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Stricter No Smoking rules starting Monday

Roy — Sun, 29 May 2011 02:26:46 +0000

A stricter “No Smoking” policy in public places will be implemented in Metro Manila starting Monday and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will see to it that it will be imposed.

The MMDA will be arresting smokers on and secondary roads starting Monday, especially those inside public utility jeepneys and buses. This crackdown against smoking in public places is enforced by the MMDA in partnership with health and environmental officers of Metro Manila’s 17 localities.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino invoked Section 5 of Republic Act 9211 of 2003 or An Act Regulating the Packaging, Use, Sale, Distribution and Advertisement of Tobacco Produces and For Other Purposes, and also the anti-smoking drive of the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board in the implementation of the No Smoking policy.

Those who will be caught will be fined P500 for the first offense, or will be required to render an eight-hour community service if they cannot afford to pay the fine.

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DTI to bring SME Caravan to Antique

Roy — Sun, 15 May 2011 17:43:22 +0000

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will bring business caravan to Antique. The DTI has chosen the province to be one of the sites for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) caravan which is slated on the 26th and 27th day of this month.

The trade department is encouraging businesses falling under the category of small and medium enterprises to take part in the said business caravan as it could be of great help for them because they would gain knowledge and skills in the field of their specialization.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector are considered by the national government as the backbone of the country’s economy. They contribute to employment and generate output for the economy. The government considers this sector as a vital link in dispensing new industries to the countryside and providing gainful employment. With this in mind, the government initiated a comprehensive and integrated strategies in sustaining the growth and development of the MSME sector, one of them is the SME Caravan.

Through the SME Caravan, the MSME’s could gain improved access to government and private sector services, particularly in areas where the provision of business services are limited. The caravan also aims to create awareness of SME’s various business development services that are available to them, both from the government and private sector.

During the business caravan, there would be resource speakers who will cover different business topics like Access to Markets, particularly Product Development and Marketing the Business, Packaging and Labeling, Product Costing and Pricing, and How to Participate in Trade Fairs.

For the finance said of business, the Access to Finance module will cover Business Plan Preparations, while the session on Productivity and Efficiency will cover topics such as Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety. The module on Entrepreneurship will cover Entrepreneurial Mindset and Opportunity Seeking lectures.

The seminars are free and DTI published information materials on MSMEs will be provided to each seminar participant.

Supporting the DTI in business caravan are different agencies and organizations like the Land Bank of Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Provincial Government, TESDA, OPA, PPDO, DAR, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Non-Government Organizations.

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Wage Board increased COLA instead of salary

Roy — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:22:26 +0000

Private employees from Metro Manila will receive and additional P22 in their cost-of-living allowance (COLA) per day, in lieu of a wage increase. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) approved Wage Order No. 16 increasing the COLA of employees. This will take effect 15 days after its publication on the daily newspapers on May 10, 2011.

Raymundo Agravante, chairman of RTWPB-NCR, said their main consideration in the decision was the argument presented by the employers during the deliberation. A wage increase will be an added cost on the part of the employers, while in COLA, overtime and other benefits are not affected.

Because while the additional allowance would bring the daily compensation to P426 per day, the basis for the computation of the overtime, night differentials, 13th-month pay, bonuses, retirement, and other benefits will still be the prevailing wage whose minimum rate still remains at P404 per day.

“In the end, the employers’ position was P20 COLA but we still managed to haggle P22 or a P2 additional allowance in anticipation of projected increase in prices of basic commodities,” Agravante said. He added that they also considered the warning of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on the possible inflationary effect of giving more than P25 increase in daily compensation of workers.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) slammed the decision. The TUCP said it was a measly wage increase in the form of COLA and called on Congress to rectify the decision.

Rafael Mapalo, spokesperson of TUCP, said “The RTWPB just missed this important opportunity to raise workers standard of living in NCR and to help improve equity as mandated by law. It further institutionalizes the primacy of profits over people, a few people over the masses of suffering workers. That was a shameless decision.”

