Philippine Has No ISIS Presence

The Philippines has so far not monitored any presence of ISIS member in the country, a senior government official said here today.  

However, "Perhaps there are sympathizers" of the Muslim militants here, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a local radio program.

The Philippine government has been coordinating with the Muslim groups in the country to thwart threats posed by the Islamic State (ISIS), she added.  

Valte admitted that the government has been taking seriously the threats brought by this terrorist group.

"We do not take it lightly. We don't want to have additional problem here in our country," she said in an interview at a state- run radio station.

She said that the Muslim brothers, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), have been helping the government in ensuring that no member of this terror group could enter the Philippines.

The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, forged in March this year a peace deal with the Philippine government.

 Members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a break away group of the MILF, have expressed support to ISIS. 

Manila-NAIA Terminal Fee Included in International Tickets

International passengers departing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will no longer have to line up to pay the terminal fee starting October 1. 

 

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it will start implementing the integration of terminal fee in the cost of airline ticket next month. The one-year transition integration program would start on October 1, while the full implementation of the policy would be October 2015. 

In a notice, the MIAA said the P550 international passenger service charge or terminal fee should be integrated into the cost of the airline ticket at point of sale. The move is expected to ease the congestion problem at the departure area in NAIA. 

The DOTC has also ordered the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, the Clark International Airport Corporation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to incorporate the terminal fee into the cost of tickets.

The MIAA reiterated that overseas Filipino workers, who have a certification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; pilgrims endorsed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; athletes endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission; and others authorized by the Office of the President, still enjoy exemptions from paying the terminal fee.

If the airline ticket is purchased online or abroad, these exempted passengers would have to pay terminal fee. Also, the exempted passengers should also pay the fee, if they cannot present the proper certification when tickets are purchased over the counter.

The MIAA, however, said the terminal fee could be refunded at NAIA if the passenger can present the overseas employment certificate, electronic ticket, boarding pass, and MIAA exemption certificate.

The "terminal fee" collected by the MIAA is used for the airport operations. Of the P550, the MIAA gets P390 for maintenance and upkeep, the national government gets P100 and aviation security gets P60.

The terminal fee for domestic flights has already been incorporated in airline tickets since August 2012.

Alert 3 on Mount Mayon

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Alert Level 3 at 10 p.m. Monday.

Phivolcs resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta said this means that magma is at the crater and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks.

“It is recommended that the six-kilometer (km) radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rock falls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows," he said.

Laguerta said the agency's seismic network recorded 32 volcanic earthquakes and 72 rock fall events during the past 24-hour observation period.

He added that Intensity III (bright) crater glow was visible Monday night, although rain clouds prevented visual observation of the crater during the day.

“The rolling incandescent rockfall within the uppermost reaches of the Bonga Gully last night indicates that the summit lava dome is breaching the crater in its southeastern side," the volcanologist said, saying that sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux was measured at an average of 611 tons/day on September 2.

Ground deformation data showed inflationary changes in the edifice from February based on precise leveling surveys on the third week of August, and edifice inflation from January 2012 baselines based on continuous tilt measurement.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered the forced evacuation of at least 10,000 affected residents and the no-human activity order withing the six-kilometer PDZ.

Based on the latest aerial survey and after the raising of Alert 2, authorities noted the entry of about 300 residents within the area although they had been evacuated already.

“There are residents who took advantage of the temporary lull in the volcano’s activity since its eruption in 2009,” Salceda noted.

Since Alert 2 was raised on August 15, the province has been training officials in affected municipalities and barangays.

These local government units (LGUs) are the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao, and the towns of Guniobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Malilipot.

Salceda also ordered these LGUs to conduct emergency meetings for the evacuation of the villagers within the six-km PDZ to eight-km EDZ.

“We will enforce the cluster approach in the management of the evacuation camps, like what we organized and trained for such event in 2009,” he did.

The Albay governor said he recommended to the Department of Education (DepEd) to come up already with emergency plans for the affected schools and students.

Salceda said that during disasters, the rights of the evacuees are superior to the rights of schoolchildren as guidance.

“The province-owned permanent evacuation centers in Gogon, Daraga nd Guinobatan can no longer be used as classrooms starting today,” he said. “Moreover, there may be a need to use more schools to accommodate the evacuees from the 6km-8km EDZ.”

