At the thick of the "red and yellow alert" conditions in the power system last week, load weighted average prices (LWAP) at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) soared to as high as P46 per kilowatt-hour (kwh), based on data issued by market operator Philippine Electricity Market Corporation.
This technically confirmed earlier forecasts that electricity consumers in both Luzon and Visayas grids will suffer increases in their electric bills this July.
The P45 to P46 per kwh high price ranges in the spot market were observed for four days from June 20 to 23, and easing only to P18 per kwh on June 24 - which was a Sunday and generally a "low-consumption day."
On June 20, the highest cleared price was at P46.780 per kwh at 8 p.m. All throughout the day, prices stayed relatively high at P15, P22, P24 and P38.862 per kwh from 12 noon until 11 p.m.
For June 21 when the system operator (SO) formally declared a "yellow alert" condition, the highest spot market price logged was at P45.861 per kwh. For the entire day, the average price was at P17.985 per kwh as the hourly cleared offers during peak demand were swinging from P20 to P44 per kwh.
"The Luzon grid was placed on yellow alert for trading intervals 1000H to 1700H and 1900H to 2100H because of insufficient operating reserves," the WESM report has emphasized.
The condition last June 22 worsened, prompting system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to declare "red alert" condition, and which warranted the scheduling of rotating brownouts.
Power utility firm Manila Electric Company (Meralco) later on advised its customers though that scheduled brownouts were averted because the high demand forecast did not materialize.
The emerging controversy in the industry has been that "demand forecasts were being set too high compared to actual demand." Stakeholders opined that this is the area where adjustments must be made to ensure that conditions of supply tightness in the market are not just contrived.
The highest price recorded Friday was at P46.297 per kwh for Luzon and P45.861 per kwh for Visayas. The average price for the day was at P15.511 per kwh for Luzon; and P16.433 per kwh for Visayas.
Red alert condition was declared, according to WESM, "because of insufficient operating reserves." It added that system ex-ante demand peaked at 8,796 megawatts, while market offers only reached a maximum of 8,660MW.
Saturday somehow offered a "surprising twist" because it sustained a "yellow alert condition" in Luzon grid, despite a seeming expectation of lower demand. In that particular day, spot market prices were still surging past the P46 per kwh level.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Public school students take part in quake drill
Students in public schools in the country held a quake drill Friday to keep themselves updated and aware of what to do in case an earthquake occurs.
In Pasig City, government officials supervised a quake drill at the Pasig Central Elementary School Friday morning, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported.
Students were seen sporting makeshift headgear made from doormats and garters, to protect them from falling debris.
"Ginawa ito ng magulang nila. Bumili ng doormat sa palengke (at) nilagyan ng garter para gawing sumbrero," said a teacher in the school.
A news release of the Education Department said Friday's exercise was part of the quarterly National School-Based Earthquake and Fire Drill.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro took part in the drill at the Pasig Central Elementary School in Pasig City.
“In doing this regularly, we can assess the capacity level and response of the schools and the community in the event of disasters and other emergencies,” Luistro said.
Also, Luistro reminded schools they must have a school disaster management committee composed of an overall coordinator, and teams for first aid, fire safety, communication, building safety inspection, evacuation, and site security.
The dzBB report said the students filed out of their classrooms when the bell signaling the start of the drill rang.
City rescue teams and representatives from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Defense Department and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, as well as the Philippine Red Cross, took part in the activity, it added. Quake drills
Earlier this year, disaster preparedness authorities pushed for quake drills for pupils at the start of the school year.
At the time, NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said children should always be aware of what to do if a powerful quake hits.
Among the powerful quakes that hit the country this year was the magnitude-6.9 quake that killed at least 55 people last Feb. 6 in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.
Only last June 17, a magnitude-6.0 quake jolted Luzon early Sunday, and was felt in Metro Manila and several neighboring provinces. — RSJ
In Pasig City, government officials supervised a quake drill at the Pasig Central Elementary School Friday morning, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported.
Students were seen sporting makeshift headgear made from doormats and garters, to protect them from falling debris.
"Ginawa ito ng magulang nila. Bumili ng doormat sa palengke (at) nilagyan ng garter para gawing sumbrero," said a teacher in the school.
A news release of the Education Department said Friday's exercise was part of the quarterly National School-Based Earthquake and Fire Drill.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro took part in the drill at the Pasig Central Elementary School in Pasig City.
“In doing this regularly, we can assess the capacity level and response of the schools and the community in the event of disasters and other emergencies,” Luistro said.
Also, Luistro reminded schools they must have a school disaster management committee composed of an overall coordinator, and teams for first aid, fire safety, communication, building safety inspection, evacuation, and site security.
The dzBB report said the students filed out of their classrooms when the bell signaling the start of the drill rang.
City rescue teams and representatives from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Defense Department and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, as well as the Philippine Red Cross, took part in the activity, it added. Quake drills
Earlier this year, disaster preparedness authorities pushed for quake drills for pupils at the start of the school year.
At the time, NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said children should always be aware of what to do if a powerful quake hits.
Among the powerful quakes that hit the country this year was the magnitude-6.9 quake that killed at least 55 people last Feb. 6 in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.
Only last June 17, a magnitude-6.0 quake jolted Luzon early Sunday, and was felt in Metro Manila and several neighboring provinces. — RSJ
Globe: More Filipinos are buying smartphones
The number of Filipinos buying smartphones has grown 300 percent since last year, telecommunications company Globe Telecom said Thursday.
Citing a report by research firm Gfk Asia, Globe said smartphones made up around 30 percent of all mobile phones bought in the Philippines in the first quarter of 2012. This was double the number bought in the last quarter of 2011 and triple the percentage of smartphones bought year-on-year.
The availability of entry-level smartphones that sell for around P5,000 has helped bring smartphone usage up, Globe said.
Globe had 6 million subscribers using smartphones by the end of 2011, and that number is expected to grow steadily in the next three years, the telco said in a press statement.
"There is great opportunity in the market today as the current set-up of telco networks in the Philippines is not yet ideal for smartphones. Smartphones hinge their performance on the network infrastructure it runs on," Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu said in the same press statement.
Globe has been working on modernizing its network to make it compatible with smartphones and other mobile devices. The upgrade is expected to give smartphone users better streaming of online videos, real-time e-mail, and better SMS and call services, Globe said.
Globe said it has already doubled the number of HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access) sites in the country with "more key activations" planned in NCR, North Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months. It will also deploy Long Term Evolution, or 4G LTE, high-speed wireless communication this year, Globe said.
"We want to give our customers the best network that enriches their mobile internet experience so network quality is important. You may have the widest coverage, but consumers today need a network with the capacity and resiliency to handle growing demand for mobile data use," Cu said.
Despite that, users have been complaining of poor signal strength, delayed text messages, and slow mobile Internet services. Twitter users have been sending Globe's customer care Twitter, @Talk2Globe, complaints every few minutes.
"I'm getting tired of providing all my info to @talk2GLOBE. 'Cause after all the effort, they'll just tell you that the network is ok," user Elgin Jude Garcia (@TheSuperElgin) said.
In May, Globe said the poor service may have been caused by illegal signal repeaters that hog the bandwidth of legitimate cell sites.
Citing a report by research firm Gfk Asia, Globe said smartphones made up around 30 percent of all mobile phones bought in the Philippines in the first quarter of 2012. This was double the number bought in the last quarter of 2011 and triple the percentage of smartphones bought year-on-year.
The availability of entry-level smartphones that sell for around P5,000 has helped bring smartphone usage up, Globe said.
Globe had 6 million subscribers using smartphones by the end of 2011, and that number is expected to grow steadily in the next three years, the telco said in a press statement.
"There is great opportunity in the market today as the current set-up of telco networks in the Philippines is not yet ideal for smartphones. Smartphones hinge their performance on the network infrastructure it runs on," Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu said in the same press statement.
Globe has been working on modernizing its network to make it compatible with smartphones and other mobile devices. The upgrade is expected to give smartphone users better streaming of online videos, real-time e-mail, and better SMS and call services, Globe said.
Globe said it has already doubled the number of HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access) sites in the country with "more key activations" planned in NCR, North Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months. It will also deploy Long Term Evolution, or 4G LTE, high-speed wireless communication this year, Globe said.
"We want to give our customers the best network that enriches their mobile internet experience so network quality is important. You may have the widest coverage, but consumers today need a network with the capacity and resiliency to handle growing demand for mobile data use," Cu said.
Despite that, users have been complaining of poor signal strength, delayed text messages, and slow mobile Internet services. Twitter users have been sending Globe's customer care Twitter, @Talk2Globe, complaints every few minutes.
"I'm getting tired of providing all my info to @talk2GLOBE. 'Cause after all the effort, they'll just tell you that the network is ok," user Elgin Jude Garcia (@TheSuperElgin) said.
In May, Globe said the poor service may have been caused by illegal signal repeaters that hog the bandwidth of legitimate cell sites.
Authorities Warn Of Flashfloods, Landslides
MANILA, Philippines --- Disaster management officials on Thursday warned residents in provinces and areas in North Luzon about the possibility of landslides and flashfloods from heavy rains spawned by tropical storm "Dindo."
Undersecretary Benito Ramos, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director, also warned those in coastal areas of possible storm surges.
"This weather disturbance is expected to bring more rains that could trigger landslides and flashfloods in affected areas. It could also trigger storm surge in coastal areas," said Ramos.
He said the estimated rainfall is expected to range from 15 to 24 millimeters per hour within the 400 kilometer diameter of the weather disturbance which is categorized as heavy or intense.
Ramos identified the areas expected to be affected by Dindo as Cagayan, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ilocos Norte and Abra which were earlier placed under storm signal No. 2.
Also alerted were residents of La Union, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Benguet who are also under storm signal No. 1.
Ramos cited the need to prepare the residents in Northern Luzon due to past incidents of massive landslides, particularly in the Cordillera Administrative Region and nearby mountainous areas.
Yesterday morning, "Dindo" was spotted 260 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan and is continuously moving towards extreme Northern Luzon at 18 kilometer per hour.
Aside from Northern Luzon, Ramos said heavy rains are also expected in Southern Luzon and the Visayas.
Meanwhile, the strong winds and rains brought about by Dindo forced a Philippine Airlines flight en route to Laoag to return to Manila.
PAL flight PR226 departed Manila yesterday at 9:50am. While en route however, heavy rains and strong winds battered the Laoag City airport prompting airport officials to declare it unsafe for flight operations.
Upon being informed of the bad weather that developed in Laoag, the pilot of the PAL flight decided to turn back to Manila instead. Four other domestic flights were cancelled.
As of 1:00 p.m., the airport's Media Affairs Division had listed Cebu Pacific flights 5J504 and 5J505 flying between Manila and Tuguegarao as cancelled. Also cancelled were Air Philippines flights 2P014 and 2P015 bound for Tuguegarao.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said it has temporarily stopped search and rescue operations for the missing fisherman off the coast in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Capt. Leopoldo Laroya, district commander of Coast Guard Northwest Luzon Command, said, "We have temporarily stopped the SAR there because of the typhoon. Signals 1 and 2 were raised in Ilocos Norte, and La Union," said Laroya.
PCG has been searching for four fishermen who remain missing after being tossed to the sea when their fishing boat was rammed by a larger vessel in the coastal areas of Bolinao.
Coast Guard rescuers were conducting an expanded search over the waters of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. (With reports from Anjo Perez and Raymund Antonio)
Undersecretary Benito Ramos, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director, also warned those in coastal areas of possible storm surges.
"This weather disturbance is expected to bring more rains that could trigger landslides and flashfloods in affected areas. It could also trigger storm surge in coastal areas," said Ramos.
He said the estimated rainfall is expected to range from 15 to 24 millimeters per hour within the 400 kilometer diameter of the weather disturbance which is categorized as heavy or intense.
Ramos identified the areas expected to be affected by Dindo as Cagayan, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ilocos Norte and Abra which were earlier placed under storm signal No. 2.
Also alerted were residents of La Union, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Benguet who are also under storm signal No. 1.
Ramos cited the need to prepare the residents in Northern Luzon due to past incidents of massive landslides, particularly in the Cordillera Administrative Region and nearby mountainous areas.
Yesterday morning, "Dindo" was spotted 260 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan and is continuously moving towards extreme Northern Luzon at 18 kilometer per hour.
Aside from Northern Luzon, Ramos said heavy rains are also expected in Southern Luzon and the Visayas.
Meanwhile, the strong winds and rains brought about by Dindo forced a Philippine Airlines flight en route to Laoag to return to Manila.
PAL flight PR226 departed Manila yesterday at 9:50am. While en route however, heavy rains and strong winds battered the Laoag City airport prompting airport officials to declare it unsafe for flight operations.
Upon being informed of the bad weather that developed in Laoag, the pilot of the PAL flight decided to turn back to Manila instead. Four other domestic flights were cancelled.
As of 1:00 p.m., the airport's Media Affairs Division had listed Cebu Pacific flights 5J504 and 5J505 flying between Manila and Tuguegarao as cancelled. Also cancelled were Air Philippines flights 2P014 and 2P015 bound for Tuguegarao.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said it has temporarily stopped search and rescue operations for the missing fisherman off the coast in Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Capt. Leopoldo Laroya, district commander of Coast Guard Northwest Luzon Command, said, "We have temporarily stopped the SAR there because of the typhoon. Signals 1 and 2 were raised in Ilocos Norte, and La Union," said Laroya.
PCG has been searching for four fishermen who remain missing after being tossed to the sea when their fishing boat was rammed by a larger vessel in the coastal areas of Bolinao.
Coast Guard rescuers were conducting an expanded search over the waters of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. (With reports from Anjo Perez and Raymund Antonio)
Food, live animals drive Philippine trade growth
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) -
Food and live animal trade drove the growth in domestic trade transactions in the first quarter of 2012, which rose year on year by 4.7 percent, said the National Statistics Office (NSO).
NSO said in a report that 4.73 million tons of commodities flowed through the Philippines¿ transport systems in the first quarter of 2012 from 4.51 million tons during the same period in 2011.
The commodities were traded mostly through water transport, which contributed 99.8 percent of trade movements¿the same percentage recorded in the first quarter of 2011, NSO said.
In terms of value, commodity flow also increased (by 2.7 percent) to 131.41 billion pesos (US$3 billion) from 127.91 billion pesos ($3.01 billion) a year ago.
Among the commodities transacted, food and live animals contributed the largest value, amounting to 37.36 billion pesos (28.4 percent). Machinery and transport equipment followed next with 27.76 billion pesos (21.1 percent) while manufactured goods classified chiefly by material followed with 18.12 billion pesos (13.8 percent).
Animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes shared the least value of 1.39 billion pesos (1.1 percent).
The story was the same in the first quarter of 2011, according to NSO.
Food and live animals also led that period with a share of 29.8 percent (38.15 billion pesos) of the total value.
¿Data on the inflow and outflow of commodities in the different regions of the country are used to construct interregional and inter-industry relation tables. These serve as bases in the formulation and implementation of various regional
development programs like countryside development and port planning," NSO said in its report.
In the first quarter of 2012, most of the traded commodities emanated from the National Capital Region with value reaching 38.42 billion pesos (29.2 percent of trade), the NSO said.
Central Visayas came in second with 20.36 billion pesos (15.5 percent), followed by Western Visayas with 15.88 billion pesos (12.1 percent), Northern Mindanao with 14.67 billion pesos (11.2 percent), and Central Luzon with 13.23 billion pesos (10.1 percent).
Cagayan Valley, on the other hand, contributed the least to domestic trade with only 144,000 pesos (0.000144 percent).
Food and live animal trade drove the growth in domestic trade transactions in the first quarter of 2012, which rose year on year by 4.7 percent, said the National Statistics Office (NSO).
NSO said in a report that 4.73 million tons of commodities flowed through the Philippines¿ transport systems in the first quarter of 2012 from 4.51 million tons during the same period in 2011.
The commodities were traded mostly through water transport, which contributed 99.8 percent of trade movements¿the same percentage recorded in the first quarter of 2011, NSO said.
In terms of value, commodity flow also increased (by 2.7 percent) to 131.41 billion pesos (US$3 billion) from 127.91 billion pesos ($3.01 billion) a year ago.
Among the commodities transacted, food and live animals contributed the largest value, amounting to 37.36 billion pesos (28.4 percent). Machinery and transport equipment followed next with 27.76 billion pesos (21.1 percent) while manufactured goods classified chiefly by material followed with 18.12 billion pesos (13.8 percent).
Animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes shared the least value of 1.39 billion pesos (1.1 percent).
The story was the same in the first quarter of 2011, according to NSO.
Food and live animals also led that period with a share of 29.8 percent (38.15 billion pesos) of the total value.
¿Data on the inflow and outflow of commodities in the different regions of the country are used to construct interregional and inter-industry relation tables. These serve as bases in the formulation and implementation of various regional
development programs like countryside development and port planning," NSO said in its report.
