by Misael | May 23, 2008 | Features
PANGLAO ISLAND, Bohol – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the construction of the P4.17-billion Panglao-Bohol International Airport here to boost the tourism and trade potentials of this world-class destination province.
The President led the capsule-laying ceremony in Barangay Tawala assisted by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, and Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala.
After the capsule-laying, the President was briefed by Cusi on the status of the project funded through MIAA’s P3-billion income and P1 billion from the DOTC.
Cusi informed the President that the international airport is targeted to be operational in the first quarter of 2010 and can accommodate one million passengers per year.
The President said no foreign loans were sourced in the construction of the Panglao International Airport as government revenue agencies have consistently exceeded their targets these past few years.
Upon completion of the project, the President said foreign tourists can now come directly and visit the famous destinations in Bohol that include the Chocolate Hills, a candidate in the Internet search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and Balicasag Island, a popular breathtaking dive site which she herself had a look.
The President said Bohol, the tenth largest island of the Philippines, is one of the tourism centers of the country. Located in the heart of the Visayas, it is famous for the tarsier, the world’s smallest primate; pristine beaches and dive spots, caves and crystal springs, ancestral homes, and centuries-old churches.
In an earlier interview, Cusi and Mendoza said the Panglao International Airport would not only cater to tourists and cargo but is expected to boost trade, investments and economic activity in Bohol as it would be a magnet for industrial parks and economic zones.
AMID CRITICISMS
The multi-billion key infrastructure project also merited a good number of critics, one which is led by University of the Philippines Professor of Economics Ernesto Pernia and long-time airport critic and former Panglao Municipal Tourism Committee Chairman Agustin Cloribel.
Working against time in efforts to at least stall or scrap the project, Boholanos for Truth, Accountability and Reform (BOTAR) posted a paid ad in a local paper daring the provincial leaders to clarify issues involving the project.
Questions raised against the plan are its economic viability, serious environmental concerns, perceived corruption and dirty politics.
Governor Aumentado however shrugged off all these assuring that everything has been in order and that the government is doing its best to put up mitigations to outweigh the environmental issues against the economic and social benefits Bohol and the entire region can get from it. (rachiu/PIA)
by Misael | May 7, 2008 | Headlines
Almost all of the 25,349 establishments in the non-agricultural sector nationwide has provided compulsory social protection and benefits to its workers, like SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig.
This was disclosed by Deparment of Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque in his report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Roque’s report was based on the results of the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) Integrated Survey (BITS), on establishments across the country.
The survey demonstrates that the country’s establishments are keeping pace with the government’s mandates for the comprehensive social protection of workers, by taking efforts to comply with and pursue such relevant compensation schemes necessary for the welfare and well-being of the nation’s workforce, Roque said.
According to BLES, there was a total of 25,349 non-agricultural establishments and majority or 77.6% (19,660) were employing 20 to 99 workers, 11.7% (2,956) with 100 to 199 workers, and 10.8% (2,733) with 200 or more workers. BLES found that among the social security schemes, the granting of compulsory social protection such as SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG ranked the highest with 97.5% for establishments with 20 to 99 workers, to 98.5% for those with 200 or more.
Other social security schemes provided by establishments to workers included separation/termination pay, retirement plan, medical/health insurance, and accident insurance. (PIA/Bohol)
by Misael | May 5, 2008 | Headlines
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently announced she has signed an Executive Order (EO) granting 10-percent increase in the basic pay of government workers effective July 1.
The President made the announcement after sitting in on the deliberations of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Region III last May 1.
Funds for the salary increase will be taken from the 2008 national budget, which includes a P41 billion allocation for miscellaneous benefits of government employees.
Earlier, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the EO would be similar to last year’s issuance which granted civilian employees of the national government a 10 percent increase in their basic salary.
Last year’s EO also granted a P1,200 increase in the monthly subsistence and other allowances of policemen, soldiers and other uniformed personnel.
Andaya explained that a10-percent increase in the basic salary of the employees of the national government would require more than P9 billion over a six-month period.
Similarly, a 10 percent increase in the basic salary of some 277,900 policemen, soldiers, firemen, jail guards and Coast Guard personnel alone would cost an additional funding of P2.84 billion for six months. (PIA)
by admin | Apr 29, 2008 | Features
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will formally launch the Roll-On, Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) system linking the ports of Tubigon and Jagna in Bohol province to the Central Nautical Highway (CNH).
The President is scheduled to arrive in Tubigon Tuesday morning to welcome the CNH Ro-Ro Caravan that she will send off at the Bulan Port in Sorsogon and the Cawayan Port in Masbate to formally signal the completion of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).
The event will also formally open the Ro-Ro system between the island provinces of Bohol and Camiguin.
The CNH connects the ports of Pilar and Bulan in Sorsogon to the Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental, through the Cawagan Port in Masbate, Bogo Port in Cebu, Tubigon and Jagna ports in Bohol and Mambajao and Benoni ports in Camiguin.
The Arroyo administration spent a total of P278 million for the upgrading of the Ro-Ro ramps and the corresponding backup areas, lighting systems at the Tubigon and Jagna ports to better serve vessels cruising to and from Cebu City, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.
Tagbilaran Ports Operations Manager Rogelio Gambuta said the port of Tubigon can accommodate two Ro-Ro vessels at any given time and can hold a maximum of 15 units of rolling cargoes.
Jagna Port on the other hand is equipped with a 3,000-square meter truck holding area that can hold a total of 35 rolling cargo units.
The SRNH is an integrated set of highway segments and ferry routes and forms the backbone of a nationwide vehicle-accessible transport system, and interconnects 17 provinces and cities throughout the country with the SRNH’s three seaboard trunks—the Western seaboard trunk, the Eastern seaboard trunk and he central seaboard trunk. (PIA/Bohol)
