Philippines News Agency back issues from May 2009:
Gov't allots P90M for preparations vs A/H1N1 virus -- Duque.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said the government has allotted P90 million to prepare for the possible spread of the A/H1N1 virus (swine flu) in the Philippines. Appearing before the regular "Friday Balitaan" media forum in Quezon City, Duque said ...
NGCP ready for Pacquaio-Hatton fight; assures enough power supply.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 2 (PNA) -- The operator of the country's transmission highway is expecting demand for power to increase on Sunday due to the much-awaited boxing match between people's champ Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao and Britain's pride Ricky Hatton. Carlito C. Claudio, vice president for systems ...
Angara pushes for maritime industry upgrade.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Senator Edgardo Angara on Friday pushed for the improvement of the country's maritime industry by providing better educational curriculum, employment system and post-employment support for the country's seafarers and their families amid a series of hijack incidents ...
PNP prepares for H1N1 flu.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing for the possible outbreak of the H1N1 influenza here in the country as a member of the National Task Force on Pandemic Influenza. PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa said that the PNP is already finalizing its ...
Gov't to hold forum to respond to swine flu scare.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Malacanang will hold next week a comprehensive forum on the swine flu virus to share information and best practices from experts and map out appropriate defensive strategies for public health. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the forum will serve as the focal point ...
NPA leader yields in Bukidnon.
May 01, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, May 1 (PNA) --- A leader of the communist New People's Army (NPA) who led the attack on a militia detachment in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon a month ago that left 17 people dead has surrendered to military authorities, the Philippine Army said on Thursday. Maj. Michelle ...
P1.114-M agro-forestry project launched in Central Mindanao.
May 01, 2009 ... BUTUAN CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- In support to the accelerated hunger-mitigation program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Mindanao launched on Friday a 50-hectare agro-forestry project in the region, said Central ...
Army foils bombing attempt near battalion base in Maguindanao.
May 01, 2009 ... CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, May 1 (PNA) --- The military on Thursday prevented another bombing attempt of suspected lawless Moro rebels when they defused an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a roadside spring where soldiers fetched water everyday, the 6th Infantry Division (ID) ...
PCG reiterates shipping guidelines.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA)--Citing the prevailing adverse weather condition in the country, Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, reiterated the widest dissemination of a memorandum circular, that requires all ships and watercraft in the country to take shelter ...
Army brigade chief plans to donate seized illegally cut logs to build Muslim schools and Mosques in Maguindanao.
May 01, 2009 ... MATANOG, Maguindanao, May 1 (PNA) -- A ranking Philippine Army field commander in Maguindanao said he would ask the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to donate P18 million worth of illegally cut lumber confiscated in the province last ...
City health officer asks for P1-M budget for anti H1N1 flu contingency.
May 01, 2009 ... DUMAGUETE CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Health Officer Dr. Ma. Sara Talla has asked the Dumaguete City Council to allocate P1-million for an anti-H1N1 flu contingency fund as world governments are scrambling to prevent a pandemic of the latest influenza strain that has already crossed global ...
PRRS-affected pigs can recover, says Pangasinan veterinarian.
May 01, 2009 ... TAYUG, Pangasinan, May 1 (PNA) -- Backyard hog raisers whose pigs had been downed by the Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) now raging in Pangasinan need not butcher their animals. This was according to veterinarian Dr. Rodolfo Custodio, president of the National Federation ...
57 Negros Oriental police officers receive Badge of Honor.
May 01, 2009 ... DUMAGUETE CITY, May 1 (PNA) --- A total of 57 police chiefs and other personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial office in Negros Oriental received their individual Badge of Honor during a simple ceremony on Thursday evening at Camp Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan town. PNP ...
Residents swarm OTOP fair in Baguio.
May 01, 2009 ... BAGUIO CITY, May 1 (PNA) - Hundreds of local residents and visitors have arrived today at the Baguio Convention Center (BCC) where local producers are selling prime commodities at very low prices in a government-initiated sale called "Presyong Panalo Para sa Mamimiling Pilipino" (low ...
