Good News thread Options

[maharlikangpilip...]

I got this idea from another online forum. I think we have to distance ourselves from too much negativity, so I created this thread.
You can post articles that say something positive(of course it should be about the PHL)
Post away folks!

ASEAN neighbors eyed as comm'l market for Filipino-made dengue-preventive device
By MELODY M. AGUIBA
April 23, 2011, 8:03pm

MANILA, Philippines – The government may open up commercial release of its dengue-preventive mosquito trap to nearby South East Asian neighbors, as this has regional market potential owing to its “organic” nature.

Programmed to already mass produce the ovicidal and larvicidal (OL) mosquito trap locally, a multi-governmental group expressed possibility of exploiting the intellectual property (IP) asset for the Filipino-developed device.

“We have an organic substance that can be used (for dengue control). So it has the greatest potential for global consumption. We are proud to say that because other countries have attempted using synthetic products. But the Philippines embarked on something friendly and non-toxic,” said Dr. Lilian A. De Las Llagas, board of regents member of technology-developer University of the Philippines System, in a press briefing.

The OL trap has tremendous potential for commercialization not only among private companies domestically, but within South East Asia where countries have been plagued by dengue. This is a disease tagged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the fastest-emerging infections and one for which no drug or vaccine has yet been developed.

The Philippines can then come in through this technology to explore its IP assets and somehow also establish commercial opportunities in the health sector.

Business entities are already interested in commercializing the technology.

“We will earn from royalties here because it’s a result of our R&D (research and development) budget, said Industrial Technology and Development Institute (ITDI) Director Nuna Almanzor. “There are already people that inquired from us on how they can become adopters. They need to invest on the equipment to produce the OL traps since we’re just producing it from our laboratory now.”

The OL trap is highly marketable for its low cost of less than P10 per piece. The entire package consists of a strip of “lawanit” board that has the wet organic black paint that attracts the female, dengue-carrying female mosquito. The solution on the board has the pellets made from organic compounds derived from plants that are toxic to the mosquitoes, but not to human.

An advantage of the OL trap is its ability to prevent the disease, a move recognized by many countries to be a primary solution to this global disease.


http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/315297/asean...eventive-device

This post has been edited by maharlikangpilipino: Apr 24 2011, 05:58 AM

[juansuing]

Wow. Great idea to create this thread! Drive away all the negativity!

[maharlikangpilip...]

Wow. Great idea to create this thread! Drive away all the negativity!

Indeed. you can post your good news articles here and when it seems that the news deserves its own thread, we can create a thread for it.

____________________________

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/house-passes-bill...-043604182.html

House passes bill granting athlete benefits

By Alexander Villafania

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – House Bill 4352, which grants pension, health and medical assistance, and death benefits to professional athletes, has passed third and final reading in the House of Representatives.

Known as the Professional Filipino Athletes Retirement, Health Care, and Death Benefits Act of 2011, beneficiaries will be athletes identified by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and must already be 50 years old.

Athletes who have won in individual competitions will receive monthly pensions worth P15,000 while those who have won in team events will get P10,000.

The amount will be sourced out as part of the General Appropriations Act, which is released annually.

Aside from the pension, beneficiary athletes who have won international competitions will be covered by the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

If a beneficiary athlete is hospitalized, all medical expenses will be paid for by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), under its Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).

Upon death of a professional athlete, the primary and secondary beneficiaries will get P30,000 to cover funeral expenses. The bill also states that the benefits will be retroactive to all living professional athletes who are licensed by GAB.

According to the bill’s author, Rep. Pedro Acharon, Jr. (1st District, South Cotabato), the goal is to encourage young athletes to become more determined to win in both local and international competitions.

Only recently, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago had also pushed for providing benefits to professional athletes. It also provided similar pension amounts of P10,000 and P15,000 for athletes who have won in team competitions or as individuals.

[juansuing]

PHL current account to end 2011 in surplus
04/25/2011 | 08:34 PM

Despite a recent analysis by a financial services giant, the country’s current account balance still stands to be in a state of surplus.

The Manila unit of Dutch financial services giant ING Group computed a current account surplus of only $5.1 billion this year, in contrast to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) announcement that the year would end with a surplus of at least $5.6 billion, indicating a capacity to export capital.

The BSP had said that the size of its foreign exchange reserves or the gross international reserves recently surpassed the level of its foreign debt, offering foreign creditors room to breathe.

Overall growth is still pegged between 7 percent and 8 percent this year for the gross domestic product, despite the earthquake in Japan and the turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, Deputy BSP governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said.

