President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has seen to the appointment of 14 new Sectoral Representatives to the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) in a bid to further strengthen the national government's partnership with the poorest and most vulnerable sectors in Filipino society.

NAPC Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban said the President had selected the new sectoral leaders from nominees elected by the basic sector councils during the NAPC Sectoral General Assembly (SGA) held in Manila last February.

The three-day assembly saw the election of new council members for each of the 14 sectors represented in the NAPC and the formulation of a new development agenda for the government's social reform program.

The new appointees included Ms. Ginalyn D. Luaton of the Fisherfolks Sector, Al-Fahad E. Jadjuli of the Children Sector, Jose R. Mosquite of the Cooperatives Sector, Carmelito C. Canoy, Sr. of the Farmers and Landless Rural Workers Sector, Sanny V. Bautista of the Non-Government Organizations Sector, Albert P. Yruma of the Persons with Disabilities Sector, Linda Gaddi-David of the Senior Citizens Sector, Erlinda A. Beduya of the Urban Poor Sector, Florencia P. Cabatingan of the Women Sector, Rafael E. Mapalo of the Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Sector, RJ Mar E. Casama of the Youth and Students Sector, Mary Anne Abad of the Workers in the Informal Sector, Arsenio Humiding of the Indigenous Peoples Sector, and Reynaldo Busalia of the Victims of Disasters and Calamities Sector.

"The basic sectors play an integral role in the operations of NAPC," Panganiban said. "Through NAPC, civil society is allowed the means to counsel the government on issues concerning the poor and participate in efforts to alleviate the suffering of underprivileged folk."