December 2014 – Page 4

DOTC nixes NAIA runway project

Economy

Dec 292014

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has totally abandoned plans to put up a P2.4 billion parallel runway and is instead looking at putting up a new passenger terminal building to accommodate passengers at the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya is now looking at putting up a new passenger terminal building in the supposed location of the proposed parallel runway and at the same time push through with the NAIA runway optimization project. The proposed 2,100-meter parallel runway was supposed to increase airport capacity shortfall by allowing more take-offs and landings. However, Abaya said a Netherlands-based consultant recommended the construction of a new terminal instead of putting up a parallel runway. The DOTC has tapped To70 managing director Ruud Ummels to study the feasibility of the proposed NAIA Terminal 5 in front of the Lufthansa Teknik Philippines. The Netherland’s based company edged US-based MITRE and NATS of the United Kingdom that pused for the construction of a parallel runway to increase the capacity of NAIA’s intersecting runway to about 60 to 70 movements per hour or about 40 per hour. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The consultant said the main thing to do is preserve your main runway, maximize your main runway, try to eliminate all forms of obstructions or delays on it, keep planes off it most of the time. Given that as your main objective in runway optimization, planes crossing that is definitely not Read More …

Phl pushes duty-free privilege for Yolanda goods

Economy

Dec 292014

Phl pushes duty-free privilege for Yolanda goods

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will actively push for a proposal seeking for the duty-free entry of goods produced in areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda to the US in the first quarter of next year, the Department of Trade and Industry said. “We’ll see in the first quarter of next year. We’ll make a push for it,” Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo told reporters. He said the Philippine government will have to wait until early 2015 to press for the draft bill which will give duty-free access of goods produced in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda to the US. Domingo said the government already has a draft bill, but will still need to find a sponsor for the proposal. The proposal is being pursued to help spur economic activity in the typhoon-affected areas. Domingo said there are opportunities for firms engaged in the manufacture of garments, handicraft and food products in the typhoon-affected areas. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Earlier, the government was pushing for the Save Our Industries Act (SAVE) which seeks to give duty-free entry for Philippine-made apparel using American fabrics to the US. The SAVE Act first filed in Washington in 2009, is considered the key to save the local garments sector amid the decline in export sales and jobs after the World Trade Organization’s elimination of quota on shipments in 2005.

Market bull run continues for 6th year in 2014

Economy

Dec 292014

Market bull run continues for 6th year in 2014

MANILA, Philippines – Local stocks ended the year higher for the sixth straight year, rising 22.8 percent in 2014 to remain among the region’s outperfomers. The main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 0.62 percent or 44.25 points to close at a two-week high of 7,230.57 on the last trading day of the year, tracking the yearend rally in most Southeast Asian stock markets. Asian shares rallied along with crude oil with investors increasingly optimistic about China boosting lending and economic growth. Crude prices rebounded amid speculation an escalating conflict in Libya will help ease a global supply surplus. The local stock rose by a modest 1.3 percent in 2013, a far cry from the 33-percent gain a year earlier. In 2009 to 2011, the index went up by 63 percent, 38 percent and four percent, respectively. The local stock market will be closed from Dec. 30 to Jan.2 and will reopen on Jan. 5. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Value turnover reached P8.44 billion with about 1.04 billion shares changing hands. Advancers edged out losers 111 to 75, while 42 issues were unchanged. By counter, the industrial sub-index led the rally, logging in a 1.16-percent rise followed by the holding firms and mining sectors which went up .75 percent and .60 percent, respectively. Among the most actively traded stocks were PLDT, Alliance Global, Universal Robina, Metrobank and Ayala Land. Accord Capital Equities Inc.’s JUn Calaycay remains optimistic on the local market’s prospects for 2015. “Much is Read More …

A solid night of great music – and more!

General

Dec 292014

A solid night of great music – and more!