The belief, he said, was that the events abroad were unlikely to be sustained events and will prove to be local rather than regional or global concerns.
Joey Cuyegkeng, chief economist at ING Bank in Manila, however, noted that exports account for about a third of the country’s local output, with 15 percent coming from Japan.

According to a paper released by Swiss-owned financial services firm UBS, this could be where the Philippine will feel the impact of the disaster now plaguing Japan.

“The impact of the disaster in Japan through the disruption of the supply chain and a more modest remittance level could be temporary," said Cuyegkeng.

While these would normally hinder overall growth, the improvements in the agricultural section and the government’s “frontloading" of fund releases could neutralize these factors, he explained.

Downplaying the NSO report

Cuyegkeng also downplayed the National Statistics Office (NSO) report last week that exports were at its slowest growth since November 2009. According to the economist, the sluggish growth only reflects the “normalization of economic activity after the rebound from the 2009 recession."

Dollar inflows from overseas Filipino workers’ remittances and the business process outsourcing sector would “more than cover the large trade deficit," he said. “We are not too worried about the recent export performance of the Philippines," he added.

These “offsetting" factors are why ING Bank Manila retained its forecast of a 5.2 percent GDP growth for the year, with the peso expected to appreciate mildly to P42:$1-P42.50:$1.

“The downside risk to the forecast is the extent of success and timing of the public-private partnership programs of the government and the inflows," Cuyegkeng said. — BC/VS, GMA News

-----------------------------------------------------

Philippines to ramp up oil exploration
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 20:31:00 04/25/2011

MANILA--The Philippines said Monday it would ramp up oil and gas exploration to diversify its energy sources, with up to 15 contracts to be auctioned off by July.

Manila expects to coax hundreds of millions of dollars from prospective investors in the projects, Energy Minister Jose Rene Almendras said, adding that the government will contribute to security at the exploration areas.

"We have a situation where the Philippines has not found oil but we have found gas. We have a situation wherein more than ever, in the history of exploration in the Philippines, there is so much interest," he said.

He told reporters the ministry would take bids for 15 service contracts in July, without giving details.

In March the Philippines complained to China over the alleged harassment by Chinese gunboats of a Philippine oil survey vessel in disputed seawaters near the Spratly islands in the South China Sea.

Almendras said the survey for that project had been completed but it would take two years to process the seismic data gathered. "The potential is there," he added.

"Just two weeks ago, one of the exploration companies came to me and was complaining -- they were running out of equipment and men with exploration experience because projects are going on all at the same time," Almendras said.

"We need security because there's going to be hundreds of millions of dollars, and even billions of dollars, of new equipment in new exploration areas."

Almendras said part of royalties owed the government from the Malampaya offshore natural gas field run by a unit of Royal Dutch Shell Group would be used to buy security equipment for the new projects.

[benteunerz36]

anti-negativity!

[batangbaylan]

anti-negativity!

can we ban ocrap from this threads he makes me negative... waaah

[jonathanrhino]

Sali akong sampu sa thread na to...

[maharlikangpilip...]

can we ban ocrap from this threads he makes me negative... waaah

huwag na natin pag-usapan yan. Bawal dito ang negative topics hahaha

Sali akong sampu sa thread na to...

magpaskil lang kayo nang magpaskil ng mga mabubuting balita at mga paksang maaliwalas sa paningin at pandinig

anti-negativity!

post away

__________________________________

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippine-nation...-044007831.html

Philippine National Games gets P26M in funding
By Anna Valmero

MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA - Some P26.5 million is allocated for the revival of the Philippine National Games on May 22- 29 this year, according to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez said the national event will be jointly hosted by the cities of Silay, Talisay, Bacolod and Bago in the province of Negros Occidental.

PSC expects that 7,800 athletes with about 1,000 officials, and experts will join the event.

“This will serve as a venue to scout new talents to don the national colors, particularly for the Asian Games and the Olympics,” Gomez said.

The number of attendees is forecast to boost the local economy. To date, 400 hotel rooms for a total of 850 guests are already booked in the different hotels in Bacolod City in time for the event.

“We will implement a daily payment scheme because we want the Manila people to spend their money here, for the local economy to grow,” Gomez said.

Organizers expect 10,000 people to witness the opening ceremonies in the morning of May 22. On the same day, there will be 3K, 5K, and 10K marathons to be held simultaneously around Bacolod.

Aside from the venues, tourists and local can also witness events such as the 120 kilometers cycling event from Kabankalan and the marathon set to start from Manapla town.

Also to be held in Bacolod City are the games of badminton, beach volleyball, billiards, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate do, lawn tennis, motorcycle sports, sailing, soft tennis, swimming, taekwondo, volleyball, wall climbing, weightlifting, wind surfing, and wrestling.

