by magnolia_eic | Jun 25, 2010 | Local News / Bohol Balita
SI Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay dili na interesado sa bisan unsang Cabinet posisyon sa mosunod nga administrasyon, apan ni ingon siya nga iya gihapong suportahan si President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III inig sugod sa ilang pangatungdanan sa Hunyo 30.
Matud pa sa media affairs officer ni Binay nga si Joey Salgado, ang duha nagkita niadtong Miyerkoles atol sa duha ka oras nga meeting sa panimalay ni Aquino sa Times Street, Quezon City, diin gipadayag ni Binay ang iyang hukom nga dili na kini interesado sa bisan unsang Cabinet position aron dili na makasamok sa Presidente ug tugotan kini nga maka focus sa daghang mga hagit nga giatubang sa nasud.
Usa ka reliable source gikan sa kampo ni Aquino ang nagkanayon nga si Binay gitanyagan og posisyon apan ang outgoing Makati mayor nibalibad ug nipadayag hinuon sa iyang suporta kang Aquino. Wala hinuon gibutyag sa tinubdan kon unsang posisyon ang gitanyag kang Binay.
Daan nang nipadayag si Binay nga gusto niyang mamahimong kalihim sa Department of Interior and Local Government kon DILG, apan si Aquino nagduhaduha sa paghatag sa maong posisyon kang Binay. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 25, 2010 | Headlines, National News
TOURISM investments for the period of 2000 to 2009 have reached P62 billion, providing robust employment to more than 46,000 Filipinos, a recent study showed.
The Asian Foundation (TAF) and the Centre for Research and Communications (CRC) cited data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) revealing that tourism-related establishments produced 46,048 jobs.
In Central Philippines, 2,002 establishments provided 28,629 jobs; 240 Metro Manila establishments offered 16,082 jobs; and Tagaytay produced 1,337 jobs with its 101 establishments.
Cherry Lyn Rodolfo of the CRC said the number of jobs generated by the tourism industry hit three million for the past nine years.
In terms of local area development, there is at least a demand of P14 million for food supplies in tourism destinations.
Of this, 60 percent is sourced from local markets and neighbors, citing the experiences in Palawan resorts like Amarela, El Nido, Dos Palmas, and Microtel in Boracay.
Investments from private stakeholders also contributed to the increased jobs in tourism-related businesses. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 25, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Asian Development Bank and its co-financing partners are considering investing some $1 billion in various renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the Philippines over the next three to four years, beginning 2011.
According to Sohail Hasnie, principal energy specialist at the ADB, the Manila-based lender has had initial discussions with the National Economic and Development Authority and is just waiting for the incoming Aquino administration to look into the proposal.
Hasnie explained that it was ideal for the country to shift to renewable energy sources since the Philippines has high electricity tariffs; a lot of renewable energy available; and a good regulatory framework.
Most of the $1-billion funding will be in the form of loans, while a small part will be in the form of grants. On the renewable energy side, the ADB is looking into commercial application of solar resources, while on the energy efficiency side, it would want to focus on reducing consumption, particularly on large scale air-conditioning use in public offices and malls, among others.
Hasnie added that the Philippines was an ideal country to investment in, since it is leading the region on the renewable energy and energy efficiency fronts.
According to Hasnie, ADB has yet to work out the planned investment details with the Departments of Finance and Energy, after which, it will identify the implementing agency for these energy projects. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 24, 2010 | Headlines
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Delfin Bangit on Tuesday bowed out of service with a warning: that what happened to him may set a “dangerous precedent” to future heads of the Philippine military organization.
“My concern is that this might set a dangerous precedent. What happened to me might happen to future chiefs of staff during a transition of government,” Bangit said in a speech during the turnover ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Bangit was forced to cut short his tour of duty after President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III openly rejected him to be his military chief of staff. He was supposed to retire on July 31, 2011 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Bangit is the first Armed Forces chief in recent history to have been eased out during the turn of a new administration. Last week, he submitted his early retirement application to Mrs. Arroyo, who in turn approved it on June 21.
Armed Forces vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa will assume Bangit’s post in an acting capacity and stay there for the remainder of President Arroyo’s tenure, which ends on June 30. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 24, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct an extensive investigation into the disappearance of political activist Jonas Burgos three years ago.
In a 16-page resolution, the high court also expressed dissatisfaction with the findings of the military and police regarding Burgos’ disappearance, saying this was the reason why it cannot rule yet on the petition for amparo filed by Jonas’ mother, Edita.
Edita was asking the court to reverse the July 17, 2008 ruling of the Court of Appeals dismissing the case against soldiers believed to be behind the kidnapping.
“Considering the findings of the CA and our review of the records of the present case, we conclude that the [Philippine National Police] and the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] have so far failed to conduct an exhaustive and meaningful investigation into the disappearance of Jonas Burgos; and to exercise the extra ordinary diligence (in the performance of their duties) that the Rule on the Writ Amparo requires,” the Supreme Court ruled.
The court gave the CHR 90 days within which to submit its report and recommendations to the Court. It also directed the commission to provide Mrs. Burgos and the respondents a copy of its report.
Burgos, son of the late freedom fighter Jose Burgos, was abducted April 28, 2007 allegedly by military personnel while he was having lunch at a restaurant inside Ever Gotesco Mall in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. (PIA-Bohol)
