Makati City News June 2015

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Monument of Ninoy Aquino

Makati mayor’s petition raffled off to CA 10th Division

By Perfecto T. Raymundo [(PNA), CTB/PTR/EBP]

MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- The urgent motion for certiorari filed by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, Jr. was raffled off to the Court of Appeals (CA) 10th Division on Tuesday.

The Binay petition sought for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the preventive suspension issued by the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) on Monday.

The CA 10th Division is chaired by Associate Justice Celia Leagogo, together with Associate Justices Melchor Sadang and Amy Javier as members.

Justice Sadang will be the “ponente” or the writer of the decision in the case.

The petition filed by Mayor Binay sought to stop the suspension order issued by the Ombudsman which stemmed from the administrative case involving the alleged “overpriced” construction of the Makati Science High School Building.

According to Atty. Claro Certeza, counsel of the Binay camp, they would like the CA to declare the suspension order as “illegal”.

Makati mayor suspended for 'overpriced' school building

By Virgil B. Lopez , John Carlo Cahinhinan (Sunnex)

MAYOR Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and 14 Makati City government officials were ordered suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman pending investigation on the allegation that the Makati Science High School building was overpriced by P826 million.

The officials are facing seven administrative cases, all for grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, according to the suspension order, which came a week after Vice President Jejomar Binay severed ties with the government of President Benigno Aquino III.

"Since their respective positions give them access to public records and influence to possible witnesses and considering the apparent repeated and similar schematic pattern applied in these transactions, respondents' continued stay in office may prejudice the cases filed against them," the Ombudsman said.

But Binay was defiant, telling reporters in a press conference that he will not be leaving the City Hall as his lawyers are due to fight the suspension before the Court of Appeals (CA).

His supporters also camped outside the City Hall to express solidarity with him in anticipation of the implementation of the suspension order by the Department of Interior and Local Government, which is headed by the Vice President’s bitter political rival, Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

"This precipitate and unduly harsh action demonstrates the undue haste and priority given to investigations against the Vice President and his family, while pussyfooting on the anomalies perpetrated by Liberal Party and administration allies," said lawyer Rico Quicho, Vice President Binay’s political affairs spokesperson.

Quicho said the Vice President "will not be cowed by this act of harassment from Malacañang" and that they expect "more retaliatory and oppressive maneuvers" against the Vice President and his family.

"This is but part of their conspiracy to deny the people the competent and compassionate governance which the Vice President intends to share to the people," he said.

The Vice President is eyeing to succeed Aquino in 2016.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. believes Aquino has no hand in Binay’s latest suspension.

“I don’t also see President P-Noy trying to influence anybody,” said Belmonte.

Belmonte cited the actions made by Aquino appointees such as Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen who both voted against the constitutionality of the administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as well as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers.

The suspension stemmed from a complaint by lawyer Renato Bondal, the same person who earlier asked the Ombudsman to investigate the Vice President, Binay, and political allies for the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2.

The Ombudsman issued a six-month suspension order against Binay in March but the CA issued a permanent injunction that stopped its implementation.

The anti-graft body had already questioned the CA's action before the Supreme Court.

In his complaint, Bondal said the Binays, together with other officials of the Makati City Hall, have benefited from the construction of the Makati school, which was constructed when the Vice President was still mayor of the country’s financial district.

Citing 2013 industry data by David Landon and Shea, Bondal said the project should have only cost P470 million since the average cost of construction per square meter is only P25,620.

Measuring 18,373 square meters, the 10-storey school was built for P1.33 billion or P72,500 per square meter.

CA affirms decision not to issue hold departure order for LBC Bank officials

  • Source: www.bworldonline.com/content.php?&title=ca-affirms-decision-not-to-issue-hold-departure-order-for-lbc-bank-officials&id=110488
  • Sunday, June 28, 2015 10:16:00 pm
By Vince Alvic Alexis F. Nonato

THE COURT of Appeals (CA) has affirmed a Makati City court’s resolution not to issue hold departure orders (HDO) against the officers of shuttered LBC Development Bank, who are facing charges for estafa.

In a 14-page decision, the CA Eight Division ruled that Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 143 Judge Maximo M. de Leon did not commit grave abuse of discretion when it rejected the request of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC).

The decision denied PDIC’s motion for an HDO against President Ma. Eliza G. Berenguer and borrower Benito Ramon V. Araneta, who face estafa charges for allegedly defrauding the bank of P229.5 million.

The Makati City court resolution upheld by CA had also rejected the pleas for the respondents’ arraignment to be set aside and for Mr. de Leon to inhibit himself from the case.

The decision penned by Associate Justice Isaias P. Dicdican said PDIC failed to substantiate that the respondents are flight risks.

PDIC also claimed not to have been informed of Ms. Berenguer’s arraignment, while alleging that Mr. Araneta’s was railroaded despite the judge having yet to rule on the motion for his inhibition.

But the decision said the two should be arraigned in accordance with their rights to the speedy disposition of their cases.

It said “there exists no sound ground for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction directing the public respondent presiding judge to cease and desist from conducting further proceedings in the criminal case.”

Concurring with the decision were Associate Justices Elihu A. Ybañez and Victoria Isabel A. Paredes.

The PDIC accused the respondents of misappropriating the bank’s customers’ deposits, adding that they connived to deceive regulators and the public into believing that the bank had sufficient capital to continue operations.

LBC Bank was ordered closed by the Monetary Board and placed under the receivership of the PDIC on Sept. 9, 2011.

Hold departure order sought vs 2 Canadians linked to drug cartel

By Tarra Quismundo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Concerned that the accused may take flight, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has immediately asked a Makati court to issue a hold departure order (HDO) against two Canadian drug suspects said to have links with a notorious Mexican drug cartel.

In a motion filed on Friday afternoon, Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera asked Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 135 to readily issue an HDO to preempt any possible attempt by Canadians James Clayton Riach and Ali Memar Mortazavi Shirazi to leave the country after they were granted bail.

The two were among four Canadian nationals arrested in separate raids in three upscale condominiums around Metro Manila in January, which yielded P100 million worth of cocaine, “shabu” and ecstasy.

Riach and Shirazi are facing trial for drug possession at the Makati court, while the two others—Barry Espadilla and Christian Olazo—are facing a separate case before a different sala.

The motion cited how Judge Josephine Advento-Vito Cruz, in granting Riach and Shirazi temporary liberty, had reversed her earlier ruling denying the bail plea as she found it had “no sufficient basis.”

“We were shocked that they were granted bail. Justice Secretary (Leila de Lima) immediately ordered us to file a motion for HDO. She was also surprised about the grant of bail,” Navera told the Inquirer in an interview.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has retained custody of the two, deferring their release until exhausting “all legal remedies” such as the HDO plea to keep them in the country.

“Even as it granted the accused’s petition for bail and set the case for hearing on July 14, the order glaringly failed to direct that the accused actually attend the hearing on the said date and not leave Philippine jurisdiction,” Navera said in the motion.

“Because they are accused of a capital offense, the accused are obvious flight risks and they have every incentive to jump bail and evade further prosecution,” Navera said.

Navera also told the court in the motion that his team intends to appeal the bail grant as soon as they “actually receive” a copy of the June 22 order.

“It must be stressed that both accused are foreigners, being Canadian citizens … Thus, in order to prevent the accused from leaving Philippine criminal jurisdiction and avoid a miscarriage of justice, an HDO must be issued by the court,” read Navera’s four-page motion.

“Once the accused leave the Philippines, they will no longer return,” Navera warned in the pleading.

MMDA proposes development of a waste-to-disaster management system

(MMDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, June 26 (PIA) – The chief of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Atty. Francis Tolentino, proposed to put up a waste-to-disaster management system.

In the recent inauguration of Pasig City’s Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Processing Facility, Tolentino urged its proponents to come up with a similar technology.

“As we are all preparing for a major earthquake, it is but appropriate to also conceptualize and develop a waste to disaster management system because energy will be very essential after a disaster,” Tolentino said.

He explained that the waste-to-disaster management system, wherein solid waste can be converted to methane gas, be kept in cylinders and will be utilized for the post-earthquake massive recovery and rehabilitation program of the government.

The waste-to-disaster management system proposed by Tolentino is similar to the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve wherein emergency fuel storage of oil is being maintained by the United States Department of Energy and the largest emergency supply in the world.

The MMDA chief added that around 8,200 tons of garbage are hauled daily from Metro Manila.

“If we can allot at least .5 percent of it for our energy reserve, we can be assured that we have energy to use after an earthquake or any disaster,” he cited.

The Refuse Derived Fuel is a fuel produced from shredding and dehydrating solid waste through the use of a waste converter technology. It is widely-used in the United States of America, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.

