PAL will Build 2000 HA - Philippines largest Airport Near Manila

 

Jean-Francois Laval, center, senior vice president for sales Asia of Airbus; Lucio Tan, left, chairman and CEO of Philippine Airlines, and Ramon S. Ang, president and COO of Philippine Airlines hold an Airbus A321 model aircraft in a news conference Tuesday Aug. 28, 2012, in Manila, Philippine Airlines signed a $7 billion deal to buy 54 Airbus jets. PAL on Thursday disclosed plans to build what could be the largest airport in the Philippines. AP PHOTO/BULLIT MARQUEZ

Shortly after signing a multibillion-dollar deal to acquire 54 new Airbus planes—the biggest aircraft order in the country's history—flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on disclosed plans to build what could be the largest airport in the Philippines.

The planned airport would be able to handle four times as many flights per hour as the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City. Naia, built in the 1950s, has been criticized as obsolete with decrepit facilities. It can handle 36 flights per hour.

PAL president Ramon S. Ang said investments in infrastructure was part of the company's aggressive expansion program, which could include rehiring some of the 2,600 employees PAL retrenched in October of last year.

"We have a plan for our own terminal and runway. We still have to clear this with the government but we are hoping they will support us," Ang told reporters at the sidelines of the firm's annual shareholders' meeting.

He said the new airport would be closer to Manila than the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, which the government is grooming to replace Naia.

Ang, who also serves as president of PAL's controlling shareholder San Miguel Corp., declined to disclose the prospective location for the new facility, but said the company would need at least 2,000 hectares of land for the project.

The new airport, which will be exclusive to PAL and sister firm PAL Express (formerly Air Philippines), would have two parallel runways when it opens, with the option of having two more. Parallel runways mean two planes can take off and land at the same time—now impossible at Naia's perpendicular runways.

Ang said the government's plan to turn Clark into the country's premier gateway might be ill-advised, given the facility's distance from Manila. "If you want to fly [from] Clark, how long will it take you to get to the airport? Two hours if you are coming from Makati. Then you have to wait two more hours for your flight," Ang said.

 

He said plans to build a new high-speed railway between Metro Manila and Clark—at an estimated cost of $10 billion—would be too heavy a burden for the government to carry.

Ang said the company would shell out about $500 million in equity for the airport project. The rest of the project cost would be financed using loans from foreign or local banks.

Once approved by the government, he said PAL could complete the project in three years. "We plan to pitch this to President Aquino in January or February. Hopefully, this is aligned with the government's plans," he said.

Ang said the new airport, together with other components of PAL's expansion, could lead to a solution to the labor problems that have hounded the airline for more than a decade.

Inquirer 

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54 Jets China Made Airbus of $7 Billion USD Ordered by Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has ordered 54 jets from Airbus, company president Ramon Ang said on Tuesday.

The airline has ordered 10 long-haul A330-300s, and 44 jets from the 321 family, with delivery starting in 2013, it said in a statement. EADS [EAD.PA  29.80     0.17  (+0.57%)] unit Airbus was expected to have offered hefty discounts as  lobbying adds fuel to an ongoing price war with Boeing.

Mr. Ang did not immediately give the value of the deal.

Some industry sources said Tuesday's anticipated deal may not be the last word on PAL's fleet renewal, with potential demand for longer-range, wider-bodied jets up for grabs.

The airline has not yet decided its needs but Boeing could start with the advantage of an existing presence, whereas Airbus dominates smaller and medium parts of PAL's fleet, they added.

Airbus Eyes Big Order from China

Airbus hopes to win orders to sell up to 100 A320 planes to China when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits the country this week, industry sources said on Monday.

The order, potentially worth around $9 billion, would be the first significant Airbus deal with China since a row between Beijing and the European Union over emissions trading interrupted earlier deals worth up to $14 billion.

However, such an order would not by itself signal an end to the dispute.

"There is already a framework agreement for utilization of the existing assembly line in the Chinese city of Tianjin which must now be supported with concrete orders," an industry source told Reuters.

Merkel heads to China on Wednesday accompanied by a large business delegation including Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus' parent company EADS .

During the trip she is due to visit the plant at Tianjin with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, a native of the city.

Small Airbus aircraft, partially built in China for the world's fastest growing aviation market, have been spared any fallout from the emissions row since hitting those deliveries would not be in Beijing's interests as domestic travel expands.

China continues to block the purchase of some 35 larger A330 aircraft to protest against the EU's plans to enforce a carbon reduction scheme that opposing nations deem unfair.

China has continued to take delivery of workhorse Airbus A320 short-haul jets, some of which are assembled on its soil, even while the dispute hampers larger jets.

