Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death—daughter

 News
Aug 052013
 
Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death—daughter

Agence France-Presse 8:52 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Taiwan government experts along with National Bureau of Investigation personnel are onboard the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) patrol boat Maritime Control Surveillance 3001, the patrol boat used by PCG when the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman happened, docked at a pier in Manila on May 28, 2013.  AFP FILE PHOTO TAIPEI — The Philippines will send a special envoy to Taiwan to apologize for the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman, his daughter said Monday, signalling a potential breakthrough in a major row. The remarks sparked hopes that the conciliatory move, if realized, could ease the strained relationship between Taipei and Manila following the shooting of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng on May 9 in disputed waters. “The Filipino side has agreed to apologize to us in a public manner,” Hung Tzu-ching, the fisherman’s daughter, told reporters in Pingtung city, adding that the agreement was made with lawyers authorized by the Filipino government. “They have agreed to send a special envoy (over the matter)… we insist the representative must represent the Filipino government. They will let us know in advance who will be appointed. If we feel the designated representative is OK, then the time will be decided,” she said. Officials at Manila’s Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the Philippines de facto embassy in Taiwan, were not immediately available for comment. A presidential spokeswoman in Manila said she had no immediate confirmation of the move. Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao Read More …

DFA monitors no ‘specific threats’ to PH diplomatic posts abroad

 News
Aug 052013
 
DFA monitors no ‘specific threats’ to PH diplomatic posts abroad

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 3:32 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not monitored any specific threats to its posts abroad after the United States (US) has closed at least 20 of its embassies in the Middle East and Africa due to threats. “We recognize the prerogative and the need for any country to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their personnel and their people,” DFA spokesman, Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, told reporters Monday. “So far they have not monitored any specific threats but they continue to monitor the security situation in their areas,” he said. The diplomatic posts of the US would be closed until August 10 Saturday. 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: al-Qaeda , DFA , Features , Global Nation , global warning , Philippine Embassies , Terrorism Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

Oil rises above $107 on Fed stimulus hopes

 Economy
Aug 052013
 
Oil rises above $107 on Fed stimulus hopes

BANGKOK — Oil rose above $107 a barrel Monday after a disappointing U.S. jobs report made it more likely the Federal Reserve will continue its stimulus program beyond September. Benchmark crude for September delivery was up 18 cents to $107.12 at midday Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 95 cents to close at $106.94 a barrel on Friday. U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in July, which was below expectations. The government also revised down gains for the prior two months when it released its employment figures Friday. Some analysts were expecting the Fed to start reducing its massive economic stimulus program in September. However, the disappointing employment data raised hopes that the Fed might continue its $85 billion a month in government bond purchases until the end of the year. The bond purchases have pushed down interest rates, which makes money available for spending and investment. But the purchases also inject more dollars into the economy, which lowers their value. That tends to push up the price of oil as it becomes more affordable for investors using other currencies. “The U.S. dollar weakness generally is positive for risk assets, gold and other commodities. So that will be a good scenario for the markets, if tapering is delayed,” said Stan Shamu, market strategist at IG in Melbourne, Australia. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Brent crude, traded on the ICE Futures exchange in London, rose 17 cents to $109.12 per Read More …

Fil-Ams urge new US envoy to push for stronger military ties

 News
Aug 052013
 
Fil-Ams urge new US envoy to push for stronger military ties

By Vivian Zalvidea AraulloINQUIRER.net US Bureau 2:30 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Newly named Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg PHOTO FROM STATE.GOV SAN FRANCISCO—Filipino American leaders are calling on newly appointed US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg to push for stronger military relations between the United States and the Philippines. They agreed that the dispute between the Philippines and China over territory and maritime lanes in the East and South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) should be the new ambassador’s top concern. “The United States is already ‘pivoting’ towards Asia because of the prominent and aggressive role China has been playing in the past 10 years,” said Loida Nicolas-Lewis, chair of the US Pinoys for Good Government.  “Because of the strategic position of the Philippines in South East Asia, it is in the interest of the United States to be more present in our area.” The disputed territories are believed to be rich in oil and mineral deposits. Claimant countries Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines have complained about various incidents and “acts of aggression” allegedly initiated by China that threaten and encroach upon its stakes in the disputed areas. Jay Gonzalez, professor of Asian studies and international politics at the University of San Francisco believes the US should strengthen its military cooperation with and increase military aid to the Philippines. “American military exercises are very critical, because of the US’ capacity to invite more participants [other countries],” said Gonzalez. “If the US doesn’t conduct these multicountry exercises Read More …

