Don’t forget the soap

 News
Nov 302013
 
Don’t forget the soap

By Marie Claire Lim MoorePhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:07 am | Sunday, December 1st, 2013 THE BOOK will be launched on Dec. 6 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City. Proceeds of the book launch will go to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Shortly after I started working for Citi, I began traveling frequently. This meant early mornings, long flights, time differences and jet lag, but it also meant fancy corporate dinners, 5-star hotels, airport lounges and business class.  I knew I was starting to get used to all the perks when I stopped taking the extra soap and shampoo bottles from my hotel room. It had become second nature for me to do a morning sweep of the bathroom toiletries before leaving each day to ensure my supply was replenished when the room was made. By the time check out day came, I was about ready to start my own mini mart. When I got home I’d put them aside in a shopping bag and before I knew it they’d be packed away in a balikbayan box that our family would send back to the Philippines. During my assignment in Brazil, I lived in the Marriott Executive Apartments so I hit the jackpot in soap and shampoo bottles. After the first few weeks, however, I couldn’t be bothered to save the soap and shampoo anymore.  Then my family came to visit for Christmas. I was happy and excited to show them Sao Paulo— where I lived, where I worked and what Read More …

Local banks urged to prepare for Asean integration

 Economy
Nov 302013
 
Local banks urged to prepare for Asean integration

MANILA, Philippines – Local banks should start preparing for the ASEAN 2015 integration to be able to compete with their counterparts in the region, results of a recent survey by Sungard, one of the world’s leading software and technology services companies, noted. “There is a strong potential that local banks may compete with other banks in the region but they have to be prepared for it,” Sungard vice president of product management for retail banking business Dean Young said. Young said it would be best for local banks to jumpstart efforts to improve their customer relations. Though there have been indications based on Sungard’s latest survey that Filipino depositors have strong ties and are loyal to their primary banks, there is  still a possibility that depositors may tap other banks if they are performing better than the existing local banks. Although the Philippine economy has moved up 30 spots in the latest Ease of Doing Business 2014 Report released by the World Bank and International Finance Corp., new consumer research undertaken by Sungard has found that banks in some of the world’s fastest-growing emerging markets are still struggling to meet evolving customer expectations.  In the Philippines, Sungard said banks have yet to leverage customer demand for an improved, integrated customer multichannel experience.  Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “This is negatively impacting the customer experience and driving a trend towards multiple banking relationships, which could affect future profitability and agile growth,” the survey said. “Despite the fact Read More …

DTI to conduct more info drive on AEC

 Economy
Nov 302013
 
DTI to conduct more info drive on AEC

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to intensify its education campaign for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) next year as part of preparations for the upcoming regional economic integration. “We are intensifying our education campaign on the AEC through larger fora four times every month starting in the first quarter of 2014,” DTI assistant secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said on the sidelines of a conference on the AEC. He said the plan is to conduct the fora by region, by sectors, and by issues. “Alongside these fora, the DTI will continue organizing the Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA) sessions,” he said. The DBFTA is a series of business information sessions that provide entrepreneurs with knowledge on how to navigate and profit from the country’s free trade agreements (FTAs). Currently, the Philippines has signed seven free trade agreements, namely, the ASEAN FTA, ASEAN-China FTA, ASEAN-Korea FTA, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA, ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and ASEAN-India FTA. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Since January of this year, more than 100 DBFTA sessions have been conducted nationwide, with many focused on the AEC. The AEC, which will be in place by 2015, will transform the ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor as well as flow of capital. Large market opportunities are seen to be opened by the AEC’s market of 600 million people for Read More …