Makati court bars BIR action on banks for contested deductions

By Mikhail Franz E. Flores (Senior Reporter)

A MAKATI City court has stopped the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from further sanctioning banks that questioned its rules on tax deductions, saying the injunction against the tax agency also covers resolving administrative matters.

Acting on the banks’ request for clarification, Judge Honorio E. Guanlao, Jr. of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 57 said in a two-page order that the injunction prohibits the BIR from issuing preliminary assessment notices and final assessment notices as well as disallowing the tax authority to further act on any administrative matter related to Revenue Regulation (RR) 4-2011.

“The respondents (BIR and the Department of Finance) are likewise reminded not to commit any act which will tend to violate the order of the court or render this moot,” the order dated June 10 stated.

The Makati court, in April, indefinitely stopped BIR from implementing assessment notices against banks based on RR 4-2011, an issuance which restricts what banks and other financial institutions can claim as tax deductions.

“The order just confirms what the petitioner banks thought is covered by the writ of preliminary injunction. It is important that the BIR is not made to rule on the assessments, otherwise the whole case will become moot and academic,” lawyer Francisco Ed. Lim, who represents the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), said in an e-mail.

BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, for her part, said the tax bureau still has available remedies to question the Makati court’s order.

“We have a motion for reconsideration. It’s not yet final. It’s being contested because it’s an illegal order,” Ms. Henares said in a telephone interview.

RR 4-2011 prescribes the “proper allocation of costs and expenses among income earnings of banks and other financial institutions for income tax reporting purposes.”

RR 4-2011 noted a bank’s income comes from its regular banking unit (RBU), foreign currency deposit unit (FCDU), expanded FCDU (EFCDU) and offshore banking unit (OBU).

Under the issuance, only costs and expenses related to RBU operations can be deducted in order to arrive at taxable income subject to regular income tax. “Any cost or expense related with or incurred for the operations of FCDU/EFCDU or OBU is not allowed as deduction from the RBU’s taxable income,” the issuance read.

Common expenses or those that cannot be tagged for a particular unit should be allocated based on percentage share of gross income of the specific unit to total gross income that is subject to a 30% regular income tax and 10% final income tax.

Protected from the regulation’s enforcement are 19 BAP members: Asia United Bank; BDO Unibank, Inc.; Bank of America; Bank of Commerce; BDO Private Bank, Inc.; Citibank, N.A., Philippine Branch; China Banking Corp.; Chinatrust (Phils.) Commercial Bank Corp.; Deutsche Bank AG, Manila Branch; East West Banking Corp.; ING Bank N.V., Manila Branch; Philippine Bank of Communications; Philippine National Bank (PNB); Philippine Veterans Bank; PNB Savings Bank; Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.; Security Bank Corp.; Standard Chartered Bank, Philippine Branch; and United Coconut Planters Bank.

Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI), which filed a separate petition, was also covered by the injunction.

Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of Makati Metro name Outstanding Soldiers for 2015

(MFI/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, June 24 (PIA) – The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro named The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) for 2015.

In a press conference at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the winners were presented to AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. and other members of the AFP.

The winners from the Philippine Army are: Colonel Danilo Gines Pamonag PA, Master Sergeant Arnel Guerreo Cariaga PA, and Master Sergeant Ferdinand Cabungcal Lascano PA.

From the Philippine Navy: Colonel Arnel Reyes Caculitan PN(M), Technical Sergeant Romel Bustamante Bancairin PN(M) and Disbursing Clerk 3rd Class Dennis Larracochea Gurrea PN.

And from the Philippine Air Force: Colonel Maxima Oximoso Ignacio PAF, Senior Master Sergeant Romeo Castro Austria PAF and Staff Sergeant Adriano Luzong Reginales, Jr. PAF are the winners from the Philippine Air Force. Meanwhile, Major Jonna Dalida Dalaguit MC, from the Technical Administrative Services.

The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers is an annual search jointly undertaken by the Rotary Club of Makati Metro and the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the AFP.

The search aims to honor the men and women of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Forces and the Technical Services who served as models of excellence, professionalism, integrity and nobility in the military service.

Hundreds join Makati's 5th “Bike for Mother Earth”

By Jerome R. Paunan (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 23 (PIA) – More than a thousand biking enthusiasts from the city and nearby localities had a chance to demonstrate their advocacy for a healthy environment Sunday during the 5th Bike for M.E. (Mother Earth) organized by the local government and its partners.

Themed “Stop Earth Destruction, Stop Global Warming”, this year’s cycling event started at two points, the barangay hall of Bangkal for District I and barangay hall of Rizal for District II.

Participants pedaled towards the converging point at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle with most bringing a PET bottle as their added contribution to saving mother earth. Those without bike helmets, however, were disqualified from joining the event.

The city government through the Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been holding the event for five years now to help raise awareness about the benefits of using non-carbon emitting modes of transport like bicycles. Using bikes not only promotes physical health but also helps reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.

The city’s major partners in the event include the Office of the Vice President, Liga ng mga Barangay, Makati Cooperative Development Office and Makati Cycling Federation.

Around 900 cyclists participated in last year’s Bike for M.E. Since its inception, the event collected three to five kilos of PET bottles every year, the proceeds of which are used for environmental projects.

Other event partners of the city government on this event are The Firefly Brigade, Tryon Marketing, Fil-Mari’s Bakery, JC Bicycle Shop, Equinox Bicycle Center, Bike Town Cyclery, Sabak Sports & Adventure, Endless Bike Shop, MACEMCO, Manila Water, MERALCO and Leaf Publications.

Century Properties to double earnings by 2020

By Krista Angela M. Montealegre

CENTURY Properties Group, Inc. said it is aiming to double earnings and revenues within the next six years, as it diversifies its businesses and sets its sights on a possible revival of a venture in Entertainment City.

“We’ll see our portfolio double,” Century Properties Chairman Jose E.B. Antonio told reporters on the sidelines of the company’s stockholders meeting in Makati City.

This will result in the doubling of net income and revenues by 2020, Mr. Antonio said, with the horizontal and vertical residential segments as well as commercial division each accounting for 30% of the business. Operations from the leisure and tourism projects will contribute 10%.

“These are the four legs now of Century. We are not relying on one sector [vertical], we need to be stable. Although we’re very strong at it, we’re diversifying our portfolio,” Mr. Antonio said.

Century Properties posted a 17% growth in net income to P2.16 billion last year from P1.84 billion in 2013 on higher real estate sales, mostly from vertical projects.

Century Properties is particularly bullish on the prospects of its tourism business with the company still hopeful that it can participate in the growth of the Entertainment City project through retail and residential projects.

“There are few parties that are talking to us,” Mr. Antonio said.

“We’re in the business of developing and if we have a meeting of the minds, we can do projects together,” he added.

Century Properties was supposed to have a stake in Entertainment City through a joint venture with Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada, but the latter terminated the deal, prompting the former to seek legal action. The Philippine firm dropped the case against Mr. Okada last month.

Century Properties said it is not closing its doors to its former Japanese partner.

“As of now, we’re not together, but we are open,” Mr. Antonio said.

Century Properties is spending P6 billion-P8 billion annually for its venture into the hotel and leisure business, the executive said. It has a 142-hectare project in Batulao, Batangas and a 56-hectare property in San Vicente, Palawan.

‘FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP’ After the stockholders’ meeting, Century Properties Chief Operating Officer Jose Marco R. Antonio announced a partnership with international hotel operator Accor for the development of Novotel Suites Manila, a four-star 310-unit all-suite hotel and residential mixed-use property at the sixth tower of Acqua Private Residences in Mandaluyong City.

Novotel Suites Manila introduces a hybrid of hotel suites, residential units for full ownership, and preferred shares as fractional ownership of hotel units.

The 41-storey tower will have 149 units of residences and 310 Novotel Suites, 158 of which will be retained by Century Limitless Corp. (CLC), and 152 will be owned and sold as preferred shares sold through Century Acqua Lifestyle Corp. (CALC).

CALC is a subsidiary of CLC, a subsidiary of Century Properties and the developer of the building.

The fractional ownership program entitles preferred shareholders to stay in 152 units owned by CALC in Novotel Suites, as well as the option to enjoy multiple vacation destinations worldwide at the hotels under the Accor Group and hassle-free property management.

Total revenues from the sale of both residential and fractional ownership units are approximately P2.9 billion. The project is expected to be complete by 2019.

Labor group backs House bills making overtime pay, night differential tax-free

By Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez / LBG (GMA News)

A labor group on Sunday urged the House of Representatives to pass a proposed law exempting overtime pay and graveyard shift differential from the computation of income taxes.

