Senate OKs bill declaring waling-waling a national flower

 News
Feb 042013
 
Senate OKs bill declaring waling-waling a national flower

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill declaring the waling-waling a national flower of the Philippines. The Senate approved House Bill No. 5655, which declares the waling-waling a national flower, joining the sampaguita. The sampaguita was declared the national flower of the Philippines by Governor-General Frank Murphy through Proclamation No. 652 on February 1, 1934. “Orchid lovers all over the world consider the waling-waling as one of the most unique and beautiful native orchids in the world and that while some adore it, most Filipinos have forgotten its natural beauty,” said the measure’s sponsor Senator Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate committee on education, arts, and culture. Senator Loren Legarda, who co-sponsored the measure, said the approval of the bill will mandate the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations that will protect, conserve, and propagate the waling-waling orchid together with the sampaguita. Angara said the waling-waling is known as “the Queen of Philippine Orchids.” Unlike the sampaguita, he said, the waling-waling is native to the Philippines and endemic to Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga. — BM, GMA News

US Navy presents plan to dismantle grounded ship in Tubbataha

 News
Feb 042013
 
US Navy presents plan to dismantle grounded ship in Tubbataha

By Jerry E. Esplanada Philippine Daily Inquirer 4:38 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 USS Guardian AP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The United States Navy has presented to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) its USS Guardian “dismantling plan” that will utilize floating cranes in what it calls a “complex operation” to minimize damage to the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea. Lt. Commander Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesperson, however, told the Philippines they have to get word from the US Navy when the actual ship dismantling operation would start. In a text message, Balilo said on Monday “there’s no information yet on the exact date of the ship-breaking.” But he assured PCG personnel “will assist the US Navy personnel (involved in the operation).” Coast Guard vessels will also “conduct patrols to secure the Tubbataha Reef area while the operation is underway,” Balilo added. Reports reaching the PCG headquarters in Manila said the SMIT Borneo of SMIT Singapore Pte. Ltd., the floating crane contracted by the US Navy to remove the grounded Guardian, has arrived at the reef. US naval salvage experts have assessed that attempts to remove the Guardian intact, such as towing or pulling it off the reef, could cause more damage to the reef and the ship’s hull and most likely result in the vessel breaking up or sinking. The Guardian ran aground on Jan. 17, while transiting to Indonesia after a port visit at the former US naval base in Subic, Zambales. On Jan. 31, the US Pacific Fleet Read More …

Another US warship to dock in Subic Tuesday

 News
Feb 042013
 
Another US warship to dock in Subic Tuesday

By Fat Reyes INQUIRER.net 3:49 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Another United States (US) warship is set to dock in Subic Tuesday as the US Navy is embroiled in a controversy over its minesweeper USS Guardian, which remains stuck on the southern atoll in the Tubbataha Reef. In a statement Monday, the US embassy in Manila said that the USS Stockdale, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, was set to arrive in Subic Bay on Tuesday for a “routine port visit.” As in previous visits by US ships, the embassy noted that the stop in Subic would permit the vessel to “replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.” “Visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and this is very important to us,” Lex Walker, commanding officer of USS Stockdale, was quoted as saying in the statement. The ship is the second vessel from the US to make a stop in Subic after the USS Guardian ran aground on the atoll last Jan. 17. The Guardian ran aground on the atoll while in transit to Indonesia after a port visit to Subic, a former US naval base. Authorities said that one of the US Navy’s plans was to dismantle the minesweeper and remove it in sections from the marine sanctuary, but a final plan had yet to be approved. The US had said that it would Read More …

Australia offers P126-M more in aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

 News
Feb 042013
 
Australia offers P126-M more in aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