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Bebeng intensified into a storm

Roy — Sat, 07 May 2011 12:32:56 +0000

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday that tropical depression “Bebeng” has intensified into a storm. According to PAGASA, Bebeng is threatening to hit the Bicol region.

Bebeng was spotted 220 kilometers east of Legaspi City with maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center as of 4 p.m. Saturday. PAGASA has raised public storm signal no. 2 on the following provinces: Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Northern Samar.

The following areas were placed under public storm signal no. 1: Masbate, Ticao Island, Burias Island, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Polillo Island, Aurora, Marinduque, Easter Samar, and Western Samar.

It is expected to be around 69 kilometers northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte on Sunday afternoon, and by Monday, Bebeng is expected to be 110 kilometers north of Baler, Aurora or 70 km south of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC) advised residents living near rivers and lakes in the northern part of the country to “take appropriate actions.” The NDRMC said that the 26 low-lying areas near the Bicol River Basis are likely to be affected by the slow rise in the water. Flooding may also be possible as basin rainfall will likely be moderate to heavy.

Bebeng has also caused the cancellation of at least six domestic flights in 10 provinces in Northern and Central Philippines. According to the Manila International Airport Authority media affairs division, the cancelled flights included Air Philippines’ flight to and from Catarman. Cebu Pacific also had it flights to and from Catarman cancelled.

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Smart cards issued to drivers can now be used

Roy — Sat, 07 May 2011 08:07:36 +0000

The Pantawid Pasada fuel subsidy smart cards released last May 2 to jeepney drivers have already been loaded according to the Department of Energy (DoE). The smart cards were loaded with a value of P1,050 and they can be presented at gasoline stations with signs saying “Pantawid Cards Accepted Here.” The energy department also confirmed that some of the cards were already consumed.

Unfortunately, there were reports that some gasoline stations have turned away jeepney drivers who wanted to use the fuel subsidy cards for jeepneys issued by the DoE. Some gasoline attendants would reply that none of their fuel pumps were designated for the smart cards.

Some jeepney drivers complained that the P1,050 load was not even enough to run their jeep the whole day since they would consume almost P1,500 worth of fuel in a day, while some were still appreciative of what the government was to able to give them.

Meanwhile, independent oil player Flying V have reduced its diesel price by P0.50 per liter but increased its gasoline pump price by P0.50 per liter. The adjustments took effect on 12:01 a.m. of Saturday, May 7.

The DoE also issued the requirements for those who would like to get their smart cards, which are the following: certificate of public convenience (decision/order); official receipt valid from April 2010 to March 2011 and certificate of registration; and one government-issued ID with photo.

The initial sets of smart cards issued were to jeepney operators with routes originating from Baclaran Bacood, Bacoor, Bagbaguin, Bagong Barrio, Bagong Nayon, Bagong Silang, Bagumbayan, Bagumbong, Balara, Balic-balic and Balintawak.

The energy department have scheduled release the smart cards of other routes in Metro Manila on Monday and Tuesday. For provincial jeepney drivers, DoE has tapped the regional offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to be the distribution channel of the Pantawid Pasada cards.

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Willing Willie will definitely make a comeback

Roy — Sat, 07 May 2011 08:00:16 +0000

Controversial TV show “Willing Willie” will definitely be back on air, as confirmed by TV5 publicist Peachy Guioguio.

TV5’s chairman Manny V. Pangilinan revealed in a recent interview the TV network already considered May 14 as the comeback date for the show, even as the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspension will be lifted on May 9.

Pangilinan said more time is needed to make more enhancements on the show. He said they also came up with new games and gimmicks for the show’s live audience and its television viewers, adding that the show will be housed in a new studio.

Meanwhile, Shalani Soledad also confirmed that the show will be back when she appeared for an interview in the show “Paparazzi” last April 24. She also revealed that their set now has a new state-of-the-art LED flooring.

