Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said on Wednesday she has ordered to set aside one billion pesos (US$19 million) for activities against the local spreading of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The money will come from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the presidential palace quoted Arroyo as saying in a press statement, adding that the country will spearhead the setting up of the ASEAN Health Emergency Fund for SARS.

The establishment of a one-billion-dollar regional fund was unanimously adopted at a one-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on SARS, concluded Tuesday in Bangkok of Thailand.

All the members have agreed to band together in the fight against the SARS to ensure a more permanent victory against the killer pneumonia.

Arroyo noted that the World Health Organization has made an assessment that SARS could become the first severe new disease of the 21st century that could have an epidemic potential.

She further said the Philippines will stretch its cooperation regionally to help check the spread of disease across borders.

"Like what we have done in the fight against terrorism, we shall wield common advocacies, educational programs, surveillance data and acts of commands," she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Arroyo promised to her people that leaders of the ASEAN have agreed to give equal protection to Filipinos overseas suspected of contracting SARS in their countries.

Likewise, her government will "expend equal treatment for foreign nationals who may be suspect or actual SARS cases under the perpetual no-blame and dignity for all concerned," Arroyo added.

Arroyo said ASEAN leaders stressed the need for proper information about SARS, explaining that the lack of proper information about SARS raises fear of the mysterious disease, and may cause greater damage for all.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)