27 kids downed in Bohol by suspected poisoned food

By Ronron
March 9, 2005

Cebu – Twenty-seven children died Wednesday after eating a suspected poisoned food they bought from a sidestreet vendor at an elementary school in Mabini town, Bohol.

According to reports reaching the Bohol Governor’s Office and the Mabini Mayor’s Office, all fatalities were allegedly downed by different fried snack foods that had cassava contents in them.

The suspected poisoned food were reportedly sold by a certain Anna Luyong, 68, to students of the San Jose Elementary School in Barangay San Jose, Mabini town during the latter’s recess at around 10am yesterday.

More or less 80 pupils who bought Luyong’s food items reportedly began to either suffer abdominal pains, vomit, or experience loose bowel movement (LBM) at lunchtime when they were already in their respective homes.

The victims were brought to four different medical centers around the province, namely: Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in Talibon town, Don Emilio Del Valle District Hospital (DEDVDH) also in Talibon, Kutamora Clinic in Mabini, and Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Tagbilaran City.

At GMPH, two patients died; at DEDVDH, seven; at Kutamora Clinic, 15; at CGMH, two. One, meanwhile, died on the spot at Mabini.

The youngest victims were believed to be seven-years-old and the oldest, 12 years old.

One of the casualties now confined at the hospitals is Luyong, who reportedly ate the food she was selling to disprove allegations against her when she was investigated by police later in the day.

Government and municipal officers in Bohol are now sending investigating and medical teams to the different hospitals to address the tragedy./DMS

Arroyo seeks investors' support, presents RP standing

By Ronron
March 9, 2005

Cebu - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sought on Wendesday the support of both foreign and local investors gathered here for the Philippine Investment Conference for the implementation of her administration's infrastructure projects as she presented how the country's economy is faring now.

In her keynote address during the opening yesterday here of the Philippine Investment Conference at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort, the President encouraged investors to help upgrade and create new facilities such as airports, roads, and roll-on roll-off facilities, which, she said are vital, especially for tourism.

Arroyo made the appeal as she presented to the estimated 500 foreign and local conference delegates some projects and efforts her administration is undertaking around the country.

"We're counting on the full cooperation of the public and private sectors in order to capitalize on these vast opportunities that are before us... Our efforts to develop these sectors (energy and power, tourism, information and communication technology (ICT), outsourcing, and mining) provide many investment opportunities," Arroyo said.

Currently, the government, she said, are embarking on the following endeavors on which private investors may also take part: 1) logistics investments at Clark and Subic; 2) expressway and ports, high technology and manufacturing in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon; 3) agri-business in Mindanao and Northern Luzon; 4) tourism in Central Philippines; and, 5) business process outsourcing (BPO) in Cebu and Davao.

Arroyo cited the government's initiative to create the Philippine Infrastructure Corporation which will help develop commercial and bankable projects that can be taken over by the private sector.

"We are in a new round of reform and recovery. I believe that at the end of the tunnel is hope and opportunity borne of strong macroeconomic fundamentals including fiscal responsibilities, aggressive market initiatives, a positive climate for investment, and major drive against corruption," Arroyo said.

She bragged again about the gains of her administration: the rise of the country's gross domestic product in 2004 to 6.1 percent, the increase of the country's exports in 2004 by 9.3%, the surge of the stock market by 39%, the removal of the Philippines from the list of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, the increase of foreign investments, and the sound control of the budget deficit.

Arroyo also told the conference delegates about the passage by Congress of her revenue bills, the opening of the mining sector for investment, the upcoming opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III, the surge of jobs at call centers, and the perceived benefits of the future trade agreements of the PHilippines between Japan and China.

To further complete the picture, the President assured the investors that peace and order in the country is being addressed. "Kidnapping syndicates are being broken. Kidnapping instances are weighed down. We are tough on terrorists," she said. Peace accord with seccessionist groups, like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is also making progress, she revealed.

"This is a pivotal year for the Philippines, a year of challenges and changes," she marked.

Her Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri noted that with all the reforms being implemented now, "we expect the first half of (Arroyo's new term) to be difficult... But in the second half, everything will be okay."/DMS

RP economic heads downplay country's corruption ranking

By Ronron
March 9, 2005

Cebu - Economic managers of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration refused to comment Wednesday on the reported ranking of the Philippines as the second most corrupt country in Asia, and maintained instead that the present government is currently implementing reforms to curb graft and corruption.

In separate interviews at the sidelines of the Philippine Investement Conference (PIC) which started yesterday here at Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort, Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima enumerated instead anti-corruption efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government when sought for comment by reporters regarding the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC) survey.

The Philippines reportedly ranked second to Indonesia in the recent PERC survey on most corrupt countries in Asia. Singapore, Japan and Hongkong topped as the most corrupt-free countries in Asia.

