pher
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wow, you can do what you want. there is a second opion does not mean what you did isn't right.
Philippines Defence Forum
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i want TELSTRA TO START IN PH SOON THE INTERNET IS SO SLOW and PH IS SO EXPENSIVE INTERNET CHARGE
Reashot Xigwin
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Inside BRP Ramon Alcaraz
BRP Ramon Alcaraz (all photos : Inquirer)
THE BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) is the Philippine Navy’s biggest warships and the second ship of the Gregorio del Pilar class.
The ship was commissioned by the Philippine Navy last 2013 after being acquired under the Excess Defense Articles and Foreign Assistance Act. Previously, it served the US Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutter from 1968 to 2012 as USCGC Dallas.
Navy public affairs chief Commander Lued Lincuna said the ship will be one of the Navy’s assets to be used for seaborne security during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation next week.
The ship is commanded by Captain Juario Marayag. It has been used for relief transport during Super Typhoon Yolanda and has participated in several exercises with different countries. It is used for patrolling Philippine waters including its claims in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Below are some of the photos during the visit of Philippine defense media onboard the ship recently.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and its bridge and reception area.
(Inquirer)
BRP Ramon Alcaraz (all photos : Inquirer)
THE BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) is the Philippine Navy’s biggest warships and the second ship of the Gregorio del Pilar class.
The ship was commissioned by the Philippine Navy last 2013 after being acquired under the Excess Defense Articles and Foreign Assistance Act. Previously, it served the US Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutter from 1968 to 2012 as USCGC Dallas.
Navy public affairs chief Commander Lued Lincuna said the ship will be one of the Navy’s assets to be used for seaborne security during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation next week.
The ship is commanded by Captain Juario Marayag. It has been used for relief transport during Super Typhoon Yolanda and has participated in several exercises with different countries. It is used for patrolling Philippine waters including its claims in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Below are some of the photos during the visit of Philippine defense media onboard the ship recently.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and its bridge and reception area.
(Inquirer)
Cossack25A1
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- Jul 11, 2014
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Business News:
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San Miguel cuts off rival access to frequency band
By Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is not in favor of giving telco firms Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Inc. access to the 700 megahertz (Mhz) frequency band held by the firm, citing the need to promote competition in the market.
“They have more than enough frequency between them. They have almost 300 Mhz of LTE frequency. Why do they need more? All they need is to improve and fine-tune what they have,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang told reporters yesterday.
Ang made the comment following PLDT and Globe’s call to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to facilitate the equitable distribution of the unused 700 Mhz frequency band held by SMC through an auction to provide better Internet service to customers.
SMC, which is in discussions with Australia’s largest telephone firm Telstra for a joint venture on the wireless business, holds 90 Mhz of the total 100 Mhz on the 700 Mhz band through wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc.’s 80 Mhz and High Frequency Telecommunications Inc.’s 10 Mhz. The remaining 10 Mhz is held by New Century Telecommunications.
The 700 Mhz is seen as the key to providing faster Internet speeds and addressing the mobile data explosion as it is located above the remaining TV broadcast channels, allowing signals to easily go through buildings and walls and covering larger areas with less infrastructure needed as compared to frequencies in higher bands.
Ray Espinosa, regulatory and policies head of PLDT said existing players can improve Internet service to consumers by being given their fair share of the 700 Mhz band.
Globe general legal counsel Froilan Castelo said “giving active and operating telecommunications companies access to this band will allow the industry to provide broadband and data services at faster speeds and in a more cost-efficient manner.”
Ang said the 700 Mhz is necessary for SMC to be able to operate its wireless business.
NTC director Edgardo Cabarios said the agency is lukewarm to the proposal of PLDT and Globe citing the need to promote competition in the market.
With a new player to break the duopoly in the telco industry, Ang said consumers are expected to benefit in terms of lower prices and better services.
“It (service) will now improve for sure,” he said.
Asked on the potential partnership with Telstra, he said discussions are still ongoing.
Telstra chief executive officer Andrew Penn said earlier the company is looking to invest nearly $1 billion for the wireless business in the Philippines, if and when it proceeds with plans with SMC.
“Our estimate would be an investment from Telstra (which) would be less than $1 billion,” he said.
Should SMC decide to pursue its wireless business, Ang said the focus would likely be on postpaid and broadband.
SMC is engaged in the telecommunications business through companies Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Bell Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. and Vega Telecom Inc.
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San Miguel cuts off rival access to frequency band | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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PAL profit soars to P6.1 B
By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The parent firm of flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) saw its net earnings post sharp growth in the first nine months due to higher revenues.
In a report to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), PAL Holdings Inc. said its net profit soared to P6.1 billion as of end-September from P238.1 million a year ago.
The dramatic increase was attributed to the 10.8 percent rise in revenues to P82 billion from P74 billion last year.
“The growth was attributable mainly to higher passenger revenues and other revenues generated during the period,” PAL said.
