Philippines Local News

Magnitude 4 quake rocks central Visayas

GMANews.TV - Sunday, November 8

A mild quake rocked parts of Central Visayas Saturday morning, but state seismologists said no damage was reported, or expected. More »

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Pacquiaos dangerous left could decide outcome
ABS-CBN - Sunday, November 8
MANILA -- Long time boxing commentator Larry Merchant believes that Manny Pacquiao’s punching power could decide the outcome of his “Fire Power” bout against Miguel Cotto.
Pacman ready to go distance vs Cotto
ABS-CBN - Saturday, November 7
MANILA -- Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is confident that his conditioning will help him go 12 full rounds against reigning WBO welterweight king Miguel Cotto.
DILG to oversee PNP efforts to free Sinnott
GMANews.TV - Saturday, November 7
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun efforts to "rescue" abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott, with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno personally supervising the arrangements, a Malacañang official indicated Saturday.
DILG chief to oversee PNP efforts to rescue Sinnott
GMANews.TV - Saturday, November 7
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun efforts to "rescue" abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott, with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno personally supervising the arrangements, a Malacañang official indicated Saturday.
Capitol proposes 2010 budget
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
CEBU CITY - If it gets the nod of the Provincial Board, Cebu Province will be working with a P2.6 billion budget for 2010, with Social Services getting the lion's share of the funds.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has submitted to the office of the Provincial Secretary a proposed P2,622 billion budget for next year, or P300 million higher than the existing year's budget for this year.

Of the proposed amount, P881,729,000 will go to General Public Services, while P663, 157,000 will be allocated for the Capitol's economic services.
Public asked to send greeting cards early
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
CEBU CITY - As the Yuletide season fast approaches, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) 7 is urging the public to send their greeting cards early so that it get to their recipients in time for the holidays.

Rachelle Betos, Philpost 7 Marketing Specialist said since some countries have set deadlines for their designated postal operators, senders are advised to send their letters, parcels and cards within the deadline.

"For countries like the USA, Uruguay, Taiwan, Macao and New Zealand, mailers should send their cards and the like on or before December 17, while parcels should be mailed as early as possible," she said.

Betos noted that articles subject to customs inspection should also arrive before the deadline to avoid delays.

"The deadline is provided by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union for the delivery of the mail matters to the said countries," said Betos.

She added that aside from international mail, local senders are also urged to send their local mail early so that it can reach its destination on time.

Meanwhile, even if the bulk of international mail in the region have declined due to the global financial crisis, Jocelyn Agravante, PhilPost 7 1st District Manager is optimistic that they can still hit their target income this year.

Agravante explained that as the economic crisis badly hit the business sector especially those in the export side, they have also observed a decrease in international mail.

However, she said that during the Yuletide season, when love ones usually send greeting cards abroad, the volume of international mail is expected to increase next month.
Industry clustering urged to meet export demands
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
CEBU CITY - Export businesses in Cebu should aggressively pursue industry clustering as a way to penetrate more foreign markets and boost production of export products, an industry player urged.

"By clustering, export companies can harness their strength as a group," said Fred Escalona, Executive Director of the Confederation of Philippine Exporters in Cebu (Philexport-Cebu).
Baguio City to be showcased in Subic Advertising Congress
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
BAGUIO CITY - Officials of the Philippine Advertising Board informed local officials here that this mountain resort city will be the primary showcase of the 21st staging of the prestigious Advertising Congress from November 19 to 21, 2009 at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) complex in Zambales.

The assurance of the Ad Board came after numerous stakeholders in the city expressed their sentiments regarding the sudden transfer of the venue of the biennial event from the city to Subic due to safety reasons after this city was heavily devastated by typhoon "Pepeng."

Aside from allowing him to be the one to deliver the welcome address during the opening program, City Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr. disclosed that members of the Ad Board will be coming to the city a week after the Ad Congress to donate to the typhoon victims in Baguio and Benguet the proceeds of the activity.