PASG chief orders his men to check all pork, meat imports.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar Jr. on Friday ordered his men to strictly scrutinize all meat importations, particularly pork and exotic fowls, to ensure that the country will not be affected from the A/H1N1 flu virus. Undersecretary ...
Heavy firefight erupts between troops, NPAs in Agusan del Sur.
May 01, 2009 ... BUTUAN CITY, May 01 (PNA) --- Undetermined number of communist-New People's Army (NPA) rebels were believed killed or critically wounded on Thursday following a gun battle between Army troops and communist terrorists in Balobo area, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. No one was reported injured in ...
Cleanest coastal municipality in Pangasinan picked.
May 01, 2009 ... LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 1 (PNA) -- The town of Bolinao headed by Mayor Alfonso Celeste bagged the top prize of P200,000 worth of Coastal Resources Management CRM) project when it was adjudged as Cleanest Coastal Municipality in Pangasinan. Bolinao led the Tambuyog Awards held Friday, ...
Soldiers arrest 2 suspected kidnap gang members in Maguindanao.
May 01, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- The military arrested today two suspected members of a kidnap ring operating in Cotabato City and Maguindanao and preying on wealthy businessmen. Lt. Colonel Jontahan Ponce, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the 11th Army Special Forces stationed along ...
Vigan officials honor Don Isabelo De los Reyes on Labor Day.
May 01, 2009 ... VIGAN CITY, May 1 (PNA)--City officials and employees here today paid tribute to its illustrious son, Don Isabelo de los Reyes, who is the father of Philippine Labor Union Movement. Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina and Vice Mayor Franz Ranches Jr. led the wreath-laying and floral ...
PGMA presides AFP Change of Command; extols Yaho, welcomes Ibrado.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today presided over the ceremonies marking the change of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the AFP's headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Wearing a cream barong outfit, the President was given full ...
Libanan orders vaccination of airport personnel as precaution vs. A/H1N1 flu.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) --- Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan on Friday ordered all immigration personnel assigned in the country's premier airport to undergo vaccination as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of influenza A/H1N1 virus from abroad ....
Drop in GRDP of Davao Region seen.
May 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in the Davao Region has projected a lower growth in gross regional domestic product (GRDP) this year compared with last year due to the global financial downturn. NEDA regional director Lourdes Lim said GRDP in the ...
5,000 militants, cause-oriented groups commemorate Labor Day in Bacolod City.
May 01, 2009 ... BACOLOD CITY, May 1 (PNA) - Thousands of militant and cause-oriented group members will troop down the city streets today to manifest their sentiments and grievances on the unresolved social welfare demand and conflicts they had been battling for several years. The Democratic Association ...
Two NPA rebels suing leaders, comrades-in-arms.
May 01, 2009 ... CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, May 1 (PNA) - Two New Peoples' Army (NPA) teenagers are seeking the help of the Department of Justice and the Commission on Human Rights in filing charges against their former leaders in the communist movement. Jeneboy Lascuna, alias "Ka Dencio" and Jun-Jun ...
Beijing sincere on Taiwan's observer role at WHO assembly -- Chinese embassy.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- China and Taiwan had recently communicated and consulted on the issue of Taiwan's hoped-for observer's role in the World Health Organization (WHO), the Chinese embassy in Manila has confirmed. The 62nd World Health Assembly (WHA) is scheduled to be held in Geneva ...
PGMA's foreign trip is no picnic -- Remonde.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- "President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's foreign trip is no picnic. It is a mission for peace and interfaith dialogue." Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde made this statement on the eve of the President's departure for a working visit to Egypt and a state visit to Syria, ...