The company also recorded a 30 percent year-on-year growth in passenger volume for the nine-month period mainly for the Americas, Australia, Japan and Middle East routes.
The interlining arrangement with PAL Express in the domestic sectors likewise contributed to the favorable revenue performance during the current period.
The company’s total expenses, meanwhile, rose 4.6 percent to P76.4 billion the first nine months from P73.1 billion a year ago.
Maintenance expenses, one of PAL’s biggest costs, rose 38.3 percent to P8.3 billion as of end-September from P6 billion last year due to maintenance services for the newly acquired aircraft.
Passenger service expenses climbed 12.5 percent to P6.3 billion in the first nine months from the previous year’s P5.6 billion amid higher costs related to cabin crew benefits and passenger food due given increase in passengers and number of flights.
General and administrative expenses posted a 23 percent uptick to P2.7 billion in the January to September period from P2.2 billion in the same period in 2014 as a result of various fees paid for the financing of three A321 aircraft during the current period and additional obligations incurred.
Reservation and sales amounted to P4.8 billion as of end-September, a 6.7 percent increase from P4.5 billion mainly on account of higher selling expenses incurred to support the growth in ticket sales.
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PAL profit soars to P6.1 B | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Better PESO, but more jobs needed
BIZLINKS By Rey Gamboa (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
While amendments to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) law are expected to further institutionalize job-matching services in all local governments, and therefore ease the country’s joblessness profile, the reality remains there are still fewer jobs being created compared to the number of new job seekers turning up.
Still, the PESO law recently amended will be able to amplify the gains that were achieved by this piece of legislation since it was signed in 1999, something which was noble-sounding at most, but definitely nebulously structured.
Even then, the PESO law was able to achieve something worthwhile since its inception. According to press releases, the PESO offices that were voluntarily set up by local governments were able to assist 1.6 million youths in getting jobs during the last 15 years.
This has perhaps helped in bringing down the country’s unemployment figures in recent years to about six percent. But this still translates to about 2.9 million people without jobs, with an estimated 50 percent within the 18- to 25-years-old age bracket and belonging to the rural areas.
More jobs may be expected in the coming years with the amendment’s implementing rules finalized early next year. By then, all local governments will be obliged to set up a PESO office funded and staffed through their respective internal revenue allotments.
Match-making
The law’s amendments will also solidify efforts to collect employment data from business establishments, both present and future, which will likewise help not only the local PESO units but also schools and universities in planning and fine-tuning their respective programs.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
With local PESOs fully operational, these should act as a one-stop authority on job placements that can competently match-make whatever job opportunities are available in the local environment with those seeking for work. Think of this as the biggest – and most credible – job placement agency in the locality.
This should help businesses, with complementary help by universities and schools, to find the right manpower for the jobs that are often left unanswered for long periods of time despite the surfeit of young people looking for work.
The local educational system, on the other hand, will be able to plan for the kind and quality of courses they will offer at the tertiary level. This would minimize, for example, having nursing graduates end up doing clerical jobs in offices.
Revitalize agriculture
Of course, we must not forget the PESO is not a panacea, or an end-all solution to the country’s unemployment – and more so, underemployment – problem.
You can’t solve these inequalities by streamlining employment networks; the country has to create more jobs t to take in the army of graduates that swell the ranks of unemployed in the second quarter of every year.
For this reason, the government must really look at revitalizing agriculture where the bulk of those unemployed and underemployed have been noted. The agricultural sector may not provide the most significant contribution to the economy – yet, but there is potential in it if given enough government support.
It’s too late for the Philippines to think it can be a manufacturing capital in the region now that China has efficiently streamlined its processes and infrastructure to become the world’s center for manufacturing. Even Thailand and Malaysia have given up on competing against this giant.
And despite the record number of youths being employed in the business process outsourcing sector in recent years, this will not be enough to turn the tide of unemployment and underemployment prevalent outside the country’s major urban centers.
Underemployment and poverty
Much as unemployment is a key indicator that tracks the country’s efforts towards improving the economy and bringing more people into the fold of inclusive growth, underemployment is a much bigger problem that comes hand-in-hand with poverty.
Farmers, fishermen, forestry workers, laborers and unskilled workers are among those that have grappled, sometimes for a lifetime, with the uncertainty and seasonality of work, which provides a sporadic stream of income to support the family.
This is a basic reason why many children are not able to focus on getting a good education despite this being compulsory and free. In rural areas most specially, children are expected to drop out from classes when temporary work is available in farms.
Government statistics place underemployment at a conservative 20 percent of the population, which is already high by world standards. Those belonging to this segment plagued by poverty have little chances to improve their lives, and ironically, continue to spawn offspring that will join them in such uncertain predicament.
By bringing development to the rural areas, there will a new world of opportunity opened to more Filipinos who deserve better lives. Sadly, though, agriculture is not an area that is considered a priority in the government’s agenda.
Expanding PESO coverage
While the latest amendment of the PESO law will give the muscle and fuel to create a reliable facility for job placement among the youth, it could very well be expanded to answer for the needs of the underemployed, which means people well beyond 25 years of age.