Beijing regularly buys small models like the Airbus A320 family and competing Boeing 737 in three-figure batches coinciding with European or U.S. state visits.

Merkel's visit to China, her second this year, aims to further strengthen booming trade ties between the world's two biggest exporting nations.

Premier Wen, who is due to stand down soon as part of China's transfer of power to a younger generation of leaders, visited the annual trade fair in the German city of Hanover earlier this year.

CNBC

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Philippines Defeated Mighty Americans in Jones Cup – Crowned

Members of Smart Gilas II whoop it up after securing a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the United States, 76-75, to capture the 34th Jones Cup crown in Taiwan yesterday. PHOTO COURTESY OF YU CHIH-SHENG OF APPLE DAILY 

The Smart Gilas Pilipinas National team defeated a taller American squad Sunday to take home the 2012 William Jones Cup title, 76-75, in Taipei, Taiwan.

In Taipei, Taiwan 34^th William Jones Cup; Philippine Team Smart Gilas II fought a tall and mighty American team with all its weapons of destruction, from its tallest man to the smallest, and hacked out a 76-75 victory to annex the country's fourth crown in 34 editions of the William Jones Cup last night at the TPEC Gymnasium here.

The national team's tall men, led by naturalized player Marcus Douthit, took turns in containing the fury of the American squad of future NBA players but in the end, it was its smallest player, 5-8 L.A. Tenorio, who delivered the killer blows that gave the Filipinos the scary win before cheering Filipino fans in the capital city.

Tenorio played the game of his life, cutting the Americans down to size with his game-long brilliance as the Filipinos enjoyed their grandest time on the international stage in a long, long while.

Barely three weeks together, the Nationals won the crown – the country's first championship in the Asian level since the Phl Centennial team of coach Tim Cone also reigned supreme here in 1998.

Clinching the championship with a win over the tough US team made Smart Gilas' feat so amazing.

"Before the game, we just said imagine the Philippines playing the US for the gold in a basketball game. I know it's just a Jones Cup, an Asian level, but I don't know if it's going to happen again in our lives. We said we take this opportunity," said Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

As in their games against Japan, Korea and Iran, the Filipinos fought with great resolve, coming from behind to pull the rug from under the athletic and quick Americans.

"This might be the weakest Philippine team, the least prepared, smallest. What it has got is a big heart," said Reyes.

"Heart won it for us versus Japan, Korea, Iran and the US. These guys just don't know the meaning of quit," added Reyes whose wards ruled the tournament with a 7-1 win-loss showing.

Iran, the 2007 and 2009 FIBA Asia champion, placed second at 6-2 with the US coming in at 5-3. Korea (5-2) and Chinese Taipei (4-3) were still playing at press time.

With his 5-foot-8 frame, Tenorio stood tall, making the biggest plays, the biggest shots and even the biggest rebound as the Philippines nailed its fourth Jones Cup championship.

The Northern Cement team beat a Sweden side in ruling the 1981 event and returned to upend the US team in the finals in 1985. The Centennial squad humbled the home team in the gold-medal game in 1998.

Tenorio collected 20 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter mostly on a two-man game with Marcus Douthit.

The Alaska Milk playmaker personally rallied Gilas from a seven-point deficit and himself clinched the victory as he knocked in the go-ahead basket with 20 seconds left then collared the rebound as Mychal Kearse flubbed a jumper 12 seconds later.

Sent to the stripe with 1.9 seconds left, Chan deliberately missed his second free throw after he muffed the first one.

As the ball went out of bounds, the US team was left with .9 second to run one last play – court to court.

As the long inbound landed in Freddie Williams' hands, the final buzzer sounded, sending the Gilas team and cheering Filipino supporters in the venue in wild celebration.

"I thought our guys played with their heart out, doing everything possible to get it. But that's basketball and we have to give the Philippines the credit. They came back when they're down and made the shots down the stretch," said US coach Travis McAvene.

"No. 5 (Tenorio) was the big difference. I think we did a good job on him in the first half but he started getting into the groove in the second half. He penetrated too much, creating plays and hitting shots himself," McAvene said of Tenorio.

Douthit did his job by piling up 17 points and 12 rebounds while Chan was again a solid contributor with five triples and a total of 20 markers.

The scores:

Smart Gilas Pilipinas 76 – Tenorio 20, Chan 18, Douthit 17, Fonacier 9, Norwood 5, David 5, De Ocampo 2, Thoss 0, Mercado 0.

United States 75 –Arnold 17, Justice 17, Marshall 14, Barnes 13, Dearman 10, Vandermeer 2, Reese 0, Williams 0.

