Makati City News November 2012

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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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

Murder raps filed vs 4 in ex-US Marine’s slay

by Edu Punay and Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed murder charges in court against four men involved in the killing of former United States Marine George Anikow, husband of a US embassy employee, in Makati City last week.

The DOJ has found probable cause to indict Juan Alfonso Abastillas, 24; Crispin dela Paz, 28; Osric Cabrera, 27; and Galicano Datu III, 22, for the fatal stabbing of Anikow during a brawl between them.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, chief of DOJ’s national prosecution service, confirmed that the case was filed before the Makati regional trial court Tuesday and was raffled to the sala of Branch 56 Judge Winlove Dumayas yesterday.

The complaint was filed based on the recommendation of Makati City Assistant Prosecutor Gilbert Alcala, who conducted inquest proceedings on the murder charges filed against the suspects by the police.

In a five-page resolution, Alcala cited as basis the testimony of Bel-Air Village security guard Jose Rommel Saavedra, who witnessed the incident and identified the four respondents, as well as closed-circuit television footage showing the respondents attacking the victim.

“The fact that all the respondents even chased him, despite the fact that he already sustained a stab wound and ran away, and continued attacking him despite the fact that he already fell to the ground and was unable to defend himself against their assault, are clearly indicative of a common design to proceed to such extremity of killing him,” Alcala said. Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The prosecutor also cited as qualifying circumstance for the alleged murder “abuse of superior strength.”

Records showed that the incident took place at around 4 a.m. at the Bel-Air Village gate on Nov. 24.

A verbal confrontation ensued between Anikow and suspects after the victim strongly tapped the rear left side of a Volvo sport utility vehicle occupied by the suspects, who wanted to enter the village as a shortcut to nearby Palm Village, where Cabrera lives.

The victim allegedly suddenly hit one of the respondents, triggering a fistfight until one of them brought out a knife and stabbed Anikow. The bloodied victim already ran away but the respondents chased him and again took turns in beating him.

Makati police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban said the city police has yet to receive the results of a DNA test done on a bloody tactical knife recovered in the suspects’ vehicle. The test could prove who really stabbed Anikow, he said.






Makati public schools top nationwide exams

by Mike Frialde'


MANILA, Philippines - Public elementary and high schools in Makati City have topped other private and public schools in Metro Manila in the recently held National Achievement Test (NAT) given by the Department of Education.

In a report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, Department of Education (DepEd Makati) officer-in-charge, Dr. Dominico Idanan, said the city’s public schools ranked first in the National Capital Region after garnering an overall average rating of 65.64 percent in the elementary level, and 53.52 percent in the high school level for five major subjects.

The NAT is given annually to Grade 6 pupils and senior high school students of private and public schools nationwide. It seeks to assess the competencies learned by the students in subjects such as English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. The test results guide the DepEd in its efforts to improve the quality of education and to provide appropriate intervention for the students.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay congratulated the students who took the examination, saying he was doubly proud and happy to learn that the city has topped the NAT in both categories.

“These twin victories of the city’s education sector are the sweet fruits of the substantial investments and innovations we have made to modernize our public school system and make quality education accessible to the youth of Makati, regardless of economic status,” Binay said.

Binay also thanked the teachers and school principals in Makati’s public schools for their “laudable dedication to the proper education of the youth of Makati.”

Idanan said based on the results released by the National Education Training and Research Center (NETRC), the testing arm of DepEd, Makati students fared well in the three key subject areas. In the elementary level, the city got the highest rating in Science with 66.03 percent, followed by English and Mathematics with 65.75 and 61.43 percent, respectively. In the high school level, Makati students topped in Mathematics with 72.34 percent, followed by Science and English with 42.75 and 38.62 percent, respectively.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to our elementary and high school students for doing us proud. We are particularly elated that the elementary level has made an impressive comeback after it topped the NAT in school year 2006-2007 for the first time,” Idanan said.

Idanan also lauded the public high schools of Makati for having consistently ranked first in NAT at the regional level for the last four years, specifically in school years 2008-2009, 2009-201, 2010-2011, and this school year 2011-2012. They also placed first in SY 2005-2006, and second in SY 2007-2008 and 2004-2005.

Makati public elementary schools ranked fourth in NAT last year among schools in the NCR, while placing sixth in SY 2009-2010 and SY 2007-2008; and second in SY 2008-2009.






Makati tops National Achievement Test for elem, high schools in NCR

by InterAksyon.com

The online news portal of TV5


MANILA, Philippines - Public elementary and high schools in Makati have bested public and private schools throughout the National Capital Region in the recent National Achievement Test (NAT) conducted by the Department of Education.

In a report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, DepEd-Makati officer-in-charge Dr. Dominico Idanan said the city’s public schools ranked first in the NCR after garnering an overall average rating of 65.64 percent in the elementary level, and 53.52 percent in the high school level for five major subjects.

The NAT, administered yearly by the DepEd in schools in Metro Manila and throughout the country, was taken by all Grade VI and fourth year high school students in both public and private schools.

Binay congratulated the students who took the examination, saying he was doubly proud and happy to learn that the city has topped the NAT in both categories. “These twin victories of the city’s education sector are the sweet fruits of the substantial investments and innovations we have made to modernize our public school system and make quality education accessible to the youth of Makati, regardless of economic status,” Binay said.

The mayor also thanked the teachers and school principals in Makati’s public schools for their “laudable dedication to the proper education of the youth of Makati.”

Idanan said that based on the results released by the National Education Training and Research Center (NETRC), the testing arm of DepEd, Makati students fared well in the three key subject areas. In the elementary level, the city got the highest rating in Science with 66.03 percent, followed by English and Mathematics with 65.75 and 61.43 percent, respectively. In the high school level, Makati students topped in Mathematics with 72.34 percent, followed by Science and English with 42.75 and 38.62 percent, respectively.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to our elementary and high school students for doing us proud. We are particularly elated that the elementary level has made an impressive comeback after it topped the NAT in school year 2006-2007 for the first time,” Idanan said.

The DepEd official also lauded the public high schools of Makati for having consistently ranked first in NAT at the regional level for the last four years, specifically in school years 2008-2009, 2009-201, 2010-2011, and this school year 2011-2012. They also placed first in SY 2005-2006, and second in SY 2007-2008 and 2004-2005.

Makati public elementary schools ranked fourth in NAT last year among schools in the NCR, while placing sixth in SY 2009-2010 and SY 2007-2008; and second in SY 2008-2009.

The National Achievement Test is an examination given annually for both private and public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. It seeks to assess the competencies learned by the students in subjects such as English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies and the results of the test are intended to guide DepEd in its efforts toward the improvement of the quality of education and to provide appropriate intervention for the students.






Makati ups monthly allowance of state workers

by (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)


MAKATI CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The local government has approved four ordinances enacted by the City Council granting a P500-increase in the monthly allowances being given to national government personnel serving in the city, including teachers, policemen, firemen and jail guards.

In a statement, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, who signed said measures, said the additional allowance, which would have taken effect on October 1, 2012, was meant as an early Christmas gift to the city’s "partners in progress and development."

“The national government employees serving in Makati are our partners in progress and development. Granting them additional allowances is our way of expressing our appreciation for their dedication and service to the people who live, work, shop or do business in Makati,” the mayor said.