According to the “Willing Willie” website, there has already been a dress rehearsal for the show last May 4.

Channel 5 voluntarily pulled off “Willing Willie” from the air last month after the controversy where a six-year old boy was dancing like a “macho dancer” in a segment of the show’s March 12 episode.

Show host Willie Revillame have been the target of criticism and was accused of child abuse by some government agencies, children’s’ rights groups and even private citizens. Complaints flood the MTRCB office urging them to conduct an investigation on the said incident.

After almost a month, the MTRCB imposed a one-month suspension on the show, but considered the date the show went on voluntary suspension in the suspension. The board ruled that the show “Willing Willie” may resume on May 9, but said that it will be on a probationary status which means it has to secure a permit for every episode.

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Maggi noodles tested positive for salmonella

Roy — Sat, 07 May 2011 04:21:47 +0000

Nestlé Philippines has voluntarily recalled a number its Maggi instant noodles after some of the tested were tested for possible salmonella contamination. The company said it found traces of salmonella in two batches of the noodle product’s beef variant. “The product recall is a precautionary measure… to ensure the safety and quality of our products,” Nestlé said.

The multinational food manufacturer advised consumers who may have bought Maggi Rich Mami Noodles to contact their hotline at 898-0061 for Metro Manila and 1-800-100-637853 (toll-free) for provincial areas.

Nestlé however said that its products are safe to eat if the cooking instructions properly followed. The batches that were tested positive for salmonella have lot codes 11020598A2 and 11030598A1. The lot code numbers are found at the back of the product pack, between the “Best Before” date and the ingredients list.

Salmonella infections typically affect the intestines, causing vomiting, high fever and abdominal pains. The bacteria can be transmitted from water, soil, animal feces, raw eggs, and raw meat.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director Suzette Lazo said their office has already been informed regarding the recall. The FDA also posted an advisory on its websites to consumers who may have bought the product with the specified lot codes to return them to the Nestlé office at Nestlé Center, 31 Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center in Makati, or to its licensed distributors.

Lazo said, “According to law, they have to do this (product recall), when they discover that there is something that would be harmful to consumers. They complied with that law and this is a very responsible thing they did.”

She also said their department has made an extensive investigation to determine the cause of the contamination. “Even if it is a voluntary recall, we have to do our own test and get a report from them every day,” Lazo added.

Based on initial findings, the flavor enhancer that comes with the instant noodles in sachet may have caused the salmonella contamination. Said flavor enhancer has also been recalled in the US.

Pending completion of the investigation, Nestlé has temporarily stopped production of all Maggi noodle products.

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MTRCB suspends Willing Willie

Roy — Wed, 04 May 2011 05:01:35 +0000

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspended the controversial game show Willing Willie for one month. The MTRCB, however, took into consideration the days that the show went on voluntarily off the air, which was since April 11. That means the suspension will be lifted on May 8 and the show may resume regular programming on May 9.

The program will be on probation or on a “per-broadcast permit” status, until the MTRCB decides otherwise. The 14-page decision of the MTRCB reads, “The Committee hereby directs the MTRCB Agents to conduct a daily monitoring of the show, and to submit a weekly report to the MTRCB Chief Legal Counsel, with regards to the faithful implementation of the measures committed by ABC5.”

The show has been the subject of complaints after show host Willie Revillame was said to have prodded six-year old Jan-Jan to gyrate like a macho dancer in one of its episode in March. The MTRCB found the show’s network ABC-5 and network executive Ramon del Rosario guilty of violating Presidential Decree 1986, which created the MTRCB and empowered it to disapprove broadcast content found to be immoral or indecent.

The board, before deciding to impose the one-month suspension, took several factors into consideration. They commended the network for its formal apology and its voluntary suspension. It resisted calls by outraged critics to impose a more severe punishment, including termination of the show. The MTRB also considered the fact that Willing Willie was a “first-time offender.”

