Some areas flood-free despite monsoon rains

 News
Aug 212013
 
Some areas flood-free despite monsoon rains

The town of Sta. Ana in Pampanga can be called a flood veteran. But this year, residents were not gearing up to evacuate their homes even after their province was placed under the state of calamity due to monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring. The secret? A newly build retaining wall along Matubig creek in the town. “Dati ang baha rito hanggang dibdib pero dahil napaayos na ang creek at hindi nag-overflow ito, kaya hindi binaha ang mga taga-Sta. Ana,” Pampanga provincial information officer Joel Mapiles told GMA News Online in a phone interview on Wednesday. The creek’s retaining wall is approximately 200 meters in length and about 1.2 m above the road. Apart from building concrete walls, Mapiles said that the creek has been dredged. “Silted na ‘yung mga water channels sa Pampanga kaya kailangang magkaroon ng dredging and slope protection ang mga water embankment,” he added. On Wednesday afternoon, Pampanga was placed under the state of calamity after a dike in Minalin town was breached on Tuesday, which caused flooding in low-lying areas. Metro Manila experience In Metro Manila there is another example of a once-flooded and now flood-free area due to engineering. In a text message, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino told GMA News Online that the P. Tuazon and Aurora tunnels in Cubao have been flood-free during the last few days. This is due to an additional submersible pump provided by the agency and installed in P. Tuazon tunnel, according to MMDA general Read More …

LIVE UPDATES: Floods persist as enhanced habagat dumps more rains

 News
Aug 202013
 
LIVE UPDATES: Floods persist as enhanced habagat dumps more rains

Many parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas remained flooded Tuesday amid southwest monsoon rains enhanced by tropical storm “Maring.” Classes were still suspended in most of the areas affected by floods, while Malacanang has also ordered the suspension of work in government offices. Yahoo! Philippines brings you live updates on the floods and the weather situation. Please refresh the page for the latest news. 11:30 p.m. Tropical storm “Maring” gains strength and continues to enhance the southwest monsoon that is dumping rains over Luzon. “Maring” had maximum winds of 105 kilometers per hour (kph) when it was last seen at 520 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, Pagasa said. It is forecast to move northwest at 19 kph and is expected to move out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday evening. 10:55 p.m.: The weather bureau has lowered the rainfall warning over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces to “yellow” from “orange,” even as it warned of flooding in low-lying areas. “Moderate to heavy rains is expected over Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro for the next three hours,” Pagasa said. 8:07 p.m.: The La Mesa Dam continues to overflow, while water is being released from the Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga and Magat dams, Pagasa said. 7:59 p.m.: Flooding is threatening, Pagasa said, as it kept an orange rainfall warning over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Heavy to intense rains are affecting Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and Bataan, it Read More …

US Embassy: P23.65M aid from US gov't for flood victims

 News
Aug 202013
 
US Embassy: P23.65M aid from US gov't for flood victims

The United States government is extending the equivalent of P23.65 million in aid for victims of the flooding and monsoon rain in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, the United States Embassy said Tuesday. US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. said the disaster is of “sufficient magnitude” to warrant a response from the US government. “USAID/OFDA [The US Agency for International Development-Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance], working with USAID/Philippines, and the US Embassy canvassed relief organizations operating in the area, and determined that the increasing number of displaced families seeking safe refuge from various evacuation centers and vulnerable families needing emergency assistance warranted an offer of assistance from the US government,” Thomas said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are affected by the floods, those who have lost loved ones, and important possessions. I want Filipinos to know that the United States stands by them in times of need,” he added. A news release from the US Embassy in Manila quoted USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele as saying the aid will include $50,000 for emergency non-food assistance and $500,000 for warehousing and logistics support (about P23,650,000 in total) from USAID/OFDA. This will be channeled “through a humanitarian agency working in the Philippines to facilitate the immediate delivery of non-food relief items, potentially including jerry cans, household kits, and tarps, to flood-affected communities,” Steele said. Heavy rain from the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring pummeled several parts of Luzon. Read More …

