The Filipino Reporter

COLUMNISTS

Year 39, No. # 35 July 30 - August 6, 2010

EDITORIAL

Truth-picking spree

IN her first executive order as a revolutionary president in 1986, Corazon C. Aquino created the Philippine Commission on Good Government to recover the purported ill-gotten wealth of deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos and his cronies.

Twenty-four years later, the PCGG is still around and apparently averse to wrap up its work anytime soon. After all, the presidential commission was not given a timeline to finish its job.

Besides, the agency has become a cash cow for its favorite agents who sit in the boards of sequestered corporations suspected to be acquired illegally during martial law.

Remarkably, the PCGG has weathered withering public scorn for inefficiency and laxity as guardians of sequestered assets which are vanishing into thin air.

Taking a page from her mother, President Benigno S. Aquino used his first executive order to establish the Presidential Truth Commission with the specific task of investigating alleged graft and corruption in the nine-year rule of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Unlike Mrs. Aquino's EO creating the PCGG without a deadline, this time President Aquino gave the PTC until Dec. 31, 2012 to accomplish its mandate.

Right off the bat, the much-hyped EO drew flak from P-Noy's critics and constitutionalists who contend that only Congress could create such a quasi-judicial body.

At the same time, the PTC cut the rug from under the Office of the Ombudsman which is headed by Merceditas Gutierrez, who is seen by the new administration to be partial to the Arroyos, being a classmate of Mike Arroyo, the former president's husband.

Defending the move, the presidential spokesman said the PTC does not duplicate the Ombudsman but will only look into high-profile controversies that were not resolved by the Ombudsman.

In any case, the constitutionality of the PTC will be brought to the Supreme Court.

Even if the PTC gets the go signal from the High Court, it will be hard pressed to do its work under the labyrinthian process of the country's criminal justice system.

But if it succeeds in finding probable cause for prosecuting at least one big fish on or before its 2012 deadline, it will have justified the expense and expectation for its existence.

FOCUS @ HEALTH - Philip S. Chua

Pyrosis: heartburn

What is pyrosis?
Popularly known as heartburn, the Greek word pyrosis is the burning sensation in the pit of the stomach behind the breast bone, which some people experience with or without ingestion of spicy foods or alcoholic beverages, especially when they are lying flat in bed. This symptom may be due to GER (gastro-esophageal reflux) or the actual GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).

What is GERD?
GERD is the acronym for Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. An anatomical lower esophageal sphincter (a valve) is present at the end of the esophagus (swallowing tube), which prevents the normal hydrochloric acid and other digestive juices produced in the stomach from refluxing (backing up) into the esophagus. While the stomach can tolerate this acid, the esophagus lining is very sensitive and gets easily "burned" by these acid and juices.

In some people, this sphincter tone loosens up and becomes incompetent, allowing upward flow of these "chemicals" into the esophagus. When GE Reflux happens more than twice a week, it means the person already has GERD. This condition is also seen among infants and children.

What causes GERD?
Nobody knows. The etiology has not been determined. Hiatal Hernia may be a factor. Other factors that aggravates GERD are smoking, ingestion of alcoholic beverage, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee, fatty and fried foods, garlic, onion, spicy foods, mint flavoring, tomato-based foods like pizza, chili and spaghetti. Pregnancy and overweight are also contributing factors.

What are the symptoms of GERD?
Common symptoms and signs are burning sensation in the pit of the stomach under the breast tip, sore throat, frequent burping with acidic (sour or bitter) aftertaste, persistent hiccups, stomach discomfort/fullness, nausea or even vomiting. Chronic cases may even have upper GI bleeding (black tarry stools) and anemia. Majority of cases among children under age 12 with GERD, and in some adults too, GERD may be present without any of those symptoms above and, instead, may only have dry cough, difficulty swallowing, or symptoms of asthma. Prompt consultation with your physician is prudent when any of these signs or symptoms appear.

How about among infants/children?
In general, infants with GER appear healthy and happy, although they may spit up or vomit often. They usually outgrow their GE Reflux by their first birthday. If not, the condition may be GERD. Usual symptoms among infants are irritability and/or arching of the back (during or immediately after feeding), refusal to feed, which could lead to loss of weight and poor growth, frequent regurgitation, coughing, upper respiratory infection, laryngitis, wheezing, asthma or pneumonia. Some of these symptoms are also see among children with GERD. Urgent medical care is mandatory among these infants and children.

