The recent law enacted by Philippine congress liberalizing the ownership of companies engaged in mineral exploitation has generated sudden interest and investments in the mining sector of the Philippines.
Foreign investments is a key factor in creating a progressive and vibrant economy. And with the estimated $15 billion dollars that the foreign investors are pouring into the mining sector, the Philippine economy will again reap the benefits that it will bring into the system. Among others, these investments will create employment opportunities for Filipinos and generate more export receipts for the country's economy.
In a recent dialogue between the Asean Ministers held in Manila recently, the participants have declared their common sentiment and support for the development of their respective mining industries.
In the Philippines, several foreign owned companies have started actual operations in mine sites all over the country. Some foreign investors are in the process of securing their permits and licenses in preparation for their actual operations.
The government is hoping that the mining sector will play a major role in the overall economic development of the country in the light of the current slowdown in economies of developed countries.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Positive Effect of China's Contaminated Milk Scare
The contaminated milk issue in China refuses to die down despite several attempts by the Chinese government to assure comsumers on the measures that are being put in place by government officials to prevent the same incidents from happening again in the future.
In the Philippines, one possitive effect of the contiminated milk issue is the action of the Department of Trade to issue a directive to all importers of Chinese products to follow certain guidelines before these Chinese products are brought into the country. Although the order was issued much earlier this year, its strict compliance was triggered by the recent contaminated milk issue.
One of the new requirements for the approval of imports from China is the rule on product labels. The directive orders all manufacturers, importers, distributors and repackers of consumer goods to indicate in their labels or packaging, a parallel translation in English or Filipino language, of the nature, quality, quantity and other relevant information about the product.
This directive is a welcome develoment because consumers will know and understand the information about the products which, in most cases, are described in Chinese characters.
Also, the importers of these products are required to make arrangements with the exporters or their principals, to indicate the country of origin, expiration date, warranty, weight, contact details, etc.
The Department of Trade in the Pilippines also announced that non- compliance with these directives will result in the seizure and confication of these goods.
In the Philippines, one possitive effect of the contiminated milk issue is the action of the Department of Trade to issue a directive to all importers of Chinese products to follow certain guidelines before these Chinese products are brought into the country. Although the order was issued much earlier this year, its strict compliance was triggered by the recent contaminated milk issue.
One of the new requirements for the approval of imports from China is the rule on product labels. The directive orders all manufacturers, importers, distributors and repackers of consumer goods to indicate in their labels or packaging, a parallel translation in English or Filipino language, of the nature, quality, quantity and other relevant information about the product.
This directive is a welcome develoment because consumers will know and understand the information about the products which, in most cases, are described in Chinese characters.
Also, the importers of these products are required to make arrangements with the exporters or their principals, to indicate the country of origin, expiration date, warranty, weight, contact details, etc.
The Department of Trade in the Pilippines also announced that non- compliance with these directives will result in the seizure and confication of these goods.
Felino Palafox, Jr.: Asia's Most Popular Urban Planner
I remember meeting with the renowned Filipino Architect a few times in the last couple of years. Each time, I was with some foreign property developers trying to build a top notch resort and retirement village in Morong, Bataan, very near the Subic Freeport Zone. Right now, the same US based property developer is working closely with Arch. Jun Palafox for the master planning of a 200 hectare world class resort community in the outskirts of Cebu.
Although the Bataan project has not materialized as of this time because of land ownership and environmental issues, I had an opportunity to listen to the very talented Architect-Planner as he described to us his visions about urban planning for some important places in the Philippines like the Pasig River and other impotant places in the country. He also emphasized the need for proper town planning in developing towns and cities throughout the country.
Because of his continuing quest for new technologies in the field of architecture and urban planning, he was able to provide answers to varied questions about future projects as they affect or compliment the given environment in different project sites or locations. His hectic schedules did not stop him from further educating himself by attending and participating in important and relevant conferences in the field architecture and urban planning. He even tried to find time to impart his experiences and knowledge to his students in one of the best universities in the USA where is is a visiting professor.
With several on-going and big ticket projects in different parts of the world, I find it hard to believe that he can make time for himself to visit and really work with his seasoned staff in various locations all over the world. He always make it a point to make himself available for consultation with the proponents of these porojects, be they government entities or private property developers.
Some of his on-going projects include: a US$1billion dollar worth logistics and service hub in Clark Freeport Zone, a 38 kilometer waterfront development in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, High rise residential projects is Dubai and the Pasig RIver Develpment Project, among others. His architectural firm has projects in 32 countries with more projects programed for the next few years.
The Architectural and Urban Planning firm of Jun Palafox has been in the business for almost 20 yrears and is now considered as one of the world's top 200 architectural firms according to a London-based Architecture magazine. It has also been certified as ISO compliant firm.
There are so much to say about the success story of Arch. Jun Palafox and his Architectural and Urban Planning firm. I wish to write more about his formula for success to serve as an inspiration for others to follow and emulate.
When I see him again I will gather more information about his formula for success. And when I do, I will write a second series to this article. As I write this piece, I am not even sure if he would still recall our past few meetings.
