Philippines News Agency back issues from July 2008:
DSWD releases family access cards.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, July 1 (PNA) -- Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral on Tuesday announced that 200,000 qualified families have been provided with Family Access Cards (FACs). FACs gave these poor families priority to buy government- subsidized NFA rice at P18.25 ...
Troops nab ASG member in Basilan.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 1 (PNA) -- Government security forces have arrested over the weekend an alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit believed to be involved in an attack of a Marine detachment last May on the island province of Basilan. Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) chief Rear ...
Kudarat town in state of calamity.
Jul 01, 2008 ... GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July 1 (PNA) Tropical cyclone "Frank" had passed and left a trail of destruction in the Visayas more than a week ago, but the suffering of people in southern and central Mindanao are getting reported only now. In fact, officials of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat ...
Yap says 500 MPAs established in RP.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, July 1 (PNA) -- Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the government has established 500 marine-protected areas (MPAs) through local government initiatives. "It is our key contribution to improve coastal resource management and global efforts to save the world's marine ...
GenSan launches month-long trade show.(Conference news)
Jul 01, 2008 ... GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July1 (PNA) Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) unveiled fresh trade concepts and showcases here Monday as part of the month-long 6th Yaman Gensan festivities. Dorecita Delima, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region XII assistant director, said this ...
SoCot relief underway, moves to avert further floods.
Jul 01, 2008 ... GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July 1 (PNA) The provincial government of South Cotabato delivered at least 250 bags of rice on Tuesday, to the five villages in Lake Sebu town that were isolated over the weekend, due to floods and landslides. South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said ...
Nograles vows to endorse congressional inquiry on recent sea tragedy.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, July 1 (PNA) -- House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles on Tuesday vowed to strongly endorse a congressional investigation into the sea tragedy that claimed lives of more than 700 people when the MV Princess of the Stars capsized off Romblon during the onslaught of typhoon Frank. ...
DOT chief says slow infra hampers RP tourism growth.
Jul 01, 2008 ... CEBU CITY, July 1 (PNA) The retarded gestation and the "slow construction pace of" infrastructures, which usually take two years or more, are the major stumbling blocks that retards the growth of the Philippines' tourism industry, DoT Secretary Ace Durano disclosed on Tuesday. ...
Quezon broadcaster killed, another wounded.
Jul 01, 2008 ... SARIAYA, Quezon, July 1 (PNA) -- Another media practitioner was gunned down while one of his two daughters got wounded and his second daughter escaped unhurt following an ambush on Monday in Sitio Malabag, BarangayLutucan, here. The victims were on their way home in ...
Banner stories of Manila's leading newspapers, Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, July 1 (PNA) - Following are headlines of the leading newspapers: BULLETIN -- Tobacco ads ban starts today INQUIRER -- 'This is justice for Julia' MALAYA -- Sulpicio sues weather bureau STANDARD -- ...
Asian Spirit resumes flight to Antique.
Jul 01, 2008 ... SAN JOSE, ANTIQUE, July 1 (PNA) After suspending its flight for a few years, the management of Asian Spirit Airlines recently decided to resume once more its operations in the province of Antique. Ambassador Alfredo Yao, owner of the Asian Spirit, personally came to Antique ...
Philippine Embassy in Oslo initiates fund drive for typhoon Frank victims.
Jul 01, 2008 ... OSLO, Norway, July 1 (PNA) The members of the various Filipino organizations in Norway in coordination with the Philippine Embassy raised some P556,600 for the victims of super typhoon Frank. In a community meeting held at the Philippine Embassy on Monday, June 30, 2008, ...
Split-Quezon law triggers political upheaval.
Jul 01, 2008 ... LUCENA CITY, July 1 (PNA) A new law further splitting what used to be the Philippines' longest province, has turned out to be an incendiary that set on fire the political climate here. In fact, it now appears that after what is now the Province of Aurora was separated from ...
SC disqualifies Lanao del Norte mayor for.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered disqualified the winning mayor of Pantar town Lanao del Norte for failing the mandated one-year residency requirement in the Omnibus Election Code. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, the ...
NBI nabs 2 for illegally videotaping a film being shown.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two persons caught inside a Quezon City movie theater while illegally videotaping a film being shown last weekend. NBI Assistant Director retired police Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong ...
LTFRB invites DOE, oil companies to public hearing on Friday.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) invited on Monday representatives of various oil companies and the Department of Energy (DOE) to a public hearing for fare hike petition on Friday. LTFRB chairman Thompson Lantion said the ...
