April 2013 – Page 21

US Navy relieves 4 officers from grounded minesweeper

News

Apr 032013

US Navy relieves 4 officers from grounded minesweeper

Associated Press 11:12 am | Thursday, April 4th, 2013 This handout photo taken on January 19, 2013 and released on January 20, 2013 by the Philippine Western Command (WESCOM) shows an aerial shot of US Navy minesweeper, the USS Guardian, as it remains trapped on the Tubbataha reef after it ran aground on the western Philippine island of Palawan. AFP FILE PHOTO PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Four officers of a U.S. Navy minesweeper that ran aground on coral reef in the Philippines are being relieved of their duties. The U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement Wednesday that initial findings indicate all four sailors failed to adhere to standard navigation procedures at the time of the Jan. 17 grounding of the Guardian. The sailors are the commanding officer, the executive officer and navigator, the assistant navigator and the officer of the deck. They’ve been reassigned. Workers recently finished dismantling and removing the minesweeper from Tubbataha National Marine Park. The park’s superintendent has said the grounding damaged about 4,000 square meters, or nearly 5,000 square yards, of reef. The U.S. could face a fine of more than $2 million for the damage. 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 breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Tubbataha Reef , US Navy , USS Guardian Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Read More …

Comcast cites progress of effort to close digital divide

News

Apr 032013

Comcast cites progress of effort to close digital divide

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:30 am | Thursday, April 4th, 2013 AFP FILE PHOTO WASHINGTON, D.C.– Comcast released the second progress report on its Internet Essentials program, the company’s major effort at connecting lower-income Americans to the Internet. “In just 16 months, Internet Essentials has helped put a real dent in the digital divide and connected more than 150,000 low-income families, or 600,000 Americans, to the power of the Internet, most for the first time in their lives,” said Comcast Executive VP David L. Cohen. “That’s approximately the entire population of Washington, D.C. or Boston,” Cohen added. Internet Essentials is the nation’s largest, most comprehensive broadband adoption initiative designed to help close the digital divide. “When it comes to education, the Internet has changed everything,” said Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. Children, he said, can do research for their homework, and parents get connected to their child’s school to monitor grades and see their child’s development, Carvalho added. The 2nd Annual Internet Essentials Progress Report covers key program milestones through the end of 2012 milestones, a number of program enhancements and a new award designed to honor top-performing school districts. Milestones include: Printed and shipped more than 25 million pieces of collateral material for free. Fielded more than one million phone calls in dedicated Internet Essentials call center. Distributed more than 15,000 computers at less than $150 each. Trained 10,000 people in-person about digital literacy and how to use the Internet. Received more than 800,000 visitors to the Internet Essentials and Read More …

Fil-Am rondalla program thrives

News

Apr 032013

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:01 am | Thursday, April 4th, 2013 Instrument lending program beneficiaries after performing at the “Kwerdas sa Kaunlaran” Festival in Manila. SAN JOSE,California—A Filipino American musical organization based in this city has continued to promote a diverse, local musical culture while helping improve the lives of many young people. Pagyamanin Likas Musika (PLM), an informal not-for-profit group established by George Gange with friends and former schoolmates, has a unique Rondalla Instrument Lending Program for interested children of a nominated village or school in the Philippines. PLM founder George Gange with guests at the rondalla festival in Manila. From its humble beginnings in February 2010, the PLM rondalla instrument lending rogram has reached 46 community/institution beneficiaries. This number includes an orphanage in Davao, a foundation for street children in Quezon City, an elementary school in Payatas and Southern Leyte, GK Villages in Angat, Bulacan, and Imus Cavite, indigenous tribes in Roxas, Palawan, a Philippines National School for the Blind in Pasay and a similar school in Davao serving hundreds of underprivileged children. Seven of the program’s beneficiary groups’ performances at the 3rd Pagyamanin Likas Musika Rondalla Festival (“Kwerdas Sa Kaunlaran”) last Feb. 23 proved the value of the PLM program. Held at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila University Activity Center the free event showcased newfound rondalla talents of many underprivileged children. An added highlight of the festival was the special participation of what is considered the best rondalla group today, Celso Espejo Rondalla (CER) of Las Pinas City. “Hopefully Read More …