FAO: PHL crop damaged by Yolanda worth $110M

 Entertainment
Nov 292013
 
FAO: PHL crop damaged by Yolanda worth $110M

Residents of Tacloban City flock to a public market to buy food items as small entrepreneurs begin setting up shop selling fish, bananas, vegetables and other food stuff. (MNS photo) MILAN (Mabuhay) – The typhoon that hit the Philippines has caused crop losses worth $110 million and inflicted damage to the agriculture sector of more than twice that figure, preliminary estimates from the United Nation’s food agency showed on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time). Some 153,495 hectares (has.) of rice paddy, maize and other high value crops such as coconut, banana, cassava, mango and vegetables have been hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which killed at least 3,900 people when it struck on November 8. “High winds, heavy rains and localized floods destroyed houses and infrastructure, including irrigation facilities, and resulted in losses of the main staple rice paddy, sugarcane and coconut crops, as well as livestock, poultry and fisheries,” the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a statement. The forecast for damaged areas included some 77,476 has. of rice crops and 20,951 ha of maize crops, it added. The FAO also said that imports of rice are expected to increase by 20 percent next year to 1.2 million tons. Earlier on Tuesday the Philippines’ National Food Authority (NFA) said it will import up to 500,000 tons of rice from its neighboring countries, possibly before the end of the year, as it replenishes stocks that have been depleted by the ongoing typhoon relief efforts. Because of Yolanda and another typhoon which Read More …

Cops seize P182M shabu from Chinese man

 News
Nov 292013
 
Cops seize P182M shabu from Chinese man

By Tonette T. OrejasInquirer Northern Luzon 11:45 pm | Friday, November 29th, 2013 CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—The police in Pampanga on Friday seized some 36.5 kilograms of shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P182 million from a Chinese who lived and conducted his trade in an upscale village in nearby Mexico town. Supt. Raymund Louie Baloyo, head of the provincial anti-illegal drugs operation task force, said around 16.5 kg of shabu were stacked in a luggage while another 20 kg were stored in a box in a house on Lakeshore. Ding Wenkun, 30, was arrested together with his aide, Roel Cabag, during a buy bust past 5 p.m. The suspect, from Jiangxi province, entered the Philippines last Oct. 29. Both are held at the Pampanga police camp in this capital as charges are being prepared against them, Senior Supt. Oscar Albayalde, provincial police director, said. “The intensified campaign against illegal drugs in Pampanga is upon the guidance of Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta,” Albayalde said. 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 ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: buy-bust , Illegal Drugs , Philippines – Regions , shabu Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Read More …

Taiwan naval vessel with Yolanda relief supplies reaches Cebu

 News
Nov 292013
 
Taiwan naval vessel with Yolanda relief supplies reaches Cebu

A Taiwan Navy tank-landing vessel arrived Friday in Cebu with 530 tons of relief supplies and equipment for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Two Philippine ships guided the “Chung He” to port, after which its supplies were unloaded and handed over to the Philippines, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported. CNA reported the supplies included canned food, rice, water, clothes, tents, generators, excavation machinery and prefabricated houses. It added the items were turned over at a ceremony hosted by Taiwan’s deputy representative to the Philippines Chang Tai-lai. Also on Friday, Taiwan Fertilizer Co. bought 36,000 kilos of domestically grown cabbage that will be exported to the Philippines for charity sale to help Yolanda victims. CNA said the company already donated NT$2.14 million worth of bottled water to the relief efforts. Friday’s shipment came after airlifts of more than 150 tons of goods in past weeks to help Yolanda victims. Taiwan’s government also donated $200,000 to the Philippines in the wake of the typhoon. Yolanda battered Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving more than 5,500 dead. — ELR, GMA News