How does one minimize reflux?
The recommended management includes: quitting cigarettes and avoiding alcoholic beverages; avoiding spicy foods and those items listed above; eating small meals; waiting for about three hours after eating before lying down; wearing loose-fitting clothes for sleeping; raising the head of the bed about eight inches (with blocks under the bed posts; adding pillows may not work as they move out of place), and religiously taking the medications prescribed by the physician.

What are these medications?
The various medications for GERD are grouped into Antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums, Alka-2 etc.) neutralizing acids; Foaming Agents (Gaviscon), coating the stomach for protection; H2 Blockers (Tagamet, Pepcid AC, Axid AR, Zantac 75) blocks acid production; Proton Pump Inhibitors (Protonix, Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Nexium), more effective than H2 blockers; and Prokinetics (Recholine, Reglan), which helps strengthen the sphincter, improves muscle action in the GI tract and makes the stomach empty faster. Some of them are more effective when used in combination.

How successful is the surgery for GERD?
Quite successful. Ten-year follow-up studies, some even longer, show that up to 90 percent of the patients are rendered asymptomatic (symptom-free), doing well, provided the changes in lifestyle recommended above are strictly followed, including daily physical exercises.

www.FUN8888.com
scalpelpen@gmail.com

ON MY OWN - Libertito Pelayo

ON MY WATCH - Manuel Caballero

A blue administration under President Aquino

NEXT week, I will share with our readers about one recent afternoon when I got lost in Brooklyn, NYC. Thanks to my GPS. But this week, we will continue to write about our native Philippines without a promise that you will be shocked by what we will discuss.

***

Soon, we would see a blue administration under President Aquino. He is filling up government posts with fellow alumni from his Blue Eagle days.

Nothing wrong with that. We will see what Ateneans could do and what UP'ans are not able to do. Joke only, blue boys and girls.

***

By the way, Dr. Emerlinda Roman, University of the Philippines president, is coming to New Jersey on Aug. 9. She will speak before U.P. alumni in the area. If you are interested to listen and to meet Dr. Roman, call Nardz 201-943-7674 or Rhoda-732-718-4211.

***

A reader of this column commented that President Noynoy Aquino is a family man, being one of the elder members of five siblings. The reader was reacting to our column last week when we said the President may not be in a position to give advice to her sister Kris about the latter's marital problem since he has no experience of being a married man.

That's what we meant by not being a family man. To us, P-Noy is a boyfriend man.

***

Presidential sister Kris Aquino is so popular in Manila that even her latest menstrual period was published in a leading Manila newspaper. I'm not joking. However, the purpose in publishing it was to counter rumors that she was supposedly pregnant.

Only in Manila!

***

The SONA of big brother Noy on July 26 was like a typical movie. Days before, it was preceded by a preview that "it would shock the nation, even those in the know." I bought the preview. I woke up at 3:45 in the morning to watch the speech on TFC.

Were the supposed "shocking" stories true, or those were merely initial findings by the bright boys and girls who surround Kuya Noy?

I thought the Truth Commission was created to find the truth to all the allegations of corruption during the Arroyo years? What else will the Commission do now that P-Noy has already told us the "truth?"

***

A week before President Aquino delivered his SONA, a series of encouraging and favorable news about the performance of the Philippine economy nine months before the Aquino term began. All were published in Manila newspapers.

The sources of those good news came from Central Bank of the Philippines, World Bank. International Monetary Bank, Asian Development Bank and the giant Dutch financial firm ING.

Here are those reports:

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the net inflow of foreign portfolio investments surged 245 percent in the first half of 2010 as investors gobbled up more government securities and pumped in more money into the local equities markets.

Data released by the Central Bank showed that foreign portfolio investments or "hot money" posted a net inflow of $687 million from January to June this year or $415.26 million higher than the net inflow of $199.22 million registered in the same period last year.

At the same time, ING, the large Dutch financial group, said in one of its surveys, "The Philippines ranks as the second strongest driver of Pan-Asia (ex-Japan) sentiment and registered the greatest degree of positive change in overall investor sentiment."

