Farmers in Haiti raise $150 for Filipino farmers displaced by typhoon Haiyan

 Entertainment
Dec 062013
 
Farmers in Haiti raise $150 for Filipino farmers displaced by typhoon Haiyan

Haiti Farmers Donation. Eliette Pierre (in white shirt) and members of the Smallholder Farmers Alliance in Gonaives, Haiti, present a check for $150 representing their assistance for farmers in the Philippines displaced by Typhoon Haiyan. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Knowing how difficult it is to recover from a cataclysm, small farmers in Haiti pooled together what little they had to raise $150 for fellow farmers in the Philippines who were among the more than 10 million Filipinos displaced recently by Typhoon Haiyan. In his report to Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., the Philippine Honorary Consul in Haiti, Fitzgerald Brandt, said the kindhearted farmers belong to the Smallholder Farmers Alliance based in Gonaives in the northern part of Haiti who were themselves victims of Hurricane Sandy last year. “These farmers are very poor, but the gesture from country to country, from farmer to farmer, from human to human, is 1,000,000 times stronger than the actual amount of the transaction,” Honorary Consul Brandt said.  “In this planet full of not so good news, such gestures are priceless.” Ambassador Cuisia said Filipino farmers were badly affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which dealt more than P17 billion in losses to the agriculture sector during its violent rampage across the Central Philippines last month. “The Filipino people truly appreciate the kind gesture of farmers in Haiti who went out of their way to extend a helping hand to their fellow farmers in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Cuisia. “Our people will always remember this.” The President and Co-Founder Read More …

Former boat people remember kindness of Filipinos after Vietnam war, donate $400,000 for typhoon relief efforts

 Entertainment
Dec 062013
 
Former boat people remember kindness of Filipinos after Vietnam war, donate $400,000 for typhoon relief efforts

Donation from Vietnamese-Americans. Ambassador John Maisto, President of the US-Philippines Society, receives a check for $200,000 from Dieu Quyen Nguyen, Executive Director of the Ben Em Dang Co Ta Foundation. The amount was raised by members of the Vietnamese-American Community in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area for typhoon victims in the Philippines. Witnessing the turnover, which took place at the Philippine Embassy on 2 December, is Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Other photo shows a poster expressing solidarity with typhoon victims from the Thang Long Vietnamese Language School in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area was presented to Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. during the call by Vietnamese-American Community leaders on 2 December. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando) WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than three decades after the Philippines opened its doors to them, it was the turn of former refugees from Vietnam to return the favor – this time by donating more than P19 million to support relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. On Monday, representatives of the Vietnamese Community visited the Philippine Embassy to extend their sympathies to the Filipino people and turn over the initial $440,554 that they were able to raise for the benefit of the more than 10 million affected by the typhoon. “This is a very touching gesture from a people who said they never forgot how they were treated kindly by Filipinos who instead of pushing them back to sea, even pulled their boats ashore to help them,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Read More …

Phl hosting of APEC still a go, says P-Noy

 Economy
Dec 032013
 
Phl hosting of APEC still a go, says P-Noy

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ scheduled hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015 will push through despite a proposal from a Cabinet member to cancel it, President Aquino assured yesterday.  “There’s a proposal. But I was saying that is there a need to do so? I don’t… At this point, I don’t agree,” he told officers and members of the weekly Bulong Pulungan forum of mostly female veteran journalists at the Sofitel Plaza in Pasay City.  Aquino’s statement was in reply to a query from a businesswoman Sandee Masigan who wanted to hear it from the Chief Executive whether the report was true, since backing out of the APEC 2015 hosting would definitely not do the country any good.  “If it will make the Cabinet or everybody in government feel better, we from the business sector are like really behind you, and we wish and hope and pray that we push through with APEC,” she told the President. Masigan has since been looking forward to the hosting in Manila. “It’s really going to do the country a world of good. So we’re all behind you, if you need anything, we’re all here from the business sector.”  Aquino nonetheless defended the Cabinet member  who made the proposal.  Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “In fairness to that particular Cabinet member, iyung given the enormity of the reconstruction, rehabilitation efforts for Yolanda, he was thinking na shouldn’t this be the sole priority, in a sense, at this Read More …

