Maniolas

Children play on top of one of the floats during a parade coinciding with the National Horticultural Congress in Quezon City on Sunday. The parade featured floats bedecked with ornamental plants and flowers from participating establishments. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines is restarting efforts to do an accounting of its natural resources through a World Bank-backed program that would help to unlock the potential of the sector for economic growth and address environmental issues – particularly in the mining industry. The Philippines is one of the eight countries that are implementing WAVES, or Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services, World Bank Phil-WAVES task team leader Stefanie Sieber said in a briefing in Pasig City. Other countries implementing the program are Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Madagascar and Rwanda. WAVES is a global partnership that aims to promote sustainable development by ensuring that natural resources are mainstreamed in development planning and national economic accounts. Citing a 2006 World Bank Application that looked at produced capital, intangible capital and natural capital, Sieber said natural capital is the most important for low income countries but is not measured. “[WAVES will] help countries adopt and implement accounts that are relevant for policies,” she said. “You can think of many natural capital accounts we could produce, but the main purpose is really to do something that policy issues are suppressing in individual countries.” Nothing new But compiling a natural capital account (NCA) is nothing new to the Philippines since it Read More …

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (2nd right) and Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. (right) inspect the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday. The inspection is part of efforts to clear the prison of illegal activities. (MN photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate the barring of a Japanese trade unionist from the country to determine whether the government’s criteria for blacklisting foreigners need to be reviewed. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Thursday that she would first verify the basis of why Japanese Katsuhiro Sato was included in the Black List Order of the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Last week, Sato was stopped at the Manila International Airport and was immediately deported to Japan for being in the list. Sato is a trade unionist and a member of JICHIRO, the largest umbrella organization of local government unions in Japan. NAGKAKAISA, a coalition of labor groups, said the BI abused its authority and committed gross violation of the basic human right to free movement, assembly and expression when it deported Sato. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said Sato was included in the blacklist for participating in an international assembly for solidarity on free expression and free assembly in Manila in 2012. Following the barring of Sato, De Lima was asked whether a tripartite review of the criteria in naming people in the blacklist was needed. “I need to verify that first and check the basis for the black Read More …

Two of the most active business and professional organizations in Orange County share between them a record of more than 40 years of serving the community. Drawing membership notably from diversified multi-ethnic backgrounds, a common denominator marks both associations – i.e. to serve and provide the appropriate friendly atmosphere in the business community where many of them thrive. Both the Asian Business Association of Orange County (ABAOC) and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County(FACCOC) enjoy the patronage and support of business entrepreneurs, professionals and the business community to achieve their objectives. ABAOC Lunar New Year: The members and guests of the Asian Business Association of Orange County joined the celebration of the Lunar New Year the Seafood World in Westminster last Feb. 12 which was an occasion not only to enjoy the sumptuous meals but to network and exchange pleasantries. Pres. Tom Nguyen is shown introducing the members of the Board of Directors of ABAOC at the event. The month of February has been a busy one for both organizations which also draws membership support from each other. For the more diversified ABAOC, in February this year marks the celebration of one of the most significant day of the year with the observance of the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year which is also called Spring Festival is typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries and begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the Read More …

PHL-US Accord. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Chair Jenny R. Yang of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shake hands following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that seeks to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos working in the United States. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Majalya A. Fernando) WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippines marked another milestone in its efforts to look after the interests of overseas Filipinos by formally entering into another partnership agreement that will protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos working in the United States. In a statement, the Philippine Embassy said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Thursday between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), represented by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC), represented by its Chair Jenny R. Yang. The MOU, the fourth migrant worker-related bilateral agreement entered into by the Embassy, aims to come up with more protective measures and better welfare interventions for Filipinos working in the US. The MOU is also only the second agreement entered into by the EOCC with a foreign government. “We are pleased at being able to formalize our alliance with the EOCC and collaborate closely towards ensuring that Filipino nationals working in the US are accorded equal opportunities at their workplace,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he thanked the Commission for initiating collaborations with countries like the Philippines that have substantial worker populations in the US. Ambassador Cuisia said the MOU with the EOCC is an affirmation of the US government’s Read More …