Mike in Manila

According to a press release; “Malacanang said today that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 10-day working visit to the United States had further strengthened Philippine relations with a key ally, advanced the interests of Filipinos, and draw new investments into the country.”

The OPS statement amidst some amidst some sectors criticism that the trip should have been cut short - as a major typhoon hit the country. “The trip to the United States reaffirmed the strong ties between our two nations … advanced important issues we have with the US … [and] we were able to press for economic aid, food security and stronger military cooperation,” President Arroyo speaking n Baler, Quezon a few hours after she arrived from the US. In a Fourth of July release - the statement went on to say that  President Arroyo felt that pushing through with her US trip during the onset of Typhoon Frank was a “difficult” decision but a needed one.  Arroyo explained that even while in the US she was fully engaged in the rescue and relief operations in the Philippines.

Most critics are technology ‘challenged’ new IT capability allow currently private sector executives at present to be digitally present in things like daily in meetings and through corporate ‘intranets’ Arroyo is correct in saying she was ‘digitally,’  in constant touch with members of the Cabinet and local officials in charge of implementing her directives on the rescue, relief and rehabilitation in the country. So While abroad, The President was able to receive extensive assistance in the search, recovery and relief efforts,” she said.
The tale of the trips take as it were is that- “The US government has extended to the Philippines P4 million worth of emergency relief goods through the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)” . Through constant updates the information was relayed  also sent naval vessels to help Philippine authorities retrieve bodies from the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars which capsized at the height of the typhoon.

The bottom line is as the palace says it - President’s  US trip “Was an opportunity for her to look after the interests of Filipino World War II veterans.  I had to make a choice whether to cancel important meetings with the US President and leaders of Congress who specifically asked that we be in Washington at this time to advance pending Philippine legislation on the Philippine veteran’s bill, Arroyo was talking about critics calling on her r to cancel or cut short  her US trip.

Under the Veterans Equity Bill, Filipino veterans living in the Philippines would get a $300 monthly pension, while Filipino veterans living in the US will get $900-$1,400, the same amount US veterans are entitled to receive.

The President’s US trip also attracted investments which would translate to more jobs for Filipinos. “We once again secured more investment, job creation and pledges of interest by many new business leaders,” she said. The agriculture departments of the two countries have agreed to promote farm trade and investment starting with a $500-million pineapple deal with NTC Marketing Inc. which produces Libby’s Fruits.

The Philippine Stock Exchange also inked a memorandum of agreement with the New York Stock Exchange that would pave the way to the modernization of the local bourse through the sharing of information. Businessmen said the President showed US investors that the country remains economically sound. Despite the global economic slowdown and rising prices, the country was able to maintain its economic fundamentals, they added.

The story is told so well by CBS Mornings that I have to only say watch the amazing story. And thank you CBS for telling a wonderful story. That to me tells me to never stop believing.

in QuickList

JOURNEY ARNEL PINEDA CBS MORNING NEWS JUNE 1 ‘08

Philippine Government Television reported tonight the kidnapping of a TV news crew in the troubled Southern Philippines. The National Broadcasting Network, Channel 4 reported that a popular TV anchor and her crew along with a local professor were taken in remote area south of Manila in Sulu Province..

Mikeinmanila sources from Jolo Island in the southern Mindanao region allege four people have been kidnapped - ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Drilon, Cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, Angelo Valderama, assistant cameraman, and a certain Prof. Octavio Dinampo. As of this time that is all the information coming from the area.

Allegedly the group is being held by a group or persons locals refer to as ‘Parad’s group’ per sources in the area.on Suu Island. They were taken earlier at a village / town of Indanan. It is not confirmed if this group is part of any of the local rebels in the area or is bandit or kid-nap for ransom organization.

A ransom demand has been made allegedly for several million Philippine pesos. But authorities in the area have not confirmed this at this time.

It is not the first time a News crew has been kidnapped on Jolo island last year a news team from the Philippines GMA television was taken by a another group in the same area. Several years before scores of journalists both foreign and domestic have been taken hostage for days to hours at a time by bandit groups and the ABU SAYYAF group. Most have been released unharmed. A majority of which have come after ransom payments.

