Foreign Contractors Decry Tight Regulations in the Philippines

By Richmond Mercurio (The Philippine Star) 

 1  4 googleplus0  0 

ECCP president Guenter Taus said there is currently huge interest among European companies to participate and invest in the country’s construction industry but are being held back by existing equity limitations.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is missing out on a lot of opportunities in foreign investment and technology in the construction industry given existing restrictions on international contractors, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said.

ECCP president Guenter Taus said there is currently huge interest among European companies to participate and invest in the country’s construction industry but are being held back by existing equity limitations.

“There is a lot of interest from Europe coming in provided we can straighten out the issues we have in licensing, especially with PCAB (Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board). Once those obstacles are overcome there should certainly be a big boon for European companies to come and work on these,” Taus said.

“We have limitations in the engineering part of what foreign firms can do in the Philippines. There’s a 60-40 rule and in order to get it done you need to get a PCAB license in order to legally operate and that’s a challenge for multinational companies,” he added.

Taus said any investment in the construction industry is easily in the billion-peso range which is why the Philippines is missing a lot due to such restrictions.

Aside from foregone investments, foreign contractors and construction companies are also capable of introducing new technologies to the country.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

“We hope under this administration we will finally get this issues straightened out,” Taus said.

The ECCP has long been lamenting the lack of full involvement of international contractors in the country as it is considered as one of the factors hindering infrastructure development.

“If the Philippines wants to continue growing the economy, the lack of infrastructure needs to be addressed. This can only be done with the involvement of international contractors that will bring latest technologies to the country. But you cannot expect these companies to bring the technology, bring the money, carry the risks and then control only 40 percent of the venture,” ECCP vice president for external affairs Henry Schumacher has said.

Three Manilatyer Bars to Cool One's Heels in After Today's Anti-Marcos Burial Rally

SHARES: 49

VIEW COMMENTS

Philippine Daily Inquirer

By: Pocholo Concepcion

IN MANILA, the years 1983 to ’86 saw massive street rallies in the aftermath of the Ninoy Aquino assassination. At night, the bars in Ermita and Malate provided respite to those days of disquiet.

Today, Aug. 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, many of those who had marched to Liwasang Bonifacio and Malacañang before the Edsa People Power Revolt will gather at the Lapu-
Lapu Monument near the Taft Ave. side of Luneta to participate in the Citizens’ Assembly Against the Marcos Burial in LNMB (Libingan ng Mga Bayani).

The call to this rally—which began as a post on Facebook—has gained momentum and is expected to draw thousands, rain or shine.

ADVERTISEMENT

After the rally, in the afternoon or early evening, it might be a good idea to unwind; there are at least three bars near Luneta to cool one’s heels.

FRED’S Revolucion owner Derek Soriano has opened a second
branch of his bar in Escolta. ALEXIS CORPUZ

Fred’s Revolucion,
Escolta

Named after bar owner Derek Soriano’s grandfather, Fred’s Revolucion is the place to enjoy a good variety of local and foreign beers including Pinatubo Magma and European brands Hoegaarden and Chimay. It also offers craft beers from its smorgasbord-tap station. There are also choices for whisky drinkers.

Fred’s Revolucion, First United Building, 413 Escolta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila; open Tuesdays to Sundays, 5-11 p.m.

DJ Sonny Tugade at Blue Room in Malate FACEBOOK.COM/BLUEROOMMALATE

Blue Room, Malate

Formerly named Jazz Rhythms and still operated by the same owner, Blue Room features some of the best classic rock, jazz and pop records played by its resident DJs including Sonny Tugade.

The beer is served ice-cold; there’s good red wine, too, which you can enjoy with tuna belly, pork sisig, buffalo chicken wings, and our favorite, crispy tenga.

Blue Room, 615 J. Nakpil St., Malate; tel. 5246870, 0918-9300314

Café Adriatico, Malate

This restaurant, the most prominent landmark in the Remedios Circle since the ’80s, is also a nice place to have some drinks along with its tapas and pica-pica.