In the first quarter of 2012, most of the traded commodities emanated from the National Capital Region with value reaching 38.42 billion pesos (29.2 percent of trade), the NSO said.
Central Visayas came in second with 20.36 billion pesos (15.5 percent), followed by Western Visayas with 15.88 billion pesos (12.1 percent), Northern Mindanao with 14.67 billion pesos (11.2 percent), and Central Luzon with 13.23 billion pesos (10.1 percent).
Cagayan Valley, on the other hand, contributed the least to domestic trade with only 144,000 pesos (0.000144 percent).
Friday, June 29, 2012
Israeli firm, PH partner win PNP gun deal
..Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The joint venture between a local company and an Israeli arms manufacturer won the bid to supply just under 60,000 pistols to the Philippine National Police, for which the PNP was prepared to pay almost P1.2 billion.
Filipino firm R. Espinelli and the Israel Weapons Industry submitted the lowest bid of 974 million pesos (US$23 million), which would save the government 226 million pesos ($5.32 million).
But the bid was questioned by a representative of a losing bidder, Kolonwel Trading, which is in a joint venture with a Czech firm, who pointed out problems in the documents Espinelli submitted, including a translation of foreign documents that was not certified by Israel¿s embassy in the Philippines.
The bidding rules state that all translations of foreign language documents must be certified by the embassy concerned in the Philippines.
After a long deliberation, the PNP¿s bids and awards committee (BAC) decided to allow the opening of Espinelli¿s bid and directed Kolonwel to put its objections in writing.
The second lowest bid was submitted by Trust Trade, in a joint venture with Glock Asia Pacific, at 998 million pesos ($23.5 million).
Kolonwel submitted the third lowest bid at 1.06 billion pesos ($25 million), while Arms Corp. of the Philippines came in fourth with 1.197 billion pesos ($28 million).
The public bidding for the firearms deal started at 2 p.m. Thursday in the main conference room of the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Two other companies that submitted bids were disqualified for not complying with a requirement to submit sample firearms to the BAC a day before the public bidding.
The gun procurement, one of the biggest by the PNP in recent years, is seen to fill 100 percent of the PNP¿s short firearms requirement. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo had pointed out that only 63 percent of all policemen had a short firearm as of 2011.
..
Filipino firm R. Espinelli and the Israel Weapons Industry submitted the lowest bid of 974 million pesos (US$23 million), which would save the government 226 million pesos ($5.32 million).
But the bid was questioned by a representative of a losing bidder, Kolonwel Trading, which is in a joint venture with a Czech firm, who pointed out problems in the documents Espinelli submitted, including a translation of foreign documents that was not certified by Israel¿s embassy in the Philippines.
The bidding rules state that all translations of foreign language documents must be certified by the embassy concerned in the Philippines.
After a long deliberation, the PNP¿s bids and awards committee (BAC) decided to allow the opening of Espinelli¿s bid and directed Kolonwel to put its objections in writing.
The second lowest bid was submitted by Trust Trade, in a joint venture with Glock Asia Pacific, at 998 million pesos ($23.5 million).
Kolonwel submitted the third lowest bid at 1.06 billion pesos ($25 million), while Arms Corp. of the Philippines came in fourth with 1.197 billion pesos ($28 million).
The public bidding for the firearms deal started at 2 p.m. Thursday in the main conference room of the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Two other companies that submitted bids were disqualified for not complying with a requirement to submit sample firearms to the BAC a day before the public bidding.
The gun procurement, one of the biggest by the PNP in recent years, is seen to fill 100 percent of the PNP¿s short firearms requirement. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo had pointed out that only 63 percent of all policemen had a short firearm as of 2011.
..
NEWS Provincial
PRIVATIZATION
MARAWI CITY - For just compensation's sake, Governor Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, the host of Lake Lanao that supplies most of Mindanao's hydroelectricity needs, has expressed preference for the privatization of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) or any agency that may be created to manage energy supply in Southern Philippines. Local journalists asked Adiong of his preferences following last week's energy summit in Davao City where stakeholders discussed issues including the highly proposed creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation (MPC) stemming from the spate of massive brownouts in Southern Philippines. Adiong clarified that his choice for a privatized management of energy in Mindanao is "conditional" because he does not want the privatization process to involve any power rate hike. (Ali G. Macabalang)
EDUCATION INVESTMENT
ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) - The city government's education investment has reached P940.24 million from 2007 to May 31, 2012, proof that the present administration is committed and steadfast in its resolve to help the education sector. Through Mayor Celso Lobregat's initiative, the city government considers education a high priority as the Department of Education (DepEd) cannot sufficiently provide for the maintenance and operation expenditures specifically the school building program of the different schools in the country. "As we all know, the priority responsibility of public education is lodged with the Department of Education which receives the biggest budget from the national government.
GENSAN COMPUTERS
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) - Selected public high schools here are scheduled to conduct on July 4 a simultaneous test-run of the 165 brand-new computers recently donated by the SHEEP-Computer Literacy Program (CLP) of the city government. The 165 computers were distributed by Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio to 10 public high schools in the city and for the Department of Education's (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) program from April to June this year, according to SHEEP-CLP head Percival Pasuelo.
L.G.U. FUNDS
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) - A total of 28 local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region received yesterday the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) from Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo during the conduct of the region-wide Tapatan on Disaster Preparedness. In the provincial level, the Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte qualified for the Seal of Good Housekeeping and received the PCF amounting to P7 million each. Also, five local government units (LGUs) from the city level -- Cabadbaran, Tandag, Surigao, Bislig, and Bayugan - qualified and received P3 million each.
ARBOR DAY
TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) - A thousand locals here got involved in an early morning planting activity to celebrate the Philippine Arbor Day yesterday. Barangay units and employees of different sectors simultaneously planted trees in both rural and urban areas of the city. For this activity, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office distributed 5,700 seedlings to 19 barangays. These were planted in areas where they could effectively reduce risks of flood and landslides.
..
MARAWI CITY - For just compensation's sake, Governor Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, the host of Lake Lanao that supplies most of Mindanao's hydroelectricity needs, has expressed preference for the privatization of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) or any agency that may be created to manage energy supply in Southern Philippines. Local journalists asked Adiong of his preferences following last week's energy summit in Davao City where stakeholders discussed issues including the highly proposed creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation (MPC) stemming from the spate of massive brownouts in Southern Philippines. Adiong clarified that his choice for a privatized management of energy in Mindanao is "conditional" because he does not want the privatization process to involve any power rate hike. (Ali G. Macabalang)
EDUCATION INVESTMENT
ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) - The city government's education investment has reached P940.24 million from 2007 to May 31, 2012, proof that the present administration is committed and steadfast in its resolve to help the education sector. Through Mayor Celso Lobregat's initiative, the city government considers education a high priority as the Department of Education (DepEd) cannot sufficiently provide for the maintenance and operation expenditures specifically the school building program of the different schools in the country. "As we all know, the priority responsibility of public education is lodged with the Department of Education which receives the biggest budget from the national government.
GENSAN COMPUTERS
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) - Selected public high schools here are scheduled to conduct on July 4 a simultaneous test-run of the 165 brand-new computers recently donated by the SHEEP-Computer Literacy Program (CLP) of the city government. The 165 computers were distributed by Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio to 10 public high schools in the city and for the Department of Education's (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) program from April to June this year, according to SHEEP-CLP head Percival Pasuelo.
L.G.U. FUNDS
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) - A total of 28 local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region received yesterday the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) from Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo during the conduct of the region-wide Tapatan on Disaster Preparedness. In the provincial level, the Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte qualified for the Seal of Good Housekeeping and received the PCF amounting to P7 million each. Also, five local government units (LGUs) from the city level -- Cabadbaran, Tandag, Surigao, Bislig, and Bayugan - qualified and received P3 million each.
ARBOR DAY
TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) - A thousand locals here got involved in an early morning planting activity to celebrate the Philippine Arbor Day yesterday. Barangay units and employees of different sectors simultaneously planted trees in both rural and urban areas of the city. For this activity, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office distributed 5,700 seedlings to 19 barangays. These were planted in areas where they could effectively reduce risks of flood and landslides.
..
Philippine, US naval exercises slated in Mindanao Sea
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The Philippine Navy and United States Navy, including the local and US Coast Guards, will conduct an annual combined exercise to ¿enhance interoperability and share best practices¿ for a week in Mindanao Sea in July.
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training will be held on July 2 to 10 at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao area with at-sea activities in the vicinity of Mindanao Sea said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Omar Tonsay.
The exercise includes in-port training, subject matter expertise exchanges, diving and salvage training at General Santos Bay, Sarangani; and medical, dental, engineering civic action projects and community relations activities in different locations in General Santos City and Glan, Sarangani Province.
The exercise will involve the US Navy and Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of shore-based cross training exercises, diving exercise, salvage exercise, air operations exercise, and at-sea fleet training exercises, search and rescue exercise, as well as friendly sports competitions in volleyball and basketball.
The exercise will also test the personnel and naval assets, operational readiness and ultimately, improve the naval defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by an exchange of doctrinal and tactical best practices, Tonsay added.
Carat will be participated in by Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Magat Salamat (PS20), BRP Miguel Malvar (PS19), BRP Salvador Abcede (PG114), and BRP Teotimo Figuracion (PG389) for the PN; the USS Vandergrift (FFG48) and USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) for the USN; BRP Pampanga (SARV 003) for the PCG; and the USCG WAESCHE (WMSL751) for the USCG.
The PN will also employ one (1) PN Islander (PNI 320) while the USN will provide a P3C Orion and a SH-60B helicopter together with a BO-105CB helicopter from PCG. Likewise, the exercise will involve around 400 personnel from the PN, 350 from the USN, 50 from the PCG, and 150 from the USCG.
Carat, which started in 1995, is a yearly combined exercise conducted at different Naval Forces areas of operations on rotation basis.
Tonsay said the venues have been determined a year in advance and are finalised following confirmation from both navies.
Last year, the exercise was conducted in Sulu Sea area east of Palawan under the Naval Forces West
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training will be held on July 2 to 10 at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao area with at-sea activities in the vicinity of Mindanao Sea said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Omar Tonsay.
The exercise includes in-port training, subject matter expertise exchanges, diving and salvage training at General Santos Bay, Sarangani; and medical, dental, engineering civic action projects and community relations activities in different locations in General Santos City and Glan, Sarangani Province.
The exercise will involve the US Navy and Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of shore-based cross training exercises, diving exercise, salvage exercise, air operations exercise, and at-sea fleet training exercises, search and rescue exercise, as well as friendly sports competitions in volleyball and basketball.
The exercise will also test the personnel and naval assets, operational readiness and ultimately, improve the naval defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by an exchange of doctrinal and tactical best practices, Tonsay added.
Carat will be participated in by Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Magat Salamat (PS20), BRP Miguel Malvar (PS19), BRP Salvador Abcede (PG114), and BRP Teotimo Figuracion (PG389) for the PN; the USS Vandergrift (FFG48) and USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) for the USN; BRP Pampanga (SARV 003) for the PCG; and the USCG WAESCHE (WMSL751) for the USCG.
The PN will also employ one (1) PN Islander (PNI 320) while the USN will provide a P3C Orion and a SH-60B helicopter together with a BO-105CB helicopter from PCG. Likewise, the exercise will involve around 400 personnel from the PN, 350 from the USN, 50 from the PCG, and 150 from the USCG.
Carat, which started in 1995, is a yearly combined exercise conducted at different Naval Forces areas of operations on rotation basis.
Tonsay said the venues have been determined a year in advance and are finalised following confirmation from both navies.
Last year, the exercise was conducted in Sulu Sea area east of Palawan under the Naval Forces West
DID YOU KNOW THAT ? Philippine Forest Turtle
China vows to oppose military provocation
..China said Thursday it would resolutely oppose any military provocation in its territorial waters, remarks which appeared to be directed at the United States, Vietnam and the Philippines.
China's military has established routine naval patrols in the South China Sea, "indisputable territory" of the nation and a matter of "national sovereignty," defence ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said.
"We will resolutely oppose any military provocations," Geng said in statements posted on his ministry's website.
"The determination and will of China's military to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering."
Geng's remarks came as the United States launched the largest-ever "Rim of the Pacific" naval exercises in Hawaii, involving 22 nations, including the US, India, Russia, Australia and the Philippines.
China was not invited to participate or observe the exercises.
Tensions in the South China Sea have intensified recently with Vietnam and the Philippines both accusing China of increasingly flexing its military muscle in the region, despite a pledge from all claimants to avoid actions that could further stoke tensions.
Both the Philippines and Vietnam have also sought to shore up relations with the United States to counter China's increasingly vocal assertions over the region that also includes key international shipping routes.
Geng downplayed the US-sponsored multi-national military exercises, but voiced concerns over Washington's recent announcement to deploy more of its naval forces to the Pacific Ocean.
"Frankly speaking, we do not believe that this (the multilateral exercises) is such a big matter and it is not worth being upset about," Geng, who was speaking at a press briefing that was only open to Chinese journalists, said.
But "deploying more military forces in the Asia-Pacific goes against the world's pursuit of peace, development and cooperation, as well as trust among nations in the region," he said.
The Philippines said Thursday it was committed to "defuse the tension" with China over a disputed shoal, despite the continued presence of Chinese ships in the area.
"While we continue to assert our sovereignty over (the shoal) and sovereign rights over the waters surrounding it, we are committed to defusing the tension in the area through diplomatic discussions and consultations," Department of Foreign Affairs Raul Hernandez said in a statement.
"We urge everyone to refrain from making statements that would tend to re-escalate the situation in the area," the statement added.
China says it has sovereign rights to the whole South China Sea, believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits. The sea is also claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
..
China's military has established routine naval patrols in the South China Sea, "indisputable territory" of the nation and a matter of "national sovereignty," defence ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said.
"We will resolutely oppose any military provocations," Geng said in statements posted on his ministry's website.
"The determination and will of China's military to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering."
Geng's remarks came as the United States launched the largest-ever "Rim of the Pacific" naval exercises in Hawaii, involving 22 nations, including the US, India, Russia, Australia and the Philippines.
China was not invited to participate or observe the exercises.
Tensions in the South China Sea have intensified recently with Vietnam and the Philippines both accusing China of increasingly flexing its military muscle in the region, despite a pledge from all claimants to avoid actions that could further stoke tensions.
Both the Philippines and Vietnam have also sought to shore up relations with the United States to counter China's increasingly vocal assertions over the region that also includes key international shipping routes.
Geng downplayed the US-sponsored multi-national military exercises, but voiced concerns over Washington's recent announcement to deploy more of its naval forces to the Pacific Ocean.
"Frankly speaking, we do not believe that this (the multilateral exercises) is such a big matter and it is not worth being upset about," Geng, who was speaking at a press briefing that was only open to Chinese journalists, said.
But "deploying more military forces in the Asia-Pacific goes against the world's pursuit of peace, development and cooperation, as well as trust among nations in the region," he said.
The Philippines said Thursday it was committed to "defuse the tension" with China over a disputed shoal, despite the continued presence of Chinese ships in the area.
"While we continue to assert our sovereignty over (the shoal) and sovereign rights over the waters surrounding it, we are committed to defusing the tension in the area through diplomatic discussions and consultations," Department of Foreign Affairs Raul Hernandez said in a statement.
"We urge everyone to refrain from making statements that would tend to re-escalate the situation in the area," the statement added.
China says it has sovereign rights to the whole South China Sea, believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits. The sea is also claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
..
Pagasa: Expect rain, gusty winds, rough seas in Northern Luzon
Tropical Storm Dindo will cause rain and gusty winds over Northern Luzon, with the rest of Luzon experiencing occasional rain showers, the weather bureau said Thursday afternoon.
According to a report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the storm will affect Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan most. It has also forecast rain, gusty winds, and "rough to very rough seas" in the Calayan, Babuyan, and Batanes island groups.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Public Storm Signal Number 2 has been raised in "Cagayan including Calayan Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt.Province, Ilocos Norte and Abra."
Some roads and bridges in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Cagayn province have become impassable due to flooding and landslides.
Storm Signal No. 1 has meanwhile been raised over La Union, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.
"The rest of Luzon and Visayas will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western section which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," Pagasa said.
The rest of the country will also have moderate to strong winds as well as "moderate to rough" seas.
Pagasa said satellite and surface data show Dindo at around 140 km north northeast of Appari, Cagayan with sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour. It is expected to move west northwest at around 19kph
According to a report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the storm will affect Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan most. It has also forecast rain, gusty winds, and "rough to very rough seas" in the Calayan, Babuyan, and Batanes island groups.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Public Storm Signal Number 2 has been raised in "Cagayan including Calayan Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt.Province, Ilocos Norte and Abra."
Some roads and bridges in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Cagayn province have become impassable due to flooding and landslides.
Storm Signal No. 1 has meanwhile been raised over La Union, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.