The survey, which gauges investor sentiment in Asia-Pacific countries except Japan, said the Philippine index reached a record high of 157 points in the second quarter, from a rock-bottom level of 89 points recorded in the first three months of 2009. The latest ranking was up 18 percentage points from the 139 points reported in the first quarter of 2010.

ING added that while most Asian markets are more pessimistic in the second quarter of 2010 than the previous quarter in terms of local property prices, the Philippines is an exception with the greatest increase in optimism towards property prices

The Asian Development Bank, on the other hand, upgraded its economic growth forecast for developing Asia, including the Philippines, following a strong first-quarter performance driven by buoyant exports, strong private demand and sustained stimulus policy effects.

It predicted that the Philippines' Gross Domestic Product would grow 5.0 percent this year, faster than its earlier estimate of 3.8 percent.
The Manila-based lender kept its growth forecast of 4.6 percent for the Philippines in 2011 (assuming of course. the bright boys and girls around Mr. Aquino will not blow up the economic gains of the previous administration).

The World Bank sees the Philippine economy growing 4.4 percent while the International Monetary Fund is more optimistic with a forecast of 6.0 percent this year. These forecasts are based on past economic performances which are assumed to continue.

By and large, despite accusations of unproved corruption in government, we have repeatedly written here that the economic leadership of ex-President Gloria M. Arroyo could be hailed as the reason why the Philippine economy is on the way up today. That is the least objective assessment I could write. Let's hope the Aquino bright boys and girls won't blow up those gains.

It is not possible to credit the month-old Aquino Administration for those good and bright economic news. Twelve months ago, it was not even known whether or not Noynoy Aquino would be a candidate for president.

Those respected financial institutions could not be lying and fabricating their reports.

It is most unfortunate that President Aquino failed to mention any of the above favorable assessments of the state of Philippine economy in his SONA. Was he not aware? Or his bright boys and girls deliberately hid them from him and from the Filipino people?

Shortly before he delivered his SONA, a political science professor at the Ateneo de Manila reportedly commented, "He's (President Aquino) still in the campaign mode, describing Mr. Aquino as a "reactive President, not a visionary."

The professor added, "He should have hit the ground running on day one. I haven't seen any details of his economic agenda to tackle the fiscal problem. What I have heard from him are the problems of the country and his promises to deal with them."

I am beginning to ask myself whether the anger that is in the heart of President Noynoy against Mrs. Arroyo is due to the latter's alleged corrupt practices, or is it because the former lady president initiated the inclusion of Hacienda Luisita (the vast tract of land in Tarlac owned by the Cojuangcos and also the Aquino children) under the Comprehensive Land Reform Program of the Philippine Government?

It may be recalled that Tita Cory also broke up with Mrs. Arroyo on or around the time that this issue was on the table and being pursued by the Arroyo administration.

This situation can be compared to the issue of the real reason why former President George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq and the elimination of Saddam Hussein. Some believe (this writer is one of them) that the assassination attempt on the life of President George W's daddy, the elder George Bush when the latter visited Kuwait and whose authorship was traced to Saddam Hussein, was the invasion's trigger. In short, personal revenge.

Let's hope personal revenge is not the case in the Philippines today. Otherwise, that would be most unfortunate. But if it is, I can understand. The immortal Plato once said, it is easier for a person to forget the killing of a loved one than the taking away of one's property.

mcaball241@aol.com

PIECE OF CAKE - Antonio Campo

Arizona law makes illegal immigration a state crime

IN my column of July 16-22, 2010 in the Filipino Reporter, I wrote about the State of Arizona's new immigration law which was slated to take effect Thursday of last week.

The Arizona law makes illegal immigration a state crime and requires police in Arizona to verify the immigration status of people stopped by police for other alleged crimes.

One day before the bill will take effect, Federal Judge Susan Bolton issued a preliminary injunction blocking the most controversial sections of Arizona's immigration enforcement law scheduled to take effect Thursday of last week.

Gist of Bolton's injunction
Bolton's injunction which affirmed the federal government's final authority over immigration enforcement consists of the following basic points summarized in The New York Times editorial "Showdown in Arizona" (July 29, 2010 issue):

1. A state cannot require its police officers to demand the papers of people they stop and suspect are illegal immigrants. As the judge wrote, the law places an "unacceptable burden on lawful present aliens."