ABS-CBN refused to comment on the report at this time. Radio rpeorts in across metro manila from various radio stations say that Police and Philippine Military officails have not commented but confirmed the information.

Update: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front posted this on the groups website.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), after confirming that popular ABS-CBN broadcaster, Ces Drilon, and two others were kidnapped, has created a special group in Jolo, Sulu to actively help in the monitor of the whereabout and condition of the victims.

The special group is headed by an MILF political officer, whose identity is not divulged in order to give him and his group better chance of getting hard fact of the incident.

“This will give our man in Sulu to move around freely,” Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, clarifying, however, that the MILF has very limited help it can do, because the ASG and MILF are ‘like water and oil’.

“But we will do everything in our limited ways to help secure her and companions’ early freedom,” he vowed.

Mantawil told Luwaran yesterday afternoon that the MILF group had already sent an initial report saying Ces Drilon and two other crewmembers of ABS-CBN and MSU Prof. Octavio Dinampo were indeed kidnapped by an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, a certain Gafur Gumbahali, in Barangay Kulasi, Maimbung town Sunday morning..

Gafur, the report added, is the brother of ASG dreaded leader Dr. Abu Jumdail Gumbahali.

Other report said Broadcaster Ces Drilon and her crew arrived in Jolo last Saturday, June 7, on the invitation of Professor Octavio Dinampo of the Mindanao State University “to cover a special event”.

Dinampo is also co-convener of the Mindanao Peace Weavers, a network of organizations advocating peace in Mindanao. He also heads Tulong Lupah Sug (TLS), which is a Jolo-based non-government organization.

He has also written some articles based on his interviews with Abu Sayyaf forces. Some of these articles were published in several papers.

Dinampo served as guide of Drilon’s group, who stayed at the Sulu State University Hotel, and early Sunday picked up the group from the university hotel to still unidentified destination.

This is the second time that a journalist from ABS-CBN was kidnapped in Sulu. In 2000, ABS-CBN reporter Maan Macapagal and her cameraman, Val Cuenca, were also kidnapped by the same Abu Sayyaf group.

However, the reported P10-million demand for the release of the victims is not yet confirmed, although this is expected any moment from now.

More reports and info:

Abu Sayyaf kidnaps Ces Drilon, 3 others
Manila Times, Philippines - 1 hour ago
“She was really in a hurry, and I even asked her where they were going; and Ces Drilon only replied that they would just be nearby. …
Peace advocate, ABS-CBN’s Ces Drilon feared kidnapped in Sulu Minda News
Ces Drilon, tv crew abducted by Abus Sun.Star
TV reporter, crew kidnapped in Sulu, police say Inquirer.net
Reuters - Minda News
all 29 news articles »

Palace hopes for safety of Ces Drilon’s group GMA news.tv, Philippines - 29 minutes ago MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday said it was praying for the safety of the group of broadcast journalist Cecilla Victoria “Ces” Oreña-Drilon and …

Abu Sayyaf kidnap Philippines TV crew
Bangkok Post, Thailand - 23 minutes ago
Ces Drilon, senior correspondent of ABS-CBN, and crewmen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama had gone to the island of Jolo, 1000 kilometres south of …

PGMA rallies Filipinos to vote on line for 3 RP natural wonders
DUMAGUETE CITY – “Let’s vote online for our natural wonders.”

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the call as she exhorted all Filipinos here and abroad to help the government in its campaign for the Tubbataha Reef, Chocolate Hills and the Underground River to win in the search for the world’s “Seven New Wonders of Nature.”

The President made the appeal during a three-on-one interview with her by broadcast journalists Glenda Descuatan, area manager for Visayas of Skycable ABS-CBN 2; Malacañang reporter RG Cruz of ABS-CBN 2; and KBP Negros Oriental president and DYSR radio station manager Roy Bustillo at one of the showrooms of Sidlakang Negros Village here.

The President said that from here, she would proceed to Tubbataha Reef to dive there and dramatize “my simple contribution” to the country’s campaign to sell to the world the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and Underground River in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, among others.

“We are encouraging all Filipinos who are either living here or working abroad to vote for our natural treasures.” the President stressed.

She said all environmental-friendly Filipinos should vote online through www.newsevenwonders.com to ensure that the Tubbataha Reef, Chocolate Hills and the Underground River will be included in the most coveted list .