"The rest of Luzon and Visayas will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western section which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," Pagasa said.
The rest of the country will also have moderate to strong winds as well as "moderate to rough" seas.
Pagasa said satellite and surface data show Dindo at around 140 km north northeast of Appari, Cagayan with sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour. It is expected to move west northwest at around 19kph
Coast Guard gets upgrade
Manila, Philippines - The government will use P1.5 billion from its share of the national gas project in Palawan to give the Philippine Coast Guard a much needed upgrade.
Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II yesterday said the government would use the money from the Malampaya fund to repair and refurbish three vessels and a helicopter of the Coast Guard for search and rescue operations.
The upgrade would ensure better monitoring and protection of the country’s fishermen and all others traversing the territorial waters as well as marine resources and the environment.
Roxas said the Coast Guard will also put up detachments in various areas so that Filipino fishermen and all vessels plying the country’s waters will be monitored.
Roxas admitted the current standoff in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal with China highlighted the country’s need to modernize its capabilities to guard its coastlines.
He said the Philippines has vessels that can withstand any weather, but because of their limited size – 56 meters is the biggest in the Coast Guard fleet – the ships can only carry limited amounts of fuel, water, food and other supplies.
“They can stay out (for only) a certain amount of time,” Roxas told reporters at the inauguration yesterday of the International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s $200-million port facility in Manila.
He added the government has limited sea assets to replenish the supply of other ships in operations.
Roxas said two 56-meter Coast Guard vessels that were docked for repairs would be fixed as well as one 35-meter boat.
“Aside from that, they will be fixing the one helicopter (of the) Coast Guard. The Coast Guard only has two helicopters. The other one is defective since 2006, now that we’re going to have money we can have it fixed… so the Coast Guard capability will be better but still limited. But definitely it will improve versus where we are today,” Roxas said.
“All in, the cost of the Coast Guard modernization right now, from Malampaya funds, is about one and half billion pesos,” he added.
Roxas said the Coast Guard modernization plan would cover the entire Philippine archipelago and its 36,000-kilometer coastline.
This is aside from Panatag Shoal, Roxas said, since the country has vital sea and shipping lanes to protect aside from the fishermen and millions of other people and vessels traversing Philippine waters.
“We will have to bid it out… the money has been found and so we were able to secure the money. We will put out the bidding process. I understand because the issue here is safety of lives, this can be undertaken – and this is what we’re exploring – this can be undertaken under an emergency procedure. Because the issue here is safety of lives,” he said.
Roxas said the money would be spent this year and 2013.
He said it was important for the Coast Guard to be able to immediately launch search and rescue operations.
Roxas added the government was looking at buying a search and rescue aircraft designed to look for survivors.
“The (plan) also includes deployment of Coast Guard detachments or stations in other key strategic locations in the country and, of course, assigning personnel,” he said.
Roxas said Japan was willing to lend some funds to the Philippines so they could acquire additional vessels for the Coast Guard.
Aside from helping maintain presence in the country’s territorial waters, Roxas said it was important for the country to be able to protect its fishermen and others traversing the internal waters of the Philippines.
“So I think that’s the most important thing. We are not doing this just one area,” Roxas said.
Roxas stressed the need for the Coast Guard to upgrade its capability in guarding the country’s coastlines in the wake of the standoff between the Philippines and China over Panatag Shoal.
Roxas also noted the absence of Philippine assets in Panatag in the move to maintain the country’s sovereignty and claim in the area.
He also mentioned the ongoing search and rescue operations of the Coast Guard for the four fishermen that went missing after their fishing boat figured in a collision with the foreign vessel off Bolinao, Pangasinan on June 20.
Roxas and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino would decide on the redeployment of ships following reports that Chinese vessels went back to the area.
Lacierda added it would be up to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to firm up details on the Philippines’ lifting of the fishing ban in Panatag.
“Weather is bad right now so that’s a consideration. So let’s wait for the decision of the President and he will instruct the Coast Guard or the BFAR to go back as he deems necessary,” he said.
Lacierda said the initial recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs was to pull out the local ships due to the weather.
He said the situation must be re-evaluated “with respect to our vessels whether we should go back” to the shoal at this point.
Protocol violation
On the Bolinao accident, Roxas said the government is now coordinating with Hong Kong to determine what vessel possibly sideswiped the Filipino fishing vessel that left one fisherman dead.
He said the search and rescue operations for the four others missing would continue. One of the fishermen died while three others had been recovered. They claimed a foreign ship with Hong Kong markings sideswiped their boat and left them adrift at sea.
He said the Philippine Navy and the Coast Guard are conducting a joint investigation along with some investigators from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to find out what really happened.
Roxas said the foreign vessel violated international maritime protocol that required all vessels to rescue and give aid to people adrift at sea.
Roxas said the government is trying to determine if the incident was accidental or deliberate though initial investigation showed it was an accident.
“According to survivors, they were not rammed… Their fishing boat was already in trouble even before the big vessel passed through… They were adrift… it was possible they were not noticed or maybe they were seen but purposely avoided them,” Roxas said.
Roxas said the foreign vessel worsened the condition of the fishermen while at sea.
The foreign ship was said to be the Hong Kong registered M/V Peach Mountain.
Roxas said they were coordinating with Hong Kong and would expect assistance from the ship operators once proven that it was indeed a Hong Kong-registered vessel.
In the meantime, the Coast Guard said they would have to call off the search and rescue operations for the missing fishermen because of bad weather.
“We have temporarily stopped the SAR (search and rescue) in the area because of the typhoon. There are already public storm warning signals 1 and 2 in some provinces such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union,” said Coast Guard Northwestern Luzon District command Captain Leopoldo Laroya.
An unidentified foreign vessel rammed the listing Filipino fishing boat AXL John while its eight-man crew was trying to secure it to an artificial bamboo fish sanctuary off the coast of Bolinao on June 20. – With Evelyn Macairan - By Aurea Calica
Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II yesterday said the government would use the money from the Malampaya fund to repair and refurbish three vessels and a helicopter of the Coast Guard for search and rescue operations.
The upgrade would ensure better monitoring and protection of the country’s fishermen and all others traversing the territorial waters as well as marine resources and the environment.
Roxas said the Coast Guard will also put up detachments in various areas so that Filipino fishermen and all vessels plying the country’s waters will be monitored.
Roxas admitted the current standoff in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal with China highlighted the country’s need to modernize its capabilities to guard its coastlines.
He said the Philippines has vessels that can withstand any weather, but because of their limited size – 56 meters is the biggest in the Coast Guard fleet – the ships can only carry limited amounts of fuel, water, food and other supplies.
“They can stay out (for only) a certain amount of time,” Roxas told reporters at the inauguration yesterday of the International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s $200-million port facility in Manila.
He added the government has limited sea assets to replenish the supply of other ships in operations.
Roxas said two 56-meter Coast Guard vessels that were docked for repairs would be fixed as well as one 35-meter boat.
“Aside from that, they will be fixing the one helicopter (of the) Coast Guard. The Coast Guard only has two helicopters. The other one is defective since 2006, now that we’re going to have money we can have it fixed… so the Coast Guard capability will be better but still limited. But definitely it will improve versus where we are today,” Roxas said.
“All in, the cost of the Coast Guard modernization right now, from Malampaya funds, is about one and half billion pesos,” he added.
Roxas said the Coast Guard modernization plan would cover the entire Philippine archipelago and its 36,000-kilometer coastline.
This is aside from Panatag Shoal, Roxas said, since the country has vital sea and shipping lanes to protect aside from the fishermen and millions of other people and vessels traversing Philippine waters.
“We will have to bid it out… the money has been found and so we were able to secure the money. We will put out the bidding process. I understand because the issue here is safety of lives, this can be undertaken – and this is what we’re exploring – this can be undertaken under an emergency procedure. Because the issue here is safety of lives,” he said.
Roxas said the money would be spent this year and 2013.
He said it was important for the Coast Guard to be able to immediately launch search and rescue operations.
Roxas added the government was looking at buying a search and rescue aircraft designed to look for survivors.
“The (plan) also includes deployment of Coast Guard detachments or stations in other key strategic locations in the country and, of course, assigning personnel,” he said.
Roxas said Japan was willing to lend some funds to the Philippines so they could acquire additional vessels for the Coast Guard.
Aside from helping maintain presence in the country’s territorial waters, Roxas said it was important for the country to be able to protect its fishermen and others traversing the internal waters of the Philippines.
“So I think that’s the most important thing. We are not doing this just one area,” Roxas said.
Roxas stressed the need for the Coast Guard to upgrade its capability in guarding the country’s coastlines in the wake of the standoff between the Philippines and China over Panatag Shoal.
Roxas also noted the absence of Philippine assets in Panatag in the move to maintain the country’s sovereignty and claim in the area.
He also mentioned the ongoing search and rescue operations of the Coast Guard for the four fishermen that went missing after their fishing boat figured in a collision with the foreign vessel off Bolinao, Pangasinan on June 20.
Roxas and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino would decide on the redeployment of ships following reports that Chinese vessels went back to the area.
Lacierda added it would be up to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to firm up details on the Philippines’ lifting of the fishing ban in Panatag.
“Weather is bad right now so that’s a consideration. So let’s wait for the decision of the President and he will instruct the Coast Guard or the BFAR to go back as he deems necessary,” he said.
Lacierda said the initial recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs was to pull out the local ships due to the weather.
He said the situation must be re-evaluated “with respect to our vessels whether we should go back” to the shoal at this point.
Protocol violation
On the Bolinao accident, Roxas said the government is now coordinating with Hong Kong to determine what vessel possibly sideswiped the Filipino fishing vessel that left one fisherman dead.
He said the search and rescue operations for the four others missing would continue. One of the fishermen died while three others had been recovered. They claimed a foreign ship with Hong Kong markings sideswiped their boat and left them adrift at sea.
He said the Philippine Navy and the Coast Guard are conducting a joint investigation along with some investigators from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to find out what really happened.
Roxas said the foreign vessel violated international maritime protocol that required all vessels to rescue and give aid to people adrift at sea.
Roxas said the government is trying to determine if the incident was accidental or deliberate though initial investigation showed it was an accident.
“According to survivors, they were not rammed… Their fishing boat was already in trouble even before the big vessel passed through… They were adrift… it was possible they were not noticed or maybe they were seen but purposely avoided them,” Roxas said.
Roxas said the foreign vessel worsened the condition of the fishermen while at sea.
The foreign ship was said to be the Hong Kong registered M/V Peach Mountain.
Roxas said they were coordinating with Hong Kong and would expect assistance from the ship operators once proven that it was indeed a Hong Kong-registered vessel.
In the meantime, the Coast Guard said they would have to call off the search and rescue operations for the missing fishermen because of bad weather.
“We have temporarily stopped the SAR (search and rescue) in the area because of the typhoon. There are already public storm warning signals 1 and 2 in some provinces such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union,” said Coast Guard Northwestern Luzon District command Captain Leopoldo Laroya.
An unidentified foreign vessel rammed the listing Filipino fishing boat AXL John while its eight-man crew was trying to secure it to an artificial bamboo fish sanctuary off the coast of Bolinao on June 20. – With Evelyn Macairan - By Aurea Calica
Trump and Century inaugurate Trump Tower Manila
Manila, Philippines - It is often said that behind every brand is a distinguished standard of quality. That each one exists and dominates not just for the sake of being, but because of the unique set of values that it stands for to the consumer. In the realm of elite residential living, one of the undisputed brand names remains to be Trump. For decades Trump-branded properties worldwide have maintained their status as the standard bearer of true luxury living.
The newest addition to this illustrious roster of Trump-branded developments is the first to be erected in Asia in this decade. Rising in the capital city of the Philippines, Trump Tower Manila will be delivered by top real estate firm Century Properties Group Inc. in 2016.
Many perceive that such an undertaking is a milestone for the Philippines, as it underscores a vote of confidence by the international sector for the country’s strong potential of becoming an international destination, the center of winning properties and more so, as an ideal place of residence for global citizens.
On July 26, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump arrived in Manila to grace the official launch of the property. Their arrival marks Trump’s affirmation of the development’s significance in this part of the world.
Announced in September 2011, Trump Tower Manila is a $150-million, 56-storey residential development that is owned and developed by Century City Development Corp., a member of Century Properties Group Inc., with the brand name and mark under license from the New York-based Trump.
In March, the Trump Tower Manila showroom in Makati opened to by-appointment viewing. In late April, the development received two highly coveted Asia Pacific Property Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: the Best Residential High-rise and the Best High-rise Architecture titles in the Philippines category. A few days later, in early May, Century Properties reported that 67 percent of the more than 220-unit residential tower has been sold.
“We are overwhelmed with the tremendous success of this project in such a short time. Trump Tower Manila has already received accolades even prior to breaking ground which is an incredible accomplishment further showcasing the strength of the local market and its increasing demand in the ownership of luxury real estate,” said Eric Trump.
Robbie Antonio, Century Properties managing director and Trump Tower Manila project head said: “The fact that a Trump-branded development is rising in the Philippines is a testament to the increased confidence of the international sector in our country’s potential to become a world-class destination. As a standard bearer of excellence in residential living, Trump Tower Manila also positions the Philippines as the ideal place of residence for global citizens.”
The project’s inaugural included a press briefing with the local and international media, a groundbreaking ceremony, and an evening reception exclusive to the owners and investors of the project.
Also part of the Trumps’ itinerary was a visit to a scheduled medical mission in Manila by Operation Smile Philippines, a non-profit organization that conducts surgeries for children with cleft lip and cleft palette deformities.
Robbie Antonio is the Chairman of Operation Smile Philippines’ Development Committee while Donald Trump Jr. sits as a Board Member of Operation Smile in the United States.
Eric Trump, for his part, is the active founder of the Eric Trump Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to improving the lives of children battling debilitating medical conditions.
Similar to the previous events organized by Century Properties, Operation Smile Philippines is the beneficiary this year of several Trump Tower Manila functions that are intended to raise funds for the organization’s 30th Anniversary Missions in November and December.
“The Trump Tower Manila event is a celebration of the project’s success, the market’s phenomenal reception to the property and the arrival of the Trump brand to the Philippines. We honor this occasion by giving back to the children of Operation Smile,” Robbie Antonio shared.
Century City is the flagship development of Century Properties. It is a 3.4-hectare masterplanned property in Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City, Philippines.
Century City will comprise luxury residential towers, a medical-IT building, offices and a retail center.
The newest addition to this illustrious roster of Trump-branded developments is the first to be erected in Asia in this decade. Rising in the capital city of the Philippines, Trump Tower Manila will be delivered by top real estate firm Century Properties Group Inc. in 2016.
Many perceive that such an undertaking is a milestone for the Philippines, as it underscores a vote of confidence by the international sector for the country’s strong potential of becoming an international destination, the center of winning properties and more so, as an ideal place of residence for global citizens.
On July 26, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump arrived in Manila to grace the official launch of the property. Their arrival marks Trump’s affirmation of the development’s significance in this part of the world.
Announced in September 2011, Trump Tower Manila is a $150-million, 56-storey residential development that is owned and developed by Century City Development Corp., a member of Century Properties Group Inc., with the brand name and mark under license from the New York-based Trump.
In March, the Trump Tower Manila showroom in Makati opened to by-appointment viewing. In late April, the development received two highly coveted Asia Pacific Property Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: the Best Residential High-rise and the Best High-rise Architecture titles in the Philippines category. A few days later, in early May, Century Properties reported that 67 percent of the more than 220-unit residential tower has been sold.
“We are overwhelmed with the tremendous success of this project in such a short time. Trump Tower Manila has already received accolades even prior to breaking ground which is an incredible accomplishment further showcasing the strength of the local market and its increasing demand in the ownership of luxury real estate,” said Eric Trump.
Robbie Antonio, Century Properties managing director and Trump Tower Manila project head said: “The fact that a Trump-branded development is rising in the Philippines is a testament to the increased confidence of the international sector in our country’s potential to become a world-class destination. As a standard bearer of excellence in residential living, Trump Tower Manila also positions the Philippines as the ideal place of residence for global citizens.”
The project’s inaugural included a press briefing with the local and international media, a groundbreaking ceremony, and an evening reception exclusive to the owners and investors of the project.
Also part of the Trumps’ itinerary was a visit to a scheduled medical mission in Manila by Operation Smile Philippines, a non-profit organization that conducts surgeries for children with cleft lip and cleft palette deformities.
Robbie Antonio is the Chairman of Operation Smile Philippines’ Development Committee while Donald Trump Jr. sits as a Board Member of Operation Smile in the United States.
Eric Trump, for his part, is the active founder of the Eric Trump Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to improving the lives of children battling debilitating medical conditions.
Similar to the previous events organized by Century Properties, Operation Smile Philippines is the beneficiary this year of several Trump Tower Manila functions that are intended to raise funds for the organization’s 30th Anniversary Missions in November and December.