The ground and second floors are always full as the night wears on, but there are al fresco tables where you can see Malate’s street life.

And if you stay longer you’ll be tempted to order from its wide and interesting menu that includes steaks, seafood, and our all-time favorite, Lola Ising’s Adobo.

Cafe Adriatico, 1790 Adriatico St. Malate; tel. 7388220

MOA Arena. FACEBOOK.COM/THECHAINSMOKERS

The Chainsmokers

Closely following two concerts Charlie Puth (tonight, Aug. 14, Kia Theatre) and In the Mix (Aug. 18 SM Mall of Asia Arena), is The Chainsmokers show on Aug. 19 also at MOA Arena.

This American DJ duo composed of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall first gained fame with its 2014 single “#Selfie,” and its 2015 single “Roses.”

After releasing its debut EP, “Bouquet,” in October 2015, a single, “Don’t Let Me Down,” featuring vocals by young singer Daya, came out last February and peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

SM Tickets, tel. 470-2222; log on to smtickets.com

“THE GREATEST Love of All: The Whitney Show” features South African singer Belinda Davids.

Whitney Houston tribute

A tribute concert, dubbed “The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Show,” features South African singer Belinda Davids interpreting the classic hits of the late pop superstar, to be held Aug. 26, 7 p.m., IEC Pavilion, Cebu City, and Aug. 27, PICC, Pasay City.

SM Tickets, tel. 4702222 or log on to smtickets.com; and TicketWorld, tel. 8919999 or log on to ticketworld.com.ph

Read more:http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/235242/3-manila-bars-to-cool-ones-heels-in-after-todays-anti-marcos-burial-rally#ixzz4HNnozLts
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Low Pressure Area Spotted Off Batanes

 (philstar.com) 

PAGASA said moonsoon rains over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Philstar.com/File photo

MANILA, Philippines – The state weather bureau is keeping a close eye on a low pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

As of 4 a.m. Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the low pressure area was located at 350 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes. 

The state weather bureau, meanwhile, warned the public of southwest monsoon affecting Luzon and Western Visayas. 

In its Saturday forecast, PAGASA said there will be moonsoon rains over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Western Visayas and the rest of Luzon will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. 

"Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country," PAGASA said.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

"Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough," it added.

Demolition of Fish Pens a Worry for Muntinlupa

SHARES: 540

VIEW COMMENTS

Inquirer Metro

By: Annelle Tayao-Juego

The Muntinlupa City government expects around 1,300 residents to lose their sources of income due to the impending demolition of illegal fish pens on Laguna de Bay, which was ordered by President Duterte in his recent State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Facing this scenario, local officials have started talks with the fishing community to explore alternative forms of livelihood. The demolitions are expected to have an impact on villagers in Tunasan, Poblacion, Putatan, Bayanan, Alabang, Cupang, Buli and Sucat.

Public information office head Tez Navarro on Thursday said that, as instructed by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, the city’s Lake Management Office (LMO) and the Department of Agriculture-Extension Services Office have begun meeting with residents employed by fish pen operators “to assess their needs for intervention.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Asked if this included financial assistance, Navarro said it would depend on individual assessments. The local government is ready to provide fishing tools, such as gill nets, for those will continue to rely on the lake for income, while their wives may be trained on food processing, for example, said Navarro.

LMO chief Ting Niefes said fish pens in the freshwater lake which fall under Muntinlupa’s jurisdiction occupy a total area of about 2,000 hectares. But Niefes said the figure only refers to the legal structures, while Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has the data regarding illegal fish pens.

The dismantling of illegal fish pens in the 90,000-hectare lake started on Tuesday in San Pablo, Laguna, with the removal of two 50-hectare structures owned by Seven Eleven Fishing Corp. The Inquirer earlier reported that the pens went through several changes of ownership over the years without proper LLDA documents.

In his Sona, President Duterte ordered Environment Secretary Gina Lopez to initiate the rehabilitation of the lake by clearing it of illegal structures and turning it into an ecotourism zone.