April 2014 – Page 16

MGB stops firm from mining in Surigao

Economy

Apr 252014

By Riza T. OlchondraPhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:44 am | Saturday, April 26th, 2014 Regulators have ordered a unit of publicly listed Marcventures Holdings Inc. to stop its mining operations in Surigao del Sur in light of alleged environmental and other violations, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). MGB director Leo L. Jasareno told reporters that the bureau has issued a stoppage order to Marcventures and was finalizing the list of specific penalties that should be slapped on the firm under the Mining Act. The amount of penalty, however, would be up to the courts to decide, he said. A group from Cantilan town in Surigao del Sur petitioned the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) last year for the cancellation of its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with Marcventures. In response, MGB formed a team to investigate. The team found that Marcventures had reportedly mined outside its approved area, had “unsystematic” operations and caused siltation in a river in Surigao del Sur, Jasareno said. A show-cause order was sent to Marcventures and the company claimed that its operations were approved by the MGB. After review of the company’s response, Jasareno said the stop order was sent to Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the listed holding firm, this month. The company’s MPSA covers an area of 4,900 hectares. In 2010, MGB allowed the company to mine within the 300-hectare portion of the MPSA. Follow Us Other Stories: February imports up slightly to $4.72B Read More …

7 New York fest medals for GMA Network

Entertainment

Apr 252014

GMA Network , world medals , 2014 New York Festivals International TV & Film Awards, Filipino awardees, Kapuso Network ,recognition ceremonies ,2014 NAB Show , Las Vegas,news magazine program, Tunay na Buhay , GMA Network,Gold World Medal , Community Portraits ,“Mga Sanggol at Langaw” , sub-human conditions , Tondo, Manila ,culture ,history, children’s show, Tropang Potchi , Silver World Medal , “Talaandig Tribe” , customs , traditions , Talaandig Tribe of Bukidnon,GMA News TV, Reel Time ,documentary ,“Silang Wala sa Mapa” , New York Festivals, ,“Salat” , Brigada, “Gintong Krudo at Sipa ng Pag-asa” , Micaela Papa , Navotas Fish Port , “Gintong Krudo”, Steve Dailisan, “Sipa ng Pag-asa” , “Photographs of Typhoon Pablo” ,Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, ,GMA News & Public Affairs, GMA Network once again brought honor to the country by clinching seven world medals at the recently concluded 2014 New York Festivals International TV & Film Awards. Among the Filipino awardees, the Kapuso Network went home with the most number of awards – eleven in total, including four finalist certificates—and sent the biggest contingent to the recognition ceremonies held last April 8 at the 2014 NAB Show in Las Vegas. Weekday news magazine program Tunay na Buhay led GMA Network’s esteemed list of winners with its Gold World Medal in the Community Portraits category. The winning entry “Mga Sanggol at Langaw” episode featured the sub-human conditions in the slums of Tondo, Manila where majority of the residents barely make a living out of scavenging among mountains of trash. Meanwhile, Read More …

Luisita farmers decry ‘hoax land distribution’

Entertainment

Apr 252014

Luisita farmers decry ‘hoax land distribution’

Lucina Donato-Aquino (right), a 68-year old land reform beneficiary in the sprawling Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac affixes her thumbmark as her signature on the Application to Purchase and Farmer’s Undertaking form after receiving her Lot Allocation Certificate (inset). She is among the first batch of 645 qualified beneficiaries to receive lot allocations on Thursday (July 18, 2013) in Barangay Cutcut, Tarlac. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Hacienda Luisita farmworker-beneficiaries (FWBs) stormed the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Quezon City Thursday to protest what they call a “hoax land distribution.” In a statement, the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) said the administration of President Benigno Aquino III “is unlawfully wielding its clout to evict and disenfanchise farmers, and ultimately retain control of Hacienda Luisita” despite an earlier ruling of the Supreme Court. On November 22, 2011, the SC ordered the distribution of almost 5,000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita to 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries. In the decision, 10 Supreme Court magistrates voted to compensate the managers of Hacienda Luisita based on a 1989 valuation. The valuation based on 1989 rates would mean that relatives of President Aquino would be paid P40,000 per hectare or around P200 million instead of P1 million per hectare or P5 billion as petitioned by Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI). The SC also reiterated its earlier ruling ordering HLI to pay the 6,296 farmers a total of P1.33 billion. AMBALA chairperson Florida Sibayan said under the current administration, Luisita’s ricefields and agricultural areas have Read More …