This sector needs help, perhaps even more than the young graduates of secondary and tertiary education, in getting better-paid jobs. They are a bigger labor force, and one that already carries the weight and responsibility of other people in the families they have created.
In parting, I would like to reiterate the need for government to give more attention to encouraging the agriculture sector’s growth. In a world where competition has become keener, we have to give some priority to those who need help more.
This is what parents should do with any of their children not having the better instincts to survive in this world. This is what a government should undertake for its citizens who have the least resources to fend for themselves to become more productive.
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Better PESO, but more jobs needed | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Globe mulls $800 M capex for 2016
By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. is planning to earmark up to $800 million in capital expenditures for 2016.
Globe chief commercial officer Albert de Larrazabal told reporters yesterday the telco may spend at least $800 million in capital expenditures for next year amid an expected strong data uptake.
“I think more than half of it (capex) will be data,” he said.
The company also intends to continue to invest in core services such as voice and SMS next year to ensure the good quality of the service is maintained as the usage rises in existing areas.
De Larrazabal said part of the capex would also be spent to modernize the fixed-line infrastructure of Bayan Telecommunications Inc.
Bayan was acquired by Globe from the Lopez Group earlier this year.
De Larrazabal said Globe would likely be tapping the debt market to fund part of next year’s capex.
“By end of November, we will have clearer view,” he said.
For this year, the firm expects to spend close to $800 million of the $850 million capital expenditures allotment.
As of end-September, Globe saw its core net income grow 10 percent to P12.7 billion from P11.6 billion.
The telco’s net income, meanwhile, rose to P14.1 billion in the nine-month period from P10.5 billion a year ago.
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Globe mulls $800 M capex for 2016 | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Index tumbles on lack of strong leads
By Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), fell below the 7,000 level yesterday as investors stayed on the sidelines due to a lack of stronger leads and after lackluster sessions in US and European markets.
The PSEi tumbled 16.39 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 6,983.72, while the broader All Shares index tumbled 1.83 points, or 0.04 percent, to finish at 4,039.03.
All other indexes – the financials, industrial, holding firms and services closed lower.
Analysts said most investors kept to the sideline, while those who took action did so on the sell-side, pulling the PSEI lower for a sixth day.
“An uneventful session in US and Europe markets overnight left local investors grasping for strings to latch on to. With leads from the domestic front even thinner, most kept to the sidelines while those who took action did so on the sell-side, pulling the PSEi lower for a sixth day,” said Justino Calaycay of Philstocks Financial.
Calaycay said earnings have started to climb – at least to within our estimated range – for the nine-month period, even as quarter results have so far turned out flat, year-on-year.
As of yesterday, 60 companies that have made a report posted an aggregate net income of P38.747 billion, slightly lower than the P38.918 billion in the same quarter last year.
Given the flat-to positive results so far, Calaycay said, the market should steady around current levels.
Value turnover amounted to P7.80 billion as decliners outnumbered advancers, 89 to 70 while 53 stocks were left unchanged.
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Index tumbles on lack of strong leads | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Factory output up in September
By Ted P. Torres (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The country’s manufacturing sector stepped up its production volume in September as it grew 3.5 percent from 1.9 percent in August.
The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries for September 2015 showed the manufacturing sector’s Volume of Production Index (VoPI) increased 3.5 percent but lower than the 4.7 percent growth it posted in the same month in 2014.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the robust growth was due to demand for tobacco, transport equipment and construction activity.
Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Arsenio M. Balisacan said the manufacturing sector is forecast to surge further with the holiday season and the approaching May 2016 elections.
“This makes business leaders anticipate increased orders and sales, which will boost both the production and sales of manufactured goods,” Balisacan said.
He said the improved pace of government spending, low production costs, declining oil prices and the steady inflow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers favor stronger growth momentum of the manufacturing sector going into 2016.
On the other hand, the same PSA report showed the Value of Production Index (VaPI) in September declined 4.8 percent but slower compared with the 6.1-percent drop in August 2015.
For consumer goods, tobacco and beverages both turned in double-digit growth rates, with the former posting a 29.2-percent growth in volume and 30.4-percent growth in value of net sales.
Beverages grew 21.4 percent in volume and 32.2 percent in value.
On the other hand, the food subsector continued to suffer both in value and volume of net sales due to the persisting dry spell brought about by the El Niño.
To counter negative impact of external forces, including natural disasters, Balisacan said government must strengthen the linkages of all production sectors through the implementation of the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy.
The strategy was designed to guide the effective integration of the agriculture, industry and services sectors to ensure sustained growth and resiliency of the economy to external and internal shocks.
“The government needs to enhance the productive capacity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity building and improved access to financing. It should also play an active role in facilitating the smooth flow of goods by addressing logistical bottle necks and reducing transportation costs,” he said.
