PHILSTAR

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) said on Wednesday that its 132,400 bags of rice infested by weevil or bukbok, imported from Thailand and docked at the Subic Bay Freeport, has been given clearance by the Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) after it has undergone fumigation.

The certificate stating that the rice is fit for human consumption was given on Sept. 10 by PQS Central Luzon Regional Manager Ronnie M. Manuel, the NFA said.

The rice was treated by BPI-accredited fumigator SSI Chemical Applications, Inc.

“The 132,400 bags rice shipment is part of the 160,000 bags allocated for distribution in Central Luzon. This will beef up the inventory of NFA rice in the agency’s warehouses in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan and Aurora,» the NFA said in a statement.

“If the weather permits, unloading of the rice shipment is expected to resume on September 13 for delivery to NFA warehouses,” it added.

The NFA has faced complaints after its stocks were found to be infested by weevil, for which lawmakers have criticized the agency aside from its failure to procure rice leading to insufficient supply in the market, resulting in higher prices of commercial rice.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has said that weevil-infested rice does not pose any threat to human health and is fit for consumption if washed properly, for which he also received public criticism.-Priceline Joy N. Ignacio

source:bworldonline.com

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The all-new Santa Fe is the brand’s first monocoque-body SUV.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (Hari), the Philippines’ official distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles, in cooperation with the Hyundai Motor Company Regional Headquarters (HMC RHQ), organized a three-day regional test drive dubbed as the “Sea to Summit Conquest” for the all-new Hyundai Sante Fe last week from Sept. 3 to 5, 2018.

Aside from the local motoring media, Hyundai flew in journalists from neighboring countries like Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore to join in the test drive.

Some 20 units of the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe were brought to Subic Bay for the 146-kilometer trek from Subic Bay to Bataan, and back.

The delegates stayed in Subic Bay’s Segara Villas. Yong Suk Lee, director of HMC RHQ, formally welcomed all, and gave a short talk on the four-generation history of the model.

“As you know, the first generation of Santa Fe was launched in 2000. It is the cornerstone of Hyundai’s longstanding SUV heritage, and the fourth-generation Santa Fe will continue to impress customers with its premium design, spacious interior, and advanced technology,” he said.

Representing Hari was Renato G. Pizarro, SVP for Strategy and Innovation, who took the opportunity to express his gratitude for being chosen as the host country for the regional test drive event.

“We are humbled by the trust given to us by the Hyundai Motor Company Regional Headquarters, and honored by the commitment given to us by our media friends from all over the region,” he said.

The regional test drive route started off in Segara Villas, and took the delegates through a scenic route to Bataan, via the North Luzon Expressway and Bataan Provincial Highway.

The international media group at Mt. Samat in Bataan

First stop was the historic Mount Samat National Shrine, dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War II.

The steep, twisty, and rough road patches became a proving ground for the all-new Santa Fe’s road manners and performance.

After Mount Samat, the next stop was another famous Bataan landmark, the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

The 14-hectare resort is known for its collection of fully-restored century-old vintage and historic houses dating back to the Spanish times.

The backdrop of Old Manila allowed the delegates the opportunity to enter their photos in a contest using the Santa Fe as the main subject.

The last stop was the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, built in 1976, which is now a large reservation park.

The lush greenery and well-kept roads was ideal for driving before everyone headed back to Subic Bay.

Present during the fellowship night with the local and foreign delegates was Hari’s CEO and president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, who said: “Today will serve as the testament of the dedication, camaraderie, and refined strength exhibited not just by the people of Hyundai coming from the Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, but by each and every one who took the time to be here.”

The suggested price tag of the all-new Santa Fe is P2.338 million. It is the brand’s first monocoque-body SUV, and was first introduced at the 2018 Manila International Auto Show in World Trade Center last April.

The all-new Santa Fe is easily recognized with its 3-dimensional honeycomb patterned and much-widened cascading grille that is based on Hyundai’s new family identity, separated headlight design with LED projector lamps and dynamic bending and daytime running lights, and new diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels.

The convoy goes through the twists and turns of the test drive route.