Quarterscores: 12-13, 23-34, 51-59, 76-75

Inquirer

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EU Cargotec Crane maker seen Growth Business in the Philippines

EUROPEAN crane maker Cargotec, which partnered with local automotive body builder Centro Manufacturing, expects brisk business in the Philippines, with developments in mining, construction, infrastructure and agriculture expected to kick up its sales.

"We have seen the positive economic indicators and we have reason to be optimistic that the Philippines is going to outpace its Asian neighbors in terms of economic growth in the next few years," Jan Vink, Cargotec Business Support manager for the Asia-Pacific region, said in a statement.

Vink said at the rate that the economy is expanding, various industries in the country will be in need of industrial and truck-mounted cranes, tail lifts, hooklifts and even garbage compactors to sustain their growth.

Cargotec, which manufactures Europe's leading crane brand Hiab, entered the market through Centro.

Vink said industries, such as mining, construction, infrastructure and agriculture, will drive the country's sustained economic growth.

"Factor-in increased government spending in infrastructure and an economy growing at a brisk 6.4 percent in the first quarter alone, these are reasons enough for us to invest on developing the Hiab brand aggressively in the Philippines with Centro as our business partner," he said.

Raphael T. Juan, Centro president, said a lot of positive macroeconomic indicators and policy changes, including the issuance of an executive order that clarified mining issues, will lead to increased economic activities in the industries that Centro and Cargotec are serving.

"The government has committed to continue with its heavy investments in infrastructure, driving a 6.6-percent growth in the construction industry. The road map for the Philippine auto industry will soon be issued. The commodities that flowed through the Philippine transport system increased by 4.7 percent last quarter. All these are positive indicators that Cargotec has seen before deciding to enter the Philippine market," he said.

Business Mirror 

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Basketball Smart Gilas Pilipinas Conquered Chinese Taipei Hailed

MARCUS Douthit (right) and Sol Mercado will play pivotal roles when Smart Gilas plays the US today. PBA.COM

TAIWAN– Philippine Basketball' Smart Gilas conquered Chinese Taipei in its home floor in a follow-up to its upset of Iran the last night, assuring itself of a tie at the top at the close of the 34th William Jones Cup at the TPEC Gymnasium.

Philippines' Team up against a talented enemy in very hostile territory, Smart Gilas-Pilipinas got an unlikely lift from the smallest man on the floor and moved within another win of ruling the Jones Cup basketball championship.

LA Tenorio, a 5-foot-8 guard who's struggled in this tournament big time, hit all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter and powered the Filipinos to a 76-72 victory over Taipei-A on Saturday before a raucous hometown crowd at the Taipei Physical Education College gym here.

 Tenorio, who has been bullied around in past games by taller, beefier guards, hit three triples in succession in the early part of the fourth period to give the Philippines the buffer it needed to cushion a hard Taiwanese finish.

 The Filipinos, who were together as a team for less than a month, rose to 6-1 with the victory and would need to upset the United States today in order to win the championship without any complications.

 Taipei bowed out of the title hunt after dropping to 4-3.

A firm handshake from a South Korean coach and some glowing words from members of Lebanon and United States squads clearly mirrored the respect earned by Philippine' Smart Gilas II after sending erstwhile unbeaten Iran crashing back to earth in the William Jones Cup Friday (August 24, 2012) in Taipei, Taiwan .

After steering Philippines' Gilas to a 77-75 win over the defending champions, coach Chot Reyes was met by Sang Beom Lee, the Korean coach, in the corridor leading to the media room to shake his hand.

Asian power Iran lost for a second straight night and the US team suffered a second upset as they fell to joint second place with Korea at 5-2, a game behind the Philippines.

Sweet-shooting forward Elie Stephan strung up nine triples and a total of 27 points while Jarrid Famous tossed in 17 markers and grabbed 12 rebounds as Lebanon stunned the US five, 70-67.

Korea, meanwhile, pounced on a weary Iran team for an 82-73 victory.

The Filipinos wrap up the championship without any complication if they beat the Americans in their game.

Iran plays Jordan and Korea takes on Chinese Taipei in the other key matches.

"At least with this win, we have our fate in our hands. We have had a good tournament so far, and we have to make it a great tournament tomorrow (today)," said coach Chot Reyes whose team is a win away from handing the country a first Jones Cup crown in 14 years.

"Obviously, the game against the US is for the championship, for all the marbles. The US team is tall, quick and very athletic. We need to find a way to stay with them," Reyes also said.

The Americans catch up with the Filipinos if they win, and any tie will be resolved by the quotient tiebreak system. Iran and Korea are the other teams that can still tie the Philippines.