“The Trump Tower Manila event is a celebration of the project’s success, the market’s phenomenal reception to the property and the arrival of the Trump brand to the Philippines. We honor this occasion by giving back to the children of Operation Smile,” Robbie Antonio shared.
Century City is the flagship development of Century Properties. It is a 3.4-hectare masterplanned property in Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City, Philippines.
Century City will comprise luxury residential towers, a medical-IT building, offices and a retail center.
Another witness in south Philippines massacre killed
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - A Philippine police official has confirmed that a potential witness in the Maguindanao (south Philippines) massacre had been killed, a private prosecutor said yesterday.
In all, six people¿three witnesses and three relatives of other witnesses¿have been killed in connection with the trial of the politically influential Ampatuan family accused in the Nov. 23, 2009 murders of 57 people, including the wife of the current Maguindanao governor, Esmael Mangudadatu.
Nena Santos, a counsel of the Mangudadatus, said Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac, the police director of Maguindanao, had reported that Alijol Ampatuan was shot in Shariff Aguak, the provincial capital, in February, and that he later died.
Alijol was a distant relative of former Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., who is among the 196 people accused in the massacre. Of the number, 96 people have been arrested and detained, including the former governor and seven members of his family.
Santos said Alijol was not immediately identified because he was then named by investigators as ¿Menjie Mangulamas Ubpon¿. She said that according to Pintac¿s report, Police Officer 3 Rainier Ebus identified Alijol. Ebus reportedly knew Alijol personally.
¿He was killed. We got a report from Pintac that he was shot in February in Shariff Aguak," Santos said after a hearing in the case yesterday in Bicutan, Taguig in Metro Manila.
Santos said the five others killed in connection with the Ampatuan trial were witnesses Suwaib Upham, Esmael Amil Enog and three relatives of other witnesses.
Witness deployed gunmen
The lawyer said that the prosecution had been searching for Alijol Ampatuan to make him a state witness.
She said that Enog testified in July last year that Alijol had ordered Enog to bring 36 militiamen to the massacre site on the day the 57 people, including 31 journalists, were either gunned down or hacked to death.
When Santos reported in late May that Enog had been killed¿his body cut to pieces and placed in a sack¿Alijol was still missing but feared dead.
Santos presented to the media the incident report from the Maguindanao police which showed that Alijol, identified as Ubpon who also used the alias ¿Yob Kutob," was shot in Shariff Aguak at around 6am on February 12.
¿Initial investigation¿ showed that the victim was standing at (the) public market area beside the national highway when two unidentified suspects riding on a motorcycle suddenly shot the victim at close range using a 45 cal. pistol," the report said.
¿The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm and was immediately brought¿ to the Maguindanao provincial hospital for medical treatment but later transferred to Tamundong Memorial Hospital at Ala, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat," it added.
The incident report did not say that the victim died but Santos said he did die later.
Principal accused
At the hearing Wednesday in Camp Bagong Diwa, Governor Mangudadatu again took the witness stand to continue the testimony he gave in early 2010. Mangudadatu described members of the Ampatuan clan accused in the case as either influential, powerful or violent.
Mangudadatu was supposed to personally identify the principal accused¿Andal Sr. and his namesake son¿but their lawyers agreed to stipulate that he could identify them.
The jail guards then led the Ampatuan clan patriarch and his son¿who was visibly leaner compared to his last court appearance last year¿and nine other accused back to their cells.
Mangudadatu then positively identified Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, the former Maguindanao deputy provincial police chief, among the 62 accused who were wearing yellow prison shirts.
¿He¿s on the second row¿ sitting," Mangudadatu said as he pointed to Dicay, who smiled as he sat among the six rows of handcuffed accused.
The hearing was later adjourned because of the faulty air-conditioning system inside the courtroom. It will resume Thursday at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court with Mangudadatu continuing his testimony
In all, six people¿three witnesses and three relatives of other witnesses¿have been killed in connection with the trial of the politically influential Ampatuan family accused in the Nov. 23, 2009 murders of 57 people, including the wife of the current Maguindanao governor, Esmael Mangudadatu.
Nena Santos, a counsel of the Mangudadatus, said Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac, the police director of Maguindanao, had reported that Alijol Ampatuan was shot in Shariff Aguak, the provincial capital, in February, and that he later died.
Alijol was a distant relative of former Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., who is among the 196 people accused in the massacre. Of the number, 96 people have been arrested and detained, including the former governor and seven members of his family.
Santos said Alijol was not immediately identified because he was then named by investigators as ¿Menjie Mangulamas Ubpon¿. She said that according to Pintac¿s report, Police Officer 3 Rainier Ebus identified Alijol. Ebus reportedly knew Alijol personally.
¿He was killed. We got a report from Pintac that he was shot in February in Shariff Aguak," Santos said after a hearing in the case yesterday in Bicutan, Taguig in Metro Manila.
Santos said the five others killed in connection with the Ampatuan trial were witnesses Suwaib Upham, Esmael Amil Enog and three relatives of other witnesses.
Witness deployed gunmen
The lawyer said that the prosecution had been searching for Alijol Ampatuan to make him a state witness.
She said that Enog testified in July last year that Alijol had ordered Enog to bring 36 militiamen to the massacre site on the day the 57 people, including 31 journalists, were either gunned down or hacked to death.
When Santos reported in late May that Enog had been killed¿his body cut to pieces and placed in a sack¿Alijol was still missing but feared dead.
Santos presented to the media the incident report from the Maguindanao police which showed that Alijol, identified as Ubpon who also used the alias ¿Yob Kutob," was shot in Shariff Aguak at around 6am on February 12.
¿Initial investigation¿ showed that the victim was standing at (the) public market area beside the national highway when two unidentified suspects riding on a motorcycle suddenly shot the victim at close range using a 45 cal. pistol," the report said.
¿The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm and was immediately brought¿ to the Maguindanao provincial hospital for medical treatment but later transferred to Tamundong Memorial Hospital at Ala, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat," it added.
The incident report did not say that the victim died but Santos said he did die later.
Principal accused
At the hearing Wednesday in Camp Bagong Diwa, Governor Mangudadatu again took the witness stand to continue the testimony he gave in early 2010. Mangudadatu described members of the Ampatuan clan accused in the case as either influential, powerful or violent.
Mangudadatu was supposed to personally identify the principal accused¿Andal Sr. and his namesake son¿but their lawyers agreed to stipulate that he could identify them.
The jail guards then led the Ampatuan clan patriarch and his son¿who was visibly leaner compared to his last court appearance last year¿and nine other accused back to their cells.
Mangudadatu then positively identified Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, the former Maguindanao deputy provincial police chief, among the 62 accused who were wearing yellow prison shirts.
¿He¿s on the second row¿ sitting," Mangudadatu said as he pointed to Dicay, who smiled as he sat among the six rows of handcuffed accused.
The hearing was later adjourned because of the faulty air-conditioning system inside the courtroom. It will resume Thursday at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court with Mangudadatu continuing his testimony
Thursday, June 28, 2012
New Ant Species Discovered in Philippines
..About 40 new species of ants have been discovered in the Philippines, ant researcher David General and his colleagues recently announced.
The previously unknown species belong to 11 different genera, the taxonomic classification above species. That brings the total genera (the plural of genus) found in the country to 92, which is nearly a third of the total described worldwide.
That's highly unusual for a country about the size of New Jersey, General told OurAmazingPlanet in an email. For instance, that's twice the number of genera found in Madagascar, a place renowned for its biodiversity, said General, a researcher at Palawan State University in the Philippines.
General and colleagues conducted their collections at a reforested study site in 2003 and 2004 on Luzon Island. Trees here had been cut down to grow corn 27 years before, but the area had already recovered its populations of native ants when the team visited, he said. When General returned in 2009, though, all the trees in the area had been cut down and removed again, even the stumps. "It's like I was in the wrong place," he said.
General describes the newly identified genera in a paper published in the May edition of the journal Zookeys, although individual species have yet to be named and described.
The unique features of the new genera are pretty subtle; to a nonspecialist, the animals probably look the same as other known ants. General's favorite new ant has a unique mouth, with mandibles that are extended on stems. "Because ants use their mandibles as 'hands' to manipulate their environment, this is an important adaptation," he said.
Despite the diversity of life on the islands, ant-collecting is still "in its infancy," he said, and there are many locations yet to be surveyed. That's due in part to the rugged terrain and the difficulty of traveling between the more than 7,100 different islands of the Philippines, most of which are uninhabited. The adventurous myrmecologist like General also has to contend with an active communist insurgency and malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Rampant deforestation is also causing species to go extinct before they're discovered. That's worrying since ants are important in any ecosystem. "They are undertakers, predators, fungus gardeners, pastoralists of honeydew-producing insects, and serve as food for many birds, lizards, frogs and mammals," General said. Native ants help maintain the rainforest's web of life, and are important to preserve. "Protecting native ants will necessarily result in protecting the plants and animals that depend on them," he said.
Reach Douglas Main at dmain@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @Douglas_Main. Follow OurAmazingPlanet for the latest in Earth science and exploration news on Twitter @OAPlanet. We're also on Facebook and Google+.
•Image Gallery: Ants of the World
•The World's Freakiest Looking Animals
•Mind Control: Gallery of Zombie Ants
Copyright 2012 OurAmazingPlanet, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. .
.
The previously unknown species belong to 11 different genera, the taxonomic classification above species. That brings the total genera (the plural of genus) found in the country to 92, which is nearly a third of the total described worldwide.
That's highly unusual for a country about the size of New Jersey, General told OurAmazingPlanet in an email. For instance, that's twice the number of genera found in Madagascar, a place renowned for its biodiversity, said General, a researcher at Palawan State University in the Philippines.
General and colleagues conducted their collections at a reforested study site in 2003 and 2004 on Luzon Island. Trees here had been cut down to grow corn 27 years before, but the area had already recovered its populations of native ants when the team visited, he said. When General returned in 2009, though, all the trees in the area had been cut down and removed again, even the stumps. "It's like I was in the wrong place," he said.
General describes the newly identified genera in a paper published in the May edition of the journal Zookeys, although individual species have yet to be named and described.
The unique features of the new genera are pretty subtle; to a nonspecialist, the animals probably look the same as other known ants. General's favorite new ant has a unique mouth, with mandibles that are extended on stems. "Because ants use their mandibles as 'hands' to manipulate their environment, this is an important adaptation," he said.
Despite the diversity of life on the islands, ant-collecting is still "in its infancy," he said, and there are many locations yet to be surveyed. That's due in part to the rugged terrain and the difficulty of traveling between the more than 7,100 different islands of the Philippines, most of which are uninhabited. The adventurous myrmecologist like General also has to contend with an active communist insurgency and malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Rampant deforestation is also causing species to go extinct before they're discovered. That's worrying since ants are important in any ecosystem. "They are undertakers, predators, fungus gardeners, pastoralists of honeydew-producing insects, and serve as food for many birds, lizards, frogs and mammals," General said. Native ants help maintain the rainforest's web of life, and are important to preserve. "Protecting native ants will necessarily result in protecting the plants and animals that depend on them," he said.
Reach Douglas Main at dmain@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @Douglas_Main. Follow OurAmazingPlanet for the latest in Earth science and exploration news on Twitter @OAPlanet. We're also on Facebook and Google+.
•Image Gallery: Ants of the World
•The World's Freakiest Looking Animals
•Mind Control: Gallery of Zombie Ants
Copyright 2012 OurAmazingPlanet, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. .
.
House Minority Supports IMF Loan
..MANILA, Philippines --- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) found allies in the House opposition bloc who support the decision to lend $1 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help European countries gripped by the global financial crisis.
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said the opposition lawmakers are "in favor" of the move, which he described as a "standard banking practice."
"We have nothing against the decision to lend money to IMF," he said, citing that the BSP is "required by law to invest the country's reserves only in foreign-denominated assets."
Suarez said after receiving a "satisfactory explanation" from the BSP and having sought Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's opinion, the House minority is registering its support for the loan to the IMF to promote global financial stability.
"It is the central bank, not the Aquino administration that will extend the loan to the IMF. Such loan will not reduce our international reserves, only reallocate them from investments into loans. The BSP would not be able to use those reserves to reduce our national debt, or invest in government projects, even if it wanted to," he said.
Suarez said the former President herself agreed with the decision, saying that "there is nothing illegal with it and it is a standard banking practice."
However, the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) are convinced that the loan could harm overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
"The fact is, the money from the country's foreign exchange reserves, part of which come from OFW remittances, will be used by the IMF in ways that will harm OFWs," said KMU deputy Secretary-General Leadro Gerodias.
"The $1B-which is the blood and sweat of our OFWs -- will harm our own migrant workers in Europe since the IMF's austerity schemes dictate cuts in wages, reduction in social programs and liberalization of labor contractualization," said PM chairman Renato Magtubo.
The groups said by extending the loan to the IMF, OFWs, just like Europeans workers, will earn less, lose public services, and be easier to fire. (With a report from Leslie Ann Aquino)
..
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said the opposition lawmakers are "in favor" of the move, which he described as a "standard banking practice."
"We have nothing against the decision to lend money to IMF," he said, citing that the BSP is "required by law to invest the country's reserves only in foreign-denominated assets."
Suarez said after receiving a "satisfactory explanation" from the BSP and having sought Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's opinion, the House minority is registering its support for the loan to the IMF to promote global financial stability.
"It is the central bank, not the Aquino administration that will extend the loan to the IMF. Such loan will not reduce our international reserves, only reallocate them from investments into loans. The BSP would not be able to use those reserves to reduce our national debt, or invest in government projects, even if it wanted to," he said.
Suarez said the former President herself agreed with the decision, saying that "there is nothing illegal with it and it is a standard banking practice."
However, the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) are convinced that the loan could harm overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
"The fact is, the money from the country's foreign exchange reserves, part of which come from OFW remittances, will be used by the IMF in ways that will harm OFWs," said KMU deputy Secretary-General Leadro Gerodias.
"The $1B-which is the blood and sweat of our OFWs -- will harm our own migrant workers in Europe since the IMF's austerity schemes dictate cuts in wages, reduction in social programs and liberalization of labor contractualization," said PM chairman Renato Magtubo.
The groups said by extending the loan to the IMF, OFWs, just like Europeans workers, will earn less, lose public services, and be easier to fire. (With a report from Leslie Ann Aquino)
..
Sobriety tests for Philippine traffic cops
..After reports of boozing on the job, traffic police in the Philippine capital will be required to undergo breathalyser tests, an official said Thursday.
The new policy covering the 1,400 Metro Manila traffic enforcers was imposed following complaints about some personnel, said Yves Gonzales, director of Manila's traffic discipline office.
"We got complaints that there were enforcers who were drinking on duty. Just three days ago, we received a complaint via Twitter that one enforcer smelled of liquor," he told AFP.
He said the tests would be conducted at random as the officers reported for duty.
But if the city authority received reports of a traffic cop drinking, the discipline office would deploy breath checkers to have the officer tested.
Those caught face a suspension of between one and six months for the first offence and dismissal for the second, he added.
The Philippine capital has some of the most densely packed and chaotic roads in Southeast Asia, with the average vehicle speed topping only about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) an hour at peak times.
..
The new policy covering the 1,400 Metro Manila traffic enforcers was imposed following complaints about some personnel, said Yves Gonzales, director of Manila's traffic discipline office.
"We got complaints that there were enforcers who were drinking on duty. Just three days ago, we received a complaint via Twitter that one enforcer smelled of liquor," he told AFP.
He said the tests would be conducted at random as the officers reported for duty.
But if the city authority received reports of a traffic cop drinking, the discipline office would deploy breath checkers to have the officer tested.
Those caught face a suspension of between one and six months for the first offence and dismissal for the second, he added.
The Philippine capital has some of the most densely packed and chaotic roads in Southeast Asia, with the average vehicle speed topping only about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) an hour at peak times.
..
Cop's body fished out of Manila Bay
MANILA, Philippines - The decomposing body of a Manila policeman earlier reported missing by his wife was found floating off the waters of Manila Bay in Navotas on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, Navotas City police chief, said the body of SPO2 Teofilo Panlilio, 53, was fished out by fishermen led by Rolando Roque, 33, of Barangay Tanza, at 3:30 p.m.
“The fishermen were on their way home when they saw Panlilio’s body floating off the waters at the boundary of Manila and Navotas. They towed it to the shore and called the police,” Quibuyen told The STAR.
Quibuyen said the body bore multiple gunshot wounds and was already in the early stage of decomposition.
PO2 Exequiel Sangco said they were able to identify the body as that of Panlilio after coordinating with the Manila Police District (MPD).
Prior to this, Panlilio was reported missing by his wife at the MPD’s general assignment section after he failed to return home on Saturday night.
The following day, an anonymous tipster called the MPD homicide section, informing them that the body of Panlilio was stuffed in a sack in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo but police failed to recover it.
