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Things are moving fast north of Manila. The quickest routes to a better business environment and more promising tourist destinations in Central Luzon have recently been opened, ushering in promise for those who wish to join the growth of the country’s progressive economic region.

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), now under new management, is clearly a vision of the future –a modern thoroughfare that will connect to the proposed Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway, a four lane highway with eight interchanges that will span the distance between Subic and Clark and end in the neighboring province of Tarlac.

Multilane marvel
The NLEX is now a multilane marvel; a big improvement from its earlier state that is now providing travelers speedy access to all business and tourist points north of Metro Manila.

Among those getting in the game early in anticipation of a heavy influx of northern travelers is Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), which is soon to embark on a leisure community development that will embrace the best of what Central Luzon’s natural resources has to offer.

The modernized and upgraded NLEX facility, built and operated with expert technology from Australia and Europe, features world class infrastructure –newer and wider lanes; state-of-the-art toll booths where motorists can pay using the e-pass system, cash, or prepaid cards; and computerized monitoring and security systems.

Easier access
Ecozone locators and investors now have easier, safer and faster access to Central Luzon’s vital business and development installations through this modernized alternative bypass route-a better option over traversing the congested areas of the national capital region and nearby provinces.

The improved NLEX is anticipated to prime the economic pump in Subic and neighboring areas such as Pampanga and Bataan, because improved accessibility will inevitably attract more local and foreign investments.

Direct link
Moreover, the proposed 94.5 kilometer Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway will provide a direct link among Subic Bay’s international port, the ecozone and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark and technoparks in Tarlac.
It is seen to create a formidable industrial-logistical complex, with access between the Philippines and other vital hubs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Said ALI president and chief executive Jaime I. Ayala: “These vast new developments in Central Luzon, seen to be brought about by the vehicular gateway that is the new NLEX and the Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway, will surely transform the area into a thriving economic and tourist hub. And we at Ayala Land are looking forward to maximizing this dynamic new environment with the unveiling of our exciting new residential resort development.”

Joint dev.’t agreement
He also revealed that the first step in realizing this vision is already underway with the joint development agreement that was forged recently between ALI and Sudeco, a private real estate holding firm established in 1998. The agreement details the development of a high-end seaside residential resort community located near Subic Bay, in the neighboring town of Morong, Bataan. This pioneering project will involve over 320 hectares of Sudeco’s idyllic property, set in a unique environment featuring both mountain and sea.

Ayala said ALI envisions this resort community to be a venue where family bonding memories will be forged in a highly interactive natural leisure setting with its 3.5-kilometer coastline, gently rolling terrain, a peak elevation of 135 meters, and spectacular views of Subic Bay and the mountain ranges of Zambales and Bataan.

The new NLEX has already cut travel time to Subic to two hours. As travel to Subic gets easier, both local tourists and those who have hometowns in Central Luzon will definitely look forward to weekend visits and in this new dynamic area development in the country.

February 26, 2005 Philippine Daily Inquirer

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The export of services has been included among those that will get a big push in the 2005-2007 export development plan to hit the government target of $50 billion in export earnings by the end of next year.

The targetted jump in exports for two years proceeded from commodity exports that totalled $3.2 billion in the same year.

To meet the targets, the products and services identified as the main contributors to the country’s dollar earnings were targeted to grow by at least 10 percent a year in 2005 and 2006.

It is the first time since the private sector and the government started drawing up three-year, rolling export plans in 1994 that services got included in export promotions and development. Previous plans only focused on the export of goods.

The new export plan has adopted the rally cry: “Beat the odds. Go export!”

To be nursed to earn more dollars under the plan among the country’s service exports are: ICT services, healthcare, tourism and construction services, said Export Development Council (EDC) deputy executive director Emma Mijares.

Together with the promotion of service, an aggressive export promotion offensive has been embarked, particularly focused on the Asian market, the EDC executive said.

The refocusing of export promotion in the Asian region was driven by a major shift in the market for Philippine goods and services to its neighbors in the past three years.

By the end of last year, Asian countries have become the Philippines biggest partner in its international trade.

Data presented during the conference showed that Japan had replaced the United States as the Philippines top trading partner, buying 20.2 percent of all the goods the country exported.

