PIA Dispatch - Monday, June 1, 2009

PGMA: RP as best value for investment in Asia

The Philippines is the “Best Value for Investment” in Asia, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said on Monday. 

“We are among the Best Values for Investment in the Region in areas like mining, energy, bio-fuels, technology, tourism and business process outsourcing,” the President told Korean media.  

These investment opportunities, the President said, are complemented by a “stable environment, English-speaking, hardworking, and proficient workforce and very investment-friendly government which provides fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for investments.” 

The President also mentioned Korean businesses such as Hanjin Heavy Industries, Inc. (ship building) and Samsung (distribution logistics center) that have invested in the country. 

The Philippine News Agency reported that two Korean electric companies have pledged to invest 200-million dollars in wind power projects in the Philippines . 

Korea East West Power Co., Ltd. (EWP) is planning to invest 50 million dollars in Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corporation’s wind power projects. 

Another Korean firm, Export/Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), is willing to finance the same wind power projects.


GMA unveils 'reciprocity' program for OFWs 

SEOUL, South Korea, June 1 (PNA) -– To “reciprocate” the invaluable contribution of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to the Philippine economy through their remittances, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday unveiled a P1-billion government assistance program for OFWs displaced by the global economic crisis. 

“We are carrying out this program of Full Reciprocity to help expatriate workers from their host countries that are now being buffeted by the economic crisis,” she added. 

The President said the Full Reciprocity program consists of two parts: the Filipino Overseas Livelihood Support Fund (FOLSF), and the government assistance to help aced workers find other jobs. 

The FOLSF, which has a funding support of P1 billion, is administered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). 

Under the FOLSF, affected Filipinos can avail themselves of loans from the Fund to put up their own business, the President said. 

She added that the government will also assist displaced OFWs find suitable jobs that are at par with his or her previous job abroad. 

Like the “mobile reintegration team” sent by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to South Korea last February “to assist displaced workers and counsel those who are uncertain about leaving their jobs,” the government’s job hunting assistance program will “provide job referrals, skills re-training and re-tooling and livelihood training and assistance to displaced OFWs. 

The President said government help desks and internet sites that DOLE established in various provinces were assisting displaced OFWs in looking for new jobs. 

“Sinabayan naman natin ito ng marketing blitz ng Philippine Overseas Employment Agency upang lalong makilala ang husay ng manggagawang Pilipino (We launched a marketing blitz through the POEA to show the world the skills and talents of our OFWs),” she said. 


South Korean firm to put up $49-M coconut-based sweetener plant in RP

JEJU, South Korea (via PLDT) – A South Korean food processing company committed itself to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to put up a coconut-based sweetener manufacturing plant in the Philippines. 

CJ Corporation (CJC) led by its chairman Kyung Shik Sohn and its president and CEO Jinsoo Kim called on the President at the onset of the 20th ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit held at the Shilla Hotel to personally present to Mrs. Arroyo their “expansion” plan for the Philippines .

Press Undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo told reporters that CJC, whose $7.5-million animal feeds production plant in San Rafael , Bulacan has been operating since 1997, plan to put up their natural on coconut-based sweetener manufacturing plant in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. 

“The prospective employment generation of CJC’s plant to manufacture its coconut-based brand Xylose sweetener will generate at least 1,000 jobs,” Fajardo said.

She added that the President instructed Trade Secretary Peter Favila to ensure the “smooth operation of CJC’s investment in the country.”

“The President gave assurance that the Philippine government would extend all necessary assistance and support to ensure the smooth operation of CJC's investment in the country,” Fajardo said.

The coconut industry is considered a major dollar-earner in the country that provides livelihood to a third of the country's population.

Of the 12 million hectares of farmlands in the country, one-fourth is devoted to coconut farms in 68 provinces.

The Philippines currently has a 59 percent share in the total coconut exports globally, and the industry contributes 1.14 percent to the gross national product every year.

There are about 3.5 million coconut farmers in the country, largely in the region of Southern Luzon and in Mindanao.


RP, Korea ink 5-year cooperative pact on agriculture

MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- The Philippines and Korea have forged a five-year cooperative agreement to promote and develop agricultural, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries through mutual assistance in the areas of research and development (R&D), technology transfer, education and personnel training. 

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who is in Seoul, South Korea with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on Monday said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) urges both parties to "propose joint projects aimed at specific areas of cooperation" that could be undertaken in tandem with other organizations, including international funding agencies. 

The MOU also calls on both parties to carry out R&D projects on agriculture and livestock comprising the engineering/ automation, plant science, animal science, genetic resource development and advanced biology, bioenergy, agri-ecology and environmental sciences, and postharvest technologies to prolong the shelf life of tropical fruits. 

Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat said the activities covered by the agreement include the exchange of staff members, researchers, fellows and experts; joint research; participation in seminars and scientific and technical meetings; exchange of training materials, research papers, and other information; development of research programs/projects or training activities; exchange of plant and animal germplasm with their inventories and breeding materials on a reciprocal basis in accordance with due formalities stipulated in the regulations of each country; and the exchange of technology, facilities and equipment. 

She said one benefit of the MOU was that the research and development administration (RDA) can transfer general postharvest technology to producers of Philippine mangoes to reduce the fruit's decomposing rate as well as delay or suppress micro-organism activity and the production of ethylene to extend the freshness of tropical fruits by 20-30 percent. 

The technology to increase the shelf life of fruits would enable the Philippines to export fresh fruits to the European Union and other distant country markets more competitively, she said, by allowing exporters to ship the commodities instead of transporting them by air -- effectively lowering transport costs and end-consumer prices. 

The agriculture department also signed separate agreements with two Korean bioenergy companies to develop idle lands in the Philippines for biofuel feedstock production. 

The signing of the agreements, which were among the accords forged between Manila and Seoul during President Arroyo’s official visit to the Republic of Korea last May 30-31, involves the investment of US$ 600 million to develop lands for biofuels feedstock and improve the living standards of Filipino farmers. 

Yap said that the areas to be developed under the agreement with Environment Plasma Co. Ltd. (EPCL) and Eco Solutions Co. Ltd. would not jeopardize the government’s food security targets, because the Department of Agriculture would ensure that only idle or underdeveloped areas would be used for biofuels production. 

He assured that there would never be a conflict between the production of crops for food and biofuel feedstock as the DA prioritized the country’s food requirements over its energy needs. 

Yap said the MOU with EPCL aimed to develop and establish biofuels feedstock farms and study the possibility of setting up a bioethanol production plant in the Philippines while the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ECOS hoped to set up commercialized biodiesel feedstock plantations, oil mills and a refinery to supply the Philippine biodiesel requirement and maximize profit through exporting Jatropha products abroad. 

Under the agreement, EPCL will assure the market for sugarcane to be produced in Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Bataan, and Zambales, by way of establishing an ethanol plant with an annual capacity of 150 million liters while ECOS will guarantee market for jatropha in General Santos and Sarangani with a yearly production capacity of 60 million liters. 

The two Korean Bioenergy firms would also ensure investments to the Philippines worth US$ 600 million for the complete and timely implementation of the project, said Puyat. 

She said that under the agreement, the EPCL would provide assistance in the identification of varieties of sugarcane for cultivation trials and share its knowledge in undertaking such activities as well as the design engineering and machinery supply required for the exploitation of sugarcane plantations and the setting up of a bioethanol plant. 

On the other hand, the agreement with ECOS will establish commercial jatropha plantations and oil mills to promote economic activities in the Philippines through biofuels farming business to increase the income of the farmers and to utilize the productivity of marginal idle lands for bioenergy production. 

The Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corp. (PADCC), the corporate arm of the DA mandated to handle agribusiness investments, will provide the necessary information to the EPCL and ECOS for the development and completion of the projects.  

 
RP-Vietnam agree to strengthen bilateral and trade relations

JEJU, South Korea (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held bilateral talks at the start of 20th ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit held at the Shilla Hotel on Monday and agreed to strengthen cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries. 

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo told reporters that among the cooperation agreements reached by the two leaders included trade in rice and fostering peace and security in the South China Sea .

He added that Vietnam committed its support for the Philippine’s candidate to the United Nations and other regional fora.

“They (President Arroyo and Prime Minister Nguyen) just went over and reviewed the bilateral relations (between the two countries) and (renewed) support for our various candidates in the United Nations and regional fora,” Manalo said.

“We said we’d cooperate on trade in rice and on various issues such as the submissions of the continental shelf issue to the United Nations and shall also promote further cooperation in the peace and security in the South China Sea through the possibility of finalizing an understanding or defense cooperation (between RP and Vietnam),” he added.

He said the two leaders agreed to cooperate and hold consultations with one another “so that any tension can be settled peacefully.”

On trade, Manalo pointed out that import and export between the two countries have exceeded earlier targets set for 2010.

“Total trade between the Philippines and Vietnam is over $2.2-billion so we’ve surpassed the target we set for 2010…which is $2-billion,” Manalo said.

“In effect we’ve already gone over it,” he added.

He described the bilateral meeting as “very friendly and cordial which reaffirms our friendship and ties.”

“In the end, we confirmed our very close relations between the Philippines and Vietnam to continue to cooperate on the economic front and also on political and security,” Manalo said.


