A Social Weather Stations poll commissioned by environmental group Greenpeace reveals that 65 percent of Filipinos believe they are reckless in garbage disposal.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — A new Social Weather Stations poll commissioned by environmental group Greenpeace found that most Filipino voters will opt for 2019 election candidates who will ban single-use plastics.

In the survey conducted in the third quarter of 2018, 73 percent of respondents said they would likely vote for a candidate who supports a law banning groceries, public markets, fast food chains and other establishments from giving out or using non-biodegradable plastic bags.

The same survey revealed that 82 percent of respondents will vote for candidates who will advocate strict implementation of solid waste management laws.

Majorities across all demographics would probably elect candidates advocating the environmental issues, the poll revealed.

It also revealed that 65 percent of Filipinos believe people are reckless in garbage disposal. Thirty-five percent of the survey respondents said there is inadequate waste management and infrastructure in the country, while 27 percent believe firms are producing more plastic products.

The poll also revealed that 69 percent of Filipinos believe the public should be more responsible in reducing plastic pollution in the country. Another 39 percent said plastic-producing firms should be responsible.

The survey was conducted on September 15 to 23 among 1,500 Filipino adults.

Source: cnnphilippines.com

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File photos show the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction-Philippines’ shipbuilding facility at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (inset) and workers posing next to a newly completed vessel.

MANILA, Philippines — Concerned about saving thousands of Filipino jobs, President Duterte is open to a government takeover of the Subic Bay shipbuilding facilities of the bankrupt Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.

He revealed Duterte’s position during the plenary deliberations on the proposed P183-billion budget for the Department of National Defense, in reaction to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri’s calling the Hanjin debacle a “golden opportunity” for the DND to operate the South Korean giant’s shipbuilding facilities and save thousands of jobs.

While expressing sympathy for Hanjin over its financial woes, Lorenzana said he found interesting Navy chief Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad’s idea of government taking over and managing the company’s shipyard so the country can build its own vessels.

“I brought this idea to the President last night and he is very receptive to the idea,” Lorenzana told senators.

Hanjin, the biggest foreign investor in the Subic Bay Freeport, declared bankruptcy last Jan. 8. The firm owes about $430 million to five of the country’s biggest banks, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Banco de Oro Universal Bank.

The defense chief said the matter was also discussed with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who expressed concern over how local banks would be able to recoup their investments in Hanjin.

Zubiri suggested the government take a majority stake in a private minority directly involved in the operations of the shipyard.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson suggested that a portion of the P75-billion alleged insertion in the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget this year be realigned to pay off the debts and later bid out a stake with private partners.

“What if the Philippine government will just take over Hanjin and bid out to possible partners, private entities? This will mean potential income for the government,” said Lacson, who also moved to have the Senate constitute itself into a committee of the whole to discuss the issue while tackling the DND’s budget.

He maintained that Hanjin’s plight would have far-reaching implications for Filipinos, ranging from security to economic and even social concerns.

In his proposal, Lacson said the Philippine government would continue to have income while the Philippine Navy may have a new facility.

He added appropriate agencies can hold consultations with the National Economic and Development Authority regarding partnerships between the government and a private entity.

But while the President and some of his officials are open to a government takeover of Hanjin’s Subic shipbuilding facilities, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the plan has to be thoroughly studied, as it would involve a “major shift” in the role of government.

“The role of government is to provide defense, national security and peace and order. It is not the role (of the government) to do the direct production of whatever they use,” Diokno said on the sidelines of the commissioning of two new fast patrol boats acquired from France for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The commissioning was held at the PCG headquarters on Roxas Boulevard.

“Can you imagine the military producing their own ships? That is a major decision, we have to discuss it,” he added. “I want to see the complete proposal.”

“That is still a suggestion,” Diokno said, referring to Lorenzana’s plan. “We have to go over the financials… I want to see the complete proposal.”

Source: philstar.com

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CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Department of Health (DOH) has declared Pampanga as malaria-free, even as it recognized the province for its excellence in providing health programs for the benefit of its people – the Kapampangans.

“Pampanga is now included among the provinces in the country without any case of this kind of illness,” DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion said Tuesday.

With this, Pampanga also received PHP1 million from the DOH as cash incentive for being free from malaria.

