TRENDS (27 June 2010)

Asia's first airport service for VIPs, celebrities to rise in Clark

CLARK AIRBASE, Pampanga (PND) --- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Saturday laid the time capsule that signals the start of the work on VIP Jet Services Inc., an ultra-modern facility for prominent personalities and their private aircraft preferring to have privacy during airport arrival at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here.

The exclusive facility is the first of its kind in Asia and is ran by the same family that owns the VIP center in the Van Nuys, California, This facility is expected to turn the DMIA an “aircraft hub” for small or regional jets for very prominent people who do not want to go through airport hassles.

The President was delighted when told by Dean Cambe Sr., owner of America-based VIP Jet Services Inc. that it was only during her administration that the company was finally able to get the required permits for its Philippine operations.

“I hope Madam President that the incoming administration will share your vision and passion to get foreign investors into the country and that we will be able to go ahead with our plan to operate this facility by the middle of 2012. Maybe, Madam President, you will continue to support us and help us in our needs,” Cambe said during his briefing to President Arroyo.

Cambe said he has high hopes that the incoming Aquino administration will similarly encourage them further to do business here.

“I hope the new administration will carry on everything that was started. It is for all of us. If we fail then we all lose,” Cambe said.

“At VIP we have aircraft charter services, we fix and fuel the aircraft, we also have aircraft sales,” Cambe said.

First phase of this project is the setting up the P30 million building and then the tooling as well, Cambe said.

Cambe said VIPs and celebrities come in with their private jets and security, we will take them to limousines with the bodyguards. The VIP facility also has suites where the guests could stay overnight.

Cambe, a Filipino-American, left the Philippines in 1973 and joined the US Navy and now manage several companies in the United States. His two sons and another American partner are helping him in the project.

The Philippine facility will be company’s largest with 10 hectares.


PGMA bids Bohol goodbye with P368-M RORO port

Ubay, Bohol (PND) --- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will inaugurate tomorrow (June 28) the P368-million Ubay port here which will connect the province of Bohol with the three islands of the country by land, sea and air.

The Ubay port falls under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) program.

Complementing the existing sea port and airport in Tagbilaran City, the new port serves as Bohol’s gateway to Cebu, Leyte and Samar in the Visayas onwards to Luzon via the Matnog, Sorsogon land route and to Mindanao via Southern Leyte and Lipata, Surigao del Norte.

Port Ubay is seen here as the province’s link to the 3 major islands of the archipelago.

Phase I of the project is the back-up area, R.C. Pier. RORO Ramp, dredging and disposal work, mooring and fendering system and port lighting system. The project started on March 20, 2008 and was completed on March 9, 2010.

Phase II is an expansion project contracted at P130.89 million involving the reclamation of a 1 hectare back-up area.

Upon arrival at the inaugural site, the President will unveil the marker of the Ubay port to be followed by welcome remarks by outgoing Gov. Erico Aumentado, a short message by Bohol 2nd District Rep. Roberto Cajes and a project briefing by Philippine Ports Authority District Manager Alex Cruz.

At the Tagbilaran airport, the Chief Executive will be welcomed by Gov. Aumentado; Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim; outgoing 1st Dist Representative Edgar Chatto (also incoming provincial governor); 3rd Dist. Representative Adam Relson Jala; Presidential Adviser for Visayas Felix Guanzon; COMCENTCOM Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva; PNP 7 RD C/Supt. Lani-o Nerez; and Tagbilaran City OIC Airport Manager Edgar Solis. At the inaugural site, she will be met by 2nd District Rep. Cajes, Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales, Philippine Ports Authority District Manager Alex Cruz and Ubay Port Terminal Supervisor Rodrigo Ampo.

Aumentado will take his oath before the President as the new representative of 2nd congressional district of Bohol and Arthur Yap, former Agriculture Secretary and now the 3rd congressional district representative.


PGMA opens P147-M Iloilo bridge

CABATUAN, Iloilo (PND) – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will inaugurate the newly rehabilitated Tigum Bridge here

when she visits the province tomorrow (Monday) morning.

The President will lead marker unveiling and ceremonial drive-thru formally opening the bridge to vehicular traffic after a project briefing by Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo.

The Tigum Bridge, which serves as a vital link connecting the central towns of Iloilo to the city proper and which also serves an alternate route to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan, was destroyed when Typhoon Frank pummeled the Visayas region in 2008.

Rebuilt and rehabilitated at a cost of P147.65-million, the new Tigum Bridge now consists of six spans of 170-linear meters long pre-stressed concrete girders on bored pile foundation with new approaches.