Regarding the probation, MTRCB adjudication committee chairman said they will be issuing a permit for Willing Willie to resume programming on May 10. From then on, they will be requiring the producers to bring recorded videotapes that will be reviewed daily before issuing permit.

Leonard Vera, Revillame’s lawyer, said that while they considered by decision of MTRCB unacceptable, they were still respecting it.

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President Aquino’s Labor Day announcements

Roy — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:28:44 +0000

A mix of wage and non-wage benefits for the country’s workforce was announced by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Labor Day.

The president said over a million government workers can receive another salary increase in June, or a month earlier than schedule, due to the government’s prudent fiscal management. For the private sector, he gave instructions to the regional wage boards to hasten deliberations on proposed salary adjustments for workers in the private sector within this month.

Aquino also announced a P4.23-billion rice subsidy program and P2-billion in farms implements support for small farmers and fishermen, totaling over P6.23 billion.

He made the announcements during the breakfast dialogue with representatives of public and private labor groups and employers to mark Labor Day at the Palace. During the said breakfast meeting, the president offered a quarterly dialogues with labor groups and employers to find solutions to the concerns of the industry, as well as craft better labor policies.

Aquino stressed that his administration is working hard to address the concerns of the labor sector for higher pay and improved benefits, although he admits that these cannot be solved overnight.

As for the public employees he said, “Government workers will have a salary increase this June, and not July. We advanced the release by a month because I know this will be a big help especially as school enrolment approaches. We won’t postpone this if we can afford to give it today. That’s our promise from the start, and that will remain our policy,” he said in Filipino.

The salary increase for state workers is originally scheduled on July, it the third tranche under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 3. Aquino said the early release of the wage increase for government workers was made possible due to government savings.

For the employees in the private sector, Aquino said the wage board in the National Capital Region is expected to make a decision on proposed wage adjustment next week, while other regional wage are expected to issue their decision this month. “We cannot promise that within the month everybody would be finished but we will be pressing them to finish within the month,” he said.

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Philippine-China trade and conference fair set on June

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 08:56:27 +0000

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)-Guangzhou and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recently signed a cooperation agreement to co-organize the Manila-Guangzhou Trade and Investment Conference slated to be held on June.

The event, which is aimed to further boost the Philippine-China trade and investment relations, is expected to gather around 500 business leaders, industry captains and government officials from both countries.

Part of the activities of the conference will be a product promotion through a virtual trade fair which would feature top export products of China, and business matching activities. There will also be office and factory visits to be arranged for the estimated 200 businesses and industry leaders comprising the Chinese delegation.

PCCI President Dr. Francis Chua said, “The Philippines and Chinese’ economies are open to mutual cooperation in trade and investments. While initially, the idea behind the conference is to promote Chinese-manufactured products for export to the country, we are making it a point to ensure that local enterprises and industries get maximum exposure and gain from the visit of top-level Chinese businessmen. That is why we are arranging business meetings and site visitations on the sidelines of the conference.”

China is the country’s top trading partner with export receipts reaching US$51.39 billion in 2010. Data from the National Statistic Office (NSO) show that the combined markets of China and Hong Kong in 2010 accounted for about 19.52 percent of the Philippines’ total exports.

Guangzhou Vice President of CCPIT Madame Li San Jian said, “China is a very big market. With increasing domestic demand and infrastructure development, Philippine export products such as mineral-and-metal-based resources as well as processed and fresh food products can easily gain entry into the Chinese market.”

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Arroyo couple asked to appear before DOJ

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 07:07:44 +0000

The Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoenaed Ang Galing Pinoy Party List Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife Angela ordering them to appear before the justice department to answer the charges for the P73.85-million tax evasion cased filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) April 7.