City Ordinance No. 2012-089 mandates a P500-increase in the monthly allowance given by the city government to public school teachers. For the last quarter, 3,050 Makati public school teachers will each receive total retroactive allowance increase of P1,500, which add up to P4.575 million that will be taken from the 2012 Executive Budget of the Office of the Mayor under Assistance to National Offices.

Under City Ordinance No. 2012-090, around 585 Philippine National Police personnel assigned at the Makati Police Department will also receive P1,500 each as additional allowance for October to December, for a total of P877,500.

City Ordinance No. 2012-091 covers the Bureau of Fire Protection personnel at the Makati Fire Department, numbering 271 at present, who will receive P1,500 each for the last quarter for a total of P406,500.

Around 147 personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Makati will also benefit from the P500-retroactive increase in their monthly allowances under City Ordinance No. 2012-092, which will amount to P220,500 for the last quarter.

The officials of the Department of Education, PNP, BJMP, and BFP are currently receiving a P3,000-monthly allowance each while the rank-and-file personnel are receiving P2,500 each per month.

Court employees, judges and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officers and employees also receive allowances from the city government.

In addition to the allowances that the Makati City government grants to national government employees assigned in Makati, it also provides logistical support, fire trucks, police cars and ammunition to the corresponding agencies.

4 men in American's fatal stabbing charged

by –KG, GMA News


(Updated 8:27 a.m.) - Murder charges were filed Sunday against four men who allegedly stabbed dead an American in Makati City following an altercation Saturday.

City police charged the four in inquest proceedings at the Makati City prosecutor's office Sunday afternoon, radio dzBB's Tuesday Niu reported early Monday.

The four—Crispin dela Paz 28; Juan Alfonso, 24; Osric Cabrera, 27; and student Galicano Datu III, 22—refused to sign a waiver of detention, the report said.

An initial investigation showed the four engaged the American in an altercation and stabbed him after he advised them to present their IDs to a guard at the Rockwell Center.

While the four tried to flee, police in the area caught up with them and arrested them.

Metro Manila police head Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said in an interview on dzBB Monday that timely information to a police patrol unit helped in the arrest.

"Kung may nagpapatrolya in that vicinity but the commotion inside is not apparent kung ‘di naimpormahan ang malapit na nagpapatrolya there's no way we'll know there's something happening inside," he said.

Malacañang on Sunday said it is hoping the stabbing will not result in a US advisory warning against travel to the Philippines.

“Huwag sana but itong bagay na ito apart from police visibility pinapaigtingin ng NCRPO pati loose firearms ginagalawan ng PNP,” she said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked about the possibility of a travel advisory due to the incident.

Husband of US embassy employee killed in Makati

by rappler.com


MANILA, Philippines - The husband of an American Embassy employee was killed in Makati City on Saturday, November 24, Tina Malone, Information Officer of the US Embassy in Manila, told Rappler.

Malone declined to disclose more details about the incident.

"We understand that the Philippine National Police (PNP) have suspects in custody," Malone said.

"The US Embassy appreciates the cooperation of the Philippine authorities, and will work closely with the PNP in their investigation," she added.

An ABS-CBN report identified the victim as George Anikow, who was allegedly killed by 4 suspects at around 4 am, Saturday, in front of the gate of Bel-Air Subdivision.

The report quoted police as saying that Anikow was mauled and stabbed twice after an altercation with the men.

The report said the police withheld the names of the suspects, 3 of whom are businessmen and one is a student. One of the suspects also resides in the posh subdivision, the report noted.

Authorities are expected to file homicide or murder charges against the suspects Sunday morning, November 25. - Rappler.com

Car-free day event kicks off Sunday in Makati

by LBG, GMA News


A drive for a "car-free day" in Metro Manila to promote a clean environment will kick off in Makati City early Sunday morning.

Dubbed “Clean Air? Pwede!!!,” the event is scheduled at 6 a.m. at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, the Makati City government said.

“We invite fellow advocates of clean air and a healthy environment to join us this Sunday at the Ayala Triangle to show your support to our goal of reducing air pollution in Metro Manila, particularly in our main thoroughfares,” Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said.

He added the event coincides with the nationwide observance of Clean Air Month in November, with the theme, “Car Free Day: A day of reflection for health, human life and environment. Stand up for your right to breathe clean air.”

Expected to join the event are members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's eWheels unit, constables who ride electric scooters to weave through traffic

Also, Binay said the campaign aims to raise public awareness on the health benefits of walking and the use of non-motorized transport like bicycles.

These are means of transportation better than using cars and other vehicles running on fossil fuels, which are major sources of air pollution in urban areas, the city government said.

Mass, exercise

Makati Department of Environmental Services (DES) chief Danilo Villas said the event will start with a Mass at 6 a.m. and a “Ehersisyo at Dayalogo,” a regular Sunday fitness activity.

He said the campaign also pushes for the provision of environment-friendly transport, walkable streets, and green infrastructures towards a cleaner and healthier environment.

Officials from participating government agencies will do a ceremonial bike ride from Paseo de Roxas to Ayala Triangle for the main event.

At 8 a.m., representatives from the Office of the Vice President will join Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Ma. Elisea Gozun, Climate Change Commission Chairperson Mary Ann Lucille Sering, and MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for two E-jeepneys to mark the launching of “Car-Free Day.”

Students of San Antonio High School and the Makati Public Safety Band will render a cheer dance and musical performance, while MMDA traffic enforcers will perform a martial arts exhibition.

At 10:30 a.m., participants will converge at Ayala Avenue for a “Clean Air Parade” going towards F. Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, where they will be treated to a Pre-Christmas Bazaar, Exhibit, Traditional Sports, and Ecological Fashion Show by the Miriam College.

A concert dubbed “Clean Air Jam” will also feature Lou Bonnevie and popular bands, including True Faith, Drum Circle, Mayonnaise, and Absolute Play.

Makati calls on residents not to use their cars on Sunday

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government on Friday called on its residents and the public to leave their cars at home and observe a “car-free day” on Sunday as part of the month-long observance of Clean Air Month this November.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the campaign will kick-off at 6 a.m. at the Ayala Triangle Gardens with the theme “ “Clean Air? Pwede!!!”

“We invite fellow advocates of clean air and a healthy environment to join us this Sunday at the Ayala Triangle to show your support to our goal of reducing air pollution in Metro Manila, particularly in our main thoroughfares,” Binay said.

Binay said the campaign aims to raise public awareness on the health benefits of walking and using non-motorized transport like bicycles to promote them as better alternatives to using cars and other vehicles running on fossil fuels, which are major sources of air pollution in urban areas.

Makati Department of Environmental Services chief Danilo Villas said the event will start with a mass at 6 a.m., followed by “Ehersisyo at Dayalogo”, a regular Sunday fitness activity of the city that aims to promote a culture of wellness among its constituents and neighboring localities, and at the same time provide a venue for interaction between city government officials and members of the business community.

Villas also said officials from participating government agencies will do a ceremonial bike ride from Paseo de Roxas to Ayala Triangle for the main event.

At 8 a.m., representatives from the Office of the Vice President will join Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Ma. Elisea “Bebet” Gozun, Climate Change Commission Chairperson Mary Ann Lucille Sering, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Corazon Jimenez in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for two e-jeepneys to mark the launching of “Car-Free Day”.

Villas said the campaign also pushes for the provision of environment-friendly transport, walkable streets, and green infrastructure toward a cleaner and healthier environment.

