Good News....

[fingolfin]

---

...all i see are bad news, now let's start a new thread posting all good news. to lighten our spirits............

once again, anybody who posts even a single OT will have a warning.


DBM releases close to P400M in Lanao Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- Budget Secretary Romulo L. Neri released the Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) for the infrastructure component of Metro Iligan Regional Infrastructure Development Project (MIRIDP) in Lanao del Norte.

Provincial Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo told Sun.Star the release of budget was upon the approval of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is intended to fast track the completion of the ongoing road concreting from Barangay Fatima, Tagoloan to Balo-I, Balo-i to Pantao Ragat, and from Barangay Delabayan, Kauswagan to Munai, one of the major source of agricultural products and high value crops.

An ocular survey showed the Hanjin Heavy Industries Limited has already concreted two lanes in the 3.6-kilometer road stretch while the Kiazar bridge construction in Barangay Kiazar in Tagoloan is underway.

"The said project is duly funded by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) under the 2nd Yen Loan fund for three years," Dimaporo added.

Governor Dimaporo said the MIRIDP is a component of the 77.8 hectares Metro Iligan Regional Agri-Industrial Center (MIRAIC) in Linamon town, the proposed industrial site of the province.

The provincial executive expressed confidence that investors will eventually pour investments here to improve socio-economic condition of the 22 municipalities and promote tourism industry in the province.

Businessmen and traders are enjoying the benefits and convenience in traveling and transporting products from Zamboanga City to other parts of Mindanao via the newly completed concrete national highway in Lanao del Norte.

Bong Alburo, Hanjin project coordinator, said before the middle of this year, the traders can fully bring their goods to Maguindanao province, Cotabato City, General Santos, Davao City by land trip (vice versa) as soon as the concreting of the remaining estimated five of the 25-kilometer coastal road funded by Kuwaiti funds. It will stretch from Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur to Barangay Dableston, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte and would provide less travel time and transport expense.

With the recent visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Pagadian City, the President expressed confidence that lasting peace can be attained in Mindanao following positive results of the peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government.

"The country is heading towards better economy as Malacanang is initiating economic reforms," President Arroyo said.

[iloveyou4ever]

I hope this is not another hao shao project. Remember nga daghan diha mga road/ bridge project nga wala mahuman kay gipang bulsa dayon ang budget after ma release ang money. Lets just cross our fingers mga people.

I really hope mahuman ni nga project. Please keep us informed Mr.

[grabehbebe]

Drugbusters embark on educational tour

The Philippine Star 02/13/2006
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200602136303.htm

Five mobile training teams of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) are touring schools, community and workplaces in Metro Manila and the provinces to teach students, employees and out-of-school youths the evils of prohibited drugs.

AIDSOTF chief Director Marcelo Ele Jr. said the mobile teams are making great strides to educate and keep Filipinos away from illegal drugs as part of their demand reduction program.

"We are receiving positive feedback on the work done by our trainors and this is attested by the numerous invitations for their appearance in schools and workplaces in Metro Manila and the provinces," Ele said.

He said AIDSOTF trainors are scheduled to meet students of the Philippine College of Criminology in Manila this week. They will motor to Sta. Barbara town in Pangasinan next month on the invitation of retired police general Reynaldo Velasco.

The five AIDSOTF training teams are headed by Senior Superintendent Erasto Sanchez, Senior Inspector’s Lyra Valera and Aniceto Partoza.

Ele said the teams have visited at least 20 sites since he assumed command of the AIDSOTF last September.

"We are intensifying our demand reduction program and we are targeting the students, workers, professionals and out-of-school youths, whom we believe are the most vulnerable to drug addiction," he said.

Ele said the teams use film clips to show how illegal drugs destroy the family and their future.

Those in attendance are taught how to detect persons using illegal drugs as well as identify chemicals and precursors in the manufacture and different kinds of prohibited substance.

"Of course, the students, workers and out-of-school youths will also be taught how to report to police authorities suspicious personalities, especially those involved in drug peddling," Ele said.

AIDSOTF units in Metro Manila and the provinces are the one’s designating areas to be visited by their five training teams, said Ele, noting that those requesting their presence at his office are given top priority.

Since its inception in June 2003, AIDSOTF was able to neutralize 49 shabu laboratories and warehouses all over the country and has confiscated P3.8 billion worth of illegal drugs, equipment and raw materials.

Since he assumed his post, the raid on the shabu "tiangge" in Pasig City by the AIDSOTF Special Operation Unit (SOU) headed by Superintendent Jojo Acierto has been Ele’s first big accomplishment.

"While our trainors are busy in the demand reduction side of solving the drug problem, our SOUs are also hitting the source of illegal drugs," the AIDSOTF chief said.

Those interested in availing of the AIDSOTF training teams’ services can dial telephone numbers 7221918 and 7227976 or through PNP Txt 2920.

"Our training teams are available at short notice free of charge," Ele said. – Non Alquitran

[grabehbebe]

ECOZONE PUSHED
Arroyo wants tax perks in Clark

Philippine Daily Inquirer
By Jun Malig

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC Zone—President Macapagal-Arroyo wants to place this special economic zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) so investors here will also enjoy the tax and duty-free privileges given to locators at the Subic Bay Freeport.

But the President, during a meeting with reporters at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Friday, said the move would depend on the Supreme Court’s final decision on whether business locators in Clark were covered by tax and duty-free privileges under Republic Act No. 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act.

Ms Arroyo has certified as urgent the bills restoring the tax incentives to Clark and other economic zones not covered by RA 7227. These are House Bills 4900 and 4901, sponsored by Tarlac Rep. Jesli Lapus.

HB 4900 seeks tax amnesty for locators in Clark and in the special economic zones in Camp John Hay (Baguio City) and Poro Point (San Fernando City, La Union).

