Monthly Archives: December 2010

MANILA, Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is forecasting the Philippine economy to grow by a slower 4.6 percent in 2011, following an estimated 6.8 percent growth rate in its gross domestic product (GDP) this year.

First of two parts The protests and recrimination over the supposed cut in the budget of state colleges and universities may have been addressed by the Senate’s realignment of contraceptive funds from the Department of Health to the SCUs. The move should also help mollify two restive sectors: SCU students and educators, and Catholic Church…

Dear PAO, I worked for an IT firm. During the time I was interviewed, I was told by the Human Resources (HR) Representative that I will be hired as a probationary employee and they will hire me as a regular employee after the probationary period. So, I signed the contract and worked with this firm.…

HONG KONG (AFP) – East Asia will post slower growth next year due to a wobbly US recovery, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned Tuesday, adding that greater exchange rate cooperation could help safeguard the region.

MANILA, Philippines – While local carrier Philippine Airlines is dealing with a threat of strike among its ground crew members, another work stoppage looms and the Lucio Tan-led airline is also involved.

MANILA, Philippines – The local auto industry is looking at a slower growth next year after posting a robust sales growth of over 30 percent this year.

The government will conduct a feasibility study on the safety standards on nuclear power next year as it weighs whether or not to push through with the controversial technology.

“Or why some UP people continue to bedevil this country, its economy, and people” CROSS ROADS (Toward Philippine Economic and Social Progress) In the previous weekly (Wednesday) articles, I established the main problems of the Philippine economy. Over time, and because of the country’s sustained high rate of population growth, these problems have led to…

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has upgraded its economic growth forecast for the Philippines this year, but warned of a slowdown next year because of weaker external demand.

MANILA, Philippines – Ten whitening products banned by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for containing mercury have resurfaced in the market, the environmental group Eco­Waste Coalition said yesterday.

Close to half of the reader-reactors to my series on sky-high credit card charges are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). That’s because their families back home buy on credit and pay upon receipt of repatriated salaries. More than that, OFWs and kin are most vulnerable to card issuers’ gimmicks. They receive from the mail “pre-approved” extension…

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate and the House of Representatives are not disposed to give in to the clamor of justices, judges and other personnel of the judiciary for more funds next year.

THE government has allocated funding for training business process outsourcing (BPO) near-hires to attune the workforce with the latest trends in IT as the industry expands its skills set to include electronics engineers.

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – President Aquino is set to issue this month an executive order (EO) enforcing an open skies policy nationwide except Manila, thus opening the country’s secondary airports to foreign airlines.

MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Renato Corona and nine other Supreme Court (SC) justices voted yesterday to void the Truth Commission created to investigate alleged anomalies in the nine-year administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Cut in family health budget non-negotiable MANILA, Philippines—Senators Tuesday served notice to their counterparts in the House of Representatives that they would not enter into a compromise on the decision to reduce the Department of Health’s budget for contraceptives by P872 million.

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have agreed that life begins during fertilization, thus the need to protect unborn babies in the reproductive health bill.

From: Kathleen Ruff To: Serge Boislard Sent: August 06, 2009 Subject: Thank you for your letter Dear Mr Boislard, Thank you for your letter of July 24. I appreciate your taking the time to communicate your comments.

Both sides of asbestos mining spoke out today issuing press releases. One side claims that health and safety is at stake while the other claims its jobs are at stake.

A total of 1,085 or 34 percent of women workers from 204 establishments in Western Visayas inspected under the Project LEAP or Labor Enforcement and Assistance Program are receiving below the minimum wage, according to the Department of Labor and Employment 6.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 7, 2010) � Philippine health officials have raised the alarm over the rising cases of HIV or the human immunodeficiency virus in northern Mindanao.

Quebec: A familiar crusade, even if it has come from far away… ASBESTOS, QC, Dec. 7 /CNW Telbec/ – The Mouvement Pro Chrysotile simply cannot believe the considerable efforts being expended by anti-asbestos activists to prevent the Jeffrey chrysotile mine in Asbestos from opening. Not satisfied with having recently pontificated from the heights of their…

In an effort to trim down the number of Public Utility Buses (PUBs) plying along Edsa and in metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to effect gradual phasing-out of old and dilapidated PUB vehicles.

The Philippines has wrested from India the distinction of being the call center capital of the world, according to industry data and the government.

LAST WEEK, donations in the millions of pesos were announced for a computer and Internet literacy program. It could just be another fund-raising activity if not for the fact that almost half of the donors were local government units — some representing the remotest parts of Mindanao with several topping the pledges made by multinational…

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced its plan to lay off 2,600 ground employees as part of its cost-cutting program. PAL president, Jaime Bautista, has argued for the necessity of this step to ensure the survival of the company.

AS the Aquino administration grapples with its new medium-term plan, business groups are launching initiatives aimed at complementing the government’s governance agenda. Raul Concepcion, chairman of newly formed “Gov’t Watch,” told reporters that they would present to President Benigno Aquino 3rd early next year a shortlist of suggestions aimed at enhancing the operations of four…

THE ECONOMY could grow by a higher 5.0-5.5% next year, research firm GlobalSource Partners, Inc. said in a new report where it adjusted its 2011 forecast from 4.7% previously.

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it may ask President Benigno Aquino 3rd to extend the deadline for the draft of the country’s new six-year economic blueprint because of the government’s new “thrusts.” “We’re still discussing it [new deadlines]. Actually, the President has instructions, so we cannot just change. It has to be…

A high-level United Nations (UN) body has adopted a jurisprudence on the rights of migrant domestic workers worldwide and recognized recommendations for the protection of these workers.