Participants will be treated to a cheer dance and musical performance by students of San Antonio High School and the Makati Public Safety Band, while MMDA traffic enforcers will perform a martial arts exhibition.

The program will also include a presentation on the Car-Free Day campaign, and the declaration of support by government agencies, private groups, and civil society leaders. Secretary Paje will give an inspirational remark to end the ceremony at Makati City.

At 10:30 a.m. participants will converge at Ayala Avenue for a “Clean Air Parade” going toward F. Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City where they will be treated to a Pre-Chrismas Bazaar, Exhibit, Traditional Sports, and Ecological Fashion Show by the Miriam College. A concert dubbed “Clean Air Jam” will also feature Lou Bonnevie and popular bands, including True Faith, Drum Circle, Mayonnaise and Absolute Play, among others.

The event has been organized in collaboration with the Partnership for Clean Air, a multi-sectoral body that includes Makati City, together with Ayala Land Inc., and Ayala Property Management Corporation.

Proclamation 1109 issued in 1997 designates the month of November as “Clean Air Month” through National Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Consciousness to create awareness among motorists on the importance and benefits of the proper maintenance of their motor vehicles. Republic Act 9512, the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, also declares November as "Environmental Awareness Month."

Pajero in drug bust traced

by Marlon Ramos


A former staff member of Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo was the last known user of the government vehicle that yielded some nine kilos of “shabu” during a police antidrug operation in Makati City on Tuesday, according to the National Power Corp. (Napocor). In a statement on Wednesday, Napocor said it had been trying to recover the Mitsubishi Pajero (SEP 825) from lawyer Antonio Mariano Almeda, Arroyo’s former chief of staff, for the past two years. It said the vehicle had been on “temporary loan” to Almeda since April 2008 when Arroyo was still chairman of the House committee on energy. Almeda, who owns several businesses, is now a candidate for vice mayor in Caloocan City under the United Nationalist Alliance ticket. A former president of the Aquila Legis fraternity of the Ateneo de Manila University’s law school, Almeda was convicted for the 1991 death of hazing victim Leonardo “Lenny” Villa. The Court of Appeals later lowered the charges against Almeda and three other fraternity members from homicide to slight physical injuries in 2002. Napocor made the disclosure a day after the police arrested Brian Hill, a 32-year-old American national, in his upscale condominium unit at The Columns at the corner of Ayala and Gil Puyat Avenues in Makati. Authorities said a raid on Hill’s condo unit by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) of the Philippine National Police yielded a kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, five grams of cocaine, several Valium tablets and drug paraphernalia. Police said Hill later led them to the Pajero where they found nine more kilos of shabu in a black box. The total stash of shabu seized from the American was estimated to be worth P50 million. A check made with the Land Transportation Office showed that the vehicle was registered with the Napocor. Chief Inspector Roque Merdegua, AIDSOTF chief investigator, said Hill apparently used the vehicle to deliver illegal drugs to his local contacts. Citing official documents, the Napocor said Almeda requested a sport utility vehicle to be assigned to him because he had been tasked by the House committee on energy to conduct an ocular inspection of all of Napocor’s decommissioned power plants in Luzon and in some parts of Eastern Visayas. “(The Napocor) granted Almeda’s request and agreed to temporarily assign the Mitsubishi Pajero to him. Almeda failed to return the vehicle and in deference to then Congressman Arroyo’s office, (Napocor) did not insist at the time on immediately recalling the vehicle,” it added. The Napocor said it first wrote Arroyo’s office in June 2010 asking for the return of the vehicle. It again sent a similar request two months later, but the lawmaker’s office did not reply to these letters. The last notification to Arroyo concerning the vehicle was sent in March last year, it said. “When the last letter was again ignored by Arroyo’s office, (Napocor) filed a formal complaint before the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police on May 6, 2011, in an attempt to secure a hold order or recall of the Pajero,” the Napocor said.







Makati takes lead in conducting greenhouse gas inventory

by Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said on Tuesday the city has become the first local government unit (LGU) in the country to conduct its greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.

The mayor said that as a result, the city government has started drawing up its GHG Management Plan based on the results of the GHG inventory done by the city at the entity and community levels in 2010 and 2011, respectively, according to the standards set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The GHG inventory results of Makati were presented at the country’s first Greenhouse Gas Summit held on Monday at the New World Hotel in Makati City.

Greenhouse gases are defined as “any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface.”

These include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, which at elevated levels have been found to contribute to global warming.

Scientific studies have shown that the elevated levels of these gases are directly related to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation of tropical forests.

Makati Department of Environmental Sanitation chief and PLLENRO president Danilo Villas, who presented the city’s GHG inventory at the summit, said that efforts are being made to draw up “a realistic and time-bound action plan that will address and reduce the threat to the city posed by catastrophic weather episodes linked to climate change and its precursor, global warming.”

Villas said the city government, in partnership with USAID-CEnergy, conducted the GHG Entity Level Inventory in 2010, and the GHG Community Level Inventory in 2011.

The first phase of the GHG inventory at the entity level, he said, was done on city government-owned structures, including Makati City Hall, Ospital ng Makati, Makati Acute Care Center, police and fire stations and substations, barangay halls and health centers, public schools, covered courts and recreation areas.

The second phase was done at the community level and accounted for the citywide GHG emission of Makati, he said.

The entity level inventory in 2011 showed a total of 10,738 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, of which 15 percent or 1,667.37 metric tons were direct emissions, while 85 percent or 9,125.51 metric tons were measured from indirect emissions.

On the other hand, the community level inventory registered a total of 1,477,256 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Electricity consumption (indirect emission) accounted for 75 percent of CO2e, or 1,105,888 metric tons CO2e. The rest were made up of mobile energy sources, 18 percent; solid waste, 4 percent; and water waste, 3 percent.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1988 by two United Nations organizations -- the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Program, and was later endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mission is to “provide comprehensive scientific assessments of current scientific, technical and socioeconomic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and socioeconomic consequences, and possible options for adapting to these consequences or mitigating the effects.”

Dubbed the "Philippine Green STORE (Strategies, Technologies and Opportunities to Reduce Emission) 2012," the GHG Summit aimed to raise the awareness of local government units, the private sector and non-government organizations about the value of GHG management in mitigating the impact of climate change. It also featured the sharing of initiatives undertaken by select LGUs in managing their respective GHG emissions.

Aside from Makati, seven other LGUs presented their GHG-related practices, namely, the provinces of Bulacan and Batangas, the city of Sta. Rosa and towns of Kalayaan and Bay of Laguna, and the cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig.

DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio Ignacio presented the Metro Manila Top Down GHG Inventory.







Makati becomes first LGU to conduct greenhouse gas inventory

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - Makati City has started to draw up a greenhouse gas (GHG) management plan to become the country’s first local government unit to conduct a GHG inventory.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay today said the crafting of the city’s GHG management plan is being based on the results of the GHG inventory done by the city in 2010 and 2011 according to the standards set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Binay said the GHG inventory results of Makati were presented yesterday at the country’s first Greenhouse Gas Summit organized by the Philippine League of Local Environment & Natural Resources Officers, Inc. (PLLENRO), in collaboration with USAID-Climate Change and Clean Energy Project (CEnergy), Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held at the New World Hotel.






Makati City council okays sisterhood pact with Candaba

by Herbert P. Mapiles


CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Makati City Council recently approved a resolution earlier authorizing Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay to sign a sisterhood pact with the municipality of Candaba.