The President stressed that it would be an honor for the country to have these beautiful spots become part of the seven new wonders of the world to further boost Philippine tourism and its growing economy.

“So we need all Filipinos to vote for them. It’s an online voting and you have to vote for seven new wonders to ensure that they would get included in the worldwide search for nature.

Tubbataja Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a famous national marine sanctuary in Sulu Sea. It is a popular diving site because of its renowned and globally significant biodiversity.

Its two atolls lie on the Cagayan ridge and roughly encompass 100,000 hectares of corals and over a thousand species of marine life.

Bohol’s Chocolate Hills—which are scattered in the towns of Carmen, Butuan, and Sagbayan—is famous for its dome-shaped grass covered limestone hills that turn brown in summer when the hills dry up.

These almost uniform 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, mostly between 30 to 50 meters high, are considered among the National Geological Monuments of the country due to their scientific value and geographic uniqueness.

To date, Tubbataha is now ranked seventh, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol is Number 9, and the Underground River in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is Number 20 in the Top 77 Live Rankings of the worldwide online poll for the Seven New Wonders of the World.

 Google on Earth Day…

Following last week’s announcement of an ongoing Earth Day donation campaign from Google Checkout and a batch of new Google Transit cities, Google offers more ways for Google users to “go green.” Starting today, Google Transit is now available in San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Milwaukee, WI; Ann Arbor and Holland, MI; Kansas City, MO; Framingham and Cape Cod, MA and Rhode Island. Also launching today:

1) the Energy Saver gadget for Google Desktop, which enables and optimizes computers’ power management settings, putting them to sleep when they’re not in use;

2) Google SketchUp’s “Go Green” site, which offers tips for design professionals interested in green building design;

3) Google for Educators offers recommendations for teachers who want to use Google Earth and Maps to teach about environmental issues in the classroom.

Earth Day, Renew Your Commitment to Make a Difference

     On the first Earth Day in 1970, the nation was challenged by rampant and often highly visible forms of environmental pollution.  The public demonstrations on that first Earth Day served as a wake-up call to our country that the degradation of our air, water and land could no longer be ignored.  People from all backgrounds and political leanings came together to demand results – and the modern environmental movement was born.  

      Even as we have successfully tackled many of the sources of pollution so evident on that first Earth Day, other environmental threats and challenges have surfaced:  new industrial pollutants, mining waste, aging municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, and global climate change.   Worldwide industrialization, unrestrained development, and the global migration of pollutants pose challenges not imagined when our first generation of environmental laws were enacted in the early 1970’s.

     As we confront these modern-day challenges and move toward sustainable development and resource stewardship, the continued need for individual engagement is essential.  I recently recognized several citizen heroes for their important contributions to environmental protection.  Their achievements, ranging from creating innovative programs to conducting insightful research to just plain roll-up-your-sleeves hard work, showcase the impact and importance of individual drive and involvement.

     From those early days in 1970 to the present, environmental activism has been an effective force for change.  From coordinated efforts to influence national policy to individual choices in transportation, energy and materials consumption, I encourage each of you to join in, learn more and contribute collectively and individually to environmental protection.  

To learn more about how you can reduce your impact on the environment please see http://www.epa.gov/earthday/

To learn more about citizen heroes in Region 9, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/region09/awards/08/index.html

Wayne Nastri
Regional Administrator

Fertilizer Crisis looms in the Philippines & ASEAN

April 20th, 2008 ·

I’ve seen a number of stories online about China and others in the region curbing fertilizer exports; there’s a interesting story ongoing that aside from the rice crisis here in the Philippines. A fertilizer crisis looming in the region as well

Price of fertilizer next to rise - INQUIRER.net, …

Abraham Mitra had earlier called on Malacañang to suspend the export of sulfur for at least six months to ensure an adequate fertilizer supply for local … newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080421-131694/Price-of-fertilizer-next-to-rise - 35 minutes ag

Philippine Star - Articles - -

Abraham Mitra urged President Arroyo to temporarily disallow the exportation of raw materials for the production of fertilizer, particularly sulfur, …
www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080413114

Looking at a statement from PHILPHOS Chairman Jose C. Alvarez on the issue from their perspective. Perhaps it might be something to look into.
Earlier some columnists here in Manila raised concern over the possibility that a ban on export of sulphuric acid might force the closure of a local smelting plant.