Moreover, the Ad Board had reportedly allocated 20 free spaces in their exhibit area where Baguio souvenir shops could sell the different products and memorabilia of the city in order to sustain the promotion of local products for the benefit of the booming local tourism industry.

At the same time, performers during the opening program of the Ad Congress will be those earlier commissioned by the city to do the performances, thus, the Ad Congress will be "a taste of Baguio and a feel of Subic."

Supposedly, this city is the host of this year's Ad Congress but organizers were forced to shift to Subic due to safety reasons since the roads leading to the city have not yet been properly rehabilitated thereby causing worries among the over 4,500 participants to the event.

Because of such consensus, local officials and tourism industry stakeholders are optimistic the promotion of this city during the Ad Congress in Subic could help improve the city's damaged image after it was depicted to be hazardous because of the closure of roads and the numerous landslides that occurred during the onslaught of "Pepeng."

Although the local tourism industry has suffered a great setback after the withdrawal of the staging of the Ad Congress in the city, the tourism industry believes the road to recovery and rehabilitation will be much easier if those in the advertising industry will help in projecting the city as a safe place to live in contrary to the misconceptions that most parts of the city are considered to be dangerous because of the series of landslides that occurred during the recent typhoons.
Test shows Pangasinan red tide-free
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - The coastal bodies of water in Western Pangasinan are free from the toxic red tide, according to Shellfish Bulletin No. 24 issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) last week, it was reported Saturday.

Laboratory tests showed that water samples taken from the coastal areas of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, and Barangay Wawa in Bani indicated "negative of toxins."

This means that shrimps, crabs and seashells like mussels and oysters gathered from the said coastal towns continued to be free from the toxic red tide and are safe for human consumption.

BFAR officials, however, advised the public to choose sea foods that are fresh and observe proper hygiene when preparing them, which include washing them thoroughly and have their internal organs removed such as gills and intestines before cooking.

The announcement also brings respite to fishermen whose livelihood was severely affected by typhoon "Pepeng" that resulted to R997 million damage to aquaculture industry.

BFAR and concerned local government units (LGUs) conduct regular monitoring activity on red tide to safeguard public health and to protect the fishery sector.

The provincial government of Pangasinan, on the other hand, is keen on dismantling illegal fish pens and fish cages as part of its vision in saving the coastal resources that involves the seas and the rivers in Pangasinan.

Earlier, BFAR has issued warnings that a number of coastal provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao were positive of red toxins and the public are prevented from eating mussels, oysters and crabs caught in the said areas.
3 major infra projects to boost Bataan tourism
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
BALANGA CITY, Bataan - The three big infrastructure projects being undertaken by the city government here will further propel the tourism industry here to unparalleled growth.

City Mayor Joet S. Garcia said the three ongoing projects - the Balanga Wetland Center, Plaza Mayor de Balanga, and a modern market complex - are now being fast tracked for the benefit of the city residents.

He said the P8 million Balanga Wetland Center in Barangay Tortugas, the first of its kind in the entire Manila Bay area, will be significant in enticing more local and foreign bird-watchers in the Balanga wetlands and mudflats.

The wetland center will have a viewing deck as well as state-of-the-art equipment to provide utmost comfort to visiting bird enthusiasts, the mayor said.

Based on the survey of the Wild Birds Club of the Philippines (WBCP), the wetlands of Balanga attract one of the largest concentrations of migrant shore birds and waterfowls anywhere in the country, hosting the most number of wintering water birds escaping the harsh winter climate in neighboring countries like China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

According to the WBCP, around 72 species of migrant birds are found in the grassland and wetlands in the three bird watching villages of Tortugas, Puerto Rivas and Sibacan in this city.

Balanga has a record of 15,521 migratory birds in a single sighting, said the club.

Garcia pointed out that the Balanga city plaza is now being renovated to become more attractive, being the city's center which was patterned after world-class plazas in Europe.
Nothing beats Clark, says GMA
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga - President Arroyo has cited this Freeport's strong infrastructure capabilities in telecommunications, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry saying, "nothing beats Clark."