BSP forecast June '08 inflation at 10.4%-11.2%.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) The record prices of oil, which has reached over $ 140 per barrel, is on top of the reasons cited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for projecting the June inflation between 10.4 percent to 11.2 percent. BSP deputy governor and officer-in-charge ...
PGMA inspects NAIA 3 facilities upon arrival from US trip.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived early Monday morning from a successful 10-day working visit to the United States and her first order of business: inspect facilities at the newly opened Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) Terminal 3. The ...
Peso closes at 44.90 on higher oil, US economy worries.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) The Philippine peso closed at 44.90 against the greenback Monday after starting the week lower than the previous trade. It lost P0.11 from Fridays 44.70 finish at the Philippine Dealing System. The units weak performance has seen early in the ...
PGMA's 10-day working visit to US defended.
Jul 01, 2008 ... CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, June 30 (PNA) -- A ranking government official defended today the 10-day working visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the United States, saying the trip produced "results" and was far from the "useless junket" yarn critics have hurled against the ...
Sulpicio files P4.45 damage suit vs PAGASA, 2 officials.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- The Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) filed on Monday afternoon Pph4.45 million damage suit against the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and its two officials for gross incompetence and irresponsibility with the Manila ...
hearings in Tagalog-speaking regions.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno favors the use of the national language in Tagalog-speaking provinces for court hearings. The use of Tagalog will be favorable to poor litigants who have difficulty understanding English, the language currently ...
DOLE releases P33-million fund for workers displaced by Typhoon Frank.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque on Monday ordered the release of P33-million for the emergency employment assistance and livelihood restoration for workers affected by Typhoon Frank in the Visayas. The DOLE intervention came on the heels of the ...
Meco bullish on future of RP food processing industry.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) is optimistic on the growth of the country's food processing industry given the strong turnout of buyers of Filipino foods in the recent Taipei International Food show. Antonio Basilio, MECO managing ...
SC teams up with other government agencies,.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) In an effort to provide the countrys poor citizens with equal access to justice, the Supreme Court (SC) has teamed up with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ) and ...
NBI to help identify bodies retrieved from sunken vessel.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday said it is ready to help identify the bodies of victims retrieved from the sunken vessel Princess of the Stars. Pedro Bulaong, NBI officer-in-charge, urged families of the victims to provide the NBI ...
Relief operations in Iloilo ends Friday.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 30 (PNA) The relief operations for Typhoon Frank victims in Iloilo province will end on Friday. The Iloilo Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said the operation will shift to rehabilitation. Neneth Q. Pador of the PSWDO said ...
Ground-breaking rites today for new U.S. embassy buildings.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) Ground-breaking rites were held Monday, with US Ambassador Kristie Anne Kenney, developer Jaime I. Ayala and Jay Hicks of the US State Department officiating, for new buildings at the US embassy compound along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. A time capsule of ...
Zambo junkshops warned vs. buying stolen water meters, manhole covers.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 30 (PNA) Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) has warned all junkshops here to refrain from buying its water meters and manhole covers which were stolen. Presidential Decree 1612, the Anti-Fencing Law, punishes with imprisonment establishments caught buying ...
DTI opens one-stop eco & business assistance center in Zambo.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 30 (PNA) - A one-stop shop center known as the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) opened Monday here to cut the red tape and improve transparency in business registration and licensing. Trade and Industry Undersecretary Merly ...
Groups donate water tanks & plants to assure potable water supplies for Iloilo City typhoon victims.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 30 (PNA) Various organizations and agencies here and abroad have committed 33 small water tanks and nine water treatment plants to provide potable supply to typhoon victims. The Filipino Chinese Business Club in Manila Inc. has donated 11 water tanks while the ...
Pia: Sulpicio, Del Monte must share in cost of retrieving toxic cargo.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 30 (PNA) -- Senator Pia S. Cayetano said Sulpicio Lines and Del Monte Philippines must shoulder the cost of government efforts to safely and immediately retrieve the 10 metric tons of endosulfan inside the capsized MV Princess of the Stars. "Finger-pointing on who ...
Australian envoy oversees education projects in Davao City.
Jul 01, 2008 ... DAVAO CITY, June 30 (PNA) Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith recently inspected the education projects extended by the Australian government to the city's educational system through their Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) project. Smith visited Sta ....
Aklan now under the state of calamity.
