul Borejon, with 116,122; and, Gil Goyena, with 11,757, in the vice gubernatorial race.
Incumbent Rep. Edcel Lagman (LAKAS KAMPI CMD), running for his third term in Albay first congressional seat, has defeated Wilfredo Brizuela (LP).

Rep. Al Francis Bichara (NP) holds on to his post in the second congressional district by winning a big margin against Amelia Bonita Apin (LP), Ricardo Ayala (Ind.)

Former Albay Governor Fernando B. Gonzales (LP) topped the congressional seat in the third district claiming the seat from incumbent Representative Reno Lim (NPC) and Brando Sael (NP), Armando Redillas (Ind.)

In Legazpi City, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) also proclaimed Wednesday (May 12) the newly elected set of local officials.

Atty. Jasmin Banzuela, city election officer here, proclaimed Geraldine Rosal and Vitorio Roces (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)as newly elected mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

Geraldine Rosal, wife of outgoing Mayor Noel Rosal of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, got a total of 56,930 votes as against her opponent Lorna Cristobal with 31,909 vote casts.

Incumbent Mayors Krisel Lagman Luistro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) has retained her post in Tabaco City and Linda Gonzalez (LP) in Ligao City.

Meanwhile, other winning candidates are re-elected town executives Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Camalig, Juan Miguel Garcia (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Guinobatan, Agnes Pacencia Dycoco (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Libon, Avelino Ceriola (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Malinao, Caesar Daep (NP) of Manito, Gregorio Ricarte (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Oas, Dante Arandia (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Pioduran, Jaime Villanueva (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Tiwi

Newly elected were Tobias Betito (LP) of Bacacay, Gerry Jaucian (NP) of Daraga, Jorem Arcanghel (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Jovellar, Roli Volante (NPC) of Malilipot, Cherilie Sampal (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Polangui, Nora Oñate of Rapu-rapu, Herbie Aguas (NP) of Sto. Domingo. (MALoterte, PIA V)

TEAM NAGA SWEEPS CITY COUNCIL POSTS ANEW

Naga City ---Still working wonders, the “Ubos kung Ubos, Gabos kung Gabos” election battlecry of Naga City pertaining to a landslide win of the administration’s candidates, now dubbed as “Team Naga” made waves again and is now a phenomenal part of this city’s political history.

This after the entire Team Naga , headed by its winning tandem , Naga’s mayoralty bet Atty. John Bongat and Vice Mayor Gabriel Hidalgo Bordado, along with the full line up of their city councilors were officially declared as winners by Atty. Cinderella Lozano, Naga City Comelec Supervisor in a simple proclamation rite at City Hall yesterday (May 11).

Bongat, Mayor Jesse Robredo’s anointed successor and protégée garnered a total vote of 32, 231 representing 78 per cent of the city’s total votes. Bongat’s closest opponent, Atty. Adan Botor, collected a total of 13, 370 votes. Former Congressman and Naga City Mayor Cho Roco, also not successful in his comeback bid, placed third in the mayoralty polls.

The wide disparity between Nagueños’ choice was also reflected in the scores garnered by the vice mayoral candidates. Incumbent city vice mayor Bordado carted a total of 37, 238 votes, catapulting him back to his old post as vice mayor of the city for the next three years. His closest rival, Benjie Lucena only managed to hurdle with a total of 14, 261 votes.

Naga City has a total registered voters of 78, 500, with 101 clustered precincts.

All 10 aspiring councillors under the Team Naga ticket were able to make it. Topping the list is Nene De Asis garnering a total vote of 34,000, followed by Atty. Nelson Legacion with 32, 670 votes and Atty. Esteban Abonal who raked in a total of 31,021 votes. Other councillors who will be serving the city council for the next three years were: Nathan Sergio, Babeth Lavadia, Ryan Rentoy, Jose Tuazon, Salvador Del Castillo, Joaquin Perez Jr and Raul Rosales. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

NEWLY-ELECTED CHIEF EXECUTIVES IN CAMARINES NORTE PROCLAIMED

DAET, Camarines Norte —Governor Edgardo A. Tallado was proclaimed anew winner this morning (Wednesday, May 12) as Governor of this province winning only by 158 votes against incumbent Labo Mayor Winniefredo Oco.

It can be recalled that Tallado has just assumed governor last May 25 after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc proclaimed him as the winning governor in 2007 elections.

