THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) topped the list of budget increases in the 2018 national budget to help sustain the government’s infrastructure program, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Friday.
THE government’s financing program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is expected to receive more funding next year, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said, making available up to P2 billion as a direct alternative to usurious “5-6” usurious lending schemes.
THE PHILIPPINE Ports Authority (PPA) is revising upward its cargo volume forecast this year to “double-digit” growth after reviewing the data for the first five months of the year.
World famous Palawan and Boracay are again leading the World’s Top 10 Islands survey conducted by Travel and Leisure. Palawan [via Travel and Leisure] Palawan, renowned for being home to Seven Wonders of the World’s Puerto Princesa subterranean river and world class top luxury resort Amanpulo, kept its 2016 position as the top-ranked island worldwide with a score of 93.15. This is the third time for Palawan to rank first on the World’s Top 10 Islands after it topped the 2013 survey. Boracay, popular for its white sandy beaches and tourist-haven resorts, ranked third with 89.67 – one spot lower than its 2nd place ranking in the 2016 survey. Boracay [via Travel and Leisure] Travel and Leisure writer Rebecca Ascher-Walsh praised the Philippine archipelago’s natural wonders, saying Palawan with its “… verdant mountains, a five-mile- long underground river, limestone caves, and spectacular scuba diving, its appeal is as clear as its turquoise waters.” Travel and Leisure readers describe Palawan in the survey saying, “It’s the single most beautiful place on earth.” The best island in the world, rated by readers “according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value,” is described by the surveyed travelers as “rustic,” “romantic,” “affordable,” and “relaxing.” The travel magazine list also highlighted Palawan’s main island, 1,800 surrounding islets and island outposts. The post T&L survey picks Palawan Best Island in the World appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Palawan Best Island in World, Boracay, Cebu join list Palawan, Read More …
Eric Shauwn Cray has won the Philippines’ first gold at the Asian Athletics Championships 400-meter hurdles event in India. Eric Cray [via Instagram] The Filipino-American athlete finished with the best time of 49.57 in the finals against the meet’s top 7 athletes. The 29-year- old Cray ruled his 400m hurdles heat with a time of 50.85 before clinching the gold at the finals. The 22 nd edition of the Asian Athletics Championships also awarded two other Filipino athletes. Mark Harry Diones bagged the silver medal at the Men’s Triple Jump finals event with a 16.45 meter finish. Ernest John Obiena picked up the bronze medal at the Men’s Pole Vault finishing at 5.50 meters. The Rio Olympian is touted as Asia’s top 400-meter hurdler and 100-meter dash sprinter after he clinched the 28 th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games golds in the two events in 2015. The track and field athlete who was raised and competed in tracks in the United States chose to don the Philippine colors after his Filipina mother swayed him, according to a media report. “It was also embracing a part of my heritage. And I was born in Olongapo so it’s fine. It also meant doing something for the Philippines,” Cray told Rappler. The Fil-Am athlete first represented the Philippines at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics. Cray will next defend his SEA Games titles in the 400m and 100m hurdles this August. The post Fil-Am Eric Cray is 400m hurdles Asian champion appeared first on Good News Read More …
Pauwi Na, titled Pedicab in its international release, received the top 20th Golden Goblet Award as Best Film at the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Pedicab [via SIFF] Pauwi Na (Pedicab) director Paolo Villaluna, with actors Cherry Pie Picache and Bembol Roco received the SIFF Best Feature Film award at the Golden Goblet Awarding Ceremonies in China. The Philippines’ entry was announced the winner – “For the humanism and universality of the story, for the simplicity of the style and realization – for the non-conformism with which it represented our desire to believe that there is a sense in this Universe, the award for the Best Film goes to PEDICAB, from the Philippines.” Pauwi Na (Pedicab) received the plum award from among three SIFF competitions and 24 nominations judged by a panel led by Cannes’ winning director, Cristian Mungui. When deliberating on the Golden Goblet Best Film awardee, the SIFF Jury reportedly paid more attention to the work itself compared with film background and director’s experience. Jury President Mungui revealed in an interview published by SIFF: “Selecting Best Film is always the hardest, for other categories have prominent and separate considering criteria. Yet every jury member had his or her own opinion on Best Film, so there was a lot of argument during the process. Fortunately, we finally reached consensus and basically every member’s requirement has been satisfied.” “Compared with the film production powers like Iran, Japan and Italy, Philippine production seems to be less familiar to the Chinese audience. Read More …
Chinkee Tan Do you have relatives who are always asking to borrow money from you? Lending money is okay, if the borrower knows how to pay it back. But if they don’t then we oftentimes end up on the losing end, being the bad guy, if we remind them of their debt. This can also lead to more stress just thinking how you will say NO to them the next time they borrow money from you. You have probably reached the point of not wanting to lend money to people. You are already at the verge of telling them so. Then, what’s stopping you? It is probably the need to reciprocate, showing “debt of gratitude” or what we know as “utang na loob”, right? Yes, your family and relatives may have had significant roles in helping you before, so now that you are the one who has a better position or situation in life, you want to show them your support. But inside, you are debating whether to help them or not. To clear your mind, let me share with you some tips to help you decide: PAYING BACK A “DEBT OF GRATITUDE” IS NOT MEANT TO LAST FOREVER As Filipinos, we have this tradition that we need to ALWAYS pay back our debt of gratitude. But it does not mean that are obligated to do so for the rest of our life. Traditions are good, but should not be abused. Paying back to show our gratitude to those who Read More …
THE CASH utilization rate of government agencies slowed at the midyear mark, though the Budget department said it is seeing indications of a spending pickup.
NATIONAL Transmission Corp. (TransCo) has approached multilateral lending institutions Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and World Bank for a loan of between P15 billion and P20 billion to pay renewable energy developers that have yet to receive their share of the feed-in-tariff (FiT) allowance collected from electricity consumers.
ELEVEN exporters, mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, have expressed interest to participate in the government auction for the tax-free importation of 250,000 tons of rice, with the National Food Authority (NFA) still inviting more potential bidders.