The former presidential son and his wife were ordered to appear before the DOJ at 2 p.m. on May 12 and 26. They were also told to submit their counter-affidavit and supporting documents. Arroyo is said to be in the US with his mother, former president and Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The subpoena, dated April 28, was issued by a three-member panel of prosecutors tasked to handle the preliminary investigation of the case. The panel is composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Lagrimas Agaran, Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Christina Barot, and Assistant State Prosecutor Mederlyn Presa-Mangalindan.

The BIR filed the complaint last April 7 against the Arroyo couple after gathering ample evidence. The tax agency accused the couple of wrongful declaration of taxable income and non-filing of income tax returns.

The BIR said Arroyo only paid P2.4 million, P1.7 billion and P376,000 in taxes for the year 2004, 2006 and 2007, respectively, when he and his wife bought several properties worth millions from 2004 to 2009 – including residential houses in the United States, in Lubao, Pampanga and at La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the agency patterned its investigation on the method used by the US authorities against gangster Al Capone and found “substantial underdeclaration of income by over 30 percent.”

Henares said, “Under the Tax Code (NIRC), underdeclaration of taxable income of more than 30 percent is considered a prima facie evidence of fraudulent return.” Arroyo also supposedly did not file income tax returns (ITRs) for the taxable year 2005, 2008 and 2009, while his wife did not file ITRs from 2003 to 2009.

If found guilty, the couple could face imprisonment of up to four years and fine of at least P30,000 for each count of underdeclaration of taxes, and imprisonment of up to 10 years and P10,000 fine for each count of non-filing of income tax return.

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DOH says dengue cases may reach 20,000

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:15:14 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the number of dengue cases in the country is almost reaching the 20,000 mark. The report reflected in the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) shows that from January 1 to April 12, the figure reached 17,228 for individuals who have contacted dengue. Said figure is 0.33 percent than the 17,172 cases recorded during the same period in 2010.

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH program manager for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases, however said that the number of dengue cases by week in on the decline. “If you look at the figure, it’s going down. That can be expected because it is summer. But the total figure in general is high.”

Lee Suy said the labor department expects that the public may take advantage of the summer time to prepare for expected further increase in dengue cases during the rainy days. He said the public should start getting rid of used tires, empty cans and bottle caps that can hold water, which can become breeding sites of dengue-causing mosquitoes.

The record for this year’s death toll from dengue stands at 12 thus far. For 2010, the total casualties were 36. The highest number of dengue cases this year was from Metro Manila, with a notable increase of 124.93 percent, as it doubles last year’s figure.

Quezon City posted the highest most number of cases, among the cities within Metro Manila, with 815, followed by Manila with 635 and Caloocan City with 584. The most number of deaths from dengue was registered in Valenzuela City with eight, marking the highest in terms of death count in the region.

The highest percentage of increase was posted by Muntinlupa at 745.45 percent, with 93 cases compared to 11 in previous year. Taguig follows with 409.09 percent increase. Central Luzon and Calabarzon posted 3,250 and 3,016 cases respectively.

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DepEd announced school year 2011-2012 opens on June 6

Roy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 10:39:10 +0000

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a memorandum laying the school calendar for this year, including the opening date of school year 2011-2012 which will be on June 6.

Secretary Armin Luistro of DepEd said the total number of school days would 202, and the last day of the school year falls on March 30, 2012. He also issued instructions to all public school heads to ensure that at least 180 of the 202 school days be actual “teaching-learning days.” T

“The 180 days shall represent the actual teaching-learning days which all schools shall strictly adhere to,” Luistro said.

The memorandum he signed reads, “The remaining 22 days of the total school days shall be utilized for national and local events and celebrations; national, division and regional achievement tests; contests/activities authorized by the Regional and Central Offices; and class suspensions due to natural calamities and disasters.”

The DepEd secretary also said that it is compulsory for public schools to follow the school calendar. “Private schools may opt to deviate from this calendar provided they do not start classes earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the first Monday of August as provided for in Republic Act No. 7797,” he added.

