Monthly Archives: September 2011

MANILA, Philippines – Bohol has the best provincial government in the country, while Valenzuela in Metro Manila and little-known Ligao in Albay have the best city governments, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Department of Energy warned Thursday that Luzon and Visayas may have a “tight reserve situation” of 300 megawatts next summer and possibly brownouts by 2014 if the “needed” baseload plants fail to go online.

Dangerous chemicals have been found in at least 124 children’s products such as toys, accessories, cosmetics and school supplies, an environmental group said. The EcoWaste Coalition said this amounts to 29 percent of the 435 children’s products the group included in its testing.

Guest column contributed by Ric Saludo’s colleague Maria Carmina Olivar Last of two parts HIGHLY Westernized societies like ours tend to look to America in search for guidance, or at least a reference point on weighty issues. Hence, it may be worthwhile to see how the United States has handled the matter of divorce through…

A PROTEST for the allegedly unaccounted members’ contribution for capital expenditures (MMC) included in their electric bills is being called today (Friday) to the more than five million households serviced by electric cooperatives.

We received more comments from our readers to this columnist’s view on credit card use (“Credit Card Debt Much Worse than Usury,” 29 August 2011). We are giving them space again, and also removing any reference to the concerned banks’ names.

We are indeed living in very trying and challenging times. Never before have there been so much pressure and relentless moves to devalue human life, desecrate the sanctity of marriage and erode family solidarity than at this crucial stage in our country’s supposed continuing struggle towards sustainable progress and development. The course of action that…

MANILA, Philippines – As fuel prices go up anew today, Malacañang admitted it was helpless in the face of the steady increase, saying the nation’s only option at the moment is to “follow the market forces.”

Could your child be a victim of cyber-crime? Nowadays, the Internet has become a playground for many kids and teens from which they get unlimited access to information on their celebrity idols, favorite TV shows, movies, music and online games. With all the attractive activities available online, it is often difficult for kids and teens…

The House proponent of the bill seeking a 10-hour four-day weekend or the 10/4 bill defended his proposal amid criticisms of the measure being half-baked and “laughable.”

SYDNEY — United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon singled out sustainable development as the top issue facing the planet with the world’s seven billionth person expected to be born next month.

MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has obtained a $50-million (about P2.1 billion) loan from European bank Credit Suisse to finance its outsourcing program which will take effect on October 1.

Some 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are seeking to avail of a loan under the P2 billion national reintegration program of the Philippine government.

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said an oligopoly exists in the power sector more than a decade after the government dismantled the monopoly of state-owned National Power Corp.

There is reason to be upset by the fact that none of our top universities made it to the top 300 educational institutions worldwide. It is a sad commentary not only on the state of our educational system but also on the quality of our human capital as we attempt to compete in a globalized…

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines ranked third among 173 countries in terms of vulnerability to disaster risks and natural hazards, a study showed.

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) rejected as “a stupid idea” the proposal to impose a four-day, 10-hour work week nationwide, both for government and the private sector.

Corruption, inefficient government bureaucracy and inadequate infrastructure remained as major stumbleblocks in the country’s competitiveness despite the annual ranking of the Philippines improving 10 notches to 75th out of 142 listed countries from 85th out of 139 last year, the results of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) survey showed yesterday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has recommended the adoption of fixed salaries plus incentives for bus drivers. The Labor chief recommended to the National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Bureau of Working Condition with the regulatory agencies to identify strategies to implement fixed salaries for bus drivers nationwide.

MANILA, Philippines – Health Secretary Enrique Ona on Thursday said he wants the Department of Health to craft a residency program for nurses in an effort to stop the practice of “forced volunteerism” where nurses must pay a fee in order to receive training and get experience in public and private hospitals.

Labor groups in Cebu to file appeal before wage commission With the P20 minimum wage increase set to take effect this month, labor groups in Cebu said they plan to file an appeal before the National Wages Productivity Commission (NWPC) for a bigger wage hike.

While it is against “RH” – the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, the Catholic Church is for “RE” – Renewable Energy. In a news release posted on its website, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said (CBCP) said it supports the government’s move to tap renewable energy (RE).

DUBAI // Some help is on hand for Filipina maids and nannies who find themselves trapped by abusive employers. A Filipino organisation is dedicated to helping domestic workers and tracking down Filipinos involved in human trafficking and illegal recruitment activities.

Guest column contributed by Ric Saludo’s colleague Maria Carmina Olivar First of two parts THE recent renewed push to legalize divorce by amending the Family Code is not as controversial the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill—at least not yet. But divorce legislation—or rather the lack of it—has given the Philippines somewhat of a unique status in…

SINGAPORE – The global economy is unlikely to fall back into recession but there are risks, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said on Tuesday. “I don’t believe that the United States or the world will go into a double-dip but there’s a high degree of uncertainty,” Zoellick told reporters in Singapore. The United States is…

MANILA, Philippines – The government should go easy with its plan to increase fees and charges, a lawmaker said yesterday.

The House of Representatives is pushing a 10-hour, four-day work week scheme saying employers may have to contend with a new round of legislated wage increases as an alternative amid rising prices.

MORE and more people are optimistic that the Philippines, acknowledged as one of the world’s major exporters of quality skilled and unskilled manpower, is still capable of further raising productivity, improving product quality and enhancing workers’ employability.

MANILA, Philippines — Some 100 employees from five plants of a softdrink giant staged a protest Tuesday at its head office in Makati City.

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) launched its new card that is loaded with benefits. The card entitles all PhilHealth members to discounts for medicines and other health services. Watson’s Pharmacy will give discounts for medicine and cosmetic products while Rose Pharmacy and SouthStar Drug will have discounts for its unbranded generic drugs. Qualifirst, a…