2. Arizona cannot require that every arrested person have his or her immigration status checked, or that people be detained until they prove they are here lawfully.

3. Arizona cannot make it a state crime for immigrants not to carry papers at all times, or for an undocumented immigrant to look for work.

4. It cannot give officers the power to make warrantless arrest of anyone they believe has committed a crime that makes them deportable. Deportation is a matter to be decided by a judge in court, Bolton wrote, not a state trooper or sheriff's deputy in a traffic stop.

However, Bolton allowed a provision aimed at day labor by making it a crime to stop a vehicle in traffic or block traffic to hire someone off the street, but she blocked a provision that barred illegal immigrants from soliciting work in public places, thus making such solicitation a state crime.
The rationale of Bolton's 36-page injunction follows:

"Preserving the status quo through a preliminary injunction is less harmful than allowing state laws that are likely preempted by federal law to be enforced.

"There is a substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens. By enforcing this statute, Arizona would impose a distinct, unusual and extraordinary burden on legal resident aliens that only the federal government has the authority to impose." (Bolton citing a previous Supreme Court case.)

"Requiring Arizona law-enforcement officials and agencies to determine the immigration status of every person who is arrested burdens lawfully present aliens, because their liberty will be restricted while their status is checked."

There is a "substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens" warning that foreign tourists could also be wrongfully detained.

The law would increase the intrusion of police presence into the lives of legally present aliens and even American citizens, who will necessarily be swept up by it.

Critics on Bolton's injunction
Rich Lowry, a New York Post columnist, wrote that Bolton's ruling is judicial gymnastics on immigration law who considered Arizona's immigration system as a judicially sanctioned lawlessness.

A reader of the New York Post wrote that the Arizona decision was expected.

Now we have a government and a judicial system against their own citizens.

The only constant is the corruption of both.

Another reader wrote: This was a wrongheaded decision by a Clinton appointee who is part of the left-wing movement to allow illegal immigrants to stay here, ultimately gain their right to vote and keep the Democrats in power.

If Bolton claims that it is an "undue burden" for illegal immigrants to carry identification papers, then it must be an "undue burden" for American citizens to carry their required identification as well.

Are we a nation of laws, or are we a nation of lawlessness?

Bolton's injunction will soon be elevated to a higher court on appeal and ultimately may end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

By that time, President Barack Obama may have a comprehensive immigration reform bill to repair the U.S. broken immigration law.

tonyc1028@aol.com

POTPOURRI - Meg Sibal

Meningiomas, usually benign brain
tumors but, rarely, can be cancerous

WHILE meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumors, accounting for about 25 percent of primary brain tumors...those that originate in the brain...the good news is they are rarely cancerous (malignant); instead, the majority are non-cancerous (benign) and may not even require treatment, says the July 2010 issue of the Mayo Clinic's Health Letter.

Meningiomas are formed from cells of the meninges, which provides a protective coating that lines the outer surface of the brain and spinal cord. Although the vast majority occur in the head, developing outside brain tissue and rarely growing into the brain, meningiomas may exert pressure on the brain and cause symptoms.

While most meningiomas form in the brain's protective lining just inside the skull, under the brain's surface at the base of the skull, or in the lower part of the brain (brainstem) above the spinal cord, rarely they can occur in the covering of the spinal cord.

Although direct nerve involvement is uncommon, if the tumor develops on the optic nerve's covering, a decrease in vision or loss of color vision may be experienced by the sufferer.

It's unknown what causes these frequently benign tumors.
Unless the tumor is pressing on brain tissue, impairing normal function of that area of the brain, meningiomas can easily go unnoticed, says the health letter. Thus, depending on where the tumor is located, signs and symptoms may include:

• Seizures
• Vision changes or difficulties, such as blindness, double vision, blind spots or loss of color vision
• Loss of hearing
• Weakness in your arms or in your legs
• Change in balance
• Headaches upon waking, rarely, may be a symptom as a result of a meningioma blocking the flow of spinal fluid

Meningiomas are classified as:

1) Benign grade 1 tumors — They constitute about 9 out of 10 meningiomas which are very slow growing with few cells dividing, and don't invade the brain tissue.