Events at Bago City will include kayak, dragon boat, muay thai, and wushu. Road cycling, futsal, football, penkak silat, softball and table tennis will be held in Talisay. At Silay City, players will compete for archery, arnis, sepak takraw and triathlon.

Basketball, boxing, dancesports, chess, golf and shooting were not included in the roster of games since the National Sports Associations (NSA) already set their respective calendars for this year.

Gomez also discussed the events vis-à-vis their playing venues and the billeting schools involved as well as the security and traffic concerns during the conduct of the games.

There will also be free sports seminars to be conducted by nutritionists, psychologists and other experts on the field.

Meanwhile, PSC will get over P50 million this year to fund athletes’ training and international exposures as well as providing them the needed nutrition, equipment and facility to train well for events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and even the Olympics.

The amount is ten percent of the P519 million earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), which finances the sports agency by virtue of Republic Act 6847.

*****

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippine-ex-pre...-080944445.html

Philippine ex-president accused of $12.8M plunder
By OLIVER TEVES - Associated Press | AP – Tue, Apr 26, 2011 9:39 PM PHT

A complaint filed Tuesday alleges former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo plundered an overseas workers' fund to boost her 2004 election campaign.

The complaint claims Arroyo ordered about 530 million pesos ($12.3 million) diverted from the fund to pay for health cards with her image on them distributed during the campaign.

About 9 million Filipinos work abroad due to a lack of employment at home, and their contributions to the trust fund pay for repatriation during emergencies, medical care and other needs unique to overseas workers.

The complaint alleges their money was misused when part of the trust fund was allegedly diverted to pay for health cards, which are available to all Filipinos to pay for hospital care.

Arroyo has long denied wrongdoing but continues to be dogged by allegations of corruption and misrule in her nine-year presidency. She stepped down last June and now serves in the House of Representatives.

The complaint filed by lawyer Frank Chavez, a former solicitor general, was received by the Justice Department, which will determine if there is enough evidence for an indictment.

Chavez's complaint also alleges three government officials conspired with Arroyo to divert the money. He also claimed she diverted 21.5 million pesos ($494,000) to pay for diplomatic vehicles in the Middle East in support of the US-led war in Iraq and "humanitarian assistance" to Filipinos in Iraq in 2003.

The Justice Department is still reviewing a previous plunder complaint that Arroyo ordered the sale of prime government property to a private developer but did not remit 72 million ($1.7 million) in capital gains tax.

Under the law, currently serving or former state employees who amass at least 50 million pesos ($1.15 million) in ill-gotten wealth through criminal acts could be charged with plunder.

*****

This post has been edited by maharlikangpilipino: Apr 27 2011, 05:44 AM

[juansuing]

House passes bill granting athlete benefits
loQal – Sat, Apr 23, 2011 4:44 PM PHT
By Alexander Villafania

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – House Bill 4352, which grants pension, health and medical assistance, and death benefits to professional athletes, has passed third and final reading in the House of Representatives.

Known as the Professional Filipino Athletes Retirement, Health Care, and Death Benefits Act of 2011, beneficiaries will be athletes identified by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and must already be 50 years old.

Athletes who have won in individual competitions will receive monthly pensions worth P15,000 while those who have won in team events will get P10,000.

The amount will be sourced out as part of the General Appropriations Act, which is released annually.

Aside from the pension, beneficiary athletes who have won international competitions will be covered by the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

If a beneficiary athlete is hospitalized, all medical expenses will be paid for by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), under its Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).

Upon death of a professional athlete, the primary and secondary beneficiaries will get P30,000 to cover funeral expenses. The bill also states that the benefits will be retroactive to all living professional athletes who are licensed by GAB.

According to the bill’s author, Rep. Pedro Acharon, Jr. (1st District, South Cotabato), the goal is to encourage young athletes to become more determined to win in both local and international competitions.

Only recently, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago had also pushed for providing benefits to professional athletes. It also provided similar pension amounts of P10,000 and P15,000 for athletes who have won in team competitions or as individuals.

[juansuing]

Q1 budget deficit at P26-B, much smaller than goal
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 04/27/2011 11:51 AM | Updated as of 04/27/2011 4:48 PM

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - The government announced Wednesday it had a budget deficit of P18.131 billion in March, bringing the fiscal gap for the first 3 months of the year to P26.197 billion, lower than targeted.

The first-quarter shortfall was less than a quarter of the government's projected shortfall of P112 billion and 80% lower than last year's actual deficit of P134.2 billion.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said improved collections by the 2 main revenue agencies as well as judicious spending focused mostly on priority programs trimmed the deficit.

