Foreign aid donors decline comment on alleged bunkhouse overprice

 News
Jan 062014
 
Foreign aid donors decline comment on alleged bunkhouse overprice

U.S. Marines provide safe drinking water to typhoon survivors Thursday Nov. 21, 2013 at Tacloban city, Leyte province in central Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA—Major donors to the Philippines’ response to the humanitarian emergency in typhoon-ravaged Eastern Visayas begged off from making any comment Monday on the reported overpricing of bunkhouses for people rendered homeless by the calamity. The United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union withheld comment on the Inquirer  report on the padded costing for bunkhouses—temporary shelters regarded as critical in the continuing response two months since the emergency. They are among the biggest donors to the relief effort, now entering its second month and gradually shifting to early recovery, including moving survivors from evacuation centers to bunkhouses pending the construction of permanent shelters. The Manila embassy of the UK, the largest donor by far, did not issue any comment. British aid for typhoon relief in the Philippines has reached P11.1 billion, including contributions from both the UK government and private individuals, the embassy said. The UK has also vowed to support reconstruction in Eastern Visayas over the long haul. The Manila delegation of the European Union also withheld comment pending its humanitarian aid department’s aid assessment this month. The EU has so far pledged $26.8 million or P1.18 billion, according to the Philippine government portal’s Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAITH). The US embassy in Manila also did not comment on the issue. A US embassy official privy to American assistance said the embassy “did not Read More …

UK financial firm donates over P8-M to Sagip Kapamilya

 Entertainment
Dec 272013
 
UK financial firm donates over P8-M to Sagip Kapamilya

Consul General Senen Malile with C&C Alpha Executive Director Bhanu Choudhrie and Luis Bariuan from ABS-CBN Europe (ABS-CBN News) LONDON – Investment company C&C Alpha Group has donated $200,000 (approximately P8,888,098) to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya as part of the continuing aid efforts for the Philippines in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda). It was the largest cash donation by a single entity from the UK based on a list of aid contributions coordinated by the Philippine Embassy in London since relief efforts began a month ago. A simple ceremony at the Philippine Cultural Centre in London last December 19 officially marked the company’s contribution. Consul General Senen Mangalile from the Philippine Embassy welcomed representatives from C&C Alpha, including CEO Cherian Thomas and Executive Director Bhanu Choudhrie. “We’re overwhelmed by the enormity of the response, and the warmth and generosity of the British people, the UK government, and the international community in the UK. They all came up and proved that we do not stand alone in this catastrophe,” said Mangalile. “C&C wants to be involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the most affected areas, and that for us is the most important phase of the response to typhoon Haiyan.” The company, which has investments in the Philippines, specifically wants their contribution to go towards rebuilding affected communities through infrastructure and long-term projects. “We believe very strongly in the Philippines, and the people of the Philippines, especially the community that live here in the UK. And this disaster has Read More …

DSWD chief denies reports of US, UK food donations sold in markets

 Entertainment
Dec 132013
 
DSWD chief denies reports of US, UK food donations sold in markets

British aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious, carrying around 500 tons of aid for victims of Typhoon Haiyan docks at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila on Wednesday (December 11, 2013) for relief operation in Tacloban, Leyte. Led by Capt. Mike Utley, the Royal Navy ship carries supplies provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) including 12,500 blankets, 20,000 candles, 30,000 bags of rice and 9,800 tins of sardines, thousand cans of vegetables, shelter kits, and jerry cans. HMS Illustrious is replacing HMS Daring, which has been distributing aid in remote communities for the past week. (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec. 11 (Mabuhay) – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman on Wednesday vehemently denied reports circulating in the foreign media that donations from the US and UK consisting of MREs (meal-ready-to-eat) are being diverted and sold in markets. She said that this claim is preposterous as the two nations did not made any food donations to the Philippines. “Per DSWD’s records, the UK donations that have entered the country only include non-food items such as shelter boxes, communication equipment, solar lights, and blankets among others,” Soliman said during a briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. She also added that these items are impossible to divert as all are consigned to non-government organizations and United Nations agencies except for the 504 tents which arrived in Manila last Nov. 25 and were consigned to the DSWD and another 576 relief Read More …