Members of the ASEAN free trade area came in close second, buying 18.2 percent of all Philippine exports.

The US slid in its share of imports from the Philippines, accounting for 17 percent of goods sold for the year just past.

But China came in close fourth largest importer of Philippine products with a share of 14.5 percent.

The whole of Europe bought only 16.2 percent while the rest of the world accounted for the remaining 16 percent.

The export offensive in the East will be fuelled with the country taking full advantage of the free trade agreement it signed with Japan last year, another between the AFTA members and China and other special trade arrangements with other Asian economies like Taiwan which are getting forged.

Edu H. Lopez,April 10, 2005, Manila Bulletin

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Some 5,000 leading public and private elementary and secondary school campus journalists from 17 regions of the Department of Education (DepEd) meet today, Monday, in Surigao City for the annual staging of the week-long National Schools Press Conference (NSPC).

Education Secretary Florencio B. Abad said the NSPC, considered the mental counterpart of the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s premier sportsfest, serves as the culmination activity of the DepEd’s school year-long campus journalism program in line with Republic Act (RA) 7022, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act.

Abad said this year’s NSPC has its theme “Redirection of Values for Nation Building Through Campus Journalism (Pagbabagong Direksiyon ng Pagpapahayag sa Pagpapatatag ng Bansa sa Pamamagitan ng Journalismong Pang-Campus).”

The DepEd chief assigned Education Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Jose Luis Gascon as keynote speaker of the opening program of the NSPC which has Bureau of Elementary Education Director Teresita G. Inciong as overall conference chairwoman.

Abad also tasked host Caraga DepEd regional director Celedonio Layon Jr. to take charge of the NSPC physical management and administration in cooperation with assistant regional director Luz Almeda and schools superintendents Rizalina Bayon and Leticia Naic of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City, respectively.

Inciong said the 2005 NSPC specifically sees to:
1. Apply communication skills in the different categories of campus journalism and in scriptwriting for radio broadcast with focus on values development.
2. Promote intellectual inquisitiveness and development of learners through worthwhile national writing competitions.
3. Enhance school paper adviser skills in mentoring, coaching, and guiding campus writers on school paper management.
Inciong said the week-long conference will be highlighted by various individual writing contests which will be preceded by professional lectures from prominent media practitioners.

The individual writing derbies, Inciong said, include news writing, feature writing, sports writing, editorial writer, editorial cartooning, copy reading and headline writing, and photojournalism.

The pen pushing competitions, to be conducted in English and Filipino, will be separately undertaken by elementary and high school scribes.

The top 10 winners in each individual writing competition will be awarded certificates of recognition by Abad, Inciong said.

Meanwhile, Layon said the hosting by Caraga of the NSPC has the all-out support and cooperation of local government officials of Surigao City and Surigao del Norte as well as of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Siargao, and Bislig City.


Tony PE. Rimando,February 21, 2005, Manila Bulletin

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Naval, Biliran –Local artists, children in the community and from the marginalized sectors of this province converged for a 1-day workshop on three arts discipline, as the Kalahi Cultural Services for the Poor was launched February 12 at the Capitol Grounds here.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) initiated the activity in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), TESDA, and the Biliran provincial government in conjunction with the celebration of February 2005 as National Arts Month.

With the theme: “SINING GISING: Crafting Identities for Social Transformation,” the program aims to promote local culture through the arts as an avenue for progress and development.

A total of 120 local artists and youths participated in the workshops, composed of members of Naval Institute of Technology dance troupe and coaches, elementary school teachers on dance and music, a class of special children and a class of fast-learners from Naval SPED Center; and wards from the Provincial Crisis Center.

Kalahi Cultural Services for the Poor is geared to develop and empower the economically and physically challenged Filipino youth and select members coming from indigent communities to become creative and productive members of society through the arts.

Fray Paolo Ma. Diosdado G. Casurao, PBSF, Sub-Regional Coordinator for Region 8 led the team of workshop facilitators and provided the guiding principles of the program.

He is a member of the executive committee of the NCCA National Committee for Dramatic Arts, and distinguished as founding chairman and executive director of several arts council, museum and association of artists.