Devastation left by ‘Yolanda’ moves Muslim aid workers to tears

 News
Nov 292013
 
Devastation left by ‘Yolanda’ moves Muslim aid workers to tears

In this Wednesday Nov. 20, 2013 photo, a typhoon survivor walks past debris and coconut shells which will be used for charcoal at a coconut farm in Tanuan, Leyte, central Philippines. As Typhoon Haiyan tore across the eastern Philippines, coconut plantations older than the fathers of the men who tend them were smashed like matchsticks. AP FILE PHOTO ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Muslim humanitarian workers from such countries as Malaysia and Turkey said they shed tears on seeing the devastation wrought by Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Leyte and cebu. “I felt so sad to see how disaster destroyed the lives of Filipino people in Leyte and Cebu,” Mohammad Safaruddin Jhinku, head of the training department of Global Peace Mission Malaysia, told the Inquirer upon their arrival here on Thursday. “Tears fell from my eyes.” Jhinku and his group had joined a mission to Leyte, mounted by the Turkish welfare and solidarity association Deniz Feneri Dernegi, which was initially intended to find out if there were Muslim victims so they could get food aid. They ended up giving food aid to many victims, regardless of creed, he said. Rameer Tawasil of the Golden Crescent Consortium said the devastation was so immense and he was “grateful that Muslims around the world shared resources not just to help Muslim Filipinos but all the Filipino victims.” Ali Karayilan and Suleyman Enes Kiliç of Deniz Feneri Dernegi told the Inquirer that their hearts bled when they saw people in some areas who have yet to receive assistance. Read More …

Lawmaker wants next Pacquiao fight in PHL

 Entertainment
Nov 282013
 
Lawmaker wants next Pacquiao fight in PHL

Manny Pacquiao (right) of the Philippines lands a punch on Brandon Rios of the U.S. during their World Boxing Organization (WBO) International 12-round welterweight boxing title fight at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 24, 2013. Pacquiao registered a decisive, unanimous decision win against American Rios to clinch the vacant WBO International welterweight title on Sunday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – House Games and Amusements Committee chairman Elpido Barzaga wants the next fight of Filipino boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to be held in the Philippines, noting the benefits for the economy and tourism. “I wish the next fight (of Pacquiao) will be in the Philippines,” Barzaga said. “If a small country like Macau can host, why not the Philippines? We were able to sponsor the NBA games.” Pacquiao dominated Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in a 12-round welterweight showdown in Macau on Sunday to stop a two-fight losing streak Barzaga said he intends to discuss the matter with Pacquiao once he returns. “It’s doable. We have big corporations,” he said. The congressman is also expecting a lot of speeches and resolutions honoring Pacquiao for his unanimous decision victory over Rios in Monday’s session. Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, who was not among those who watched the fight in Macau, said he does not expect any more congressional awards for Pacquiao since the boxer has already been given the highest awards in the past. Meanwhile, Monday’s briefing of Barzaga’s committee ended with a virtual solicitation from the congressman Read More …

Exclusivity or misclassification?

 Economy
Nov 272013
 

TAX incentives are one of the main factors that drive foreign investments into the Philippines; however, confusing interpretations on how to avail of such incentives may be a hindering force that prompts investors to bring their business elsewhere. This ambiguity is made apparent in an administrative tax ruling issued on the deductibility of certain costs incurred by a company registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), one of the incentive-giving bodies of the government.

FedEx delivers P430M worth of aid to typhoon-hit areas

 Economy
Nov 252013
 
FedEx delivers P430M worth of aid to typhoon-hit areas

Ground crew receiving the relief supplies which arrived from FedEx regional hub at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, U.S. MANILA, Philippines – FedEx Corp. has teamed up with Direct Relief and Heart to Heart International to deliver over $10 million (P430 million) worth of relief aid and medical supplies to communities ravaged by Super Typhoon “Yolanda.” The shipment, containing about 90,000 kilos of personal care and hygiene items, pharmaceuticals, and first aid kits departed from Los Angeles on November 23 and arrived at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu on November 25. “FedEx team members around the globe, in Asia Pacific and in particular the Philippines,are committed to assisting with the recovery effort,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express. “FedEx has a long history of connecting non-profit organizations with communities in need, especially in the wake of a disaster of this scale. We are privileged to be using our extensive global network and logistical expertise to bring relief supplies to victims of the typhoon.” Krystal Barr, interim chief executive officer of the humanitarian group Heart to Heart International, said they can make a positive impact for the Filipinos with the relief efforts for the typhoon victims. “With a disaster of this magnitude, it is imperative that Heart to Heart International rapidly respond with critically-needed aid and supplies,” she said. Meanwhile, Direct Relief President Thomas Tighe said the relief efforts for the typhoon-ravaged areas have logistical challenges.  Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, Read More …

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