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Fast ‘Yolanda’ recovery impresses UNDP exec

 News
Jan 112014
 
Fast ‘Yolanda’ recovery impresses UNDP exec

A survivor of “Yolanda” breaks into a smile of relief as she welcomes a care package from President Aquino at the Palo municipal hall in Leyte province. FILE PHOTO It’s unheard of in international humanitarian circles: Communities either flattened or swept away by one of the world’s strongest typhoons, losing their loved ones and most everything they own, are rebuilding their homes and going  back to work, eager to start anew just two months after the disaster. To Yuri Afanasiev, senior recovery coordinator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the speed by which people in the communities ravaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) on Nov. 8 last year are recovering is encouraging. “We have never seen a recovery happen so quick. And many of us have been in many different disasters,” Afanasiev said. Afanasiev, the UNDP resident representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is leading his agency’s early recovery mission in the communities destroyed by Yolanda in central Philippines. He flew to the Philippines as part of the United Nations’ “surge” or rapid deployment of specialized personnel for major emergencies. Yolanda is one of four Level 3 emergencies in the world, the highest in the UN disaster scale. The others are the humanitarian crises spurred by conflict in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Syria. “For the UNDP to be speaking to you about ongoing field early recovery operations essentially at the end of the second month is unheard of,” Afanasiev told the Inquirer in an interview on Read More …

Praises keep coming for honest Filipino cabbie

 News
Jan 102014
 
Praises keep coming for honest Filipino cabbie

By Bert EljeraINQUIRER.net US Bureau 5:09 am | Saturday, January 11th, 2014 Nev. Senator Harry Reid’s letter to Filipino-American cab driver Gerardo Gamboa. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Bert Eljera LAS VEGAS – Accolades continue to pour in for Gerardo Gamboa, the Filipino-American cab driver who found and returned $300,000 in cash left behind by a passenger in his taxi. The latest praises came from Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Sen. Harry Reid, the U.S. Majority leader, who both hailed the Filipino-American for his honesty and as example to the community. Sandoval praised Gamboa in a personal letter to the taxi driver, saying his honesty should be emulated. Reid, who is particularly close to the burgeoning Filipino-American in Nevada, said in returning the money, which he could easily keep for himself, Gamboa showed a “positive example in the community.” “Your action was a wonderful demonstration of citizenship and integrity, and the impact of your story in our community is admired and appreciated,” Sen. Reid said in a Dec. 27 letter to Gamboa. Gamboa became an Internet sensation when his story went public on Dec. 25, and was readily picked up by the international press, particularly in the Phlippines. The 54-year old Gamboa, a 13-year cab driver in Las Vegas, chose to return the $300,000 cash left behind by a professional poker player, who had asked to remain anonymous, even though he provided Gamboa a $10,000 reward. Gamboa, who is from Mabalacat, Pampanga and Silay City, said the money was tempting, for a split second, Read More …

Green groups welcome ban on lead in toys, other products

 News
Jan 102014
 
Green groups welcome ban on lead in toys, other products

MANILA, Philippines—Environmental groups on Friday welcomed the ban on the use of lead in a wide range of consumer products including toys and cosmetics, even as it urged the government to ensure its strict enforcement. “We are kind of late here. Many of our neighbors have already banned it,” Abigail Aguilar, toxic substances campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, told AFP. “The reason why it was banned is because of the noise that the civil society has created on the impact of lead,” she said. The metal is used to make batteries, matches, metal alloys, paint, putty, ceramics, insecticides and explosives, among many others. It is also used extensively in plumbing. The widespread use of lead has caused extensive environmental contamination and health problems in many parts of the world, according to the World Health Organization. The poison affects multiple organs and the health burden is borne mostly by developing countries, even as other countries have reduced its use in petrol, paint, plumbing and solder. The Philippines earlier banned the use of lead in fuel in 2001. But Aguilar said the government has been unable to enforce a ban on other hazardous chemicals. Between 1997 and 2004, the environment department issued similar chemical control orders on cyanide, asbestos and mercury, she said. “The tricky part now is how to monitor this (lead ban) to make sure it will really be enforced,” Aguilar added. The ban, which covers a wide range of consumer products from toys and cosmetics to water pipes, school Read More …