Cavite rainfall hits record high, as many suffer Ondoy-like flooding

 News
Aug 202013
 
Cavite rainfall hits record high, as many suffer Ondoy-like flooding

Cavite residents flee flooded homes, take shelter on street. Residents take shelter from the rain after floodwaters displaced them from their homes in Noveleta, Cavite on Monday. Local government rescue units in Cavite, now under state of calamity, appeared woefully unprepared. AFP PHOTO / Jay Directo For many in Cavite, now under a state of calamity, the past two days have been their Ondoy. A large swath of the province has been submerged as torrential rains have fallen since Sunday night. The rainfall has been at record levels in some areas, particularly in Sangley Point, a part of the provincial capital of Cavite City at the peninsular northernmost point of the province. PAGASA maintains a weather station in Sangley Point, long a naval base. During the Habagat deluge in 2012, rainfall at Sangley Point reached 354.2 mm in the 24 hours ending 8 a.m. on August 7, 2012, according to PAGASA weather division head Robert Sawi. In contrast, rainfall at the same location for the same period on August 20, 2013, reached 475.4 mm. This is even more than the average expected rainfall for the entire month, or 457.4 mm. “Ibig sabihin, mas higit sa isang buwan ang naibagsak na ulan sa loob lamang ng isang araw,” explained GMA News’ resident meteorologist, Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz.  The rain intensity at Sangley Point surprised even DOST Secretary Ramon Montejo.  “We were also surprised at the rain intensity in some areas, especially in Sangley, Cavite,” he said. The disaster seems far from Read More …

PAGASA: Tropical Storm Maring intensifies, nearly stationary

 News
Aug 192013
 
PAGASA: Tropical Storm Maring intensifies, nearly stationary

‘Erratic’ Maring lingers northeast of Batanes. Tropical Storm Maring seemed to make a U-turn over the Pacific Ocean section northeast of the Philippines and east of Taiwan. PAGASA Tropical Storm Maring (international name Trami) intensified Monday night and remained almost stationary off extreme northern Luzon, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA, in its 11 p.m. advisory, said Tropical Storm Maring was estimated to be 600 km east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 p.m. Maring was moving northwards at only 7 kph. By Tuesday evening, it is expected to be 560 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. By Wednesday evening it is expected to be 470 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. On Thursday evening, it is forecast to be 595 km north of Itbayat, Batanes or outside the Philippine area of responsibility. Maring packed maximum winds of 85 kph near the center, with gustiness of up to 100 kph. No public storm signals have been raised. Heavy to intense rainfall Maring may bring rainfall of 10 to 25 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 400-km diameter. It will also continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms over Luzon, particularly over the western section. The enhanced monsoon has been bringing rain over Metro Manila and nearby provinces since Sunday. Meanwhile, PAGASA advised fishermen, “especially those using small seacraft,” not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon due to heavy seas, also caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon. — DVM, GMA News

Banks cancel operations due to heavy rain, flooding

 Economy
Aug 192013
 
Banks cancel operations due to heavy rain, flooding

MANILA, Philippines – At least three banks canceled operations on Monday in light of heavy rains and flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Security Bank announced the suspension of its branches’ operations in Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon affected by typhoon Maring. “Customers from affected areas can still access their accounts thru ATMs (automated teller machines) and its eBanking Facility,” it said. The bank added that it can be reached through 88-791-88 should customers need additional assistance. Bando de Oro Unibank similarly suspended its operations in Metro Manila and some areas in Rizal and Cavite, Bulacan and Laguna. Meanwhile, Land Bank of the Philippines canceled the operations of its Metro Manila branches after 12 p.m. It noted, however, that its ATM branches remain operational 24/7. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), on the other hand, said it will be business as usual for its head office and Luzon branches until 3 p.m. today. BPI branches and offices in Visayas and Mindanao will remain open up to 4:30 p.m. “This will give our customers ample time to fulfill their banking transactions for the day and also allow our employees enough time to go home early,” it said. It added that its ATM branches and online services remain operational.

DTI puts up SSF for Batangas sugar farmers

 Economy
Aug 182013
 
DTI puts up SSF for Batangas sugar farmers

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has provided two shared service facilities (SSF) for sugar farmers in Batangas. In a statement, the DTI said it has given an automatic granular packaging machine worth P280,000 to Kamahari Agri-based Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Nasugbu. “Kamahari sells muscovado sugar in 250-and, 500-gram, and one kilogram packs. With the automated packaging machine, Kamahari would be able to sell muscovado in 10-20-and 30-gram sachets to supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and resorts,” DTI said. The Trade department added that at least five more producers of coffee, bignay tea, muscovado and other sugar products within the first district of Batangas would be able to use the packaging machine. Apart from the packaging machine given to Kamahari, the DTI likewise provided a presser or extractor, and workbench amounting to P78,000 to Riverside Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which sells sugarcane juice in Nasugbu. Riverside had earlier acquired a sugarcane press to use for its production, but was only able to sell juice in paper cups due to insufficient output. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Through the new SSF, Riverside is expected to increase its output of juice contained in polyethylene bottles which could be sold to restaurants, beach resorts and supermarkets not just in Batangas, but in Metro Manila as well. The SSF is one of the programs being implemented by the DTI to provide enterprises, particularly those in the countryside, with machinery and equipment to increase their levels of quality, productivity, and competitiveness. The Read More …