The resolution was sponsored by Councilor Maria Concepcion Yabut.

The pact, according to Yabut, is aimed at strengthening friendship ties between the two local government units by instituting a working avenue of communication in facilitating exchanges of information and technology, urban planning policies and development, socio cultural activities, income generating strategy and fiscal management.

The resolution, she said, is also intended to foster mutual friendship and goodwill, nurture closer relationship among their people, cultural exchanges including economic ties.

The bilateral relations will further promote programs on mutual health care facilitation, public education intensification, and other important aspects of local governance that are both beneficial to Candaba and Makati City, she said, adding that the exchange of ideas may eventually lead to growth, development and self sustainability.






Say hello to Berjaya Makati Hotel

by philstar.com


MANILA, Philippines - Berjaya Hotels and Resorts’ first venture in the Philippines announced the reintroduction of the property under a new name — Berjaya Makati Hotel — in ceremonies held at the hotel’s Las Ramblas lobby lounge last Oct. 19, with media guests and friends.

The Malaysia-based conglomerate operates a range of hotels and resorts across the region. Berjaya Makati Hotel, its first property in the Philippines, introduced the new brand name to conform to the city it is located in and to erase any confusion that may arise because of its former name, Berjaya Manila Hotel.

The introduction of the new brand name Berjaya Makati Hotel also coincided with the unveiling of the hotel’s three new executive floors, boasting of 33 deluxe-level rooms.

The rooms in the new executive floors, located on the 23rd, 24th and 25th floors, have complete amenities at par with accommodations in pricier hotels. All rooms have satellite TV connection, Internet access and one-round of mini-bar.

The 31-square meter executive deluxe rooms depict chic and trendy elements, equipped with the latest, modern facilities and intricate furnishing of warm earth tones for a pleasurable stay, ideal for business travelers who want nothing more than absolute convenience.

The Executive Studio’s 42-sqm area is complete with a luxuriously chic and trendy interior and a separate living room for a home-like, private stay.e

Suitable for business travelers, the refurbished rooms will further awe their occupants with full contemporary amenities.

The Executive Suite, with a floor area of 47 sqm, is equipped with extensive room facilities for the guests’ convenience. The trendy and chic room also comes with a separate living room and pantry area, perfect for business travelers and VIPs.

The opening of the new executive floors brings the hotel’s total room availability to 212 from the previous 179.

Located in the heart of the country’s premier financial district, Berjaya Makati Hotel is one of the recent players in Makati City’s bustling hotel industry that is currently enjoying robust growth and a steady influx of guests. It now gives more options to visitors who are more discriminating with their choices.







PDIC to try to sell Exportbank assets anew

by ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA NEWS


Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) president Valentin Araneta on Friday disclosed that the assets and liabilities of the defunct Export and Import Bank will be bid out again before the year ends.

The earlier October 18 bidding failed as no buyers showed up.

Also, a Makati City Regional Trial Court issued a 72-hour temporary restraining order that prevented the sale of the Export and Import Bank’s (EIB’s) assets, branches and commercial bank license.

However, this stumbling block no longer exits as the TRO has lapsed and the court denied another temporary reprieve.

Araneta added that pre-qualified bidders who failed to attend the previous bidding may still participate in the second attempt to sell EIB’s assets. These assets are worth about P25 billion.

Earlier, six banks including BDO Unibank, expressed interest in the EIB.

Tranche 1 of EIB’s rehabilitation includes the sale of assets and liabilities. It also entails paying off the uninsured deposits and Exportbank’s creditors. The bank’s insured deposits amount to P3.4 billion, and its uninsured deposits are P10.4 billion.

The EIB was placed under receivership by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in April due to insolvency. — DVM, GMA News

Raffles to open first luxury hotel in Makati City Philippines in 18 years

by Raffles Hotels & Resorts


Raffles Makati opens December 2012 at 1 Raffles Drive, along Makati Avenue

Raffles Hotels & Resorts will expand its portfolio with the opening of Raffles Makati in Metro Manila this December 2012. The official launch, followed by a Grand Opening in February 2013, will bring the company to nine hotels and resorts, from the flagship, Raffles Hotel in Singapore, to China, Cambodia, the Seychelles, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Paris. There are plans for further openings in Istanbul, Jakarta and China over the next 18 months.

John Johnston, President of Raffles Hotels & Resorts said:

“There couldn’t be a better time for Raffles to be opening in the Philippines. The country is full of a new-found optimism as the economy expands, with a modern infrastructure and an international presence. We bring with us 125 years of heritage and experience in luxury service and a portfolio that includes some of Asia’s greatest hotels. I believe this puts both parties in a very favourable situation, where Raffles is the right hotel company, at the right time, to be opening in Manila.”

Raffles Makati will be at the heart of a prestigious new development - a brand new, striking, 30-floor tower, home to three very different areas in the one building: Raffles Makati, with 32 suites; Raffles Residences, with 237 one to four bedroom residences for private ownership; and Fairmont Makati, a hotel with 280 deluxe rooms.

The City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the world’s most exciting and cosmopolitan cities. Home to a host of foreign Embassies and the Philippine Stock

Exchange, Makati is the financial centre of the Philippines, an important hub for international affairs. It is also an exclusive residential area with a vibrant arts and culture scene and world-class retail.

Tom Meyer, Managing Director of Raffles Makati and Fairmont Makati explains:

“There is a huge buzz and anticipation around this opening. It has been 18 years since the last luxury hotel opened in this part of Metro Manila. Raffles is able to bring the best of both worlds to this opening: the most modern facilities, technology, exciting, stylish restaurants and bars - alongside the Raffles heritage of providing warm and graceful service, embodied by the legendary Raffles Butlers. At Raffles we believe that good service is not just about what you give people, it’s about how you make them feel. We call this “emotional luxury” and this is what we will be working hard to bring to this incredible city.”

Raffles Makati’s suites will be spread over the 9th and 10th floors of the new tower. They have been designed by Singapore-based Bent Severin & Associates, whose impressive portfolio includes Raffles Hotel Singapore, Raffles Beijing, the British Embassy in Copenhagen and the Peninsula in Hong Kong.

The look for Raffles Makati is contemporary, whilst drawing on the timeless quality of Raffles Hotel Singapore ? echoing Manila’s own blend of old world charm and new world sophistication. Each of the hotel’s 32 large suites has been designed to be an understated oasis of calm. Every suite will have large floor-to-ceiling windows and mesmerising views out over the city. A key design feature is the wooden flooring, covered with rich silk velvet and hand-tufted rugs. In keeping with the vibrancy of Manila, bright colours have been chosen for the fabrics ? satin, silk, and damask. Locally inspired artistic accents ? a ceramic pot, a bright painting, a woven basket ? will bring a dash of local joie de vivre to the interiors and a sense of place.

Good ideas need time to evolve and, after 125 years, the exceptionally good idea - Raffles’ Long Bar ? will travel to Manila, to open in Raffles Makati. True to its Singapore original, it will feature similar décor with tropical punka fans; an atmospheric black, ivory and terracotta tiled floor; long-stemmed ceiling fans and a 14 metre long bar where clients can enjoy not only a Singapore Sling but cocktails made to order. A Makati Sling, anyone?

Another Raffles classic that is sure to be an instant hit at Raffles Makati is the Writers Bar. Styled as a library, this will be a new take on the original Writers Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore.