Jul 01, 2008 ... KALIBO, Aklan, June 29 (PNA) - The entire province of Aklan is now under the state of calamity after the heavy lashing of Typhoon Frank that left behind 60 deaths, 167 persons injured and nine missing not to mention extensive damage it caused in agriculture and infrastructure. ...
Pia: Sulpicio, Del Monte must shoulder cost of retrieving toxic substance.
Jul 01, 2008 ... CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 29 (PNA) -- Senator Pia S. Cayetano today said Sulpicio Lines and Del Monte Philippines must take the initiative of shouldering the cost of government efforts to ensure that the best available methods are employed to safely and immediately retrieve the 10 metric ...
Magnolia escapes important win vs. Alaska (Sports).
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) - Magnolia leaned on playmaker Mike Cortez to escape an 80-79 victory over Alaska on Sunday night to assure itself of outright quarterfinals slot in the ongoing PBA Fiesta Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum. Cortez drilled last of his two ...
NBI forensics expert says not all bodies of sinking victims might be identified.
Jul 01, 2008 ... CEBU CITY, June 29 (PNA) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) forensics experts have started the tedious and slow process of identifying victims of the Princess of the Stars sinking. But a forensics veteran, Dr. Renato Bautista, who has seen the countrys worst sea tragedies ...
PGMA to conduct aerial inspection of typhoon Frank-devastated areas of Iloilo Tuesday.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 29 (PNA) - President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo is set to conduct an aerial inspection Tuesday of the areas devastated by typhoon Frank around here before presiding over the regular Tuesday Cabinet meeting at the regional offices of the National Economic Development ...
Outgoing RP envoy bids goodbye to her Vatican post.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Outgoing Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Leonida Vera has been assured by Pope Benedict XVI of his spiritual closeness and concern for the Filipinos. For her part, Vera expressed deep gratitude to the Holy Father for the assistance he extended ...
Rep. Gonzales allots P200T for additional aid to typhoon victims in Iloilo City.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 29 (PNA) - Iloilo City lone district Rep. Raul Gonzales Jr. has set aside P200,000 from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to purchase additional relief goods to victims of Typhoon Frank in the city. Gonzales also announced that the 180 water ...
PGMA visits Baler tomorrow to speak at the 109th anniversary fete of the siege of Baler.
Jul 01, 2008 ... BALER, Aurora, June 29 (PNA) - After her successful 10-day working trip to the United States, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit this province tomorrow (Monday) to speak at the twin celebrations of the 109th anniversary of the Siege of Baler and the 6th Philippine-Spanish ...
PGMA to preside over joint Cabinet and NDCC meeting in Iloilo Tuesday.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 29 (PNA) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will preside over the joint Cabinet and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting on Tuesday here to discuss the ongoing rehabilitation and relief efforts in typhoon-damaged areas of Panay Island. Before ...
Class suit set v. Princess of the Stars owners.
Jul 01, 2008 ... CEBU CITY, June 29 (PNA) - Families of victims of the mv Princess of the Stars tragedy are planning to file a class suit against Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the ill-fated vessel. Lawyers from the Public Attorneys Office (PAO) 7 have been deployed at the action center at the ...
9 NPA rebels, 2 policemen killed in Surigao fighting.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, July 29 (PNA) -- Government forces backed by two Air Force helicopter gun ships killed nine communist rebels in two separate gun battles in Surigao del Norte Sunday, the military said. Two policemen were also killed and four others werewounded. Maj. Amand ...
Pia: "Why did FPA lift ban on endosulfan?".
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Senator Pia S. Cayetano today said she agreed with the position of environmental groups that the endosulfan discovery in the sunken vessel MV Princess of the Stars not only involved maritime safety regulation issues, but also government policy on the entry, ...
Those accountable in the MV Princess tragedy must be punished -- Nograles.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Speaker Prospero C. Nograles on Sunday warned that sea disasters that claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos will continue to hound the country's maritime industry as long as there is no clear and absolute resolve to punish those who should be held accountable ...
PGMA and McCain agree to further strengthen RP-US relations.
Jul 01, 2008 ... WASHINGTON D.C., June 29 (PNA via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Republican presidential candidate John McCain agreed to further strengthen the long standing bilateral relations of the Philippines and the United States. In a brief meeting held Saturday mid noon ...
BF says Filipinos must look at the sacrifices of Pacquiao to become what he is now and use it as a model to rise out of poverty.
Jul 01, 2008 ... TACLOBAN CITY, June 29 (PNA) -- Metro Manila DevelopmentAuthority Chairman Bayani Fernando today joined the entire nation in exulting over the victory of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao who dethroned David Diaz, the Chicago-based Mexican champion, but he urged the Filipino people to ...