The local spec model features a diesel-fed 2.2L CRDi engine with a maximum power of 200 ps/3800 rpm and maximum torque of 45 kg-m/1740-2750 rpm that perfectly matches with the improved 8-speed automatic transmission.

The monocoque structure gives a better controlled body roll and comfortable daily driving experience.

Now available in all Hyundai dealerships nationwide, the all-new Santa Fe caters to SUV buyers who appreciate the refinements of a premium SUV plus the available active safety features and improved 8-speed automatic powertrain and advanced HTRAC electronic all-wheel drive system for maximum comfort and performance.

The Hyundai HTRAC system tracks the vehicle speed and prevailing road conditions, controls the braking on the left and right wheels, and balances the distribution of power on the front and rear to ensure optimal cornering specially on slippery roads.

Its active safety features include forward, rear cross-traffic, and blind sport collision avoidance assist that warns the driver when backing out and if the vehicle detects another vehicle in blind spots.

Aside from this, its Smart Sense Active Safety system features lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and driver attention warning to provide the highest level of safety for its passengers.

Inside, cargo and leg rooms have also improved from the previous generation Santa Fe.

Hyundai Santa Fe units at Las Casas de Acuzar

Its Smart One Touch Walk-in feature allows passengers going inside to the third row to have easier access with the flick of a switch.

Hyundai also claims that side visibility has increased by 41 percent, thanks to its clever quarter glass design.

Its heads-up display (HUD) gives the driver better control, and frees him from always looking at the instrument panel.

Other tech features include Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition for Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and steering wheel cruise control.

For more information about the all-new Santa Fe, visit www.hyundai.ph or any of its 42 dealers nationwide, or Hyundai Philippines’ official Facebook page @HyundaiPH.

Source: https://motioncars.inquirer.net/

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Asia International Auctioneers Inc. will be conducting a four-day public auction from Sept. 12 to 15, featuring a wide range of 2,300-plus Trucks and Equipment at one massive auction event at its Subic Bay Freeport site in Subic, Zambales.

The yard of Asia International Auctioneers Inc. for its trucks and heavy equipment at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, pictured above, is one of the largest in Southeast Asia.

Buyers may find the best quality transport trucks, construction equipment, heavy machineries and industrial items for all their construction and business needs here.

AIA is the premier and pioneer auctioneer of quality trucks and equipment in the Philippines.
It is the first and only trucks and equipment auctioneer in the Philippines to achieve certification for ISO 9001:2015, the most prominent and latest version of the internationally recognized Quality Management System standards.

AIA is the only auction company certified to the 2015 version which only testifies to its commitment in being the best in the industry and in consistently providing the highest quality products and services.
AJA Registrars is one of the only five Certification Bodies in the country accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau and adjudged as the “Best Certification Body” in Japan.

It is also the only certifying body in the Philippines with both local and international accreditation.
AJA Registrars is the Certifying Body for Top Industry Leaders such as Toyota, Isuzu, Hino, Yamaha, Shell, and now including AIA.

Contact AIA at (047)-252-3333 or visit www.aia-auction.com for more information.

After the departure of the American military forces from Subic Bay, the Freeport almost seemed like a ghost town, with development at a standstill due to local political tensions and the 1997 economic crisis in Southeast Asia.

While others cast doubt upon the viability of doing business in the Freeport, the founders of AIA recognized the unique potential and possibilities of establishing its own auction company in the Freeport Zone.

Since then, it is undeniable that AIA became a huge contributing factor to the revival of Subic Bay and became the heart that spurred life and growth in the Freeport Zone.

With all the intensive improvements and developments throughout the years, AIA has been an ideal marketplace where everybody has a fair chance of acquiring quality units at the price bidders dictate.

The company has successfully offered products that are now more diversified than ever and are sought after for their top quality and best value. AIA’s auctions gather at least 5,000 registrants yearly, which has tremendously helped boost the tourism in SBMA during its auction events, thus making AIA the ultimate auction destination in Subic Bay.

source: manilastandard.net

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MANILA – A weather system being monitored in the Pacific Ocean can develop into a “supertyphoon” while inside the Philippine area of responsibility, the state weather bureau said Monday.

