15 Airports To Be Developed (hopefully)

(Asia Pulse News - Yahoo) - Central Philippines is the recipient of billions of pesos in funding support for the development and rehabilitation of 15 airports, 13 ports and two major road networks in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's vision to make this part of the country a tourism hub.

The improvement and establishment of 15 airports in Central Philippines would incur for the government some P86.235 billion (US$1.8 billion) in expenses. On the other hand, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has been spending its corporate funds in the development and rehabilitation of existing ports and construction of new ones to the tune of P977.98 million. ...full story here

Ship Explosion In Australia Injures 4 Filipinos

(ABC News Online) - An investigation will be held into the cause of an explosion which injured four Filipino sailors on a ship off the Newcastle coast yesterday. Three of the men suffered serious burns to their arms and faces in what is believed to have been a boiler explosion on the ship Shirane.

A 51-year-old was flown to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital Burn Unit, while the others are being treated in Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital. The Port of Newcastle's Harbour Master says the cause of the incident is being investigated.

Note: Names of the injured Filipinos have not been identified. I don't know why.

...But Filipino Veterans Remain Unrecognized

(Salt Lake City, Daily Herald) - Dee Hatch is finally getting the recognition he deserved as a young corporal in the U.S. Army. Hatch received a Bronze Star for meritorious service Saturday -- an award he should have received 62 years ago.

A lifetime has passed since Hatch, 87, lay in the embattled Philippines mountains hunting for artillery targets as the Japanese bombarded his position with machine gun and mortar fire.

Hatch was finally recognized for his actions during the February 1945 battle, thanks in part to the work of his grandson. The World War II veteran was given the papers for a Bronze Star as a young soldier, but had never received the medal.

His grandson took it upon himself to get the medal to Hatch and U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett helped arrange for Hatch's recognition through the National Personnel Records Center.

Family members gathered in Hatch's hometown, Loa, Utah, Saturday to see the star pinned to his jacket. ...full story here

Behind The Scene: Filipinos In Nigeria

(allafrica.com) - "Niger-Delta is not precisely a jungle even though there are several jungles in its marshy landscape but like in the jungle, where continued existence is the opening canon, "fear of kidnappers" has now become the number one statute for foreign oil workers. It does not matter which country you hail from but Americans and Britons are burning cakes in the bizarre diversion that is called hostage-taking. The common denomination is that you are a white man and not a black man, and that is why Filipinos have been included in the insalubrious operation." ...full details here

"Most Victims Are Filipinos"

(Saipan Tribune) - The Department of Labor is currently monitoring 28 companies that are possibly engaged in a sponsorship scheme.

Labor Secretary Gil M. San Nicolas disclosed to Saipan Tribune yesterday that of these 28 companies, four to five are currently being investigated for allegedly conducting sponsorships.

San Nicolas said based on the information they gathered so far, the companies that are into this scheme have been collecting $400 to $1,000 each from alien workers.

Sponsorship scheme refers to an application for employment for the purpose of maintaining immigration status and not for the purpose of employment.

He said most of the victims are Filipinos. ...full story here

$2 Million For AIDS

Filipino Health Secretary Francisco Duque and United Nations Population Fund representative Sunseta Mukherjie have signed a letter of understanding on a $2 million program that aims to address HIV/AIDS among overseas Filipino workers, Balita.org reports.

The program, which will be led by the Filipino Department of Health and Department of Labor and Employment, aims to provide overseas workers and the general community with access to HIV prevention and treatment services through national and local interventions in selected Filipino provinces. The program's two components are to increase access to community-based HIV/AIDS interventions among overseas workers and bolster capacities and partnerships on HIV/AIDS and migration, according to Balita.org... full story here

PBA Hall of Fame

(The Philippine Daily Inquirer) - Four of professional basketball’s finest players and two esteemed coaches are among the 10 luminaries who will be enshrined in the PBA Hall of Fame on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Two-time Most Valuable Player Abet Guidaben and league pioneers Manny Paner and Danny Florencio are the three local players to be honored, while Norman Black will be the first import to be inducted into the league’s elite list.

They will be joined in the honor roll by champion coaches Dante Silverio and Ron Jacobs as well as former Philippine Basketball Association president Domingo Itchon, San Miguel Beer team owner Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, sportswriter Tony Siddayao and television sportscaster Pinggoy Pengson... full story here

P5 Billion For Mindanao

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is putting in initial window facility of P5 billion for Mindanao. DBP board of director Rey Magno Teves said there is money for financial assistance to projects that would be located in Mindanao. "With this window facility available there is investment possibilities, however, many do not know about it. Series of roadshows will be undertaken to generate more awareness," he said... full details here

Dairy Partnership With The U.S.

(Yahoo News) - The Philippine government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the United States have teamed up to boost the country's dairy sector.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap together with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney and representatives from the Land O Lakes (LOL) Foundation Inc. had visited dairy projects in Pili, Camarines Sur implemented thru the Food for Progress Program sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Former AFPSLAI Teller Convicted

(Mindanao Times) - THE REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) convicted a former teller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loan Association (AFPSLAI) in Davao City to 17 years in jail for conniving with others in pocketing P1 million from an account of a depositor.

TC Branch 17 Judge Renato Fuentes declared Josie Cipriano guilty of qualified theft through falsification of commercial documents.

In his 19-page decision, Fuentes ruled that the prosecution panel was able to convince the court with its pieces of evidence that showed the guilt of Cipriano. The case was filed by Milpito Damayo, the AFPSLAI branch manager in Zamboanga City.