Rice distribution networking and insurgency matters will be among the pressing issues to be discussed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her visit today in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental.

Arroyo, who will attend the 88th birthday celebration of former Rep. Herminio Teves today, is expected to arrive between 9:30 and 10 a.m. at the Dumaguete port, on board the presidential boat “Ang Pangulo,” from the Apo Reef in Palawan.

From the port, she will be flown by helicopter to the Gov. Mariano Perdices Coliseum oval landing zone.

During her stay, Arroyo will meet with the media, seek an audience with bishops, priests, and religious groups and talk about the faith-based “Tindahan ng Parokya,” in Brgy. Tinago, Dumaguete, a scheme to help in the distribution of rice for the poor, and she will meet with rice distribution partners in the province.

Teves said the president will meet with local officials and governors from Central Visayas or Region 7, as well as the top-brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the region.

She will also meet with rebel returnees in Negros island, and with police and military officials, at the ground floor of the Negros Oriental Convention Center.

The birthday celebration for Teves will be held at the plenary hall the 2nd floor of the NOCC.  Arroyo, however, will no longer visit the government’s jatropha project at the Tamlang Valley, and the towns of Basay and Bayawan.

Instead, Teves said he will make a power point presentation and show pictures of the jatropha plantation.

To be presented during the briefing  are the HGT-Bongoyan farm which is an intercropping of jatropha with eggplant and tomatoes, as well as seedling beds,  bio-grid cassava, jatropha raw oil through transesterification method, plant for export and site of jatropha expeller plant, production of organic fertilizer through vermin.

Arroyo will also lead the ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the inaugural activities of the Sidlakang Negros Village, and ride a vehicle run by a locally produced bio-diesel, Teves said.*JG/RG

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