He instructed the DepEd to institute measures to minimize disruption of learning, instruction and schooling for those affected barangays and host schools.

“Those living in the area southeast of Mayon are advised to prepare moist cloths to cover their faces and noses in preparation for the ash falls,” Salceda said.

He ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Provincial Engineering Office and other members of the emergency team to ensure the availability of vehicles for evacuation and other activities needing transport and dispatch these to the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Operation Center for immediate dispatch in case of need.

The PDRRMC, Albay Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office, and the mayors of the affected cities and municipalities will have an emergency meeting at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

In response to the Mayon Level 3 alert, the Guinobatan DRRMC has evacuted 28 families (120 persons) living within the six-kilometer PDZ in Barangay Muladbucad Grande Monday night, according to Mayor Gemma Ongjoco. (PNA)

Stranded Passengers in Bicol Due to Rough Seas

By Ma. April Mier, Shiena Barrameda |Inquirer South Luzon    

Bernardo Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense director in the Bicol region, said that as of noon Sunday, the stranded passengers included 431 at the port of Tabaco City and 137 in Pio Duran, both in Albay; 56 at Bulan Port and 58 at Pilar Port, both in Sorsogon; 11 at the Virac port and seven in San Andres Port, both  in Catanduanes; 19 at the Pasacao Port; and 11 at Guijalo, both in Camarines  Norte. 

Also stranded in these ports were 78 cargo trucks, 15 sea vessels and 3 motorized banca. 

Seaman First Danilo Gerona of the Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG 5),  said these passengers and vessels were stranded since Saturday after the  Coast Guard issued a gale warning for fishing boats, small sea craft and  larger sea vessels traveling along the seaboards of Visayas and the eastern  seaboard of Southern Luzon and Mindanao.

There was no report of missing fishermen as of Sunday, in Bicol, Gerona added. 

nd-province of Catanduanes, were provided with meals since Saturday by  the provincial government of Albay, said Alejandro. 

All flights in Legazpi City were meanwhile canceled Sunday due to low visibility but those at the Naga City Airport, which was suspended earlier  in the day, resumed at 11 a.m., said Alejandro. 

In Catanduanes, health and disaster authorities were placed on alert as the province, where storm signal number 1 has been hoisted Saturday, was  battered by tropical storm Luis. A detour bridge at the village of Hicming  in the capital town of Virac was destroyed at the storm on Saturday,  isolating six villages. 

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Marlo Meneses, chief of the Albay police, said additional policemen were deployed at the Tabaco port to beef up security as the number of stranded passengers continued to rise. 

The storm warning signal over Catanduanes has been lowered but gale warning  was still enforced in this area, which means sailing and fishing remained  prohibited, based on the 11 a.m bulletin of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Family-focused CINE EUROPA tours 9 Philippine Cities

By Ibarrao C. Mateo, GMA-TV

The 17th edition of the annual Cine Europa, which begins on Thursday and runs until Sept. 21, showcases 23 movies from 17 countries with a theme focused on the varied cinematic interpretations of contemporary European families.

According to Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines political counselor Julian Vassallo, instead of the festival's usual three-city roadshow this time it will go on a tour of nine cities around the country.

After the Manila leg from Sept. 11 to 21, the festival will move on to Baguio (Sept. 23 to 28), Iloilo (Sept. 30 to Oct. 5), Cebu (Oct. 10 to 12), Leyte (Oct. 16 to 19), Tacloban (Oct. 21 to 26), Davao (Oct. 28 to Nov. 2), Zamboanga (Nov. 4 to 9) and Cagayan de Oro (Nov. 13-16).

In a message, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux said “events on the ground”—the three-week attack on Zamboanga City by followers of Nur Misuari—prevented them from taking the festival to Zamboanga last year, “but we are confident we will succeed this time around.”

“For the first time, we will screen our movies for audiences in Zamboanga as well as Baybay, Leyte and even Tacloban, where we especially hope to attract those displaced by Typhoon Haiyan,” Vassallo said.