AirAsia Zest to fly to Haneda

Economy

Apr 252014

MANILA, Philippines – Low cost carrier AirAsia Zest plans to launch flights to Haneda in Japan. AirAsia Zest chief executive officer Alfredo Yao told reporters yesterday the airline plans to start flights to Haneda. “We’ve already applied. We applied this month for flights to Haneda,” he said. According to Yao, the airline intends to have daily flights to Tokyo’s second major gateway. Yao is hopeful the airline could start flights to Japan soon citing the Philippines’ good relations with that country. The airline hopes to mount flights to Japan after the Philippine commercial aviation industry was restored to Category I status by the Federal Aviation Administration earlier this month. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The Philippines was downgraded to Category 2 status in 2008. Japan had earlier imposed restrictions on local carriers from the Philippines from mounting additional flights, citing safety and security concerns. Earlier, AirAsia Zest was looking at offering flights to Narita in Japan this year. The Philippines and Japan had concluded successful air talks just last year. The new services agreement covers an increase to 400 flights per week from 119 previously between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Narita International Airport. The new air services agreement likewise covers flights between NAIA and Haneda. AirAsia Zest’s planned flights to Japan comes on the heels also of Japan’s recent decision to remove visa requirements for Filipinos. Visa-free entry to Japan is expected to start by June this year.

Holcim earnings climb 17% to P1.67B in Q1

Economy

Apr 252014

Holcim earnings climb 17% to P1.67B in Q1

MANILA, Philippines – The ongoing construction boom continued to bouy the income and revenues of cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. in the first quarter. In a disclosure, Holcim Philippines said its profits climbed 17 percent to P1.67 billion in the first quarter from P1.43 billion a year ago, “helped by the revenue growth along with increased operating efficiencies and effective cost management initiatives.” Revenues jumped 12.3 percent to P8.05 billion from P7.17 billion year-on-year. “Cement demand remained robust nationwide as the government ramped up infrastructure spending, while the private sector continued commercial and residential projects,” Holcim said. Cement industry demand grew 8.6 percent in the first three months of the year on the back of strong public and private construction activities nationwide. The construction phase of numerous Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects will further boost demand in the medium term, bolstering Holcim ’s plan to put up a $550-million cement facility, a top company executive said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The strong cement demand is a positive indicator for the growing economy. It shows the government’s continued commitment to improving infrastructure and raising the country’s competitiveness,” said Holcim Philippines CEO Eduardo Sahagun. It also showed the private sector’s bullishness on the available economic opportunities, Sahagun said. Amid high demand, Holcim was able to keep the market supplied due to the good production of its plants and smooth logistics operations. With infrastructure allocations raised more than a third to P404.3 billion, various private groups planning to continue Read More …

ICTSI to issue $75-M notes to fund capex

Economy

Apr 252014

ICTSI to issue $75-M notes to fund capex

MANILA, Philippines – Listed International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) of gaming and port magnate Enrique Razon Jr. is set to issue $75 million worth of notes as part of its $1 billion medium term note program to raise funds for its capital expenditures. ICTSI treasury director Arthur Tabuena informed the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that the company’s board of directors ratified and approved the issuance of additional notes by ICTSI Treasury B.V. Tabuena said the new notes would be consolidated in the $207.5 million notes due 2025 issued by ICTSI Treasury BV last Sept. 17. “These new notes will be consolidated and form a single series with the $207.5 million 5.875 percent guaranteed notes due 2025 issued on Sept. 17,” he added. ICTSI vice president and treasurer Rafael Consing Jr. said the company has already issued $650 million of the note program launched early last year. According to him, proceeds of the fund raising activity would be used to bankroll the company’s capital expenditures. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The additional issuance would be used to partially fund our capex this year,” Consing said. Last January, ICTSI raised $400 million of the $750 million medium term note program. It initially raised $300 million in the first tranche and another $100 million in the second tranche. Last Aug. 15, ICTSI through ICTSI Treasury BV launched a $450 million note exchange program after jacking up the size of its medium-term note program to $1 billion instead of Read More …

Cussing and cursing

Economy

Apr 252014

I post stuff on my Facebook pages every day. Over the years the pages have built up a steady following. I post my thoughts, people “like” them, they make comments, and I learn from them. This wonderful technology was not available before and I really enjoy using it. There are so many nice and kind people expressing their feelings and insights about my posts. Many of them do not agree with my thoughts and opinions, and they argue with respect and kind words. But then again there are those who disagree violently and would begin to offend, insult and use four-letter words, cussing and cursing as if a great offense has been done against them. This made me think. Why would people use such a venue to vent their angst and use foul words to express their thoughts? Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 And here is another interesting observation. Once in a while I would discuss spiritual issues. When I mention God in my posts there will be people who would label me as “delusional.” I don’t mind. They are of course entitled to their own opinions about me even though they do not know me. But when I mention “Jesus Christ” that’s when certain people really get verbally violent. All these cuss and curse words come right out. All these four-letter words are sprinkled all over the conversation. I personally find them offensive. Maybe some people don’t. To them they are just words. But here Read More …