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Factory output up in September | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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APEC 2015 Philippines News:
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Philippines '97% ready' for APEC 2015
By Patricia Lourdes Viray (philstar.com)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:49pm
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is ready for hosting the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week, the National Organizing Council (NOC) said on Thursday.
"I think we are 95 to 97 percent ready for APEC. We are just fine-tuning some of the details," NOC Director General Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. said in a press briefing.
Paynor said the security of the leaders has been the greatest challenge in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting this year.
A total of 19 heads of state, including President Benigno Aquino III, and two leaders of economies will attend the summit in Manila from November 18 to 19.
The Presidential Security Group will take charge in securing the world leaders who will be attending the APEC summit in the country. Over 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the event.
Paynor noted that the nature of world security has changed since the "9/11" terrorist attack in the United States back in 2001.
The normal police force of the National Capital Region have been stretched for the upcoming meeting of world leaders in the country, Paynor said.
"We brought in augmentations from other regions," the ambassador said.
Paynor assured that Aquino is "on top of everything" and directed the organizing council to ensure that the country's hosting will be a success from all points of view.
Malacañang earlier said that the president wants a “flawless and seamless” APEC summit next week.
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Philippines '97% ready' for APEC 2015 | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Politics and National Security News:
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Noy, Obama to tackle sea dispute, EDCA
By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines – It may not be on the agenda of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, but President Aquino is discussing with US President Barack Obama rising tensions in disputed waters in the region on the sidelines of APEC.
This was disclosed yesterday by US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who said the two leaders are also expected to tackle the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Goldberg attended the annual Veterans Day commemoration at the Manila American cemetery at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
He was asked whether Aquino and Obama would have bilateral discussions on security issues including the EDCA, which would post US troops in the Philippines on a rotational basis.
“I would imagine they will,” Goldberg said. “When the two presidents get together, those are issues of mutual concern.”
Implementation of the 10-year pact, signed by the two governments last year shortly before Obama visited Manila in April, has been snagged by legal challenges brought before the Supreme Court.
Obama and Aquino are expected to hold a bilateral meeting Wednesday morning next week.
Goldberg said that while he did not want to preempt the US president on the purpose or possible outcome of the bilateral talks, he was certain the meeting between the two leaders would further bolster relations between the US and the Philippines.
He said discussions would center on “our mutual interests, our shared interests,” including the climate change meeting in Paris next month.
Goldberg also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to further improve its relations with the Philippines in all aspects, especially economic.
He said the United States is eager to hear a favorable Supreme Court decision on EDCA. A news report earlier this week, citing unidentified court sources, said the SC would uphold the constitutionality of the pact.
The Senate has issued a resolution declaring EDCA a treaty that needs the chamber’s concurrence.
EDCA allows the US military to set up camps inside major military bases of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as well as to store or pre-position armaments and materiel.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Goldberg signed EDCA on April 28, 2014, ahead of the state visit of Obama in Manila on April 28 and 29 last year.
The SC is set to vote on the petitions against EDCA on Nov. 16. Obama is again expected to arrive in the country for the APEC summit on Nov.18-19.
The Department of National Defense (DND) has maintained that there is no need for Senate concurrence of EDCA as the latter is already tied to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the US.
Meanwhile, Goldberg could not say if Obama would have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China has prevailed upon the Philippines, being the APEC host, not to discuss the South China Sea issue in the economic forum.
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Noy, Obama to tackle sea dispute, EDCA | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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San Miguel cuts off rival access to frequency band
By Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is not in favor of giving telco firms Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Inc. access to the 700 megahertz (Mhz) frequency band held by the firm, citing the need to promote competition in the market.
“They have more than enough frequency between them. They have almost 300 Mhz of LTE frequency. Why do they need more? All they need is to improve and fine-tune what they have,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang told reporters yesterday.
Ang made the comment following PLDT and Globe’s call to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to facilitate the equitable distribution of the unused 700 Mhz frequency band held by SMC through an auction to provide better Internet service to customers.
SMC, which is in discussions with Australia’s largest telephone firm Telstra for a joint venture on the wireless business, holds 90 Mhz of the total 100 Mhz on the 700 Mhz band through wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc.’s 80 Mhz and High Frequency Telecommunications Inc.’s 10 Mhz. The remaining 10 Mhz is held by New Century Telecommunications.
The 700 Mhz is seen as the key to providing faster Internet speeds and addressing the mobile data explosion as it is located above the remaining TV broadcast channels, allowing signals to easily go through buildings and walls and covering larger areas with less infrastructure needed as compared to frequencies in higher bands.
Ray Espinosa, regulatory and policies head of PLDT said existing players can improve Internet service to consumers by being given their fair share of the 700 Mhz band.
Globe general legal counsel Froilan Castelo said “giving active and operating telecommunications companies access to this band will allow the industry to provide broadband and data services at faster speeds and in a more cost-efficient manner.”
Ang said the 700 Mhz is necessary for SMC to be able to operate its wireless business.