In a statement, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines expressed support for the twin bills filed by Makati City Rep. Abigail Binay, seeking to amend the computation of gross income under Republic Act 8424, otherwise known as the Tax Reform Act.

TUCP president and former Senator Ernesto Herrera said that among those who stand to gain from the measures is the country's 1.1 million workers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

“The measures will prosper middle-class families, rev up household consumption, create new demand for the products and services of domestic industries, and stimulate economic growth amid persistent government underspending,” Herrera said.

In her bills’ explanatory notes, Binay said the tax reprieves “are meant to give greater substance to the mandates of the Constitution for the State to provide a living wage, a rising standard of living, and improved quality of life for all.”

At present, Herrera said the overtime and night shift premiums of workers receiving more than the statutory minimum wage are slapped with up to 32 percent in withholding taxes, depending on the employee’s tax bracket.

Overtime pay refers to the extra 25 to 30 percent compensation received by an employee for labor rendered in excess of the required maximum eight hours a day.

The night shift premium is the additional 10 percent remuneration for work delivered between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Under the Labor Code, if the overtime work falls inside the graveyard shift, the extra reward for overtime labor is first added to the employee’s regular hourly rate before computing the night differential pay, the TUCP said.


Non-profit uses yoga to promote peace in Mindanao

By Rizal Raoul Reyes

MANILA -- The Art of Living Foundation Philippines (AOLF) is promoting yoga as an instrument of peace in conflict areas such as Mindanao by organizing a Manila to Mindanao yoga meditation event in its Makati office and Cagayan de Oro on Sunday, June 21.

“Peace is possible, and regardless of where we are in the nation or the world, everyone has the ability to contribute to it through nurturing our own internal peace” said Nameeta Dargani, chapter coordinator for AOLF.

“Yoga, meditation and breathing techniques are powerful tools to unify the body and mind, creating peace and inner well-being. When we experience inner peace, we affect our surroundings positively, and this inadvertently affects other people and situations," Dargani added.

AOLF head of special projects Charmaine Cu-unjeing said yoga has been proven to be an effective medium towards achieving and spreading peace among people of all ages and from all walks of life.

"The youth of today are full of so much potential,” she said. "But they are also subjected to a lot of stress and distractions that keep them from becoming the best that they can be. Meditation can remedy this by helping the youth explore themselves and channel their potential and energy constructively."

Dargani said AOLF has had consistent interest in Mindanao. When Typhoon Sendong hit parts of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in 2011, AOLF was among those who set up trauma relief workshops at evacuation and relocation centers.

These workshops taught simple breathing and meditation exercises to adults and children to relieve the trauma from the disaster and help the survivors to move on with their lives.

Cu-Unjieng said the youth of Mindanao have also benefited from meditation and breathing techniques through the Philippine Marines’ Football for Peace program.

MMDA, PHIVOLCS lead “Walk the Fault”

(MMDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, June 19 (PIA) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), together with Metro Manila local government units will start marking today houses, schools, buildings, and other structures along the West Valley Fault in Taguig City.

Dubbed “Walk the Fault,” the paint-marking activity aims to increase the awareness among residents on how to survive a major earthquake in case it hits Metro Manila.

“This activity is not intended to cause unnecessary alarm, but to make the public more conscious and start preparations from within the homes and neighborhoods,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

He added that thermoplastic materials, which do not easily fade and reflect at night, were used in the paint-marking activity.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum joined Tolentino in the event.

Twelve barangays in Taguig will be covered by the paint-marking activity to include: Bagumbayan, Bagong Tanyag, Upper Bicutan, Central Bicutan, Lower Bicutan, Maharlika Village, Ususan, South Daang Hari, and North, Central, and South Signal Villages.

A total of 84 barangays which are directly in the West Valley Fault line’s path will be painted.

SC: Makati gas pipeline may re-open only after DOE-supervised tests

By MARK MERUEÑAS/ KBK (GMA News)

The gas pipeline that leaked beneath a 22-storey Makati condominium in 2010 can be re-opened only after several Department of Energy-supervised test runs, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court.

In a ruling on a writ of kalikasan plea from West Tower Condominium Corp, et al., the SC ordered the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC), which operates the pipeline, to submit reports and conduct a test run for the affected portion of the 117-kilometer white oil pipeline (WOPL).

The DOE, meanwhile, was tasked to oversee FPIC’s test run, as well as conduct its own inspection of the affected portion of the pipeline.

“After FPIC has undertaken the activities prescribed… the DOE shall determine if the activities and the results of the test run warrant the re-opening of the WOPL,” the court said. “In the event that the DOE is satisfied that the WOPL is safe for continued commercial operations, it shall issue an order allowing FPIC to resume operations of the pipeline.”

The FPIC was also directed to undertake and continue the remediation, rehabilitation and restoration of the affected Barangay Bangkal environment “until full restoration of the affected area to its condition prior to the leakage is achieved.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources was tasked to oversee this.

Integrity system

Once the pipeline is opened, the FPIC must continue implementing its Pipeline Integrity Management System, as reviewed by the DOE, as well as submit monthly reports on its compliance with the directives, the high court said.

Meanwhile, the SC upheld the Court of Appeals recommendation denying West Tower’s request for the creation of a special trust fund to answer for similar contingencies in the future.

As for the petitioners plea that officials of the FPIC should be held liable for the gas leak, the SC said it “will refrain from ruling on the finding of the CA that the individual directors and officers of FPIC and First Gen Corp are not liable due to the explicit rule in the Rules of Procedure for Environment cases that in a petition for a wit of kalikasan, the Court cannot grant the award of damages to individual petitioners.”

The SC agreed with the CA that the petitioners should file separately a civil and criminal case against FPIC officials.

Requirements

Prior to the test run, the FPIC will first have to:

-- submit monitoring charts, data/reading, accomplishment reports, and project status for all related activities/works. Respond to comments and prepare for site inspection.

-- continue gas testing along the right-of-way using the monitoring wells or boreholes. Prepare for inspection of right-of-way and observation of gas testing activities on monitoring wells and boreholes.

-- explain the process of the selection of borehole location and identify those located in pipeline bends, bodies of water, highways, residential areas, repaired portions of the pipelines, dents and welded joints, as well as other notable factors, circumstance, or exposure to stresses.

-- set up additional boreholes and monitoring wells sufficient to cover the entire stretch of the WOPL, the number of location of which shall be determine by the DOE.

-- continue submitting status report to the concerned government agency’s relating to “Project Mojica,” or the on-going pipeline segment realignment activity being undertaken by FPIC to give way to a flood control project of the Metro Manila Development Authority in the vicinity of Mojica St. and Pres. Osmena Highway, and prepare for site inspection.

Pig run

During the actual test run, the FPIC will have to conduct a cleaning pig run; witness the launching and receiving of the intelligent and cleaning pigs; and observe pressure and leakage tests. Pigs are used to remove dirt or general construction debris that may be inside a pipe.

Part of DOE’s new tasks would be to conduct onsite inspection of the pipeline right-of-way, the area around the WOPL, the equipment installed underground or aboveground, and the cathodic protection rectifier.

The DOE will also have to review and check the condition of the 22 patches reinforced with clock spring sleeves.

The DOE will also have to observe and witness the operation of the cleaning pigs, as well as check and calibrate the instruments to be used for the actual tests of the pipeline, and validate the calibration certificates of these instruments.

The FPIC had earlier conducted tests and maintenance program for the pipeline, resulting in the DOE issuing a certification that operations are safe to resume at the pipeline. The CA, however, later found out that the tests were “insufficient and inconclusive.” West Tower Corp also insisted that the DOE is biased and incapable of determining the WOPL’s structural integrity.

Authorities discovered the leak at the basement of 22-storey West Tower condominium at the corner of South Super Highway and Del Pilar Street in July 2010.

The FPIC has two pipelines running underground, carrying gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel from refineries in Batangas to oil terminals in Pandacan and in Parañaque. Two of FPIC's largest clients are oil giants Chevron Philippines and Pilipinas Shell, which has earlier been reported to be suffering the most due to the gas leak.

MMDA calls on more volunteers to join the MM rescue corps

By Jimmyley E. Guzman

MAKATI CITY, June 17 (PIA) – Preparing for the ‘Big One,’ the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) called on the public to join in the Metro Manila Recue Volunteer Corps (MMRVC).

During the opening ceremony of the Government Programs and Services Thursday, June 11, in celebration of the 117th Philippine Independence at the Rizal Park in Manila, MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez called on the public to be part of their volunteer corps.