Although the Bataan project has not materialized as of this time because of land ownership and environmental issues, I had an opportunity to listen to the very talented Architect-Planner as he described to us his visions about urban planning for some important places in the Philippines like the Pasig River and other impotant places in the country. He also emphasized the need for proper town planning in developing towns and cities throughout the country.
Because of his continuing quest for new technologies in the field of architecture and urban planning, he was able to provide answers to varied questions about future projects as they affect or compliment the given environment in different project sites or locations. His hectic schedules did not stop him from further educating himself by attending and participating in important and relevant conferences in the field architecture and urban planning. He even tried to find time to impart his experiences and knowledge to his students in one of the best universities in the USA where is is a visiting professor.
With several on-going and big ticket projects in different parts of the world, I find it hard to believe that he can make time for himself to visit and really work with his seasoned staff in various locations all over the world. He always make it a point to make himself available for consultation with the proponents of these porojects, be they government entities or private property developers.
Some of his on-going projects include: a US$1billion dollar worth logistics and service hub in Clark Freeport Zone, a 38 kilometer waterfront development in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, High rise residential projects is Dubai and the Pasig RIver Develpment Project, among others. His architectural firm has projects in 32 countries with more projects programed for the next few years.
The Architectural and Urban Planning firm of Jun Palafox has been in the business for almost 20 yrears and is now considered as one of the world's top 200 architectural firms according to a London-based Architecture magazine. It has also been certified as ISO compliant firm.
There are so much to say about the success story of Arch. Jun Palafox and his Architectural and Urban Planning firm. I wish to write more about his formula for success to serve as an inspiration for others to follow and emulate.
When I see him again I will gather more information about his formula for success. And when I do, I will write a second series to this article. As I write this piece, I am not even sure if he would still recall our past few meetings.
Money, Money and Oscar de la Hoya
Popular boxing trainer Angelo Dundee predicted that Manny Pacquaio has no chance at all of winning against the much superior Oscar de la Hoya in their forthcoming boxing match to be staged at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 6m 2008. He said that dela Hoya has no problem with shorter and smaller boxers as he has fought and sparred with so many smaller boxers in the past.
Boxing fans from all over the world including a good number of Pacquiao fans from the Philippines, share Angelo Dundee's prediction. They believe that because of dela Hoya's overall physical superiority, he will emerge as the sure winner. Oscar dela Hoya, as statistics would show, has a marked advantage in height, weight and reach while Pacquaio is known for his fast hand and foot movements.
Although Pacquiao is relatively younger than dela Hoya, boxing experts say that it will not compensate for dela Hoya's built and other physical assets. Likewise dela Hoya is more experienced both as an amateur and as a professional boxer. He was a gold medalist in boxing representing the United States in the Olympic Games.
In the meantime, de la Hoya has locked himself up in his training camp at Big Bear Mountains in California. The place is cold, with temperature dropping to near freezing point. The training camp at Big Bear has an elevation of 8,000 feet and is about two hours by car from downtown Los Angeles.
The training camp has been practically off limits to visitors and even to media. This is how serious Oscar is in making sure that no one would know his strategy come fight night at the MGM Grand. Although his camp revealed that de la Hoya has taken in Victor Ortiz as his sparring partner, nothing much has been said about dela Hoya's strategy for this particular match. Ortiz is a left hander like Pacquiao and much younger at 21 with a 22-1-1 win loss draw record. On the other hand, the camp of Pacquiao led by the popular boxing trainer, Freddie Roach settled at the Wild Card Gym on Vine Street in Hollywood.
It seems that Pacquiao is more at home at the Wild Card Gym which is actually owned by Roach himself. He has been sparring with a number of bigger and heavier boxers. One of them welterweight McDaniels got hit by Pacquiao's powerful left in one of their sparring sessions the other day. McDaniels was badly hit forcing Pacquiao to rest and to see for himself how McDaniels condition was.
Although Pacquiao has the power and ability to beat Oscar dela Hoya with his speed and powerful left hand, many believe that it may not work for him this time simply because of dela Hoya's natural superior built. It is predictable that dela Hoya will find a way to counter Pacquiao's speed and his powerful left hook, capitalizing on his superior built to his advantage. A number of Pacquiao fans in the Philippines are concerned about the outcome of this much publicized boxing fight. They are one in saying that Pacquiao-dela Hoya fight is an obvious mismatch. They fear that dela Hoya will inflict too much damage to Pacquiao because of his superior natural built and Pacquaio cannot do anything about it no matter what he does.
In response to the call of some Pacquaio fans, the Chair of the Games and Amusement Board of the Philippines called for the cancellation of the boxing fight for the reason that it is an obvious mismatch. The promoters of the boxing event said that the fight can no longer be cancelled because the contract has already been signed.
On the business side, boxing aficionados are saying that the dela Hoya-Pacquiao match is being stage by its promoters, with only one common consideration; money, more than anything else.