Tenorio had his breakout game and emerged Gilas' man of the moment as he fired away three straight treys and scored a total of 11 points in the fourth quarter.

The Taiwanese had seized the momentum in the tight, exciting game, wiping away a seven-point deficit when Tenorio came through with his heroics disappointing the cheering home crowd.

Chan took charge earlier, knocking in four triples and a total of 14 markers as the Nationals sat on a 37-29 cushion at the half.

"I thought Taipei did a good job covering our shooters. But in doing that they gave up something and that's LA (Tenorio)," said Reyes.

The two teams actually engaged in a shootout with the Philippines going 11-of-26 from the three-point area as against Taipei's 10-of-27 clip.

The Taiwanese put up a tough fight with their constant motion offense and crisp shooting.

They had no answer on Tenorio in the end though.

Praises for Smart Gilas Pilipinas

Taiwan Local sportswriters had nothing but good words for the Filipinos. "That's the real Smart Gilas II squad. Very smart and very good," said one scribe.

In a complete turnaround from a team that was beaten, 92-71, by Lebanon the day before, the Nationals played with fire and passion with Marcus Douthit providing the power underneath and Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan striking from outside.

Lebanese coach Ghassan Sarkis was not surprised with the result.

"I'm happy for your team for beating Iran. I know how good your team, you have a good coach and very smart players," said Sarkis.

While Gilas got raves from almost everybody, Iran was not impressed.

Leading scorer Samad Bahrami criticized the referees for their inconsistent calls, insinuating that the Filipinos got special treatment.

"The winner of this game is not true. We beat Lebanon by a big margin and Lebanon also beat them by a big margin, so there's a big difference," Bahrami said.

Iranian coach Mostafa Hashemi butted in: "We lost to ourselves."

Iran's arrogance did not sit well with some Lebanese officials.

"We also once beat them and they complained a lot. They think they're more superior and unbeatable. Some of their players were arrogant," one Lebanese player said.

The Iranians have gotten the ire of the crowd for their repeated complaints against officiating.

Meantime, Americans Gerard Anderson and Jermaine Dearman expect a close and exciting showdown with the Nationals when they clash today in what could be the championship match for the Gilas – granting it won over Taiwan A last night.

"It's going to be a good game, we played almost the same basketball only that they (Gilas) make a lot of kick outs while we finish it driving," said Anderson, who expressed willingness to play in the PBA someday. "Your team is very impressive."

Gilas is locked in a three-way tie for the lead with Iran and US at 5-1 with still two games left for all three teams.

To win the championship, Gilas must beat Taiwan A and US.

The Scores:

SMART GILAS-PILIPINAS 76 – Chan 14, Douthit 14, Tenorio 11, De Ocampo 11, Norwood 10, Fonacier 5, David 5, Mercado 4, Thoss 2.

TAIPEI-A 72 – Wen 18, Tsung 16, Chai 11, Lei 9, Hsueh 8, Cheng 5, Shih 3, Tai 2, Hsin 0, Chih 0, Yi 0.

Quarters: 16-all, 37-29, 54-56, 76-72

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Philippine Ambassador to China, North Korea & Mongolia suffers stroke

Ambassador Sonya Brady for China, Mongolia and North Korea

Philippine Ambassador to China,  North Korea & Mongolia Sonia Brady suffered a stroke in Beijing this week.

"Ambassador Brady suffered a stroke and is hospitalized where her condition is being monitored closely," Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario confirmed Brady's condition in a text message to VERA Files.

An official statement released by DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez late (August 24, 2012) Friday evening said:

"Ambassador Sonia Brady was brought to the hospital last Wednesday after she passed out in her residence in Beijing. She is undergoing tests and waiting for the results. Her condition is stable but she is under observation. "

"She is better now than when she was brought to the hospital last Wednesday," Hernandez added in a later text advisory.

Brady, who turned 71 on Wednesday, the day she was brought to the hospital, had just recovered from a mild stroke when she was named ambassador to China last May at the height of the standoff between Philippine and China maritime vessels in Panatag shoal.

Aside from China, North Korea and Mongolia are also currently under Brady's jurisdiction.

She is on her second stint at ambassador to China, having served in the same position from 2006 to 2010. She was ambassador to Thailand and Myanmar before she was named envoy to China.

From 1976 to 1978, Brady served as third secretary and vice consul and was later second secretary and consul of the Philippine embassy in China.

Brady was plucked from retirement after President Benigno Aquino III's first choice, family friend Domingo Lee, was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments several times.

Brady breezed through the CA as the members recognized her experience in China and diplomacy and the urgency of the situation.   She waited only a month to be confirmed.

