Manila (21 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will personally deliver on Tuesday the additional Katas ng EVAT (expanded value added tax) and other benefits of a growing economy to the poor in Shariff Kabunsuan province and to the victims of Typhoon Frank in Cotabato City.

Upon arrival here on Tuesday, the President will immediately proceed to the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Hospital to announce that the 10-bed capacity hospital is among the primary hospitals to be upgraded to a secondary hospital, thanks to the Katas ng EVAT.

The President will announce the release of the initial P2 -million, the first tranche of the of P4-million allocation for the upgrading of the municipal hospital in a move to enhance the delivery of healthcare services, especially for the poor.

It was learned that the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Hospital is the only hospital in the area. It services five municipalities with a total population of around 200,000.

The President will also personally deliver 20 boxes of assorted medicines worth around P100,000.

From the hospital, she will proceed to the 6ID HQ to preside over the joint meeting of the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Regional Disaster Coordinating Council-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao-Cabinet to discuss various concerns, the region, especially additional measures to uplift the lives of the poor.

During the meeting, the President will get a briefing from local officials on the extent of damage wrought by Typhoon Frank in their respective areas.

The President is also expected to proclaim the official Lakas candidates in the August 11 ARMM elections.

She will also inspect the heavily-silted Delta Bridge and the Rio Grande de Mindanao River. Water lilies have also clogged up about six hectares of the river, causing heavy flooding in 33 barangays in Cotabato City and parts of Shariff Kabunsuan province.