With him were: Roland Calleja, company manager of Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, who handled the Creative Dance Workshop; Palanca Award winner Oskar “Melkie” Monje who handled the Basic Integrated Theater Arts Workshop, and; technical assistant Marilyn Lao of the Office of the Mayor of Calbayog.

Fray Paolo handled the Eurythmic and Kinetic Arts Workshop for the physically challenged.

Outputs of the three workshops were showcased later in the afternoon in a show called “Ang Ating Kagalingan” to the appreciation of Governor Rogelio Espina, and former Rep. Gerardo Espina, now the mayor of the provincial capital.

In a synthesis and planning that followed, Governor Espina assured the group that the provincial government is ready to support programs that promote local culture and arts.

He added that the launching of the Kalahi Cultural Services for the Poor has coincided with his earlier directive to local school and barangay officials to identify indigenous culture in the form of music, dance and instrument within the island province.

A two-day workshop on the same arts discipline will be conducted on March 18-19, 2005 with slots available for 100 participants.

Fray Paolo, however, requested from the provincial government to identify the poorest of the poor in the communities to participate in the workshop.


Jack C. Gadaingan, February 21, 2005, Manila Bulletin

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Davao City –The government sees higher incomes for 3.5 million coconut farmers when the coconut methyl ester (CME) is fully utilized as petroleum diesel fuel enhancer.

In a dialogue with Davao media, Engr. Roberto Ables, biodiesel program officer of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), said the country has a coconut growing zone covering more than 3.1 million hectares of agricultural land planted to 324 million bearing and non-bearing coconut trees. He said 68 out of 79 provinces are coconut areas.

Based on a four-year inventory of production capacity (in 1,000 MT) of raw materials from 1997 to 2001, Mindanao is leading with 1,438.33 followed by Luzon with 605.41 and Visayas 439.54.

Under the country’s coconut industry, copra production is recorded at 2.4733 million metric tons, CNO local demand at 460,200 metric tons.

The projected annual demand for coco-biodiesel are as follows: One percent, 0.070 billion liters or 70,000 metric tons (MT); two percent, 0.140 billion liters or 140,000 MT; three percent, 0.210 billion liters or 210,000 MT; four percent, 0.280 billion liters or 280,000 MT, and; five percent, 0.350 billion liters or 350,000 MT.

Ables said there is cost-benefit in using CME.

He said it could deliver an average increase of more than 17 percent in kilometers for every liter of diesel consumed and could be translated into savings from P0.916 to P2.85 for every liter of diesel fuel.

In the PCA project on CME-PDF quality enhancer road project, Ables said several mechanical aspects were undertaken.

He revealed that project teams conducted baseline date analysis on the test vehicle used. It also conducted city and country road-run tests and free acceleration smoke emission tests.

He said they also conducted top overhauled inspection on the test vehicles after 5,000 and 20,000 kilometers on road test.

He bared that the mechanism was made in order to establish the viability of CME as a PDF quality enhancer for the reduction of air pollution in line with Republic Act 8749 and for better engine performance as well as increased utilization of coconut oil in the domestic market.


Gil M. Abarico, April 10, 2005, Manila Bulletin

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The national finals of the Intel Philippines Science Fair 2005 kicks off on Feb. 16
with the theme, “Exploring Genius,” a subject that is apt for a country blessed with an abundance of talented youth.

A total of 97 Filipino high school students will take part in the competition at the Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines. The competition starts on Feb. 16 and culminates with awarding ceremonies the following day. The participants will be whittled down to 10 national winners who will represent the Philippines at the Intel International Science Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in May 2005.

An annual competition aimed at fostering a love of science and innovation among high school students, the Intel Philippines Science Fair selection process starts from the division level, progressing thru the regional, then to the national level. All national Intel Philippine Science Fair entrants are chosen through a selection process which lasts from September through December of every year. Its rigorous selection process is key to making the Intel Philippines Science Fair among the Philippines’ most prestigious science competitions for the youth.

Intel Philippines Science Fair entries may fall into both individual or team projects, and students may choose to focus on either of two major fields of studies physical and applied sciences. Winning research projects have ranged from anti-venom developed from locally grown plants, to a remote thermometer and biological sensor. “The competition attracts kids with a penchant for exploring the possibilities offered by science and technology, says Yvonne Garcia-Flores, education manager for Intel Technology Philippines.