"What is important is what we're trying to do with the challenges that we face as a country...the focus, the energy (that) the government is putting to make it easy for businessmen to do business in the country," Purisima said.

Purisima and Neri mentioned the following anti-corruption measures that the government had carried out to curb graft and corruption: the conduct of lifestyle checks, prosecution of corrupt officials, the appointment of an anti-corrpution czar, and the passage of different legislations into law such as the Procurement Act and Lateral Attrition Act.

In her keynote address during the opening yesterday of the two-day conference, Arroyo also assured the estimated 500 delegates, both foreign and local, that along with the fiscal reforms her administration is implementing is the major drive against corruption.

But despite these, Neri, in reference to the PERC survery, still sees much needed reforms to finally eradicate corruption in the country.

"I would like to have the specifics (of this survey) because it's hard to address perception. If they conduct a survey next time, they should specify if it's (Bureau of Internal Revenue) corruption, bribery corruption, smuggling corruption, etcetera, so we will know what agency to deal with," Neri said.

Neri admitted the survey "definitely" will affect the investment climate in the Philippines.

The survey also confirmed the recent survey conducted by the Wallace Business Forum which cited corruption as the number one concern among businessmen and investors in the Philippines.

"But for me, it does not matter whether we're number one or two or three or four. What does matter clearly is that there is a high degree of corruption in the Philippines and its a major disadvantage to doing business," Peter Wallace told reporters in a separate interview.

While he acknowledged the efforts of the government, Wallace could not say if these efforts are enough to cleanse the country, especially that corruption in the Philippines is not just about the people but the system or institution.

The famous business consultant praised Arroyo for the appointment of Bert Lina to the Bureau of Customs portfolio, saying that since he comes from the logistics/cargo business, Lina would know how to fight the problem of corruption.

"The government and private sector should get its act together and identify the corrupt sectors that need to be addressed," Neri appealed.

While Neri expressed fears that the PERC survey may affect the investment climate in the country, Purisima appeared more hopeful.

"This conference is an affirmation that the international community has recognized the changes going in the our country. The fact that Euromoney, the premier conference entity in the world, has focused and devoted this conference entirely to the Philippines is a big signal that we are again at the discussion table and are being considered for investments by investors," Purisima said.

Euromoney Conferences Editor Mark Johnson expressed yesterday a favorable impression on the Philippines' efforts to improve its investment climate by fighting corruption, saying: "I see a real committment to reform the structure although it's still a long road. The implementation of these reforms has just started."/DMS

Fire hits cities of Cebu and Mandaue on advent of Fire Prevention Month

By Ronron
March 3, 2005

Cebu – Just as fire authorities around the country launched March as the Fire Prevention Month which marks the advent of the summer season, two succeeding fire incidents happened in the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Cebu, this province, burning down some P2.65 million worth of properties.

In Mandaue City, an ignited pile of garbage at the backyard of Isidra Jabonario’s residence led to the torching down Wednesday afternoon of 187 residential houses spread in Sitios Sampaguita-Lower and Sitio Tube Ice, both in Barangay Banilad.

The Mandaue City Fire Department (MCFD) received the said fire alarm at 3:25 pm but due to difficulty in penetrating the affected community because of its narrow pathways, it was only put under control an hour and twenty minutes later by responding firemen. Putting it out even took almost another five hours.

No casualty was reported in the incident that ate up P2.3 million worth of properties, mostly houses that are a mixture of concrete, semi-concrete and light structures, according to the MCFD.

As observed by Manila Shimbun at the site, the blaze was also heightened by the moderate afternoon winds, causing it to reach the general alarm status at 3:40 pm.

Fire Officer Roy Garcia of the MCFD said the flaming garbage at Jabonario’s backyard reached the latter’s residence because the rotten bamboo poles leaning on the wall of Jabonario’s kitchen were standing from the said pile of garbage.

The homeless families are now temporarily sheltered at the school buildings in Barangay Banilad. They were given relief goods and other forms of assistance by the city government and several non-government organizations.

The Cebu City fire incident, meanwhile, occurred at 7:15 am Thursday at a combined residential and commercial area in the uptown barangay of Apas.

No casualty was also reported in the said alarm that left an estimated damage cost of P350,000.

According to the Cebu City Fire Department (CCFD), the blaze gutted down six residential houses and four commercial establishments that are located along Wilson and Torralba streets.

A witness told fire investigators that she first saw a smoke coming from the abandoned residence of a certain Eleuterio Doños. She claimed the bamboo material-made house of Doños was then easily set ablaze.

CCFD personnel, however, were quick to respond, bringing right away the fire under control 17 minutes later, and putting it out at 8:35 am. The incident only reached a second alarm status.