Review of PJEPA set next year

 Economy
Dec 032013
 
Review of PJEPA set next year

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to start the review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) next  year with the view of pushing for more benefits for agriculture products and movement of natural persons.        “Next year, we will undertake a review of the PJEPA,” DTI assistant secretary Ceferino Rodolfo said during the National Export Congress 2013 yesterday.        The review is intended to see how the deal could make trade policies more responsive to the country’s needs.        Rodolfo said that part of the review would cover how to improve terms    for entry of agricultural products as well as for the movement of natural persons.        The PJEPA which came into effect in 2008 seeks to strengthen the economic relations of the Philippines and Japan.        The bilateral agreement covers free flow of trade in goods, services,  persons and capital.        Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Rodolfo noted that since the PJEPA came into effect, trade between the    Philippines and Japan have grown by more than five times.       Japan is the Philippines’ top export market, with outbound merchandise    shipments to that country valued at $9.88 billion in 2012.        In terms of imports, Japan is the Philippines’ third biggest source,  with imports valued at $6.45 billion in 2012.        Since the PJEPA came into force, Rodolfo said investments made in the Philippines from Japan have surged to P69 billion last year from just P16 billion in 2008.        Japan is among the top sources of foreign investments Read More …

BSP bats for more reforms Stronger insolvency framework pushed

 Economy
Dec 032013
 
BSP bats for more reforms Stronger insolvency framework pushed

MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the country needs a stronger insolvency framework to reduce the losses incurred by the bankrupt firms’ creditors. “We really need a stronger insolvency framework and this weakness is not only true for the Philippines but it’s also true for other countries, as highlighted by the Asian financial crisis (in 1998),” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of the Forum on Asian Insolvency Reform. “A number of reforms have already been implemented but the task now is really to improve the quality… not only the framework but also the implementing agencies have to be empowered,” Tetangco said. Tetangco explained that weak insolvency systems were one of the key problems of Asian markets that eventually led to the Asian financial crisis  in 1998. Tetangco said the government needs to focus on the proceedings following a company’s declaration of bankruptcy, specifically the liquidation and division of remaining assets to creditors. “Having a well-developed insolvency law is important for the development of an effective insolvency system. But this is not enough, as we have seen in countries that have modernized their laws. We need to ensure its proper, effective and timely implementation,” Tetangco said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “It is equally important thereforeto focus on developing strong institutions that would interpret and implement the laws. Combined, a well-developed insolvency law and strong institutional capabilities provide a good foundation for a smoothly functioning insolvency system,” Read More …

US envoy Goldberg vows ‘Yolanda’ aid to continue

 News
Dec 022013
 
US envoy Goldberg vows ‘Yolanda’ aid to continue

New US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg: Continuing aid. AFP FILE PHOTO New US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg on Monday met with President Aquino, expressing condolences for the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and vowing that his country would continue to help the Philippines in its rehabilitation efforts. “I first want to say that we’re all still saddened and want to send our condolences to the people of the Eastern Visayas, with all the people of the Philippines after Typhoon Yolanda,” Goldberg told reporters in Malacañang after presenting his credentials to the President. “I had a chance to make the same kind of expression to President Aquino that the United States will remain with the Philippines as you move from the relief period into reconstruction. And the United States will take the lead of the Philippine government in areas that are most urgent for rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he said. But Goldberg also took the opportunity to make a pitch for an agreement that would allow “increased rotational presence” of US troops and access to their former military bases in the Philippines. “In the security area, but also in the cooperation that we have undertaken to work on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, we want to further that effort and be able to help even more as we move toward a framework agreement where the United States and the Philippines can move to the next level of [their] relationship,” he said. Goldberg, however, could not say when Manila and Read More …

