September 2014 – Page 41

Rise to challenge of 2015, BI urged

News

Sep 052014

Philippine Daily Inquirer 9:34 am | Saturday, September 6th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday ordered Immigration authorities to prepare for a more challenging 2015 with several international events expected to make the bureau’s work “more crucial as well as more difficult.” Two important events—the Pope’s visit in January and the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in November—are expected to boost the country’s profile on the international stage. “Not to mention other cultural and sports events that are part and parcel of the declaration by the Department of Tourism that 2015 shall be Visit the Philippines Year,” De Lima said in her speech during the Bureau of Immigration’s 74th anniversary celebration. “With the proliferation of cross-border or transnational crimes, and the tireless efforts of criminal elements to evade our powers of detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes, we can only imagine that the work of the Bureau of Immigration will only become more crucial, more difficult,” she added. Tina G. Santos Follow Us Other Stories: Filipino nurse tests negative for MERS Body of Filipino MERS victim buried ‘7 hours of fighting enemy is cowardice?’ Heroes’ welcome awaits PH peacekeepers 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. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=110694 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Read More …

Filipino nurse tests negative for MERS

General

Sep 052014

MANILA, Philippines—Health authorities on Friday stopped tracking passengers who were on the same flight with a Filipino female nurse initially reported to be positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, after a retest showed that she was negative for the deadly virus. The test conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed that the nurse, who arrived in the country on Aug. 29 via a Saudi Airlines flight, was not infected by MERS, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson doctor Lyndon Lee Suy told a press briefing yesterday. Lee Suy also disclosed that the official result of a medical test conducted on the 37-year-old nurse and her 49-year-old colleague before they left Dammam also carried a negative result. Negative case “What’s good about it is that when there’s a negative case, there’s no way for the infection to be transmitted because there is no source,” Lee Suy told reporters. “We can safely say that as of now, the Philippines remains to be MERS-free.” “And the implication here as well is that all our activities of contact-tracing, of looking for those who were on the same flight as the two nurses will be terminated,” he added. On Wednesday, the DOH announced that a Filipina nurse, who had tested positive for MERS, arrived in the country on Aug. 29 via a Saudi Airlines flight. Two days later, after staying overnight at her coworker’s house in Bulacan, she boarded a Cebu Pacific flight to her hometown Read More …

Aquino orders strict price monitoring of basic commodities ahead of holiday season

Entertainment

Sep 052014

Aquino orders strict price monitoring of basic commodities ahead of holiday season

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory L. Domingo presents the proposed DTI Budget for 2015 during the House Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday (Sept. 3, 2014) at the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Also in photo (right) is Rep. Henry S. Oaminal (2nd Dist. Misamis Occidental), member of the committee. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III has ordered Cabinet officials to strictly monitor prices of basic commodities as the holiday season nears. Aquino particularly tasked officials to prevent unusual price movements due to “abuses that produce disadvantage and detriment to our populace,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing on Thursday. “As recently as last week, nagpatawag ang Pangulo ng pagpupulong. Mahigpit ang pag-uutos sa lahat ng mga ahensya, lalung-lalo na ang Department of Agriculture, na tutukan ‘yung supply and price situation, lalo na parating na ang holiday season at mag-i-increase ang demand,” the Palace official said. He added that Aquino specifically asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure that the supply and the prices of pork and chicken remain stable during the holidays. “The President continues to monitor this matter because it is of primary importance to the government,” Coloma said. The Palace official further said that the government is determined to go after those who cause artificial price spikes, such as the government officials and importer who supposedly colluded and caused garlic prices to spike a few months ago. “Malinaw naman na mayroon ngang naganap na Read More …

World Class Children’s Choir from the Philippines Captures the Hearts of Filipino-Angelenos

Entertainment

Sep 052014

World Class Children’s Choir from the Philippines Captures the Hearts of Filipino-Angelenos

Baao Children and Youth Choir (Photo: Benny Uy) The Baao Children and Youth Choir (BCYC) is a community and church based choir composed of 11 to 18 year-old students from Rosary School Inc. and Baao National High School Special Program in the Arts. Beginning August 6 up to September 3, 2014, the Baao Children and Youth Choir held its 4th International Tour to the United States and represented the Philippines in the 15th Mundial de Coros in Puebla, Mexico. Last August 29, the choir had a concert at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles coordinated by the church’s musical director, Pete Avendano, and with the blessing and attendance of Pastor/Administrator, Fr. Larry Revilla.

High garlic prices caused by collusion, cartel—DOJ

Entertainment

Sep 052014

High garlic prices caused by collusion, cartel—DOJ

High garlic prices were due to collusion and cartel in the garlic industry. MANILA (Mabuhay) – High garlic prices were due to collusion and cartel in the garlic industry. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed its report on the garlic industry that saw big spikes in recent months – reaching a high of Php 287.06 per kilo in June 2014, which is a staggering 74% increase within a one-year period and more than 100% increase from average prices. Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Wednesday said that as directed by President Benigno S. Aquino III and after a comprehensive evaluation, the main finding can be summarized into three major points: there was no shortage of supply and, in fact, there were more than adequate stocks of garlic; majority of the ‘import permits’ issued was granted to only one preferred group; and due to a cornering of supply, this group can dictate the high prices. The demand for garlic is largely supplied by imports such that 73% are imports and 27% are local produce. The importation process requires an “import permit” from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA). “We also find that the formation of a National Garlic Action Team (NGAT) by the DA is unnecessary, unhelpful and actually contributed to the problem,” De Lima said. “We are recommending its (NGAT) abolition and the establishment of a fair and transparent system that will allow competition in the garlic industry consistent with the dictates of Read More …