Creation of a National Gaming Commission proposed.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- A ranking Member of the House of Representatives is pushing for the creation of a National Gaming Commission (NGC). The aim is to centralize all government regulations and supervision over gambling and gaming in the country and maximize earnings from all numbers' ...
Cops, soldiers track down extortionists in Zambo.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 29 (PNA) The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) and military's Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) have deployed personnel in Barangay Licomo located east of this city and near the boundary with the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. The deployment came after Licomo ...
Health centers pushed as cheap rice resale points.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talio- Mendoza has proposed the use of barangay health centers nationwide as distribution hubs for subsidized rice intended for impoverished households. Besides rolling stores, public schools and other outlets, Talio-Mendoza said ...
Expanded student jobs plan to check rising youth unemployment.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Sen. Loren Legarda has expressed confidence that the Senate-approved expanded Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) would go a long way in checking rising youth joblessness, which hit a record high in April. Legarda was referring to ...
US envoy turns over relief assistance to typhoon victims in Carles, Iloilo.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 29 (PNA) - United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenny arrived in Iloilo past 10:00 oclock this morning to deliver relief goods to victims of Typhoon Frank in Carles, Iloilo and visit the US Forces on board the USS Ronald Reagan, who are now helping in ...
PGMA says Pacquiao's win a "masterpiece"<br>.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday hailed Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao who just knocked out World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz in the ninth round in their scheduled 12-round fight in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. ...
Green Cross Inc. resolves ownership issue after dismissal of estafa cases.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Lawyer of executives of the Paranaque City-based manufacturing firm Green Cross, Inc. (GCI) has effectively resolved the ownership in favor of the company's present owners after dismissal of the estafa cases filed against the former owner of the company. ...
Makati gives P10-M to provinces affected by typhoon Frank.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The Makati City Council has has approved a city ordinance appropriating P10 million to assist municipalities, cities and provinces devastated by typhoon Frank. Upon the request of Mayor Jejomar C. Binay, the amount will be used to buy relief goods and ...
MMDA welcomes charges by LGUs.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday remained unfazed by threat of the local government to file charges regarding last week garbage row that resulted to the abandonment of some 50 dump trucks carrying garbage at the agencys main office at ...
DoE still holding on to Bataan nuclear plant.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The Department of Energy (DoE) in Taguig City is now reviewing an assessment report submitted to them by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the quarter century-old Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). This, after the IAEA granted the ...
Basilan electric firm sticks to no-ransom policy<br>.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 29 (PNA) The Basilan Electric Cooperative (Baselco) management will stick to the government's no ransom policy in seeking the release of its four employees that are still being held captives in Basilan province. Baselco General Manager Alfredo Oyao said they ...
Tougher anti-sexual harassment law pushed.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talio-Mendoza has sought the help of her colleagues in Congress in passing new legislation that would hold customers or guests criminally liable if they sexually harass employees of establishments such has hotels, restaurants and department ...
NDCC report: 540 deaths, P7.317B damages by Frank.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- A week after typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen) battered regions in Luzon and the Visayas, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Sunday placed the death toll of the calamity to 540 persons and damage to property to P7.317 billion. ...
SC affirms granting of death benefits to heirs of Pinoy seafarer who died in Dharan<br>.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed an earlier decision of the National Labor Relation Commission (NLRC) and the Court of Appeals (CA) granting some US$ 50,000 worth of death benefits to the widow and children of Filipino seafarer who died of heart failure during the ...
DOLE prepares jobs, livelihood assistance to workers displaced by Typhoon Frank.
Jul 01, 2008 ... MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has begun efforts to set in place an employment assistance program geared at providing emergency wage employment and livelihood to workers displaced by Tyhoon "Frank" in the hardest hit areas in the Visayas. ...
War planes, attack helicopters deployed to extend air cover to ground pursuing troops in Surigao.
Jul 01, 2008 ... SURIGAO CITY, June 29 (PNA) - War planes and attack gunship helicopters of the Philippine Air Forces (PAF) strike wing and helicopter wing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were deployed to extend air cover to the pursuing Army combat maneuvering battalion who encountered Sunday ...
DA extends seeds support to farmers affected by typhoon in Panay.
Jul 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY, June 29 (PNA) The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now moving seeds to Iloilo and other production areas where farmers are ready to plant rice, according to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap. Yap said farmers who have been affected by the typhoon have signified ...