According to MMDA, the 8,000-strong MMRVC will be trained and activated for Metro Manila earthquake response. Volunteers may sign up at www.bepreparedmetromanila.com.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is also preparing for the metrowide earthquake drill set on July 30, 2015, from 10:30–11:30 AM.

The drill will also include schools, churches, business establishments, barangays, and government agencies.

A night drill will likewise be held on the same day at the Pasig City Central Business District (CBD) from 7:30–8:30 PM.

For more information and resources on earthquake preparedness and response, visit the website www.bepreparedmetromanila.com.

Industry group reinforces fight against smuggling, illicit trade

By Kris M. Crismundo [(PNA), LGI/KMC]

MANILA, June 16 (PNA) -- The Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc. (FPI) reinforces its fight against smuggling and expanded its movement to combat illicit trade to support businesses in the local market.

FPI launched in Makati City on Tuesday its multi-sectoral movement "Fight IT" (Illicit Trade) to curb unfair trade and secure national revenues and legitimate players in the domestic market.

“Illicit trade is a serious economic problem that robs the government of billions of pesos in revenues, harms consumers, and undercuts legitimate local manufacturers,” said FPI chair Jesus Arranza in a briefing.

The industry group mentioned that the government had a revenue loss of Php231.1 billion, in 2013 alone, due to smuggling.

What is worst, Arranza noted, is that illicit trade becomes a detrimental factor in job creation and future investments in the country. As local players lose their competitiveness in the market with the proliferation of smuggled goods and illicit trade, there will be no additional investments or firms closed, and workers lose their jobs.

The Fight IT Movement is also supported by sectors which common issues are smuggling and illicit trade in their industries including rice, sugar, corn, palm oil, tobacco, steel, cement, and ceramic tiles.

For giant tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp., the global tobacco industry estimates that 1 in 10 cigarettes smoked worldwide is from illicit trade.

“A container of illicit cigarettes costs approximately US$ 100,000 to US$ 150,000 to produce. If sold in Western Europe that same container can fetch up to US$ 2.0 million… The profits are massive,” said PMFTC Communication Manager Dave Gomez.

“The same is true here in the Philippines. With excise taxes going up by as much as 341 percent in 2013 and prices of cigarettes almost doubling since, market conditions make it conducive for cheap counterfeit cigarettes to prosper,” he added.

For the local Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association, its Secretary General Francisco Saavedra mentioned that the share of locally produced ceramic tiles in the Philippines now declined to 27 percent from 70 percent in 2005 due cheap illegally imported tiles present in the market.

The industry association now only have three big players from four companies then.

For the part of steel industry, Steel Angles, Shapes and Sections Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SASSMAPI) Executive Director Ramon Khu noted that some 50,000 direct and indirect employment and future investments of steel manufacturers will be affected if smuggling illicit trade will still push in the Philippine market.

Thus, the Fight IT Movement urges both public and private sectors as well as the academe to curb illicit trade in the country.

With its strengthened fight against illicit trade, Fight IT action plans include:

•Strengthening collaboration with government agencies and other business organizations;
•Providing regular updates to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on key smuggling issues;
•Providing recommendations to enforcement agencies;
•Providing recommendation to bills pending in Congress specifically the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act;
•Anti-smuggling summit to have a dialogue with government and industries;
•Training of law-enforcement agencies to spot fake goods;
•Commissioning research on smuggling; •Setting up of an informer’s reward program; and
•Awareness campaign.

Business sectors agree for metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30 -- MMDA

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan [(PNA), LGI/CLTC]

MANILA, June 15 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday announced the active participation of several business sectors in the first Metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30.

“They fully agreed with this event and we are very thankful for their support,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino told reporters after the meeting with representatives of several business organizations held at the Thai Dusit Hotel in Makati City.

Tolentino said the active participation of the business sectors are needed for their people to be prepared in time of a big disaster.

Among the business groups who attended the meeting and supported the MMDA plan were Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines and Bankers Association of the Philippines and Industry.

The meeting focused on the precautions and necessary actions to be taken on the part of the business community in order to survive when the Valley Fault System (VFS) moves.

The MMDA wanted the business community to prepare for a systematic evacuation, rescue and response measure.

“For example, in a call center buiding, they should have a floor by floor evacuation plan. They must ensure the safety of personnel, It should have been well planned,” said Tolentino.

"There will be a simultaneous drill once sirens and bells ring at exactly 10:30 a.m.," he added.

In order to make the drill effective, Tolentino said they are hoping that various sectors will give their all-out participation.

"So we expect an all out participation of schools, hospitals, malls, call centers, government offices, among others," he noted.

The MMDA chief said the July 30 event will be similar to the “Great California ShakeOut”, an earthquake preparedness drill that took place on November 13, 2008, where 5.3 million people participated.

The drill involved homes, businesses, schools, churches and communities across Southern California and also featured week-long events to connect communities with preparedness resources and the information and knowledge to prepare, respond, and recover in the event of a disaster.

Aside from the business sectors, the MMDA is also consulting with local government officials and community leaders about the government's contingency plans in the event a powerful earthquake hit Metro Manila.

In case tragedy hits, Metro Manila will be divided into four quadrants.

The government will use at least three golf courses as evacuation centers in the National Capital Region in the event of a big quake.

The Villamor Golf Club in Pasay City, Intramuros Golf Club in Manila, and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Golf Club in Quezon City were identified by the MMDA as evacuation centers.

These golf clubs will also be used as relief distribution hub, trauma centers, mobile hospitals, training and command post based on the agreement made by the agency and the management of the golf courses.

Based on the studies conducted by the MMDA and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake rehabilitation would cost Metro Manila around Php1.8 to Php2.3 trillion.

“Are we prepared for that? Metro Manila has a booming economy but do we accept if the quake destroys half of it?” said Tolentino.

Tolentino said the drill is part of the agency’s commitment to ensure disaster preparedness especially during earthquake, using the sectoral grouping as specified in Oplan Metro Yakal.

MMDA employees are required to group themselves according to sectors of their places of residence.

Areas covered by the North Sector are Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon and Quezon City.

The cities of Navotas, Manila and Pasay form the West Sector.

On the other hand, the South Sector includes the cities of Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas and the Municipality of Pateros.

Oplan Metro Yakal is MMDA’s earthquake contingency plan which focuses on preparedness of government resources and that of private organizations during emergencies.

Phivolcs recently released the Valley Fault System Atlas which contained detailed maps of the areas near the earthquake faults -- the East Valley Fall which runs through Rizal and the West Valley Fault which spans from Bulacan going to Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.

The agency said a strong movement, possibly equivalent to a magnitude 7.2, from the fault is possible and could kill more than 30,000 people based from Phivolcs studies.

The atlas also identified the 72 barangays in the metro cities of Pasig, Quezon, Marikina, Makati, Taguig and Muntinlupa which are above the fault line.

PDIC hosts int’l workshop on deposit insurance funding

(PNA), FPV/PR/SSC

MANILA, June 15 (PNA) -- The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is hosting the International Workshop on “Deposit Insurance Fund Target Size” on June 15-18, 2015 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

The workshop aims to provide a venue to discuss issues and exchange views on country experiences in setting up and administering deposit insurance fund (DIF) targets. Participating in the workshop are representatives from deposit insurance agencies, financial regulators and local and international financial institutions.

The event's highlight is the presentation of the initial results of the international survey on DIF target ratio recently conducted by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) among its members.

The results of the survey and the workshop will be used in preparing a research paper that will describe and examine current approaches and practices in determining the optimal deposit insurance fund size.

PDIC President Cristina Que Orbeta said that PDIC is the chair of the Sub-committee that is spearheading the research on deposit insurance fund targeting.

The hosting of the workshop is PDIC’s contribution in enhancing the policy framework of deposit insurance agencies in determining what should be the target DIF that will be adequate to carry out its mandate. The adequacy of the DIF reflects the strength of the deposit insurance system.

The international workshop coincides with the commemoration of the 13th Depositor Protection and Awareness Week (DPAW) on June 16-22 with the theme, “Promoting Depositor Confidence through Public Awareness and Financial Literacy”.

Php 1.27-B vehicle underpass soon to rise in Makati City

By Ferdinand G. Patinio [(PNA), RMA/FGP/SSC]

MANILA, June 13 (PNA) -- The construction of the 880 lineal meters Senator Gil Puyat Avenue/Makati Avenue – Paseo de Roxas Vehicle Underpass Project worth Php 1.27 billion is set to start this month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

According to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson the Department had already awarded the project and expected the construction to begin soon.

“We have awarded that project. I understand they might be preparing to mobilize soon...They are supposed to be starting. Nagmomobilize na dapat yan. So they are probably preparing,” he said.