“He was beaten black and blue, his right ear was ripped off and he was shot once in the face and four times in the body,” homicide chief Senior Inspector Joey de Ocampo said.
Revenge eyed
A source at the District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU) told The STAR that Panlilio had a lover in Isla Puting Bato, where he was reportedly last seen on Saturday night before he disappeared.
The woman, said to be a drug offender and known in the streets of Tondo as “Bangenge,” was found dead Monday night.
She bore bullet wounds in the chest and stomach, police said.
The source added that “Bangenge” was killed first and when Panlilio came looking for her, a man on board a tricycle offered to bring him to her.
The STAR tried again to contact Panlilio’s wife yesterday but to no avail.
Panlilio was formerly assigned at MPD Station 4 and reportedly transferred to the DHSU due to a pending administrative case for being AWOL (absent without official leave).
A police officer told The STAR that Panlilio was facing other cases and has not been receiving salaries since last year.
“That is why he had other extra-curricular activities,” the source said, referring to allegations that the slain policeman was into extortion.
De Ocampo, on the other hand, said that Panlilio was a good police officer and was in Isla Puting Bato following up a case. He confirmed that “Bangenge” was Panlilio’s informant.
Police expressed alarm over his killing. “They just kill police officers like that? We shouldn’t take this sitting down,” a veteran police officer said.
De Ocampo said they have identified the four suspects in the killing of Panlilio but refused to reveal their names pending result of the investigation. He also did not discount the possibility that the killing could be connected to Baseco shootout last week where four alleged robbers were killed. - By Rey Galupo and Pete Laude
Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, Navotas City police chief, said the body of SPO2 Teofilo Panlilio, 53, was fished out by fishermen led by Rolando Roque, 33, of Barangay Tanza, at 3:30 p.m.
“The fishermen were on their way home when they saw Panlilio’s body floating off the waters at the boundary of Manila and Navotas. They towed it to the shore and called the police,” Quibuyen told The STAR.
Quibuyen said the body bore multiple gunshot wounds and was already in the early stage of decomposition.
PO2 Exequiel Sangco said they were able to identify the body as that of Panlilio after coordinating with the Manila Police District (MPD).
Prior to this, Panlilio was reported missing by his wife at the MPD’s general assignment section after he failed to return home on Saturday night.
The following day, an anonymous tipster called the MPD homicide section, informing them that the body of Panlilio was stuffed in a sack in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo but police failed to recover it.
“He was beaten black and blue, his right ear was ripped off and he was shot once in the face and four times in the body,” homicide chief Senior Inspector Joey de Ocampo said.
Revenge eyed
A source at the District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU) told The STAR that Panlilio had a lover in Isla Puting Bato, where he was reportedly last seen on Saturday night before he disappeared.
The woman, said to be a drug offender and known in the streets of Tondo as “Bangenge,” was found dead Monday night.
She bore bullet wounds in the chest and stomach, police said.
The source added that “Bangenge” was killed first and when Panlilio came looking for her, a man on board a tricycle offered to bring him to her.
The STAR tried again to contact Panlilio’s wife yesterday but to no avail.
Panlilio was formerly assigned at MPD Station 4 and reportedly transferred to the DHSU due to a pending administrative case for being AWOL (absent without official leave).
A police officer told The STAR that Panlilio was facing other cases and has not been receiving salaries since last year.
“That is why he had other extra-curricular activities,” the source said, referring to allegations that the slain policeman was into extortion.
De Ocampo, on the other hand, said that Panlilio was a good police officer and was in Isla Puting Bato following up a case. He confirmed that “Bangenge” was Panlilio’s informant.
Police expressed alarm over his killing. “They just kill police officers like that? We shouldn’t take this sitting down,” a veteran police officer said.
De Ocampo said they have identified the four suspects in the killing of Panlilio but refused to reveal their names pending result of the investigation. He also did not discount the possibility that the killing could be connected to Baseco shootout last week where four alleged robbers were killed. - By Rey Galupo and Pete Laude
Kopi Talk We can't turn tail and run By Solita Collas-Monsod in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - If countries were people with their heights determined by land area and their weights determined by population, China would certainly be a Goliath to the Philippines' David-except that the physical differences between the two would be much, much greater than those of their biblical counterparts. Even if the Old Testament's Goliath had been nine feet tall (although the experts think he was closer to seven feet), as opposed to David's maybe 5'7" at the shortest, and the giant's weight had been three times that of the young boy (15-17 years old), that difference would pale in comparison with China's Goliath and the Philippines' David.
China's land area of 9.6 million square kilometres would make it 32 times taller than the Philippines (300,000 sq km); its population (1.3 billion) would make it 14 times heavier than the Philippines (94 million). A really daunting difference. It must have been daunting for the biblical David, too, but the point is that he didn't turn tail and run, which would have given victory to the Philistines on a silver platter. And, of course, he won. Given the difference between China's Goliath and our David, we may not win. But our turning tail and running now will just give China victory on a silver platter. Plus, we may not be able to live with ourselves, however we try to rationalise things. Plus, of course, we would have let Inang Bayan down, particularly since we regularly sing to her that: "It is glorious, ever, when thou art wronged, for us thy sons to suffer and die."
Nevertheless, it would be instructive to find out exactly how China rationalises a situation that, from our point of view, leaves no doubt whatsoever of its hegemony and/or imperialism. And one would be amazed that as far as China is concerned, we are the bad guys. It has been forbearing, but we are "pressing" it "into a corner" so that its only recourse is to stand and fight. It also claims that Philippine warships have been harassing its fishermen since 1990, with the April 10 incident being only the latest in this string of harassments. We have "played tricks" and "triggered disturbances." And since 2000, by its count, at least 32 of its fishing ships were "chased, robbed or detained" by the Philippine Navy.
The tiny David, bullying the giant Goliath. The harassment being in the form of chasing, or robbing, or detaining.
Just listen to China's version of what happened on April 10, as recounted supposedly by the captain of one of its fishing ships: Nine Philippine soldiers, seven of them carrying rifles, and riding on an inflatable raft, boarded his ship, and made him and his crew (total 16) stand on the deck under the hot sun for four hours while they searched the ship. The captain apparently still had not recovered from the "shocking encounter" with the Philippine Navy, even after three weeks from returning home.
And to the Chinese government, we live in fantasy land, because we are mistaking its "forbearance" for "timidity." At the same time, its story of being harassed, robbed, and pressed into a corner, played tricks on, detained, is an objective, factual account.
China calls it Huangyan Island. We call it Bajo de Masinloc. We say that the area has been delineated as Philippine territory in Spanish maps dating to the 17th century. China says that this same area has been delineated as its territory in its maps dated several centuries ago.
But what about the fact that Bajo de Masinloc/Huangyan is only something like 230 kilometres away from Zambales while it is 1,200 km from the nearest major Chinese land mass? Only think of how long it would have taken Chinese boats several hundred years ago to go to and from the area. Tiny boats. No refrigeration. What would be the point of using the place as fishing grounds? No one has given a satisfactory reason.
But isn't Huangyan, at a distance of 1,200 km from China, outside of its exclusive economic zone (200 miles or 320 km), while it is well within that of the Philippines, as we claim?
Not to China, which thinks that our territorial claim is "untenable" because, quoting from the director of the China Institute for Marine Affairs under State Oceanic Administration, "there is no such principle in international law that determines territorial ownership by geographic distance, and this theory based on geographic distance ... has no basis in international law and judicial practice." And if the Philippines' theory was upheld, he says, the world map would be totally redrawn.
The example he gives is that the British Channel Islands are less than 12 nautical miles off the French coastline at their nearest point. What he fails to point out is that the closest distance between the English mainland and France is only 22 miles. So obviously, the 200-mile economic zone cannot apply.
The kicker here would be: If China really thinks that the Philippine "rhetoric" is untenable in terms of international law, why doesn't it want to go to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea? Tsk.
But China isn't the only one that makes a claim and doesn't want to put its money where its mouth is. We have also been treated to the spectacle of the United States, which claims that we have a mutual defence treaty with each other but won't put its money where its mouth is. But that's another story.
A pox on both of them.
..
China's land area of 9.6 million square kilometres would make it 32 times taller than the Philippines (300,000 sq km); its population (1.3 billion) would make it 14 times heavier than the Philippines (94 million). A really daunting difference. It must have been daunting for the biblical David, too, but the point is that he didn't turn tail and run, which would have given victory to the Philistines on a silver platter. And, of course, he won. Given the difference between China's Goliath and our David, we may not win. But our turning tail and running now will just give China victory on a silver platter. Plus, we may not be able to live with ourselves, however we try to rationalise things. Plus, of course, we would have let Inang Bayan down, particularly since we regularly sing to her that: "It is glorious, ever, when thou art wronged, for us thy sons to suffer and die."
Nevertheless, it would be instructive to find out exactly how China rationalises a situation that, from our point of view, leaves no doubt whatsoever of its hegemony and/or imperialism. And one would be amazed that as far as China is concerned, we are the bad guys. It has been forbearing, but we are "pressing" it "into a corner" so that its only recourse is to stand and fight. It also claims that Philippine warships have been harassing its fishermen since 1990, with the April 10 incident being only the latest in this string of harassments. We have "played tricks" and "triggered disturbances." And since 2000, by its count, at least 32 of its fishing ships were "chased, robbed or detained" by the Philippine Navy.
The tiny David, bullying the giant Goliath. The harassment being in the form of chasing, or robbing, or detaining.
Just listen to China's version of what happened on April 10, as recounted supposedly by the captain of one of its fishing ships: Nine Philippine soldiers, seven of them carrying rifles, and riding on an inflatable raft, boarded his ship, and made him and his crew (total 16) stand on the deck under the hot sun for four hours while they searched the ship. The captain apparently still had not recovered from the "shocking encounter" with the Philippine Navy, even after three weeks from returning home.
And to the Chinese government, we live in fantasy land, because we are mistaking its "forbearance" for "timidity." At the same time, its story of being harassed, robbed, and pressed into a corner, played tricks on, detained, is an objective, factual account.
China calls it Huangyan Island. We call it Bajo de Masinloc. We say that the area has been delineated as Philippine territory in Spanish maps dating to the 17th century. China says that this same area has been delineated as its territory in its maps dated several centuries ago.
But what about the fact that Bajo de Masinloc/Huangyan is only something like 230 kilometres away from Zambales while it is 1,200 km from the nearest major Chinese land mass? Only think of how long it would have taken Chinese boats several hundred years ago to go to and from the area. Tiny boats. No refrigeration. What would be the point of using the place as fishing grounds? No one has given a satisfactory reason.
But isn't Huangyan, at a distance of 1,200 km from China, outside of its exclusive economic zone (200 miles or 320 km), while it is well within that of the Philippines, as we claim?
Not to China, which thinks that our territorial claim is "untenable" because, quoting from the director of the China Institute for Marine Affairs under State Oceanic Administration, "there is no such principle in international law that determines territorial ownership by geographic distance, and this theory based on geographic distance ... has no basis in international law and judicial practice." And if the Philippines' theory was upheld, he says, the world map would be totally redrawn.
The example he gives is that the British Channel Islands are less than 12 nautical miles off the French coastline at their nearest point. What he fails to point out is that the closest distance between the English mainland and France is only 22 miles. So obviously, the 200-mile economic zone cannot apply.
The kicker here would be: If China really thinks that the Philippine "rhetoric" is untenable in terms of international law, why doesn't it want to go to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea? Tsk.
But China isn't the only one that makes a claim and doesn't want to put its money where its mouth is. We have also been treated to the spectacle of the United States, which claims that we have a mutual defence treaty with each other but won't put its money where its mouth is. But that's another story.
A pox on both of them.
..
Kopi Talk Official rumor mongering
By Ellen Tordesillas
Why are high government officials so eager to release unverified information that later turn out to be false?
Spreading false information is not funny at all. Worse, it is coming from official sources.
Last Sunday, Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, released to media the information that a Chinese vessel rammed a Philippine fishing boat, Axl John, last June 20 on the waters near Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Four of the eight fishermen aboard Axl John were rescued but one later died. Four are still missing.
How sure was Ramos that it was a Chinese vessel? He said that was according to the fishermen who saw the markings on the ship. Apparently the name was not written in Roman alphabet which Filipinos are familiar with.
The fishermen said they were expecting the vessel to rescue them and were shocked when they were hit and left adrift in the rough seas.
Based on that skimpy information, Ramos shared with members of media his thoughts: "That's why it's suspicious."
He concluded that the ramming was done on purpose because he said, "If it was accidental, then they should have helped."
With the Scarborough or Panatag shoal standoff winding down, reporters irresponsibly connected the incident to it describing the area of the incident as "north of Scarborough shoal." Never mind if the disputed shoal is something like 180 nautical miles away.
The next day, having rested at the hospital, the fishermen were not sure anymore if it was really a Chinese vessel because they said they didn't see any member of the crew. They also couldn't tell the difference between Chinese characters from Japanese characters.
Here comes the Philippine Coast Guard saying that "it's likely" the vessel that rammed AXL John was MV Peach Mountain, a Hongkong —registered bulk carrier.
Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, quoting a report from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, said, "With a great degree of certainty, Philippine Navy was able to discount Peach Mountain."
"The Philippine Navy was able to plot their route and their speed based on those parameters that we are able to compute and to determine with a great degree of certainty that it (Peach Mountain) was not responsible for the incident," Lacierda explained adding that investigation by the Navy is ongoing.
Coast Guard officials also tried to undo the "damage" created by Ramos' statement saying that it's possible that the big vessel didn't see the Axl John which was understandable given that it's small, the weather was bad and visibility was poor.
This is not the first time that media and the public were given unverified information by government officials.
The National Union of Journalists of Philippines condemned statements by government officials saying Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani, who is reported to be in the custody of the Abu Sayyaf, is being suspected of having links with the al-Qaida terrorist network.
An official was quoted as saying that Atyani was seen as a "terrorist cell contact" citing the several interviews conducted by Atyani with slain al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden months before the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States.
"A government official maligning the reputation of a journalist simply because of guilt by association from stories that he/she legitimately gathered and reported is extremely irresponsible," NUJP said.
We should also include Land Registration Authority Eulalio Diaz III who gave the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona a list of 45 properties allegedly owned by Corona. The prosecution, in turn, released it to media who went to town with the list.
It turned out later that correct number was only 21.
Government officials should be reminded that giving out false information to the public is as bad as blocking access to information. It's rumor mongering. It's a violation of "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" which requires that "Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill."
One also shudders to think that government decisions are made based on wrong information
Why are high government officials so eager to release unverified information that later turn out to be false?
Spreading false information is not funny at all. Worse, it is coming from official sources.
Last Sunday, Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, released to media the information that a Chinese vessel rammed a Philippine fishing boat, Axl John, last June 20 on the waters near Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Four of the eight fishermen aboard Axl John were rescued but one later died. Four are still missing.
How sure was Ramos that it was a Chinese vessel? He said that was according to the fishermen who saw the markings on the ship. Apparently the name was not written in Roman alphabet which Filipinos are familiar with.
The fishermen said they were expecting the vessel to rescue them and were shocked when they were hit and left adrift in the rough seas.
Based on that skimpy information, Ramos shared with members of media his thoughts: "That's why it's suspicious."
He concluded that the ramming was done on purpose because he said, "If it was accidental, then they should have helped."
With the Scarborough or Panatag shoal standoff winding down, reporters irresponsibly connected the incident to it describing the area of the incident as "north of Scarborough shoal." Never mind if the disputed shoal is something like 180 nautical miles away.
The next day, having rested at the hospital, the fishermen were not sure anymore if it was really a Chinese vessel because they said they didn't see any member of the crew. They also couldn't tell the difference between Chinese characters from Japanese characters.
Here comes the Philippine Coast Guard saying that "it's likely" the vessel that rammed AXL John was MV Peach Mountain, a Hongkong —registered bulk carrier.
Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, quoting a report from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, said, "With a great degree of certainty, Philippine Navy was able to discount Peach Mountain."
"The Philippine Navy was able to plot their route and their speed based on those parameters that we are able to compute and to determine with a great degree of certainty that it (Peach Mountain) was not responsible for the incident," Lacierda explained adding that investigation by the Navy is ongoing.
Coast Guard officials also tried to undo the "damage" created by Ramos' statement saying that it's possible that the big vessel didn't see the Axl John which was understandable given that it's small, the weather was bad and visibility was poor.
This is not the first time that media and the public were given unverified information by government officials.
The National Union of Journalists of Philippines condemned statements by government officials saying Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani, who is reported to be in the custody of the Abu Sayyaf, is being suspected of having links with the al-Qaida terrorist network.
An official was quoted as saying that Atyani was seen as a "terrorist cell contact" citing the several interviews conducted by Atyani with slain al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden months before the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States.
"A government official maligning the reputation of a journalist simply because of guilt by association from stories that he/she legitimately gathered and reported is extremely irresponsible," NUJP said.