Among the most notable Filipino winners of the Intel Philippines Science Fair is Joy Anne Aquino. Joy, who was on her third year at the E. Rodriguez Jr. High School in Quezon City, when she went to Oregon to compete in the Intel ISEF in May last year, won fourth place in the Grand Award for Medicine and Health, and was awarded the first prize by the American Veterinary Association. Her project, which focused on isolating the anti-microbial component of sea snake venom, bested more than a thousand others from across 40 countries competing in the prestigious event. “Entries such as Joy Anne Aquino’s tell us that Filipino students have a great inclination towards innovation in science and technology, which should give great hope for the future of our country,” Flores notes.

The Department of Science and Technology helps in the nationwide coordination of the event. Intel Philippine Science Fair is supported by ABS-CBN Foundation; Netopia Café, UP Chemistry Alumni Association; Natural Products Society of the Philippines; and Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc.


February 10, 2005 Manila Bulletin

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Cebu City –Security plans have already been laid out in preparation for the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Retreat at the Shangri- La’s Mactan Island Resort in Lapu-Lapu City scheduled to start today and end on Tuesday, April 12.

At least 1,000 policemen will be deployed to provide security to the visiting 40 senior government officials from ASEAN member countries and their families, said Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Eduardo Gador.

Gador said the security plan includes providing police escorts to delegates and their respective families whenever they go out for a tour of Cebu.

Gador said policemen from different police stations in Cebu, the Regional Mobile Group (RMG), and 227 new policemen were assigned as escorts but he conveyed to event organizers that delegates should not be allowed to roam outside of the event’s venue without prior security arrangements.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has confirmed that all are set for the gathering and said that this is the first time the Philippines will host the event and the government is making sure that everything is ready, especially the security of the delegates.

The delegates were expected to start arriving yesterday afternoon, said Romulo.

Romulo said the ASEAN ministers’ retreat is an annual event usually held in an informal setting outside the capital of the host country.

This would allow the delegates to have free-flowing and candid discussions of issues affecting the region.

“While there is no fixed agenda, we expect to discuss regional and international issues and matters of strategic importance to the future of ASEAN, as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Charter and administrative matters streamlining ASEAN meetings and the ASEAN Development Fund,” Romulo said.

Romulo, the event’s head of the host country, said he has chosen Cebu as the venue “to showcase its scenic spots, rich historical and cultural heritage, and dynamic growth.”

This is the most prepared destination for tourists and foreign investors, he said.

“This event is another opportunity for us to promote Cebu as an eco-tourism destination through foreign media coverage,” Romulo said.
He also said the event is “another opportunity for us to put forward initiatives to promote our country as place for development.”


Mars W. Mosqueda Jr., April 10, 2005, Manila Bulletin

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The fishery subsector posted a total production of P139.1 billion in 2004, in an increase by 16.03 percent improvement in 2003.

Fishery contributed 23.44 percent to the total agricultural production last year and posted a significant 9.45 percent growth in 2004, 1.91 percentage points higher than the 7.54 percent growth in 2003.

Aquaculture has posted a remarkable output gain of 17.90 percent. With this growth, the country’s aquaculture sector is contributing a great part in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s 10-point agenda for the next six years, with 17,217 hectares of aquaculture lands and 743,540 jobs targeted for the sector by 2010.

The increase in aquaculture output was mainly due to higher demand for seaweeds, which accounted for 70.26 percent of the total aquaculture output during the period.

Because of the continuing government and private sector financial and technical support program, more farmers have engaged in seaweed venture, the agriculture department said.

Significant growth in seaweed farms were reported in Romblon, Palawan, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Tawitawi, Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Norte and Agusan del Norte.

In Antique and Zamboanga Sibugay, weather conditions favored the growth of seedlings. There were also reports on the use of quality seedlings in Batangas and Davao Oriental.

Area expansion including opening of new farms were reported in various provinces across the country.

The continuing support under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, local government units and QUENDANCOR program enabled more farmers to engage in milkfish, tilapia and carp culture.

Municipal fisheries production was up by 2.43 percent. Abundance of fish species like round scad, frigate tuna, Indian and fimbriated sardines, blue crabs, mackerels and bigeyed scads was observed during the period.