Jose Mari Chan with children Franco and Liza during their concert at the Golden Nugget Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Dec. 6 A few issues ago, Funfare clarified rumors circulating in the US that he was thinking of quitting the concert scene. There’s no reason for him to as proven by his concert at the Golden Nugget Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with his children Franco and Liza Chan-Parpan. “For two hours, he gave his fans who were out in force not only a vibrant night of easy-listening throwback and original Christmas carols from his album Going Home to Christmas (also the title of the concert), but also non-stop laughter from his stand-up act,” reported Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre who watched the show. According to Edmund, when Joe Mari stepped on stage (there was no front act) with Can We Just Stop and Talk A While, the crowd right away greeted him with warm applause and cheers that were later followed by more cheering for the equally popular Deep In My Heart, Afraid For Love To Fade, Tell Me Your Name, Refrain, Please Be Careful With My Heart, Christmas in Our Hearts and the encore Beautiful Girl. Among the VIPs who showed up for support were Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. and his wife Maria Victoria. “The years have obviously been kind to Joe Mari whose voice remains mellow and soothing,” said Edmund. “He remains a master in Read More …

Healthy gift choices

Entertainment

Dec 292014

MANILA, Philippines – Healthway Medical, the country’s trusted and most preferred network of mall-based clinics, launches Healthy Gift Choices through its MEDI-access Gift Card, available at any Healthway and Clarity clinics. The MEDI-access Gift Card has a reloadable and transferable feature, which makes gift-giving easier and convenient. “We believe that gift-giving must be hassle-free. That is why we carefully designed this Healthy Gift Choices in line with the convenience that MEDI-access has been providing our clients,” says Carmie de Leon, VP sales and marketing. The gift card which is worth P500 and P1,000, offers 20% discount on laboratory, diagnostic and imaging procedures, rehabilitation modalities, and use of Operating Room (OR). The card may also be used to purchase products and services such as medicines, vaccines, aesthetic procedures, gift checks, and the health or beauty packages of Healthway Medical, including annual physical exam and promotional bundled services, among others. For more information, visit Healthway Medical clinics at Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall, Greenbelt 5, Market! Market!, Healthway Manila, Shangri-La Plaza, and SM North Edsa-The Block. Call the Customer Care hotline 751-4929 or visit www.healthway.com.ph. Like Healthway Medical on Facebook.

Renewal of biz permit starts Jan 3

General

Dec 292014

THE renewal of business permits will start on January 3, 2015 at the City Council and NCCC Mall of Davao in Matina. It will run until January 20. The Business Bureau will be accommodating renewal application on weekdays and weekends. Maribel Paguican, assistant head of the Business Bureau, told Sun.Star Davao in a phone interview that they will be offering all of their services at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, aside from the renewal of permits, while their one-stop shop at NCCC Mall of Davao will only transact applications for renewal. She also said Councilor January Duterte, president of Association of Barangay Captains, issued a memorandum that Barangay Halls will be open on weekends to cater to business owners who will get their barangay clearance. Requirements needed for renewals are previous Mayor’s or business permit; notarized list of all employees; authority to transact the renewal of Mayor’s or business permit with the Business Bureau, special power of attorney for sole proprietorship, secretary’s certificate for corporations, and partnership resolution for partnerships; clear copy of valid ID of all signatories and the transacting person; original copy of barangay clearance; certified copy of Proof of Exemption, if any; and available financial statment of the previous year. However, the office said “additional documents may be required depending on the line of business engaged in.” Paguican said they are expecting some 30,000 to 35,000 business establishments to renew their Mayor’s or business permit. The schedules at Sangguniang Panlungsod and NCCC Mall of Davao are: 8 a.m. to Read More …

DOH exec hopes rains will minmize firecracker use on New Year’s Eve

News

Dec 292014

DOH exec hopes rains will minmize firecracker use on New Year’s Eve

A Department of Health executive is hoping rainy weather would help minimize the harmful, even lethal, effects of firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, especially in Metro Manila. DOH Undersecretary Dr. Enrique Tayag said the weather outlook could mean fewer people will use fireworks to welcome 2015. “Hopefully rain (forecast) over NCR on New Year’s Eve will reduce number of firework use and resulting injuries,” Tayag said on his Twitter account Sunday night. Last Saturday, PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said there is a chance of rain on New Year’s Eve. PAGASA’s extended forecast indicated rain in many major cities on Dec. 31. The DOH has been urging the public not to use firecrackers to welcome the New Year, citing the potential harm it may cause. Earlier, the Philippine National Police warned some firecrackers contain dung, making them potentially more harmful. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News