A career diplomat, Brady studied journalism at the University of Santo Tomas. She earned her Foreign Service degree at the University of the Philippines. She holds a master's degree in international relations from the University of Southern California in 1987.

Brady served as assistant secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Policy and Coordination from 1999 to 2002.

(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")

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Philippine Investment Grade Credit Rating is on the Air

 

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima and National Treasurer Roberto B. Tan led the Philippine delegation in meeting with banks and investor groups in Singapore on Aug. 21 and 22, the Investor Relations Office (IRO) said in a statement on Friday.

Also in the team were Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Assistant Governor Cyd Tuaño-Amador and IRO Executive Director Claro P. Fernandez.

"The Philippine government's economic team provided an update on the fiscal and macroeconomic situation of the Philippines, as well as on the milestones of the Aquino administration's governance reform agenda," the statement read.

Among these were the ₱760.92 billion in government revenues in the first semester, up by more than a tenth from the previous year, as well as the foreign exchange reserves which hit a record high $79.35 billion in July. Remittances from overseas Filipino workers also hit $10.13 billion in the first half, climbing 5.1% against yearago levels.

"The economic team highlighted that the consistent strong performance of the Philippine economy was achieved against the backdrop of continued global economic volatilities," the statement read.

"Despite the debt crisis in Europe, economic slowdown in China, and weak consumption in the US, the Philippines is structurally well positioned to sustain its growth," it continued.

The Philippines' credit rating momentum was another focal point in the meetings, especially as country bagged positive actions from Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Moody's Investors Service.

Just last month, S&P upgraded the Philippines' credit rating to BB+ from BB, taking the country to just one notch below investment grade. This is aligned with the BB+ credit rating granted by Fitch Ratings in June 2011.

In May, Moody's also raised its outlook on the country's Ba2 credit rating to positive from stable, indicating that an upgrade is likely in the next 12 to 18 months. The Moody's credit rating is the Philippines' lowest at two notches below investment grade.

"Given that the cost of protecting Philippine bonds against default for five years is lower than some investment-grade countries such as Russia, and considering that two out of the three major credit rating agencies rate the country one notch below investment grade, Secretary Purisima emphasized that the Philippines can clearly make its case for an investment grade status," the statement read.

"The reception was very positive throughout the investor presentations, with investors recognizing the strong performance of the Philippine economy... " it continued.

The Singapore roadshow followed a tour of the United States last June. This roadshow was supported by global banking giants Citigroup Inc., the Credit Suisse Group AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., HSBC Holdings Plc, ING Group, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and UBS AG.

Business World Online

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EPC Bidding Invitation- Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Proposed BRT running ways down middle of road with median stations

Bidding for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for Cebu has moved forward with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) seeking proposals on Friday for project design and construction supervision.

The agency said in an invitation published in newspapers that the Cebu BRT, which is eyed to operate by 2015 with an estimated capacity of 330,000 passengers, "is a transport system with around 176 buses that will run through the dedicated and exclusive bus-ways from Bulacao to Talamban in Cebu, with a link to Cebu's South Road Property."

Business districts, residential areas, shopping centers and noted tourist locations will mark the bus routes, according to the invitation, with "33 stations along the corridor and a bus will be made available at each station every 2-5 minutes."

The DoTC said international and local consultancy firms may submit proposals for the project, which will have two phases.

The engineering, structural, civil and mechanical design will form the first phase, while the second phase 2 will comprise the "supervision of the transit way and the supporting infrastructure during the construction."

The DoTC media relations department, meanwhile, said the contract to build "will be [auctioned off through] another bidding," while the BRT system will be operated by the agency and the local government of Cebu.

Interested groups should have the following qualifications, according to the announcement:

"Should have been in the construction design and supervision business for a minimum of 10 years prior to the issuance of this request for expression on interest,"

"Have completed at least two similar contracts in combination of phase 1 and phase 2 within the last five years"; and

"Must also comply with the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest" as the agency intends to apply for financing from the Washington-based lender to finance, in part, the cost of the system and consulting services.

DISASTER RESPONSE EQUIPMENT

In a separate notice also published on Friday, the DoTC is soliciting bids for ₱152 million worth of disaster response equipment for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in addition to the ₱521 million worth of equipment procurement for the same agency that it rolled out last month.

"This procurement will ensure that the national headquarters of PCG will have an additional 40 rubber boats and three M35 6x6 trucks while each of the 12 PGC district offices will also have one M35 6x6 truck," the bidding notice read, adding that the equipment "will be used to facilitate timely response to disaster situations."