US backs PH tack in sea row

News

Apr 032013

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:49 am | Thursday, April 4th, 2013 Secretary of State John Kerry. AP FILE PHOTO Citing the importance of peace and stability in Asia-Pacific region, the United States has thrown its full support behind the Philippines’ bid for arbitration in the United Nations to settle a territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In remarks before talks with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario in Washington on Tuesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated his government’s support for a code of conduct in the West Philippine Sea, home to vital sea lanes and islands believed to be sitting on vast energy and mineral reserves. “The Philippines is one of our five Asia-Pacific allies and a very, very important relationship at this point in time when there are tensions over the South China Sea, where we support a code of conduct, and we are deeply concerned [about] some of those tensions and would like to see it worked out through a process of arbitration,” Kerry told reporters at the US Department of State. A transcript of his remarks was posted on the department’s website. The West Philippine Sea dispute has long been a matter of keen interest for Kerry who, as senator, “was a moving force” behind a resolution in the US Senate seeking a peaceful settlement of disputes in those waters, Del Rosario said after his meeting with the new top US diplomat. Kerry replaced former State Secretary Hillary Clinton, Read More …

Ongpin maintains passive stance in SMC

Economy

Apr 032013

MANILA, Philippines – Given his busy schedule developing upscale membership clubs, business tycoon Roberto V. Ongpin is maintaining a passive stance while holding on to his shares in diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC). The billionaire investor said he has big faith in the diversification strategies of the food-to-power conglomerate. “I will be holding on to that (SMC shares),” Ongpin said in an interview. “I am a great believer in SMC. I think (SMC president) Ramon Ang is one of the greatest managers,” he added. As of end-2012, Ongpin’s investment vehicle in SMC, Top Frontier Investments Holdings Inc., alongside Ang, businessman Iñigo U. Zobel and condiments king Jose Y. Campos, is the single largest shareholder in the conglomerate with a 39.16-percent stake. With Ang at the helm, Ongpin characterized his involvement in SMC as “passive.” Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 To date, Ongpin is focused on his high-end property firm Alphaland Corp. Alphaland’s projects under construction include the three-tower Alphaland Makati Place that will have a sports club, a mall and condominium units; the P4-billlion Balesin Island Club in Quezon province; and the P2-billion Alphaland Marina Club that will have 300 berths for boats of all sizes. Alphaland president Mario Oreta said Ongpin even holds office and manages the day-to-day operations in the 500-hectare Balesin Island, the property firm’s flagship project that will have 300 villas in seven themed villages. Alphaland still has a lot in its plate that will need the attention of Ongpin. Oreta Read More …

ABS-CBN, GMA both claim ratings leadership

Economy

Apr 032013

ABS-CBN, GMA both claim ratings leadership

MANILA, Philippines – Rivals ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. claimed anew ratings leadership for the month of March based on surveys commissioned separately by both broadcasting companies. ABS-CBN said in a statement that it topped all TV stations in March, excluding Holy Week, with an average audience share of 41 percent or 10 points ahead of GMA’s 31 percent based on data from Kantar Media. ABS-CBN said it continued to rule in the hotly contested primetime from 6 pm to 12 midnight with an average audience share of 47 percent, a staggering 17-point lead over GMA’s 30 percent. Aside from leading in primetime, the Lopez-controlled TV network also continued to beat other networks across all programming blocks. In the morning from 6 am to 12 noon, it recorded an average audience share of 36 percent compared to GMA’s 32 percent and was also five points ahead in the early afternoon from 12 noon to 3 pm with 38 percent versus GMA’s 33 percent and late afternoon from 3 pm to 6 pm with 35 percent compared to GMA’s 30 percent. ABS-CBN sustained its leadership in key territories such as Balance Luzon or areas in Luzon outside of Mega Manila where it surged ahead of GMA with an average audience share of 43 percent vs GMA’s 34 percent. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 ABS-CBN registered an audience share of 49 percent versus the 26 percent of GMA in the Visayas and 54 percent compared to GMA’s Read More …

Fitch upgrades Napocor credit rating

Economy

Apr 032013

MANILA, Philippines – Fitch Ratings has upgraded the credit rating of National Power Corp. (Napocor), the state-owned power company. In a statement, Fitch said it has upgraded Napocor’s 2006 fixed-rate notes due 2016 to ‘BBB-’ from ‘BB+’. It also assigned a stable outlook on the debt. “The rating on the notes is credit-linked to that of the Philippines as the notes are irrecoverably and unconditionally guaranteed by the Republic of Philippines,” Fitch said. Furthermore, the global debt watcher said the rating action follows the upgrade of Philippines’ long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to ‘BBB-’ from ‘BB+’ with a stable outlook. An investment grade rating reduces the government’s borrowing cost and puts the country back in the radar screen of foreign investors and fund managers. The Philippine economy grew 6.6 percent in 2012, beating the government’s target of five to six percent. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In an interview yesterday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Investor Relations Office executive director Claro Fernandez said the Fitch upgrade is a vote of confidence for the Philippines.