The project involves the construction of a four – lane, (2-3.5 meters each direction) divided vehicle underpass along inner most lanes of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue passing through Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas intersections, including a covered tunnel portion of about 570 meters.

The underpass with 22 months construction duration is expected to provide uninterrupted traffic flow along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue passing through Makati Ave. and Paseo de Roxas Ave. by January 2017.

Singson added that while working on the underpass project, the Department was also looking at opening the Jupiter St. as alternative route to EDSA.

The project, approved by President Benigno Aquino III and NEDA Board, aims to address traffic congestion within Makati Central Business District and its surrounding areas.

Free ferry ride today

(MMDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 12 June (PIA) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is offering free ride on the Pasig River Ferry System today in celebration of the 117th Philippine Independence.

According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, the public can avail of the free rides from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Tolentino also said that the ‘libreng sakay’ will enable the agency to further promote the ferry system as an alternative mode of transportation in the busy metropolis.

At present, the ferry service has 11 stations which include Pinagbuhatan and San Joaquin in Pasig City, Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City, Hulo in Mandaluyong City, PUP Sta. Mesa, Sta.Ana, Lambingan, Escolta, Lawton, and Plaza Mexico in Manila, with 10 passenger boats in operation.

Eyes on UXMNL Summit 2015

By Paul Artigo (Rappler.com)

Participants go hands-on to learn great user experience and killer information architecture

MANILA, Philippines - UXMNL Summit 2015 was held from May 29 to 30, 2015 at Green Sun Hotel, Makati City. The two-day affair had two tracks and two speakers. Each track was a day full of learning from award winning and internationally renowned UX experts from Australia, Mr. Matt Magain and Ms. Donna Spencer. Their topics were “Innovation As A Necessity, Not A Luxury” and “Developing A Killer Information Architecture”, respectively. Magain’s track focused on developing ideas. Spencer’s focused on theories behind information architecture.

The event was packed and UX enthusiasts from different professions attended - from project managers, analysts, marketers, developers, designers to executives. The summit was not the typical "sit down and listen" affair. Various tools for innovation were introduced for the audience’s appreciation.

Three tricks to innovate

Magain’s hands-on activities were the highlights of the affair. Some of hands-on activities done in the event are the F.A.B.I grid, the empathy map and the visual stimulus.

F.A.B.I stands for Features, Adjectives, Benefits, Ideas. The F.A.B.I. Grid activity is a collaborative note-taking exercise for capturing and displaying information for the group to analyse. The objective is to gather those four kinds of information around a pre-identified topic. These are features associated to, adjectives that describe, benefits or value provided by and ideas related to that topic.

The empathy map is a quick and collaborative activity aimed at creating a customer or user profile. This quick exercise is not meant to be the definitive result of user research. It encourages the team to exercise more empathy for the potential user while revealing insights and potential opportunities for innovation.

Visual Stimulus is an activity designed to obtain ideas from the participants. Participants are presented a series of images. Each of the images are divided into five categories. The first category is called “In-category” that shows pictures of how others also solved the problem the group is trying to solve. The second category is called “Alternate worlds” which shows pictures of how other industries solve the similar problem the group is trying to solve. The third one is called “Observing trends” which shows pictures of related trends occurring in the world that might able to give some ideas on how to solve the problem. The fourth one is called “Creative excursions” that shows pictures of celebrities that based on their personality, how would they solve the problem the group is trying to answer. The last one is called “Abstract images” which shows pictures of completely unrelated images that may spark ideas by making unexpected connections.

These three tricks may help you next time you want to harness your team’s ability to innovate.

Innovate by collaborating and participating

In this ever-advancing digital world, the demand for professionals with the right UX skills continues to grow. Products are no longer differentiated by their features alone but through great user experience. This process prioritizes the customer above all else which makes the product or service stand out amongst its competitors. The international crowd has been buzzing about UX for several years now and the local community is quickly catching up.

"We feel our events are a bit different to others,” shared UXMNL co-founder Phil Smithson. “We passionately value attendees’ learning over anything else and want to make sure that when you to attend our events they really learn something and get added value which you can use in their working lives. This is why we offer interactive exercises to hit home the learning points.”

UXMNL’s approach to its goal of making outstanding customer experience the norm in the Philippines is two-fold. Firstly, to teach consumers to expect outstanding customer experiences and secondly, educate companies on how to create them. Great innovation is not the product of a single individual’s effort but the collective effort of many people trying to solve the same problem. The activities experienced at UXMNL 2015 while on the surface are fun and exciting also have the potential to produce a good, efficient and effective solution to real problems many groups are trying to solve. Applying those fun and exciting activities could result to a life-changing solution and in the same time empowerment to participants solving the problem to make a difference in their own little way. This kind of collaboration encourages teams to contribute, engage and involve themselves in solving our world’s problems.

Freedom of the press inspires hotel’s new conference rooms

By Joseph L. Garcia

THE NEW WORLD Makati Hotel recently unveiled its new floor, called the Press Club, which is meant to cater to the business and convention market.

The new floor boasts of earth-toned interiors, a library, a WiFi-enabled business center, and six “press” rooms that can be booked for meetings. The hallways are decorated with very large paintings.

There is an emphasis on thinking outside the box for the new meeting rooms. “The press is about freedom: freedom to think, [and] freedom to imagine,” said Czarina Gandollas, director of Events Management for New World, said during a tour on June 3, explaining the names of the function rooms.

Each of the press rooms is connected to a break room. This is no hallway with a coffee machine. Island counters stand in the center of the room where snacks may be served, while on the shelves are reading materials and an espresso machine. “They don’t want to be restricted in a square room,” said Ms. Gandollas.

Most exciting of all, menus for conferences can be customized, or can follow a certain theme. Ms. Gandollas ticked off the following themed menus: mango, strawberry, patisserie, Pinoy Break, Oriental Dim Sum, and Health Break. “If you want a theme in mind, we normally invite the chef to sit down with us,” she said.

The meeting packages come inclusive of free-flowing non-alcoholic drinks and access to the pool, along with two coffee breaks and one lunch. Bookings range from P3,000 to P3,200 per person, and the rooms can accommodate 80 to 200 people.

The Press Club is the last leg of the hotel’s function rooms’ renovations from 2012, which included the opening of the ballroom and the Glass House on the second floor. The area occupied by the Press Club used to host a bank of guest rooms, but Ms. Gandollas said: “The function rooms anyway also earn much when they are booked.”

Makati reroutes traffic on Wednesday-Friday for Sampiro de Makati Festival

(PNA), CTB/CLTC

MANILA, June 9 (PNA) – The city government of Makati on Tuesday said that traffic along Makati Avenue will be rerouted starting Wednesday (June 10) at 10 p.m. for the annual grand parade and street party marking Makati’s 345th founding anniversary.

The grand parade dubbed “Sampiro de Makati Festival” on Thursday, June 11 at 4:30 p.m. starts from City Hall grounds through J.P. Rizal Street, and ends at the staging area near Berjaya Hotel on Makati Avenue.

The parade will culminate with a street dance competition at the staging area, which will be followed by a street party where five live bands will perform.

To make way for the construction of a stage near Berjaya Hotel, the stretch of Makati Avenue from the corners of J.P. Rizal Street to Kalayaan Avenue will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, June 10 starting at 10 p.m., and will remain closed until June 12 at 6 a.m.

Vehicles from Mandaluyong City going to Gil Puyat Avenue shall turn right on J.P. Rizal Street then turn left on Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Reposo St.).

From Mandaluyong City to Rockwell and Guadalupe, vehicles shall turn left on J.P. Rizal Street towards destination.

Vehicles from Gil Puyat Avenue going to Mandaluyong City, Rockwell and J.P. Rizal Street shall take P. Burgos Street from Makati Avenue.

During the parade, one lane of J.P. Rizal Street will remain open for Taft-bound vehicles. After the parade has passed through, J.P. Rizal Street will be opened to two-way traffic.

The grand parade on June 11 will feature floats depicting significant eras in the history of Makati and a street dance competition among six groups with over 2,000 participants from the city’s 33 barangays. The six groups will vie for the best interpretation of the “Sampiro Shuffle”, a dance created to honor old Makati’s patron saint, San Pedro (St. Peter).

Other events marking the 345th Araw ng Makati include a photo exhibit featuring “Feathers in the Fields: The Birds of IRRI” and “Philippine Waterfalls” at the ground floor lobby of Makati City Hall Building II from 8am to 5pm from June 8 to 11, Family Day on June 20, Gabi ng Kapatiran on June 24 at World Trade Center, The Makati Show at Makati Coliseum and Pasinaya Festival at Bel-Air Covered Court on June 25.