2) Atypical grade 2 tumors — Forming a very small percentage of meningiomas, these atypical tumors have more cells actively dividing and other features that suggest a more rapidly growing pattern than is seen in benign meningiomas.

3) Grade 3 malignant meningiomas — Consists of an even smaller percentage of tumors that have a high level of active cell division and have the potential to spread (metastasize) elsewhere in the body.

Since many meningiomas don't cause symptoms, they can be discovered when imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT), are done for some other unrelated purpose.

If a meningioma is suspected, diagnostic imaging... particularly MRI... is useful in identifying the location and size of the tumor. The MRI scan of a meningioma typically has a very characteristic appearance.
Treatment options consist of:

• Annual MRI monitoring for possible changes — Depending on your health and age, a small, slow-growing meningioma that causes no signs nor symptoms may need no more than having an MRI scan on a yearly basis, to detect any possible changes. MRI scans pose no radiation risk because they rely on changing radiofrequencies and magnetic fields... not radiation... to create images.

• Surgery — Surgical removal (resection) of a tumor that's growing or causing signs and symptoms, may be recommended by your doctor. Generally, a tumor on the surface of the brain is more accessible and poses a lower risk of complications than does a tumor tucked under or in the brain. If the location of the tumor makes it impossible to remove it entirely, another step in treatment may be radiation therapy or possibly radiosurgery.

• Stereotactic radiosurgery — Done without incisions for smaller tumors that are generally no larger than three centimeters... a little more than an inch...this procedure consists of narrow beams of precisely aimed radiation directed simultaneously at the tumor from multiple angles, allowing for pinpoint radiation delivery to the tumor where the beams intersect. Gamma-knife is one type of radiosurgery which is done as an outpatient procedure. The goal of stereotactic surgery is to stop the growth of the tumor.

• Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) — Recommended after surgery, especially if tumor removal isn't complete, or as a treatment approach when surgery isn't an option, radiotherapy may involve having from 25 to 30 separate external beam radiation treatments over a period of weeks.

Overall, treatment outcomes are good for benign meningiomas after complete surgical removal... recurrent rates are low.

Tumors that can't be totally removed are subject to higher recurrence rates over time but, in those cases, when radiotherapy or radiosurgery are done in combination with surgical removal, the recurrent rates are also low, concludes the health letter.

SUGAR AND SPICE

‘WOW' Award to Dr. Emy

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."

— Calvin Coolidge

***

A sweet surprise awaits the Filipino equivalent of Perle Mesta, the famous "hostess with the mostest" during her prime.

This Saturday, Friends Indeed USA, Inc. will confer on Dr. Esmeralda Duque Magpantay its 2010 "Woman of Worth" Award during FIUSA's special "Polynesian Summer Fling" at the honoree's sprawling Villa Esmeralda in Old Westbury, N.Y.

If Emy, as she is fondly called, shrieks in surprise, then the well-kept "secret" is well worth it.

Friends Indeed has decided, in unison, to recognize her generosity, her open house, her totality as a woman, as well as her business acumen.

Take a bow Emy, you deserve it. As we always joke, her husband, Dr. Rudy Magpantay, just brought home the "bacon" in terms of his medical practice, and in his acumen of playing the market, and of Emy spending the dough accumulating real estate, etc., for the family.

See, they sure complement each other. One's passive, the other, active and has the upper hand, but they're so loving and devoted to each other, like no other.

That is undeniable and quite impressive, to say the least.

The Hawaiian-themed summer shindig will also confer the "Most Outstanding Organization" Award to "Home-Reach Foundation" headed by Dr. Ramiro Cadag and Dr. Jose Recitas for its humanitarian work through the years.

FIUSA's members sent out flyers, e-mails, faxes, made calls to all friends and acquaintances to spend a lovely Saturday afternoon at Villa Esmeralda.

If you haven't received any, trust me, you are most welcome and it'll be our pleasure to have you there. Sometimes, when there are a number of "cooks," there's an oversight, and we apologize. At any rate, be there and join the fun.

There will be a short program with the awarding and, of course, dancing. A great time too to see old friends and reminisce the good years behind looking forward to more fulfilling years, especially to the "Lolos" and "Lolas." Araguy!