The DoTC has pegged its budget for the 15 units M35 6x6 truck at ₱120 million. Pre-bid conference has been set for Sept. 6 while submission of bidding documents, which may be acquired at ₱20,000 apiece, will be on Sept. 18 at the PCG office in Port Area in Manila.

The agency, meanwhile, has allotted ₱32 million for the 40 units of rubber boats. Bidding has been set for Aug. 24 also in the port area, with bidding documents worth ₱30,000 apiece.

The DoTC last month invited bidders for the ₱521-million procurement of "300 units of aluminum, V-shaped hull boats, 81 units of rigid hull inflatable boats, 50 units of rubber boats, six units of jet skis, 2,586 units of common life vests, 1,724 units of flares, 862 units of VHF handheld marine radios, 862 units of life vests, and 431 units of megaphones."

Bidding was initially set for Aug. 8 but was cancelled due to the torrential rains that battered the capital early this month.

Business World Online

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Thousands to take PMA exam Sunday Aug 26, 2012 Walk-in Accepted

Thousands of aspiring military cadets will flock testing centers on Sunday (August 26, 2012) for this year's Philippine Military Academy (PMA) entrance exam, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

As of August 18, the PMA has already recorded 12,500 applicants who are expected to gather at the 37 testing centers nationwide, according to the AFP Public Affairs Office.

The PMA is also expecting 3,000 to 5,000 walk-in applicants during the examination day. Last year, a total of 15,873 aspiring soldiers took the test, wherein a total of 1,120 passed while a selected 123 rose as appointed cadets.

But the academy is also expecting the number of applicants to increase after the minimum height requirement for cadets was changed by the institution.

The minimum height requirement has been lowered to 5'0" both for male and female. Previously, aspiring male cadets should be at least 5'4" in height while female applicants should be at least 5'2."

"The widening of the pool of cadet candidates assures a deep-selection of those who possess the qualifications PMA is looking for in its cadets," PMA Superintendent Major General Nonato Peralta Jr. said.

He added that the academy's Non-Maltreatment Policy towards newly-accepted cadets would also motivate applicants to pursue their military aspirations.

"Also, with the staunch and resolute commitment of the Academy to eradicate hazing in the cadet corps, PMA is geared towards providing a more responsive and relevant training environment that is people-centered and observant of human rights," Peralta said.

Another factor that would encourage students to consider a career in the military is the AFP Modernization Program backed by the present administration, according to General Jessie Dellosa, AFP Chief of Staff.

"We hope that with the significant headways in our modernization and capability upgrade program, more youths who aspire to be in the military service particularly those who dream of becoming professional soldiers, pilots and sailors will be motivated to take the examination," Dellosa said.

In his latest State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Aquino III, who is also the AFP Commander-in-Chief, said that his two-year-old government has already poured a total of P28 billion into the AFP Modernization Program. The amount will soon match the P33 Billion set aside for the program in the past 15 years.

Aquino said that if the proposed AFP modernization bill is passed in Congress, the government will be able to allocate P75 billion for defense within the next five years.

The AFP said it is now acquiring equipment listed in its Medium Term Acquisition Plan covering the years from 2013 to 2017. The institution added that this year's successful applicants who will compose the PMA Class of 2017 would be the first beneficiaries of AFP's future defense acquisitions.

An aspiring PMA cadet must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, physically fit, single and has never been married.

The applicant should be at least a high school graduate and at least 17 years old but not a day older than 22 years on April 1, 2013. He or she should also have no administrative or criminal case.

Successful applicants will be received officially on August 1, 2013 at the PMA Campus in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. PMA graduates are guaranteed an officer in the Army, Air Force, or Navy.

"We hope that more Filipino youth will be motivated to face the greater responsibility of serving our country and better practice the principles of patriotism, nationalism and discipline that can be best learned from the military training," Dellosa said.

Sunstar 

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Sereno Named As First Woman Philippine Chief Justice

Taking the seat that Chief Justice Renato Corona vacated is Associate Justice, now Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

CJ Sereno has been appointed by Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on August 24, 2012.

CJ Sereno hails from the University of the Philippines and is now the first woman to take the position as Philippine Chief Justice.

Aside from that, the 52-years old Sereno is currently the youngest appointed justice in the history of the Supreme Court.

Below is the official statement of the Philippine government as published in the Official Gazette.

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:

On the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines

In the midst of this period of deep mourning for the loss of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President is cognizant of his constitutional duty to appoint the next Chief Justice of the Philippines. He has therefore decided to appoint Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The President is confident that Chief Justice Sereno will lead the judiciary in undertaking much-needed reforms. We believe the Judicial Branch of government has a historic opportunity to restore our people's confidence in the judicial system.