Makati grants Php 100,000 to 22nd Centenarian

(PNA), CTB/CLTC

MANILA, June 8 (PNA) -- The city government of Makati awarded Php 100,000 as cash gift to the 22nd centenarian track in the city.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay awarded a P100,000-cash gift and a plaque of recognition to the city’s 22nd centenarian during a simple ceremony in his office at Makati City Hall.

Salud R. Alejo, 100 years old from barangay Valenzuela, was traced and found to be qualified for the award through the joint efforts of the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA). Her son Rogelio Alejo received the award on her behalf.

Alejo was born on February 15, 1915 and was married to Lucio Alejo Sr. (deceased). Their union was blessed with eight children who are now professionals.

She was a carinderia owner/operator during her younger years. At present, she maintains a healthy lifestyle, eating regular meals but less pork and beef. Her blood pressure has remained at normal levels and so has her sugar count. At her centennial age, Alejo is said to be mentally fit.

The first batch of centenarians awarded in January 2013 consisted of nine with only one male among them, and four of them were honored posthumously.

In 2014, there were also nine centenarians who were awarded with the P100,000 cash gift. Also starting last year, the awarding has been done quarterly upon recommendation of MSWD to increase the chances of recipients being able to attend the ceremony themselves.

For the first quarter of 2015, three lady centenarians were awarded with P100,000 cash gift.

Alejo and the previous honorees were able to meet the criteria set by the MSWD, the lead implementer of the BLU Card Program: 1) must be a Filipino citizen; 2) must be a bonafide resident of Makati; 3) must have reached 100 years old between January to December of the current year; and 4) must be a BLU Card and White Card holder for at least five years.

There were already 21 centenarians in Makati who were granted P100,000 by the city government.

MMDA expects heavy traffic on Buendia off-ramp to Del Rosa St. in Makati City due to construction of SkyWay stage 3

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan [(PNA), CTB/CLTC]

MANILA, June 7 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday said it expects heavy traffic two weeks from now in the area of Buendia off-ramp to Del Rosa St. in Makati City due to the construction of SkyWay stage 3.

The 14.8-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 will start at the end of Skyway Stage 1 on Buendia Ave. in Makati City and run through Osmeña Highway, Quirino Ave., Paco and Sta. Mesa districts via the Nagtahan flyover towards Aurora Boulevard and Araneta Ave. up to Sgt. Rivera, and will end at A. Bonifacio Ave. towards the North Luzon Expressway.

The P26.5-billion project is expected to reduce travel time from Buendia to Balintawak to just 15 minutes from at least two hours.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) started the three-day (June 6 to 8) road closure of the 225-meter stretch of Osmeña Highway in Makati did not cause traffic gridlocks in the area.

He said The traffic dry run started last Saturday at 6 a.m. and ends Monday midnight.

"Nagkaroon ng (traffic) dry run sa bahagi ng Buendia 'yung exit ramp. Hangga't hindi full blast (ang construction), hindi naman makaka-apekto," Tolentino said during the agency's weekly radio program.

During the dry-run, and eventually during the Phase 2 construction, the Buendia Off-ramp will be temporarily closed. Motorists on light vehicles coming from the Skyway System’s elevated section going to Manila and the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) are, therefore, advised to exit at Magallanes, Don Bosco or Amorsolo.

Meanwhile, buses must exit at Magallanes or Don Bosco only. Signages leading to alternate routes will be posted along the Skyway and adequate number of the traffic enforcers will be deployed strategically to manage traffic and assist motorists. CCEC, MMDA and the traffic units of Makati City appeal for public understanding and cooperation.

For his part, Eli Dela Cruz, traffic management head of Skyway, said they closed the area to determine the adjustments before the construction of the posts near the ramp.

Dela Cruz said there will be a total closure from Buendia off-ramp to Dela Rosa St. for a week to give way for the construction using a heavy equipment called "drilling rig."

He said they have placed traffic signages in Makati and Pasay to guide the motorists to the alternate routes.

After the one-week closure, he said they will also build posts on Quirino Ave. in Manila.

The portion of Skyway Stage 3 project in Makati will cover the stretch of Osmeña Avenue from Pablo Ocampo St. up to Magallanes Interchange. Phase I, where preparatory works are being done in the area from the existing Skyway up to the off-ramp of Buendia Flyover, is targeted for completion in 12 months.

Initially, the work schedule has been set at 11pm to 5am, but as construction progresses, the work schedule is expected to become 24/7.

CECC ensured that during construction, two lanes on both directions of Osmeña will be open to traffic. In addition, the Skyway entry and exit ramps at Arnaiz Avenue, as well as the Don Bosco exit ramp will remain open.

Additional access roads are assigned along Osmeña. An improvement made at Osmeña-Arnaiz intersection would allow northbound light private vehicles to access Medina that runs parallel with Osmeña. Private motorists may take this route when going to Ayala via Dela Rosa. When coming from SLEX, motorists may take the C-5/Kalayaan Avenue route.

For light private vehicles (4,500 kg gross weight and below) traveling northbound (moving towards Manila) from Skyway to Makati Central Business District, the motorists may exit at Don Bosco off-ramp and take Don Bosco Street, then take Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) to destination.

As an alternative, motorists may continue driving northwards along Osmeña, turn right to Dela Rosa Street and cross Chino Roces toward the Ayala area. Drivers may also go straight along Osmeña, cross Buendia and turn right to Malugay toward Ayala Avenue.

When Buendia Skyway exit ramp is closed, light private vehicles must take the exit ramps at Don Bosco or Arnaiz. When coming from Skyway at-grade section, motorists may take the C-5 and Kalayaan Avenue route.

When moving southbound from Osmeña towards Ayala Central Business District, turn left at Zobel Roxas, right to Kamagong, and turn right to Ayala Avenue Extension. Motorists may also proceed straight along Osmeña, and turn left to Malugay or Buendia to destination.

Another route available to motorists is to turn right to P. Ocampo, left at Filmore or Dian or Bautista, head south, cross Buendia then turn left to Edison, left again at Arnaiz, and turn right to Osmeña toward destination.

For trucks and buses traversing Osmeña, drivers must use Osmeña–Buendia Flyover. Vehicles that exceed 4,500 kilograms gross weight (as shown on the CR), except when expressly indicated, are prohibited from using other roads (secondary roads used as alternate routes) within Makati. However, light private vehicles may use the roads assigned for buses and trucks.

Northbound buses and trucks passing the Skyway/SLEX are not allowed to go beyond Magallanes Exit. They must exit at Skyway Magallanes off-ramp and take the Osmeña ground level, and Buendia-Osmeña Flyover. Drivers must then proceed northward along Osmeña Highway toward destination.

For buses bound for LRT Taft–Buendia station, a U-Turn slot will be provided along Osmeña near the Makati-Manila boundary at Zobel Roxas area. The slot will serve as a turn-around point to allow buses to take Buendia toward Taft Avenue.

Buses from Taft–Buendia and southbound via SLEX and Skyway must take Buendia, turn right to Edison, turn left to Rockefeller or Arnaiz and exit to Osmeña toward the destination. Buses and trucks from Manila area traveling along Osmeña must use the Osmeña-Buendia Flyover.

Trucks and buses which are prohibited from using alternate routes must use Osmeña and other roads allowed. The routes of Public Utility Jeepneys that ply Libertad-Arnaiz/Washington/Landmark remain the same.

The project aims to decongest traffic on Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares like EDSA, C5 and Central Manila.

Taiwan helps train over 180K Filipinos in computer literacy program

By Louie Morente [(PNA), RMA/LAM]

MANILA, June 6 (PNA) -– More than 180,000 Filipinos have received computer literacy training under the APEC Digital Opportunity Centers (ADOCs) established across the country by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in collaboration with Taiwan.

Ambassador Gary Song-Huann Lin, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines, announced this Saturday during the 2015 Taiwan Alumni Association gathering at the SM Jazz Mall in Makati City.

Lin said that Taiwan had spent tireless efforts in promoting digital education exemplified in the establishment of ADOCs in the Philippines and in other member countries as well in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

”Based on our long standing friendship and good will, Taiwan has helped the Philippines set up 17 ADOC Centers, allowing more than 180,000 Filipinos to receive training. Among them, 47.77 % are female. It is a friendly gesture that Taiwan sends to assist young Filipino generation to catch up with the digital era,” Ambassador Lin said.

ADOC is a fully-equipped computer learning center aimed at teaching interested Filipinos from all walks of life basic computer skills to the trickier programming, and other computer skills.