Joining the President for the project inaugural will be Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., Iloilo 3rd Dist. Rep. Arthur Defensor, 1st Dist. Rep. Janette Garin, 2nd Dist. Rep. Judy Syjuco, 4th Dist. Rep. Ferj Biron, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee, Tabucan Barangay Chair Nelson Arcos, Banguit Barangay Chair Gary Bibanco, and DPWH 6 Regional Director Rolando Asis.


PGMA opens Clark's new P338-M passenger terminal

CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga (PND) --- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inaugurated Saturday the new expanded passenger terminal of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here that will increase passenger handling capacity to an additional 600,000 a year.

Costing P338 million, the expanded passenger terminal contains two passenger boarding bridges, two escalators, two elevators, concession areas, two VIP lounge areas, X-ray walk thru machine, flight information display system (FIDS), closed circuit television, background and music/public address system, centralized airconditioning system and building maintenance system, said Alex Cauguiran, DMIA Executive Vice President.

It sits on 2,790 square meters of land inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, where flights from Asia now make their call. The annual capacity of the DMIA is 2 to 2.7 million passengers.

The expansion of the terminal 1 of DMIA was deemed necessary because of increasing passenger traffic and because a lot of Asian aircraft are looking for aero-bridges instead of the tarmacs, said Caugiran.

From just 20,000 passengers two years ago, visitor arrivals at Clark have increased to about 600,000 and still expected to grow by about 10 percent annually with the Philippines tourism now booming and Clark now becoming a favorite among Asian airlines.

Airplanes landing and taking off from Clark are those from Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Macau and Malaysia. Flight frequencies are: two from Malaysia daily, one Singapore, one in Korea, then we have in Bangkok, Taiwan and Macau. Most of the flights come in daily while others are six times a week.

Since the DMIA operated, it has been able help ease the congestion at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“Our goal is to make Clark as the premier gateway of the future, complimentary with NAIA,” Cauguiran said.


PGMA leaves Cebu with 2 more projects during farewell visit

CEBU CITY (PND) -- With two days left before she bows out of office on June 30, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will make her last presidential visit to Cebu province on Monday (June 28) to inspect a fishing port project and inaugurate a theme park.

The President will be flying in from Bohol where she also have scheduled projects visits. Upon arrival about Monday noon at Mactan Airport, she will motor to Talisay City for a viewing of the on-going construction of the P136.4 million Macapagal-Gullas Fishing Port project in Tanke,Talisay City.

The fishing port project, widely welcomed here due to the benefits it will bring to the fishing villages, will be completed in August this year.

The fish port is equipped with an ice plant, ice storage, administration building and public toilet.

The President will then proceed to the Cebu International Convention Center to administer the oath of office of Cebu 6th district Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, 2nd district Rep. Pablo Garcia and winning re-electionist Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Her last stop will be the inauguration of the P24.172 million President Diosdado Macapagal Park and Boardwalk in Danao City. The President shall lead in the ribbon cutting and unveil the monument of her late father President Diosdado Macapagal.


Cardinal Vidal thanks PGMA for addressing poverty woes in Cebu

MANILA, June 27 (PNA) --Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has expressed gratitude to outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for helping the City of Cebu in addressing problems, particularly poverty and graft and corruption in the province.

Vidal is convinced that President Arroyo served the country well since she replaced former President Joseph Estrada in 2001.

“I wish her well. She served very well the country,” he said, in an interview over Radio Veritas 846.

Vidal noted that the Chief Executive was successful in taking actions against the said problems.

“I hope she will be able to serve again. But I’m very thankful to her especially with what she has done in Cebu,” he said.

On the other hand, the prelate is also wishing President-elect Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III well once he assumed office after June 30.

“I wish him well. I pray for him because he is facing many problems, many difficulties,” he said.


PGMA did more achievements for Filipinos during her term --Angara

MANILA, June 27 (PNA)—Senator Edgardo Angara describes President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration more of achievements rather than its failure.

Angara gave President Arroyo a passing grade of six from the scale of 1-10 in grading the Arroyo government.

”In term of improvement and progress of the nation, she has done several projects. She is a working President and she is really focused in improving the country,” Angara said in a radio interview on Sunday.

The lawmaker also said that PGMA has had more achievements than failures, despite her ‘political mistakes’.

Angara also said that it would be unfair to criticize President Arroyo because of the P340-billion budget deficit left by her administration.

He said that, in terms of economy, the country’s growth has never been negative under the Arroyo regime.

Mrs. Arroyo has recorded a 37 quarters of uninterrupted economic growth despite of the world economic crisis.

Angara also said that President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III should focus on implementing the Arroyo administration’s livelihood projects, instead of going on a witch-hunt for criminals, as certain groups would have him do.

"Let’s follow the legal process. Let’s prioritize livelihood. It is the president's judgment call, not whoever whispers in his ear. We might have a civil war if he listens to all kinds of whispers," Angara also said.