For vice gubernatorial race incumbent Board Member Jonah G. Pimentel won by overwhelming votes against former Board Member Senen Jeres and 3 termer and incumbent Jose Panganiban Mayor William Lim.

Former Congressman Renato J. Unico Jr. also won by landslide against Wilfredo Chato, son of lone district incumbent Congresswoman Liwayway Vinzons Chato, while Elmer Panotes trounced Congresswoman Chato for the second congressional district.

In Daet, re-electionist Mayor Tito Sarion was proclaimed yesterday winning by more than 4,000 votes against former Governor Jesus O. Typoco Jr.
The
Meanwhile in Labo, the town with the most number of registered voters in the province, former Vice Mayor Dindo Pardo and former municipal administrator Severino Francisco Jr. won as mayor and vice-mayor respectively. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)


POLITICAL SUPPORTER SHOT AND WOUNDED BY A LOSING MAYORALTY CANDIDATE IN MASBATE

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, CamSur – A political supporter was shot and injured by a losing mayoralty candidate in Masbate yesterday, a military official said.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, 9th ID Philippine Army spokesman, said that mayoralty candidate Esteban Ballesteros shot and injured a certain Junior Argote while riding a motorcycle with two other unidentified companions in Burgos village, in Batuan town.

Cabunoc said that Ballesteros was with a certain Bobong Ballesteros when they flagged down the victim’s motorcycle and fired upon him.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds on his leg but was able to flee towards the town center in Batuan to seek medical help and report the incident to the local police.

Soldiers and policemen assigned with the Joint Special Task Force Masbate immediately proceeded to the crime scene but the suspects have already fled to an unknown location.

Manhunt operations are underway to arrest the suspects and shed light on the shooting incident.

Argote was reported to be a loyal supporter of Lakas-Kampi mayor-elect Charlie Yuson III who garnered 2,721 votes against PMP candidate Ballesteros’ 2,152 tally (unofficial COMELEC tally). The motive of the shooting is still under investigation as of this writing.

The shooting incident occurred despite the surrender of 53 firearms by prominent politicians in the province, namely now re-elected congressional candidates Antonio Kho and Narciso Bravo Jr., and former Congresswoman and now, Governor-elect Rizalina Lanete.

Prior to this latest incident, Masbate has logged a total of 11 election-related violent incidents (ERVI) in this year’s automated elections.

Colonel Alvin Tiamwatt, AFP Special Task Force Masbate commander, said that the efforts of the AFP and PNP, coupled by the support of the local political leaders, paved the way for the waning number of ERVIs this year.

“From a total number of 22 in 2004 elections, 18 were recorded in CY 2007 midterm elections. Now, we have only logged 11 ERVIs, the latest of which still need to be validated. In general, the conduct of the elections in Masbate was successful due to the over-all efforts of all the stakeholders,” said Tiam Watt. (Maj. HMCABUNOC, Chief DPAO 9ID P/PIA)

NAGA CITY CITED PRESIDENTIAL AWARDEE, HALL OF FAME FOR BEST CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY

NAGA CITY — The city government here hurdles Presidential Award, Hall of Fame for Best Child Friendly City, independent categoryfor the year 2009.

With the effort of its leaders who strongly believes in the principles of doing more with less and shared responsibility, the local government’s desire to be child-friendly city became a commitment. It became famous for the many innovations that made Naga stand-out as a LGU to emulate.

The city earned the award based on the efforts of the city government under the leadership of Mayor Jesse Robredo on its innovations and sustained programs for the welfare of children.

Using the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) as framework, this city has invested on key initiatives that target on achieving the child-focused millennium goals. It has sustained its efforts particularly in the education sector with the following programs: NEED-Naga Early Education and Development Program, a comprehensive pre-school education that addresses the need for improved access, equity and quality of education, EDU-CARE, the city’s education Montessori where 49 of its centers have already been accredited by the DSWD using its new standard tool.

The city’s breastfeeding support groups are active in maintaining vegetable and herbal gardens to support their members. Rice allocation and school supplies are provided to less-privileged children through the Sanggawadan Program-Naga City’s localized innovation of the Aus-Aid-assisted Street Urban and Working Children Project (SUWCP). Sanggawadan is an effort to wean or drive children away from the streets and ensure school participation.