PH seeks break for exports from ‘Yolanda’-hit areas

 News
Jan 102014
 
PH seeks break for exports from ‘Yolanda’-hit areas

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines is seeking duty-free access into the United States of export products from “Yolanda”-hit areas to help drive the local economy as devastated provinces began recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. made the remarks at a recent conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, citing the arrangement that the United States had forged with Haiti to bolster the latter’s economy following the devastating 2010 earthquake. “Similar to what the United States did following the Haiti earthquake, the Philippines is looking at possible trade preference for products from Haiyan-affected areas,” Cuisia told a forum on the role of the US military, government and private sector in helping typhoon recovery in the Philippines. In his audience were the US state department, military and aid officials, representatives from nongovernment organizations and corporate donors. Cuisia said the Philippines is “looking at arrangements” to allow duty-free entry of selected goods from Yolanda-hit areas, particularly Central Visayas, “for a limited period of time.” The ambassador also renewed his call for sustained support from the United States and the international community, noting how the Philippine government’s comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation plan, the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda plan, still needs some $8.2 billion (about P360.8 billion). Ally, partner “There is much work to be done, and in the spirit of the alliance and partnership we have shared, we continue to count on your Read More …

‘Temporary basing’ of US soldiers now in 12th year

 General
Jan 102014
 
‘Temporary basing’ of US soldiers now in 12th year

US and Philippine Marines simulate an amphibious landing as part of RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise on a beach in the Philippines. AFP FILE PHOTO The temporary deployment of US forces in Zamboanga City to help the Philippines fight terrorism is now in its 12th year. A top military official in Zamboanga City has confirmed that American soldiers remained in the city, Basilan and other parts of western Mindanao. The deployment started in 2002, with the US military shuffling the members of its contingent here to prolong its presence, the official said. “[The] US troops never left,” Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, told reporters.   Firearms training “They remain to provide technical support and training such as in the use of firearms and other techniques,” Guerrero said. The government buys firearms from the United States but Filipino troops need training in handling those weapons, he said. “They have the expertise and we learn from them,” Guerrero said. The Inquirer recently saw two American soldiers aboard a vessel—apparently coming from patrolling the seas off Tabiawan in Isabela town, Basilan province. Guerrero said the US forces also trained Filipino troops in civil-military affairs. “And they conduct humanitarian missions. They have been doing great things,” he added. Temporary presence Guerrero said even if it was taking the US military longer to leave, “they are here not for permanent basing. It’s a temporary presence.” As to how long the temporary presence would last, Guerrero appeared to be uncertain. “Personally, I Read More …

UNICEF hopes resumption of classes will bring normalcy to ‘Yolanda’-hit areas

 News
Jan 072014
 
UNICEF hopes resumption of classes will bring normalcy to ‘Yolanda’-hit areas

By Bong LozadaINQUIRER.net 9:03 pm | Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 In this aerial photo taken on Nov. 9, 2013, and released by the Philippine Air Force, a ferry boat is seen washed inland from a massive storm surge caused by Typhoon Haiyan, in the city of Tacloban, central Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations Children’s Fund hopes the resumption of classes in areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international codename: Haiyan) will be a spring board to speed up rehabilitation, a statement said. UNICEF together with international organizations Save the Children and INTERSOS supported the Back to Learning campaign of the Department of Education and Department of Social Welfare and Development that saw the re-opening of schools on Monday. “UNICEF’s objective is to ensure that children affected by Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ return to quality learning as quickly as possible,” said Angela Kearney, officer-in-charge of UNICEF Philippines. According to the UN arm, schools have become safe havens for both teachers and children and once school started, the daily routine has helped restore a sense of normalcy. “It’s our hope that children returning to school and day care centers will have a sense of routine and have a safe place during the day to be with friends where they can continue to learn and enjoy safe play,” said Dr. Luisa Yu, DepEd Director for Region VIII. UNICEF hopes that once the children are back in school, parents will have more time to rebuild their livelihood. As of January 6, the Read More …

ILO: More job creation program needed in Yolanda-hit areas

 News
Jan 072014
 
ILO: More job creation program needed in Yolanda-hit areas

TANAUAN, LEYTE Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors in this town wait for the distribution of food items from a helicopter in this photo taken two days after Yolanda struck. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOHN CHUA MANILA, Philippines—The International Labor Organization has launched a program aimed at providing emergency employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities in areas devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda. “Since ‘Yolanda’ (international name Haiyan) struck on 8 November, the ILO supported the Department of Labor and Employment in creating over 20,000 jobs under the emergency employment program,” said Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Director of the ILO Country Office in the Philippines. Johnson said that his organization has reached out to 100,000 people during the initial phase of the rebuilding efforts in 2013. “But more needs to be done to provide access to safe and decent work that includes ensuring minimum wages, sound occupational safety, skills development and social protection in line with national laws,” Johnson said. Aside from guaranteed social security and health insurance, the ILO has equipped its workers with masks, hats, gloves, boots and long sleeved shirts to minimize the risk of disease and injury. Of the estimated 5.9 million jobs lost or suspended due to “Yolanda,” the ILO estimated that 2.6 million were in vulnerable employment and living near the poverty line even before the typhoon. Plea for decent jobs   Workers in vulnerable forms of employment, mostly drivers and operators in Tacloban, called for the prioritization of decent jobs after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” nearly took out the sense of normalcy in the Read More …

Global disasters killed more, cost less in 2013

 News
Jan 072014
 
Global disasters killed more, cost less in 2013

Associated Press 7:45 pm | Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 In this Dec. 20, 2013 photo, a restaurant of Joseph Bonavitacola is filled with local villagers in Tacloban, Philippines. The Italian businessman, who has lived in the city for 20 years with his Filipino wife, reopened the place less than three weeks after Typhoon Haiyan devastated about 4,000 businesses. Only about 5 percent have reopened, officials say. AP BERLIN — The German insurance company Munich Re says some 20,000 people died in natural disasters last year, about twice as many as in 2012. Most of the deaths resulted from Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in Manila) that hit the Philippines, Vietnam and China in November with a loss of almost 6,100 lives. This was followed by floods in India that killed about 5,500 people in June. Munich Re’s annual disasters report released Tuesday found that the economic cost of natural catastrophes was lower last year. Some 880 events cost about $125 billion, with insured losses of $31 billion. This compares with costs of $173 billion and insured losses of $65 billion in 2012. The costliest natural disasters were summer hailstorms in Germany, floods in Central Europe, and storms and tornadoes in the United States. RELATED STORIES: Philippines launches $8.17B Haiyan rebuilding plan Barack and Michelle Obama send sympathies to Yolanda victims In typhoon’s wake, Christmas infused with tragedy Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get Read More …

Recto wants use of travel tax, other fees to improve NAIA

 News
Jan 072014
 
Recto wants use of travel tax, other fees to improve NAIA

Ninoy Aquino International Airport INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto  is proposing the use of travel tax and other fees collected from  passengers to improve the  security and condition of the Ninoy  Aquino International  Airport. Recto specifically  pointed to the fees  being collected by three government agencies – the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)—which he said derive much of their combined  annual P16.billion income from NAIA. Even a fraction of the fees paid by passengers and planes to these three agencies for use of NAIA, he said, will be enough to install “clean toilets, CCTVs and comfortable couches” in its four terminals. “If a mall charges a mere P10 for the use of a hotel-like toilet, I can’t see why a Filipino travelling abroad who pays P550 in terminal fee and P1,620 in travel tax should be entitled to less,” Recto said in a statement on  Tuesday. In 2012, MIAA posted a gross operating income of P8.28 billion and a net income after tax of P2.64 billion. Of its gross, he said, P3.3 billion came from “toll and terminal fees” paid by departing passengers, who cough up P550 if bound for abroad, and P200 if headed for domestic destinations. Recto said 2012 was also a banner year for another TIEZA, which raked in P3.5 billion in “travel tax” levied on 2,271,468 departing passengers. Its collection, he said, would have been higher if not for the exemption granted by law to overseas Filipino workers, 443,868 of whom were reported to have exited in 2012. Recto said Read More …

Canada pulls out 300 relief personnel from PH

 News
Jan 072014
 
Canada pulls out 300 relief personnel from PH

A Filipino soldier takes a break beside relief goods at the Tacloban airport, in central Philippines on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Canada’s more than 300 humanitarian relief personnel have pulled out of the country following the completion of their aid mission in areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan). Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) deployed in Panay Island officially wrapped up its humanitarian assistance mission last December 16 followed by the batch by batch departure of 315 Canadian Air Force (CAF) personnel up to the last week of December. Based in Roxas City, DART treated more than 6,500 patients, cleared over 130 kilometers of road, and delivered almost 500,000 liters of purified water and more than 230,000 pounds of food, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Tuesday. “The DART is a multidisciplinary military organization designed to deploy on short notice anywhere in the world in response to situations ranging from natural disasters to complex humanitarian emergencies,” DFA said. “This was the first time that Canada has engaged in this type of humanitarian action in the country,” it said. More than 10,000 pounds of building materials for homes were also brought by the DART to help residents on Panay Island in rebuilding shelters. Helping the DART throughout their humanitarian relief mission were more than a dozen Filipino-Canadians who served as liaison officers since they knew how to converse with the locals in Filipino. “As such, they provided vital links Read More …

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