TESDA chief: Stigma over vocational courses must end

News

Apr 032013

TESDA chief: Stigma over vocational courses must end

Vicente Ayala used to believe that having a college degree was his only gateway to meaningful employment. Like many Filipinos his age, however, financial problems kept him from enrolling in a college or university. “Kung ano gusto mo sa buhay, in that way, makukuha mo siya kapag [kumuha ka ng] four-year course,” Ayala said in an interview aired on GMA News’ “Unang Balita” on Wednesday. “Parang ‘pag sinabi kasing four-year course, ‘pag nag-apply ka sa trabaho, matatanggap ka agad.” Faced with limited finances, Ayala took the practical route and enroled in a six-month food and beverage course offered by the government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). “Pagkatapos kong mag-aral ng food and beverage [course], nag-apply ako ng trabaho agad. Tapos ayun, natanggap ako agad,” he said. However, amid happy-ending stories such as Ayala’s are tales of discrimination against job applicants who took up vocational courses. This was confirmed by no less than TESDA chief himself, Joel Villanueva. “Hindi dapat tignan, matahin, o magkaroon ng diskriminasyon ‘yung mga hindi four-year course graduates sapagkat kung titignan mo mas maraming available jobs para sa kanila,” he said in the “Unang Balita” report. Villanueva said there is no dearth of job vacancies for applicants who graduated from vocational courses. “About 218,000 or 220,000 jobs are up for grabs and yet ang applicants lang natin na natatanggap is about 117,000.” Villanueva went as far as saying that discrimination is one of the reasons behind “employment mismatch,” or the disproportion between what Read More …

For finishing the printing of ballots ahead of schedule, NPO personnel to receive bonuses

News

Apr 032013

For finishing the printing of ballots ahead of schedule, NPO personnel to receive bonuses

Comelec, Palace officials witness printing of last ballot . Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. (center), Comelec Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph, and Presidential Communications Operations Sec. Herminio Coloma (2nd left) witness the ceremonial printing of the last ballot at the National Printing Office in Quezon City on Wednesday. Tina Panganiban-Perez For finishing the printing of more than 52 million ballots three weeks ahead of schedule, 485 personnel of National Printing Office (NPO) may receive bonuses as high as P25,000 for their “record-breaking performance,” officials said Wednesday. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. said he has recommended to the Department of Budget and Management the giving of performance-based bonus to NPO employees, and that he is just waiting for the agency’s decision. “Ang aking rekomendasyon ay naroroon na, ang NPO, dahil ang classification ay better [performing agency], ang pinakamataas na matatanggap ng best performer ng NPO ay P25,000,” he said in his speech during the ceremonial printing of the last ballot for the May 13 elections, amid chants of “bonus! bonus!” from the employees. “Syempre ‘yung iba, wala naman ni isa sa inyo na unsatisfactory, lahat naman kayo ay at least good, meron ding minimum amount. ‘Yun, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ay P5,000,” Coloma added. The NPO is under PCOO. Coloma also announced that he is giving NPO director Emmanuel Andaya a free hand to decide on how much the employees will receive. “Binibigyan ko ng buong laya si Director Andaya na magpasya sapagkat alam ko naman Read More …

TFC, Comelec, DFA launch new drive for overseas voters

News

Apr 022013

TFC, Comelec, DFA launch new drive for overseas voters

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 12:29 pm | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 Mario Guillermo, with his wife Lilia, is being assisted by Overseas Absentee Voters officer Rey Sambitan. FILE PHOTO Encouraged by the record-breaking turnout of Filipinos during the registration period last year, The Filipino Channel (TFC) is again teaming up with the Commission on Elections and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Overseas Absentee Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) to promote overseas voting for the May 13 elections. Through a campaign entitled, Boto mo, kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino (Your vote is the future of each Filipino), TFC last year disseminated public service announcements (PSAs) in print media and social networking sites. The turnout exceeded records for new overseas Filipino registrants in the past three elections in 2004, 2007 and 2010. Total registration hit close to a million or a total of 988,384, a milestone for a registration for a non-presidential election. This year, TFC, Comelec and DFA-OAVs are tapping young superstar Kim Chiu, variety show “ASAP” mainstay and enterprising actor Robi Domingo, “Pinoy True Stories” hosts and respected reporters Maan Macapagal, Atom Araullo and multi-awarded anchor Ted Failon. They will join last year’s endorsers–Boy Abunda, Pokwang, Eric Santos, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual in conveying the message “Your vote is our (every Filipino’s) future.” “We encourage our kababayans to exercise their right to suffrage and choose the nation’s next leaders who can make a difference in the lives of every Filipino,” says TFC Philippine Country manager Edson Aguiflor. DFA Undersecretary and OAVS Chairman Jose Read More …

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