DOH asks school administrators and students to watch out for Influenza A(H1N1) 

The Department of Health on Monday urged school administrators to remain vigilant and implement the recommended preventive measures for controlling the spread of Infuenza A (H1N1) among students.

On the first day of school, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III joined DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus at the launch of the Oplan Balik Eskuela to ensure the readiness of schools at all levels to prevent and control of Influenza A (H1N1) among students.

Duque also re-oriented DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials and school administrators on the School Response Level System for A (H1N1) which outlines the criteria for suspending classes and the actions expected at different response levels particularly when cases of A (H1N1) are reported in schools and when there is already sustained community transmission.

Based on the DOH recommendations and assessment of local conditions, the suspension of classes within a school can be announced by the school administrators concerned if there is already one or more confirmed case of A (H1N1) (Level 3). 

AT Level 4, where there is already community transmission, DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials can announce school closure of one or more schools in the affected area. 

Meanwhile, DOH reported another five additional cases of A (H1N1) bringing the total number of positive cases in the country to 21.

Two of the five confirmed cases were connected to the Taiwanese nationals who tested positive for the virus, a 40-year old female and a 51-year old male. 

The three others all traveled to the United States, a 19-year old male, a 45-year old male and a 39-year old female. 

All five are Filipinos. 

They are now confined in health facilities where they are receiving Oseltamivir and supportive treatment.

All travelers that have gone to Influenza A(H1N1) affected country or have been exposed to a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) and have fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms, are requested by health authorities to consult immediately with the nearest health facility.

DOH can be reached through hotlines (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.

Since May 1, 2009 , the DOH has recorded 315 CUOs (cases under observation) . 

Out of the 315 CUOs, 21 were reported as confirmed cases, 262 were discarded when results came in negative, and 32 still have pending results. 

The DOH reported that it has 30 new CUOs as of Monday.

In its latest report dated May 29, the World Health Organization reported a total of 15,510 cases and 99 deaths from 53 reporting countries.

 
US renews commitment to aid RP in fight vs. terror

MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- The top security official of the administration of United States President Barack Obama on Monday renewed the commitment of his government in helping the Philippines address threats posed by terrorists and extremist groups. 

In a press conference at the Armed Forces general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo , US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he is also looking forward for a broader and deeper defense cooperation with the Philippines . 

Gates and Philippine Defense Secretary earlier figured in a one-on-meeting inside the camp to discuss issues of mutual concerns, including the global threat of terrorism and responding to the threat of disasters. 

“I look forward to meeting a few Filipino troops after this meeting. I will tell them as (I) told Secretary Teodoro - that we are partners and we’ll continue to strongly support their efforts to defeat terrorists and extremists threatening their country and the region,” said Gates 

“Together, we will not relent until this threat has been eliminated,” said Gates. The US has been a great partner of the Philippines in the fight against terrorist over the past several years. 

The Americans have trained and equipped the elite Light Reaction Battalion of the Army. Also, a number of US forces are still in the South, training Filipino troops fight the Abu Sayyaf and providing the needed intelligence information. 

“Looking forward, I believe our relation needs to evolve into a broader, strategic one. The Philippines can play an important role in regional peace and stability and in fact just hosted the Asean regional forum’s first ever field exercise,” said Gates. 

“I also thank the Philippines for its contribution to aid United Nations missions. It is clear that the Philippines is taking on a larger role on the world stage and as it does, this relationship, one of our oldest alliance partnership in Asia, is one that I believe that will endure and deepen in the years to come,” he added. 

For his part, Teodoro thanked Gates for visiting the country. This is the first visit of a US defense chief to the Philippines in almost 10 years. Gates has been in the country about 20 years ago on a different capacity. 

“We had a good conversation about a number of issues from United States assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines , to broader regional security matters,” said Gates on the issues he discussed with Teodoro during a brief meeting. 

“Over the last decade, the Philippines has faced a number of security challenges and has met them squarely. This is testimony to Secretary Teodoro’s strong leadership, his efforts to reform the Armed Forces and a courage and adaptability of the Filipino military,” said Gates. 

On the call of some groups to review or abrogate the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, Gates said US is satisfied with the current VFA, that provides legal framework to all joint exercise between US and Filipino forces. 

Some quarters are clamoring for review or abrogation of the agreement following the problem on the custody issue on Lance Corporal Daniel Smith who had been convicted by a Makati City court of raping a Filipino. He was later exonerated by a higher court.  

During the pendency of the case, Smith stayed at the US embassy in Manila when he, the proponents said, should be with the control of the Philippine government. 

“The United States is quite comfortable with the VFA. We are both nations of laws. This agreement provides us with the legal basis for having our people here in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We think it works and we are satisfied,” said Gates.