Typhoon Mangkhut is packing 140 kph maximum sustained winds and gusts of up to 170 kph and can enter PAR by Wednesday, according to the latest bulletin from PAGASA.

Cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over the whole Luzon can be expected on Thursday, weather forecaster Ezra Bulquerin told ANC’s Dateline Philippines.

Western sections of Visayas and Mindanao will also have the effect of the enhanced southwest monsoon which could bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains, he said.

In a separate monitoring by ABS-CBN News, Mangkhut, which will be named “Ompong” once inside PAR, will come in packing sustained winds of 215 kph but can develop into a supertyphoon within the next 12 to 24 hours.

PAGASA categorizes a weather system with maximum sustained winds of 220 kph as a supertyphoon, but Ompong can carry winds of up to 250 kph before it leaves the Philippines late Saturday, said ABS-CBN resident weather specialist Nilo Millanes.

Typhoon “Maymay” (international name: “Jebi”) also packed winds of 250 kph, he said.

“Its outer rain bands as well as its western outer strong winds of 63 km/h (signal no. 2) will start to affect Cagayan and Isabela late Friday morning. The worst scenario for this typhoon, based on this latest forecast track from [Joint Typhoon Warning Center] is for ‘Mangkhut’ to cross the Babuyan Group of Islands on Saturday morning with strength of 240 kph near the center,” he said.

Very strong winds and heavy to torrential rains will affect this area including the rest of Cagayan and Northern Isabela and the provinces of Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the Batanes Island Group.

Metro Manila will experience occasional light to moderate rains, he added.

Ompong will traverse its path with a speed of 30 kph, as fast as super typhoon Yolanda, which devastated parts of Visayas, said Millanes.

The rest of Northern Luzon will also have rains and gusty winds during its passage especially the rest of Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative Regions due to its outer circulation.

The rest of Luzon will likely have cloudy skies with occasional to intermittent light to moderate rains, becoming at times heavy in the western side of Central Luzon during Mangkhut’s passage due to Southwest Monsoon.

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency estimated Mangkhut’s current strength at 150 kph, same with JTWC’s. However, the JMA does not expect the weather disturbance to become a super typhoon.

The strongest winds Mangkhut will attain as per JMA’s forecast is 205 km/h on Thursday until it is over Extreme Northern Luzon.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

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Japanese undergarment brand Wacoal is giving a new meaning to bra-burning.

Wacoal boutique stores and select department stores are providing a bin where you can deposit your old bras, regardless of brand. Simply ask the staff present for a recycling bag that holds approximately four bras and you’ll receive your own reusable bag.

However, that’s not the real reward.

In an interview with GMA News Online via mobile, Marketing and Merchandising Manager Ms. Elmira S. Cadungog explained that the bras will be processed in Consolacion, Cebu and converted into “fluff fuel.”

According to an article published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), fluff fuel is one of the highest grade of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) around.

“The Fluff Fuels are produced through shredding, compressing and packaging of plastics, papers, and fibers,” the article explained.

Yokohama-based company Guun Corporation in 2013 successfully launched the pilot project in Cebu, and Cadungog told GMA News Online that fluff fuel is currently being utilized by cement factories in the area.

UNIDO lists lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuel as one of the major advantages of fluff fuels, explaining, “Fuel consumers such as cement manufacturers or power generation companies can cut back on their CO2 emissions by 17 percent during the heating process by Fluff Fuel rather than coal. That is due to the lower carbon content of Fluff Fuel over coal.”

How to know when your bra is giving up on you? Check out the helpful guide from Wacoal below:

Wacoal’s recycling campaign runs from August 1 to September 30. Wacoal will accept any brand of bra. Participating branches are found in Gaisano Alabang, Market Market, Gaisano Metro Ayala Cebu, Rustans Alabang, Rustans Makati, Rustans Gateway, Rustans Tower Shangri-la, and Rustans Cebu. — LA, GMA News

Source: GMA NETWORK

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