All the new restaurants and bars in the complex will be open to guests of both Raffles Makati and Fairmont Makati. These include all-day dining restaurant, a contemporary pastry boutique, two lounges, as well as the Long Bar and the Writers Bar. The hotel will have two large outdoor swimming pools, each with a wading pool and children’s pool and poolside lounges. Guests will also share the Willow Stream Spa, with five treatment rooms and a full service hair and nail salon. The Fitness Centre will offer inspiring views of the city, garden and swimming pool.

Makati’s central business district is known as the ‘Wall Street of the Philippines’ and Raffles and Fairmont Makati will together offer an impressive range of state-of-the-art spaces for events and meetings, as well as a 24-hour business centre, all with a personalised business concierge service.

Step out of Raffles Makati’s elegant lobby, and there is a fascinating city waiting to be explored: Intramuros, the old capital of Manila (dating from 1571) a standing reminder of the country’s Spanish period, with centuries-old walls, bulwarks and plazas; Fort Santiago, built in memory of those lost during the Spanish and Japanese periods; Malacanang Palace, since 1863 the official residence of the country’s president; and the Ayala Museum, full of art and objects that trace the rich tapestry of Philippine history.

With its Grand Opening in February 2013, Raffles Makati is set to become a modern icon for this burgeoning, exciting city.

Makati awards most child-friendly barangays

by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan


MAKATI CITY, Nov. 15 (PIA) -- The local government on Tuesday recognized the top three winners of the search for the “Most Child-Friendly Barangay” of Makati for 2012, led by Barangay West Rembo, during the annual Children’s Assembly held at the Main Theater of the University of Makati.

Barangay West Rembo led by Brgy. Capt. Judith Baquiran-Celos won first place and received a cash prize of P100,000, a trophy and a marker declaring it as the “Most Child-Friendly Barangay of Makati 2012;” second place winner, Barangay Poblacion led by Brgy. Capt. Edgardo M. Lugay, Benhur L.Cruz, won a cash prize of P75,000 and a trophy; and third place was Barangay Guadalupe Viejo led by Brgy. Capt. Benhur L. Cruz, which received a P50,000 cash prize and a trophy.

The other barangays included in the top 10 were Kasilawan, Cembo, South Cembo, Post Proper Southside, Pitogo, Singkamas, and Rizal. Each of them received a plaque of recognition.

Around 800 participants attended the event, including students from the city’s public schools and day-care centers, members of the BCPCs, children advocates, representatives from children and youth organizations, non-government organizations, and officers and members of the Makati City Council for the Protection of Children.

The judges of the search said that the top three winners were able to comply with required documentation and were able to present innovative programs and practices on children during the validation period.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, chairman of the Makati Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC), hailed the winners of the citywide search this year as he delivered his State of the Children Address, which focused on major achievements of the city in the implementation of programs and services for the benefit of children.

“We heartily congratulate the top three barangays that won in this year’s search for the Most Child-Friendly Barangay. We applaud the members of your Barangay Council for the Protection of Children for pursuing innovative programs to make your communities ideal for the proper growth and development of children,” the mayor said.

He also lauded the seven other barangays who made it to the top 10, and encouraged them to persevere in their advocacy for children’s rights and welfare to ensure a bright future for them.

This year’s candidates for the search underwent rigid screening in three phases: 1) validation of documents of the barangays; 2) visitation of the selection committee to each barangay; and 3) panel interview of the selected council members in the top three barangays. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)







Disaster-reduction seminar for cities wraps up in Makati

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - A two-day seminar on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) hosted by Makati City ended Wednesday with a presentation of a four-year strategic action plan on disaster management for the years 2013 to 2016.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, 2nd Vice President of CityNet, said the action plan would be presented to key representatives of international organizations, including World Bank, Asian Development Bank and its Cities Development Initiative for Asia, UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

CityNet, with headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, was formed in 1987 and has more than 100 member-cities in over 20 countries. It has facilitated more than 500 exchanges among local governments and organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. Makati City is the head of the Disaster Cluster of CityNet and a member of CityNet for 12 years since 1990.

CityNet is also an Asia-Pacific regional network of local authorities committed to helping local governments solve challenges commonly faced by cities in working towards a livable, sustainable and healthy environment.

Binay said the workshop participants discussed key areas identified last July during a meeting of the Disaster Cluster in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, to include Early Warning Systems, Tools on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction on Land Use Plans, and preparedness systems for local governments, such as the Local Government Self-Assessment Tool (LGSAT) and Climate and Disaster Resilience Initiative (CDRI).

“This strategic planning workshop has given CityNet member-cities the opportunity to share our best practices, which is the fastest and most effective tool in transmitting knowledge and technology. We have much to learn from the experience of those that have attained some degree of resiliency after implementing certain DRRM initiatives,” Binay said.

The two-day workshop program included the sharing of best practices, a visit to Barangay San Lorenzo to showcase a Community-Based DRRM Sound Initiative, a real-time video conference of participants with Kyoto University and World Bank TDLC in Tokyo, and the workshop proper and presentation of its output-plan for 2013-2016.

The workshop participants include delegates from Baguio City, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dhaka City North Corporation (Bangladesh), Hue (Vietnam), Iloilo City, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Marikina City, MuAn (Nepal), Muntinlupa City, Quezon City, San Fernando in La Union, Sukabumi (Indonesia), Suwon (Korea) and Yokohama (Japan). From the host city, Makati, representatives from the Office of the Mayor have joined City Councilors, barangay officials, department heads and concerned city government personnel in the workshop.

Binay said the delegates also visited Barangay San Lorenzo in Makati to learn about its community-based DRRM initiative.

Binay said an important strategy in disaster resiliency and management is the empowerment of the small units of the local government, such as the barangays or villages in the case of the Philippines.

“They should be provided with infastructural, logistical and financial support so that they will be able to contribute to the overall DRRM efforts of the city,” he said.

Binay also noted that the city’s pioneering initiatives have received international recognition and are benchmarked by local governments worldwide.

Makati City won the City-to-City Cooperation Award on its World Bank funded Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery South-South Cooperation Program given by CityNet on July 11 during the celebration of its 25th anniversary at Surabaya, Indonesia. The city hosted the third and final leg of the study visit and residency training under the City-to-City Sharing Initiative, exchanging best practices with delegates from Quito, Ecuador and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Makati was recognized by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) as “Role Model City” and “Campaign Champion for Making Cities Resilient” in May 2011, and as one of “East Asia’s Climate Resilient Cities” by the World Bank (WB) in 2008. Recently, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the secretariat of UNISDR, cited Makati as one of the 29 model communities in the world that are “exemplars in disaster risk management and reduction.”

Metrobank posts P10.2 B net income in first nine months

by bong


MAKATI CITY – Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported a consolidated net income of P10.2 billion for the first nine months of 2012, up 15.2 percent from P8.9 billion in the same period last year. As a result, Metrobank’s return on average equity was recorded at 12.2 percent. Total operating income rose by 8.9 percent to P41 billion, on the back of a 6.7 percent growth in net interest income to P23 billion. Amid intensified market competition and declining interest rates, the bank’s net interest margin showed a marked improvement from last year. This was attributed mainly to the 11.2 percent year-on-year expansion in net loans and receivables to P481.4 billion, coupled with a healthy mix in deposits. Total low cost deposits reached P384.5 billion, accounting for 58.1 percent of the deposit base from 51.7 percent in the comparative period last year. Revenue growth was also supported by the 11.7 percent hike in non-interest income, in turn driven by steady growth in fee-based income, higher contributions from associates, and earnings from treasury and investment activities. The Bank continued to improve on efficiency as operating expenses registered a slightly above-inflation growth from the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2012, operating costs inched up by 5 percent to P23.6 billion.