Seoul mayor suggests subways as traffic fix for Metro Manila

 News
Aug 132013
 
Seoul mayor suggests subways as traffic fix for Metro Manila

By Niña P. CallejaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 9:27 pm | Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 EDSA. File photo MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of Seoul — a human rights activist and lawyer who earned the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2006 — met with Metro Manila officials on Tuesday to foster long-term partnerships in addressing urban development issues. Mayor Park Won Soon received a warm welcome from several Metro Manila mayors and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City, in arrival rites complete with a brass band and MMDA employees waving the South Korean flag. In a two-hour meeting with the mayors, Park offered his government’s help to Metro Manila, inviting Philippine officials to come to Seoul for them to learn in detail how the Philippine capital could handle common problems facing megacities, such as traffic jams and flooding. Among the best practices and projects he cited were Seoul’s modern transport solutions, including a 115-kilometer bus transit system, a 327-kilometer urban railway system, and government efforts to make mass transport not only efficient but also environment friendly. Asked what he could recommend for Metro Manila’s perennial traffic mess, Park proposed an interconnected metro system and the construction of a subway. “The subway is the most efficient (mode of) transportation from the outskirts of Seoul to downtown. I recommend that you have consultations with international traffic experts for the establishment of a metro system,” Park said. “The cost may be very high but it will be Read More …

BPO employees drive growth of convenience stores

 Economy
Aug 112013
 
BPO employees drive growth of convenience stores

MANILA, Philippines – More convenience stores are expected to open in the country to take advantage of strong consumer spending, a top executive of a property consultancy firm said over the weekend. Colliers International research manager Karlo Pobre told reporters that even if there are many convenience stores in the country’s major business districts and information technology centers, more are still expected to open to serve middle class employees, particularly those in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. “The market is not saturated yet mainly because of the BPO sector. The closest retail store they (BPO employees) can get into is a convenience store,” Pobre said. The improvement in the income of these individuals is leading to  increased spending which will encourage the expansion of convenience stores. “You can just imagine that all buildings will have their own convenience stores,” he said. Among the players in the country’s convenience store market are 7-Eleven, run by Philippine Seven Corp.; Ministop Philippines under the Robinsons Retail Group; and FamilyMart operated by a joint venture of Japanese firms FamilyMart Co., Ltd. and Itochu Corp. with SIAL CVS Retailers of the Rustan’s Group and Ayala Land Inc. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 7-Eleven, currently has 900 outlets nationwide, 323 of which are in Metro Manila. It plans to open 100 more stores nationwide this year. Ministop has over 330 stores in the country, 66 percent of which are located in Metro Manila. FamilyMart, which entered the Philippine market earlier this Read More …

Century Properties jumpstarts reg’l expansion with Pampanga proj

 Economy
Aug 072013
 
Century Properties jumpstarts reg’l expansion with Pampanga proj

MANILA, Philippines – High-end developer Century Properties Group Inc. has jumpstarted its bid to gain a foothold in key regions outside Metro Manila. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Century Properties said it acquired close to eight hectares of property in the city of San Fernando in Pampanga. The strategic location of the property, which was acquired from the House of David Realty and Development Corp., makes it ideal for a mixed-use development with residential, commercial and institutional components, Century Properties said. “This will form part of a city or town center that the company envisions for the area, to position it as a future central business district in the north,” Century Properties said. “We are confident that, similar to how it has masterplanned its projects in Metro Manila, Century Properties will also build a world-class urban center in San Fernando, Pampanga,” said Ladislao David, chairman emeritus of the House of David Group. Century Properties said the Pampanga project will allow the real firm to book P6 billion in sales from the residential portfolio targeting end-users from the middle-income market segment. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The acquisition was backed by a portion of an equity placement offering, the company said. In March, Century Properties, controlled by the Antonio family, raised P1.64 billion by selling shares to foreign investors to support its landbank expansion in Metro Manila and secondary cities. Century Properties said its strategic expansion to the north is guided by the rapid progress Read More …

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