Total revenue collections in the first quarter increased by 21.5% year on year to P323.1 billion, exceeding the P319.3 billion revenue program.

Expenditures, on the other hand, declined to P349.3 billion or 12.7% lower than what was recorded in the first quarter last year due to a significant drop in interest expense.

Tax collections

Purisima said collections by both the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) went up from last year.

The BIR generated P199.5 billion, exceeding its P197 billion quarterly revenue target and its P173.89 billion collections last year.

The BoC, on the other hand, collected P62.6 billion, 3.4% higher than last year but P770 million short of its first-quarter goal. “Revenue collections of Customs were affected by the peso appreciation and reduction in tariff rates under our foreign trade agreements,” said Purisima.

Nonetheless, he said: "the government expects continuous improvement in the revenue path on better economic prospects complimented with our serious campaign against tax evaders and smugglers and fight against corruption."

Deficit targets

The government's deficit target of P112 billion in the first quarter was the biggest quarterly figure for 2011, based on official data.

The deficit goals are P40 billion for the second quarter, P82 billion for the third, and P65.7 billion for the last 3 months of the year.

The Philippines wants to narrow its fiscal shortfall to 3.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year from 3.7% of GDP, or the record P314 billion last year.

It plans to cut the deficit ratio further to 2.6% in 2012 and to 2% by 2013, keeping it at that level until 2016, the year President Benigno Aquino's term ends.

The government is targeting gross borrowing of P773 billion for 2011, of which 73%, or P563.3 billion, will be raised from the local bond market. - With a report from Reuters

[filipinoy]

Magandang Balita Bayan

[maharlikangpilip...]

Magandang Balita Bayan

Kabayan ikaw ba yan?


________________________________________

Noy allies to face criminal charge on fertilizer scam. ABAD, ACOSTA, SALCEDA, MITRA I

By Gerry Baldo and Charlie V. Manalo
04/27/2011
the daily tribune


Allies of former President Gloria Arroyo, now turned allies of President Aquino are not spared from the fertilizer funds scam.

This new development arose as the Office of the Ombudsman, in its resolution, disclosed that it is planning to file criminal charges against government officials who may have misused the fertilizer funds weeks before the 2004 national elections.

Among those listed in the Ombudsman’s resolution as recipients of the fertilizer funds is the congressional district of former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta, who is also facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged diversion of his “pork barrel” to a foundation headed by members of his family.

In its 134-page resolution released last April 15, the anti-graft body said the First District of Bukidnon of then Rep. Nereus Acosta Jr. was one of five legislative districts that received a share from the Farm Input/Farm Implements Fund (FIFIF) even if none of them was included in the list submitted to the Department of Budget and Management in 2004 for issuance of Special Allotment Release Order (SARO).

Acosta lost his bid for a Senate seat in the 2010 elections but is reportedly expecting to be appointed to a Cabinet post after the one year ban on May 9, 2011 expires.


Also among the non-listed recipients were the Second District of Lanao del Sur of then Rep. Benasing Marambon Jr, 2nd District of Surigao del Sur of former Rep. Jesnar Falcon, Lone District of Basilan of then Rep. Gerry Salapuddin and the Lone District of Cagayan De Oro of former Rep. Constantino Jaraula.

The Ombudsman resolution did not say how much each of the five districts received out of the Fertilizer Funds but said they were included only in the Supplemental Complaint filed on July 9, 2010.

Other political partymates of Aquino included in the ongoing investigation are Albay Provincial Gov. Jose “Joey” Salceda and Palawan Gov. Abraham Kahlil Mitra.

Salceda was former congressman of the Third District of Albay that reportedly received P5 million while Mitra represented the Second District of Palawan which was a recipient of P3 million from the FIFIF.

Among the incumbent lawmakers who were alleged to have received the fertilizer funds were: Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr. ( 2nd District, Iloilo); Syjuco receibed P5-million; Rep. Renato Unico, (1st District, Camarines Norte); Unico received P3-million; Rep. Napoleon Dy (3rd District, Isabela), then a mayor of Alicia toen in Isabela received P2-million; Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Lone District, Romblom); Madrona received P5-million; Rep.George Arnais (2nd District, Negros Oriental); Arnais received P5-million, he was then governor of Negros Oriental; Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd District, Bohol); He was then the governor. He received P5-million; and Rep. Rogelio Espina (1st District, Biliran) he was then Biliran governor when he received P5-million.

Quezon (3rd District) Rep. Danilo Suarez, whose wife former Rep. Aleta Suarez was occupying his current post when it received P5 million in 2004, said the money probably went to irrigation projects for their district including the purchase of water pumps and the digging of shallow wells and irrigation ditches.