NTC director Edgardo Cabarios said the agency is lukewarm to the proposal of PLDT and Globe citing the need to promote competition in the market.
With a new player to break the duopoly in the telco industry, Ang said consumers are expected to benefit in terms of lower prices and better services.
“It (service) will now improve for sure,” he said.
Asked on the potential partnership with Telstra, he said discussions are still ongoing.
Telstra chief executive officer Andrew Penn said earlier the company is looking to invest nearly $1 billion for the wireless business in the Philippines, if and when it proceeds with plans with SMC.
“Our estimate would be an investment from Telstra (which) would be less than $1 billion,” he said.
Should SMC decide to pursue its wireless business, Ang said the focus would likely be on postpaid and broadband.
SMC is engaged in the telecommunications business through companies Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Bell Telecommunications Philippines Inc., Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. and Vega Telecom Inc.
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San Miguel cuts off rival access to frequency band | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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PAL profit soars to P6.1 B
By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The parent firm of flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) saw its net earnings post sharp growth in the first nine months due to higher revenues.
In a report to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), PAL Holdings Inc. said its net profit soared to P6.1 billion as of end-September from P238.1 million a year ago.
The dramatic increase was attributed to the 10.8 percent rise in revenues to P82 billion from P74 billion last year.
“The growth was attributable mainly to higher passenger revenues and other revenues generated during the period,” PAL said.
The company also recorded a 30 percent year-on-year growth in passenger volume for the nine-month period mainly for the Americas, Australia, Japan and Middle East routes.
The interlining arrangement with PAL Express in the domestic sectors likewise contributed to the favorable revenue performance during the current period.
The company’s total expenses, meanwhile, rose 4.6 percent to P76.4 billion the first nine months from P73.1 billion a year ago.
Maintenance expenses, one of PAL’s biggest costs, rose 38.3 percent to P8.3 billion as of end-September from P6 billion last year due to maintenance services for the newly acquired aircraft.
Passenger service expenses climbed 12.5 percent to P6.3 billion in the first nine months from the previous year’s P5.6 billion amid higher costs related to cabin crew benefits and passenger food due given increase in passengers and number of flights.
General and administrative expenses posted a 23 percent uptick to P2.7 billion in the January to September period from P2.2 billion in the same period in 2014 as a result of various fees paid for the financing of three A321 aircraft during the current period and additional obligations incurred.
Reservation and sales amounted to P4.8 billion as of end-September, a 6.7 percent increase from P4.5 billion mainly on account of higher selling expenses incurred to support the growth in ticket sales.
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PAL profit soars to P6.1 B | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Better PESO, but more jobs needed
BIZLINKS By Rey Gamboa (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
While amendments to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) law are expected to further institutionalize job-matching services in all local governments, and therefore ease the country’s joblessness profile, the reality remains there are still fewer jobs being created compared to the number of new job seekers turning up.
Still, the PESO law recently amended will be able to amplify the gains that were achieved by this piece of legislation since it was signed in 1999, something which was noble-sounding at most, but definitely nebulously structured.
Even then, the PESO law was able to achieve something worthwhile since its inception. According to press releases, the PESO offices that were voluntarily set up by local governments were able to assist 1.6 million youths in getting jobs during the last 15 years.
This has perhaps helped in bringing down the country’s unemployment figures in recent years to about six percent. But this still translates to about 2.9 million people without jobs, with an estimated 50 percent within the 18- to 25-years-old age bracket and belonging to the rural areas.
More jobs may be expected in the coming years with the amendment’s implementing rules finalized early next year. By then, all local governments will be obliged to set up a PESO office funded and staffed through their respective internal revenue allotments.
Match-making
The law’s amendments will also solidify efforts to collect employment data from business establishments, both present and future, which will likewise help not only the local PESO units but also schools and universities in planning and fine-tuning their respective programs.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
With local PESOs fully operational, these should act as a one-stop authority on job placements that can competently match-make whatever job opportunities are available in the local environment with those seeking for work. Think of this as the biggest – and most credible – job placement agency in the locality.
This should help businesses, with complementary help by universities and schools, to find the right manpower for the jobs that are often left unanswered for long periods of time despite the surfeit of young people looking for work.
The local educational system, on the other hand, will be able to plan for the kind and quality of courses they will offer at the tertiary level. This would minimize, for example, having nursing graduates end up doing clerical jobs in offices.
Revitalize agriculture
Of course, we must not forget the PESO is not a panacea, or an end-all solution to the country’s unemployment – and more so, underemployment – problem.
You can’t solve these inequalities by streamlining employment networks; the country has to create more jobs t to take in the army of graduates that swell the ranks of unemployed in the second quarter of every year.
For this reason, the government must really look at revitalizing agriculture where the bulk of those unemployed and underemployed have been noted. The agricultural sector may not provide the most significant contribution to the economy – yet, but there is potential in it if given enough government support.
It’s too late for the Philippines to think it can be a manufacturing capital in the region now that China has efficiently streamlined its processes and infrastructure to become the world’s center for manufacturing. Even Thailand and Malaysia have given up on competing against this giant.