Militant groups choose Liwasang Bonifacio as center of protest actions.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA)--Militant groups on Friday opted not to force their ways to Chino Roces (known as Mendiola) and instead chose Liwasang Bonifacio in Lawton, Manila as the center of their protest actions to mark the Labor Day. The Manila Police District --Tactical Operations Center said ...
ICRC: Remaining hostage contacted his family.
May 01, 2009 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- A top official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) disclosed that the remaining ICRC worker hostaged by the Abu Sayyaf has talked to his family through a cellular phone right from where he is being held hostage in the island province of ...
Protest marks Labor Day commemoration in Iloilo City.
May 01, 2009 ... ILOILO CITY, May 1 (PNA) - The commemoration of Labor Day in this city was marked by a protest rally conducted by militant groups and allied labor organizations coming from the different municipalities in the province of Iloilo. Spearheaded by Bayan-Panay, the placard-bearing protesters ...
137 stranded bus drivers in Dubai get assistance.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) facilitated the assistance to the 137 stranded Filipino bus drivers in Dubai. Acting on the directive of Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque, the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in United Arab ...
Malacanang to hold anti-Swine Flu forum next week; assures enough medicine.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) --- Malacanang is set to hold a comprehensive forum on anti-A/H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) next week to map out strategies to protect the public from the dreaded disease. The forum also aims to share information and best practices from the experts concerning the disease. Press ...
PGMA hails the Filipino soldiers on Labor Day.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid a special tribute to the Filipino soldiers during today's celebration of Labor Day. "This year today, we honor a particular sector of the working class --- the great Filipino soldiers --- the men and women of the Armed Forces ...
Police official, farmer leader killed in Davao region.
May 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- A senior police officer (SPO) was shot to death by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Purok 11-B, Barangay Maniki, Kapalong, Davao del Norte Friday morning. Kapalong police authorities identified the victim as SPO1 Rodrigo Barientos, 52, a resident of Purok 7, Maniki, ...
PGMA to Ibrado: Build on the gains of your predecessors.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado to build on the gains of his predecessors, especially the focus of the man he succeeded, Gen. Alexander Yano, on improving the ...
Bane-Bane, Guarte steal limelight in Palaro.
May 01, 2009 ... TACLOBAN City, Leyte, May 1 (PNA) -- Vienna Mae Bane-Bane of Western Visayas and Mervin Guarte of MIMAROPA grabbed the limelight with two gold medals each even as disqualifications marred the fifth day of action of the 2009 Palarong Pambansa on Friday at the Leyte Sports Development Center ...
PSC chief offers training to outstanding Palaro athletes.
May 01, 2009 ... TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 1 (PNA) -- Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping announced its willingness to provide a training pool for outstanding athletes of the ongoing 2009 Palarong Pambansa here. PSC chairman Harry Angping said on Friday that he had already spotted ...
Labor Day rallies generally peaceful --NCRPO.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, said the celebration of May 1 Labor Day was generally peaceful in Metro Manila. Rosales said mass actions staged by some 3,000 militant protesters within Metro Manila concluded ...
OPAPP to grant cash assistance to former rebels in Neg. Or.
May 01, 2009 ... DUMAGUETE CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army in Negros Oriental has assured to help locate rebel returnees who had previously availed of amnesty but have not yet received livelihood assistance from the national government. Col. Manuel Ochotorena, deputy commander of the 302nd ...
CHR eyes rights-based environmental justice education drive.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) plans to help educate people about environmental justice (EJ) and their right to a healthful and balanced ecology. CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima believes this campaign will raise public understanding about such matters so more ...
PGMA invalidates no-payment, no periodic exam rules in state universities, colleges.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has rescinded the no-payment, no periodic examination policy in state universities and colleges and expanded the coverage of the Students' Assistance Fund for Education (SAFE). In signing Executive Order (EO) No. 792, President ...
Peaceful and quiet celebration of Labor Day in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.
May 01, 2009 ... DUMAGUETE CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- The observance of Labor Day in Dumaguete Friday was relatively peaceful and quiet, bereft of the usual street rallies and other mass protests that were common during such celebration in the past years. City police chief Leopoldo Cabanag said the day moved on ...