Hong Kong travel agencies cancel Bangkok tours amid unrest

 News
Dec 022013
 
Hong Kong travel agencies cancel Bangkok tours amid unrest

Agence France-Presse 8:43 pm | Monday, December 2nd, 2013 Anti-government protesters use a wheeled bulldozer to break through police barricade in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. AP HONG KONG — Hong Kong travel agencies said Monday they were cancelling most package tours to Bangkok because of anti-government protests, after authorities issued a travel warning for the strife-torn Thai capital. The Hong Kong government issued a “red” outbound travel alert on Bangkok, the second highest in its three-tier warning system, while other Asian countries urged citizens to exercise caution as turmoil continued on the streets. “Residents intending to visit Bangkok should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. Those already there should monitor the situation, attend to personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people,” a Hong Kong government spokesman said in a statement. Hong Kong is particularly sensitive to the safety of its tourists. A travel alert on the Philippines remains in place three years after a hostage crisis in Manila killed eight Hong Kong residents. A lower “yellow” warning has been placed on the rest of Thailand. Police in the Thai capital used rubber bullets and water cannons against rock-throwing demonstrators after weekend unrest left several dead and more than a hundred wounded. Roads were blocked across the city and shopping malls forced to close. “After the Security Bureau raised the warning to red, the vast majority of Hong Kong travel agencies have decided to cancel tours,” Travel Industry Council director Joseph Tung told reporters. Read More …

Germany gives P950M more

 News
Dec 012013
 
Germany gives P950M more

YOLANDA AFTERMATH: Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:40 am | Monday, December 2nd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The German government, through its Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has pledged P950 million (16 million euros) for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by Supertyphoon Yolanda, the German Embassy announced. BMZ Federal Minister Dirk Niebel said the funds were committed to the medium and long-term rehabilitation of schools, hospitals and public infrastructure, as well for the implementation of disaster prevention measures in several areas in the Visayas. The German government had earlier committed 6.5 million euros in humanitarian aid for the immediate relief of the typhoon survivors, raising the German government’s total contribution to 22.5 million euros (P1.35 billion). Emergency relief Apart from the funds provided by the German government, 49.6 million euros (P3 billion) have been received for the emergency relief of the survivors by the fund-raising alliances Aktionsbündnis Katastrophenhilfe (Action Alliance for Humanitarian Emergency Response) and Aktion Deutschland Hilft (Germany’s Relief Coalition). Other German nongovernment organizations are also directly performing relief operations in several areas in the Visayas affected by Yolanda. The German business sector has also mobilized humanitarian aid in the Philippines by providing financial and logistical assistance to relief operations. RELATED STORIES: Lacson accepts job as ‘Yolanda’ rehab czar Pacquiao gives away cash, Bibles in Samar ‘Bayanihan’ impresses UN official Follow Us 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 Read More …

Palace assailed over comment on journalist killings

 News
Nov 302013
 
Palace assailed over comment on journalist killings

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. Photo from http://pcoo.gov.ph MANILA, Philippines—The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday assailed Malacañang for downplaying the killing of journalists in the Philippines, noting that yet another broadcast journalist was shot dead on Friday in Bukidnon. Barely a week after Palace spokesperson Herminio Coloma dismissed the summary execution of journalists in the country as “not so serious” and insinuated that the body count had been bloated, motorcycle-riding gunmen in Valencia City killed broadcaster Joas Dignos of dxGT radio. Dignos, 48, known for his critical comments against local officials on his weekday show ‘Bombardier,’ died from gunshot wounds in the head. The killing worsened the country’s record as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, press and human rights groups the group said on Saturday. HRW said 24 journalists had been killed since President Benigno Aquino III took office in 2010 and promised to mitigate the murders. HRW Deputy Asia Director Phelim Kine accused the Aquino administration of insulting the victims and downplaying the problem, citing the remarks of Coloma. Inflated count Coloma said the number of journalists and media workers killed during the first three years of President Aquino’s administration from 2010 to 2013 had been inflated because “a driver of a network, employees of fly-by-night newspapers and a blocktimer selling skin whiteners” were included in the count. The numbers had not been validated to include only the killings of bona fide media practitioners, he said. The problem was “not so Read More …

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