February 10, 2005 Manila Bulletin

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The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) flagship operation, now employs the first female port equipment operator in the Philippines.

Maria Lee G. Sumadchat, a supervisor in the terminal operations department, is the country’s first woman rubber-tired gantry (RTG) operator after successfully undergoing training on RTG operations under ICTSI’s Port Equipment Operators’ Training (PEOT).

Sumadchat, who joined ICTSI in 2000 as management trainee, says, “They say that work in the port is a man’s world. Not anymore. Thanks to this training program, any employee here at ICTSI, regardless of rank, nature of job, and gender, can now operate any container handling equipment.”

“As supervisor, it’s not enough that you know how to administer. The PEOT gave me the opportunity to know container handling operations better,” says Sumadchat.

“Aside from having new skills, a hands-on exposure to our equipment operators’ work gave me a better appreciation of our work here at the terminal,” she adds.

The PEOT encourages employees to be multi-skilled, that is for equipment operators to be honed in two or more types of container handling equipment, and for office employees to have technical skills on container handling. Through the PEOT, an RTG Operator can train on quay crane operation, and administration employees can add to their office skills technical know-how on operating a reach stacker or an RTG.

Francis Andrews, ICTSI senior vice president and MICT general manager, believes that for MICT’s manpower to be world-class and globally competitive, employees should not only be confined to do what he or she is best at, but also be knowledgeable in executing skills outside his expertise.

“An employee should not only be an expert in what he does. Through the PEOT, employees, especially the equipment operators, are taught how to operate not just one equipment but two or more equipment,” says Andrews.

With training available to everyone, the MICT organization has become more dynamic: A manager can now operate a reach stacker, while a human resource officer can back up as an RTG Operator.

“Specialization will still be there, But with PEOT, there’s more value added as an employee has extra useful skills,” Mr. Andrews said.

ICTSI is working on the accreditation of PEOT as a certified training program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Container handling equipment at the MICT are quay cranes (QC) for loading and unloading containers from vessels; RTGs for hoisting containers onto and from prime movers within the yard area; prime movers for transporting containers from the berth area to the container yard; and a host of other support equipment.

February 20, 2005 Manila Bulletin

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Bongao, Tawi-Tawi –More than 300 passports have been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) here in an extension program that is seen by local officials to encourage legal travel from the Sulu archipelago to the East ASEAN region.

In a report to Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Assistant Secretary Teresita V.G. Barsana, the DFAs Mobile Passport Service (MPS) here said 346 regular passports were given to first time and renewing passport applicants since the MPS arrived in Tawi-Tawi’s capital town in March 6.

The MPS described the turnout of applicants as “considerable,” indicating the importance of DFA’s extension services to Tawi-Tawi residents.

Direct sea linkage between Mindanao and neighboring countries in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is one of hallmark of the sub-region’s strategy to boost movement of goods, people and services in the growth area.

Currently, Bongao is directly connected to Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia through twice weekly fast sea craft services of Weesam Express and Aleson Shipping.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul A. Sahali welcomed the presence of the MPS in the province and lauded Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo for sending the team.

Sahali also expressed optimism that the availability of consular services in Tawi-Tawi will encourage residents to apply for passports that residents will then use for their travel to neighboring countries in the East ASEAN region.

“We commend the DFA for bringing itself closer to the people of Tawi-Tawi,” Sahali said.

“Passports are important especially for the Tawi-Tawi constituency many of whom embark on travels to nearby countries. The availability of these passport services here will allow more people to obtain passports and allow them to pass through regular channels, without fear or concern,” Sahali added.

In the meantime, Assistant Secretary Teresita V.G. Barsana reiterated DFA’s commitment to serve an even wider segment of its public through OCA’s extension services.

“The MPS is a concrete articulation of DFAs commitment to serve the public by bringing value-added consular services to residents who may have difficulties accessing the Departments Regional Consular Offices due to distance, travel and cost factors,” Barsana said.

DFA’s MPS processes passports applications and issues passports promptly to applicants who comply with documentary requirements stipulated in the Passport Act. (MEDCo)

April 10, 2005 Manila Bulletin

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