The establishment of ADOCs was initiated by Taiwan, in collaboration with 10 other countries, during the 11th APEC Leaders meeting in Bangkok in 2013.

”It is Taiwan’s way of helping its neighbors, fostering stronger friendship, trade and economic ties with them,” Lin said.

Saturday’s event was attended by some 20 alumni of Taiwan’s post-graduate scholarship program. Started more than 10 years ago, the Taiwan Scholarship Program has benefited more than a hundred Filipino graduates to pursue masteral and doctorate degrees in Taipei.

Lin said some of the alumni members are now teachers, while some set up their own companies, or working for the Philippine government or other private enterprises.

”No matter what you do, I believe that the Taiwan Scholarship Program not only offers you an academic opportunity to pursue higher education in your pursuit of knowledge, but also enables you to embark on an unforgettable and wonderful cross-cultural journey so as to explore the beauty of Taiwan and experience Taiwan’s vibrant culture first hand and, more importantly, feel the stroke of human touch in the Taiwanese way,” the ambassador said.

Lin said the scholars had become “goodwill ambassadors” after discovering and witnessing that, Taiwanese, just like Filipinos, shared so many similarities and common values.

"Through you, more and more Filipinos have come to familiarize that Taiwan is a small island country with a big appeal. You have already made a difference and an impact on the Taiwan-Philippine substantive relationship. I want to thank all of you for the amazing support you have always extended to Taiwan. I am deeply grateful for that. You, as the member of the Taiwan Alumni Association, are fully qualified to be called Taiwan’s Goodwill Ambassadors,” he said.

Lin added that a 16-member university students acting as Taiwan’s “Goodwill Ambassadors” will visit Manila from Sept. 12 to 15, 2015 to showcase their talents in a public performance.

14 Makati athletes join PHL team in SEA Games in Singapore

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan [(PNA) RMA/CLTC/Jarren Hill S. Repedro/JHSR(OJT)]

MANILA, June 5 (PNA) --Fourteen varsity players of the University of Makati (UMak) have made it to the Team Philippines, representing the country in various sports at the ongoing 28th South East Asian Games (SEA Games)(June 5-16) in Singapore.

In his report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, Professor Dominador Lera, Jr., director of UMak Athletic Development Center, said the 14 athletes from the city-run university would compete in squash, archery, floorball (indoor hockey), rugby, and dragon boat race.

“UMak athletes have been consistently winning and bagging awards in both local and international competitions. We are proud to have produced our very own home-grown, world-class athletes,” Lera said.

For his part, Binay commended the UMak athletes for their dedication to excellence in their chosen fields, which had earned them the privilege to represent the country in international sports competitions.

“The outstanding athletes of UMak have done justice to our continuing efforts to spark the youth’s interest in sports and enable them to discover and develop their latent abilities, so that they can fulfill their dreams and build a better life for their families,” Binay said.

At the start of the mayor’s term in 2010, the UMak Athletic Development Center was established to address the increasing need of student-athletes for support and proper training, and has since become responsible for the promotion, development and implementation of the sports program of the university. The center provides administrative services for all its intercollegiate athletic activities, which include recruitment, training, and holistic formation of student-athletes.

Six varsity players of the UMak Floorball team form part of the national Floorball team competing in the SEA Games this year, namely, Mark Jello Cerdon, Ronald Ross Carbonel, Henielee Pastor, Mark Anthony Polo, Hazzer Talingdan and Lionel Nico Veles. The UMak floorball team for men is a four-time champion in the Philippine Floorball League - in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

For squash, a racquet sport played in singles or doubles with a small hollow rubber ball, UMak athletes David William Pelino and Jemyca Aribado Club will be competing at the 28th SEA Games.

Pelino finished 1st runner up in the elite category at the 2014 2nd Philippine Squash Academy (PSA) Open National Squash Championship held at the Makati Sports Club. Aribado, on the other hand, was hailed 1st runner up in division 1 at the same tournament.

UMak also has two players in archery at the SEA Games, Paul Marton Dela Cruz, a bronze medalist at the 17th Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea last year, and Rachel Anne Dela Cruz who represented the Philippines at the 2012 Olympic Games held in London.

For rugby, three UMak athletes will be playing for the country, namely, Sylvia Tudoc, Gelanie Gamba and Rassiel Sales. The university’s rugby team for women has been a two-time champion at the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) Games, in 2013 and 2014.

UMak athlete Dany Funelas will once again join the Philippine Dragon Boat Team for the traditional dragon boat race. Funelas was part of the Philippine team sent to Poznan, Poland last year that bagged five gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships.

This year’s Philippine contingent to the SEA Games, composed of 459 Filipino athletes, was given a send-off party last May 27 at the PhilSports Arena. They will be competing in 35 out of the 36 events, the exception being field hockey.

Makati distributes mid-year cash gift to seniors

By Jerome R. Paunan (ICRD/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MAKATI CITY, 4 June (PIA) – Some 68,187 senior citizens of the city with BLU Cards will be receiving their mid-year cash gift at designated venues, according to the Elderly Welfare Section of the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD).

The yearly cash gift, given in two equal installments every June and December, varies according to specific age groups, as follows: P2,000 for those aged 60 to 69 years old, P3,000 for 70 to 79 years old, and P4,000 for those aged 80 and above. Thus, the first age group will receive P1,000, the second group, P1,500, and the third group, P2,000 this June.

Scheduled on June 4, Thursday, distribution will be done simultaneously at the barangay halls of Forbes Park and Sta. Cruz, and in the covered courts of Brgy. La Paz and San Antonio Village. BLU Card holders of Brgy. Northside can claim their cash gift at the Cash Division, 3rd floor of Makati City Hall main building on the same day, also from 9am to 4pm.

The cash gift distribution scheduled for June 5, Friday, from 9am to 4pm, will be at the barangay halls of Brgys. Dasmariñas and Urdaneta, the covered court of Brgy. Valenzuela, and the Elderly Health Care Center of Brgy. Tejeros.

From 9am to 4pm on Saturday, June 6, the cash gift will be distributed at the barangay halls of Brgys. Guadalupe Viejo, Pitogo and San Lorenzo Village, and at the old covered court in Kampupot St. in Brgy. Pembo.

On Monday, June 8, from 9am to 4pm, cash gift distribution will be done at the barangay hall of Singkamas, and the covered courts of Brgys. Olympia and South Cembo.

Next schedule will be on Tuesday, June 9, same time, at the covered court of Brgy. Magallanes and the barangay halls of Brgys. East Rembo and Pinagkaisahan.

The MSWD will be announcing the schedule for the rest of the barangays by next week.

In claiming the cash gift, beneficiaries who are unable to come in person can send their duly authorized representative, whose name appears at the back of the BLU Card, to the Cash Division at the 3rd floor of Makati City Hall. The representative should be able to present a medical certificate as proof of the beneficiaries’ condition, whether bedridden, disabled or confined in a hospital.

Authorization forms are available at the MSWD office at the fifth floor of Makati City Hall.

On the other hand, senior citizens who are out-of-town or abroad during the distribution of the cash gifts are not entitled to claim the said benefit, and authorization presented by a representative will not be honored by the Cash Division.

For 2015, the city has allocated P194 million for the cash gift and centenarian incentive under BLU Card.

Makati bares traffic plan for construction of Skyway Stage 3

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan [(PNA) RMA/CLTC/Jarren Hill S. Repedro/JHSR/Maria Edelyn Cantillo/MEC (OJT)]

MANILA, June 3 (PNA) -- The city government of Makati on Wednesday approved the traffic management plan for the duration of the construction of Skyway Stage 3, Phase I.

The portion of Skyway Stage 3 project in Makati, which started last May 19, covers the stretch of Osmeña Avenue from Pablo Ocampo St. up to Magallanes Interchange. Phase I, where preparatory works are being done in the area from the existing Skyway up to the off-ramp of Buendia Flyover, is targeted for completion in 12 months.

Initially, the work schedule has been set at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., but as construction progresses, the work schedule is expected to become 24/7.

According to city transport consultant Ernesto Camarillo, the construction of Skyway Stage 3 will be done in segments to ease traffic congestion, as agreed among the city government, concerned agencies of the national government, and the private sector.

Camarillo said the city government as well as the project implementers had already established adequate safety measures for the motorists and the public.

“Citra Expressway Central Corporation (CECC) has complied with the city’s directives to install directional and other traffic signs for motorists, and to post adequate number of traffic enforcers,” he said.

“We have also required that alternate and access roads be prepared and sidewalks for pedestrians be constructed, especially when the heavy construction phases commence,” Camarillo added.

The consultant said traffic enforcers of the city have been deployed to the affected areas to provide assistance to motorists and help prevent accidents.

