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.

Filipino more money-wise than before – survey

 Economy
Feb 042013
 
Filipino more money-wise than before - survey

MANILA, Philippines – More Filipinos are becoming wiser in their finances, according to a survey commissioned by Citibank Philippines. Results of the annual Citi Fin-Q survey showed that among 500 Filipino respondents, nine out of 10 said they create a budget on a monthly basis, while 65 percent said it is important to stick to their budget. Eight out of 10 also said they own insurance products or own insurance protection, while 63 percent said they are on track with their retirement savings or had already set aside some savings for it. Citi added that among those surveyed, six out of 10 said they are aware of their net worth. The survey said more Filipinos now understand the value of budgeting and planning their finances, as respondents passed the 50-point mark and scored 53 out of 100 in the survey. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Respondent in the survey were scored on 11 questions about financial well-being, with a maximum possible score of 100. “The improved score was driven by increased awareness among respondents of the importance of planning personal finances, ownership of several financial products such as investments and insurance, and a general optimism on their financial future,” Citi said. Meanwhile, across Asia Pacific, the survey noted that the score was above the 50-point mark at 53.2 points. Sixty-seven percent added that they are optimistic about their financial futures. In terms of savings, 44 percent said they set aside or save money every time they Read More …

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 …

Mindanao dev't a gov't priority – Abad

 Economy
Feb 032013
 
Mindanao dev't a gov't priority - Abad

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government is keen on developing Mindanao amid positive news on the country’s economy, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said on Sunday ahead of the 2013 Philippine Development Forum. “Unlocking Mindanao’s potential is high up in the administration’s list of priorities. Already, the region is poised to make great strides in pursuing its socio-economic goals, given the wealth of its resources and its remarkable growth prospects. The Bangsamoro peace agreement has also encouraged greater confidence in the region, particularly in areas where armed conflict once undermined efforts at community development or commercial progress,” Abad said. The country’s global development partners, state leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders are expected to attend this year’s PDF in Davao City. “It’s no coincidence that the 2013 PDF is being held in Davao, considering the administration’s aim of enhancing Mindanao’s growth capacity and invigorating the region’s agri-fishery and tourism industries, as well as other fast-growing sectors,” Abad said. He added that the forum will be crucial in bridging the Aquino administration’s development goals with the objectives of the country’s development partners. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “With the Philippine economy performing very well, we need to ensure that the gains we’ve made will actually be felt by all Filipinos. Together with our development partners, we can work toward creating more growth dividends for Mindanao, thus empowering the region and giving it ample room for socio-economic progress,” Abad said.

Early revival of Philex operations seen to benefit many

 Economy
Feb 032013
 
Early revival of Philex operations seen to benefit many

MANILA, Philippines – The early revival of the Padcal operations of Philex Mining Corp. is expected to benefit the National Treasury as well as the Social Security System (SSS), which has some P18.7 billion invested in the 58-year-old mining giant, a leader of the House of Representatives said yesterday. Due to unusually heavy rains brought about by typhoons Ferdie and Gener, Philex voluntarily shut its Padcal mine on Aug. 1, 2012, following leakage from a tailings pond in Itogon, Benguet. “Philex deserves ample support, so it may complete the rehabilitation and cleanup of areas affected by a tailings pond spill, and hopefully resume operations as soon as possible,” House Deputy Majority Leader and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo said in a statement. “Philex is the mining industry’s biggest taxpayer. The eventual restart of its Padcal operations will give more meaning to President Aquino’s desire to increase government’s tax income from mining,” he said. Malacañang previously issued Executive Order 79, series of 2012, which seeks “to improve environmental standards and increase (government) revenues to promote sustainable economic development and social growth, both at the national and local levels.” The lawmaker said based on Philippine Stock Exchange filings, Philex shelled out some P5.64 billion in taxes over the last three years, of which P2.38 billion was paid in 2011 alone, when the firm posted record-high production and sales of copper and gold. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 That year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue ranked Philex as the mining Read More …

Steady hike in tollroad traffic seen

 Economy
Feb 032013
 
Steady hike in tollroad traffic seen

SINGAPORE – Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), a subsidiary of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., expects a single digit growth in traffic volume for its toll roads this year, an official said. MPTC president Ramoncito S. Fernandez said in an interview that the toll road firm expects continuous traffic volume growth in its portfolio. “The election season results in mobility,” Fernandez said. For instance, a seven percent growth in the traffic volume is projected in the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), four to five percent for the 84-kilometer North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), three percent for the 14-kilometer Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and as much as eight percent for the Kawit portion of CAVITEx, Fernandez said. MPTC reported that its core income, which strips out currency and derivatives-related items, grew three percent to P1.52 billion last year. Total revenues rose five percent to P6.88 billion “benefiting from higher growth in Class 2 and 3 vehicles or those of higher value,” Fernandez said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Class 2 vehicles like buses and Class 3 vehicles like cargo trucks and trailers are charged higher rates compared with Class 1 vehicles like jeepneys, pick-up vans and cars. CAVITEx and SCTEx have pending requests for rate hikes before the Toll Regulatory Board. Average daily traffic hit 163,400 vehicles last year, up four percent from 2011, MPTC said. Fernandez said the contract to maintain and operate the SCTEx is under renegotiation, with average traffic volume at 25,000, which is below the expected 30,000. Read More …

Smart, Globe ship 150T iPhone5 units since Dec launch

 Economy
Feb 032013
 
Smart, Globe ship 150T iPhone5 units since Dec launch

MANILA, Philippines – Rival mobile carriers Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. shipped close to 150,000 units of iPhone5 since the newest Apple handset was launched in the country last Dec. 14. Data from the Common Carriers Authorization Department (CCAD) of the state-run National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) showed that both Globe and Smart brought 147,719 units of iPhone5 into the country last month. Globe imported 95,711 units of iPhone5 while Smart brought in 52,008 units last December. Smart and Globe launched the iPhone5 about three months after it was released by California-based Apple Inc. in September. The new iPhone5 – the sixth of its kind released by Apple – is thinner and lighter than the iPhone4s and features a four-inch screen slightly bigger than the previous models’ 3.5-inch screen. It features a four-inch retina display with the ultrafast wireless and powerful A6 chip and an eight-megapixel iSight camera with panorama and iCloud. It comes with iOS 6, Apple’s newest operating system for mobile devices featuring shared photo streams, Facebook integration, all-new Maps app, passbook organization, and voice-based personal assistant Siri. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Likewise, both Globe and Smart made available its fastest Internet service through the Long Term Evolution (LTE) in iPhone5 with the release of a software update iOS6.1 last week. Regarded as the fastest fourth generation (4G) wireless connection, LTE is ideal for downloading movies in minutes, lag-free gaming, ultra-fast surfing, buffer-free video streaming, and mission-critical Internet use because of its 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 …

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