UK aid for Yolanda victims exceeds P5.6 billion

 News
Nov 172013
 
UK aid for Yolanda victims exceeds P5.6 billion

The United Kingdom’s contribution to the international aid efforts for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda has exceeded P5.6 billion (£80 million) after Prime Minister David Cameron pledged another £30 million to the relief efforts, a statement from the British Embassy on Sunday said. The new amount supplements the British government’s previous donation as well as donations from the British public totaling £30 million (P2.1 billion). The UK has also deployed a destroyer ship, HMS Daring, and a Royal Air Force C-17 transporter plane to the region. According to a report from Agence France-Presse, the UK was has also pledged 4×4 vehicles and forklift trucks. Despite the steady support from both national and international communities, aid efforts have been slow—a fact reported by most international media covering the event. Malacañang’s Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras said last November 13 that a disaster of such magnitude required meticulous planning, which made such “difficult comments” understandable. He also said that while details needed to be ironed out, their efforts seemed to do well “so far”. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management’s (NDRRMC) 6 a.m. report also stated that the typhoon caused P10,339,290,061 in damage, including P1,250,108,600 in infrastructure and P9,089,181,461 in agriculture. In the same report, a total of 3,681 fatalities, 12,544 injured persons, and 1,186 still-missing persons was recorded. — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News

No. 1 in Phl: BDO jumps to 251 in global banking rank

 Economy
Sep 042013
 
No. 1 in Phl: BDO jumps to 251 in global banking rank

MANILA, Philippines – BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), the main banking arm of the SM Group, has improved its ranking in the world’s top 1,000 banks list, according to a report by UK-based banking and finance magazine The Banker. Based on the report, BDO now occupies the 251st spot from 396th place in 2012, or 145 notches higher. The Banker said the improvement in BDO’s ranking is on the back of an enhanced overall performance, particularly in terms of Tier 1 capital, assets and profit. For the Philippine country listing, BDO secured the number one spot, the publication said. The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking has been setting the industry benchmark since 1970, providing comprehensive intelligence about the health and wealth of the banking sector. The report enables investors and clients worldwide to assess the strength and weakness of the banks, identify banking partners for the future, and track the big movers and new arrivals in the sector. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 BDO has been one of the most profitable banks in the country, more than doubling its net income in the first half of 2013 to P14.1 billion from P5.8 billion in the same period in 2012. As of end-June 2013, BDO remained well capitalized with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and Tier 1 capital ratio of 18.3 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively, well above the regulatory minimum. With record earnings for the period already representing more than two-thirds of its P20.4-billion guidance for Read More …

Higher Phl growth, stable rates seen by BofA, Barclays

 Economy
Aug 242013
 
Higher Phl growth, stable rates seen by BofA, Barclays

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine economy is expected to have grown 6.8 percent in the second quarter, faster than the six percent expansion in the same period last year.  “We expect growth to remain supported by consumption and investment,” UK-based Barclays said in its Global Economics Weekly report published Friday. The bank’s forecast is within the government’s target of a six to seven percent economic growth this year but is slower than the higher-than-expected 7.8 percent expansion in the first quarter. Second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data is set to be released by the National Statistical Coordination Board next week. Amid strong economic growth and a manageable inflation, Barclays noted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may keep policy rates steady in the coming 12 months. “With a favorable growth-inflation balance, we expect the central bank to keep rates unchanged in the coming 12 months,” Barclays said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The central bank has kept overnight borrowing and lending rates at 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively, since the start of the year. Rates were kept steady amid a benign inflation environment and a robust Philippine economy. Likewise, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA), in its Asia Economic Weekly report said it expects the Monetary Board to keep rates unchanged at its next policy meeting on Sept. 12. “We do not think that monetary authorities will consider a policy rate reduction at this stage,” BofA said. The bank also noted it has raised its Read More …

UK eyes more investments in infra, energy and retail sectors

 Economy
Aug 082013
 
UK eyes more investments in infra, energy and retail sectors

MANILA, Philippines – The British government is looking at increasing investments in the infrastructure, energy and retail sectors in the Philippines as part of strengthening the economic ties of both countries. “Infrastructure, energy and retail, these are the areas the United Kingdom is interested to invest in (here),”newly appointed UK Trade and Investment director for Manila Iain Mansfield told reporters yesterday. He said British firms are interested in infrastructure projects under the public private partnership since they have expertise in building rails as well as airports. Some British companies, he noted, are part of the consortia which have expressed interest in the proposed P17.5 billion Mactan Cebu International Airport passenger terminal project. The UK, he also said, sees opportunities in the area of infrastructure in the country since the Philippine government is moving to hike its investments to address the lack of infrastructure here. Apart from infrastructure, he said British firms are interested in wind, hydro as well as energy efficiency projects since they have been involved in similar projects in the past. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The UK is also interested in bringing more retail brands here given the big market. Among the British retail brands active in successful franchising here are Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Topshop and Burberry. Mansfield said as part of efforts to encourage British firms to invest in the Philippines, the UK government is planning a trade mission in September to present available opportunities here, particularly in the energy sector. Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries