Vol4no51

Business

Business Views that Matter

Silver Buying

Exchange Rates

Gold Buying (troy oz.)

US$ 19.85 US$ 1312.80

As of August 15, 2014

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Peso-Dollar Exchange Rate Repo Rate 5.75% Reverse Repo Rate 3.75% Inflation Rate (July‘ 14) 4.9% 91-Day T-Bill Rate 1.157%

Php 43.755

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

UNITED STATES, Dollar 43.755000 JAPAN, Yen 0.427200 UNITED KINGDOM, Pound 73.022700 HONGKONG, Dollar 5.645700 SWITZERLAND, Franc 48.289400 CANADA, Dollar 40.138500 SINGAPORE, Dollar 35.124800 AUSTRALIA, Dollar 40.785800 BAHRAIN, Dinar 116.06100 SAUDI ARABIA, Rial 11.666700 BRUNEI, Dollar 34.984400 INDONESIA, Rupiah 0.003800 THAILAND, Baht 1.373500 UAE, Dirham 11.912900 EUROPEAN MU, Euro 58.729400 CHINA, Yuan 7.111100 Malaysia, Ringgit 13.772400 KOREA, Won 0.042800 As of August 15, 2014

Source: BSP

Economy At A Glance Indicator Latest

Truck Ban Not a Problem

New Port Needed to Aid Congestion

TRADE Secretary Gregory Domingo has proposed a simple solution to the current problem of port congestion: build a new one.

“The long-term solution is we really need to build a new port because our economy is going to continue to grow at a very fast phase over the next decade and as it is our port capacity are already exceeded,” Domingo told the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship last week.

Domingo said that even before Manila’s controversial daytime truck ban, the North and South piers have been processing up to 6,000 containers a day—which is already beyond their combined capacity of 5,000 vans daily.

“As of January, we were processing 5,000 to 6,000 containers.

5,000 ang capacity per day pero we are processing up to 6,000 already in the two ports. Nung hindi nakalabas yung truck, hindi ma-process, bumaba ang processing up to 3,500 per day so we are adding 2,500 containers

per day to the port,” he said.

To address the situation, government requested port operators to take their empty containers off the port and bring them to Hong Kong and Singapore or to Subic Bay. Domingo said they have identified additional yards including those in Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) where empty containers can be transferred.

Improved Situation Domingo claimed the situation of local ports has vastly improved.

“Many of the roadways are cleared already. Nakakaikot na ang mga trucks. The situation continues to improve every day,” he said.

“Every time we have a oneday delay caused by a storm or some action by the truckers or some changes in the rules, everyday of delay will cause anoth-

er congestion of another three to seven days. Kung delayed by a week, we are back again at square one. Ganun kabilis masira yung sistema because we are operating at above capacity,” Domingo said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has already asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) not to amend rules that could affect port traffic.

“Ang pinaka-importante walang galawan. Any movement should be an improvement [and] not a blocking of the circulation right now kaya kinausap naming ang MMDA at LTFRB at lahat ng parties na walang palitan ng rules muna,” Domingo said.

The problem now, however, is that Hong Kong and Singapore are sending back the containers that have been stuck there due to

the port congestion here.

“Ang problema ngayon hindi na truck ban kundi yung mga naipit na containers sa Singapore at Hong Kong na dumadagsa na ngayon dito,” he added.

Domingo also said another concern is the expected deluge of imports for Christmas. “We are entering the Christmas season kaya padami na nang padami ang dadating na containers.”

Overtime Work Another short-term solution to decongest the ports is to push for pulling out of containers on weekends and Monday mornings. The DTI said it has already asked truck and port operators to work on Sundays and Mondays and move containers already issued with gate passes.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) has also encouraged its members to release cargos from

Previous

Gross National Income Gross Domestic Product

7.6 (1Q 2014) 5.7 (1Q 2014) US$5.444 Exports billion (June 2014) US$4.765 Imports billion (May 2014) 4.4 Headline (June Inflation 2014) Rate 2.8 Core (June Inflation 2014) Rate 18.2% Underemployment (April 2014) Rate

7.8 (4Q 2013) 6.5 (4Q 2013) US$5.483 billion (May 2014) US$5.308 billion (April 2014) 4.5 (May 2014) 3.1 (May 2014) 19.5% (Jan 2014)

Unemployment 7.0% (April Rate

7.5% (Jan 2014)

2014)

Source: NEDA/NSCB

Year Ago 7.3 (1Q 2013) 7.7 (1Q 2013) US$ 4.490 billion (June 2013) US$5.272 billion (May 2013) 2.7 (June 2013) 2.8 (June 2013) 19.2% (April 2013) 7.6% (Jan 2013)

As of Augusust 8, 2014

Manila port also on weekends.

Meanwhile, importers are requested to immediately get their containers out of the port to help accelerate the flow of goods.

The DTI said 24/7 express lanes for trucks were granted by the City of Manila via Roxas Boulevard, Radial 10, C-3 road, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Avenue, and Balintawak towards the North and South Luzon expressway.

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said the city government will allow trucks to pass through Quirino Avenue on the way to the ports of Manila.

“Nagbigay na ng go-signal si Mayor Joseph Estrada para diyan so the Manila City Council will meet to draft the resolution, tomorrow may session kaya pwedeng maipasa yan at sa Friday i-inform ‘yung truckers tungkol dito,” Moreno said.

The New Banking

By Rommel Sangalang

Not more than 2 decades ago, the banks and brokerage firms were the only companies a consumer could go to for investments. Did you know that the purpose of a bank is to make money for its shareholders, not the account holder’s investments?

The bank’s annual profit is shared with the equity holder and the bonuses go to the bank’s executive staff, but not the account holder. The banks do provide a needed service. Checking, credit cards, loans, and internet payments make life easier.

The main fact I want to address is that the banks are not the ONLY place to go for financial services. The banking system has been a worldwide profit center for centuries. Fortunately, recent technical changes have given the consumer more choices and the opportunity for the same profits.

Capital Growth: You will not grow your money ahead of inflation by using a savings and time deposit account. The savings rate currently hovers over .03%

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which easily rounds to zero if there are any monthly charges on your account.

Have you looked at the profitability of your bank? Have you then looked at the interest rates that you derive from their savings and other accounts?

The banks are able to profit in the double digits via their loans and investments.

At the same time, they receive great working capital from your low interest savings and time deposit accounts to fuel their loans. I’ve stated in previous articles that there are solid and trustworthy Canadian companies (Fortress Mortgage Professionals & Sugi Financial Services) that build mortgages for you and then lend to top tier developments in Canada. It is considered one of the most stable economies in the G8 nations. This is an annual 8% or more growth alternative, wherein, individuals become their own investment bank, choosing which developments they want to lend to. Broker Trade Companies: E*Trade, TD Ameritrade, and Scott Trade are web-based trading brokerage compa-

nies that can accept international clients.

Citizenship of the individual and where they reside may cause restrictions due to local laws and taxes inherent to the individual. The Filipino with an American Social Security Number will find it quite easy. Another lesser known option is to hire a LICENSED Certified Financial Analyst who is also a Bare Trustee overseas.

They accept all citizenships.

Although I am not Canadian, I use a Bare Trustee in Canada (WFM Consulting) where their local laws still protect me as a consumer. They are a naked trust and under Canadian laws, they can only execute real estate or business transactions in which their client has given them instructions to do so. It is considered a Naked Trust because the transaction is legally the consumer’s, including the ownership of the end purchase.

Even though WFM Consulting does the filing and the processing, in Canadian law, they are naked and their client is ALWAYS the owner of the purchase.

My grandfather was a financial genius but he could never have been a global player without a local broker or traditional bank’s fees and services. Today it is different. The whole world is now open for business.

WE TAKE A STAND

8/16/2014 12:03:07 AM

Transport

Building Linkages for Understanding

DOTC Still Clueless on Cause of MRT-3 Mishap THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is expected to submit the result of its investigation into last week’s accident involving an MRT-3 train.

As of Friday, the DOTC said it has not found evidence whether human error, technical failure—or a combination of both—caused Wednesday’s accident involving a stalled MRT train which jumped the tracks causing injury to some 39 passengers.

“We expect the committee to submit its findings this week. In the meantime, we cannot speculate on the events that led to the unfortunate incident. We find it more prudent to await the results of the investigation instead of forming a mere opinion on whether it was a human error or a technical malfunction,” DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya said.

“The committee will examine the train coaches’ blackbox-like device, CCTV recordings from the station, the testimonies of the two drivers, and eyewitness reports of passengers and bystanders who witnessed the accident.

It will also conduct simulations and interview control center personnel,” he added.

The investigating committee is led

by DOTC Undersecretary for Operations Edwin Lopez, with members from the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS). Its probe is separate from that being conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Techical Audit

Meanwhile, the DOTC disputed the claim of MRT Holdings II that the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) has not been allowed to conduct a technical audit of the rail system.

The department said the MRT-3 offices have granted the MRTC proposal as early as June to give way to a

“baseline review” or technical audit, through a third party independent expert procured by MRTC. MRT Holdings II is the controlling shareholder of MRTC. It is the private company which sued the DOTC earlier this year, seeking to stop the agency from expanding the MRT-3 system’s capacity with its purchase of 48 brand new light rail vehicles (LRVs) or train coaches.

The DOTC won that case at the Regional Trial Court of Makati last February, and recently won at the Court of Appeals as well.

“MRT-3 improvements should have been done many years ago. We have been exercising political will to implement these upgrades which MRT Holdings II failed to deliver over the past decade, since the riding public deserves better,” Abaya said.

“Together with the DOF, we are also speeding up the buyout of MRTC so that MRT Holdings II could no longer block government’s improvement efforts.

This will free the rail facility up from long-standing legal issues and allow the DOTC to upgrade the rail line without disruptions caused by MRT Holdings II,” he said.

Apart from the addition of 48 coaches which will be delivered in tranches from August 2015 until 2017, the DOTC’s ca-

A stalled MRT-3 train jumped the tracks at The Taft Avenue Station

pacity expansion project for MRT-3 also involves the upgrading of its signaling system and other ancillary facilities. The

DOTC is already procuring the ancillary services component and is preparing the bid for the signaling system upgrade.

Anti-Lemon Law to Protect Consumers IT’S about time the Filipino consumer is protected against “lemon” cars and vehicles.

Authored by freshman lawmaker Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, chair of the Senate

committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship, the passage of the proposal is a “major victory for consumers”.

Under RA 10642 (An Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand- New Motor Vehicles), car owners have blanket protection for their hard-earned investment by setting consistent standards of quality and performance in the auto industry.

“The rich can afford to buy a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th car to get past

the color (number) coding of LTFRB. But because public transport is so bad (or absent), every Filipino aspires to own a car,” Aquino said.

“Just as you cannot build your walls so high, neither can you move traffic by building skyways. Car manufacturers (assemblers, actually) wouldn’t like this, but the solution is not to build more skyways, but to make more available better and efficient public transport,” he added.

In the case of public transport, Aquino said the lemon law is required “to protect the teeming masses”.

“Public transport is a responsibility of the government, which has defaulted in its obligation to the taxpayers and thrown the franchise to private operators,” the senator said.

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“By force of habit, we keep on building roads and skyways which only encourage the rich and the nearly rich to buy more cars and compound our traffic problem.”

Aquino said the law also tasks government to subsidize the operations of public transport and mass transit—and the subsidy will be shouldered not by the national government alone but including the various local government units being serviced by the mass transit system.

The House of Representatives has a Committee on Transport headed by Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento. The Senate does not have a Committee on Transport. The closest to it is the Senate Committee on public service chaired by Sen. Bong Revilla.

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8/16/2014 12:03:10 AM

Environment The Problem with Cutting Trees

Think Green For A Better Planet

By John Paolo J. Bencito

A long-standing argument between environmentalists and people from the public works sector is whether or not there really is a need to cut down trees to make way for road development projects.

Trees are the most common victims in many government road projects. In Pangasinan, dozens of the ceturies-old trees along the national highway were cut down to make way for the expansion of the Pan-Philippine Highway and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union (TPLEX).

Local residents have raised complaints about the manner by which local government contractors were granted permission to cut down the trees and the manner by which the felled trees were disposed of.

Residents claim that local environment officials have wrongfully assessed the condition of trees as

Senator pushes revival of school building in Gabaldon Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call for the restoration of Gabaldon school buildings in the country not only as part of heritage conservation but also to reuse them for their original purpose as places of learning.

Legarda said that the Gabaldon school houses, like the heritage houses built during the Spanish period, speak much about the nation’s history.

“The success of the restoration of these structures can promote the concept of heritage conservation especially in the provinces where these built heritage remain standing. These buildings can be used to ease classroom shortage or congestion especially in the countryside,” she said.

“As we teach the Filipino youth our na-

legarda

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tion’s culture and history, we should also inculcate in them the respect for things that form part of our heritage,” she added.

The Gabaldon school buildings were designed by American architect William Parsons and funded through Act No. 1801 authored by Philippine Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon.

The Gabaldon schools are huge school buildings with high ceiling, spacious corridors and rooms that are divided by wooden collapsible partitions with wide windows made up of capiz shells.

In line with this, Legarda filed Senate Resolution 800, asking the Senate to inquire about the status of the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) heritage school building restoration program, including the conservation and maintenance of Gabaldon school houses and other heritage structures within its jurisdiction.

She noted that under Memorandum Order No. 164 Series of 2009, the DepEd created the Task Force on Heritage School Buildings to determine the heritage school houses across all regions and be responsible for their restoration.

The Senator stressed that as built heritage structures, the Gabaldon buildings represent historic, architectural and socio-political significance to the country.

“These structures symbolize the first foundation of the Philippine public school system during the American colonial regime, in which each Filipino child, even from the most remote areas of the country, had access to formal education,” said Legarda.

“deceased” and “rotting” to allow for their clearing.

In the highways connecting towns of San Fernando and the cities of Carcar and Naga in Cebu Province, the fate of the centuriesold acacia trees lining the national highway lies in the balance as any wrongful assessment mean the death of another tree in favor of road development.

Dr. Roger Guzman, a forester and professor at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, arrived in Cebu after he received notice from the Philippine Earth Justice requesting for his “second opinion” after officials in DENR Central Visayas have assessed the

trees as either dead or dying thus allowing for their immediate cutting.

Guzman said trees are considered healthy as long they continue to grow leaves and display other signs of growth. For trees with weak base trunks, De Guzman recommended the base trunks be cemented to prevent trees from falling. De Guzman said filling the trunks with cement would not affect the growth and health of trees because they find ways to get nutrients “even through cement”.

Eighty-eight trees were diagnosed by the DENR regional foresters as diseased and rotten, hence waiting the final judgment of authorities.

DENR to Tighten the Noose vs. Poachers THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources is dead serious in its campaign against the illegal wildlife trade and will not hesitate to arrest poachers—especially those working for the agency DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje issued this warning following the arrest of an alleged DENR employee selling endangered animals over the internet.

“Those who engage in illegal trade of wildlife, especially those threatened or endangered, could face charges punishable by imprisonment or fine. This applies to everyone, even DENR employees; more so because we are a regulatory agency that oversees the implementation of the country’s wildlife law,” Paje said.

Under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, illegal trade of endangered species is penalized by a fine of P200,000 and a jail term of two years, while the killing of endangered animals carries the penalty of six-year imprisonment and a fine of P500,000.

On August 1 authorities arrested a certain Cardell Macario in Cavite for selling a juvenile serpent eagle through the social networking site Facebook.

Macario also claimed he was an employee of the DENR and that he had all the required permits for the bird. Macario had posted in his Facebook account the photograph of the eagle, which he was selling for P5,000.

It was later learned that Macario was not connected in any way with

the DENR thus prompting Paje to warn the public against scrupulous individuals posing as DENR employees and who engage in illegal wildlife activities.

The environment chief likewise clarified that the DENR “does not issue any permit for the sale of serpent eagle, which is considered as endangered species whose numbers in the wild are decreasing”.

Macario was caught in an entrapment operation conducted by agents of the Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI), comprising of deputized DENR personnel and members of law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police.

The eagle was rescued and turned over to the DENR Wildlife Rescue Center in Cavite for rehabilitation.

If convicted, Macario could face a jail term of up to two years and a fine of up to P200,000.

WE TAKE A STAND

8/16/2014 12:03:15 AM

Health Suicide and Depression: Wellness is Life

Do We Really Know Better?

By Andrea Lim

When University of the Philippines freshman Kristel Tejada committed suicide last year due to depression, a lot of people criticized her and said that she had other options -- she just didn’t acknowledge them.

Now, a famous Hollywood celebrity kills himself for the same reason, and now it seems like everybody in the world has turned into a mental health awareness advocate.

It highlights bias, or a selective appreciation of things, or maybe how we just don't really understand depression.

Suicide is a decision made out of desperation, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness, and most people have this misconception that people who commit suicide are selfish don't think of the people they leave behind.

"Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems," or so they say. However, what many fail to realize is that those loved ones are the very reason many suicide victims hold on for just one more day.

The hopelessness in depression makes suicide victims feel as though the only alternative is to opt out, and this is actually the most devastating thought.

The feeling of being a burden to loved ones, the feeling of there being no way out, the feeling of being trapped and the feeling of isolation -- these are all common for people who suffer from depression.

Anyone who has not gone down the road of depression has no right to make judgments. Sure, you might not understand it, and yes you are entitled to youe own feelings, but making those judgments and spreading that kind of negativity won't help the next person.

In fact, it will only hurt others.

Many people face the same struggle everyday.

Some will commit suicide. Others will attempt. And a few will hang on if only for dear life. Most won't even ask for help because of the stigma that comes along with the mental illness.

But you can help.

Know the warning signs for suicide. Most peiple who will attempt suicide will tell someone about their intention. Listen when they talk. Make eye contact. Convey empathy. Be human.

Check in on a friend who struggles from depression, and make an effort to let them know you are there.

Reach out to the surivivors of suicide, and encourage them to get help. Don't be afraid to voice out your concern.

One human connection can make a huge difference

The Warning Signs MOST of the time, people who commit suicide show one or more of these warning signs before they take action: - Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead - Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun and talking about a specific suicide plan - Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live - Feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation - Having the feeling of being a burden to others. Feeling humiliated - Having intense anxiety and/or panic attacks. Losing interest in things or losing the ability to experience pleasure - Insomnia - Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and others.

Acting irritable or agitated - Showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations the person describes seem real Individuals who show such behaviors should be evaluated for possible suicide risks by a medical doctor or mental health professional.

-Compiled by Andrea Lim

How to Keep Kids Safe from Viruses Ebola seems to be in the news everywhere these days. I’ve been hearing from concerned parents who are wondering if an outbreak is possible in the U.S. Public health officials assure us that it’s very unlikely. In this country, our health care workers know how to deal with contagious viruses. Every year, they effectively and quickly help prevent the spread of — and get people better from — potentially dangerous viruses like the flu.

So how does this translate to our homes, schools, and public places where infectious diseases can spread? This is where we need to go back to the basics of stopping an infection in its tracks. Remember – the best thing anyone can do is avoid getting sick in the first place.

As a mom of two 8-year-olds, I worry about infections spreading, too. But honestly it’s the common infections that my kids will be exposed to when they go back to school this month that concern me – strep throat, pink eye, rotavirus (stomach infection), and yes, even the common cold. Here are some simple, old-fashioned tips to help prevent any virus, deadly or not: 1. Wash hands frequently — for at least 20 seconds (sing the “Happy Birthday” song) — especially before eating and after going to the bathroom.

2. Don’t share foods or drink from the same straw.

3. Try not to touch your eyes or mouth without washing your hands.

4. Don’t put things into your mouth, such as pencils or pens.

5. Cough or sneeze into your shoulder (to prevent spread of viruses to others).

Remind your kids of these tips regularly. Creating these habits will go a long way in keeping them safe and healthy, no matter what is happening around you.

Source: http://blogs.webmd.com/breaking-news/2014/08/how-tokeep-kids-safe-from-viruses.html Hansa Bhargava, MD / WebMD Medical Editor, Pediatrics

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8/16/2014 12:03:16 AM

Food Security & Sustainability

Agriculture

Alcala: Bigger ROI in Direct Aid to Farmers RETURN of Investment is bigger if assistance is given straight to farmers.

This, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, is the rationale of the Department of Agriculture’s rehabilitation assistance program for typhoon Glenda.

“Malaki ang multiplier effect kung sa magsasaka ang ibibigay ang ayuda.

Malaki ang ROI. Big yan mo ang isang tao ng isang kilong bigas at ubos ito sa isang saingan at kainan lamang. Pero big yan mo si Juan Magsasaka ng isang kilo ng seeds at marami siyang mapapakain,” Alcala said in the Camarines Sur leg of DA’s Bicol Rehabilitation Assistance for Glenda—Agriculture Sector.

The rehab program is a quick response effort of DA to provide initial assistance consisting of agricultural inputs, farm machineries and equipment and other assistance to farmers and fisherfolk to the three most affected provinces of the region namely: Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon.

“Kung sa iba ibibigay ang tulong ang tawag doon ay food for work. Pero kung sa magsasaka ito ay magiging work for food kasi they will be working to produce food. Magpo-produce sila ng pagkain na hindi lang para sa kanilang

pamilya pero para sa buong bayan. Ang tulong na kailangan nila ay hindi sardinas pero ang gamit para sila mismo ang magtatanim ng kanilang pagkain,” Alcala added.

The secretary said that disaster preparation should go hand-in-hand in with disaster response and that if the typhoon’s speed is 120 kilometers per hour (kph) help should not be at 10 kph.

“Ang pagdaan sa daang matuwid ay dapat matulin din,” Alcala said. Estimated damage wrought by typhoon Glenda on the agricultural sector is valued at P3.98 billion, the aggregate total for total crops, livestock, agriinfrastructre, abaca and fisheries, with 80,435 affected.

Production volume loss in metric tons for rice is 97,898; for corn 44,567; high value crops, 40, 578; abaca, 3,039.

The number of affected coconut trees is 53,863,899.

Camarines Sur has the biggest area and volume of crop damaged, followed

by Albay and Sorsogon.

The Secretary recognized that 50 percent of the Bicol region’s agricultural production comes from Camarines Sur, the cereal basket and rice

granary of the region, and its ‘Oragon’ farmers. He added that Camarines Sur also contributes greatly to the fisheries sector and the coconut industry.

The DA earlier said the Bicol Region, especially Albay, will be the pilot area for climate change resistant or adapting crops in line with government’s climate change resiliency program.

“Nagbabago na ang panahon, panahon nang magbago,” Alcala said.

The Secretary added that he loves Camarines Sur and Norte, since Quezon, his home province, is Camarines’ neighbor, and the late former Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was his seatmate at the Cabinet.

According to DA-Bicol OIC regional executive director Abelardo R. Bragas, turned over to Camarines Sur province are 3,217 bags of certified rice seeds; 18,500 packets of assorted vegetable seeds; 18,500 pieces pili seedling; 111 sets garden tools, 445 bags hybrid corn seeds; and 18,500 laminated sacks.

Two rice processing centers were turned over to the Saradit na Kristianong Komunidad Organic Farmers Association in Barangay Handong Libmanan. Ten units hand tractor with trailer; 10 carabaos with plow and harrow; three packs of sheep, consisting of four females and one male; and, 10 sets garden tools were raffled off to lucky farmer and fishermen attendees.

PH Agriculture Marks Growth THE Philippine agriculture industry grew by 11.26 percent in terms of value and 1.81 percent in terms of volume in the first half of 2014, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) declared.

According to the PSA, the increases were mainly due to the improved performance of the farming sector, specifically the palay, corn and sugarcane subsectors as well as the fishing industry.

Farming and fishing registered P776.5 billion in gross revenues at current prices during the first six months of the year, compared with P697.9 billion a year, as prices received by farmers and fishers went up by an average of 9.28%.

Palay, corn and sugarcane recovered from last year’s slump, boosting the overall value of crops by 18.31 percent, and 3.68 percent in terms of volume.

Crops account for half of the total agricultural production, the PSA said.

Palay harvests reached 8.38 million

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metric tons, up 4.78 percent from 7.99 million MT, the PSA said.

The PSA attributed the improved performance of the palay industry to a wider harvest area and yield in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and SOCCSKSARGEN and helped by better irrigation and high price of palay which encouraged farmers to plant more.

Corn, Sugar, Coconut

Corn output grew by 4.7 percent to 3.48 million tons from 3.32 million tons last year, as substantial production increases were recorded in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and SOCCSKSARGEN. The value of corn harvests climbed by 9.17 percent, up to P45.1 billion from P41.3 billion.

Sugarcane production grew by 5.11 percent to 15.46 million tons from 14.7 million tons due to area expansions in Kalinga in the Cordilleras, Capiz and

Cebu in the Visayas and Sultan Kudarat in southwestern Mindanao.

Other crops that also posted improved output were mango (9.97 percent), cassava (10.04 percent), tomato (4.39 percent), cabbage (1.41 percent) and eggplant (1.94 percent).

Enticed by high farmgate prices farmers were encouraged to plant more, according to the PSA. Coconut output, however, continued to slide in terms of harvest due to the scale insect infestation in Quezon, Batangas, Laguna and Cavite, and from the damage inflicted by typhoon Glenda on plantations in Eastern and Western Visayas.

Animal industry

The animal industry composed of livestock and poultry subsectors, also posted higher output, growing by 0.94 percent and 0.73 percent respectively.

Livestock, boosted by better production of dairy (3.23 percent) and hog (1.02 percent), grossed P118.9 billion at current prices. That was 6.33 percent more than the P111.84 billion a year earlier.

At the same time, poultry was backed by the increases in production of chicken (2.24 percent) and duck (by 0.50 percent).

Fisheries output, however, declined by close to 2 percent due to lower harvests of milkfish (-2.2 percent), roundscad (-1.36 percent), yellowfin tuna (-0.24 percent) and seaweed (-4-12 percent) as a result of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda last November.

The PSA noted the November 8 typhoon destroyed numerous fish farms and fishing boats in Eastern and Western Visayas, which prevented kept thousands of fisherfolk from venturing out to into the sea.

WE TAKE A STAND

8/16/2014 12:03:19 AM

Foreign EU, PHL sign P1.8-B Deal

Fostering International Relations

US Still Undecided on Temp Status for Yolanda Victims

for Health Sector

A TOTAL of or P1.8 billion (€30 million) will be injected into the Philippine health sector under the third phase of the European Union’s (EU) Health Sector Policy Support Program (HSPSP).

AMBASSADOR GUY LEDOUX

The European External Action Service (EEAS) in Manila explained that the National Treasury of the Philippines will directly receive €20.5 million of the grant, while a complementary component of € 9.5 million is aimed at strengthening the Department of Health’s (DOH) delivery systems, including technical assistance and capacity building programs.

Approximately €10 million will be released to support the Health Department’s Typhoon Yolanda-borne principle of “building back better” by making health care accessible to disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

The new agreement raises the EU support to Philippine health care to €118 million or approximately P7.2 billion since 2006.

EEAS-Manila said the support, based on DOH data, increased

DOH SEC. ENRIQUE ONA

insurance coverage from 62 percent in 2010 to 83 percent in 2012, with 53 percent of those insured coming from “the poorest and most vulnerable families in the country.”

Prior phases included a reform of the country’s hospitals, public health programs and social health insurance in 2010, and a HSPSP in 2006, which covered 16 provinces including Ifugao, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Agusan del Sur, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Misamis Occidental, Biliran, Capiz, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte and Negros Oriental.

European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the grant was a testament to EU’s commitment to accessible, quality health care, while Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said it complements

government plans for improving the health care system for “the Filipino people who are the backbone of this country’s strong economic growth and development.”

“The partnership of the Philippines and the European Union provided the much needed boost to further the health sector reforms towards the achievement of Universal Health Care for the Filipinos,” said Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona. HSPSP was launched in support of the Philippine government’s Universal Health Care or Kalusugan Pangkalahatan campaign. The campaign is an effort to meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals deadline, one of which aims to reduce infant and maternal mortality by 2015.

ALMOST a year after super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated the Visayas, the United States government is still evaluating whether to place the Philippines under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

US Department of Homeland Security officials admitted they still have no timetable on when they will arrive at a decision.

“This is a matter that is under consideration by Secretary Jeh Johnson. There are no specific deadlines but this does require the kind of outreach, time and consideration that it is being given,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin said in a release by the Philippine Embassy in Washington.

The US Customs and Immigration Services said the DHS may designate a country for TPS “due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.”

The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to certain temporary conditions including an “environmental disaster” such as earthquake or hurricane.

During a designated period, TPS beneficiaries or

those preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases are: not removable from the United States, can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD) and may be granted travel authorization. But it also said TPS is a temporary benefit “that does not lead to lawful permanent resident status or give any other immigration status.”

Manila had requested that the Philippines be placed under TPS in the wake of Yolanda’s devastation.

Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said it was “reassuring to know that the US government will give due consideration to the views of the Filipino-American community when it makes its decision on our request for TPS.” For their part, FilipinoAmerican community leaders who met Bersin, Rodriguez and the other DHS officials said they are thankful for the dialogue.

“We are really very grateful that they took the time to be with us to listen to the humanitarian, legal, economic and geopolitical arguments for the granting of TPS. We are hoping that something will come out of our exchange of views,” said Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who chairs the US Pinoys for Good Government.

Australia-COA Push for Effective use of Disaster Funds THE Commission on Audit improves transparency and accountability on the use of disaster funds by launching the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Accounting and Reporting Guidelines formulated with the support of the Australian government.

The launch of the DRRM Accounting and Reporting Guidelines was spearheaded by COA Chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido Tan and Commissioner Heidi Mendoza with support from the Australian Government.

The set of guidelines formulated by COA establishes the proper decorum on the receipt and utilization of DRRM funds.

The guidelines, benchmarked against the International Standards for Supreme Audit, “will ensure that all disaster-related funds and donations are properly accounted for and that DRRM

funds are properly utilized for the purpose,” Tan said.

“The Guidelines, developed with support from the Australian Government, will fill in the dearth of knowledge and experience on disaster aid audit, which thus far has not been accorded equal attention. No other similar initiative has been undertaken” she added.

The need for the guidelines had risen after a series of catastrophes, the most recent being typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), where auditors faced the challenge of protecting disaster funds without impeding rapid response and recovery assistance. There was also an increase call from the general public for transparency on the use of government funds and donor contributions for Typhoon Haiyan.

“The use of the Disaster Accounting Guidelines will pro-

vide the Filipino people with confidence in how disaster funds are allocated, utilized, and accounted for,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said during the launch. “The issuance of the Guidelines aligns well with Australia’s new aid policy which calls for more efficiency and effectiveness of aid initiatives by enhancing accountability and putting strong emphasis on results and valuefor-money.”

A total of 120 participants, other development partners, key officials of national government agencies involved in disaster risk reduction and management, are also present to witness the event. An Executive Briefing follows in the afternoon showcasing a synopsis of the accounting guidelines.

TWEDELL

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august 18-24, 2014

11 8/16/2014 12:03:20 AM

Shaping the Future

InfoTech

INTERNET IN YOUR HANDS

N

OT too long ago, we could only access the internet from a computer, and not from a mobile phone. That is no longer the case nowadays, because the newer smart phones could already access the internet using either WI-FI or any data plan. Not too long ago, some websites had to come up with mobile apps so that users could avail of their services without using a browser. That is also no longer the case nowadays; because the newer smart phones could already access any website directly, using any browser. As it is now, internet browsers and mobile apps are just two options for users to choose from, each one having its own unique functionalities. For the record however, the browser is used to access the functionalities of a website, while on the other hand the functionalities of mobile apps are native to the devices.

Not too long ago also, a mobile phone could hardly function as a computer, while on the other hand a computer could not function as a mobile phone. That has also changed now, as hybrid “phablets” have entered the market, functioning both as a “phone” and a “tablet”, actually a computer that fits in your hand. With or without mobile phone features, a tablet fits into your hand no matter what size it is, unlike a laptop that would be too cumbersome to carry around. In the long run, there will still be a “battle” among the devices that are available in the market, but what will eventually “win” is the device that is in your hand. This is probably the reason why some analysts are already predicting the “death” of the personal computer (PC), generally referring to desktops and laptops.

Not too long ago also, the so-called “digital divide” was a major issue, referring both to access to computers, and access to the internet. Nowadays, the so-called “digital divide” has narrowed in terms of access to computers, because the newer smart phones could not access the internet, and these devices are now priced much lower than computers. On the other hand, access to the internet is still an issue, because it involves a recurring cost that many people could not afford.

That is a sad irony, because the people may have the devices that they could use to access the internet, but still they could not do so as much as they would want to, because they do not have the money to spend to be able to do it. That is just like owning a car, but still unable to go around, because of not having money for gasoline.

Fortunately for many people, WI-FI is free in many areas, and that somehow also narrows the so-called “digital

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SCIENCE WORKS Ike Señeres divide”. Perhaps the long term challenge now is how to lower the costs of public internet, so that anyone who has a device of any kind could access the information superhighway at anytime from any where, just like being able to access the public highways. The existence of private toll ways would somehow spoil this analog y, because we have to pay in order to use it. This is a totally separate issue, especially so that it is only in the Philippines where toll rate are continuously increasing, even if in theory the costs to operate these are supposed to be continuously depreciating or are supposed to be totally depreciated already.

W I-FI is free in many areas, because in realit y, the establishments that are offering these for free are actually earning from some other ways, such as the sales of goods and ser v ices. T he access to most websites is also free, because the site ow ners are earning either from the sales of goods and ser v ices, or from advertising and promotions. T he bottom line in this free access is the customer traffic that it brings in, and that could be the key to having free or cheaper public internet. Customer traffic is ever y thing, because for as long as people are coming in, there would always be many other ways of making money from it. I heard that many mov ie houses are not really making money from the mov ies, but they are making money from the food and drinks that they sell to the people who are watching the mov ies.

It seems that the future of television is going towards the direction of the internet.

After the telecom providers have made money from Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), they are now poised to make money from Over the Top (OTT) programming, referring to the transmission of videos using Internet Protocol (IP), compressed in data form.

I am hoping that this trend will continue, because the more people who will shift to OTT programming, the more money that the telecom providers or the content providers could make from advertising and promotions, thus opening the possibility that they could even provide the internet access for free.

For feedback, email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639083159262

OpinYon

Facebook’s New Messenger App Causes Users’ Discomfort Facebook has made it mandatory to download an entirely separate app on mobile to just look at messages, that which has raised privacy concerns among its users.

Users have been left frustrated by the changes, and have flocked to the Android app store Google Play to complain. In addition to this, there have been concerns raised regarding the app’s permissions which give Facebook access to send texts and make calls on the user’s device.

Most internet users admit not to reading the Terms of Service (which isn’t exactly a priority when quickly trying to find out when and where to meet up with friends), but it’s in this case that maybe users should take the time to do so.

According to one user who took a look at the app’s terms and conditions, it would seem that, by accepting the app, users are reportedly allowing Facebook to send text messages without the users’ permission, record audio using the

phone’s microphone and even take pictures without the users’ prior knowledge using the camera.

If that wasn’t enough, the app can allegedly read personal data on the users’ phone and send it out to others, as well as gaining information from other applications installed.

debates whether or not to download the Messenger app.

The article detailed various elements of the agreement and Sam claims he has “posted, word for word, a few of the most aggressive app permissions you’ve accepted.”

Although everyone is aware of giving up a certain degree of privacy with apps, the list of permissions is terrifying.

Facebook reps have since released a statement saying that there have been m i s u nde r s t a ndings over the terms mentioned, which they claim were set by Google Play and are specific to Android.

They have also said that the terms are the photocredit: Sam Fiorella same for any app Information was pub- downloaded via Android, lished by Sam Fiorella on not just Facebook, and that the Huffington Post in the phrasing does not nec2013, but is now drawing a essarily reflect the way lot of attention as everyone Facebook uses them.

source:http://www.yoursinglepoint.com/moovbox/bus-wifi-transportation/

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etc.

Laughs and The Extraordinary

Balls are Just for Decoration A FAMILY is at the dinner table. The son asks the father, “Dad, how many kinds of boobs are there?” The father, surprised, answers, “Well, son, a woman goes through three phases. In her 20s, a woman’s breasts are like melons, round and firm. In her 30s and 40s, they are like pears, still nice, hanging a bit. After 50, they are like onions.” “Onions?” the son asks. “Yes. You see them and they make you cry.” This infuriated his wife and daughter. The daughter asks, “Mom, how many different kinds of willies are there?”

The mother smiles and says, “Well, dear, a man goes through three phases also.

In his 20s, his willy is like an oak tree, mighty and hard. In his 30s and 40s, it’s like a birch, flexible but reliable. After his 50s, it’s like a Christmas tree.” “A Christmas tree?” the daughter asks. “Yes, dead from the root up and the balls are just for decoration.”

Felt Something Hard

One day, there were two boys playing by a stream. One of the young boys saw a bush and went over to it. The other boy couldn’t figure out why his friend was at the bush for so long. The other boy went over to the bush and looked. The two boys were looking at a woman bathing naked in the stream. All of a sudden, the second boy took off running. The first boy couldn’t understand why he ran away, so he took off after his friend. Finally, he caught up to him and asked why he ran away. The boy said to his friend, “My mom told me if I ever saw a naked lady, I would turn to stone, and I felt something getting hard, so I ran.”

That Darn Ice Cream Truck

On hearing that her elderly grandfather has just passed away, Katie goes straight to her grandparents’ house to visit her 95-year-old grandmother and comfort her. When she asks how her grandfather has died, her grandmother replies, “He had a heart attack while we were making love on Sunday morning.”