And despite the record number of youths being employed in the business process outsourcing sector in recent years, this will not be enough to turn the tide of unemployment and underemployment prevalent outside the country’s major urban centers.
Underemployment and poverty
Much as unemployment is a key indicator that tracks the country’s efforts towards improving the economy and bringing more people into the fold of inclusive growth, underemployment is a much bigger problem that comes hand-in-hand with poverty.
Farmers, fishermen, forestry workers, laborers and unskilled workers are among those that have grappled, sometimes for a lifetime, with the uncertainty and seasonality of work, which provides a sporadic stream of income to support the family.
This is a basic reason why many children are not able to focus on getting a good education despite this being compulsory and free. In rural areas most specially, children are expected to drop out from classes when temporary work is available in farms.
Government statistics place underemployment at a conservative 20 percent of the population, which is already high by world standards. Those belonging to this segment plagued by poverty have little chances to improve their lives, and ironically, continue to spawn offspring that will join them in such uncertain predicament.
By bringing development to the rural areas, there will a new world of opportunity opened to more Filipinos who deserve better lives. Sadly, though, agriculture is not an area that is considered a priority in the government’s agenda.
Expanding PESO coverage
While the latest amendment of the PESO law will give the muscle and fuel to create a reliable facility for job placement among the youth, it could very well be expanded to answer for the needs of the underemployed, which means people well beyond 25 years of age.
This sector needs help, perhaps even more than the young graduates of secondary and tertiary education, in getting better-paid jobs. They are a bigger labor force, and one that already carries the weight and responsibility of other people in the families they have created.
In parting, I would like to reiterate the need for government to give more attention to encouraging the agriculture sector’s growth. In a world where competition has become keener, we have to give some priority to those who need help more.
This is what parents should do with any of their children not having the better instincts to survive in this world. This is what a government should undertake for its citizens who have the least resources to fend for themselves to become more productive.
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Better PESO, but more jobs needed | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Globe mulls $800 M capex for 2016
By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. is planning to earmark up to $800 million in capital expenditures for 2016.
Globe chief commercial officer Albert de Larrazabal told reporters yesterday the telco may spend at least $800 million in capital expenditures for next year amid an expected strong data uptake.
“I think more than half of it (capex) will be data,” he said.
The company also intends to continue to invest in core services such as voice and SMS next year to ensure the good quality of the service is maintained as the usage rises in existing areas.
De Larrazabal said part of the capex would also be spent to modernize the fixed-line infrastructure of Bayan Telecommunications Inc.
Bayan was acquired by Globe from the Lopez Group earlier this year.
De Larrazabal said Globe would likely be tapping the debt market to fund part of next year’s capex.
“By end of November, we will have clearer view,” he said.
For this year, the firm expects to spend close to $800 million of the $850 million capital expenditures allotment.
As of end-September, Globe saw its core net income grow 10 percent to P12.7 billion from P11.6 billion.
The telco’s net income, meanwhile, rose to P14.1 billion in the nine-month period from P10.5 billion a year ago.
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Globe mulls $800 M capex for 2016 | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Index tumbles on lack of strong leads
By Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), fell below the 7,000 level yesterday as investors stayed on the sidelines due to a lack of stronger leads and after lackluster sessions in US and European markets.
The PSEi tumbled 16.39 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 6,983.72, while the broader All Shares index tumbled 1.83 points, or 0.04 percent, to finish at 4,039.03.
All other indexes – the financials, industrial, holding firms and services closed lower.
Analysts said most investors kept to the sideline, while those who took action did so on the sell-side, pulling the PSEI lower for a sixth day.
“An uneventful session in US and Europe markets overnight left local investors grasping for strings to latch on to. With leads from the domestic front even thinner, most kept to the sidelines while those who took action did so on the sell-side, pulling the PSEi lower for a sixth day,” said Justino Calaycay of Philstocks Financial.
Calaycay said earnings have started to climb – at least to within our estimated range – for the nine-month period, even as quarter results have so far turned out flat, year-on-year.
As of yesterday, 60 companies that have made a report posted an aggregate net income of P38.747 billion, slightly lower than the P38.918 billion in the same quarter last year.
Given the flat-to positive results so far, Calaycay said, the market should steady around current levels.
Value turnover amounted to P7.80 billion as decliners outnumbered advancers, 89 to 70 while 53 stocks were left unchanged.
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Index tumbles on lack of strong leads | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Factory output up in September
By Ted P. Torres (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The country’s manufacturing sector stepped up its production volume in September as it grew 3.5 percent from 1.9 percent in August.
The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries for September 2015 showed the manufacturing sector’s Volume of Production Index (VoPI) increased 3.5 percent but lower than the 4.7 percent growth it posted in the same month in 2014.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the robust growth was due to demand for tobacco, transport equipment and construction activity.
Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Arsenio M. Balisacan said the manufacturing sector is forecast to surge further with the holiday season and the approaching May 2016 elections.