It was the first fire alarm in the city of Cebu in this month’s Fire Prevention celebration./DMS

Bomb hoax hits Davao-Manila flight of Cebu Pacific

By Ronron
March 2, 2005

Cebu - A supposed explosive lechon (roasted pig) on board a Davao-Manila flight of Cebu Pacific Wednesday afternoon caused aviation authorities to raise an alarm and order an emergency landing of Flight 5J-964 at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The lechon cargo of passenger Hernan Inso, according to a text message received by a cargo handler of Cebu Pacific-Davao a few minutes after the said flight took off from Davao International Airport at 1:50pm, was said to contain a bomb, said 7th Police Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) chief Supt. Arturo Evangelista.

Following standard procedures on bomb threats, aviation authorities immediately advised the Cebu Pacific aircraft to touch down at the international airport here, which happened at 2:25pm, for proper checking.

Evangelista told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that all 78 passengers were then asked to disembark the plane with their hand-carry luggage, and were subsequently subjected to a physical check.

All cargo as well, especially the lechon of Inso, underwent the same procedure.

Evangelista said both Inso and his lechon cargo yielded negative in the respective checks.

Inso, 28, a seaman, told investigators he had no idea who initiated the hoax and what could the motive be, added Evangelista.

"We cleared Mr. Inso and we apologized to him for the hassle of being interrogated. But we explained to him and the rest of the passengers that it was necessary for everybody's safety," Evangelista said.

After the clearance, the said flight was then able to take off for Manila at 4:37pm and arrived about an hour later.

Authorities are now investigating the hoax, particularly by trying to trace the owner of the number that sent the bomb threat./DMS

DOT spends $4 million for RP promotional ads in China, Korea and Japan

By Ronron
February 23, 2005

Cebu – The Philippines’ department of Tourism (DOT) allotted $4 million dollars (or over P200 million) for promotional advertisements about the country in Greater China, South Korea and Japan which are in lieu of the ads shown in the past years in the Cable News Network (CNN).

This was revealed recently by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, explaining that there is a need to aggressively promote the Philippines in these so-called short-haul sources over the more-sensitive countries like Europe.

“Last month, we started coming up with television and print advertisements in Japan, Greater China and Korea. It cost us $4 million for these three markets, for the entire year. And these ads are in Japanese, Chinese and Korean, so that the people in these places can really understand the ads,” Durano told reporters here last Monday.

Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan and Hongkong have been regarded by DOT as the primary markets considering that 60% of the foreign tourists who arrived in the Philippines last year came from these countries.

European countries and the rest of the Asia Pacific, meanwhile, were categorized as secondary markets in the agency’s campaign efforts since they only account for the lesser percentage of the two million foreign tourists who visited the Philippines in 2004.

Durano disclosed that the promotional ads about the Philippines that were shown internationally through CNN in the past years under the term of then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon have already been pulled out.

“We did not renew our contract with CNN because we had to change our marketing strategy. The ads on CNN were in English. And these could not be understood by the Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists. Our advertisements should be in the Japanese, Chinese and Korean languages. That’s why we had to go directly to each of these countries,” Durano explained.

Durano said that the new television and print ads are tailored to the agency’s main marketing strategy, which is promoting the Philippines as a brand. “The advertisement shows a summary of how beautiful the Philippines is,” he said.

The concentration of the DOT’s promotional activities in these markets, however, is not only due to the arrival statistics factor but also has something to do with the existing global threat of terrorism.

“We are concentrating our promotional activities in what we call as short-haul markets, namely South Korea, Hongkong, Japan, Taiwan and China because they are not as sensitive as the European and North American markets in terms of terrorism threats, which is a global reality,” the tourism secretary said.

It can be recalled that the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada recently issued travel advisories on the Philippines following the separate bombings last February 14 in the cities of Makati, Davao and General Santos.

Durano said the terror threat is always incorporated in the agency’s planning.

“The Philippines always suffer every time we are pictured out negatively in the international media, such as in Japan. That’s why we have to get longer air time there, and we have to show the beauty of our country using their own dialect,” he pointed out. A DOT press release stated that the ads in Japan build on the image of the Philippines as “Premium Resort Islands” since studies showed that the words “resorts” and “islands” generate a positive image in the minds of Japanese tourists.

The approach being used for China, on the other hand, is such that the ads will educate the Chinese about the Philippines. “China is a new market. Last year, we had about 40,000 Chinese tourists. But they don’t know much about the Philippines. They want to know what they can do here. So we have to educate them,” Durano said.

In the case of South Korea, Durano said it is necessary to promote further the Philippines there through these ads in spite of the increasing number of Korean tourists here to be able to sustain the market. The marketing program in Korea uses the slogan “Feel The Islands,” a phrase derived from “Burinara,” a popular word in Korea.

Along with these efforts is the campaign intended for the North American Balikbayan market and the domestic market as well, tagged “I Love Philippines! Biyahe Na!”

“The goal of the DOT is to create demand for the Philippines. This is the way to bring in tourists,” said Durano, who aims to bring in 2.668 million tourists for this year, and five million in the next five years./DMS