This year's budget cycle has started in February and the president-elect should focus on reviewing proposals and continuing projects that are already on the table, according to Angara.

The senator added that he had faith in President-elect Aquino that he would continue the good programs of the Arroyo government that truly benefited the Filipinos.

Angara said that the number one challenge to Aquino was how to improve the livelihood of every Filipinos and the economy in general.

Angara clarified that although Aquino promised he would not impose new tax increases, circumstance might force the president-elect to do so, adding that no country was able to solve its financial position without resorting to taxes.

"The deficit may exceed by P20 billion or P30 billion but this can be addressed through the barreling program and the step up collection of various revenue-generating agencies, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Office, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, among others. There are many ways to fill up the deficit," the lawmaker said.


Energy to offer 10 new oil, gas exploration sites to investors

MANILA, June 27 -- The Department of Energy (DOE) will open up at least nine to 10 new sites for oil and gas exploration under the administration of President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Energy Undersecretary Ramon S. Oca said the department was just finalizing the program for presentation to the incoming Energy Secretary next month.

"We will have to present that to the new Energy Secretary. I guess it might be too late to present it to Secretary Ibazeta," Oca told reporters.

He said the areas will include Palawan, Mindanao and also in Central Luzon.

"It's around 9 to 10 sites. We're still reviewing it," Oca said. "But we're still checking if there are protected areas in these sites. If there are protected areas or even sanctuaries, we will have to avoid them to avoid problems also, particularly bird and marine sanctuaries."

The new oil and gas sites are part of the 2010 Philippine Energy Contracting Round.

As of March, the government was able to bring in nearly US$ 500 million investments in oil and gas exploration.


SMC plans to put up private commercial port as new site for Pandacan depot

MANILA, June 27 (PNA) -- After venturing with the Romero group for North Harbor Project, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) plans to develop a private commercial port to serve as a new site for the Pandacan oil depot, a high-ranking official of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said.

PPA gneral manager Oscar Sevilla said San Miguel would develop a private port besides the North Harbor Project in lieu of the eventual closure of the Pandacan oil depot.

"They [San Miguel] said they will look for a suitable area that will comply with safety and security regulations," Sevilla said.

San Miguel's unit Petron Corp., Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron (formerly Caltex Philippines) operate their oil distribution depot in Pandacan, Manila.

The Pandacan oil depot, which is located along the banks of Pasig River, services more than half of the fuel requirement of the country.

Besides food and beverage, SMC has interests in energy, power, banking, telecommunications, infrastructure and mining.

This new development came after Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) divested its 35 percent share in Manila North Harbor Port Inc. (MNHPI).

Sevilla said the PPA board approved the transfer of MPIC's 35-percent share in MNHPI to San Miguel after they submitted a financial support to the joint venture firm.

He said that San Miguel's Bank of Commerce will provide a P2-billion credit line facility to MNHPI to expand the port.

The P2 billion are the required investment in the first year to expand the North Harbor port set by PPA.

In a text message, Michael Romero, president and chief executive of Harbour Centre Port Inc. and MNHPI, said his company successfully bought out all Metro Pacific shares in the consortium.

"This was after the PPA notified parties of its approval and consent last Friday on the sale transaction," Romero said.

Given this, HCPI now owns 100 percent of MNHPI.

Romero added that HCPI and San Miguel Corp. are completing documents with regards to the latter buying the 35 percent share of MNHPI.

"The North Harbor is seen as strategic four San Miguel for its food and other related business and make Manila North Harbor a logistics center for SMC. The many synergies of Harbour Centre and SMC make the combination a viable and strong partnership," Romero said.

Romero also said that his company was in talks with top world port development and operator GMAPS of Singapore for the design and development of North Harbor to be the jewel of Philippines comparable with Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong ports.

For the next 25 years, MNHPI will invest P14.5 billion to operate and manage the port.

The regulator is assured of P6.8 billion in revenues within that period.

MNHPI said the P14.5-billion capital expenditures would be used mainly for the construction of a modern passenger terminal and other facilities, acquisition of heavy equipment, dredging operations and acquisition of other equally important equipment such as modern computers to ensure the smooth flow of cargo and passengers.

At present, the North Harbor services two million domestic passengers per year, while the port can handle cargo of up to 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units.


Seguis says biggest achievement in the peace talks: MILF has dropped the option of independence

MANILA, June 27 (PNA) -- Ambassador Rafael E. Seguis, the outgoing chair of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has said that the most significant achievement the government attained during the peace talks with the MILF since 1997 is that the MILF has dropped the option of independence.

Seguis made the statement at the launching of the book “Breakthrough: Critical Documents of the GRP-MILF Peace Talks” at the Discovery Suites, Ortigas Center in Pasig City over the weekend.

The book, published by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), is a compilation of important documents of the GRP-MILF Peace Talks since negotiations started in 1997.