But while private school may deviate from the DepEd-issued school calendar, Luistro ordered them to implement at least 180 school days of their school year for actual teaching-learning days.

Luistro also discussed the first phase of implementation of the DepEd’ ambitious K (Kindergarden) + 12 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) plan and bewailed the loss of many school days because of unnecessary celebrations of various events or conduct of various competitions or contests.

The K+12 program seeks to add two years to the current 10-year BEC, which is composed of six years of elementary and four years of high school. DepEd figures place the number of public elementary schools at 38,351 and public high schools at 7,274 while private elementary schools number 7,084 and private high schools 4,707.

The Brigada Eskwela 2011 was set on the week of May 23 to May 28 to prepare the public schools for the June 6 opening. Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week, is where the community and the private sector together with the parents, are pushed to contribute and participate in the cleaning and refurbishing of public schools in their areas.

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Gutierrez quits Ombudsman post before impeachment trials begin

Roy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 06:46:34 +0000

The resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is now trending on the internet. Gutierrez was said to have submitted her letter of resignation to President Aquino, 10 days before the schedule of her Senate impeachment trial which was set to begin on May 9. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said Gutierrez personally handed her resignation letter to the president before noon Friday.

Robredo refused to identify the person who informed and just said that the source is someone from the palace, and told reporters that there were many of them who have been informed about the resignation.

Gutierrez’s resignation effectively made the impeachment case filed against her before the Congress moot and academic. Senator Francis Pangilinan said, “A resigned official can no longer be removed by impeachment. Her resignation however does not prevent the state from pursuing criminal cases should there be sufficient grounds to do so.”

Senators and the congressmen who were supposed to prosecute Gutierrez were preparing for a trial which was expected to last for several months and would have revisited corruption cases against former president and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The House of Representatives impeached Gutierrez in March, elevating the case into a Senate trial.

Pangilinan earlier had asked Gutierrez to resign even before the impeachment proceedings reach the Senate because the trial will only bring the legislative process to a “standstill.”

The articles of impeachment that were filed against Gutierrez were as follows:

(1) the Office of the Ombudsman has performed dismally as shown by the low conviction rate during her term;
(2) the unreasonable failure to take prompt and immediate action on complaints filed against various public officials, including Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo regarding the controversial NBN-ZTE broadband project;
(3) the inexcusable delay of the Ombudsman in conducting and concluding its investigation into the wrongful death of Ensign Philip Andrew Pestaño aboard a Philippine navy vessel;
(4) inaction on the Fertilizer Fund Scam;
(5) inaction on the Mega Pacific deal on the purchase of voting machines; and
(6) inaction on the “Euro Generals” issue.

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Philippine seeks investment-grade rating

Roy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 04:51:12 +0000

The Philippine government believes that the country deserves a better credit rating, that is why it is wooing the three major credit rating agencies for an upgrade in its credit scores, amid the improving fiscal situation and external liquidity.

The three credit rating agencies – Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), were met separately by finance secretary Cesar Purisima when he went to New York and Washington D.C. recently.

Purisima presented fiscal and monetary data on the Philippines that he believes would encourage them to review and increase the country’s credit scores. Philippines is rated three notches below investment grade by Moody’s and two notches below by Fitch and S&P.

He also said the country has a credit score lower than Indonesia yet the fiscal situations of the two countries are just the same. Purisima also cited the country’s declining debt-to GDP [gross domestic product] ratio and deficit-to-GDP ratio. “Our debt rations and deficit are declining and our financial sector is well managed, and so we deserve better ratings,” he said.

During the meeting with the credit rating firms, Purisima said the three did not give a hint if they would change the country’s credit ratings soon, but he express optimism that the Philippines would finally get an investment-grade credit rating before the end of Aquino’s term.