By Fat Reyes INQUIRER.net 3:23 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – The Australian government on Monday announced that it would offer an additional P126 million in aid to the victims of typhoon “Pablo” as a response to the latest appeal made by the Philippine government and the United Nations for the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the disaster. In a statement, the Australian embassy in Manila noted that the additional funds would be used to provide emergency shelters, including improvements of existing shelter facilities in the worst-hit areas. It added that emergency cash-for-work programs would be funded for debris clearing and would provide critically needed income to workers across the affected areas. It noted that six weeks after the tragedy hit Mindanao, shelter and livelihood remained the “critical needs with over 840,000 people still displaced, including 700,000 people whose livelihoods were destroyed by the typhoon.” “The scale of destruction caused by typhoon Pablo is staggering, and I witnessed this when I recently visited Compostela Valley. My heart went out to the families who continue to suffer,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Twaddell was quoted as saying in the statement. “We commend the Philippine Government for its effective and well-coordinated efforts to address this crisis. Australia stands ready to help Filipino families affected by this disaster get back on their feet – and I know they can. Visiting Compostela Valley and seeing the generous and sincere smiles of the people only made me admire and appreciate the Read More …

BI deports Korean national facing drug case in his country

 News
Feb 042013
 
BI deports Korean national facing drug case in his country

By Tetch Torres INQUIRER.net 2:57 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration has ordered the deportation of a South Korean national allegedly wanted in his country for robbery, extortion and illegal drugs. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified the Korean national as Bang Gi II, 49. He was picked up by immigration agents at the Manila City Jail last Jan. 29 after a local court dismissed the kidnapping case against him. A summary deportation was issued against Bang after the Korean government canceled his passport. Lawyer Jose Carlitos Licas, BI intelligence assistant chief, said Bang is the subject of two arrest warrants for violating South Korea’s narcotics control act. He said the fugitive was charged with consuming the illegal drug called Philopon and for asking a fellow Korean national to smuggle from Manila more than 35 grams of the drug into Korea on Oct. 13, 2010. Licas also cited a report from the Korean embassy stating that on Aug. 26, 2009, Bang was convicted and sentenced to one-year imprisonment by a district court in Incheon, South Korea, also for possession of illegal drugs.

Australia offers additional P126-million aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

 News
Feb 032013
 
Australia offers additional P126-million aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

By Fat Reyes INQUIRER.net 1:59 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the N-Peace awards ceremony in New World Hotel, Makati City. Among the recipients is Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles (R). With them is Australian Amb. Bill Tweddell. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Australian government on Monday announced that it would offer an additional P126-million aid to the victims of Typhoon Pablo as a response to the latest appeal made by the Philippine government and the United Nations for the on-going humanitarian crisis caused by the typhoon. In a statement, the Australian embassy in Manila noted that the additional funds would be used to provide emergency shelters, including improvements of existing shelter facilities in the worst-hit areas. It said that emergency cash-for-work programs would be funded for debris clearing and would provide critically needed income to workers across the affected areas. It noted that six weeks after the tragedy hit Mindanao, shelter and livelihood remained “critical needs with over 840,000 people still displaced, including 700,000 people whose livelihoods were destroyed by the typhoon.” “The scale of destruction caused by Typhoon Pablo is staggering, and I witnessed this when I recently visited Compostela Valley. My heart went out to the families who continue to suffer,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said in a statement. “We commend the Philippine Government for its effective and well-coordinated efforts to address this crisis. Australia stands ready to help Filipino Read More …

DOLE: Report employers who did not give 13th month pay

 News
Feb 022013
 
DOLE: Report employers who did not give 13th month pay

If you did not get your 13th month pay from your employer last December, report it, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued this advice this week as she vowed her department will take action against employers who failed to give the one-month pay. “Although it is expected that every worker already received their 13th month pay for 2012, I strongly urge those workers who have not yet received theirs to report this violation at the nearest DOLE regional office in their areas. Rest assured that these erring employers shall be dealt with accordingly,” she said. Baldoz reminded employers as early as November last year that the 13th month pay is a statutory benefit and is expected as part of an employee’s yearend benefits. She added that the 13th month pay is a core labor standard and the department will see to it that this is strictly implemented. “Under Presidential Decree  851, all employers are required to pay all of their employees a 13th month pay not later than December 24 of every year,” the DOLE said. A 13th month pay is one-twelfth of the basic salary of an employee within a calendar year, though it does not include allowances and monetary benefits not considered as part of the basic salary. The DOLE noted employers are to make and submit a report of compliance to the nearest regional labor office not later than January 15. Meanwhile, Baldoz commended Internet service provider DOCOMO InterTouch and Read More …