He explained that he could not recall of any participation in the distribution of fertilizer funds.

“It is possible that we received it. I can assure that it was used for shallow tube well for irrigation canal. I am not aware that it was from the fertilizer fund. The funds were probably used and this is recorded with the DA. They have the complete records. We did not receive any fertilizer fund, (I’m)100 percent sure,” Suarez said.

On the other hand, Davao del Sur (1st District) Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas, whose district was said to have received P3 million during the time of his father, then Rep. Douglas Cagas, said all funds received from the Department of Agriculture went to farmer beneficiaries.

“Our place has very productive and successful farmer cooperatives and it is just fitting to assist our farmers, as what we have been doing for a long time. Hence, there is no scam as far as we are concerned. It is our farmer-constituents who benefited from any program intiated via the Department of Agriculture,” the younger Cagas said.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said that he is surprised at how long it took the Ombudsman to resolve the issue of the fertilizer funds.

“If it is true, I am just surprised that it has taken the Ombudsman all this time to resolve this thing,” Belmonte said in an interview yesterday at the speaker’s office.

“I look at it as a move to try to correct to defang one of the charges which is the fertilizer charge… that’s more like it, rather than scaring off individual congressman,” he said.

In pages 9 and 10 of its resolution, the anti-graft body said it is still completing its investigation into the extent of participation by politicians from legislative districts, provinces and towns named as recipients of the FIFIF when it was distributed in early 2004.

“These (initial) cases picture the story of the scam only insofar as some regions are concerned. While most regional directors of the DA are already included…,FIO-Task Force Abono noted that focus was made only on the liability of the respondents DA senior officials. A separate investigation is still being conducted against named proponents in the SARO,” the Ombudsman said in its 134-page resolution.

Graft investigators noted that the SARO (Special Allotment and Release Order) issued by the Budget Department on Feb. 3, 2004 had an Annex ‘A’ containing a list of allocations per congressional district, provinces and municipalities.

“These proponents are the elected public officials who were congressmen, governors or mayors…181 proponents are enumerated under the said list,” they said.

Of the said number, the Ombudsman said it found 76 that did not receive any money from the FIFIF although they were included in the original list of recipients submitted by then Aggie Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante to the DBM.

The list included 43 congressmen, 21 governors, one vice governor and 11 mayors.

Also in the list were former Western Samar Rep. (now Supreme Court Associate Justice) Antonio Nachura, then Batanes Rep. (now DBM Secretary) Florencio Abad and then Bukidnon Rep. (now Senator) Juan Miguel Zubiri.

As investigation progresses and additional information surface when the trial begins, the Ombudsman said new defendants may be named in place of John and Jane Does in the criminal information that it is expected to file this week.

“Despite the fact that the preliminary investigation insofar as these cases are concerned has been completed, there may still be other individuals who acts contributed to the success of herein respondents but their identities have remained unknown. Consequently, while their identities are not yet unmasked, they shall be included in the charges herein as John and Jane Does,” the Ombudsman said.

Meanwhile, Sen, Panfilo Lacson, who eluded the law for over a year, living the life of a fugitive, yesterday said that the ax should fall where it may. even to those known strong Palace allies who had benefited in the past from the controversial P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

The senator said no one should be spared from the filing of charges by the Office of the Ombudsman, especially if there is evidence to prove those who stood as “recipients” from the program alleged to have been engineered by Bolante.

“Let the axe fall on whoever is found accountable. Whoever indeed benefited from it, whether they’re (political) allies or participated in juggling of funds, they too, should be made to liable under the law,” the senator said, when asked on reports naming current DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad as among those supposed to have received a portion of the fund.

The Office of the Ombudsman announced last week that plunder charges will be filed against Bolante, former Department of Agriculture Sec. Luis “Cito” Lorenzo and even to one of the whistleblowers, Jose Barredo.

Lacson, who was among those who exposed in a privilege speech the misuse and abuse of the farmers’ funds in 2004 and believed to have been diverted to the campaign kitty of former president Gloria Arroyo, maintained that case should be resolved by the courts, not the Senate.

The issue on the fertilizer fund scam is among those included in the so-called articles of impeachment against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and now pending before the Senate, due for impeachment trial soon.

“Hopefully this time around, those who dipped their fingers and took advantaged not only of the P728 million, because if we would sum up all the transactions it could amount to more than P2 billion, should suffer the appropriate consequences,” he said.