Sereno appointment wins high praise from senators

At least three senator-allies of President Benigno Aquino III on Friday praised the appointment of Associate Justice Lourdes Sereno as the 24th chief justice of the Supreme Court.

"We welcome the appointment of Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court," Senator Francis Pangilinan said in a statement released Friday.

 "A well deserved appointment. The first lady-CJ," Senator Franklin Drilon said in a separate statement.

 "It's a very good choice.  [It's] a historical move and long-term [a] strategic one," Senator Koko Pimentel said in a text message to GMA News Online.

 Sereno, who was Aquino's first appointee to the Supreme Court, will serve for 18 years since the retirement age for justices is 70.  She turned 52 just last July.

Pangilinan and Drilon, who are members of Aquino's Liberal Party, said Sereno will have the "opportunity to institute reforms" in the judiciary.

 "We hope her relative youth and her passion and dynamism will invigorate the moribund and antiquated system of justice in the country. Nothing less than sweeping and comprehensive reforms will do to ensure that the crisis facing the judiciary will be overcome, and we will need the energy, creativity and stamina of a new generation of jurists to do just that," said Pangilinan.

 Pimentel, who will also run under Aquino's LP in the upcoming 2013 elections, likewise said, "Now, the chief justice cannot use the lack of time as an excuse not to be able to pursue and implement her vision for the judiciary."

 Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, for his part, said that the appointment was a "presidential prerogative."

 "If she is the choice, then let's hope for a more vibrant SC and judiciary," he told GMA News Online in a text message on Friday.

 Sereno will be replacing former chief justice Renato Corona, who was unseated by the Senate in a historic 20-3 vote after a four-month trial that started on Jan. 16.

Sources: Gold Star Daily & GMA News online

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PENTAGON Missile Defense in ASIA will include the Philippines

The United States (US) is already planning an expansion of its missile defense in Asia, including the Philippines.

In a report from the Wall Street Journal, the buildup will supposedly be used to counter threats from North Korea and China.

The report said: "The expansion comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies in the region voice growing alarm about a North Korean missile threat. They are also increasingly worried about China's aggressive stance in disputed waters such the South China Sea, where Asian rivals are vying for control of oil and mineral rights."

The report quoted Congressional Research Service missile-defense expert Steven Hildreth, who said that the US is looking "longer term at the elephant in the room, which is China."

The report added that the expansion includes the deployment of an early-warning radar in the southern part of Japan.

The deployment of the so-called X-Band radar there is still being discussed, however. Earlier, both the allies already ruled out the deployment in Okinawa because of disapproval from residents.

As such, "Some U.S. defense officials have focused on the Philippines as the potential site for the third X-Band, which is manufactured by Raytheon Co. Pentagon officials said a location has yet to be determined and that discussions are at an early stage," the report added.

The Philippines have lodged several protests against China for its incursion in several disputed areas, including the Scarborough Shoal.

China earlier rebuked a senior diplomat of the US there after he raised concerns over the tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The US embassy's deputy chief of mission was even summoned to explain.

ABS-CBN News

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Philippines Snubs Chinese funds for infrastructure projects – Self suffice

Philippines is no longer going for a loan from China to fund the ₱2.7-billion rehabilitation of the Navotas Fish Port Complex, as well as Phase 2 of the P7-billion Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project.

"Financing the [Navotas] project using government funds is an option that we are considering," Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Joel Rudinas said in an interview with reporters Thursday.

 "The upgrade of the Navotas Fish Port Complex has been identified as a very necessary, if not, a critical project," Rudinas added.

The Agriculture Department was looking at borrowing up to ₱2.56 billion from the China Export-Import Bank to upgrade the 35-year-old port complex.

"We figured that the required funding is not that big anyway," Rudinas said. "I suppose the Philippine government can finance it on its own," he added.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board is yet to approve the project, even though the Cabinet-level NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee approved it in May.

The Agriculture Department said it would present new financing options for the Navotas Fish Port Complex to NEDA. No date was set for the presentation.

Previously, government said it will shoulder ₱137 million for the rehabilitation of the fish port, which is expected to stabilize fish supply and prices in Metro Manila.

By improving the infrastructure for unloading, the Agriculture Department expects trade in fisheries products to increase by 60 percent to 210,806 metric tons (MT) in 2015 from the current average of 131,934 MT a year.

The National Capital Region sources 80 percent of its fish requirements from the Navotas Fish Port.

On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the Philippine is also no longer interested in getting financial assistance from China for the second phase of the P7-billion Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project.

Manila earlier asked the Beijing for ₱5.29-billion loan to fund the project.