Strange that a mere by-product of smelting is so important to a multi-billion dollar plant?

Anyhow the opinion players are columnists who you don’t normally see eat rice — seem to be taking up the defense for the Swiss owned firm. The bottom line is this - on this week of earth day a well designed plan for sustainable development and waste management is being affected by greed.
Hurting the needs of grain farmers.

Consider this, corn and other grains as well as sugar cane need fertilizer for high yields - hence if this isn’t resolved - higher feed costs for poultry and swine can be expected.

Meaning higher costs for chicken and pork.

Something commonly served at those power lunches of Makati based business groups that seem to be siding with the Swiss smelter firm.

STATEMENT OF Mr. JOSE C. ALVAREZ
CHAIRMAN PHILPHOS:

A proposal to impose a moratorium on the export of Sulfuric Acid, a ingredient in high demand for the manufacture of fertilizer has its main supplier in the Philippine market;

The Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. or PASAR allegedly threatening to close one of the Philippines most profitable metals processing facility and smelter business should the government ban the export of sulfuric acid, claiming this is unfair government intervention.

The truth, however, is that, when the Swiss Consortium, Glencore purchased PASAR from government, its purpose was to export precious metals.

The export of its by-product, sulfuric acid, was definitely
not the basis of its business decision to invest in the Philippines.

If PASAR chooses to close its smelter plant because it will have to grant concessionary price to PHILPHOS for its sulfuric acid, then it will be the only plant in the entire world to do so.

This is especially true today when smelters are making record profits selling gold, copper, nickel, lead, and other metals at historically high prices. To put this in proper perspective, this year, PASAR’s revenue from sales of sulfuric acid might reach approximately US$50
million, while they would earn revenue from metal sales of more than US$1.5 billion.

The Philippine Government set up the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation or PASAR and Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation or PHILPHOS in the early 80’s, it was envisioned that a
smelting plant, like PASAR, could process raw minerals from various local mines into finished precious metal products.

This would add a lot of value to the Philippine exports and, as a result, the country would earn much more foreign currency.

But the problem was that the process would also generate significant quantities of toxic waste by-product (sulfuric acid). The solution to this was to build a fertilizer factory beside it that could absorb all the sulfuric acid waste without damaging the environment.

The justification to build and operate a world-scale fertilizer plant then was the local availability of one of its major raw materials.
PHILPHOS needed PASAR’s sulfuric acid in order to produce NPK fertilizers for the Philippine rice, corn and sugar industries.

That was also the time when the world experienced a major fertilizer crisis. The government pursued these twin projects to ensure the year round availability of a major input for rice. At the same time,
PHILPHOS could export its excess fertilizer production to the ASEAN neighbors, to foster food stability in the region.

Since the start of PASAR’s commercial operation up until its privatization in the late 90s, 100% of its sulfuric acid by-product was sold to PHILPHOS and to other domestic consumers.

It is a common arrangement in other countries for the smelters to sell their sulfuric acid to the fertilizer factories. Sulfuric acid is exported only when the fertilizer factories no longer need it or when they could not absorb the quantity of acid produced. There are world-scale fertilizer
factories in China, Korea, Australia, Thailand, India, Bulgaria, Spain, Mexico and the USA that are situated similarly, that are also close to smelter plants.

Essentially, the core business of a smelter is the sale of its copper, gold, and other precious metal products but not the export of sulfuric acid, which is just a by-product. Smelters around the world focus on running their plants at full capacity but they also need to ensure an orderly disposal of their toxic by-product. In return for a secure and stable outlet for this hazardous waste, the smelters often grant concessionary pricing to fertilizer factories. This symbiotic relationship between the smelter and the fertilizer factory is the accepted setup throughout the world.

But, a few years ago, PASAR was sold by the government to Glencore of Switzerland, a powerhouse in the smelting and mining world.

Almost immediately, it began exporting its sulfuric acid, disregarding one of the fundamental purposes for its establishment, that is, to help stabilize agricultural productivity by providing a reliable source of
sulfuric acid for local fertilizer production.

Worse, it also prevented PHILPHOS from importing this commodity from other countries so it could drastically increase its prices to the domestic market.