Naga City’s vision for the children is embodied in the 2009 State of the City Report delivered by Mayor Robredo states that “The best indicator that we have defeated oligarch politics in Naga is if our society enables even the poorest young Nagueños – a talented, self-driven child from the ranks of our urban poor family, who is able to finish school with flying colors and who is able to realize his parent’s dream of a college degree.” Having planted and nurtured the seeds of his dream, Robredo hopes to see this happen as his legacy for the future generation.

Robredo received a plaque and a cash prize of P800,000 from Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the awarding ceremony held at Malacañang Palace last April 22, 2010. He was joined by City Councilor Seling Tuazon, DSWD director Remia Tapispisan, Mr. Jim Reblando, the City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Superintendent of City Schools Carlito Boni and Brgy. Captain Ricardo Buena.

The search for the Most Child-Friendly City/Municipality which was launched in November 1998 aims to: a) give national recognition to municipalities and cities and are considered “child-friendly, b) to encourage LGUs to prioritize and address issues and concerns affecting/effecting the full realization of the rights of children, c) heighten the awareness of the LGUs on the rights of children, and d) monitor and evaluate the implementation of programs and services for children. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)

ARTS COUNCIL HOLDS DOODLE EARTH VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP

SORSOGON CITY – The Sorsogon Arts Council, in partnership with the Red Root Artists and Artisans Cooperative, has announced the holding of the “Doodle Earth Visual Arts Workshop” on May 17 to 21, 2010 at the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Council (PAFC) Training Center in Barangay Burabod, this city.

The workshop is open to participants ages 6 to 12, with a limit of 50 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The workshop aims to develop and enhance the creativity of the children particularly in the field of visual arts and nurture the advocacy for environmental stewardship.

According to Red Root Administrative and Support Services Department chief Thea Cristina Gile, Red Root is the FIRSTArtists cooperative in the Philippines.

“Our cooperative offers diverse field of expertise in design innovation, audio-visual communication and marketing strategy development,” Gile said.

Her sister, Teresa Paula, is Red Root’s creative director and a Fine Arts alumna of the University of the Philippines and will be one of workshop’s resource persons. Both of them hailed from this city and daughters of SAC Adhoc Committee members Buenaventura and Isabel Gile.

For interested participants, please contact Totep Perez at cp # 09189443656 or Ella Jamoralin at cp# 09326457457. (JJJPerez, SAC/PIA)

Poll automation is PGMA's legacy to Filipinos

MANILA — Malacañang said Tuesday (May 11) the successful conduct of the first-ever automated elections in the country is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s legacy.

“The nation had spoken. President Arroyo had delivered on her promise to hold the first- ever automated national elections,” said Press Undersecretary for Operations Rogelio Peyuan in his opening statement before the regular press briefing.

Peyuan described last Monday’s election as generally successful, with a big voters’ turnout and less election-related violence than in previous presidential elections.

“With automation, the people were able to observe immediately the counting of their ballots in different polling centers of the country, which is due to the cooperation of teachers, the election inspectors, the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, the media, the church and so many other volunteers,” Peyuan said.

Peyuan said that in the last three weeks, the entire government machinery has been preparing for the smooth transfer of all materials, funds and programs and an inventory of what has to be turned over to the incoming administration.

On whether the Arroyo administration is confident that the incoming administration will pursue its programs and projects, Peyuan said “we will finish until June 30 what we have started. We are hoping and praying that whatever programs we have painstakingly finished will not be discarded as these are now all part of national wealth and heritage.”

“We pray that President Arroyo’s successor will be a uniting president, that there will be a continuing effort at national reconciliation unlike the political culture of the past where succeeding administrations discarded everything started and finished by their predecessors,” Peyuan said.

Peyuan praised administration party bet, Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. for having conducted himself well in the campaign for the presidency, “never hitting anyone below the belt but focusing his campaign on his plans for the country. We can’t say the same of the other candidates”

“Of course, many of the Cabinet members are unhappy about Teodoro’s poll loss but, at the same time, we take pride in proving our critics and doomsayers wrong about this historic automated election and about their prognosis of failure of elections,” Peyuan said. (PIA V Release)

Palace assures seamless transition of administration

MANILA —To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public serves during the transition period before the new President assumes office on July1, Malacañang is asking all government departments to immediately prepare individual transition blueprints.

Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn said the directive is included in Administrative Order (AO) 285 which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued last May 9.