Instead, the Philippine government has turned to South Korea. Agriculture officials said Manila already asked for a credit facility from the Korean Exim Bank for the irrigation component of the Casecnan project.

GMA News

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Agriculture Philippines sets to upgrade Standards for EURO Exports

Department of Agriculture Philippines is set to improve monitoring of high-value crops' compliance with phytosanitary standards under the third phase of the European Union's (EU) trade-related technical assistance program (TRTA), an official said yesterday, citing the need to make the country's farm exports more competitive.

"Under TRTA-2, our cooperating agencies in the department were the BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry), BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry), BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and the PCA (Philippine Coconut Authority), but we focused mostly on fisheries," Peewee Matibel G. Marges, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) desk officer of the Agriculture department's policy research service, told reporters at the sidelines of the TRTA-2 culmination activity in Makati City.

"For the next phase of the program, we want to shift to vegetables and fruits."

TRTA is a technical assistance program jointly implemented by EU and the Philippine government.

Through the EU's funding, the program seeks to enable the Philippines to improve access to the European market, strengthen the country's economic environment to encourage trade and investment, and strengthen trade-related functions of participating agencies, among others.

The first phase of the program ran from 2007 to 2008. The second phase, which began in 2008 and was formally concluded yesterday, was spearheaded by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Other implementing agencies were the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

TRTA-2, which received a grant totaling €7.5 million, had four components: the Technical Barriers to Trade, which was implemented by DTI's Bureau of Product Standards; SPS under the DA and its attached bureaus; Trade Facilitation and Customs under the BoC; as well as the World Trade Organization Capacity Building under DTI-Bureau of Internal trade Relations and NEDA.

UNDERSTANDING EU RULES

EU and the Philippines are set to embark on the third phase of the program later this year, according to Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal.

"TRTA-3 will build on the success of TRTA-2. It will be implemented by DTI…over a four-year period with a budget of €8.9 million," Mr. Cristobal said during the event.

"It will also include competition policy as an area of support."

Ms. Marges said the Agriculture department, through the SPS subcomponent, will continue implementing its usual array of projects under the TRTA program in the third phase when it starts.

"TRTA has been helpful in enabling the department to assist our agricultural stakeholders in making sure their products meet international standards," she said.

"Also, the program makes it easier for us to understand EU's regulations on trade, which we can also impart to our stakeholders to make it easier for them to tap into the European market."

TRAINING

Ms. Marges said that, through TRTA-2, the department was able keep the European market open to fish exports from the Philippines.

"We were able to conduct targeted training and mentoring to strengthen the food safety and inspection system of the BFAR to help pass EU inspection," she said.

"This ensured that the country's fish exports to the EU, which is comprised of almost 500 million consumers, can continue."

The DA was also able to prepare a blueprint for new food safety standards under the second phase of the program, Ms. Marges added.

"Through TRTA-3, we hope to build on our gains from this recently concluded phase," she said.

Other participating agencies also reported their achievements from TRTA-2 in the culmination activity.

Trade department for one said that it was able to train officials on trade policy analysis to better equip them in trade negotiations, particularly on free trade agreements.

Its Product Standards bureau also reported adoption of over 230 international standards in the field of electronics locally, among others.

The Customs bureau, meanwhile, said that through the program, it was able to develop a cargo tracking system aided by global positioning technology

Philippines Standard Upgrade for exporting shellfish to EU

The Philippines is making use of the third tranche of the European Union's Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) program in order to export shellfish to Europe, according to Agriculture Planning officer Maribel Marges.

Dennis Tiotangco of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) explained that the Philippines needs to comply with EU sanitary and phytosanitary requirements before the latter will import Philippine shellfish.

"For this we need to build our own national shellfish accreditation program. We have asked the TRTA to help us on this," he said.

The Fisheries Bureau had earlier identified mussels, clams, oysters and scallops for cultivation as possible exports to the EU.

The TRTA program supports poverty-alleviating projects in the Philippines "through further integration into the international trade system." It does this by enhancing government agencies' ability to facilitate this integration.

The program assists projects of the Agriculture and Trade Departments, the Bureau of Customs and the National Economic Development Authority.

The TRTA's third tranche offers €8.9 million, or P469.55 million, for all projects that will come under the program. To facilitate the export of shellfish, these monies will be used to build infrastructure such as research and development laboratories.

Under the earlier P435-million TRTA 2, the Philippines was able to strengthen the fisheries, plant and animal bureaus via a number of programs that successfully addressed trade issues.

Particularly, the Fisheries Bureau was able to improve the food safety and inspection systems that ensured continued Philippine fish exports to the EU.

Source: GMA News & Business World Online

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