*****

Not so new, but it's still GOOD NEWS

NATIONAL MUSEUM RECEIVES P178 MILLION IN ENDOWMENT FROM PAGCOR

MANILA, Philippines – On March 25, 2011, an historic agreement between the National Museum of the Philippines and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was executed to provide for the endowment by PAGCOR of 178 million pesos to the Museum. To be paid between April and December this year, this finally implements the provisions of the National Museum Act of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8492) which appropriated 250 million pesos from the earnings of PAGCOR for the Museum’s Endowment Fund. Though partial remittances had been made in the past, payment of the balance of 178 million pesos had not been made for many years until it was brought to the attention of the present management of PAGCOR.

Present at the signing ceremony were PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cristino L. Naguiat Jr., National Museum Director and Assistant Director Jeremy Barns and Cecilio Salcedo, and Senator Edgardo J. Angara, representing the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, of which he is an ex-officio member as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.

At the ceremony, PAGCOR Chairman Naguiat highlighted the need to help preserve the Philippines’ greatest collection of important treasures. PAGCOR is continually raising funds for the governments’ socio-civic and national developmental efforts, including boosting the country’s tourism industry. Senator Angara, for his part, stated that the occasion was “a huge milestone for our country. It will foster cultural and artistic literacy. The National Museum has not acquired any large collection in the last few years, and now it finally can. This is the largest amount that any government agency has given so far, and the National Museum can use every penny of it.”

According to its charter, the National Museum may use interest generated from its Endowment Fund for special projects, of which the most important currently is the restoration and refurbishment of its main building, the Old Legislative Building, and the improvement of public galleries and facilities. Director Barns of the National Museum stressed that this boost to the endowment fund could not have come at a better time. “We are in the process of creating a new and improved National Museum that every Filipino can be proud of. We have been working hard to modernize, expand and upgrade our facilities for the general public as well as enhance the general appeal of the Museum. We have not had the resources that we need to make any big moves, but that has changed significantly now. We are extremely happy to forge a strong relationship with PAGCOR through this landmark agreement.”

yay

This post has been edited by maharlikangpilipino: Apr 29 2011, 06:21 AM

[maharlikangpilip...]

Int’l private-public partnership health center to be put up in Manila


The Philippines will soon host the International public-private partnership (PPP) Specialist Centre on Health after the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe PPP (UNECE PPP) Centre of Excellence recently approved the putting up of the said centre in Manila, the Department of Health said.

In a letter report to President Benigno S. Aquino dated April 25, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the decision to choose Manila as the Centre’s future site was done during the holding of the High Level Meeting to the 3rd Session of the Team of Specialists (TOS) on PPP held at the United Nations Offfice in Geneva, Switzerland from April 18 to 19, 2011.

Ona, who joined other Ministers and government officials from Europe as one of the guest speakers to the High Level Meeting, said the Philippines was chosen as the future site of the IPPPSCH to align the country’s overall involvement in the UNECE PPP Initiative with the current thrust of the President’s social contract with the Filipino people, particularly the PPP agenda.

The IPPPSCH, which will operate under a Memorandum of Understanding between the UNECE and the Philippines, will have the following function: Fund the establishment and operations of the UNECE PPP Specialist Centre; Fund the development and updating of the specific best practice guides under the direction by the UN PPP Secretariat; Manage the sector specific PPP Research Program; Establish and manage the Specialist Centre Membership; Establish an international database within the sector; and Provide support for other countries.

The UNECE PPP Initiative aims to globally improve the quality of life for citizens through the improved quality to and access to public utilities and services.


http://www.president.gov.ph/news/default.aspx?n=1054

*****

PHILIPPINE MEDICAL TOURISM "THE HEART OF ASIA"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1r4BKduUf4...player_embedded

This post has been edited by maharlikangpilipino: May 1 2011, 03:15 AM

[trismegistos]

ADB to fund production of electric trikes

THE Asian Development Bank on Thursday committed to help finance the government’s program to produce up to 100,000 battery-run tricycles at a cost of up to $500 million.

“We have not finalized the detailed amount. It can go up to $400 million to $500 million; it will depend on [the Energy Department],” said Sohail Hasnie, the bank’s principal energy specialist.

“We’re still doing feasibility studies for the project.”

Hasnie said the bank was open to financing the purchase of 20,000 to 100,000 e-tricycles over three to four years at a cost of P200,000 each. The project would include putting up charging stations.

These ADB loansharks are no angel. The tricycle driver and/or the government has to pay the loan of 200,000 pesos plus interest for each unit.

On topic, a good news...

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/...G-exec-confirms

... sparing our country from several weeks of political rigodon to the detriment of the taxpayer's money and more pressing issues such as rising oil and food prices, wage hike, etc.