We should also include Land Registration Authority Eulalio Diaz III who gave the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona a list of 45 properties allegedly owned by Corona. The prosecution, in turn, released it to media who went to town with the list.
It turned out later that correct number was only 21.
Government officials should be reminded that giving out false information to the public is as bad as blocking access to information. It's rumor mongering. It's a violation of "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" which requires that "Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill."
One also shudders to think that government decisions are made based on wrong information
Amid Falling Oil Prices, P0.50 Jeep Fare Cut Sought
MANILA, Philippines -- Commuters on Wednesday asked the government to reduce the minimum jeepney fares from P8 to P7.50 due to the decreasing prices of petroleum products.
The National Center for Commuter Safety and Protection (NCCSP) yesterday filed its petition for a 50-centavo fare reduction for public utility jeepneys, citing the drop of diesel to an average of P37 per liter.
NCCSP President Elvira Medina said it took them this long to finally petition for a fare reduction at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) because they were waiting for the right time.
"Now that diesel price averages at P37 per liter, we are confident that the LTFRB will grant our petition. We think it is the best time for government to revert the minimum fare to P7.50 minimum now," she urged.
Medina said that if diesel prices drop further and reach an average price of P35 per liter, NCCSP will again reiterate their request for a P1 jeepney fare reduction.
She added that NCCSP is planning to file a separate petition for a P1 fare reduction for metro and provincial bus rates next week.
The group will ask LTFRB to reduce minimum fare for air-conditioned metro buses from P12 to P11 and for regular metro buses from P10 to P9. It will also propose a P1 per three kilometer fare reduction for provincial buses.
"We are not, however, asking for fare reduction on the rate per succeeding kilometer in deference to the plight of jeepney and bus operators who we know are also struggling to sustain their operations," Medina added.
She said she hopes that the price of petroleum products will continuously drop with the advent of summer season in Europe and the United States.
"The demand for petroleum products in the US and Europe will decrease during the summer months and this will cause prices to drop. Besides, our peso is gaining strength that is why oil prices will continue to decrease," she added.
Upon receiving the petition for fare reduction of the NCCSP, the LTFRB will schedule a series of public consultation before rendering a decision whether or not to grant the request. Petitioners and oppositors will have their opportunity to air their sides
The National Center for Commuter Safety and Protection (NCCSP) yesterday filed its petition for a 50-centavo fare reduction for public utility jeepneys, citing the drop of diesel to an average of P37 per liter.
NCCSP President Elvira Medina said it took them this long to finally petition for a fare reduction at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) because they were waiting for the right time.
"Now that diesel price averages at P37 per liter, we are confident that the LTFRB will grant our petition. We think it is the best time for government to revert the minimum fare to P7.50 minimum now," she urged.
Medina said that if diesel prices drop further and reach an average price of P35 per liter, NCCSP will again reiterate their request for a P1 jeepney fare reduction.
She added that NCCSP is planning to file a separate petition for a P1 fare reduction for metro and provincial bus rates next week.
The group will ask LTFRB to reduce minimum fare for air-conditioned metro buses from P12 to P11 and for regular metro buses from P10 to P9. It will also propose a P1 per three kilometer fare reduction for provincial buses.
"We are not, however, asking for fare reduction on the rate per succeeding kilometer in deference to the plight of jeepney and bus operators who we know are also struggling to sustain their operations," Medina added.
She said she hopes that the price of petroleum products will continuously drop with the advent of summer season in Europe and the United States.
"The demand for petroleum products in the US and Europe will decrease during the summer months and this will cause prices to drop. Besides, our peso is gaining strength that is why oil prices will continue to decrease," she added.
Upon receiving the petition for fare reduction of the NCCSP, the LTFRB will schedule a series of public consultation before rendering a decision whether or not to grant the request. Petitioners and oppositors will have their opportunity to air their sides
Ford to close Philippine assembly plant
..US auto giant Ford said Wednesday it is to close its vehicle assembly plant in the Philippines by the end of the year, with the loss of 360 jobs, as part of an ongoing restructuring across Asia.
The decision will leave the country without a motor vehicle exporter, Ford Group Philippines president Randy Krieger said in a statement.
"This is a very difficult decision. The company studied every possible scenario and opportunity, but we could not make a strong enough business case for future manufacturing," he added.
The company said it had exported more than 80,000 vehicles worth $1 billion over to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia since 2002.
Ford invested $270 million in the 36,000 vehicles per year factory in Santa Rosa, south of Manila that opened in 1999.
..
The decision will leave the country without a motor vehicle exporter, Ford Group Philippines president Randy Krieger said in a statement.
"This is a very difficult decision. The company studied every possible scenario and opportunity, but we could not make a strong enough business case for future manufacturing," he added.
The company said it had exported more than 80,000 vehicles worth $1 billion over to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia since 2002.
Ford invested $270 million in the 36,000 vehicles per year factory in Santa Rosa, south of Manila that opened in 1999.
..
‘Project Noah’ eyed to improve flood monitoring system in PH
By Anna Valmero
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inked an agreement with Smart Communications for the implementation of a flood monitoring system covering 18 major river basins nationwide.
For “Project Noah,” Smart and sister firm Sun Cellular have agreed to let the DOST install automated rain gauges in 600 of their cell sites in the target river basin systems.
“Aside from installing rain gauges in our network infrastructures across the country, our network services will help transmit pertinent weather data for analysis and formulation of DOST’s grand flood warning system,” said Smart spokesman Mon Isberto.
The official added that Smart’s cellular network was able to connect families even during the country’s worst disasters.
Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has completed the installation of 63 automatic rain gauges (ARGs) in Smart cellular network sites nationwide under a separate co-location agreement in 2011.
The weather bureau selected key sites all over the country, starting with Montalban in Rizal province, which was one of the areas heavily damaged by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
PAGASA recently inaugurated one of these rain gauges in Mindanao, which suffered in a massive flooding when Typhoon Sendong struck the region last year.
“With the use of ARGs and other equipment, which are planned to be part of one weather monitoring system, a repeat of that tragic event when Sendong killed hundreds in Mindanao will be prevented,” said PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando.
Last year, the DOST in Western Visayas region and Smart also installed ARGs in the most disaster-prone areas of Iloilo City, completing the ARG-installation project in Western Visayas.
Together with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), Smart is also providing trainings to local officials of Marikina, Dumaguete, Bacolod and Cagayan De Oro, helping them formulate contingency plans and organize flood drills.
To complement these trainings, Smart is promoting the use of its Infoboard SMS community broadcast system to empower communities by gathering and sending weather and disaster reports across the community.
This World Bank-funded project implemented through the help of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is a model that Smart would like to replicate in other areas of the country.
“We are using our experience in past disasters to help promote better community preparedness.
Because at the end of the day, the first people who will help you out in times of disasters are your neighbors,” Isberto said.
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inked an agreement with Smart Communications for the implementation of a flood monitoring system covering 18 major river basins nationwide.
For “Project Noah,” Smart and sister firm Sun Cellular have agreed to let the DOST install automated rain gauges in 600 of their cell sites in the target river basin systems.
“Aside from installing rain gauges in our network infrastructures across the country, our network services will help transmit pertinent weather data for analysis and formulation of DOST’s grand flood warning system,” said Smart spokesman Mon Isberto.
The official added that Smart’s cellular network was able to connect families even during the country’s worst disasters.
Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has completed the installation of 63 automatic rain gauges (ARGs) in Smart cellular network sites nationwide under a separate co-location agreement in 2011.
The weather bureau selected key sites all over the country, starting with Montalban in Rizal province, which was one of the areas heavily damaged by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
PAGASA recently inaugurated one of these rain gauges in Mindanao, which suffered in a massive flooding when Typhoon Sendong struck the region last year.
“With the use of ARGs and other equipment, which are planned to be part of one weather monitoring system, a repeat of that tragic event when Sendong killed hundreds in Mindanao will be prevented,” said PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando.
Last year, the DOST in Western Visayas region and Smart also installed ARGs in the most disaster-prone areas of Iloilo City, completing the ARG-installation project in Western Visayas.
Together with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), Smart is also providing trainings to local officials of Marikina, Dumaguete, Bacolod and Cagayan De Oro, helping them formulate contingency plans and organize flood drills.
To complement these trainings, Smart is promoting the use of its Infoboard SMS community broadcast system to empower communities by gathering and sending weather and disaster reports across the community.
This World Bank-funded project implemented through the help of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is a model that Smart would like to replicate in other areas of the country.
“We are using our experience in past disasters to help promote better community preparedness.
Because at the end of the day, the first people who will help you out in times of disasters are your neighbors,” Isberto said.
3 million child laborers toil in Philippines
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - There are 3 million child laborers toiling in the Philippines and almost all of them are working in hazardous conditions, according to a survey financed by the International Labor Organization (ILO).
The 2011 Survey on Children conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and released on Tuesday showed that out of the 29.019 million Filipino children aged 5-17 years old, about 18.9 percent or 5.59 million, were already working.
This is higher than the 4 million Filipino working children registered in a 2001 survey conducted by the ILO and the US Department of Labor.
Of the 5.59 million children at work, 3.028 million were considered as child laborers and 2.993 million were reported to be exposed to hazardous child labor.
¿We¿re surprised by this ... We at the (labor department) reiterate our pledge to do our utmost in making every barangay in the country with high child labor incidence child labor-free," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said at the launching in Pasig City of a new campaign to stamp out child labor in the country.
¿In carrying out this resolve, we will take it one barangay at a time. We will meet the challenge head-on," she added.
Baldoz said that the government had identified 609 of the country¿s poorest municipalities and was targeting 80 barangay (or villages) that had the highest incidence of child labor.
She also pointed out that the survey showed that 69.5 percent of child laborers, or 2.106 million, were attending school.
Under the law, child labor is defined as any work or economic activity performed by a child that subjects him or her to any form of exploitation, or is harmful to his or her health and safety, or physical, mental, or psycho-social development.
Hazardous child labor refers to employment in industries and occupations designated as hazardous under the country¿s occupational safety and health standards.
¿We have to get to the root of child labor, which is linked with poverty and lack of decent and productive work," said ILO country director Lawrence Jeff Johnson.
¿While we strive to keep children in school and away from child labor, we need to ensure decent and productive work for parents and basic social protection for families," Johnson added.
Carmelita Ericta, NSO administrator, said 60 percent of child laborers in the country were in the agricultural sector.
¿There are two boys for every girl, especially in agriculture. In the services sector, there are more girls than boys. Sixty percent are in agriculture unlike in our Labor Force Survey, which shows that only 30 percent (of the country¿s labor force) is in agriculture," Ericta said.
¿As they grow older, they also tend to drop out of school. With the younger age group, aged 5 to 9 years old, 90 percent are in school. By the time they reach 15, only half of them are in school," she said.
¿They are working mostly in the farms but some of them work in construction sites. Around 3 percent are actually in the mines, quarries, or factory sites," she added.
The regions, which had the highest incidence of child labor, were Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Central Visayas, the survey showed.
Ericta said the 2.993 million child laborers exposed to hazardous conditions could include those involved in the worst forms of child labor¿sex trade, drug trafficking, other illicit activities, and armed conflict.
¿They could be included but they¿re not labeled as such. This is because when you ask them where they work, they could say they¿re waitresses when they¿re actually prostituted children," Ericta said.
¿These (2.993 million) are the ones exposed to chemicals, biological hazards like bacteria that cause diseases or physical hazards," she added.
The Philippines has pledged to reduce by 75 percent all worst forms of child labor by 2015, which is anchored on the millennium development goal of achieving universal education.
Ericta also said that the 2001 and 2011 surveys could not be compared because a different methodology was used in the 2001 survey, which involved ¿more general questions."
Ericta said the survey was conducted in October 2011 involving 50,000 families across the country.
The 2011 Survey on Children conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and released on Tuesday showed that out of the 29.019 million Filipino children aged 5-17 years old, about 18.9 percent or 5.59 million, were already working.
This is higher than the 4 million Filipino working children registered in a 2001 survey conducted by the ILO and the US Department of Labor.
Of the 5.59 million children at work, 3.028 million were considered as child laborers and 2.993 million were reported to be exposed to hazardous child labor.
¿We¿re surprised by this ... We at the (labor department) reiterate our pledge to do our utmost in making every barangay in the country with high child labor incidence child labor-free," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said at the launching in Pasig City of a new campaign to stamp out child labor in the country.
¿In carrying out this resolve, we will take it one barangay at a time. We will meet the challenge head-on," she added.
Baldoz said that the government had identified 609 of the country¿s poorest municipalities and was targeting 80 barangay (or villages) that had the highest incidence of child labor.
She also pointed out that the survey showed that 69.5 percent of child laborers, or 2.106 million, were attending school.
Under the law, child labor is defined as any work or economic activity performed by a child that subjects him or her to any form of exploitation, or is harmful to his or her health and safety, or physical, mental, or psycho-social development.
Hazardous child labor refers to employment in industries and occupations designated as hazardous under the country¿s occupational safety and health standards.
¿We have to get to the root of child labor, which is linked with poverty and lack of decent and productive work," said ILO country director Lawrence Jeff Johnson.
¿While we strive to keep children in school and away from child labor, we need to ensure decent and productive work for parents and basic social protection for families," Johnson added.
Carmelita Ericta, NSO administrator, said 60 percent of child laborers in the country were in the agricultural sector.
¿There are two boys for every girl, especially in agriculture. In the services sector, there are more girls than boys. Sixty percent are in agriculture unlike in our Labor Force Survey, which shows that only 30 percent (of the country¿s labor force) is in agriculture," Ericta said.
¿As they grow older, they also tend to drop out of school. With the younger age group, aged 5 to 9 years old, 90 percent are in school. By the time they reach 15, only half of them are in school," she said.
¿They are working mostly in the farms but some of them work in construction sites. Around 3 percent are actually in the mines, quarries, or factory sites," she added.
The regions, which had the highest incidence of child labor, were Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Central Visayas, the survey showed.
Ericta said the 2.993 million child laborers exposed to hazardous conditions could include those involved in the worst forms of child labor¿sex trade, drug trafficking, other illicit activities, and armed conflict.
¿They could be included but they¿re not labeled as such. This is because when you ask them where they work, they could say they¿re waitresses when they¿re actually prostituted children," Ericta said.
¿These (2.993 million) are the ones exposed to chemicals, biological hazards like bacteria that cause diseases or physical hazards," she added.
The Philippines has pledged to reduce by 75 percent all worst forms of child labor by 2015, which is anchored on the millennium development goal of achieving universal education.
Ericta also said that the 2001 and 2011 surveys could not be compared because a different methodology was used in the 2001 survey, which involved ¿more general questions."
Ericta said the survey was conducted in October 2011 involving 50,000 families across the country.
Filipinos Among World’s Top Smokers – Survey
..MANILA, Philippines - Despite the existence of laws that limit smoking, male Filipino smokers are among the top smokers in the world occupying the ninth spot following India and China among others, data from the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation revealed on Tuesday.
The 2008 data was revealed by the Department of Health (DoH) as it sought to emphasize the urgency of the passage of the sin tax bill.
Other top male smokers in the world tobacco atlas ahead of the Philippines are Indonesia, the Russian Federation, USA, Japan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Male Chinese smokers took the top spot with 311,203,202, followed by India with 229,392,725; Indonesia, 53,392,709; the Russian Federation, 32,827,525; USA, 32,474,518; Bangladesh, 21,453,3412; Pakistan; 17,723, 216; and the Philippines on ninth spot with 17,634,512.
Meanwhile, female Filipino smokers are also a worsening lot as they climbed from the 26th spot in 2006 to 16th place in 2008.
Topping the list are American female smokers at 23,671,860; China, 13,532,810; India, 11,908,517; the Russian Federation, 10,189,820 and the Philippines, 3,848,908.
The Philippines' global adult tobacco survey in 2009 revealed that adult current smokers 15 years and above reached 17.3 million with 14.6 million males and 2.8 million females.
Meanwhile, one in five youth aged 13 to 15 years old currently smoke cigarettes.
The DOH said 23.9 million Filipinos are exposed to tobacco smoke daily with 66.7 percent of workers exposed to second hand smoke in worksites and 75.7 percent of workers are exposed to second hand smoke where there is no anti-smoking policy.
Moreover, almost 28 million Filipinos who used public transportation during the past 30 days were also exposed.
But what is more alarming is that 10 Filipinos die daily because of tobacco-related diseases.
In yesterday's forum, Luz B. Tagunicar, Supervising Health Program Officer of the National Center for Health Promotion cited the World Health Organization (WHO) that said non-communicable diseases or lifestyle diseases are the leading causes of deaths worldwide.
These illnesses include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.
"Although government revenue from tobacco taxes is about P23 Billion annually, economic losses due to productivity and heath care costs of the top four tobacco related diseases: Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and stroke are conservatively estimated at P149 Billion annually," the 2008 Tobacco and Poverty study of the WHO said.
