Villar water utility firm to ink Zambo ecozone deal

 Economy
Apr 192014
 

MANILA, Philippines – Villar-owned Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. is set to sign a deal with the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (Zamboecozone) and Freeport for the supply of water and water treatment services in the ecozone.

In a statement, Zamboecozone said the agreement, which would be signed by former Sen. Manuel Villar and Zamboecozone chairperson and administrator Christopher Lawrence Arnuco tomorrow, covers the construction and management of a water treatment facility and bulk water supply project with an investment of over P742 million.

Under the deal, Prime Water would treat and supply 50,000 cubic meters a day of water to the Zamboanga City Water District for distribution to the residents in the city’s west coast, particularly in the Ayala district, as well as 15,000 cubic meters per day of water to the Zamboecozone and Freeport.

The deal likewise covers forest protection in the ecozone.

The construction work is expected to start by July and would be completed within a year.

“It is expected to generate hundreds of jobs for the residents in the area during its construction phase, and an average 15 committed employment every year of its 30-year project life,” Zamboecozone said.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The deal is expected to generate employment and attract investments to the ecozone.

The Zamboecozone and Freeport, which covers about 16,000 hectares, hosts 15 companies with total committed investments worth P10 billion.

Firms which invest in the economic zone could enjoy income tax holidays, duty-free importation of goods as well as very low lease rates.

The deal also supports the local government’s Build Back Better Zamboanga program to reconstruct the city damaged by the stand-off between the military and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) last year.

Government forces and MNLF fighters were engaged in hostilities for three weeks in September after the rebels occupied several villages and took civilians as hostages in the city.

Prime Water has more than 30 years of experience in the operation and maintenance of water distribution systems, providing support to communities, real estate development and water authorities.

The firm provides water to more than 150,000 households across the Philippines and produces more than 170 million liters of treated water daily.

Zambo siege was carried out by ‘misguided’ factions in MNLF – AFP official

 News
Dec 102013
 
Zambo siege was carried out by ‘misguided’ factions in MNLF – AFP official

A military spokesman said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is “not against” the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in general since the attack on Zamboanga City in September was carried out not by the whole group but by “misguided” factions led by the group’s founding chairman Nur Misuari. “We have a final peace agreement already with the MNLF and we are not against the MNLF… What happened in Zamboanga [was done by] factions of the MNLF, that they used violence to advance their goals which, to us, is unacceptable,” said AFP information chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala on Tuesday. “We believe that the MNLF still abides by the final peace agreement and that what happened in Zamboanga [was done] only [by] those misguided by Nur Misuari,” he added. Misuari and some of his men are wanted for the attack, which left over 200 people dead, most of them MNLF fighters. Although not physically present during the attack, Misuari allegedly ordered the siege as he accused the government of disregarding them in the peace negotiations it is conducting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The rebels claimed last year’s signing of a Bangsamoro Framework Agreement between the government and the MILF sidelined the peace agreement the government signed with the MNLF in 1996. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News

Organization of Islamic Cooperation offers to help in ending Zamboanga City crisis

 News
Sep 152013
 
Organization of Islamic Cooperation offers to help in ending Zamboanga City crisis

FILE PHOTO ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has offered to mediate in ending the standoff in Zamboanga City between Philippine government troops and forces loyal to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari. The standoff entered its seventh day Sunday. “The OIC stands ready to offer all possible assistance to ease the tension and resume the peace process,” read a statement attributed to OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The OIC news release on the Zamboanga siege was posted on its website Saturday. “The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is deeply disturbed by the reported resumption of violence that occurred in the city of Zamboanga and other places in Mindanao in Southern Philippines. He condemned the loss of innocent lives and called for calm and maximum restraint to avoid further bloodshed and to allow peaceful resolution to these incidents,” the news release stated. “The OIC strongly rejects all unlawful acts and expresses its deep concern at the shortcomings that occurred in the peace process which led to the resumption of violence and unlawful acts,” it added. The pan-Islamic body, the largest international organization outside of the United Nations, has played a key role in bringing peace in Mindanao since the 1970s. It brokered the negotiations between the Philippine government and the MNLF that led to the landmark 1976 Tripoli Agreement of Peace. This same pact was spelled out in details in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA). The negotiations for that peace Read More …

DTI mulls price freeze over Zamboanga City

 Economy
Sep 102013
 
DTI mulls price freeze over Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade of Industry (DTI) is studying the possibility of imposing a price freeze in Zamboanga City amid the ongoing standoff between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). DTI Provincial Director Rolando Acuña said the state agency has fielded a team to check on the prices of basic and prime commodities in the area. Basic commodities include fish, rice, sugar, meat and canned goods while prime commodities include fruits, flour, toiletry and soap, among others. Acuña said once in place, the price freeze would return the cost of basic commodities to their prices a month ago. Acuña said most businesses in the city remained close for the second day on Tuesday after fighting broke out between soldiers and the MNLF. He called on businessmen to not take advantage of the situation, and said he is coordinating with the city’s business group to convince establishments to open their shops.

Flights to and from Zamboanga City still suspended

 Economy
Sep 092013
 
Flights to and from Zamboanga City still suspended

MANILA, Philippines – All commercial flights to and from Zamboanga remain suspended on Tuesday due to the ongoing conflict between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said. “Yung aming Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) ay hanggang alas-9 lang sana kagabi (Monday night) pero ang aming information from the Armed Forces, sa intelligence unit nila, and aming sariling intelligence people, ine-extend po namin ang suspension hanggang alas-9 ng gabi ngayong araw na ito (Tuesday),” said CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya. About 10 flights will be affected for the second day of the travel suspension. On Monday, 10 flights were also canceled, stranding 1,500 passengers. Cargo planes are also covered by the suspension, Joya said. Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco appealed to CAAP to lift the suspension as it is affecting commerce in the city, but Joya said there were reports of stray bullets reaching the airport’s runway. The airport is about 3 to 4 kilometers away from the conflict area. Classes in all levels and work are also suspended for the day. The conflict broke out on Monday as MNLF forces reportedly ask for the recognition of Bangsamoro Republik, an unrecognized government declared independent last month by its leader Nur Misuari. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 At least four were reported killed while 14 were injured according to the city government. About 170 more were kept hostage by the group.