Headlines
Dip in Philippine competitiveness ranking a ‘wake-up call’ – business leaders
Ralf Rivas MANILA, Philippines – The sharp fall of the Philippines in the 2018 World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) should serve as a “wake-up call,” business leaders said on Thursday, May 24. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Alegria Sibal-Limjoco said the dip in the Philippines’ competitive ranking by 9 notches in the 2018 WCY – to 50th place from 41st place last year – is a “wake up call for government and for business.” Guillermo Luz, Private Sector Co-Chairperson of the National Competitiveness Council, reiterated that the government should pay attention to the numbers of the WCY, as well as other studies. He explained that results of the study is a snapshot of how the Philippines is performing compared to its peers in Asia Pacific. “We compete for FDIs, trade, tourists, branding. It is a competition, we need to look at what other countries are doing,” Luz said. “In the ASEAN region, competition never sleeps. Respondents of these surveys look how we keep up with competition, how government implements regulation, and the measurability in terms of impact in the economy,” he added. The WCY study rereleased on Thursday revealed that the Philippines is 50th out of 63 economies in terms of overall competitiveness. This is the country’s worst year-on-year decline over the last decade and the steepest drop in Asia Pacific. The ranking is measured according to 340 indicators, about two-thirds of which are based on data and statistics, and the rest on the perceptions of over 6,300 executives worldwide. Where it all went wrong Despite having the fifth... read morePCCI-Aklan wants review of cancellation of flights
By Jun Aguirre – May 24, 2018 KALIBO, Aklan—The local chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI-Aklan) urges government, especially the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, to review the cancellation of several plane flights at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA). PCCI-Aklan Secretary-General Guidon de la Cruz said several flights to and from Metro Manila and Cebu have been canceled after nearby Boracay Island was ordered closed for six months starting on April 26. The closure also saw airline companies doubling ticket prices bound for the KIA. “Because of this, businessmen, students and balikbayans have to travel to other nearby airports, such as the Caticlan Airport and the Roxas City Airport, to go to Manila. Direct flights to Cebu have also been canceled,” de la Cruz said. “The reduction of commercial flights at the KIA created economic difficulties for both passengers and cargo traffic,” he added. Meanwhile, the roll-on, roll-off service from Caticlan to Batangas port is also full, brought about by summer travel and strong basic trade between Luzon and the Visayas region, he added. The PCCI-Aklan board has filed a resolution to engage airline firms in consultation, thereby encouraging them to provide additional flight for Manila-Kalibo and restore the Kalibo-Cebu route even on limited basis. “The reduction of plane flights also does not help promote local tourism, trade and commerce, which are supposed to be increasing due to expansion of e-commerce, resulting into convenience in the movement of people and goods across our islands,” de la Cruz further said. Read... read more
Rep. Aris says visit to Israel “informative”
By JUNE S. BLANCO REP. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) says his study visit to Israel to familiarize himself with drip and other alternative and modern forms of irrigation was “informative”. The solon is expected to be home tomorrow – in time to vote during the barangay elections. He says he will meet agriculture and irrigation officials shortly to relay the lessons he learned from his visit, and to brainstorm on how to replicate the Israeli technology for the use of farmers especially those in his district. Aumentado said he was most impressed with his visit to the Volcani Center in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv where he and fellow Philippine delegates met with Associate Director for International Relations Dr. Shamuel Assouline, Ph.D. He said they discussed the plan of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to send scholars for Masters in Science (MS) and Doctor in Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs to do their theses and dissertation writings in The Volcani Center. The Center is the Agricultural Research Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture of Israel. Meanwhile, Aumentado said, after 18 years, he again met his friend and schoolmate in the University of San Carlos (USC) – Randy Arquiza – who is now the First Secretary and Consul General of Israel at the welcome dinner tendered for the Agritech 2018 participants hosted by Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel of Israel. The solon considers this as another channel for technology transfer – on top of incoming Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz who earlier invited him and his fellow delegates to a lunch meeting at the latter’s official residence in Manila. The...5th Globe Media Excellence Awards – Visayas winners announced
Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom announced the winners of the 5th Globe Media Excellence Awards – Visayas who have shown exemplary communication skills in promoting sustainable development and bringing social issues to the attention of the public via print, broadcast, or digital media. The outstanding media professionals and digital media practitioners were feted during the awarding ceremonies held in Radisson Blu Hotel on September 22 as part of the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration. They bested 777 other entries in the 12 categories. “The critical role of media organizations and online communities in forming and shaping public opinion makes it imperative for organizations like Globe to institutionalize an award-giving body that recognizes outstanding, incisive, and impactful reportage. As we commemorate the value of press freedom in driving a progressive nation, we see GMEA as an opportunity to give back to our media friends and our blogger and influencer partners, the honor that they deserve as we collectively create a world that is purposive and wonderful,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Globe Corporate Communications during her opening remarks. For this year, GMEA was anchored on Globe Telecom’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to help create a Wonderful Philippines. The winning entries did not only embody quality and relevant content but also focused on any or a combination of four areas such as care for environment, care for people, positive societal impact, and digital nation. Bagging the Reporter of the Year for Print award for the fourth consecutive year was Ador Vincent Mayol of Cebu Daily News who wrote “Wrinkled Hopes”. Mayol also received the Reporter of...Local News/ Bohol Balita