Alson prepares for construction of 105-MW coal power plant in Zambo

Economy

Apr 252014

Alson prepares for construction of 105-MW coal power plant in Zambo

MANILA, Philippines – Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., the investment holding company of the Alcantara Group, is preparing to start the construction of its planned coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga. Joseph Nocos, the company’s vice president for business development, said they are currently working on the approval of the plant’s contracts. “We are waiting for approval of plant contracts. Once we receive that, which we expect sometime in May, we will be proceeding with the construction of the plant,” Nocos told reporters. Alsons is planning to put up the 105-megawatt San Ramon coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga. Company officials earlier said they have signed up South Korea’s Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor in Dec. of 2012. The plant is targeted to commence operations by 2016. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The construction of the Zamboanga plant is part of Alsons’ efforts to help address the power shortage in Mindanao. It is resolved to do its share in ensuring Mindanao’s power stability for the long run, as it gears up to double the current generating capacity of Alsons subsidiaries to make it a supplier of one-fourth of Mindanao’s power demand by 2016. With two plants in Sarangani and Zamboanga, the company is looking forward to generate an aggregate of 463 megawatts – more than one-fourth of the Department of Energy’s projected 2016 Mindanao peak power demand of 1,829 MW. Engineering and construction of the first 105 MW phase of the 210-MW Sarangani Energy Read More …

No truth to visa-free policy for Filipinos in US – PHL Embassy

Entertainment

Apr 252014

No truth to visa-free policy for Filipinos in US – PHL Embassy

Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) (right) asks USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah why land grabbing is happening to the Philippines, which receives a lot of funding for livelihood projects and other economic opportunities from the US. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine Embassy in Washington on Wednesday dispelled online news reports that the United States has announced a no-visa policy for Filipinos. In a statement, the embassy said it has been “in touch with the US Department of State, which has denied making such an announcement.” “There is no truth to what appears to be an online news report that the U.S. has announced a no-visa policy,” the embassy said. “The Embassy reminds the public that the online article being circulated in social media is a satirical piece that should not be taken seriously,” it added. Quoting the U.S. State Department, the article, which is being circulating in social media, says the no-visa policy will take effect “immediately.” The new policy, the report said, “comes on the heels of a recent survey showing that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos have a favorable view of the United States.” “The Philippines ranked first in a global survey on the image of the United States worldwide, beating even the U.S. itself when it comes to a favorable view on the American people,” the report said. It claimed that the U.S. “made this monumental decision as a way to reward the Filipinos for making the U.S. really look good in the survey. (MNS)

You can burn me anytime you want – Kris to Hacienda Luisita farmers

News

Apr 252014

You can burn me anytime you want – Kris to Hacienda Luisita farmers

Luisita farmers blast ‘bogus’ land distribution. Irate farmers from Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac burn effigies of President Aquino, his sister Kris Aquino, and uncle Peping Cojuangco Jr. at a rally in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform office in Quezon City on Thursday, April 24. The farmers were protesting the alleged “hoax land distribution” and the alleged violence perpetrated against farmworker-beneficiaries in the dispute-ridden, Cojuangco-owned sugar estate. GMA News President Benigno Aquinon III’s sister, Kris, laughed off a protest by about 100 Hacienda Luisita farmers who burned her in effigy in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) compound on Thursday. “Alam ko na pag sinusunog-sunog ka, humahaba ang buhay mo, kaya okay lang, carry,” Kris said in a Friday report on GMA News TV’s “Balita Pilipinas”. “I’m in a good place right now, so they can burn me anytime they want, go ahead!” she added. Aquino also joked that she feels like an important person after the effigy burning. “Leveling! [U.S. President Barack] Obama level na ‘ko,” she laughingly said. Kris wonders why the protesters burned her effigy, given that she no longer a board member of the Central Azucarera De Tarlac, the sugar mill company of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) owned by the Cojuangco clan. “I was a board member of the Azucarera before, pero I left kasi hindi ko ma-attendan yung mga meeting, so my sister Viel (Aquino-Dee) took over,” Aquino said in an interview aired on “Saksi” Thursday evening. Two years after the anniversary Read More …

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