China raises concerns over PH’s reported development plans on Ayungin Shoal

 News
May 282013
 
China raises concerns over PH’s reported development plans on Ayungin Shoal

By Frances Mangosing Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:51 pm | Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin speaking with Chinese Ambassador to Manila Ma Keqing after the International Day of UN Peacekeepers event at Camp Aguinaldo. Frances Mangosing/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines—China raised its concerns over the Philippines’ reported plans of establishing structures on Ayungin Shoal in the disputed West Philippine Sea. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and China Ambassador to Manila Ma Keqing discussed issues on Ayungin among other things on the sidelines of the commemoration of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Wednesday at Camp Aguinaldo. The two leaders were seen talking for a few minutes after the event. “They were concerned [with the] Philippines coming up with structures, additional structures in the Ayungin Shoal and I told her that the ship that is moving towards Ayungin is only for provisions of food and water for soldiers who are there,” he told reporters when asked what they discussed. The BRP Sierra Madre is the Philippine Navy’s detachment on Ayungin Shoal. Gazmin said he assured Ma that the Philippines would not build structures there. “We will not violate the agreement not to construct new structures. We told them we’re only bringing supplies for our troops there, like water, food. There will also be rotation of troops because we can’t put our men there permanently or they’ll go crazy,” he said. He quoted Ma as saying that China is continuously monitoring Philippine troops there or whether new structures are being built. Read More …

Philippines called 'brightest' in Southeast Asia

 Economy
May 282013
 
Philippines called 'brightest' in Southeast Asia

Photo shows the Makati City skyline during sunset. ANDY ENERO MANILA, Philippines – A report by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) said the Philippines is significantly contributing to the “glowing” Southeast Asian region with its bright economic prospects. “The Philippines is the brightest spark in glowing Asean region,” the report said, citing the recent quarterly review Economic Insight: South East Asia by its partner organization Cebr that highlights Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. ICAEW said that the “very positive” outlook for the country which is expected to grow 5.1 percent in GDP this year and in 2014 can be attributed to strong exports, “booming” household expenditures and the government’s heavy infrastructure investments. “The country looks set to shake off its former reputation as the ‘sick man of Asia’,” Cebr’s macroeconomics head Charles Davis said in a statement. Davis said, however, that the country’s capacity constraints will likely lead to a slowdown in growth, which is seen to fall to 4.5 percent in 2015. Such constraints cause higher inflation and tighter monetary policy. Furthermore, the growth in stock prices in the Philippines–currently at 34 percent–is seen unsustainable and suggests a bubble to emerge, Davis warned. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Stagnation in industrialized nations means investors are turning to emerging economies in search of higher yield,” Davis, also an economic advisor at ICAEW, said. ICAEW South East Asia director Mark Billington, meanwhile, added that the Philippines’ emergence in the region Read More …

Cuisia Leads Economic Diplomacy Blitz in North Carolina, Virginia

 Entertainment
May 282013
 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippines continues to take advantage of its new status as an emerging tiger with by intensifying its economic diplomacy blitz in the United States to promote greater trade and investment. The focus of the latest economic diplomacy efforts were the states of North Carolina and Virginia, which were visited by Ambassador Jose L. […]

PHL will fight ‘to the last soldier’

 Entertainment
May 282013
 

Defense chief says no plans to boost military presence, but contingent to keep watch MANILA (Mabuhay) – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday said that there are no plans yet to reinforce the Marine contingent keeping watch off Ayungin Shoal. The Filipino presence is located on BRP Sierra Madre, a landing […]

Gov’t to open new fishing areas

 News
May 282013
 

Philippine Daily Inquirer 3:37 am | Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The Aquino administration will soon identify “alternative fishing grounds” for Filipino fishermen so as not to exacerbate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). At the same time, the government will endeavor to beef up its maritime assets to establish “a minimum credible defense,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told a Palace briefing on Tuesday. Valte explained that the government would continue to pursue its “nonengagement policy” on the issue of the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea, in answer to a question about the presence of a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, accompanied by patrol vessels, at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Reef). On May 10, the Philippines protested the presence of the Chinese boats since Ayungin lies 196 kilometers from Palawan province, and thus well within the Philippines’ 370-km exclusive economic zone. According to Valte, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has designated a particular area to be opened as an alternative fishing ground for Filipino fishermen.—Michael Lim Ubac

Fil-Am nonprofit in LA raises $130K in one night

 News
May 282013
 

By Mico Letargo AJPress/INQUIRER.net News Partner 3:00 am | Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 LOS ANGELES–After suffering financial strife due to the recession, the longtime community service nonprofit Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) raised an estimated $130,000 from supporters at its 41st anniversary gala on May 18. The funds were raised from sponsorships, dinner ticket sales, silent auction and other contributions during the celebration themed “Panibagong Simula!” (A New Beginning!) The money will help SIPA serve Filipino-Americans and others through health and human services, economic development programs and by providing a venue for people “to come together and strengthen the community,” explained the organization’s leaders. “Specifically, the expenses that are supported by [the] dinner revenue are the more general operating and administrative expenses of the organization–the operations of the building, facility costs, insurance and related costs,” Executive Director Joel Jacinto told Asian Journal via email. Silent auction a hit   SIPA’s much-anticipated annual silent auction featured premium merchandise and goods at the auction for almost half of their actual cost. Among the goodies were premium DVD and BluRay movie bags, collectors’ edition merchandise, Hollywood premiere night tickets, apparel and other memorabilia. According to Jacinto, approximately $5,000 was raised from the silent auction. The actual value of the items sold was around $10,000. Jacinto explained that SIPA usually puts the starting bid at about half of the actual value. Among the notable items sold was a Manny Pacquiao apparel package, valued at $525. It was sold for a winning bid of Read More …

New travel deal hopes to attract “voluntourists”

 News
May 282013
 

By Alex Drechsler INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 2:38 am | Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO—The Philippines’ Department of Tourism and ABS-CBN Foundation International recently signed a memorandum of agreement to launch Voluntrip, a program that combines philanthropy with tourism. The program will take visitors to community-developed ecotourism sites aided by ABS-CBN Foundation Greenfund Philippines in pristine locales in Palawan, rainforests in Sibuyan, Romblon, and cultural havens in Bicol. “Tourism, as you know, is an important industry and a catalyst for growth and development, said Rene de los Santos, tourism attaché at the Philippine Consulate, where the MOU was announced. “It generates income to community in terms of employment for the local folks, aside from generating income and employment for the hotels, resorts, tour guides, taxi drivers and so forth.” De los Santos signed the MOU with Jo Ann Kyle, ABS-CBN Foundation International managing director. “We believe that philanthropy,” explained Kyle, “We encourage everyone to experience it firsthand because you cannot visit with these local communities that have paradise for a home and walk away unmoved.” Greenfund aims to help eradicate poverty in the Philippines while preserving native environments and cultures through community-based ecotourism livelihood projects. Visitors can help realize this “green dream” by committing to at least five days in ecotourism sites where they go on spelunking and zip lining adventures on an 18-million-year old rock. Also featured are cruises down mangroves towards a firefly watching spectacle, hikes down mountain trails towards pristine beaches and under water visits to coral Read More …

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