“Going to as many cities as possible is very important to the European cultural group, which is keen to reach the four corners of the Philippines. The fact that the Philippines has 7,107 islands doesn't help, but we are doing our best,” he added, strongly alluding to the logistical and technical demands of screening in nine cities with varied theater facilities suitable for a film festival.

The changing family

Vassallo said the European family has changed dramatically, both in demographics and composition.

“Far fewer children means much smaller families. With often both parents working, the dynamics at home have changed. Add to that the number of single-parent families and the number of marriages that break down, and you have a very different picture of the European family from just 50 or 60 years ago,” he said.

However, the senior EU diplomat said that to conclude from this that present European families are weakened and disintegrating is premature and wrong.

“Some of these movies we are presenting tell a different story. They illustrate that while in some senses European families have changed beyond recognition, relationships can be as strong as ever, maybe even stronger,” he said.

“Fewer children means more time for individual attention. There is today a much clearer appreciation and demand for quality time with our children. And when was the last time you heard a parent repeat that horrible old mantra that children should be seen but not heard?” he added.

Lectures

The festival will have an educational section aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in cinema and to expose Filipino filmmakers to the opportunities for collaboration with their European counterparts.

The section will feature the screening of three recognized Filipino cinematic jewels, to be accompanied by lectures.

On Sept. 12, Filipino film producer and educator Alemberg Ang will moderate a lecture-forum on film appreciation, to be followed by the showing of Maryo de los Reyes' FAMAS award-winning “Magnifico” (2003) at 2 p.m. and Auraeus Solito's Cinemalaya award-winning “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (2005).

On Sept. 20, a group of cultural officers from Spain, Italy, and France will hold a forum with Filipino filmmakers, to be followed by the 3:30 p.m. screening of Lav Diaz's “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan.”

“Norte” won the Pardo d’Oro at this year's Locarno International Film Festival and the Best Film award at Serbia's Pancevo International Film Fest.

The three films were chosen to point out the similarities between families in the Philippines and European countries.

The educational forums will be held in Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, then at the University of San Carlos in Cebu on Oct. 10.

The 2014 Cine Europa formally opens on Sept. 11 with the 8 p.m. invitational screening of Romania’s “Pozitia Copilului” (Child’s Rose) at Cinema 2 of the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza.

Running from September to November this year, Cine Europa is one of the country's longest film festivals, if not the longest.

Participating countries this year are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland.

Admission to Cine Europa 17 is free for all screenings in all locations during the festival. Film details may be extracted from eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines.

El Nido - World-Class Tourist Destination in The Philippines

El Nido is a world-class tourist destination located on the northern part of Palawan. Known for its breathtaking beaches and viewing spots for the most amazing sunsets, El Nido often falls on the list of “I-wish-I-could-afford-that” vacation plans that gets forgotten.

But what if we told you that you can tour this paradise for only 5,000 pesos? Sounds too good to be true? Start reviewing your El Nido bucket list as ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ offers you this rare sulit-package itinerary for your very own slice of heaven on earth!

Getting There

Excluded from the 5,000-peso budget is the airfare ---which you can avail at discounted rates during off seasons. Round trip flights between Manila and El Nido take about an hour and cost around P 12,000 per head. This is not bad considering the comfort and relatively shorter travel time.

But if you’re tight on your budget but not on your precious hours, you may opt to fly to Puerto Princesa and then take a six to seven hour drive from there. Airfare from Manila to Puerto Princesa will cost you around P 7,000. The best bit about this option: you don’t need to worry about spending more to get to El Nido because the transfer is included in the 5,000-peso budget. Hooray!

Activity no. 1: Island Hopping
Things to bring: shades, sunblock, and lots of stamina

Many islands comprise the paradise that is El Nido. One group, popular because of its proximity to the town proper, is included if you avail of a tour package. Aboard a motor boat, visit the islands of Small and Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Paglugaban.

Kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling are just some of the most common activities in the islands. For no extra charge, you may pretend to be an Indian chieftain atop a kayak, swim in clear waters ala-Michael Phelps, or go see the little fishies in their natural habitat. Nothing beats viewing nature up close, eh?

Because nature in its most virginal form is the islands’ main attraction, a trip to The Cathedral is something you should not miss. The Cathedral is a glorious rock formation inside a cave similar to the high ceiling of a cathedral. (Warning: Bats and swallows are part of the tour.)