Expected to grace the occasion are all Fil-Am notables with special mention of the diplomatic corps led by the Philippine ambassador to the U.S. Willy C. Gaa and wife Linda, Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong and hubby Bill, Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria Thomeczek, as well as some consuls and officers of the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

Yes, all attendees are notables, no less. That's right, honeypies.
The lavish luau is hosted by Drs. Magpantay, coming from their hearts as their support for FIUSA's charitable and calamity projects in the Philippines.

Emy offered this to yours truly being the chair and a longtime pal, sometime ago. When I brought this up during our meeting, the members were truly touched by such benevolence that Lito Pernia, our auditor, recommended that the "WOW" Award go to Emy.

This was by votation because all matters regarding FIUSA are to be voted by the majority. That's in our by-laws. So, dear Emy does not have a clue.

And, while I know that nowadays she tries not to attend formal events for some reason or another, we thought this is just an opportune time.

FIUSA will not hold a dinner-ball this year, perhaps, in 2011.

The November 2009 formal shindig was a tremendous success, thanks mostly to our glittering guests, journal ads and donations. And, not to forget, the invaluable work of most members.

So, for this Hawaiian feast, we suggest a minimum donation of $30 per person and $50 per couple, payable to FIUSA, Inc. from all you charity-minded people.

And, advance thank you to all of you.

***

So many events around town overlapping one over the other, not to mention wakes, funerals, memorial services, this and that. Oh boy, how draining, so said Giliw, who is wanted everywhere to attend.

Geez, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak," as a matter of expression. Getting older? You bet your bottom dollar, sugar.

Yes SC's (senior citizens) preserve and conserve your energy, for more meaningful years ahead. Thank God for every day we are alive and well.

See y'all Saturday, Aug. 7 for a flower-fever shebang at Villa Esmeralda.

This time, the body and flesh are strong for the sexy hula-hula.

In behalf of FIUSA, I convey our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to kindhearted Rudy and Emy. More blessings to you both.

Aloha!

THE MAYOR'S CORNER

Delivering efficient and innovative services for NYC

I often get asked how running a government is different than running a business.

Well, one big difference is that private sector private companies have to innovate — or else they'll be put out of business by someone who can offer goods and services better, faster and cheaper. Governments, however, are always in business. They have no real incentive to change they way they do things — and often they don't.

But our Administration has never been satisfied with the status quo. From the very beginning, we've pushed ourselves to look at old problems in new ways. One of the best examples is our Center for Economic Opportunity, which tests out new poverty-fighting strategies using public and privately-raised dollars. Over the past four years, the Center has developed and field tested more than 40 new strategies. All of these initiatives have been rigorously evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing poverty, and many have shown some extremely promising results. So promising, in fact, that last week, the Obama Administration awarded New York City nearly $6 million in "social innovation" funds. Using those funds and more private dollars, we will now work with leaders in seven other urban areas to help them replicate five of our most successful poverty-fighting initiatives.

These innovation awards are a real tribute to the creative, cost-effective approach our Administration has taken to solve some of our city's toughest problems. But our work is far from finished. Our city's economy took a major hit during the national recession. It's only been a few short weeks since we produced an on-time, balanced budget for this year, and already we are looking at an enormous $3.3 billion budget gap for next year.

Over the past few years, we've worked to do more with less — and we've succeeded. Even after eight rounds of budget cuts, we continue to drive down crime, increase graduation rates, and keep our streets and parks clean. But the only way we're going to be able to keep this progress going in the years ahead is to further reduce the size and cost of government.

Last week, in partnership with the City Council, we unveiled the first stage of our plan to create a leaner, more efficient government for the 21st century. By consolidating some of our agencies' back-office functions, reducing the size of our office space and vehicle fleets, and using technology to better serve the public, we believe that we can save $500 million over four years while actually improving the quality of services we deliver. And by 2014, these efficiencies should generate an annual savings of $500 million.

This plan is just the first in a series of cost-cutting strategies we'll implement as we continue to examine all the possible areas where we can sustain — or even improve — public services through efficiencies. The result will be a government that is smaller, smarter and fiscally sustainable. A government that innovates and puts the customer first. A government that isn't afraid to test out new ideas — or shelve old ones that clearly don't work. And if we can continue doing all those things, we will leave New Yorkers a city that's even stronger than the one we have today.