The finance chief said the country has been able to borrow from the international markets at interest rates comparable to those applied to financing initiatives by investment-grade rated countries. Still, he stressed that getting a credit rating upgrade would be important in getting more foreign investments for the Philippines. “Much more funds will come in to the Philippines if we get investment grade,” Purisima said. He noted that some big-ticket business ventures have been using credit ratings in their decision-making.

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No wage increase announcement on Labor Day

Roy — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:37:41 +0000

The much anticipated announcement on Labor Day will not be heard this coming May 1. Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) clarified that there will be no announcement of wage increase on May, despite Malacañang’s pronouncement before that it is coming out with a Labor Day gift to help workers cope with the rising prices.

Baldoz said she has no idea what good news President Aquino was referring to but she was definite there won’t be any increase in salary because the earliest public hearing was set on May 2. She also noted that Aquino had already declared he would leave the decision on salary adjustments to the regional wage boards although he could give instructions to hasten the process.

But she assured workers that the wage boards could grant a salary increase within the month. “I think within the month of May, they should be able to finish the deliberation and come out with their decision,” Baldoz said.

Other officials from the labor department said the president could be referring to a package of non-wage benefits when it made the announcement that good news would be delivered on Labor Day. “The president I think would be announcing non-wage benefits for workers such as discounts and other assistance they would provide to help workers cope with the high cost of commodities,” said a labor official.

The labor department will be having a Jobs and Livelihood Fairs which will take place simultaneously all across the country on Labor Day. There are more than 100,000 jobs available In Metro Manila, which will be held at the Rizal Park, there are 200 companies and recruiters who will be offering 30,000 jobs to new graduates, displaces OFWs and other jobseekers. DOLE is encouraging job applicants to pre-register at the website of PhilJobNet to facilitate processing of application of the Labor Day job fair.

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China auto company to open manufacturing facility in the Philippines

Roy — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:22:44 +0000

Chery Automobile Ltd. announced it will build a manufacturing facility in the Philippines which will be the company’s left hand drive manufacturing hub in the Southeast Asia. Chery Philippines sales marketing manager Raymond Tribdino said the manufacturing facility will be constructed in the next three years. He said, aside from serving the local market, the company also plans to sell Philippine made vehicles to the ASEAN market. They plan to build Philippine specific models for both passenger cars and small vehicles.

“We will have a local partner. We will subcontract. We are in the trial phase and we are working out the shares in the company. We are not sure how much the total investment will be, but normally, one line costs more than $10 million,” Tribdino explained.

He also added that they would like to bring in cheaper electric vehicles to the Philippines and ASEAN market, “For electric cars, we would like to introduce the first commercially available electric vehicle.” Tribdino said the lithium ion battery is 60 percent of the price. The Chery full electric vehicle is estimated to be at P1.8 million but it could be more. For a single charge, it can run up to 250 kilometers.

Chery Philippines is asking the government to grant them incentives like a parking lot with charging station, lower registration rate and zero percent import duty from China. The current import duty is 30 percent. If the said tariff is removed or is the same as AFTA at one percent, Tribdino said the small e-vehicle will be cheaper at P1.057 million. Although the vehicle is over P1 million, he said the running cost is low with the high cost of fuels.

Tribdino also said they are looking to beef up their local sales as Chery China took over from old distributors Easy Way Motors. The company bought Easy Way’s assets worth P150 million. He said they are looking at matching their 2010 sales target last year which was 1068 units. Their 2010 sales stood at 1,134 units.

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Bruno Mars included in the TIME Magazine 100 influential people list

Roy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 13:33:11 +0000

Half-Filipino and world music sensation Bruno Mars made it to the TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for 2011. Born Peter Gene Hernandez to a Filipino mother and Puerto Rican father, 25-year old Bruno Mars ranked no. 64 in the TIME Magazine’s list, as he joins an illustrious list of artists and activists, reformers and researches, heads of state and captains of industry who have affected people and their views across the globe.