PAGASA: PHL will have 'basically good weather' in next 24 hours

 News
Feb 022013
 
PAGASA: PHL will have 'basically good weather' in next 24 hours

Except for isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, the whole country may expect “basically good weather” for the rest of this weekend, a state weather forecaster said Saturday afternoon. But PAGASA said rain may fall over parts of the country, including flood-affected areas in Mindanao such as Davao and Caraga. “Wala tayong inaasahang bagyo na aapekto sa ating bansa sa susunod na dalawa hanggang tatlong araw. Ang buong bansa [ay magkakaroon ng] basically good weather,” PAGASA forecaster Chris Perez said in an interview on dzBB radio. PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin said the easterlies, or warm winds from the east, are affecting the eastern section of the country. It said the whole country will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, particularly over: – Cagayan Valley– Aurora and Quezon provinces– Bicol region– Eastern Visayas– Caraga and Davao regions. PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail over the country and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. — LBG, GMA News

$1.4B needed for children in global humanitarian crisis–UNICEF

 News
Feb 022013
 
$1.4B needed for children in global humanitarian crisis–UNICEF

$23M appeal for Philippines included INQUIRER.net 3:53 pm | Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – UNICEF has appealed for almost $1.4 billion to meet the immediate, life-saving needs of children in 45 countries and regions globally gripped by conflict, natural disasters and other complex emergencies this year. Funds raised by the annual appeal will also go towards improving disaster preparedness, and to strengthening the resilience of communities to withstand and minimize the impact of new shocks. “We are still in the first month of 2013, which has already proved harsh for millions of children suffering in Syria and for refugees who had to flee to neighboring countries. Mali and the Central African Republic are also experiencing worsening conflict, threatening the lives of children and women,” said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s Director of the Office of Emergency Programs. “Children are extremely vulnerable in emergencies, often living in unhealthy and unsafe conditions, at high risk of disease, violence, exploitation and neglect.” The Humanitarian Action for Children 2013 appeal includes countries prominent in today’s news headlines along with many other countries that receive much less media coverage, such as Chad, Colombia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and the Philippines, but which also require urgent attention and assistance. “The complex emergency in Syria represents one important focus of UNICEF’s global emergency response,” said Chaiban. “But we are also delivering results for children in highly challenging and largely forgotten emergencies around the world.” The Philippines’ US$23 million appeal aims to address humanitarian needs in the Mindanao armed conflict, the Typhoon Read More …

Palace: No date yet for martial law compensation bill signing

 News
Feb 022013
 
Palace: No date yet for martial law compensation bill signing

Malacañang on Saturday said there is no definite date yet for the signing of the newly ratified bill that will provide compensation to human rights violations victims during Martial Law. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that as of Saturday morning, the Palace has yet to receive the transmittal of the bill from Congress. “Wala pa… [itse-]check namin, hindi pa namin na-receive ang transmittal,” she said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked if the bill would be signed into law on Feb. 25. Feb. 25, 2013 is the 27th anniversary of the EDSA-1 People Power revolution, which ousted Marcos and installed President Benigno Aquino III’s late mother Corazon to the presidency in 1986. Some reports had said President Aquino might sign the bill into law on that date. Valte also said the Palace is still waiting for another measure, the bill for the K-to-12 basic education program, to be transmitted after its ratification. Earlier this week, both houses of Congress ratified the human rights violation victims’ compensation bill, a landmark measure that will finance claims by victims of Martial Law. Under the measure, a P10-billion fund plus interest is to be appropriated to the claimants. The fund will be sourced mainly from funds transferred to the government by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court and held in escrow. On the other hand, both houses of Congress also ratified the K-to-12 Basic Education Reform program. — LBG, GMA News

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