Binay seeks salary law revision to stem flight of skilled gov’t workers

 News
Aug 052013
 
Binay seeks salary law revision to stem flight of skilled gov’t workers

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 2:10 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday called for the review and subsequent amendment of the Salary Standardization Law to address the exodus of highly skilled government workers to higher paying jobs abroad. “I call on Congress to pursue revisions in the Salary Standardization Law. We need to make sure that we can offer our government workers, especially those performing highly technical work, a compensation package that sustains their families and recognizes their skills and competencies,” Binay said in a statement. The Vice President said the review of salaries and benefits of employees is needed to stop the “brain drain” involving highly skilled government workers, especially amid reports that another weather forecaster and eight aerobridge operators of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have left the country for higher paying jobs abroad. “It is simply not right that the country is deprived of the technical knowledge and expertise of Filipinos who would otherwise be more than willing to serve the country, but are forced to look for greener pastures just to meet the most basic needs of their families,” he said. Binay emphasized the need to retain their services, saying that they play an important role in making the country’s economic gains more tangible. “Aside from ensuring safety and efficiency, our government workers perform public services necessary to implement the national government’s development policy and address concerns of the business Read More …

Agri-entrepreneurs for healthier Pinoys

 Economy
Aug 042013
 
Agri-entrepreneurs for healthier Pinoys

Hunger and malnutrition are widespread in many less-developed countries. Globally, it is recognized that the agriculture sector has yet to make progress in improving the nutrition and health of poor farmers and consumers in developing countries. Agricultural practices and policies can be improved and redesigned to maximize its contribution to health and nutrition benefits. It is a good thing that in the Philippine setting, agriculture plays a very important role in the Philippine economy as well as providing the daily nutritional needs of every Filipino. We are seeing more and more agri-entrepreneurs focusing their efforts on agri-produce that contribute to healthier Filipinos.  In relation to the celebration of nutrition month, I am featuring some of the most hardworking entrepreneurs who contribute to the success of both agriculture and nutrition of Filipinos. These five agri-entrepreneurs are featured in our book, 50 Inspiring Stories of Agri-entrepreneurs.  Mother’s rice Rice is a staple food for Filipinos. Henry Lim Bon Liong is one of the most diligent people advocating for high quality and productivity in rice production. In 1998, Henry, who started with the Sterling card and stationery business, met the “national treasure” of China, professor Yuan Longpin, because of his valuable agriculture research. Inspired by the professor, he started SL Agritech to focus on hybrid rice production, which led to the development of the first line of mestizo hybrid rice. Because of his genuine efforts to improve Philippine rice production, Henry is now supplying the variety that produces the delicious and fragrant rice he calls “Doña Maria,” Read More …

Banning open pit mining has dire implications – expert

 Economy
Aug 042013
 
Banning open pit mining has dire implications – expert

MANILA, Philippines – A geology expert said banning open pit mining method has dire implications in construction, cement manufacturing and other key industries.  “People opposed to open pit mining do not know what they are saying. The open pit mining method is surface mining. It means entry and exit of materials all begins from the surface as compared to underground mining where at some point in time one operates below the surface,” explained Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla, director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. “People may not know that a simple example of open pit is quarrying.” He added that if quarrying isn’t allowed, there wouldn’t be construction activities.  “Where will we get all the aggregates like stones, sand, and cement that come from limestones?  Maybe what they [anti-mining groups] want to say is ban open pit mining for metals.” Countries that have advanced industries use open pit mining methods to extract minerals from the soil.  Dr. Arcilla  said Canada mines its coal using the open pit mining method. Coal is Canada’s main source of power. “And it is ‘mine to mouth method’ – coming from the mine the coal goes directly to the power plant. It’s the same thing in Australia where most of their exported ores and iron are mined using the open pit method.” Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Arcilla said among the companies in the Philippines that employ the open pit mining Read More …

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