"We are now number three.
Civilian volunteers to help authorities thwart rebel attacks in Sulu villages
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
JOLO, Sulu - Some 2,000 civilian volunteers took their oath as members of a new police unit which will help police and military authorities protect their respective villages in Sulu Province from rebel attacks.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro led the oath taking of the 2,000 civilian volunteers on Thursday at the Provincial Capitol compound in Patikul, Sulu.

"We will not allow these groups from terrorizing innocent people and taking hostage this beautiful province of Sulu," Teodoro said after administering the oath of the civilian volunteers.

Earlier, Sulu Gov.
$6-M biodiversity fund set to benefit 3 regions
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
DAVAO CITY - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is slated to launch on November 9 its $6.3 million conservation project to prioritize the island's biodiversity.

The project, which will be launched in Pagadian City, is part of the second phase of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP2) with funds coming from the World Bank's Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The budget, which translates to more than R300 million, was approved by the World Bank in September.
In a statement released by MRDP2, 11 sites in Region 9, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Caraga Region are said to benefit from the program.

Of the 11 sites, seven are in Region 9 - the towns of Olutanga, Mabuhay, and Talusan in Zamboanga Sibugay; Vencinzo Sagun and Margosatubig in Zamboanga del Sur; and Sibutad and Rizal in Zamboanga del Norte.

In Caraga Region, two sites are identified - Marihatag and San Agustin, both in Surigao del Sur.

While two towns were also identified in the ARMM - Lamitan in Basilan; and Datu Blah in Maguindanao.

"Environmental risks like climate change are weighing down heavily on natural ecosystems in Mindanao, on which many local communities depend for their livelihood and food," Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

The WB has recently identified one-third of the country as economically poor, while the health of the island's seas and forests is critical to their livelihood.

"To help realize its goal of a better natural resource management and to help the government improve the lives of the people, we put into action our commitment by approving the grant," WB Country Director Bert Hof Man said.

The selection of the sites were based on the independence and interconnectivity of the upland, the lowland and the coastal areas, presence of globally significant species like dugong, marine turtles, manta rays, giant clams, whale sharks, sea cucumber, and other unique important organisms and social inclusion such as poverty incidence and presence of indigenous peoples.

MRDP2 is a poverty alleviation initiative implemented through the DA which covers Mindanao's 26 provinces and 225 municipalities.
GenSan gets P28.5-M fund for hospital
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, November 7
GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Health Secretary Francisco Duque has released P13.5 million for the renovation of the General Santos City District Hospital to compliment the expansion project - the construction of the new P15 million worth two-storey building.

City Mayor Jun Acharon said that the P13.5 million budget would cover the construction of the hospital facade and the expansion of the Emergency Room and the Out-Patient Department to accommodate more patients and provide convenience to the public.

"I am very grateful to Secretary Francisco Duque for giving us P13.5 million to fund the improvement of our hospital.
NPA warns Army vs rescuing abducted corporal in Mindanao
GMANews.TV - Saturday, November 7
Mindanao-based New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas warned the military Saturday against trying to rescue an Army corporal the communist-rebels abducted in Compostela Valley last Monday.
Arroyo to quit as Lakas-Kampi chair
ABS-CBN - Saturday, November 7
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be resigning as national chair of the ruling party, Lakas-Kampi-CMD, and will be turning over the party leadership to its standard-bearer Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Malacañang announced on Saturday.
Danding not involved in NPC's coalition talks
ABS-CBN - Saturday, November 7
MANILA - Business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. on Friday denied that he is involved in the Nationalist People's Coalition's (NPC) talks with other political parties for the 2010 national elections.
Crimes vs property on the rise this year
ABS-CBN - Saturday, November 7
MANILA - Crime against property in Metro Manila increased this year, police said, blaming it partly on its resident's lack of sense of security.
'Peeping Tom' killed in Quezon City
Philstar.com - Saturday, November 7
MANILA, Philippines - A carpenter beat up a middle-aged man for allegedly peeping at his wife every time she breastfed their one-month-old baby at a compound in Fairview, Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.