Horrified, Katie tells her grandmother that two people nearly 100 years old having sex will surely be asking for trouble. “Oh no, my dear. Many years ago, realizing our advanced age, we figured out the best time to do it was when the church

MYSTERY NEWS

bells would start to ring. It was just the right rhythm. It was nice, slow, and even.

Nothing too strenuous, simply in on the ding and out on the dong.” She pauses, wipes away a tear and then continues, “And if that darned ice cream truck hadn’t come along, he’d still be alive today!”

You Put Your Mouth on That?

A mom of an eight year old boy is awaiting her son’s arrival from school.

As he runs in, he says he needs to talk to her about making babies. He claims he knows about the development of a fetus, but doesn’t understand the answer to the million dollar question.

Namely, how does the sperm get into the woman? The mom asks the boy what he thinks the answer is. The boy says that the sperm is manufactured in the man’s stomach, rises up to his chest, then throat, and into his mouth, where he then kisses the woman and deposits the sperm into her mouth. The mom tells her boy that it is a good guess, but it’s wrong. She gives him a hint by telling him that the sperm comes out of the man’s penis. Suddenly, the boy’s face becomes quite red and he says, “You mean you put your mouth on that thing?”

We tried, and nothing...

There was an elderly man who wanted to make his younger wife pregnant. He went to the doctor to get a sperm count. The doctor told him to take a specimen cup home, fill it, and bring it back. The elderly man came back the next day; the specimen cup was empty and the lid was on

i t .

The doc-

tor

asked, “What was the problem?” The elderly man said, “Well, I tried with my right hand... nothing. I tried with my left hand... nothing. So my wife tried with her right hand... nothing. Her left hand... nothing. Her mouth... nothing. Then my wife’s friend tried. Right hand, left hand, mouth... still nothing. The doctor replied, “Wait a minute, did you say your wife’s friend too?!” The elderly man answered, “Yeah, and we still couldn’t get the lid off of the specimen cup.”

Free Drinks

Two homeless men are devising a plan to get free drinks at a bar. The first one has an idea: “We’ll buy a hot dog and stick it down your pants, walk into the bar, get our drinks, drink, and when the bartender asks for his money, you pull down your pants and I suck on the hot dog that you put down there. He’ll kick us out, and we won’t have to pay.

It’s brilliant!” The second man agrees and they do this in the first bar where it works just as planned. Then they hit up 4 more bars and the first man says, “This is great, getting all these free drinks!” The other man replies, “Yeah, especially because the hot dog fell out at the first bar.”

Four-year-old survives 11 days lost in forest

Brazilian woman finds out she married her brother A little girl somehow survived almost two weeks alone in a remote bear-infested forest in Siberia.

Karina Chikitova had been on her way to visit her father in Russia’s northeastern Sakha region when, having discovered that he had gone out in to the forest to fight a wildfire, she decided to wander in to the woods to find him with nothing but her pet dog for company.

The alarm was soon

A Brazilian woman went on a search for her long-lost biological mother, only to discover she had unknowingly married her own brother.

Adriana, 39, and her husband Leandro, 37, have been together for seven years after meeting and falling in love when Adriana moved back to her hometown of San Paolo.

The couple said they had both been abandoned as children, and spent their lives trying to find their respective mothers, who were both called Maria.

Adriana, who had grown frustrated at her unsuccessful search, contacted Radio Globo’s The Time Is Now program, which focuses on finding longlost relatives.

The show was able to track down Maria and reunite mother and daughter live on air. But when Maria announced that she also had an estranged son

called Leandro, it became uncomfortably clear that the couple was closer than they originally thought.

Through tears, Adriana was heard vocalizing her concerns, but not ones about being married to her brother.

“Now I’m scared to go home and find out that Leandro doesn’t want me anymore. I love him so much,” Adriana said.

The couple say that they fully intend to stay together, regardless of the fact that they share the same mother.

“Only death is going to separate us.

All this happened because God wanted it to happen. Of course it would have been different if we had known all this before, but we didn’t and we fell in love.”

Adriana said.

The couple is in regular contact with their mother, and have plans to meet with her soon.

raised when she didn’t come back and search parties were organized in an effort to find her. Rescuers were forced to restrict their searches and could only venture out in the presence of special forces due to the abundance of bears.

Incredibly, the girl was found a full 11 days later very much alive but somewhat emaciated. Her whereabouts were discovered after her dog had turned up at a local village,

Ancient king’s treasure discovered in China Archaeologists have uncovered more than 10,000 artefact’s in the mausoleum of King Liu Fei. Despite being looted several times in the past, the 2100-year-old mausoleum, which consists of several tombs and chambers, still contained a significant quantity of its original items when it was excavated between 2009 and 2011.

Among the finds were valuable treasures of gold, silver and jade as well as a number of life-size and miniature chariots. It appeared that Liu Fei, who had been revered by his people as a “luxurious” ruler, had been provided with a great many gifts at the time of his death.

“Although it was looted, archaeologists still discovered pottery vessels,

lacquer wares, bronzes, gold and silver objects, and jades, about 200 sets altogether,” wrote the archaeology team.

“The ‘jade coffin’ from M2 is the most significant discovery. Although the central chamber was looted, the structure of the jade coffin is still intact, which is the only undamaged jade coffin discovered in the history of Chinese archaeology.”

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providing rescue teams the opportunity to follow its trail back to her location approximately four miles away.

“It’s simply incredible that she was found safe with so much wildlife in the forest,” said a spokesman.

It is believed that the four-year-old survived by eating berries and drinking from streams while her dog kept her warm at night and scared away predators while she slept.

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13 8/16/2014 12:03:23 AM