“Osmeña Avenue is one of the four entry and exit points in Makati, with a volume of 115,000 vehicles passing daily, along with EDSA, C5 and Roxas Boulevard. As such, we made sure that extensive precautionary measures would be in place prior to the start of construction works,” he said.

Camarillo clarified that the vehicle volume reduction scheme/color coding, truck ban and other traffic laws in the city will remain in full force during the construction period.

The CECC ensured that during construction, two lanes on both directions of Osmeña will be open to traffic. In addition, the Skyway entry and exit ramps at Arnaiz Avenue, as well as the Don Bosco exit ramp will remain open.

Additional access roads are assigned along Osmeña. An improvement made at Osmeña-Arnaiz intersection would allow northbound light private vehicles to access Medina that runs parallel with Osmeña. Private motorists may take this route when going to Ayala via Dela Rosa. When coming from SLEX, motorists may take the C-5/Kalayaan Avenue route.

For light private vehicles (4,500 kg gross weight and below) traveling northbound (moving towards Manila) from Skyway to Makati Central Business District, the motorists may exit at Don Bosco off-ramp and take Don Bosco Street, then take Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) to destination.

As an alternative, motorists may continue driving northwards along Osmeña, turn right to Dela Rosa Street and cross Chino Roces toward the Ayala area. Drivers may also go straight along Osmeña, cross Buendia and turn right to Malugay toward Ayala Avenue.

When Buendia Skyway exit ramp is closed, light private vehicles must take the exit ramps at Don Bosco or Arnaiz. When coming from Skyway at-grade section, motorists may take the C-5 and Kalayaan Avenue route.

When moving southbound from Osmeña towards Ayala Central Business District, turn left at Zobel Roxas, right to Kamagong, and turn right to Ayala Avenue Extension. Motorists may also proceed straight along Osmeña, and turn left to Malugay or Buendia to destination.

Another route available to motorists is to turn right to P. Ocampo, left at Filmore or Dian or Bautista, head south, cross Buendia then turn left to Edison, left again at Arnaiz, and turn right to Osmeña toward destination.

For trucks and buses traversing Osmeña, drivers must use Osmeña–Buendia Flyover. Vehicles that exceed 4,500 kilograms gross weight (as shown on the CR), except when expressly indicated, are prohibited from using other roads (secondary roads used as alternate routes) within Makati. However, light private vehicles may use the roads assigned for buses and trucks.

Northbound buses and trucks passing the Skyway/SLEX are not allowed to go beyond Magallanes Exit. They must exit at Skyway Magallanes off-ramp and take the Osmeña ground level, and Buendia-Osmeña Flyover. Drivers must then proceed northward along Osmeña Highway toward destination.

For buses bound for LRT Taft–Buendia station, a U-Turn slot will be provided along Osmeña near the Makati-Manila boundary at Zobel Roxas area. The slot will serve as a turn-around point to allow buses to take Buendia toward Taft Avenue.

Buses from Taft–Buendia and southbound via SLEX and Skyway must take Buendia, turn right to Edison, turn left to Rockefeller or Arnaiz and exit to Osmeña toward the destination. Buses and trucks from Manila area traveling along Osmeña must use the Osmeña-Buendia Flyover.

Trucks and buses which are prohibited from using alternate routes must use Osmeña and other roads allowed. The routes of Public Utility Jeepneys that ply Libertad-Arnaiz/Washington/Landmark remain the same.

Meanwhile, the trees to be uprooted at the site will be transferred to another location, while the plants that may be destroyed will be replaced by CECC as agreed with the city’s environment department.

For information or any assistance needed, the public may access the following platforms: @skywaystage3, anna@ccec.com.ph, @MakatiInfo, @MakatiTraffic, emergency_168@yahoo, C3@makati.gov.ph, emergency 168 (Makati City’s hotline).

Flyers with directional and alternate route directions are available at the following offices: CECC, MACEA, MAPSA, Makati Parking Authority, and the Information and Community Relations Department.

“Birds of IRRI “ photo exhibit tour now back in NCR

(PNA), CTB/ZAT/WITH REPORTS FROM IRRI/EDS

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna June 2 (PNA) -- After a successful exhibit at the SM City Pampanga on May 11-16 and at SM City Calamba on May 25-29 , the “Birds of IRRI” photo exhibit is now at the Event Center of SM City San Larazo from June 1-5 and will “travel” to the Makati City Hall on June 8-to 11, 2015.

Avian enthusiasts are in for a real treat as birds found in the rice fields of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are showcased in a spectacular photo exhibit entitled Feathers in the Fields: The Birds of IRRI. The IRRI together with the National Commission for Culture and Arts and the Filipino Heritage Festivals, launched the traveling exhibit at The Gallery, Greenbelt 5, in Makati City on May 6 in celebration of the National Heritage Month.

Feathers in the Fields: Birds of IRRI, featuring stunning photos taken by renowned photographers Segfredo Serrano and Tirso Paris, was originally unveiled at the Riceworld Museum at the IRRI headquarters. The exhibit was meant to help people understand that not all birds found in rice fields are pests.

“Our research indicates that these birds contribute to maintaining a healthy rice crop by consuming large numbers of insects and snails thereby regulating pest population,” said Finbarr Horgan, an ecologist at IRRI.

But the presence of numerous bird species also indicates a healthy rice ecosystem that provides them with an ideal habitat. “The ecologically-based management of rice fields at IRRI has been rewarded by a multitude of farmer-friendly birds,” said Dr. Horgan. “Recently, large numbers of rails and moorhens have successfully reproduced at IRRI, an indication perhaps of the success of IRRI’s focus on environment-friendly agriculture. This is just the start, and hopefully continuing efforts will invite even more birds to make IRRI’s rice fields their home.”

MMDA to train volunteers for rescue operations

(PNA) FPV/CLTC/Jarren Hill S. Repedro / JHSR (OJT)

MANILA, June 1 (PNA) --The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is now accepting rescue volunteers to reinforce its 6,000 rescue personnel in case of disasters.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the MMDA aims to train 8,000 volunteers for free to be part of the Metro Manila Rescue Volunteer Core.

Tolentino explained that private individuals and people from homeowners associations could also sign up for the training as long as they are 18 yrs. old and above and is physically prepared for training.

"Next week, we will be dividing the volunteers who will sign up to the four quadrants of the OPLAN: Metro Yakal and each quadrant will have 2,000 volunteers each," Tolentino said.

Tolentino noted that the training will be done batch by batch composing of 30 volunteers to maximize the facilities and the time of the trainer.

Participants will recieve T-shirts, identification card and a certificate of training.

"They will be able to use the knowldge they gained from training in real-life scenario and that is free," Tolentino added.

Interested individuals may call MMDA office at 882-0927 or the MMDA Trunkline at 882-4151.

The training is a part of the preparation efforts of the MMDA to respond in case a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila.

On Monday, the MMDA launched the bepreparedmetromanila.com, a new website that provides vital information on earthquake preparedness and disaster response.

Tolentino said the new website is part of MMDA’s thrust of using technology and communications to make accessible to the public necessary information should a strong earthquake hit Metro Manila and nearby towns.

“With the unquestionable power of technology nowadays, the be prepared Metro Manila website is the agency’s latest offering to promote disaster preparedness and public safety,” Tolentino said.

The website highlights the importance of volunteerism and ‘bayanihan’ through the sign-up option for the Metro Manila Rescue Volunteer Corps (MMRVC).

Oplan Metro Yakal is the earthquake-response plan by the agency which was released in 2011 and created divisions in Metro Manila for faster disaster response measures. It also identified four possible evacuation sites (Veteran’s golf course in Quezon City, Villamor golf course in Pasay City, the Wack Wack golf course in Mandaluyong City and the Intramuros golf course in Manila) and color-coding of uniforms to be worn by rescuers in the four quadrants.

The MMDA said that this division will help avoid multiple dispatch of emergency and rescue teams in a single area.

The north quadrant (red) is composed of Caloocan, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, San Juan and Mandaluyong, the south quadrant (blue) is composed of the Makati, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Taguig, Pateros, Pasay, Muntinlupa and Pateros, the west quadrant (green) is made up of Manila and Malabon while the east quadrant (orange) is composed of Marikina and Pasig.

Phivolcs recently released the Valley Fault System Atlas which contained detailed maps of the areas near theearthquake faults -- the East Valley Fall which runs through Rizal and the West Valley Fault which spans from Bulacan going to Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.

The agency said a strong movement, possibly equivalent to a magnitude 7.2, from the fault is possible and could kill more than 30,000 people based from Phivolcs studies.

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