This post has been edited by trismegistos: Apr 29 2011, 08:31 PM

[martin_nuke]

Why loan an E Trike at ADB if you can have one fabricated locally with solar panels and dependence on charging stations will be eliminated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxYH0afx6bM

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Apr 29 2011, 08:43 PM

[juansuing]

Philippines optimistic on winning cigarette case against Thailand
By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
May 1, 2011, 1:21am

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is optimistic the Appellate Body (AB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will rule in favor of the Philippines on a cigarette case versus Thailand.

“We are optimistic the Appellate body will uphold a WTO panel ruling on the Philippine cigarette case with Thailand,” said Trade and Industry undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr.

Cristobal himself went to Geneva last week to respond to an appeal filed by Thailand before the AB. Thailand’s move stemmed from the WTO Panel Report released last November. The WTO ruled in favor of the Philippines saying that Thailand acted inconsistently with the WTO rules in valuing Philippine cigarette exports for customs purposes and failing to treat imported cigarettes the same way as locally manufactured cigarettes.

Cristobal led the Philippine delegation including officials from the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO, DTI’s Bureau of International Trade Relations, and Philippine government counsel Sidley Austin LLP.

“We will continue to ensure that our exports are competitive. This is why we are strongly defending the WTO Panel’s ruling in favor of the Philippines. The hearing of the tobacco case with Thailand provided an effective opportunity to address both parties’ rights for due process and we are confident that the case will be resolved soon,” said Cristobal.

During the hearing, the Philippines countered the arguments used by the Thais seeking to reverse the Panel ruling.

In 2008, the Philippines requested the WTO to examine Thailand’s customs, fiscal, and health measures imposed on imported cigarettes. Following the substantive meetings, the WTO panel issued a report last year declaring that Thailand acted inconsistently with its WTO obligations.

Tobacco is among the fast growing resource-based exports of the Philippines. Data from the National Tobacco Authority showed that the country’s tobacco exports amounted to US148 million in 2010. Tobacco-growing in the Philippines began in the 16th century during the galleon trade.



Philippine craftsmanship lauded
By ROY C. MABASA
April 30, 2011, 7:32pm
MANILA, Philippines — The head of a company in Australia has revealed that he will be leading a big Australian buying mission in the Philippines for this year as he noted his observations of the superior design talent and creative craftsmanship of Philippine designers and manufacturers.

Newly appointed Gifts and Homeware Australia (GHA) Chief Executive Officer David Leek made the disclosure during his recent courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Antonio V. Rodrigue. He repeated his announcement in the 53rd Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers’ Exchange (FAME) International at the SMX Convention Center recently.

Leek said he was impressed by the quality and creative design of Philippine products pushing him to commit and lead an association-wide delegation in the October edition of Manila FAME this year.

GHA is the association representing the gifts and homewares industry in Australia.

Manila FAME International is a biannual trade show of CITEM. This year, it debuted under the theme, “New directions, Contemporary lifestyle, Artisanal touch”, which featured indigenous materials such as those made from fabric and shell, putting emphasis on design concepts and products from leading Filipino designers and artisans.

Underecretary Rodriguez expressed appreciation for Leek’s assurances this as vowed that the DFA will support the move of the businessman and his association and industry for mutual benefit of Australian buyers and Philippine exporters.

Leek shared the positive impression he obtained from his discussion with Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions (CITEM) and Manila FAME exhibitors, where he said that the buyers market in Australia promises to be a compelling opportunity for the Philippine merchandise exporters.

[maharlikangpilip...]

These ADB loansharks are no angel. The tricycle driver and/or the government has to pay the loan of 200,000 pesos plus interest for each unit.

okay, removed it from my post.

[maharlikangpilip...]

Japanese agency upgrades RP credit rating

By CHINO S. LEYCO
April 30, 2011, 12:53am
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Finance (DoF) said the change by Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) in the outlook of the Philippines to positive from stable is another testament to the country’s macroeconomic and fiscal stability.

In a statement, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said that the recent upgrade from the Japanese credit rating firm encourages the government to persevere in its goal to accelerate economic growth in an environment of better governance and transparency.

“There is an outpouring of vote of confidence in our economy from various credit rating agencies starting from the one-notch upgrade from Standard & Poor’s in November last year, the positive outlook from Moody's in January this year,” Purisima said.

The finance chief also said that the government will continue to invest more to build up infrastructure with the help from both the public and private institutions.

“I am confident that the Philippine economy will be able to sustain its growth momentum, attract more investments, and create more jobs. Things are definitely looking up for the Philippines in the medium term,” Purisima said.

JCRA upgraded the country due to its strong performance of the economy in both the monetary and fiscal sectors in 2010.