Makati land use plan, zoning ordinance public hearing set

by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan


MAKATI CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) -- The local government has set a public hearing today, Monday, on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Zoning Ordinance (ZO) of Makati City at the 22/F Session Hall, New Makati City Hall Building. Two sessions will be held to accommodate stakeholders.

In a statement, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay expressed optimism that the public hearing on the "Formulation of the Makati City Comprehensive Land Use Plan" will be well-attended.

“I am glad that Makati’s revised CLUP and Zoning Ordinance will finally be presented to the public for comment and inputs. I believe all sectors concerned will be well-represented at the hearing, as they are keenly aware of the significance and urgency of having these vital policies in place,” Binay said.

The mayor said that the revision of the CLUP is vital for a first-class city like Makati because it will address the changing environmental, social, and economic needs of the people, businesses, and organizations in the city.

“Our infrastructures should be disaster resilient and our policies should be attuned to disaster preparedness and mitigation,” he said.

“The spaces in the city must be planned in such a way that our people and private and public properties would be safer against disasters and calamities,” he concluded.

The proposed CLUP, to be implemented from 2013 to 2022, includes land use changes and issues such as land use mix, growth management in the Central Business District, integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in land use plan, and existing infrastructures and transportation. For DRRM, Makati will be addressing the lack of open green spaces through the construction of a green park at the fault zone area, reclamation of the three-meter easement along the waterways, and several others.

The Bus Rapid Transit will also be proposed which will make travel faster, economical, and environment-friendly. The expansion of pedestrianization and elevated walkways is included in the proposed renovations for transportation.

The present 2000-2010 CLUP was amended once in 2006 in order to align the plan with the fast changing needs of the city.

The proposed 2013-2022 CLUP underwent tedious study by the Urban Development together with consultants. The city government presented the proposed CLUP to the Makati Zoning Review Board and had technical consultations with MMDA and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. The CLUP undergoes automatic review every 10 years.

Invited for the morning session are the homeowners, barangay officials and the academe, while the afternoon participants include the NGOs, NGAs, private sector and the petitioners. The public is also invited to attend either of the two sessions. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

Gov’t Plans Metro Bus Rapid Transit Systems

by KRIS BAYOS


MANILA, Philippines --- The government is planning to set up three bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in Metro Manila instead of rail systems to transport commuters along busy routes in the city.

Transportation Undersecretary for Planning Rene Limcaoco told British investors in an investment forum in Makati City last week that the government is opting to use billions of taxpayers’ money to construct BRTs rather than light rail transit (LRT) systems.

Limcaoco said constructing a kilometer of LRT line will cost $50 million while a kilometer of BRT line will only cost $5 to $7 million, but both will have “the same throughput.”

The BRT system involves the establishment of dedicated lanes to buses whose drivers will have to follow specific times of arrival and departure on particular routes. The BRT system also requires that drivers can only pick up or drop off passengers in certain designated stops.

Former Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus was quoted before as saying that a BRT that utilizes electric buses or those run by compressed natural gas (CNG) will be set up along C5 to help decongest the traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

For his part, Former Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II earlier disclosed that a BRT is also being planned for Makati City and Northern Metro Manila.

But Limcaoco did not divulge where the planned BRT systems will be operated and what routes it will cover.

Earlier, the Department of Transportation and Communications has invited international and local consultancy firms to indicate their interest in providing consultancy services for the planned Metro Cebu BRT. The consultancy covers the Detailed Engineering Design and Preparation of Bidding Documents for the engineering, structural, civil, architectural, electrical and mechanical design. It also includes the supervision of the transit way and the supporting infrastructure during the construction.

The planned Metro Cebu BRT is a transport system with around 176 buses that will run through dedicated and exclusive bus-ways from Bulacao to Talamban in Cebu, with a link to Cebu’s South Road Property.

It is expected to serve an estimated 330,000 passengers per day when it starts operations in 2015.

The buses will also traverse Cebu City’s business districts, residential areas, shopping centers and key tourist sites. It will have 33 stations along the corridor, with buses arriving at each station every 2 to 5 minutes.

The Metro Cebu BRT system, the first of its kind in the Philippines, is patterned after the BRT systems in Bogota in Colombia, Curitiba in Brazil, Seoul in South Korea and Guangzhou, China.






1 dies, 8 injured in vehicular accident along C5 in Makati City

by (PNA)

LAM/CLTC


MANILA — A speeding 16-wheeler truck hit the C5 flyover then rammed several vehicles resulting in the death of a motorcyclist and injuries to at least eight others in Makati City on Friday afternoon. The Makati City traffic department identified the fatality as James Van Cuaderno who died instantly after he was hurled out of his motorcycle due to the impact of the accident. Initially, eight other passengers including several children were rushed to the Ospital ng Makati for treatment. Investigation showed the accident happened around 4:00 p.m. while the vehicles were plying along the northbound lane of C5 Road near Market! Market! mall before the elevated U-turn slot in Barangay East Rembo in Makati. Authorities arrested driver Normalito Rombua who said his truck lost its brakes. Police prepared charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple serious physical injuries against him. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Metrobase said the incident also caused a traffic gridlock with the tail-end reaching up to the South Luzon Expressway. Traffic also built up along the southbound lane when curious motorists slowed down to look at what happened.






MMDA soft-launches PUV e-tagging to weed out colorums, spot violators

by Clara Masinag, InterAksyon.com


MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is encouraging public utility vehicle (PUVs) operators to resort to electronic tagging, saying it is a less costly, more enduring means for weeding out “colorum” vehicles that deprive legitimate ones of income.

The MMDA soft-launched “e-tagging” on Thursday at its main office in Makati City, saying that vehicles with e-tags can be “captured” by a wireless network that the agency is linked with. Besides weeding out vehicles not properly registered, MMDA said those plying out-of-line routes can also be flagged in the network.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the e-tagging scheme will likewise boost the income of jeepney drivers, as the culling of colorums will mean fewer vehicles on the roads.

Vigor Mendoza, legal counsel of transport and party-list group I-Utak, welcomed the implementation of the scheme that authorities had first floated in 2010. 

“This a great opportunity for the drivers of the registered PUVs to increase their income,” Mendoza said, echoing Tolentino’s argument about the impact of weeding out colorums.

The e-tag also costs less (about P480 per RFID sticker) compared to manual painting of the vehicle’s license plate number on the roof, front, back and two sides of the PUV. The latter would cost about P4,000 per unit for buses and P1, 500 for jeepneys, Mendoza said.

The RFID tag has a shelf life of 10 years; painted numbers on the roofs of vehicles are estimated to last only for a year or two.

Director Mila Silvestre, head of the Organized Bus Route, said the actual tagging for the PUVs will be fully implemented in April 2013.