“It is significant that during our stint, the MILF has dropped the option of independence, and that it is not negotiating for independence but for the highest form of autonomy,” Seguis said.

Seguis, who is also an undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), expressed the hope that the incoming administration of President-elect Benigno C. Aquino III “will continue to build upon the gains of the present and previous negotiations and will not start from ground zero.”

He lauded the statement of the incoming President made in September 2009 that the first thing he would do for Mindanao “has to be on the peace aspect.”

Seguis also said that Aquino started it right when he chose veteran peace advocate Ging Deles as the new OPAPP secretary replacing outgoing OPAPP chief Annabelle T. Abaya.

“It is our fervent hope that the next administration will continue to talk vigorously with the MILF,” Seguis said, adding that “as much as possible, we want to avoid the pattern of ‘talking and fighting’ in the past,” obviously referring to the bloody war that broke out between government forces and the MILF in the summer of 2000 and the fighting in 2008 following the non-signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) that resulted in the collapse of the peace talks.

However, formal negotiations resumed in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 8 last year after a series of back-channeling efforts by both the government and the MILF.

“In our collective journey to peace, there are naysayers and cynics but there are many who share the same aspirations with us for a peaceful Mindanao and believe that peace in Mindanao is possible,” Seguis said.

Like the people in southern Philippines, Seguis said he “is hopeful that a comprehensive peace agreement is achievable in the next few years.”

“The road to peace is not easy; there is no simple formula here since peace is a complex challenge,” Seguis stressed.

“Our peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front itself have been characterized by alternating chapters of talks and impasse. However, with the collective aspirations of all peace stakeholders, we have brought the peace process to where we are now,” he pointed out.

Seguis thanked all peace panel members from both the government and MILF, past and present, as well as the facilitators and members of the International Contact Group and International Monitoring Team, the Civilian Protection Component and others “who never wavered in the peace process” in spite of the obstacles that took place during the negotiations.

“I would also like to highlight the contribution of our peace movers in the conflict-affected areas, their boldness and persistence to combat the culture of violence is unparalleled and their commitment to promote the culture of peace is laudable,” Seguis said.

“As many more helping hands are needed to come on board in our quest to consolidate peace and its many gains, we can draw boundless inspiration from the countless peace constituents in the conflict-affected areas,” he said.

“We should work hand-in-hand with them and patiently and unceasingly endeavor to achieve peace and prosperity for all in Mindanao,” Seguis concluded.


Over 5,000 NPA rebels have surrendered since 2005 -- AFP

MANILA, June 27 (PNA) -- At least 5,417 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) from the different areas of the country surrendered to the government during the five-year period ending 2009, the military reported.

Latest data show that of the total number of communist insurgents who rejoined mainstream society since 2005, 2,140 were regular fighters while 3,277 were support elements. The figure included the 21 high-ranking CPP-NPA rebels who returned to the fold of the law.

From its peak of 25,200 in 1987, the CPP/NPA strength declined to about 4,700 at the end of the first quarter of 2010. Its number of firearms has been reduced significantly from 15,500 in 1987 to a meager 4,900 by March 2010.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the NPA presence today can be felt only in 1,017 barangays which comprise merely 2.4 percent of the 42,000 barangays nationwide, compared to 20 percent (8,500 barangays) in 1986.

Based from the first-hand testimonies of former rebels, the prevalent reasons for the rise in NPA surrenders are the hardships in the mountains, as well as the growing discontent, disillusionment, and disgruntlement over NPA policies and failed promises, and abusive leaders who squander or embezzle the party’s money.

“Even the NPA leaders recognized the futility of their struggle. On most occasions, they are the ones who convince their other members to cease fighting and lay down their arms as well. Those who persist in the CPP-NPA are those with personal stakes or are hiding from law,” said AFP Civil Relations Service chief Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz.

This emerging trend is also credited to the government’s Social Integration Program (SIP) under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) which was promulgated in March 2007.

Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Anabelle Abaya said that over 2,500 former communist rebels were given various financial and livelihood assistance amounting to P65.62 million in 2009.

SIP beneficiaries receive P20,000 in immediate cash assistance and an additional of as much as P70,000 to P100,000 for a single high-powered firearm they relinquish.

A former rebel may also avail of livelihood assistance amounting to as much as P50,000 to start a sari-sari store, acquire farm equipment such as hand tractor or buy working animals, or a tricycle. Moreover, a cash incentive of P10,000 is afforded to any civilian who can successfully invite and facilitate the enrollment of an active rebel into the SIP.

“The AFP believes that transforming former combatants into peaceful and productive citizens, while more challenging, is the better solution than purely military action. We strongly support the SIP and other reintegration efforts, especially local development programs that aid not only the rebels themselves but include their families,” said Cruz.