Balikbayan, girlfriend killed in Ilocos Norte mishap.
May 01, 2009 ... SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte, May 1 (PNA)-- A balikbayan and his girlfriend were killed in a vehicular accident along the national highway here, it was reported Friday. The victims were riding om motorcycle traveling along the national highway they were accidentally sideswiped by a speeding ...
Mammoth crowd of some 1 million people join Dagupan's Bangusan Street Party.
May 01, 2009 ... DAGUPAN CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Humans flowed like a running stream along Jose R. de Venecia Expressway Extension on Thursday night when Dagupan City held a mammoth Bangusan Street Party, the penultimate event in the Dagupan Bangus Festival. People, estimated to number 700,000 to one million ...
New storm develops, 'Crising' continues to move away from RP.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- A new storm has developed near Bicol region which may cause widespread rains in eastern and southern Luzon provinces as Crising tracks westwardly, away from the country. As of 2 p.m., Tropical Depression 'Dante', which was spotted as a low pressure area Thursday has ...
7,000 workers hired on-the-spot at Jobapalooza fair.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Over 7,000 jobseekers found employment on the spot after their final interview with firms during the state-hosted Jobapalooza fair on Friday. Undersecretary Luz Padilla earlier said that on-the-spot hiring was possible following the screening via DoLE's online ...
NEDA: Gasoline prices should be lower than P32/liter.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- The National Economic and Development Authority on Friday said pump prices of gasoline should be lower than P32 per liter. Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement that based on the Department of Energy (DOE)oil monitor as of April 16, oil ...
Central Visayas bags special games title of Palarong Pambansa.
May 01, 2009 ... TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 1 (PNA) --- The Central Visayas Region Athletics Association (CVRAA) dominated the initial staging of special games of the ongoing 2009 Palarong Pambansa at the Leyte Sports Development Center. Spearheaded by Marlon Leyson and Mizzel Dawa, the CVRAA special ...
Baguio jobs fair has 11,000 vacancies; most applicants have required skills -- DOLE.
May 01, 2009 ... BAGUIO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Domestic and foreign companies taking part in the two-day jobs fair here are offering a total of 11,000 vacancies for job seekers who have been determined by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to have the required skills. DOLE-Cordillera Regional ...
SWAT operative under probe for indiscriminate firing.
May 01, 2009 ... DUMAGUETE CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Senior Supt. Augusto Marquez, Jr., Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) director, has asked the family of a minor to file charges against a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit for allegedly firing his gun indiscriminately. Sr ....
Joint RP-US 'counterterrorism' drive weakens Muslim extremist rebel groups in Mindanao.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- Counterterrorism measures aided by the United States have weakened the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiya (JI) terrorists in Mindanao, but the area remains a terrorist safe haven due to the rugged terrain, weak rule of law, poverty, and local Muslim minority ...
Global crisis: How long shall we wait? (Feature).
May 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Global recessions and country-wide depressions since the early 1900's to the present, usually run for around four years, seeing some form of recovery on the third year and back to normal in the fifth year. It's bound to happen again -- that's the US historical ...
Kankanaey couple proves not all that glitter is gold.
May 01, 2009 ... QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya, May 1 (PNA) --- The Guillao couple Tony, 64, and Flora, 54, who set foot on a gold-rich mountain in Barangay Runruno here, were regularly bitten by blood sucking tree leeches. "Perhaps it was a reminder for us not to forget our age old customary practice," Flora ...
Saudi delegation due in Manila to explore agri investments.
May 01, 2009 ... MANILA, May 1 (PNA) -- A high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) led by its agriculture minister, Fahad Balghunaim, is visiting Manila this May to explore possible investments in the Philippines' farm sector. Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has created ...
Angara files a bill that will give importance to aggie, fisheries workers rights.