In a media briefing today in Malacañang, Horn said AO 285 created the Presidential Transition Cooperation Team (PTCT) and the Agency Transition Cooperation Team (ATCT) to put in place a blueprint for the seamless transition and to orient the incoming administration.

“We will definitely be working cooperatively with them to make sure that there is a seamless transition of administration,” Horn said.

Chaired by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, PTCT will have as members the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education (DepEd), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and PMS.

Horn said the PTCT will serve as the overall central coordination team on the preparation of the detailed transition blueprint; and consolidate Operational Transition Reports (OTRs) and Functional Transition Reports (FTRs) to be prepared by each agency.

Horn said the PTCT will orient the incoming administration and readily provide information, such as the vision, mission, mandate, and structure of each agency.

Included in the orientation, Horn said, are the organizational structure, pending projects, and inventory of key plantilla and co-terminus positions.

Horn said the PTCT will also help in the recommendation to give out due recognition to individuals and non-government and civic organizations, which provided help and undertaken notable projects during the President’s term.

Meanwhile, the agencies under the ATCT will provide the OTRs, which include information on the assets, budget, plantilla, vacant positions, and ongoing rationalization plan.

Horn said agencies will also prepare the FTRs that include the inventory of policies and priority projects, other orientation materials and how to provide technical support like trainings for the incoming officials.

Horn said all government agencies must submit their respective output by May 17 in time for the transitional planning session on May 20-21 to formulate a blueprint which will be then submitted to the Cabinet. (PIA V Release)

Two-tiered transition process set up

MANILA — Transition teams in two levels – one based in Malacañang and the other in executive department agencies -- will make sure that the new administration will have the benefit of a strong and stable structure ready to continue working once governmental powers are turned over to the next President of the Republic.

The elected successor to President Gloria Mascapagal Arroyo is required by law to assume office on June 30.

President Arroyo issued Administrative Order No. 285 last May 9 creating the Presidential Transition Cooperation Team (PTCT) and Agency Transition Cooperation Team (ATCT) to oversee the transition to the next administration.

The PTCT shall be responsible for the overall implementation, coordination and supervision of the entire transition blueprint.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza has been designated to head the PTCT with Foreign Affairs Secretary Romulo, Education Secretary Mona Valisno, NEDA Director General Augusto Santos, PMS Director-General Maria Elena Bautista-Horn and PIA Director General Conrado Limcaoco as members.

The Office of the Executive Secretary and the PMS will provide the technical and secretariat support to PTCT.

The AO also created the Agency Transition Cooperation Team (ATCT) that shall be responsible for the preparation of each government agency’s Organizational Transition Reports (OTRs) and Functional Transition Reports (FTRs).

The ATCT will be led by the head of agency with the senior undersecretary as vice-chair and senior career officials as members.

A transition coordinator in each agency shall be appointed to regularly coordinate with the PTCT Secretariat.

A transition planning session will be conducted on May 20 to May 21 to establish and define the processes and parameters that shall guide the government during the transition period.

Results of the planning will be the formulation of a Transition Blueprint which will provide for the efficient and effective turn-over and the continued functions of the bureaucracy in the early days of the next Administration.

The Blueprint shall cover all government departments, agencies, bureaus, government-owned and –controlled corporations (GOCCs) and other instrumentalities including attached agencies under the Office of the President. (PIA V Release)

RP democracy winner in May 10 vote

MANILA — Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said everybody -- the voters, election officials, election volunteers and the security forces -- deserve commendations for the conduct of today’s historic vote.

In a statement Tuesday (May 11), he described the May 10 political exercise as a triumph of a sovereign Filipino people and their opportunity to display a strong stable and vibrant democracy.

He said the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will proceed with the transition to the new government on June 30.

Saludo however expressed sadness over the sporadic violence that marred the conduct of elections in some areas, but hoped the incidents would not be enough to invalidate the polls.

Text of the Saludo’s statement in full:

“We commend our patient and patriotic voters, our hardworking election officials, workers and volunteers, and our dependable security forces for bearing the heat, the crowds, the threats and the occasional glitches, for the cause of fair, free and credible elections under the direct control of the independent Commission on Elections.

With tens of millions of voters in 76,340 precincts and the first use of vote counting machines in our country, problems, delays and violations are inevitable. But with patience, sobriety, vigilance and cooperation, we can make this historic democratic exercise a triumph of the sovereign will of the people.