Silvestre explained thus: “Itong (e-) tagging ay makikita sa strategic points so pagdinaanan ng reader mababasa siya from the side mamomonitor ng command center ng MMDA. Kasi yung data niya naka wireless network. Si MMDA may sariling wireless network so yung reader naka hook dun sa wireless network ng MMDA for example pagdumaan si PUV at ang ruta niya Fairview dito siya dumaan at out of line so in real time i-transmit ng reader yung nakita niyang plate number at madedetect na nag out of line yung ganitong plate number [This e-tagging may be seen on strategic points installed with readers; the tags may be read from the side and monitored by the MMDA command center, since the data is on a wireless network. If a PUV has a registered route on Fairview, but the vehicle is monitored through the e-tag to be cruising elsewhere, the reader will transmit that in real time to the authorities, and the erring PUV can be apprehended].”

Makati discount caravan on Nov 9

by www.pia.gov.ph


MAKATI CITY, Nov 8 (PIA) -- The local government will host a one-day discount caravan tomorrow, November 9 at the City Hall Quadrangle.

There will be a wide selection of products as around 30 manufacturing companies are set to participate and offer goods and other items at affordable or discounted prices, Makati said in a statement.

These include Botika ng Bayan, San Miguel Corporation, Frabelle, Mekeni Food Corporation, Tentay Products, Silver Swan, Marca Leon, Victoria Foods Corporation, Marissa’s Foods, Hapee Toothpaste, Unilever Philippines, SBM Soap, Diana’s Bibingka, Mark Daniels, Gardenia, Julie’s Bakeshop, Jahz Footware, C Point Shoes, Bob Mars Shoes, Jam’s Bags, Vedasco Lethergoods, Nestle Philippines, Magnolia and Tipas Hopia.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay called on bargain hunters from all over Metro Manila and adjoining provinces to participate in the event that offer discounted consumer products.

“We invite our residents and the general public... to get substantial discounts on consumer goods... (because) we aim to bring early Christmas cheer," Binay said. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

212 Makati fire execs, employees tested for drug use

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - The Makati Anti-Drug Council (MADAC) on orders of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay on Wednesday conducted a surprise drug test on the officers and personnel of the Makati Central Fire Station.

MADAC personnel supervised by its operations chief, Jaime Santos collected urine samples for testing from the station’s 197 personnel and 15 special action unit members led by Makati Fire Marshal Ricardo Perdigon.

Last month, MADAC also tested 283 officers and civilian employees of the Makati Police for substance use.

Santos said random drug tests are conducted by MADAC in line with the ongoing campaign of the city government for drug-free workplaces towards a drug-free Makati.

Mayor Binay has lauded MADAC for its efforts to combat the drug menace and promote drug-free communities and workplaces in Makati.

Binay also expressed his gratitude to the management of several establishments in the city for allowing the conduct of drug tests on their employees.

“We hope that other business establishments and companies in the city will be as cooperative and supportive of our campaign for a drug-free city. After all, they stand to benefit immensely from the resulting reduction in drug-related crimes, improved peace and order situation, and increased productivity of their workers,” Binay said.

Meanwhile, Santos said MADAC would continue to conduct random and unannounced drug tests in various government agencies in the city as well as in private establishments and companies, with the approval of owners.

“We need to weed out drug users and substance abusers from the workplace to keep them safe for workers and customers alike,” he said.






After Undas, San Juan and Makati get into Christmas mode

by gmanetwork.com


After the Undas (All Saints' and All Souls' Days) weekend, parts of Metro Manila are switching to Christmas mode, with vendors selling parols (Philippine Christmas lanterns) in the streets and city governments lighting up main roads.

In San Juan City, vendors started selling their parols as early as 5 a.m., radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported early Tuesday.

The report said the cheaper plastic lanterns were sold in packages of three for P100, while the bigger ones made of bamboo and plastic were sold for P400.

Early popular choices include lanterns with bamboo stands that sold for P300.

Lanterns made of capiz were sold for as low as P900, while the biggest ones measuring four feet high sold for as much as P5,000.

In Makati City, more than one million LED Christmas lights were switched on Monday on three major streets in the city's central business district—Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas—, according to a report on GMA News’ "Saksi."

Makati's '3B sa Pasko 2012' opens today

by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan


MAKATI CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) -- The local government, through the Department of Environmental Services (DES), will open its annual recycling exhibit dubbed “Basura’y Bawasan, Balik-Gamitin at Baguhin ang Anyo sa Pasko”or "3B sa Pasko," Monday, at the lobby of the Old Makati City Hall building.

The month-long exhibit will run until December 7. Since 2003, the event has provided a venue for entrepreneurs from barangays, schools, and non-government organizations in Makati to sell Christmas decors and other products made out of recycled materials.

The 3B sa Pasko 2011 posted a total of 39,943 kilograms of waste diverted, which was 15 percent higher than the previous year’s 34,845 kilograms. Earnings also increased from P139,527 to P173,360 during the same period.

Among the participants in this year’s 3B sa Pasko are Makati’s public elementary and high schools, barangays, Makati Social Welfare Department, Persons with Disabilities sector, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

DES officer-in-charge Danilo Villas said the exhibit will highlight the sales of different kinds of Christmas decors made from recyclable materials. Also on sale will be flower vases, artificial flowers, and personal items like bags, accessories, aprons, and cellphone and ID cases.

As an incentive, the organizers of the 3B sa Pasko will choose the Best Booth and Best Product using the following criteria: for Best Booth – uniqueness and quantity of waste materials used, 40 percent; booth decoration/arrangement, 40 percent; and product display with tag price and description, 20 percent. For Best Product, the criteria will be: recyclables, 40 percent; usability, 20 percent; creativity, 20 percent; and innovativeness, 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Villas said the winners of the “Best Street Sweeper Halloween Costume” will be recognized after the flag-raising ceremony at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle this Monday. Three winners each from districts I and II will be awarded plaques and cash prizes. DES held the contest among its street sweepers, who worked on their designated areas wearing a Halloween costume and displaying a placard with a slogan about the protection and preservation of the environment last October 31 and November 1.

Villas said other events to precede the 3B sa Pasko opening include the turnover ceremony for 10 bicycles and bike racks donated by the Firefly Brigade and Philippine Seven Corp to the city government through DES, which will be used in the implementation of their environmental programs.

To intensify the citywide campaign for wise recycling, the city government will also distribute recyclable bins donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to 48 Homeowners Association/Condominiums in Makati. Other project partners are the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Liga ng mga Barangay.

Visitors and employees are encouraged to drop by at the ground floor lobby of the old Makati City Hall building starting Nov.5 so they can buy excellent and environment-friendly products, which they can use to decorate their homes this Christmas season and give as unique gifts to friends and loved ones. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

No Discipline

by MELITO SALAZAR JR.


Filipinos visited the graves of family and friends, bringing flowers and candles, and praying for the eternal repose of their loved ones. Others, taking advantage of the long holiday, went to resorts or flew out to Hong Kong and Macau, hopefully remembering to say a prayer or two for the departed. Some decided to avoid the expectedly crowded cemeteries and paid respects to those who had passed away by attending Masses or praying in the privacy of their homes. Whatever form it took, November 1 was a day of remembrance.

Yet there are unnoticed deaths, forgotten by many. When I was editor-in-chief of the Crossroads, the high school paper of La Salle-Bacolod, I was told by the principal to vacate my position for highlighting in an issue the state of discipline in the campus – a front page editorial with a cartoon on the death of discipline and a feature story based on interviews of students and their largely negative take on the state of discipline. Backed by my parents who threatened to sue him, the principal reinstated me with my agreeing to do another feature story based on honor students. Unfortunately for him, the result was still the same – discipline was dying in the school.