FIORELLO E. AZURA
Azura Quiroz & Campos
Attorneys-At-Law

It is hot…

Very hot…

too…

hot…

Oh boy…

Watching David Letterman and Jay Leno the thought comes to mind from the monologue jokes they typically tell-

HOW HOT IS IT? my favorites from Letterman have always been…

“It’s so hot, Paris Hilton is sleeping with Ben and Jerry”- D. Letterman
“It’s so hot, Angelina Jolie is adopting kids from Antartica” - D. Letterman

Or on Leno…

“According to a survey in this week’s Time magazine, 85% of Americans think global warming is happening. The other 15% work for the White House.” –Jay Leno

Or perhaps…

“At a press conference yesterday NASA announced that prior to this year 2008. 2005 was the hottest year on record. It is so hot, and global warming is so bad, if the presidential election were held today, Al Gore would…still lose.”–Jay Leno

But my favorite from Leno in context of another major topic… Terrorism and the fight against is still ah er… cool,

“Al Gore said over the weekend that global warming is more serious than terrorism. Unless the terrorist is on your plane, then that extra half a degree doesn’t bother you so much.” –Jay Leno

But Global Warming or not the present heat wave expected this weekend is bad enough for the weather bureau to issue a rare heatwave alert in metro Manila and Luzon.

Pagasa warns of heat cramps, exhaustion due to hot weather
GMA news.tv, Philippines - Saying hot and humid weather would persist for at least the next three days, state weather forecasters on Saturday advised the public to take precautions …

The direct quote:

Hot Weather Advisory
Hot and humid weather condition will continue to persist over the country for the next three (3) days. The public is advised to take precautionary measures against heat cramps. Heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. This advisory will be updated daily.-PAGASA

Advice from the USA’s CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  covers thr signs of heat related illness and Heat stroke.  I’m republishing this for the best interest of the general public since the DOH nor Pagasa do not yet have the ready info on their websites as of yet:

The best defense is prevention. Here are some prevention tips:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

This information provided by NCEH’s Health Studies Branch.

The World Health Organization has an advisory on this and what to do as well - Heat Stroke can be dealt with in several ways. Remember be cool, drink plenty of fluids - and stay off anything alcoholic for at least til after sundown.

There’s a campaign on for Natures newest 7 wonders - Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, has simple request to Mike In Manila readers — if you can help him out it would be great….
Spread the information along in blogs and to your YM’s and IM’s and personal networks.

The contest voting date is close and the goal is to include the world famous Palawan World Hertigae sites on the online list of 7 Wondersof Nature campaign -

Palawan’s World renown Underground River St. has been accepted on the list to vote for it and also the Tubataha reefs.

St.Pauls Park is on the list of nominated sites.The area is unique as it is one of the few National Parks and ‘UNESCOWorld Heritage’ sites ever devolved or returnbed to Local Government and NGO
Community Management.

It is a rare success story of local community envirnomental
management in the world of National Parks.

It is proud part of the natural heritage for those of us from Puerto Princesa.

We who are form believe it belongs on the list of7 Natural Wonders of the world. Also any help and support would be greatly
appreciated to spread the word and get people to get out the vote!
Please see his email below for details.

Thanks and God bless
MikeinManila

Mayor Hagedorns Email -

Dear Friends,

I write to seek your help.

Last year, a search for the 7 New Wonders of Nature was launched . As expected, hundreds of nominations from all over the world were submitted including the world famous Tubatahha reef of the province of Palawan. It has now occupied the # 9 position out of the top 77
entries . Pls visit www.new7wonders.com

Last month, one of our avid supporters nominated Puerto Princesa City’s Underground River to the contest. The nomination was accepted only yesterday. Although others think it is too late to join the search, I personally believe we can still make it since the deadline for nomination will still be in december this year. Besides, I really feel that this underground river, which by the way has been declared
by UNESCO as a world heritege site , is truly a wonder of nature. And to fully appreciate it, please visit the special website dedicated solely for the Underground River at www.puerto-undergroundriver.com

I know I can count on you my friends. Thank you in advance !!.

Mabuhay!
Mayor Ed

With the candidates for the democratic nomination each trying to get the delegates onboard - [Read more →]