We are hopeful that the generally fair, free and peaceful conduct of the elections, as well as the transition to a new administration on June 30, shall show the world and our investor friends that how strong, stable and vibrant our democracy is, where global enterprises can take root and flourish, as we have seen in over nine years or uninterrupted economic growth under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Vibrant democracy with a growing economy – that’s the Philippines.

We are saddened by sporadic violence in some areas, and we call on the PNP and AFP to protect our people, neutralize the threats, and allow electoral processes to go on with freedom, integrity and credibility. While the attacks do not invalidate the polls, our strong, swift response is needed to buttress our people’s faith in the elections. (PIA V Release)

PGMA to name Corona as next SC chief justice -- Palace

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has chosen Associate Justice Renato Corona to become the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) once Chief Justice Reynato Puno retires on May 17.

Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said the President picked Justice Corona from the shortlist submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

Aside from Corona, among the shortlist of JBC nominees were Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion and Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said on Wednesday during his media briefing at the New Executive Building in Malacañang on Wednesday that Justice Corona is the most senior justice among the nominees submitted by the JBC to the President.

Meanwhile, Presidential Legal Counsel Raoul Victorino clarified that President Arroyo has only announced that Justice Corona will be the successor of Puno and his appointment as the new Chief Justice will be done on May 17, which is the date of retirement of Chief Justice Puno.

Corona was born in Tanauan City, Batangas on Oct. 15, 1948. He was appointed by President Arroyo as member of the High Tribunal on April 9, 2002.

Justice Corona obtained his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila Law School and his master of law from the Harvard University in 1982.

Corona had served as Presidential Legal Counsel and Deputy Executive Secretary to former President Fidel Ramos.

In 1998, Corona became the chief of staff and spokesman of Mrs. Arroyo when she was then vice president. In 2001,

Corona became the Presidential Chief of Staff of President Arroyo in 2001. (PIA V Release)

Exports up 43.7% in March

MANILA — Sales of Philippine-made goods abroad rose double digits in March as shipments of electronic products and coconut oil continued to expand, the government reported Wednesday.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said merchandise exports in March went up by 43.7 percent to $ 4.176 billion from $ 2.907 billion in the same period a year ago.

In the first quarter of the year, exports grew 42.9 percent to $ 11.326 billion from $ 7.926 billion posted during the same three-month period in 2009.

This was higher than the government growth target of 18 percent, which was revised from 10 percent to 14 percent.

The NSO attributed the growth to the strong demand in electronic product shipments and higher sales in the country’s major markets like US, Japan, Hong Kong and China.

Electronic, which accounted for 57.9 percent of the total export revenue in March, grew 49.1 percent to $ 2.416 billion from $ 1.620 billion in March 2009.

Month-on-month, electronic products went up by 16.6 percent from $ 2.071 billion in February 2010.

Exports of articles of apparel and clothing accessories valued at $ 146.07 million, up by 8.5 percent from $ 134.63 million in March last year.

Sales of cathodes and sections of cathodes, of refined copper went up by 113.6 percent to $ 111.53 million from $ 52.21 million in March 2009.

Coconut oil exports amounted to $ 102.83 million, 212.9 percent higher compared to its year ago level of $ 32.86 million.

Rounding up the list of the top ten exports for the month of March were ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships amounting to $ 97.94 million; wood crafts and furniture, $ 94.33 million; other products manufactured from materials imported on consignment basis, $ 59.18 million; Tuna (includes fresh, frozen, prepared or preserved in airtight containers), $ 32.49 million and copper concentrates, $ 31.06 million.

The US remained as the country's top destination of exports for March with revenue amounting to $ 703.32 million. It was higher by 39.8 percent from $ 503.04 million recorded a year ago.

Japan followed with export earnings of $ 682.49 million, up by 52.8 percent from $ 446.56 million reported a year earlier.

Exports to People's Republic of China amounted to $ 487.32 million from $ 308.03 million.

Hong Kong's export earnings valued at $ 359.06 million, higher by 31.6 percent from its March 2009 level of $ 272.79 million.

Other top ten markets for March were Singapore, $ 343.80 million; Germany, $ 251.47 million; Netherlands, $ 233.70 million; Republic of Korea, $ 175.48 million; Thailand, $ 148.48 million; and Malaysia, $ 127.10 million.

Total export receipts from the Philippines' top ten markets for the month of March 2010 amounted to $ 3.512 billion or 84.1 percent of the total. (PIA V Release)