HB 4901, on the other hand, seeks amendments to RA 7227 to include the three special economic zones as tax and duty-free zones like Subic in Zambales.

Antonio Ng, Clark Development Corp. president, said the bills would provide a reprieve to more than 300 locators in Clark.

“With the approval of the two House bills, the locators and investors in Clark will be given assurance that the incentives being provided them will be honored and will prevent them from scouting other areas for their operations,” said Ng.
Then President Fidel Ramos authorized the tax incentives received by Clark locators through Presidential Proclamation 420.

[grabehbebe]

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...s05_feb23_2006
By Rio N. Araja

Saudi opens hotline for OFWs

THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) bared yesterday the efforts of the Labor Ministry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to speed up the resolution of labor cases filed by the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against their employers.

Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Mohammed Ameen Wali and Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi informed OWWA Administrator Marianito Roque about their policy to settle labor disputes at the soonest possible time as well as protect the rights of the OFWs. They said a hotline was put up especially for labor complaints.
Roque said Al-Gosaibi directed the immediate resolution of cases, prompted by the concerns of the Royal Family on the plight of migrant workers.

As directed, a case has to be disposed in a span of a week or a month with sanctions on employees or employers who refuse to attend hearings.

“You should deal firmly with those who do not attend such sessions by taking strong measures,” he said, quoting Al-Gosaibi.

About 5,000 labor cases were filed with Saudi Arabia’s Labor Ministry and various courts.
Roque said Al-Gosaibi wanted to strictly impose the Saudi Labor Law that “envisages protection for the rights of all workers as it does not differentiate between Saudis and foreign workers” or expatriates.

:mrgreen:

[tolstoi]

good news nasad ta ninyu..


RP furniture continues to stand out in design

Product design and development remain as the strengths of the Philippine furniture industry, according to Private Enterprise Accelerated Resource Linkages (Pearl) 2’s State of the Sector Report on Philippine Furniture 2005.

“The sector has creative and innovative designers who can manipulate various materials into furniture designs. But it needs to undertake more market development work to seek out new countries and buyers rather than remain dependent on the US market,” said the report, the third edition published by Pearl 2.

Sixty five percent of Philippine furniture exports of $294 million in 2004 went to the US.

[websniper]

* I couldn't find any topic which tackled something good for our nation.*

Finally, I found this topic which is so commendable one.


A Filipino tops US billiards tourney

Filipino cue artist Dennis "Surigao" Orcollo defeated former US five-time champion Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer, 9-3, in the championship round to win the 2006 World 9-Ball Open Championships Bar Table Tournament on Sunday at the Gold Country Casino Hotel in Oroville, California.

It was Orcollo’s second title in the US after he topped the 2006 International Pool Tour (IPT) 8-Ball Shootout qualifier at the Hard Times Billiards Hall in Bellflower, Los Angeles, California last week.

The 27-years-old Bislig, Surigao del Sur native Orcollo, who pocketed P$12,000, bested former world 9-ball champion Oliver "The Machine" Ortmann, 10-6, in the IPT final to bag the US$13,000 guaranteed prize and earn an 2006 IPT card.


Note: Sorry for the OT. My apology.

[tolstoi]

Peso surges to 51.65 to $1; stocks up 1.6%

THE PESO surged to 51.65 to the dollar Tuesday from Monday's closing rate of 51.96 to the greenback as political tensions eased, on expectations that the state of national emergency would be lifted soon.

The stock market surged as well, with the main price index jumping 33.6 points or 1.6 percent to 2,122.96. This was the best close of the Philippine Stock Index since Feb. 6, when it ended at 2,133.13.

The peso opened trading at 51.77 to the dollar and hit an intra-day low of 51.815 and a high of 51.64.

http://money.inq7.net/topstories/vie...3&dd=01&file=1

kudos to MIGHTY PANDAK :mrgreen:

[RuSteD]

another 1k allowance to all government employees. :mrgreen:

[grabehbebe]

AFP sets release of report on poll fraud

IT won’t be long before the military declassifies its report on the alleged involvement of some generals in the 2004 electoral fraud, an official said yesterday.

Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz said he had already sought clearance from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to send copies of the report to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The report, prepared by the Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, contains the findings of the inquiry into the alleged participation of generals, who were mentioned in the “Hello Garci” tapes, in manipulating votes in the last presidential election in some Mindanao provinces to favor President Arroyo.

Cruz said the report, held under wraps by the Armed Forces for several months now, was submitted to him by Gen. Generoso Senga, Armed Forces chief of staff, “in the last few days.”
“I am now studying the report and I have also submitted my report to the President,” Cruz told newsmen. “As I had said before the Senate, I would recommend the submission of the report to Congress.”

Armed Forces inspector general Mateo Mayuga had conducted the investigation, but he was promoted to flag-officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy last year before he could complete his report.

The generals mentioned in the Garci tapes as having allegedly taken part in electoral cheating were Maj. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, now chief of the Army, and Gabriel Habacon, now chief of the AFP Southern Command.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani was also mentioned in the Garci tapes, but the tapes quoted then Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano as complaining that Gudani was sympathetic to then opposition presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr.

In his testimony before the Senate, Gudani claimed that he was relieved as head of Task Force Ranao when he refused to participate in the alleged rigging of election results. Task Force Ranao was formed to help the Commission on Elections in ensuring orderly and honest polls in the Lanao provinces.

Meanwhile, Senga still enjoys the President’s trust despite his admission that he was being recruited to join an alliance between the New People’s Army and disgruntled officers in the military.
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye dismissed reports that Senga had been kept out of the loop during security meetings last week while the state of national emergency was still in effect. Fel V. Maragay, Joyce Pangco Pañares, Romie A. Evangelista

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...s03_mar06_2006