Should the Philippines warrant another upgrade, the next classification would be in the single A of the ‘A’ range, with the triple A, or ‘AAA,’ classification being the topmost sought-after credit grade.

The JCRA, however, is the only one of the three sovereign credit watchers to have rated the Philippines an investment-grade borrower.

JCRA chief analyst Yoshikiko Tamura noted the budget deficit improved from 3.9 percent of local output, or the gross domestic product (GDP), in 2009 to 3.7 percent of GDP last year and is seen to improve again to only 3.2 percent of GDP this year.

The medium-term goal was to lower this further to just 2 percent of GDP by 2013.

“How the government will achieve it is to be watched,” Tamura said of the deficit-reduction plan involving the widening of the tax base and optimizing revenues through faster economic growth.

[maharlikangpilip...]

Coconut shells used to purify water
By ROY C. MABASA
April 27, 2011, 4:27pm

MANILA, Philippines — A professor from the De La Salle University (DLSU), in partnership with the Manhattan College in New York City, has helped develop a sustainable water purification system which uses indigenous biodegradable materials such as coconut shells to be introduced in Nagcarlan, Laguna in June.

DLSU Professor Susan Gallardo, together with Manhattan College Professor and Filipino-American James Patrick Abulencia, presented the water purification system at the just concluded National Sustainable Design Expo at the National Mall between 4th and 7th Streets, Washington DC which was organized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of its Earth Day event.

This endeavor by students from the Manhattan College, under the tutelage of Gallardo and Abulencia, was made possible by a $9,990 grant from the EPA under its P3 Program (People, Prosperity and the Planet).

Through this EPA program, college students can benefit people, promote prosperity and protect the planet by designing solutions that move people towards a sustainable future.

The EPA considers projects that address challenges from a wide range of categories: agriculture, built environment, materials and chemicals, energy, and water. These can be challenges found in the developed or developing world.

The P3 Award competition is a two-phase team contest. For the first phase, interdisciplinary student teams compete for $15,000 grants. Recipients use the money to research and develop their design projects during the academic year. The final projects include a Phase I project report and a Phase II proposal.

This year's Expo showcased 55 teams of more than 400 college students from across the United States who presented their innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Gallardo teaches Chemical Engineering at the DLSU while Abulencia recently participated in the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).

Their team designed and developed a cost-effective and bio-degradable water filter using materials that are locally available and cost-effective for the local population.

The water system will be launched in June when Professor Abulencia travels back to the Philippines.

*****

[juansuing]

Industry earnings increase in Q4
By Daniel Anne N. Rodriguez, BusinessWorld
Posted at 05/03/2011 8:25 AM | Updated as of 05/03/2011 8:25 AM


MANILA, Philippines- An index tracking revenues generated by Philippine industries rose anew in fourth quarter of 2010, driven by recovery of the property sector from the global financial crisis, data released yesterday by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed.

The NSCB’s total gross revenue index of industries grew 12.7% in that period.

This was faster than the 8% recorded the previous year, but slower than the 14.8% rise recorded in third quarter of 2010.

The index, which measures revenues derived by domestic industries from their core businesses, has been going up since the third quarter of 2009. With 1978 as the base year, the index stood at 8,507.8 in the fourth quarter, up from 7,580.9 in the third quarter of 2010.

The key driver for growth during the last quarter of 2010 was the real estate sector, which climbed by 24.1%.

The NSCB said the uptick was due to increased revenues from real estate projects, renting and leasing operations.

Claro G. Cordero, head of research and consultancy at Jones Lang LaSalle Lee Chiu Philippines, said higher revenues from the real estate sector was mainly due to a significant increase in project completion.

"There were more projects completed in fourth quarter 2010, as compared from fourth quarter 2009 when many projects were put on hold because of the financial crisis," Mr. Cordero said. "The pipeline was very narrow at that time; but now we are back at a comfortable level."

Aside from the real estate sector, trade and finance supported the rise in revenues of Philippine industries. The trade sector grew by 13.9%, while finance went up 12.7%.

The NSCB data also provided a glimpse of the jobs sector. The total employment index and total compensation index went up by 2.3% and 5%, respectively in fourth quarter last year, still supported by the robust performance of the real estate sector.

Property firms reported hiring 5.3% more workers during the period and a 26.2% rise in compensation for their workers. Hiring in mining and quarrying, private services, as well as transportation and communication, however, declined by 7.6%, 1.2%, and 0.6%, respectively.

On a per employee basis, growth in compensation slowed to 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010 from 5.4% the previous year. Real estate reported the fastest growth at 19.9%, followed by private services at 8.8%, as well as mining and quarrying at 8.7%.