Bianca the busydody

Entertainment

Dec 292014

Bianca King (MNS photo) Heavy workload hasn’t stopped actress Bianca King from making time to start two businesses: a restaurant and a yoga studio. The yoga studio, which offers hot yoga classes, anti-gravity and Zumba, opened last month at Rockwell. The restaurant, located along Tomas Morato, commences business soon. “Matagal kong pinagisipan kung saan pwedeng ilagay ‘yung pinagipunan ko sa showbiz,” said Bianca, who took a short course at the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA). Her venture into the food business was prompted by good friend, Xander Angeles. They wanted a restaurant that caters to health-conscious people “kasi there is lack of those in Quezon City kaya naisipan namin.” Aside from acting and hosting, cooking has always been one of Bianca’s passions and she is excited to put her talent to good use. “Nag-try akong mag-apprentice sa directing dati pero wala eh. Nasa puso ko talaga ang cooking,” she said. “Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam paano i-juggle ‘yang mga commitments ko. Pero I’m very happy kasi maraming work… blessing ‘yan,” said Bianca. She enjoys being an actress but knowing how an acting career could be fleeting, she embarked on becoming an entrepreneur as well. “Kaya din naman ako nagsisipag kasi kailangan ko ding kumita nang malaki to pursue my other dreams ,” she said. She clarified, however, that acting is her “number one priority,” her “bread and butter” so she is unlikely to give it up in favor of her other endeavors. Bianca and her non-showbiz boyfriend of Read More …

Pope to meet Muslim, Buddhist leaders in PHL visit

Entertainment

Dec 292014

Pope to meet Muslim, Buddhist leaders in PHL visit

Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis G. Tagle as announces the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines on January 15-19 next year during a press conference July 29, 2014 in Intramuros, Manila. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines – Pope Francis will meet with leaders of various religions when he visits the Philippines next month, pushing a message of tolerance in order to combat global religious conflicts, a church official said Monday. The pontiff will hold a 10 to 15-minute dialogue with the dean of the Philippines’ largest Islamic studies centre and a Taiwan-based Buddhist leader on January 18, according to Father Carlos Reyes, a member of the committee organising the Pope’s visit. He will also meet with the Hong Kong-based regional head of the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as a Hindu leader, Protestant bishops, and a Manila-based rabbi, Reyes told reporters. The dialogue will be held at the 400-year-old church-run University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where the pontiff will also address a crowd of 25,000 youths. “The church is Catholic, it is universal, we are in dialogue with the world,” Reyes said. “It is our job as men and women of religion not to allow the fundamentalists or extremists to hijack the religion.” The event comes as the largely-Catholic Philippines is implementing a peace deal signed last March with its main Muslim rebel group to create an autonomous area for the Muslim minority in the southern islands. It also comes as the government fights a small band of hardliners that have reportedly Read More …

Binay, Poe, Roxas top poll

Entertainment

Dec 292014

Survey reveals who may be in 2016 presidential race SWS poll lists possible 2016 presidential contenders President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Vice President Jejomar Binay during the79th Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Day Celebration at the AFP General Headquarters Grandstand of the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday (December 18, 2014). This year’s theme is: “Sandatahang Lakas: Ika-79 na Taong Naglilingkod ng Tapat tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan”. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II topped a new poll taken by the Social Weather Stations as the three most likely to succeed President Benigno Aquino III once his term ends in 2016. The poll was taken from November 27 to December 1, and asked, “Who do you think are the good leaders who should succeed Pres. [Benigno III] Aquino as president? You may give up to three names.” The poll results, posted in the Business World website, found that 37 percent of respondents believed Binay should succeed Aquino in 2016; 21 percent named Poe, and 19 percent named Roxas. The other personalities named by the respondents included: Sen. Miriam Santiago (10 percent) Sen. Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero (9 percent) former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (9 percent) Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (5 percent) Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (5 percent) Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (3 percent) Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (3 percent) Former senator Manuel Villar Jr. (2 percent) Sen. Ramon Read More …

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