Bruno Mars is best known for his songs “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” He received six Grammy nominations and won the Best Male Pop Vocal award for the song “Just the Way You Are” at the recent Grammy Awards. His song “Nothing on You” was named Song of the Year for 2010 at the Soul Trains Awards.

He is regarded by his fellow artists as part of the new wave of musicians who do everything. Bruno Mars sing, play, write and produce.

“There are a lot of people in this world who can sing and play the piano and guitar. Hell, I sing and play the piano and guitar. But there’s something different about Bruno Mars. He has a musicality, a presence in his voice that I’ve never heard from anyone else,” said singer, rapper, musician and record producer B.o.B. when interviewed by TIME.

“When he performs live, nothing is prerecorded or fudged. It’s a straight up, classic performance. That’s so rare these days. We needed only two sessions to record “Nothin’ on You.” But when we perform live is when you really see our chemistry in action.” he added.

Other artists who were also in the list of the TIME 100 were Justin Bieber and Glee star Chris Colfer.

To see the complete list, log on to the TIME Magazine website.

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Nestle Prize in Creating Shared Value now open for nominations

Roy — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 03:04:12 +0000

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is open for nominations. The award, which is open globally, aims to recognize an individual, non-government organization, or small enterprise working in the field of nutrition, water, or rural development. The nomination will be open until June 30, 2011.

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value was launched in 2009 and offers advice and financial support of up to CHF 500,000 (more than US$480,000 or approximately P23 million), to an innovation or project that has shown outstanding promise in improving access to, or management of, water, enhancing the lives of farmers and rural communities; or providing better nourishment to communities suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

Those who are eligible for nominations are individuals, non-government organizations (NGOs), or small enterprises. Their projects should already have achieved small scale success, it must be implemented in a developing country, and it should be based on a sound and sustainable business model.

The fields of achievements include, but are not limited to, agriculture, including extension services and use of new technology; food science and technology; nutrition education programs; water management; protection of water resources; and the like. Applicants may either self-nominate or be nominated by others who are familiar with their work. To ensure long-term success, the Prize Laureate is supported by a financial commitment over a period of time to assist in the development of their project or innovation.

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Xoom special offer on the Pacquiao-Mosley fight

Roy — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:54:56 +0000

Xoom.com, a money online transfer company, tied up with DIRECTV to for a special offer to Xoom customers to watch the Manny Pacquiao “Pacman” Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley fight for free on DIRECTV Pay-Per-View (PPV).

The company is excited to bring this opportunity for the first time. It will be available to new Xoom customers who send money to the Philippines. This promo is valued at $55. “Manny Pacquiao is a world-wide boxing phenomenon and is idolized by many Filipinos. We’re very excited to bring his fight to his biggest fans for free,” said John Kunze, President and CEO of Xoom.com

The mechanics to avail of the free viewing of the Pacquiao-Mosley fight is easy – first time Xoom.com customers just need to send a money transfer of $150 or more to the Philippines between April 20, 2011 to 10:00 p.m. PST May 7, 2011. They can then order the Pacquiao-Mosley fight from DIRECTTV Pay-Per-View by calling 1-800-531-5000 or online at directv.com/boxing. Within two weeks after the fight, eligible customers will receive the $55 Prepaid Reward card from Xoom.com towards the Pay-Per-View fee.

Of course, those who would avail of this promo from Xoom.com must have an active subscription from DIRECTV to qualify. Monthly cable TV and equipments are additional. The promotional offer is available only for the standard-definition “SD” feed of the telecast. Customers who purchase the telecast in high-definition “HD” may still participate in the promotion, but will only receive reimbursement for the SD price ($55), and will need to pay for any price difference.

To get to know more about this exciting offer from Xoom.com, visit xoom.com/manny. The promo is also subject to the terms and conditions of DIRECTV. This offer is subject to change without notice and valid until supplies last.

Xoom.com was founded in 2001 in San Francisco and is backed by leading venture firms Sequoia Capital, New Enterprise Associates and Fidelity Ventures.