“This makes business leaders anticipate increased orders and sales, which will boost both the production and sales of manufactured goods,” Balisacan said.
He said the improved pace of government spending, low production costs, declining oil prices and the steady inflow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers favor stronger growth momentum of the manufacturing sector going into 2016.
On the other hand, the same PSA report showed the Value of Production Index (VaPI) in September declined 4.8 percent but slower compared with the 6.1-percent drop in August 2015.
For consumer goods, tobacco and beverages both turned in double-digit growth rates, with the former posting a 29.2-percent growth in volume and 30.4-percent growth in value of net sales.
Beverages grew 21.4 percent in volume and 32.2 percent in value.
On the other hand, the food subsector continued to suffer both in value and volume of net sales due to the persisting dry spell brought about by the El Niño.
To counter negative impact of external forces, including natural disasters, Balisacan said government must strengthen the linkages of all production sectors through the implementation of the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy.
The strategy was designed to guide the effective integration of the agriculture, industry and services sectors to ensure sustained growth and resiliency of the economy to external and internal shocks.
“The government needs to enhance the productive capacity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity building and improved access to financing. It should also play an active role in facilitating the smooth flow of goods by addressing logistical bottle necks and reducing transportation costs,” he said.
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Factory output up in September | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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APEC 2015 Philippines News:
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Philippines '97% ready' for APEC 2015
By Patricia Lourdes Viray (philstar.com)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:49pm
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is ready for hosting the 23rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week, the National Organizing Council (NOC) said on Thursday.
"I think we are 95 to 97 percent ready for APEC. We are just fine-tuning some of the details," NOC Director General Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. said in a press briefing.
Paynor said the security of the leaders has been the greatest challenge in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting this year.
A total of 19 heads of state, including President Benigno Aquino III, and two leaders of economies will attend the summit in Manila from November 18 to 19.
The Presidential Security Group will take charge in securing the world leaders who will be attending the APEC summit in the country. Over 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the event.
Paynor noted that the nature of world security has changed since the "9/11" terrorist attack in the United States back in 2001.
The normal police force of the National Capital Region have been stretched for the upcoming meeting of world leaders in the country, Paynor said.
"We brought in augmentations from other regions," the ambassador said.
Paynor assured that Aquino is "on top of everything" and directed the organizing council to ensure that the country's hosting will be a success from all points of view.
Malacañang earlier said that the president wants a “flawless and seamless” APEC summit next week.
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Philippines '97% ready' for APEC 2015 | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Politics and National Security News:
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Noy, Obama to tackle sea dispute, EDCA
By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines – It may not be on the agenda of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, but President Aquino is discussing with US President Barack Obama rising tensions in disputed waters in the region on the sidelines of APEC.
This was disclosed yesterday by US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who said the two leaders are also expected to tackle the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Goldberg attended the annual Veterans Day commemoration at the Manila American cemetery at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
He was asked whether Aquino and Obama would have bilateral discussions on security issues including the EDCA, which would post US troops in the Philippines on a rotational basis.
“I would imagine they will,” Goldberg said. “When the two presidents get together, those are issues of mutual concern.”
Implementation of the 10-year pact, signed by the two governments last year shortly before Obama visited Manila in April, has been snagged by legal challenges brought before the Supreme Court.
Obama and Aquino are expected to hold a bilateral meeting Wednesday morning next week.
Goldberg said that while he did not want to preempt the US president on the purpose or possible outcome of the bilateral talks, he was certain the meeting between the two leaders would further bolster relations between the US and the Philippines.
He said discussions would center on “our mutual interests, our shared interests,” including the climate change meeting in Paris next month.
Goldberg also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to further improve its relations with the Philippines in all aspects, especially economic.
He said the United States is eager to hear a favorable Supreme Court decision on EDCA. A news report earlier this week, citing unidentified court sources, said the SC would uphold the constitutionality of the pact.
The Senate has issued a resolution declaring EDCA a treaty that needs the chamber’s concurrence.
EDCA allows the US military to set up camps inside major military bases of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as well as to store or pre-position armaments and materiel.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Goldberg signed EDCA on April 28, 2014, ahead of the state visit of Obama in Manila on April 28 and 29 last year.
The SC is set to vote on the petitions against EDCA on Nov. 16. Obama is again expected to arrive in the country for the APEC summit on Nov.18-19.
The Department of National Defense (DND) has maintained that there is no need for Senate concurrence of EDCA as the latter is already tied to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the US.
Meanwhile, Goldberg could not say if Obama would have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China has prevailed upon the Philippines, being the APEC host, not to discuss the South China Sea issue in the economic forum.
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Noy, Obama to tackle sea dispute, EDCA | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Cossack25A1
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APEC 2015 Summit News:
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Putin, Widodo to skip APEC
By Rosette Adel (philstar.com)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 5:53pm
MANILA, Philippines – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' meeting in Manila next week.
