Monthly Archives: September 2011

Interactive infographics: The Philippines’ best cities, provinces

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 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).

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Tight power supply looms over 2012, says Energy chief

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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.

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Group seeks action after finding toxic chemicals in 124 children’s items

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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.

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Divorce: The answer to abuse

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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…

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Cooperatives bled users P55B in 2010

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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.

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More readers speak on credit card abuse

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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.

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Joys and challenges

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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…

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Malacañang helpless on oil price increases

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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.”

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Avoiding cyber crime

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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…

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Solon defends proposal for reduced work week

Published by rudy Date posted on September 9, 2011

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.”

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Sustainable development world’s top issue: UN chief

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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PAL gets $50-M loan to pay laid-off workers

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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DOLE: 10,000 OFWs keen on availing govt loans

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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DOE warns of oligopoly in power sector

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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Human capital

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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…

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Phl ranks 3rd on US disaster risk index

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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

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TUCP brands as ‘stupid’ 4/10 work week proposal

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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RP improves but remains at Asia’s bottom — WEF

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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DoLE chief wants fixed pay for drivers; GMA seeks exact change from cabbies

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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DOH chief eyes own residency program for nurses

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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New floor wage order to take effect Sept. 22

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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Church shuns ‘RH’ but promotes ‘RE’ to youths

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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).

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Filipino group offers its help in rescuing abused maids

Published by rudy Date posted on September 8, 2011

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.

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Divorce: Is it the answer?

Published by rudy Date posted on September 7, 2011

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…

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WB’s Zoellick says double-dip recession unlikely

Published by rudy Date posted on September 7, 2011

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…

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Gov’t urged to go easy with plan to hike fees, charges

Published by rudy Date posted on September 7, 2011

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

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House, employers clash over 10/4 work week bid

Published by rudy Date posted on September 7, 2011

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.

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Apprenticeship program

Published by rudy Date posted on September 6, 2011

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.

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Some 100 employees of softdrink giant stage protest over labor row

Published by rudy Date posted on September 6, 2011

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

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PhilHealth launches fully ‘loaded’ card

Published by rudy Date posted on September 6, 2011

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…

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