The study further said that one-third of the Philippine population is at risk of dying from debilitating diseases and tobacco use.
"The average Filipino household earning about P5,100 monthly spends approximately 2.6 percent of the household income on tobacco, which is more than they spend on education and heatlh which is 1.6 percent and health at 1.3 percent respectively," the study added.
The WHO recommends that tobacco excise tax must be at least 70 percent of the tobacco retail prices.
Non-government organization Health Justice recommends the removal of price classification freeze and a unitary system of taxation applied across all tobacco products. It also recommends a high tax rate of at
least P30 per box and a taxation rate that is pegged to inflation.
..
The 2008 data was revealed by the Department of Health (DoH) as it sought to emphasize the urgency of the passage of the sin tax bill.
Other top male smokers in the world tobacco atlas ahead of the Philippines are Indonesia, the Russian Federation, USA, Japan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Male Chinese smokers took the top spot with 311,203,202, followed by India with 229,392,725; Indonesia, 53,392,709; the Russian Federation, 32,827,525; USA, 32,474,518; Bangladesh, 21,453,3412; Pakistan; 17,723, 216; and the Philippines on ninth spot with 17,634,512.
Meanwhile, female Filipino smokers are also a worsening lot as they climbed from the 26th spot in 2006 to 16th place in 2008.
Topping the list are American female smokers at 23,671,860; China, 13,532,810; India, 11,908,517; the Russian Federation, 10,189,820 and the Philippines, 3,848,908.
The Philippines' global adult tobacco survey in 2009 revealed that adult current smokers 15 years and above reached 17.3 million with 14.6 million males and 2.8 million females.
Meanwhile, one in five youth aged 13 to 15 years old currently smoke cigarettes.
The DOH said 23.9 million Filipinos are exposed to tobacco smoke daily with 66.7 percent of workers exposed to second hand smoke in worksites and 75.7 percent of workers are exposed to second hand smoke where there is no anti-smoking policy.
Moreover, almost 28 million Filipinos who used public transportation during the past 30 days were also exposed.
But what is more alarming is that 10 Filipinos die daily because of tobacco-related diseases.
In yesterday's forum, Luz B. Tagunicar, Supervising Health Program Officer of the National Center for Health Promotion cited the World Health Organization (WHO) that said non-communicable diseases or lifestyle diseases are the leading causes of deaths worldwide.
These illnesses include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.
"Although government revenue from tobacco taxes is about P23 Billion annually, economic losses due to productivity and heath care costs of the top four tobacco related diseases: Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and stroke are conservatively estimated at P149 Billion annually," the 2008 Tobacco and Poverty study of the WHO said.
The study further said that one-third of the Philippine population is at risk of dying from debilitating diseases and tobacco use.
"The average Filipino household earning about P5,100 monthly spends approximately 2.6 percent of the household income on tobacco, which is more than they spend on education and heatlh which is 1.6 percent and health at 1.3 percent respectively," the study added.
The WHO recommends that tobacco excise tax must be at least 70 percent of the tobacco retail prices.
Non-government organization Health Justice recommends the removal of price classification freeze and a unitary system of taxation applied across all tobacco products. It also recommends a high tax rate of at
least P30 per box and a taxation rate that is pegged to inflation.
..
Miriam Declines Chief Justice Nomination
.MANILA, Philippines --- Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday declined her nomination to become the next chief justice, saying she preferred to sit as judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Santiago issued the statement after she was nominated for chief justice before the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) by a private individual.
A former trial court judge and professor of constitutional and international laws, Santiago was nominated by Victor del Rosario, who cited her "intellectual prowess, conscientious scholarship and, most of all, her unassailable character that will inspire the trust, confidence, and respect of the Bar, the Bench and the general public."
Santiago, one of three senators who voted to acquit former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona at his impeachment trial, said she considers the post of ICC judge higher than chief magistrate of the Philippines.
She added an ICC judge gets a higher pay than chief justice.
It would also put the Philippines in bad light if she relinquished the ICC post after campaigning so hard to get elected.
Santiago said she is now waiting for ICC's call for her to assume her post.
Meanwhile, a Malacanang official described both Santiago and Senator Franklin Drilon as "well-qualified" to become chieft justice.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was reacting to reports that both senators were nominated separately before the JBC for chief justice.
"Both of them are obviously qualified," Lacierda said. "Both showed intellectual brilliance in the Senate -in passage of several bills and in the impeachment trial, both have shown their brilliance."
"Therefore, as any other candidate for the position of Chief Justice, we believe both of them are well qualified," he said.
Lacierda however said it will be up to the two lawmakers to accept or decline their nomination. (with a report from Madel R. Sabater)
.
Santiago issued the statement after she was nominated for chief justice before the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) by a private individual.
A former trial court judge and professor of constitutional and international laws, Santiago was nominated by Victor del Rosario, who cited her "intellectual prowess, conscientious scholarship and, most of all, her unassailable character that will inspire the trust, confidence, and respect of the Bar, the Bench and the general public."
Santiago, one of three senators who voted to acquit former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona at his impeachment trial, said she considers the post of ICC judge higher than chief magistrate of the Philippines.
She added an ICC judge gets a higher pay than chief justice.
It would also put the Philippines in bad light if she relinquished the ICC post after campaigning so hard to get elected.
Santiago said she is now waiting for ICC's call for her to assume her post.
Meanwhile, a Malacanang official described both Santiago and Senator Franklin Drilon as "well-qualified" to become chieft justice.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was reacting to reports that both senators were nominated separately before the JBC for chief justice.
"Both of them are obviously qualified," Lacierda said. "Both showed intellectual brilliance in the Senate -in passage of several bills and in the impeachment trial, both have shown their brilliance."
"Therefore, as any other candidate for the position of Chief Justice, we believe both of them are well qualified," he said.
Lacierda however said it will be up to the two lawmakers to accept or decline their nomination. (with a report from Madel R. Sabater)
.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Australia's Packer, Macau's Ho in Manila casino talks
The Philippines' richest family said on Wednesday it was in talks with Australian billionaire James Packer and Macau gambling tycoon Lawrence Ho to develop a $1-billion casino in Manila.
SM Investments Corp, which is controlled by the Henry Sy family, confirmed an Australian media report that the casino plan was being discussed, but said no deal had yet been agreed.
"These are just talks for now. Nothing is final," Cora Guidote, senior vice president of SM Investments Corp, told AFP.
The Australian Financial Review reported that Packer and Ho, through their joint venture casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment, would enter into an equal joint venture with Henry Sy Jr.
Lawrence Ho is the son of gaming mogul Stanley Ho.
The casino would form part of a huge gambling development, which the government hopes will turn the Philippine capital into the world's number-two gaming destination ahead of Singapore and Las Vegas, and behind only Macau.
Despite Guidote's insistence that no deal was imminent, the Review said that Packer and Ho flew to Manila on Tuesday to sign the deal that could be announced as early as this week.
Sy's SM group holds one of four licences handed out by the Philippine government to build a casino worth at least $1 billion each at a site on Manila Bay called Entertainment City.
Gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has also granted licences to Malaysia's Genting Group, which already runs Manila's largest casino, Bloomberry Resorts Corp., and another casino backed by Japanese gaming equipment supplier Kazuo Okada.
The regulator was unavailable for comment Wednesday
SM Investments Corp, which is controlled by the Henry Sy family, confirmed an Australian media report that the casino plan was being discussed, but said no deal had yet been agreed.
"These are just talks for now. Nothing is final," Cora Guidote, senior vice president of SM Investments Corp, told AFP.
The Australian Financial Review reported that Packer and Ho, through their joint venture casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment, would enter into an equal joint venture with Henry Sy Jr.
Lawrence Ho is the son of gaming mogul Stanley Ho.
The casino would form part of a huge gambling development, which the government hopes will turn the Philippine capital into the world's number-two gaming destination ahead of Singapore and Las Vegas, and behind only Macau.
Despite Guidote's insistence that no deal was imminent, the Review said that Packer and Ho flew to Manila on Tuesday to sign the deal that could be announced as early as this week.
Sy's SM group holds one of four licences handed out by the Philippine government to build a casino worth at least $1 billion each at a site on Manila Bay called Entertainment City.
Gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has also granted licences to Malaysia's Genting Group, which already runs Manila's largest casino, Bloomberry Resorts Corp., and another casino backed by Japanese gaming equipment supplier Kazuo Okada.
The regulator was unavailable for comment Wednesday
Trumps eye more Philippine projects
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Two sons of American tycoon Donald Trump flew in from New York yesterday for the groundbreaking of Trump Tower Manila, a luxury tower to be developed by Century Properties Group and the first of what is hinted to be a series of property projects involving the Trump brand in the Philippines.
¿This will not be our last project in the Philippines. We¿re looking forward to rolling out a couple of things," Donald Trump Jr. said in a press briefing. He hinted that talks have started with the Antonio family-led Century group for follow-up projects.
Trump Tower Manila is a US$150-million, 56-storey residential development project of Century with the brand name and mark under license from the Trump. It will rise in Century City, the Century group¿s 3.4-hectare flagship development along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City in Metro Manila.
Century founder and chairman Jose Antonio said this project was very relevant in assisting the positioning of greater Metro Manila as a ¿cosmopolitan¿ city. He noted that cosmopolitan cities elsewhere in the region like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore had captured a lot of investments and having a quality development and a strong brand should groom Metro Manila into a better position.
¿Quality will always be remembered long after the price has been forgotten," he said.
The residential units in Trump Tower Manila is selling at an average 200,000 pesos ($4,700) a square metre. Based on the size range of between 57 and 400 square metres, the smallest unit is priced at 11.4 million pesos (269,000) and the biggest at 80 million pesos ($1.8 million). The units will be turned over to buyers by 2016.
Robbie Antonio, Century managing director, said 70 per cent of the 222-unit residential development had already been sold since the project was launched in September 2011.
¿The fact that a Trump-branded development is rising in the Philippines is a testament to the increased confidence of the international sector in our country¿s potential to become a world-class destination. As a standard bearer of excellence in residential living, Trump Tower Manila also positions the Philippines as the ideal place of residence for global citizens," the younger Antonio said.
¿We are overwhelmed with the tremendous success of this project in such a short time. Trump Tower Manila has already received accolades even prior to breaking ground, which is an incredible accomplishment further showcasing the strength of the local market and its increasing demand in the ownership of luxury real estate," Eric Trump said.
He added that the design of Trump Tower Manila was such that the Trumps wanted to have the best building not only in the Philippines but in Asia and the world."
¿This will not be our last project in the Philippines. We¿re looking forward to rolling out a couple of things," Donald Trump Jr. said in a press briefing. He hinted that talks have started with the Antonio family-led Century group for follow-up projects.
Trump Tower Manila is a US$150-million, 56-storey residential development project of Century with the brand name and mark under license from the Trump. It will rise in Century City, the Century group¿s 3.4-hectare flagship development along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City in Metro Manila.
Century founder and chairman Jose Antonio said this project was very relevant in assisting the positioning of greater Metro Manila as a ¿cosmopolitan¿ city. He noted that cosmopolitan cities elsewhere in the region like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore had captured a lot of investments and having a quality development and a strong brand should groom Metro Manila into a better position.
¿Quality will always be remembered long after the price has been forgotten," he said.
The residential units in Trump Tower Manila is selling at an average 200,000 pesos ($4,700) a square metre. Based on the size range of between 57 and 400 square metres, the smallest unit is priced at 11.4 million pesos (269,000) and the biggest at 80 million pesos ($1.8 million). The units will be turned over to buyers by 2016.
Robbie Antonio, Century managing director, said 70 per cent of the 222-unit residential development had already been sold since the project was launched in September 2011.
¿The fact that a Trump-branded development is rising in the Philippines is a testament to the increased confidence of the international sector in our country¿s potential to become a world-class destination. As a standard bearer of excellence in residential living, Trump Tower Manila also positions the Philippines as the ideal place of residence for global citizens," the younger Antonio said.
¿We are overwhelmed with the tremendous success of this project in such a short time. Trump Tower Manila has already received accolades even prior to breaking ground, which is an incredible accomplishment further showcasing the strength of the local market and its increasing demand in the ownership of luxury real estate," Eric Trump said.
He added that the design of Trump Tower Manila was such that the Trumps wanted to have the best building not only in the Philippines but in Asia and the world."
Dengue Cases Surge In Iloilo, Up 37% In Central Visayas
.ILOILO CITY, Iloilo - There has been a 279% increase of dengue cases in the province of Iloilo.
The Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recorded 629 cases with 12 deaths from January 1 to June 16, 2012.
Some 144 new cases were recorded with Pavia town registering the most number of cases at 73 and three deaths, followed by Dumangas town with 68 cases and two deaths.
Dr. Grace Trabado, provincial health officer, said that while there was a 279% increase for the first six months as compared to the same period of 2011, the number of cases is not considered to be an epidemic.
"It is still manageable," Trabado said.
However, she expressed disappointment in the low compliance by local residents with high incidence of dengue cases in joining the anti-dengue campaign.
She said that local government executives have done their work, but it must be the locals who have to make sure that their surroundings are clean.
Trabado also said the PHO has also been distributing larvicidal chemicals, which are used in getting rid of stagnant water and avert the creation of breeding grounds for mosquitoes that are dengue carriers.
PHO is coordinating with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-6) in the distribution of mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal traps, which are designed to attract female mosquitoes, eventually killing their eggs and thus, curbing the number of dengue cases.
In 2010, Iloilo was under a state of calamity with 6,500 dengue cases and 32 deaths.
Meanwhile, the number of dengue cases is likewise growing in the Central Visayas region, with the Department of Health (DoH)'s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) recording close to 3,000 cases and over 20 deaths from January 1 to June 9 this year.
RESU 7 figures show that a total of 2,985 cases with 21 deaths were recorded for said period which is 36.9 percent higher compared to last year's 2,179 cases and 14 deaths.
Of total cases, Cebu City tops the list with 47 percent equivalent to 1,388 cases and nine deaths. In 2011, Cebu City registered only 747 cases and seven deaths.
Dumaguete City comes second with 6.1 percent or 183 cases, followed by Lapu-Lapu City with 149 cases and three deaths, and Minglanilla with 143 cases with one fatality.
Other dengue casualties were also recorded in the towns of Liloan, Sibulan, Bacong, Antiquerra, Calape and Tagbilaran City.
Data from RESU 7 also reveal that most of those affected are under 6-10 years age group representing 27.6 percent of the total number of victims. (With a story by Phoebe Indino)
.
The Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recorded 629 cases with 12 deaths from January 1 to June 16, 2012.
Some 144 new cases were recorded with Pavia town registering the most number of cases at 73 and three deaths, followed by Dumangas town with 68 cases and two deaths.
Dr. Grace Trabado, provincial health officer, said that while there was a 279% increase for the first six months as compared to the same period of 2011, the number of cases is not considered to be an epidemic.
"It is still manageable," Trabado said.
However, she expressed disappointment in the low compliance by local residents with high incidence of dengue cases in joining the anti-dengue campaign.
She said that local government executives have done their work, but it must be the locals who have to make sure that their surroundings are clean.
Trabado also said the PHO has also been distributing larvicidal chemicals, which are used in getting rid of stagnant water and avert the creation of breeding grounds for mosquitoes that are dengue carriers.
PHO is coordinating with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-6) in the distribution of mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal traps, which are designed to attract female mosquitoes, eventually killing their eggs and thus, curbing the number of dengue cases.
In 2010, Iloilo was under a state of calamity with 6,500 dengue cases and 32 deaths.
Meanwhile, the number of dengue cases is likewise growing in the Central Visayas region, with the Department of Health (DoH)'s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) recording close to 3,000 cases and over 20 deaths from January 1 to June 9 this year.
RESU 7 figures show that a total of 2,985 cases with 21 deaths were recorded for said period which is 36.9 percent higher compared to last year's 2,179 cases and 14 deaths.
Of total cases, Cebu City tops the list with 47 percent equivalent to 1,388 cases and nine deaths. In 2011, Cebu City registered only 747 cases and seven deaths.
Dumaguete City comes second with 6.1 percent or 183 cases, followed by Lapu-Lapu City with 149 cases and three deaths, and Minglanilla with 143 cases with one fatality.
Other dengue casualties were also recorded in the towns of Liloan, Sibulan, Bacong, Antiquerra, Calape and Tagbilaran City.
Data from RESU 7 also reveal that most of those affected are under 6-10 years age group representing 27.6 percent of the total number of victims. (With a story by Phoebe Indino)
.
2 women ‘kidnap’ child, 1, from aunt in mall
A BOY was reportedly kidnapped by two women inside a shopping mall in Cebu City yesterday morning.
Jake Simbajon, who is one year and six months old, was last seen wearing a green jersey and rubber slippers printed with cartoon characters.
