Quiapo market cleaned, spruced up for Arroyo visit

MANILA, Philippines - Manila's Quiapo district was cleaned and spruced up Monday, in time for a last-minute visit by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo before she delivers her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Quezon City. Radio dzBB's Aileen Intia reported that traffic in the area was "unusually" orderly, even as streamers and tarpaulins were put up to welcome President Arroyo. The Quinta Market in Quiapo was particularly cleaned up, with at least five retailers cleared to sell National Food Authority (NFA) rice. Expected to accompany Mrs Arroyo were Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and NFA administrator Jessup Navarro. The President and her party were to arrive at 10 a.m., the report said. "Bigas ng bayan laban sa kahirapan (Rice for the nation to fight poverty)," some streamers read. The report said the advisory on the market visit was given to Palace reporters before dawn Monday. Mrs Arroyo's visit came amid a Pulse Asia survey showing 35 percent of respondents saying her administration's "pro-poor" initiatives such as subsidies were part of preparations for the May 2010 elections. - GMANews.TV