Today, discipline in the country has died. One of the causes of the heavy traffic is because drivers do not pay attention to rules and regulations, some prominently displayed in the roadside signs – One Way, No Left Turn, etc. The increase in crimes committed by minors is because that they have not felt the disciplining hand of their parents and when caught for crimes are able to get away due to a law that lets them off (patterned after a USA law, the infrastructure for counseling and mentoring is not in place). In colleges and universities, the disappearance of ROTC and the emergence of “easy” alternatives that do not inculcate discipline have produced graduates without the backbone to overcome difficult situations. They would rather take shortcuts and coast along. Children of overseas workers, instead of studying hard, helping in the home, or looking for a livelihood, “go malling,” solely dependent on their parent’s remittances.

There are exceptions. We see passengers lining up to board jeepneys and buses, a practice begun in Makati during the mayoralty of now Vice President Jojo Binay. Drivers now give way at the sound of sirens, knowing it can only come from ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. Gone are the days when vehicles of barangay chairmen and mayors speeded with sirens screaming, thanks to President P-noy Aquino’s “No Wang Wang” policy. Much more needs to be done – parents paying greater attention to disciplining their children, starting by being good role models; senators, congressmen, and other elected officials leading the way by following both the spirit and the letter of the law, especially with the approaching election season (premature campaigning?); and church leaders disciplining their pastors and priests by kicking them out for immorality and theft rather than just reassigning them to another parish or congregation.

“Delicadeza” is dead. Even when an appointive official has committed an indiscretion or a blatant mistake or a member of this family has profited from an official’s position, he hangs on to his office, using the President as the shield – “I serve at the pleasure of the President.” It is to the credit of President P-Noy that he has let go of a number of them although I would have wished it was sooner than later. I would wish they would save and serve the President by just submitting immediately their resignations and help bring back “delicadeza” to public service. In the private sector, we have witnessed civic organizations accepting donations from officials whom the public views as corrupt or those charged with graft and corruption. Like some of the church leaders, they may believe that “dirty money” used for good causes become clean. They forget that by accepting, they have lent their mantle of credibility to these people, which is what these officials crave.

As we continue to live, remembering the dearly beloved dead, let us also keep in our minds “discipline” and ‘delicadeza” and resurrect them from the grave. Keeping them vibrant and alive will mean a better society for all of us and for the generations to come.

MMDA collects 35 trucks of trash from cemeteries

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) collected at least 35 truckloads of garbage from eight cemeteries in Metro Manila as Filipinos observed All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, an official said yesterday.

Francis Martinez, who heads the MMDA Metro Parkway Clearing Group, said they collected nine trucks of trash each from the South and North Cemeteries, five trucks each from the La Loma Public Cemetery and the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, three trucks from the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, two trucks from the Valenzuela Public Cemetery and one truck each from the San Juan Public Cemetery and the Barrachs Cemetery in Pasig City.

The MMDA said most of the collected trash consisted of beverage plastic bottles, cardboard, newspapers, candle wax, fruit remains, styrofoam boxes, plastic bags and spoiled food.

Martinez said the MMDA cleanup of the cemeteries will continue over the weekend with the volume of trash collected still expected to increase.

The observance of All Saints’ Day was described by the MMDA as peaceful, clean and orderly.

“It was peaceful and very organized. The traffic was also light at walang magulo (there was no disturbance) inside the cemeteries,” MMDA general manager Corazon Jimenez said.

Jimenez was particularly impressed by the situation at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City and the Eternal Gardens cemetery in Caloocan City.

She said there was no litter at the Loyola and compared the situation in the two cemeteries as like being at a “picnic campsite.”

“As a whole, we made it. We had disciplined people (to properly dispose of their) garbage,” she said.

Jimenez also said that coordination between the MMDA and the various local government units and cemetery administrators have contributed much to the improved conditions inside the cemeteries.

The MMDA fielded 2,378 personnel from its traffic management, clearing and emergency response units to the Metro’s 29 public and private cemeteries yesterday.

“This has worked well. We are improving each year with our participative discussions,” she said.

The MMDA collected close to 200 truckloads of garbage from three cemeteries after All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day ended last year.

Meanwhile, Bagbag Cemetery in Quezon City started cleaning up the garbage left by visitors yesterday. Roberto Francisco, who heads the solid waste management team at the cemetery, said they expect to collect around eight trucks of garbage until tomorrow.

At the Manila Memorial Park in Novaliches, park services supervisor Nathaniel Tamonte said they will start hauling garbage from the cemetery on Monday. He said they expect to collect around 50 trucks of trash. – With Janvic Mateo







Two things you need to know about HIV

by Nirva'ana Ella Delacruz/CBCPNews


MAKATI City, Nov. 2, 2012 —Even in this day and age, HIV-AIDS remains almost like the stuff of urban legend — feared and shrouded in hearsay. For starters, people need to know two things about HIV: the entry of HIV infection and the bodily fluid involved.

The “door” of HIV

According to Fr. Dan Cancino, regional coordinator of the Southeast Asia HIV and AIDS Catholic Network, two questions can be asked from the start, “What’s the fluid?”and “Where’s the door (or the entry of infection)?”

These questions aptly show how HIV is like an enemy agent that breaks down the “door” of the body’s immune system, making the body defenseless against diseases and infections.

HIV can be passed on through sexual contact, mother to child transmissions (pregnancy, birth, breast feeding); blood and blood products (needle pricks, transfusion, injecting drug use).

Generally, HIV infections are transmitted through sexual activities, using infected needles, or getting a transfusion of infected blood, when a baby drinks milk from a mother with HIV and when a woman gives birth to a baby, she passes on the infection to her child.

Four fluids that could be deadly

Contrary to popular belief, HIV cannot be passed on through saliva or by using personal things of people with HIV.

The fluids through which the virus can be passed on are the following: blood, semen or vaginal fluid and breast milk.

For the general public, the way to beat the virus and to help those already infected is to get educated about HIV.

Cancino, who has been serving in an apostolate with people with HIV for 8 years now, said, “Stigma and discrimination begin when you don’t know the modes of transmission.”

According to recent statistics from the National Epidemiology Center under the Department of Health, there is a new HIV infection every 3 hours. [






Makati launches Windows 8 app for city updates

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - The Makati city government has launched an application for the Windows 8 operating system that provides online users with current updates on the city’s traffic, weather and news.

A project of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, the “My Makati” application was developed in under 30 days by the City’s Urban Development Department working together with Microsoft’s Developer and Platform Group and Codeworks, a Makati-based firm specializing in software development and web technologies.

“The City Government of Makati has long believed that technology can and should be placed at the service of people,” said Binay.

The My Makati app is available as a free download from the Windows 8 store.

“The My Makati app is but one step in our efforts to harness the power of the Web to give our citizens access to current information that affects their ordinary lives,” added Binay.

The application has also earned praises from Microsoft for the sophistication of its architecture. Drawing information from the city’s expansive traffic management infrastructure, CCTV cameras and weather stations, updates are provided in 15-minute intervals. My Makati can be installed in any PC, notebook or tablet computer running the Windows 8 operating system.

“This app is proof of all that is possible when good people and powerful technologies meet. We look forward to the other innovations that our people will help the city launch in the coming years,” said Binay.

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