The kidnappers allegedly snatched the boy from her aunt’s arms past 11 a.m.
The boy’s mother, Diana, 21, said she left her son with her sister Gina, 29, as she went to buy food for them.
They were at the top floor of the mall, which is situated at the corner of N. Bacalso Ave. and Leon Kilat St.
Gina said she thought the women were relatives of her younger sister’s husband.
“Pareha man gud nawong (They looked similar),” she said.
The suspects told Gina to hand over the boy and go after Diana as they will go home together to Barangay Palanas, Ginatilan.
When Gina looked for her sister, the suspects suddenly went missing. They tried to search for the women inside the mall but they were nowhere to be found.
They immediately sought for help at the Cebu City Police Office’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB).
IDMB Chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano said they will inspect the closed-circuit television cameras installed inside the mall for possible identification of the suspects.
“Basin paryente ra gyud nila (It may only be their relatives),” he said.
Diana, in an interview, said they just came from the town of Tabuelan and attended her hometown’s fiesta celebration.
Her husband, a construction worker, was left at home for work.
Diana said she even let Jake play some arcade games in the mall before going to the
South Bus Terminal.
“Kinsa man intawn mohatag og bata ‘te, ui (Who would give children away to strangers)?” she told her sister Gina.
Jake Simbajon, who is one year and six months old, was last seen wearing a green jersey and rubber slippers printed with cartoon characters.
The kidnappers allegedly snatched the boy from her aunt’s arms past 11 a.m.
The boy’s mother, Diana, 21, said she left her son with her sister Gina, 29, as she went to buy food for them.
They were at the top floor of the mall, which is situated at the corner of N. Bacalso Ave. and Leon Kilat St.
Gina said she thought the women were relatives of her younger sister’s husband.
“Pareha man gud nawong (They looked similar),” she said.
The suspects told Gina to hand over the boy and go after Diana as they will go home together to Barangay Palanas, Ginatilan.
When Gina looked for her sister, the suspects suddenly went missing. They tried to search for the women inside the mall but they were nowhere to be found.
They immediately sought for help at the Cebu City Police Office’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB).
IDMB Chief Insp. Bonifacio Garciano said they will inspect the closed-circuit television cameras installed inside the mall for possible identification of the suspects.
“Basin paryente ra gyud nila (It may only be their relatives),” he said.
Diana, in an interview, said they just came from the town of Tabuelan and attended her hometown’s fiesta celebration.
Her husband, a construction worker, was left at home for work.
Diana said she even let Jake play some arcade games in the mall before going to the
South Bus Terminal.
“Kinsa man intawn mohatag og bata ‘te, ui (Who would give children away to strangers)?” she told her sister Gina.
CEB Slashes Fuel Surcharge 20%
.MANILA, Philippines --- To further lower fares for passengers, Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) slashed fuel surcharges on its domestic flights by 20%.
Airlines all over the world add fuel surcharges to air fares to offset the rising cost of fuel, one of their major cost components.
However, effective June 25, 2012, CEB brought down fuel surcharges by P100 from Manila to Visayas, Mindanao and select Luzon routes ; by P50 from Manila to select Luzon routes, from Visayas to Luzon and Mindanao and within Visayas as well as from Mindanao to Visayas and within Mindanao.
"We are committed to offering the public the lowest all-in fares in all the routes we operate," explained CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. "Our all-in lowest fares will be even more affordable to business and leisure travelers in the Philippines."
"CEB will continue to look for ways to make flying accessible to everyone, with the expected delivery of three more brand-new Airbus A320 in the 2nd half of the year," she added.
CEB reduced domestic fuel surcharge in tandem with an P888 all-in seat sale from Manila to Visayas and an P1,188 all-in seat sale from Manila to Mindanao. This is available from June 25 to 27, 2012 or until seats last, for travel from August 25 to October 31, 2012.
Passengers can also buy P688 all-in seats on its two newest domestic routes: Davao-Puerto Princesa and Davao-Kalibo (Boracay). These new routes will be launched on August 2, 2012.
All-in domestic fares are inclusive of fuel surcharge, administration fee, aviation security fee, 12% VAT and 7 kilos hand carry baggage allowance, but exclusive of check-in baggage.
Meanwhile, an international seat sale to China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai or Xiamen), Korea (Seoul or Busan), Hong Kong and Macau is also available, for travel from August 1 to October 31, 2012.
CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft - with an average age of 3.6 years - is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines.
.
Airlines all over the world add fuel surcharges to air fares to offset the rising cost of fuel, one of their major cost components.
However, effective June 25, 2012, CEB brought down fuel surcharges by P100 from Manila to Visayas, Mindanao and select Luzon routes ; by P50 from Manila to select Luzon routes, from Visayas to Luzon and Mindanao and within Visayas as well as from Mindanao to Visayas and within Mindanao.
"We are committed to offering the public the lowest all-in fares in all the routes we operate," explained CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. "Our all-in lowest fares will be even more affordable to business and leisure travelers in the Philippines."
"CEB will continue to look for ways to make flying accessible to everyone, with the expected delivery of three more brand-new Airbus A320 in the 2nd half of the year," she added.
CEB reduced domestic fuel surcharge in tandem with an P888 all-in seat sale from Manila to Visayas and an P1,188 all-in seat sale from Manila to Mindanao. This is available from June 25 to 27, 2012 or until seats last, for travel from August 25 to October 31, 2012.
Passengers can also buy P688 all-in seats on its two newest domestic routes: Davao-Puerto Princesa and Davao-Kalibo (Boracay). These new routes will be launched on August 2, 2012.
All-in domestic fares are inclusive of fuel surcharge, administration fee, aviation security fee, 12% VAT and 7 kilos hand carry baggage allowance, but exclusive of check-in baggage.
Meanwhile, an international seat sale to China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai or Xiamen), Korea (Seoul or Busan), Hong Kong and Macau is also available, for travel from August 1 to October 31, 2012.
CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft - with an average age of 3.6 years - is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines.
.
Disbarment case ‘can’t disqualify’ Chief Justice bet
..NOMINEES for the Chief Justice position should not be denied a chance to vie the post just because they are facing a disbarment case, a senator said.
Some disbarment cases are only used for harassment, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said, especially in the case of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who was put to task for calling then Chief Justice Renato Corona a tyrant who is beyond justice and accountability.
"The disbarment complaint against Secretary de Lima is a classic case of political harassment and meant to deter her from performing her duties," Pimentel said.
The senator asked the vetting body Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to study the complaints carefully.
Rule 4, Section 5 of JBC excludes applicants from being nominated if they have pending criminal or regular administrative cases, pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals and have been convicted in a case where the penalty was over P10,000 unless granted judicial clemency.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier clarified that under existing Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, the phrase “pending administrative cases” means there is already a formal charge leveled against a person.
At present, there are already 65 nominees for the Chief Justice post but only 13 nominees have accepted and 12 nominees turned down, including Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.
De Lima has until July 2 to accept or reject the nomination.
“Technically, she can be disqualified but that will change if her disbarment case is favorably resolved before the (JBC) voting,” lawyer Jose Mejia, the JBC member representing the academe, told Sun.Star.
The justice chief’s case is still with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), whose Zambales chapter nominated her to the highest post in the judiciary two weeks ago.
The eight-member JBC will try to submit a shortlist of nominees to President Benigno Aquino III on July 30, giving him less than a month to choose Corona’s replacement.
Corona was removed from office by the Senate impeachment court last May 29 for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution when he failed to report multi-million-peso cash deposits in his asset statement. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
..
Some disbarment cases are only used for harassment, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said, especially in the case of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who was put to task for calling then Chief Justice Renato Corona a tyrant who is beyond justice and accountability.
"The disbarment complaint against Secretary de Lima is a classic case of political harassment and meant to deter her from performing her duties," Pimentel said.
The senator asked the vetting body Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to study the complaints carefully.
Rule 4, Section 5 of JBC excludes applicants from being nominated if they have pending criminal or regular administrative cases, pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals and have been convicted in a case where the penalty was over P10,000 unless granted judicial clemency.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier clarified that under existing Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, the phrase “pending administrative cases” means there is already a formal charge leveled against a person.
At present, there are already 65 nominees for the Chief Justice post but only 13 nominees have accepted and 12 nominees turned down, including Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.
De Lima has until July 2 to accept or reject the nomination.
“Technically, she can be disqualified but that will change if her disbarment case is favorably resolved before the (JBC) voting,” lawyer Jose Mejia, the JBC member representing the academe, told Sun.Star.
The justice chief’s case is still with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), whose Zambales chapter nominated her to the highest post in the judiciary two weeks ago.
The eight-member JBC will try to submit a shortlist of nominees to President Benigno Aquino III on July 30, giving him less than a month to choose Corona’s replacement.
Corona was removed from office by the Senate impeachment court last May 29 for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution when he failed to report multi-million-peso cash deposits in his asset statement. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
..
‘Dindo’ Intensifies.Threatens N. Luzon
MANILA, Philippines - The active low pressure area (ALPA) east of the country was named "Dindo" after intensifying into a tropical depression yesterday afternoon and moved in the direction of the northern tip of Luzon, state weather forecasters said.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the ALPA developed into a tropical cyclone around 4 p.m.
It was estimated, based on satellite and surface data, at 670 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and moving west-northwest at 19 kph.
"Considering this present track, Dindo is moving closer to the Batanes Group of Islands and may directly affect the area Friday," Escullar explained.
She said rains will continue to affect Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao due to the southwest monsoon.
"Intermittent rains are expected especially at dawn, afternoon, and evening," she added.
Escullar cited that PAGASA may raise public storm warning signals in areas that will be directly affected by the weather disturbance by Wednesday of Thursday.
"Visayas and Mindanao will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western sections, while Southern Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," she said.
Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
"Dindo" is expected to be at 520 km East of Casiguran, Aurora by Wednesday afternoon and at 320 km east of Aparri, Cagayan or 320 km southeast of Basco, Batanes by Thursday afternoon.
By Friday afternoon, it is expected to be at 80 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the ALPA developed into a tropical cyclone around 4 p.m.
It was estimated, based on satellite and surface data, at 670 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and moving west-northwest at 19 kph.
"Considering this present track, Dindo is moving closer to the Batanes Group of Islands and may directly affect the area Friday," Escullar explained.
She said rains will continue to affect Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao due to the southwest monsoon.
"Intermittent rains are expected especially at dawn, afternoon, and evening," she added.
Escullar cited that PAGASA may raise public storm warning signals in areas that will be directly affected by the weather disturbance by Wednesday of Thursday.
"Visayas and Mindanao will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western sections, while Southern Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," she said.
Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
"Dindo" is expected to be at 520 km East of Casiguran, Aurora by Wednesday afternoon and at 320 km east of Aparri, Cagayan or 320 km southeast of Basco, Batanes by Thursday afternoon.
By Friday afternoon, it is expected to be at 80 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes
Lawmakers call for restraint over sea 'collision'
..MANILA -- Members of the House of Representatives called for restraint while Philippine authorities conduct a deeper probe into reports that a Chinese vessel rammed against a Filipino-manned fishing boat causing the death of a fisherman.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Monday that a Hong Kong-registered bulk vessel, MV Peach Mountain, may have crashed into the fishing boat.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles, however, said it is premature for the Philippine government to make a conclusion on what really happened to the fishermen.
President Benigno Aquino III, meantime, refused to blame China on the incident, saying he is still waiting for the result of the investigation.
“There is an investigation, determination of cause, determination of who is at fault. Then after all of this investigation, then that tells us where we will proceed,” Aquino said.
“So now, let us not pinpoint to anyone while there is no sufficient evidence,” he added.
Aquino also assured on Monday necessary assistance to the victims of the reported collision and vowed justice for them.
“If there was a ramming incident and you left the fishermen in the middle of the sea -- that is in clear violation of the laws governing the seas. That is actionable. We can go to the appropriate fora to file the necessary charges for justice for our fishermen,” Aquino said.
Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua said media reports on the alleged "accidental bumping" of boats last June 20 have yet to be verified by Chinese authorities.
"We wonder what that news story was based upon. We hope relevant persons can verify the facts with a responsible attitude before they report," said Zhang.
In a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), it said the fishermen's boat "Axl John" was damaged after being bumped by a Chinese vessel while anchored on an artificial fish shelter.
The collision caused the eventual death of a Filipino fisherman identified as Christopher Carbonell, 32, of Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Three others were rescued, while four fishermen who were identified as Fred Celino, Arnold Garcia, Domy de los Santos and Amante Resonable remained missing.
The three rescued fishermen, Edimio Balmores, Herman Balmores and Celino Damian, are currently confined at Gabriela Silang General Hospital in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
“The authorities could not get statements from them because they are still suffering from hypothermia, rapid loss of body warmth. So, they still could not talk,” Aquino said.
Nograles said the international community should not be complacent about the latest incident.
"If this incident was deliberate and was sanctioned by the Chinese government, this is a clear act of aggression against another sovereign nation. This is an act of war," he said in a statement.
The Philippine government should at least report the incident to the United Nations, Nograles said.
"The global community, through the United Nations, should promote justice and parity among nations by actively persuading China, or any other nation for that matter, to forget the ancient dictum that whoever is strong rules the world," he added.
Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares said the Chinese crew would have violated the international law provision on the duty to assist when they left the Filipino fishermen without aiding them.
Iloilo City Representative Jerry Trenas, meanwhile, said the Philippines should assert the Mutual Defense Treaty and request the United States' assistance by deploying forces at the Panatag shoal and areas in the Spratlys group of islands that are within Philippine territory.
"This is a very complicated situation. It is understandable that China is a world economic and even military power. It is a very lucrative market for many nations, including the United States and the European powers, and even the Philippines. And China is taking advantage of this situation," Trenas said.
But President Aquino said the Philippines will not be sending back ships to the Panatag Shoal anymore because there is no presence of Chinese vessels in the area.
He said he is still waiting for the result of the latest survey of the Philippine Coast Guard in the disputed shoal. (Kathrina Alvarez/Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
..
The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Monday that a Hong Kong-registered bulk vessel, MV Peach Mountain, may have crashed into the fishing boat.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles, however, said it is premature for the Philippine government to make a conclusion on what really happened to the fishermen.
President Benigno Aquino III, meantime, refused to blame China on the incident, saying he is still waiting for the result of the investigation.
“There is an investigation, determination of cause, determination of who is at fault. Then after all of this investigation, then that tells us where we will proceed,” Aquino said.
“So now, let us not pinpoint to anyone while there is no sufficient evidence,” he added.
Aquino also assured on Monday necessary assistance to the victims of the reported collision and vowed justice for them.
“If there was a ramming incident and you left the fishermen in the middle of the sea -- that is in clear violation of the laws governing the seas. That is actionable. We can go to the appropriate fora to file the necessary charges for justice for our fishermen,” Aquino said.
Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua said media reports on the alleged "accidental bumping" of boats last June 20 have yet to be verified by Chinese authorities.
"We wonder what that news story was based upon. We hope relevant persons can verify the facts with a responsible attitude before they report," said Zhang.
In a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), it said the fishermen's boat "Axl John" was damaged after being bumped by a Chinese vessel while anchored on an artificial fish shelter.
The collision caused the eventual death of a Filipino fisherman identified as Christopher Carbonell, 32, of Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Three others were rescued, while four fishermen who were identified as Fred Celino, Arnold Garcia, Domy de los Santos and Amante Resonable remained missing.
The three rescued fishermen, Edimio Balmores, Herman Balmores and Celino Damian, are currently confined at Gabriela Silang General Hospital in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
“The authorities could not get statements from them because they are still suffering from hypothermia, rapid loss of body warmth. So, they still could not talk,” Aquino said.
Nograles said the international community should not be complacent about the latest incident.
"If this incident was deliberate and was sanctioned by the Chinese government, this is a clear act of aggression against another sovereign nation. This is an act of war," he said in a statement.
The Philippine government should at least report the incident to the United Nations, Nograles said.
"The global community, through the United Nations, should promote justice and parity among nations by actively persuading China, or any other nation for that matter, to forget the ancient dictum that whoever is strong rules the world," he added.
Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares said the Chinese crew would have violated the international law provision on the duty to assist when they left the Filipino fishermen without aiding them.
Iloilo City Representative Jerry Trenas, meanwhile, said the Philippines should assert the Mutual Defense Treaty and request the United States' assistance by deploying forces at the Panatag shoal and areas in the Spratlys group of islands that are within Philippine territory.
"This is a very complicated situation. It is understandable that China is a world economic and even military power. It is a very lucrative market for many nations, including the United States and the European powers, and even the Philippines. And China is taking advantage of this situation," Trenas said.
But President Aquino said the Philippines will not be sending back ships to the Panatag Shoal anymore because there is no presence of Chinese vessels in the area.
He said he is still waiting for the result of the latest survey of the Philippine Coast Guard in the disputed shoal. (Kathrina Alvarez/Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)