PRICE SRP for school supplies
...Torrentira family story On CCTN May 20, 21
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 19, (PIA) –A dramatized documentary of a Boholano family’s struggle against poverty and crafting their own “life hacks” is slated for broadcast May 20, 2016 at Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) channel 47 cable channel. The docu-drama, as what the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social Marketing Team called, is a product of months upon months of hard labor, admits Information Officer Leah Quintana at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA and aired live over DyTR. The docu-drama retells the story of the Torrentira Family, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from Dagnawan, Sagbayan, Bohol, shared 4Ps information Officer Phoebe Jen Indino. The Torrentiras: Peticio and Josefina were from Sagbayan and Carmen, who met when fate led them to Pantukan Davao del Norte. After marrying in Carmen, both settled in their first year of marriage in Pantukan: Peticio was a miner who owned a few dredging machine and mining implements while Josefina run a local convenience store there. While the family could earn between P10,000 to P15,000 on a good week, the entry of communist rebels who demanded tax from the mining company Peticio was working, slowed down the operations. When the company refused to pay, the rebels burned the entire operation, and threatened, the family decided to leave Pantukan for good, bringing only a few savings. Settling in Dagnawan, Sagbayan, the couple resorted back to farming and opened up a backyard farm which provided for their daily consumption. From a meager backyard farm, the family also integrated ornamental plants and soon had an inventory of over a hundred kinds in its...West End Theater Artists to Perform in Cebu; Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure
Yes, you’ve heard it right! Cebuanos will soon witness a stageplay performed by international artists from the widely-known mainstream theaters of West End, London. This seems too good to be true but this is really it! The performers will set foot in Cebu this June 11 and 12, 2016 at SM Seaside-Centerstage, for a musical portrayal of the story of Peter Pan, entitled “PETER PAN: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE”, directed by the highly-experienced, executive producer-director, writer, marketer with wide exposure to performance events staged in theme-parks, formal theatres, open-air and street– Mr. Paul Hammond. This will be its first Philippine staging. Exciting! This event is headed by Events International, a production company that has brought international concerts and stageplays across the stages in India, Thailand, Vietnam and some parts of Europe. They have promoted musicals from the US and UK such as “Barefoot in the Park”, “Cats”, “Ain’t Misbehavin”, “Evita” and “Mousetrap”. As the company is still on its ongoing journey in providing entertainment, they decided to mount “Peter Pan” in the Philippines and luckily, Cebu, in particular. Events International is currently in collaboration with Event Aspects, a local production company that coordinates and manages corporate and artistic events. This event has long been planned and with careful and thorough processing, the collaboration finally laid all the cards on the table. So for all theater enthusiasts, children of all ages and for everyone else who once met Peter, Wendy or Tinkerbell in their dreams, please keep posted for further details. Well, this might have been such a surprising announcement for many but this is definitely something to be thrilled about....Duterte, misaad nga papason ang red tape sa gobyerno
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 17 (PIA)–Subling nipahinumdom si President-elect Rodrigo Duterte sa mga empleyado sa gobyerno nga kinahanglang dili lisod-lisoron ug e-tratar og maayo ang mga mokuha og mga dokumento o permit gikan sa mga ahensiya sa gobyerno. Matud pa ni Duterte, mas maayong mohawa na lamang sa trabaho ang bisan kinsang maglisod-lisod sa katawhan sa pagkuha og permit ug mga dokumento gikan sa mga lokal nga kagamhanan hangtud sa Palasyo sa Malakanyang. Si Duterte nagkanayon nga dali lamang alisdan ang mga empleyado nga tig-abusar sa ilang trabaho. Miingon usab siya nga kun may madawat siyang reklamo gikan sa katawhan, mahimong paimbestigahan niya kini sa Ombudsman, ipasuspenso o di kaha pahawaon sa trabaho. Gitataw ni Dutrte nga kinahanglang magtrabaho og maayo ang mga naa sa gobyerno ilabi na nga gikan sa buhis sa katawhan naggikan ang mga sweldo niini. Samtang ang tanang aplikante sa gobyerno usab, mapa-departamento man o korporasyon nga gimando sa gobyerno apil na ang mga polis ug militar giingong dili angay magsalig sa palakasan tungod kay turn-off niining sistema ang umaabot nga bag-ong Presidente. Alang usab sa promosyon, giingong wala na’y uban pang basehan kun di ang merito ug kamaayo sa pagserbisyo. Karon, kun tinuod nga may pagmahal sa katawhan ug tinuod nga pagserbisyo, adunay lugar ang mga ingon niining aplikante ubos sa administrasyong Duterte....Kumon K of C Recognizes Advanced Students
Kumon K of C in Tagbilaran City recognized its Advanced Students Honor Roll (ASHR) on May 14, 2016 at the Metrocentre Hotel during the awarding ceremonies at the Grand Ballroom. Chief Instructor Dr. Elva Evasco-Auza welcomed the students and their parents and guardians in her message. Selected parents shared their experiences as they supported their children in their Kumon journeys. Selected students, including Kumon K of C’s first Math program completer, Ms. Jeorgeiann C. Suaffield, also told their stories on how they were able to achieve their advanced levels. There were 69 math and reading awardees in three categories: Bronze (6 months advanced), Silver (1 year advanced) and Gold (3 years advanced). There were also 5 Advanced Students Forum awardees who are already beyond 5 years advanced. There are also 7 program completers (4 in math and 3 in reading) this year. The program completers are the following: Math – Bernard Hans Kurt Mortil, Eunice E. Chua, Jon Lexis Biliran and Jesse Biliran. Reading – Jeorgeiann Suaffield, Jeremiah Auza and Peter Paul Jabines. Dr. Auza handed out the medals and certificates to the students in recognition of their achievements in the Kumon program. The guest speaker of the program was Dr. Julie Maape, a Pediatrician, who emphasized to the students and parents that nutrition is very important for kids to help them learn and stay healthy. The theme of the program is “Kumon K of C: At Its...National News
Latest News
Contributors
Daily News