Likewise, Pampanga was cited as best Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) for its outstanding support, commitment and excellent performance in the implementation of Philippine Health Agenda.

The recognition was given during the 7th Central Luzon Excellence Awards for Health (CLEXAH) of the DOH-Region 3 at Royce Hotel, this Freeport Zone Tuesday.

The excellence awards were personally received by Pampanga Second District Board Member Anthony Joseph Torres, Provincial Health Officer Marcelo Jaochico, Dr. Imelda “Ming” Ignacio, Jolly Garcia and Katrina Zapanta.

Other LGU awardees from Pampanga are as follows: City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Best LGU Health Office Sanitation Initiative and LGU with Outstanding Contribution in the Attainment of Blood Adequacy in Central Luzon; Mabalacat City — Pulang Laso Excellence Award (Best LGU for Local Response Service Delivery, and Outreach Services) and Scaling-Up Public Health Intervention for Millennium Development Goals (MDGS); Porac town — Scaling-Up Public Health Intervention for MDGS; and Municipality of Minalin — Efficient Health Sector Spending.

DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Francia M. Laxamana, keynote speaker, said CLEXAH is aimed at recognizing the efforts and commitment of the LGUs in the different initiatives and activities of the department towards the attainment of health reform goals.

“In relation to the development of the local health systems, the Department of Health-Central Luzon Center for Health Development acknowledges the local government units that support all the programs of the agency,” she added.

Source: pna.gov.ph

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The potential tropical cyclone, which is still a low pressure area, remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility

Satellite image as of January 15, 2019, 8:50 pm. Image from PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines – Weather forecasters continue to monitor a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

In a briefing at 5 pm on Tuesday, January 15, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA is now 2,720 kilometers east of Mindanao.

It might enter PAR either on Friday, January 18, or Saturday, January 19.

Before entering PAR, it could develop into a tropical depression. If it does, it would become the Philippines’ first tropical cyclone for 2019 and would be given the local name Amang. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2019)

The Philippines gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year. The forecast for January is zero to one tropical cyclone.

Meanwhile, the entire country will enjoy generally good weather on Wednesday, January 16.

The northeast monsoon or hanging amihan may bring light rain to some parts of Luzon and the Visayas, but PAGASA does not expect any “significant impact.”

Mindanao, meanwhile, will only have localized thunderstorms.

Source: rappler.com

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Photo Credit: handbag.kuehlam.com

The workers of a Subic-based shipbuilding company that filed for a voluntary rehabilitation with the Olongapo Regional Trial Court are highly skilled so they may find job opportunities in other industries, according to a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) official.

In an interview with GMA News’ Sandra Aguinaldo on her report for 24 Oras on Friday, DOLE Bureau of Local Employment director Dominique Tuyay expressed hope for Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company Philippines and its employees.

As of Friday, DOLE said that none of Hanjin’s 17 sub-contractors have informed them about retrenching their Filipino workers.

However, Tuyay said employees are reportedly working “less” hours.

“Meron pa din pong activities ang shipbuilding industry. It just so happens that Hanjin is just one of the big companies or big players under the shipping industry in Korea…Stable naman po yung kanyang capital,” she said.

“Highly-skilled po ‘yan kasi shipping industry yan eh so you can easily reconnect the workers affected to other related sectors. Baka po pwede nating bigyan ng oportunidad yung atin pong mga shipbuilders doon po naman sa construction industry,” she added.

According to DOLE, Hanjin still has six more ships to build, but the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has expressed fears of projects being cancelled.

The company has already removed a large chunk of its work force of over 31,000 in 2016 to only 3,812 in 2019.

SBMA Chairman Wilma Eisma had said Hanjin is set to cut its workforce to “just about 300 local workers and as few as seven Korean supervisors.”

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said Thursday that Hanjin Philippines filed on Tuesday a petition before the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142 or “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals.”

Eisma said Korean shipbuilder is facing serious financial trouble, the company has around $400 million in outstanding loans from Philippine banks on top of another $900 million in debts owed to South Korea lenders.

Hanjin Philippines has laid off more than 7,000 workers last December and will lay off another 3,000 early this year until its workforce is reduced to just about 300 local workers and as few as seven Korean supervisors by March. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News

Source: gmanetwork.com

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