May 01, 2009 ... Manila, May 1 (PNA) --- Senator Edgardo Angara has filed a bill that seeks to give importance to the country's agriculture and fisheries workers by affirming their rights and recognize their importance in the economy. "The backbone of the Philippine economy remains to be the agriculture ...
390 Zamboanga del Norte students to benefit from school-building project of OFWs in Paris.
May 02, 2009 ... MANILA, May 2 (PNA Feature) -- Overseas Filipinos are hailed as modern day heroes. They sacrifice the happiness of relationship and the comforts of home to venture abroad to work, live and provide for the family's future. Now, they are even directly contributing to the cause of education ...
Media groups commemorate fallen newsmen on World Press Freedom Day.
May 02, 2009 ... KIDAPAWAN CITY, PNA, May (PNA) -- Members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Kidapawan City will celebrate on Tuesday the World Press Freedom Day together with a former radio commentator Alberto Martinez, who survived a slay attempt in 2005. The activity will ...
CHED reminds public and private schools in ARMM: No tuition hike, please.
May 02, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, May 2 (PNA) -- The Commission on Higher Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM) has reminded higher education institutions in the region not to increase tuition to help parents in the face of global economic slowdown. Hadja Sittie Ayesha Askalani, ...
Universal Peace Federation names North Cotabato governor as peace ambassador.
May 02, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, May 2 (PNA) -- North Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan has been named "ambassador of peace" by the Universal Peace Federation. Sacdalan was among the international awardees and the lone representative from Mindanao. The search for ambassador for peace was launched in 2001 by ...
Cotabato City gov't to borrow P200-M from LBP for infra projects.
May 02, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, May 2 (PNA) -- The Cotabato City government will borrow P200 million from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to fund its various development projects. As part its contribution to the city medium term development plan, the Sangguniang Panglungsod passed a resolution that ...
Govt can hurdle swine flu scare, says Teodoro.
May 02, 2009 ... MANILA, May 2 (PNA) -- Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. yesterday said that the government can hurdle the swine flu scare which has spread to Asian region following reports that the deadly virus inflicted a Mexican tourist in Hong Kong. In a joint meeting with heads of other concerned ...
Archer, gymnast win 5th gold medal each in Palaro (Sports).
May 02, 2009 ... TACLOBAN City, Leyte, May 2 (PNA) --- An archer from the Northern Mindanao Region Athletic Association and a gymnast from the National Capital Region joined the race for best athlete awards, equaling the five gold medals won by swimmer Rafael Sta. Maria of the Big City in the ongoing 2009 ...
Risky sex behavior highest among young, college-educated women, says NSO survey.
May 02, 2009 ... MANILA, May 2 (PNA) --- Higher-risk sex is prevalent among the country's young, college-educated and urban females, according to National Statistics Office. Higher-risk sex involves parties who are neither spouses nor cohabiting partners of women concerned. NSO preliminary data on its 2008 ...
PGMA to meet Filipino communities at Al Kobbah Palace in Cairo.
May 02, 2009 ... Manila, May 2 (PNA) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will meet representatives of Filipino communities at the Al Kobbah Palace in Cairo, Egypt at mid-afternoon today. Attendees include Filipino wives of Egyptians and Filipino expatriates in Cairo, professionals and domestic workers and ...
Feeds supply shortage feared in Negros Occidental.
May 02, 2009 ... BACOLOD CITY, May 2 (PNA)-Grains retailers and livestock and poultry raisers in Negros Occidental expressed fears of a shortage of feeds in the province if the ban on the entry of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) continues. The Alliance of Hog Raisers in Negros Occidental and the ...
Tamayo to PCG units: Assist vessels and passengers affected by tropical depression 'Dante'.
May 02, 2009 ... MANILA, May 2 (PNA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is on alert following reports of stranded passengers in provinces affected by tropical depression "Dante." PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo said on Saturday he has directed all units to be on alert to render necessary ...