Aquino to Inaugurate Lufthansa Technik Facility

President Benigno Aquino will lead the inauguration  of the Lufthansa Technik, Philippines' new maintenance hangar for Airbus aircraft in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

The maintenance hangar, located at Macro Asia Special Economic Zone inside the Villamar Airbase, is intended for Airbus 380 aircraft.

Upon his arrival at the venue, the President will simulate operating an Airbus  A 380 aircraft. He will then pull the throttle that will signal the opening of the new maintenance hangar.

After his speech, the President will tour  the existing hangar servicing the Airbus A 380 aircraft. The inauguration of Lufthansa Technik Philippines is considered a milestone in the Philippine aviation industry, making it one of the world's nine locations capable of maintaining, repairing and overhauling the Airbus A 380, the biggest air craft in the world today.

For more than a decade, Lufthansa Technik Philippines, a German-Philippine joint venture, has placed the Philippines in the global aviation map by having German technology, precision, and innovation in addition to Filipino crafts-manship.

Lufthansa Technik Philippines' million new investment, as one could learn from a Philippine News Agency report, is expected to expand the company's capacity, create more local jobs and contribute to nation building.

Philhealth to Increase Members' Contribution from 1,200 to 2,400 Pesos

I am an expat in the Philippines since 1999 and also a member of PhilHealth.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is looking at increasing contribution of its members from 1,200 to 2,400 Pesos (from 20 to 40 EUROS) per year. effective July 1, 2012. One could learn this from Dr. Eduardo Banzon, president and chief executive officer. Banzon said the increase on contribution is based on Circular 22 approved already last December. Under this circular, members can avail of the old rate by paying their contribution before June 30. They can also avail if they pay their 2012 contribution before the deadline.

By July 1, members, including those newly - registered will have to pay the annual contribution of 2,400 Pesos. Self-employed professionals earning an average monthly income of more than 25,000 Pesos will continue to pay their annual premium contribution of 3,600 Pesos. 

PhilHealth also implemented already the "No Balance Billing Policy to provide financial protection to its members, including indigent families. This means the patient does not need to shell out money for other fees or expenses. All government hospitals are reminded not refuse admissions to PhilHealth members, Banzon said.

Earthquakes Occuring Everyday in The Philippines

 

While writing this piece I received some messages from good friends in Cebu City telling me, that this area has been hit by another strong earthquake just an hour ago. Tsunami warning has been given out.

Saturday, another quake initially measuring 6.0 in magnitude struck Samar Island. The quake hit at 9 p.m. at a depth of 60 kilometres north of the city of Guiuan. The epicenter was around 600 km away east of Manila. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that low-magnitude earthquakes occur daily based on its intensity Scale. Honestly, I experienced this since living in the Philippines for good.

Looking back, last Wednesday two minor earthquakes have occurred. The latest was a magnitude 3.5 of tectonic origin hitting 25 kilometres north of San Julian, Eastern Samar with a 16 km depth of focus. The other hit 30 km south-east of Sta. Ana, Cagayan also of tectonic origin with a magnitude 3.2 having a 12 km depth of focus. 

Imagine, last Tuesday six minor tremors occurred in Bolinao, Pangasinan; Borongan, Samar; Infanta; Pangasinan; Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Burgos, Surigao del Norte.

 

License Plates in The Philippines

 Sometimes Filipinos are strange people. Expat friend Jan tells you why he thinks so:

license plates in the Philippines, follow-up

Hungarian Classical Music by Zoltan Kodaly

Zoltan Kodaly:

a classical composer, pedagogue, linguist and philosopher. An amazing person:

Here is more about him:

www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Or tune in to 104.3 FM "The Edge Radio Davao" every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. (Philippine standard time) to my radio show Classics with Klaus Doring or via live stream www.davao.theedge.ph.

Immigration Resumes Employment Generation Program

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday resumed the implementation of an employment generation program that grants foreign businessmen employing at least 10 Filipino workers the privilege to stay indefinitely in the country.

Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. made the announcement after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima approved memorandum circular No. RADJR-11-007, dated December 14, 2011, prescribing the revised rules for implementing the Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG), which was first introduced in 2009 pursuant to Executive Order No. 758.

However, the visa is still subject to restrictions imposed by the Constitution and existing laws on foreign investments, according to Associate Commissioner Siegfred Mison.

"The applicant must prove that his investment are substantial and that the business employs at least 10 Filipinos occupying managerial, executive, professional, technical, skilled or unskilled positions," Mison said in a statement.

He further said that the SVEG holders are considered special non-immigrants with multiply entry privileges and conditional extended stay, without need of prior departure from the Philippines.

Sayaw Pinoy 2012 Goes to Davao City

"Sayaw Pinoy", the longest running national dance tour featured in this year's Philippine Arts Festival (PAF), will be staged in Davao City on February 3 - 4.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) brings in to Davao City the country's top dance companies to perform the dance tour that will showcase colorful tradition of dances and movements in the country.

NCCA's National Committee on Dance head Shirley Halili-Cruz said that the national dancer groups together with three local dance groups in the city will carry-out different dance forms, such as classical ballet, folk dance, contemporary, and modern dance like hip-hop.

The back-to-back performances will be staged at the Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai International School and University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) on February 3, 2012 and at SM City Davao and Abreeza Mall on February 4, 2012.

The dance tour "aims to reach the grass roots level to discover new talents as well as to connect to more Filipino dance artists," said Halili-Cruz.

Joseph Joachim - Time to Remember Another Classical Composer

Joseph Joachim

- another classical composer and friend during my life as expatriate and radio host in the Philippines!

Here is more:

www.klausdoringclassicalmusic.webs.com

Father and Son in Compostela Valley

ComVal (Compostella Valley) Governor Arturo Uy and Sports Coordinator Tyrone Uy help in the distribution of 892 armchairs in ten national high schools and 400 kiddie chairs to day care centers in Compostela.

Energy Savings - A Dream?

Since being connected with the DOST Regional Office XI as consultant, one project really caught my attention: the DREAM Team services. 

People indeed get very much excited about their saving accounts earning interests. But, the Department of Science and Technology has seen a better idea to invest into something that earns three or five times that of bank interests. You know how?

An "energy audit" is a good first step toward realizing those money savings by making your place more energy efficient, as one could learn from the dost XI Public Service Announcement. Many industrial establishments nowadays are becoming more and more conscious of their energy usage due to increased energy costs. In response to these needs, the Davao Region Energy Audit and Management (DREAM) Team can help the industries in the region in setting energy conservation goals, identify areas where energy wastes can occur or recommend energy saving opportunities - just to mention two among many others.

An audit can show how to save electricity. Or, how about the air condition system or the many costly gaps around doors and windows?

By the way, the DREAM Team is a multi-agency group with members from the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the University of Southeastern Philippines (where I am also teaching!), the University of Mindanao and the DOST Regional Office XI.

I am pretty sure, that a big number of companies will be interested to avail the DREAM Team services. Engineer Benjamin V.D. Estrelladao, the DREAM Team Focal Person, is looking forward to your calls (Davao 082 - 221 5428): from companies, and, of course, also from private house holds.

The DOST XI Energy Audit Team is now ready to serve the region. Happy savings!