Extreme dry spell not just a local concern

Entertainment

Sep 052014

Extreme dry spell not just a local concern

If the facts following do not jolt the senses of Californians into taking drought seriously, maybe nothing else will. The Golden State, now on the third year of one of the worst droughts in the past century according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, has 82 percent of it in extreme or exceptional drought compared with 28 percent at the beginning of the year. The situation brings with it the obvious risks of wild fires and crop losses and surfaces the utter need of the state and localities to prepare for extreme weather conditions. Community College Reaches Out: The North Orange County Community College in Anaheim has reached out to the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County in its effort to spread the advantage of education to the community in a meeting recently between the two organizations’ key officers. Fil-Am Chamber president Rodolfo (Jun) Jao is at extreme right. Agriculture in the Central Valley, where half of the country’s fruits and vegetables are grown, has felt the effects of the drought. A billion dollars worth in revenues has already been lost in the industry that used to rake at least $45 billion and some 17,100 jobs already lost. The impact of the recurring water lack should have been greater had it not been for underground water being pumped to augment water supply for agricultural purposes. Problems are expected to arise with underground aquifers being tapped at unsustainable rates with the situation being likened to a savings account where everybody Read More …

Kia to unveil quieter, more luxurious Sorento in Paris

Entertainment

Sep 052014

Kia to unveil quieter, more luxurious Sorento in Paris

The latest Kia Sorento was presented in South Korea before making its European debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. ©Kia (Relaxnews) – At the Paris Motor Show in October, Kia will stage the European premiere of its third-generation Sorento premium SUV. Recently unveiled in South Korea, the new model offers a more refined style and a quieter ride than the outgoing version. The front of the new Sorento stands out for its elongated, wrap-around headlights, larger fog lights and oversized ‘tiger nose’ grille, which resembles the one seen on Kia’s 2013 Cross GT concept. On the inside, the cargo capacity has been expanded from 515 to 605 liters when the seats are folded down. There is also a brand new storage compartment built directly into the floor of the trunk. Even more than in the past, the current trend in the premium SUV segment is one towards increasing luxury and refinement, as seen in the latest Volvo XC90, which will also be on display in Paris. The latest Sorento is no exception to the rule, particularly on the interior, with its sleek instrument panel and details in leather and other high-end materials. In Europe, clients will have a choice of a monochrome or two-tone interior (Saturn Black or Saturn Black and Stone), with fabric or leather seats. A number of optional features will be available in certain markets, such as a parking assistant with a 360° monitor and four cameras, or a smart electronic tailgate that can be opened Read More …

DOTC expediting award of P65-B LRT Ext project

Economy

Sep 052014

DOTC expediting award of P65-B LRT Ext project

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is expediting the award of the P65 billion Light Rail Transit line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite extension project amid the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court on the transfer of the planned common train station. Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the agency is closely coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on how to go about with the awarding of the public private partnership (PPP) project without going against the order of the high tribunal. “We are expediting, we are engaging them and we expressed to them that it is to the interest of the country that we are doing this.” Abaya said. The DOTC has yet to award the largest PPP project under the Aquino administration due to the TRO issued by the Supreme Court preventing the DOTC and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) from transferring the location of the proposed P1.4 billion common train station. “We are studying it thoroughly, because if you will check the TRO, the restraint is on the common station, not on the award. So this is the biggest PPP project of our agency and we are looking at the possibility of awarding despite the TRO,” Abaya said. While waiting for an opinion from the OSG, the agency is studying the possibility of awarding the contract for the PPP project on the condition that the location of the common station is subject to the decision of the high Read More …

Know your SSS!

Economy

Sep 052014

Do you know that most of us can’t avail of housing loans from the Social Security System anymore? Though I have not applied (thus have not been rejected) for this loan, it came as a surprise to me. The fact is, many of us are not familiar with this agency’s updated products and services, and for those of us in the private sector who are SSS members, this may be our loss. I thought it was an opportune time to invite a top SSS official to the TV show Business & Leisure. Vice president May Catherine Ciriaco came for a one-on-one interview and was happy to do so because they had something new to offer to our “kababayans” who may be recent calamity victims and wanted to share this with television viewers: The SSS Calamity Relief Package may not seem significant to others, but for those who lost their house or their livelihood, the aid is welcome like manna. For pensioners in calamity areas for instance, they are allowed to advance three month’s pension to tide them over, and because of Yolanda, this was extended to six months’ worth of advance pension. There is also the Salary Loan Renewal Program for those who still have outstanding salary loans with SSS. Such salary loans normally take two years to pay, but if records will show that you have paid at least half (one year), SSS allows the renewal of the loan and even waives the one percent service fee for the Read More …

Forex reserves slightly up to $80.78 B

Economy

Sep 052014

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s gross international reserves in August managed to rise slightly from a month ago due to earnings from the Bangko Sentral ng PIlipinas’ foreign exchange operations and investments abroad. In a report, the BSP said the GIR stood at $80.785 billion in August, up slightly from $80.644 billion in July. “The increase in reserves was due mainly to the foreign exchange operations of the BSP, net foreign currency deposits by the Treasurer of the Philippines, and income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” the central bank said. “These inflows were partially offset by payments for maturing foreign exchange obligations of the National Government,” the BSP added. The GIR reflects a country’s ability to pay for its foreign debt and its imports of goods and services. According to the BSP, the end-August GIR can cover 11 months’ of imports of goods and payments of services and income. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 At the same time, it is also equivalent to 7.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.7 times based on residual maturity. Meanwhile, net international reserves or GIR minus short-term debts rose to $80.779 billion in August from $80.638 billion in July. Last year, foreign exchange reserves amounted to $83.19 billion, slightly lower than the $83.83 billion recorded in end-2012.

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