Philippines Gets Another Rating Upgrade

By Kathleen A. Martin (The Philippine Star)

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has been awarded another investment grade rating, this time from Korean firm National Information and Credit Evaluation Ratings Inc. (NICE).

The credit rating raised the country’s long-term, foreign currency rating by a notch to BBB- with a positive outlook, which means further upgrade may be awarded in the short term.

“The rating upgrade reflects improved fiscal profile and growth potential, robust stability in the financial market and the external sector, and the government’s continuing efforts to improve governance and infrastructure,” NICE said in a statement.

The firm stressed that key factors considered for the rating included the strong economic growth of 7.2 percent achieved in 2013 although this is forecast to slow to six percent this year. NICE noted that the deceleration will be on the back of a “normal economic adjustment” as the growth momentum is seen being sustained.

The credit rating agency also pointed out the stability of Philippine financial markets despite global sell-offs of emerging market assets since May last year.

NICE said domestic markets are less vulnerable due to the country’s strong current account position and abundant liquidity levels.

“About the issue of real estate market overheating, which emerges due to the expansion of the construction industry and the rise in real estate prices, NICE expects it is under manageable level until now and the authorities are willing and able to contain it,” the debt watcher said.

NICE further said that the rating will be further supported if the country generates more investments as a result of improvements in its governance and infrastructure.

Rating constraints, meanwhile, include an overheating economy or when asset bubbles are formed especially in the real estate sector, NICE said.

Government officials yesterday said the credit rating upgrade reflects the economic gains the country is enjoying following structural reforms earlier put in place.

“As far as the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng PIlipinas) is concerned, the latest investment grade is another acknowledgement of efforts to maintain an inflation environment and a financial system conducive for business and supportive of sustainable growth,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said “this vote of confidence acknowledges efforts to ensure the country is able to sustain improvements in the economy over the long haul.”

The Philippines enjoys investment grade ratings from the three biggest global debt watchers, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s.

S&P in May awarded the country a BBB rating, a notch above the minimum investment grade of BBB-, with a stable outlook. Fitch ratings, meanwhile, affirmed the country’s BBB- rating in March with a stable outlook.

Moody’s in October last year gave the country an investment grade rating of Baa3 with a positive outlook.

Advisory From the Bureau of Immigration

The ALIEN REGISTRATION DIVISION (ARD) reminds all registered aliens as follows:

1. Incomplete and/or improperty accomplished registrations forms shall be dismissed;
2. To register and secure the ACR I-Card only through authorized persons;
3. To report, in writing, changes in informations (e.g. civil status, citizenship, address and the like) IN ORDER TO AVOID SANCTIONS, INCLUDING IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX MONTHS;
4. To pay the ANNUAL RREPORT FEE within the first 60 days of each year, unless exempted by law;
5. To renew ACR I-Cards at least three months in advance of pre-schedulded travels;
6. To check printed data on the ACR I-Card and promptly report errors and/or discrepancies;
7. To avoid false statements, misrepresentation and fraud in any immigration matter under pain of VISA CANCELLATION/FORFEITURE and/or deportation;
8. To secure REGULAR/PAPER-BASED EMIGRATION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATION (ECC) 72 hours before departure for the following:

a) Holders of Temporary Visitor's/Tourist (9a) Visa, who STAYED FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS;
b) Immigrants and Non-immigrants with DOWNGRADED OR EXPIRED VISAS except (a);
c) Immigrants and Non-immigrants with valid visas, who are leaving for a good except (a);
d) PHILIPPINE BORN temporary visitors, who are leaving FOR THE FIRST TIME;
e) FOREIGN NATIONALS with ORDER TO LEAVE; and
f) FOREIGN SEAFARERS, with BI-approved discharged, who stayed for more than 30 days.
9. All ACR I-Card holders, not included above, who are TEMPORARILY leaving the country may pay ECC RP/SRC fees at airports.

For queries, please contact (632) 465 2400 local 205 (ARD), email xinfo@immigration.gov.ph and binoc_immigration@hotmail.ph or visit the socal media accounts, officialbureauofimmigration on Facebook and @immigrationPH on Twitter.

Men Don't Cry? in Cagayan de Oro Times Lifestyle Weekly