According to the Russian news agency RBC, Putin suddenly refused to participate in the APEC summit in the Philippines but will send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instead.
The Russian news agency did not disclose the reason but said that Putin will still attend the G20 Summit in Turkey.
Meanwhile, during the press briefing at the International Media Center on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario confirmed Widodo’s absence from APEC.
“I just got a verbal message that there are things in Jakarta that need the attention of Pres. Widodo,” Del Rosario said, citing domestic concerns as reason for Widodo’s sudden non-attendance.
Widodo will be represented by Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.
Putin and Widodo earlier confirmed attendance at the APEC Summit to be held in Manila on November 18 to 19 along with 18 other heads of APEC economies.
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Putin, Widodo to skip APEC | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Putin, Widodo to skip APEC
By Rosette Adel (philstar.com)
Updated November 12, 2015 - 5:53pm
MANILA, Philippines – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' meeting in Manila next week.
According to the Russian news agency RBC, Putin suddenly refused to participate in the APEC summit in the Philippines but will send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instead.
The Russian news agency did not disclose the reason but said that Putin will still attend the G20 Summit in Turkey.
Meanwhile, during the press briefing at the International Media Center on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario confirmed Widodo’s absence from APEC.
“I just got a verbal message that there are things in Jakarta that need the attention of Pres. Widodo,” Del Rosario said, citing domestic concerns as reason for Widodo’s sudden non-attendance.
Widodo will be represented by Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.
Putin and Widodo earlier confirmed attendance at the APEC Summit to be held in Manila on November 18 to 19 along with 18 other heads of APEC economies.
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Putin, Widodo to skip APEC | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Cossack25A1
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Military and Defense News:
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Philippine Air Force receiving South Korean FA-50 jets
The Philippine Air Force is receiving the first two jet aircraft ordered from Korea Aerospace Industries as part of its aircraft modernization program.
By Richard Tomkins
Nov. 25, 2015 at 2:48 PM
MANILA, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The Philippines will receive on Friday the first two of 12 FA-50 Golden Eagle jets from Korea Aerospace Industries.
The planes, lead-in fighter trainers, will arrive at Clark Air Base, a former U.S. facility of the Philippine Air Force, as part of the PAF's modernization effort, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
The FA-50, built by the Korean company with assistance from Lockheed Martin, has a maximum speed of 1,020 miles per hour and range of 1,150 miles. It can be fitted with air-to-air missiles, heat-seeking missiles, and light automatic cannons. It can also carry a variety of bombs.
"This is the first time that we will have supersonic capability since 2005 when our (F-5) jets were decommissioned, said PAF spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya. "This is the revival of the supersonic jet age."
The newspaper said the remaining 10 aircraft from South Korea are to be delivered by 2017.
The Philippines earlier this year sent three PAF pilots to South Korea to undergo training in operating the aircraft.
The delivery of the aircraft comes amid continuing tension between the Philippines and China over ownership of small islands off the Philippines and Chinese military construction in the area.
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First Korean-made jets being delivered to Philippine Air Force - UPI.com
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Philippine Air Force receiving South Korean FA-50 jets
The Philippine Air Force is receiving the first two jet aircraft ordered from Korea Aerospace Industries as part of its aircraft modernization program.
By Richard Tomkins
Nov. 25, 2015 at 2:48 PM
MANILA, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The Philippines will receive on Friday the first two of 12 FA-50 Golden Eagle jets from Korea Aerospace Industries.
The planes, lead-in fighter trainers, will arrive at Clark Air Base, a former U.S. facility of the Philippine Air Force, as part of the PAF's modernization effort, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
The FA-50, built by the Korean company with assistance from Lockheed Martin, has a maximum speed of 1,020 miles per hour and range of 1,150 miles. It can be fitted with air-to-air missiles, heat-seeking missiles, and light automatic cannons. It can also carry a variety of bombs.
"This is the first time that we will have supersonic capability since 2005 when our (F-5) jets were decommissioned, said PAF spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya. "This is the revival of the supersonic jet age."
The newspaper said the remaining 10 aircraft from South Korea are to be delivered by 2017.
The Philippines earlier this year sent three PAF pilots to South Korea to undergo training in operating the aircraft.
The delivery of the aircraft comes amid continuing tension between the Philippines and China over ownership of small islands off the Philippines and Chinese military construction in the area.
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First Korean-made jets being delivered to Philippine Air Force - UPI.com
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anas_nurhafidz
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Progress for the 1st SSV Phil navy.
@kruk
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pr1v4t33r
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Keep posting on this Thread instead.. we would love to read updates from Philippines. And please add more pictures
Cossack25A1
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Keep posting on this Thread instead.. we would love to read updates from Philippines. And please add more pictures
The problem is that one of the recent threads here got too personal due to a Chinese member "hitting a certain spot" which caught my ire, aside from posting insensitive comments.
While the Filipino members here may not follow what I posted earlier, there is likely a slow down in posting news here since even they don't post any updates in this thread.
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