Boxing fans from all over the world including a good number of Pacquiao fans from the Philippines, share Angelo Dundee's prediction. They believe that because of dela Hoya's overall physical superiority, he will emerge as the sure winner. Oscar dela Hoya, as statistics would show, has a marked advantage in height, weight and reach while Pacquaio is known for his fast hand and foot movements.
Although Pacquiao is relatively younger than dela Hoya, boxing experts say that it will not compensate for dela Hoya's built and other physical assets. Likewise dela Hoya is more experienced both as an amateur and as a professional boxer. He was a gold medalist in boxing representing the United States in the Olympic Games.
In the meantime, de la Hoya has locked himself up in his training camp at Big Bear Mountains in California. The place is cold, with temperature dropping to near freezing point. The training camp at Big Bear has an elevation of 8,000 feet and is about two hours by car from downtown Los Angeles.
The training camp has been practically off limits to visitors and even to media. This is how serious Oscar is in making sure that no one would know his strategy come fight night at the MGM Grand. Although his camp revealed that de la Hoya has taken in Victor Ortiz as his sparring partner, nothing much has been said about dela Hoya's strategy for this particular match. Ortiz is a left hander like Pacquiao and much younger at 21 with a 22-1-1 win loss draw record. On the other hand, the camp of Pacquiao led by the popular boxing trainer, Freddie Roach settled at the Wild Card Gym on Vine Street in Hollywood.
It seems that Pacquiao is more at home at the Wild Card Gym which is actually owned by Roach himself. He has been sparring with a number of bigger and heavier boxers. One of them welterweight McDaniels got hit by Pacquiao's powerful left in one of their sparring sessions the other day. McDaniels was badly hit forcing Pacquiao to rest and to see for himself how McDaniels condition was.
Although Pacquiao has the power and ability to beat Oscar dela Hoya with his speed and powerful left hand, many believe that it may not work for him this time simply because of dela Hoya's natural superior built. It is predictable that dela Hoya will find a way to counter Pacquiao's speed and his powerful left hook, capitalizing on his superior built to his advantage. A number of Pacquiao fans in the Philippines are concerned about the outcome of this much publicized boxing fight. They are one in saying that Pacquiao-dela Hoya fight is an obvious mismatch. They fear that dela Hoya will inflict too much damage to Pacquiao because of his superior natural built and Pacquaio cannot do anything about it no matter what he does.
In response to the call of some Pacquaio fans, the Chair of the Games and Amusement Board of the Philippines called for the cancellation of the boxing fight for the reason that it is an obvious mismatch. The promoters of the boxing event said that the fight can no longer be cancelled because the contract has already been signed.
On the business side, boxing aficionados are saying that the dela Hoya-Pacquiao match is being stage by its promoters, with only one common consideration; money, more than anything else.
Colin Powell: Obama's Key to Victory
The sudden switch of former Secretary of State Colin Powell to the camp of US presidential aspirant Barack Obama has bolstered the democratic party's chances of capturing the US presidency. Many believe that Colin Powell's unconditional support for Obama's candidacy is the key to his victory.
General Colin Powell is a respected military and political figure in the United States. He has a colorful military career in the United States Armed Forces and a well applauded Secretary of State during the early days of the Bush administration.
It seems that the switch of allegiance is long overdue. The past few months, Colin Powell has shown displeasure at the way the Iraq war is being handled by the Bush administration. Having been a former Chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff, Powell knows what he is saying with regards to the Iraq war.
On some occasions, during the campaign, John McCain criticized Obama's lack of knowledge and experience to act as Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces. Colin Powell's sudden switch and support for Obama could just be the answer to McCain's tirades on Obama's lack of experience, not only as Commander-in-Chief but as President of the United States of America
It is likely that Powell will take an active role in Obama's administration, should he wins the US Presidency. Such a situation will serve as a balancing factor in Obama's perceived weakness in handling the affairs of the US Armed Forces.
On the question of Obama's religion as a factor in the choice of a US President, Colin Powell was quoted to have said: “He's always been a Christian” But really right answer is: “Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this Country? The answer is no, that's not America”.
In another development, it appears that John McCain is ready for the inevitable defeat in the hands of Obama. He was quoted as saying that he would not feel sorry for himself if he lost and said further that he will not dwell on it. He acknowledges that Obama is ahead on most counts but he said that he relishes the chance to make a shock come back. He said further that he loved being an underdog.
The next few days will be crucial for both candidates as pressing economic issues require political solutions. And the candidates' formula for the resolution of these issues will play a critical role in influencing the voters choice for the US Presidency.
General Colin Powell is a respected military and political figure in the United States. He has a colorful military career in the United States Armed Forces and a well applauded Secretary of State during the early days of the Bush administration.
It seems that the switch of allegiance is long overdue. The past few months, Colin Powell has shown displeasure at the way the Iraq war is being handled by the Bush administration. Having been a former Chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff, Powell knows what he is saying with regards to the Iraq war.
On some occasions, during the campaign, John McCain criticized Obama's lack of knowledge and experience to act as Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces. Colin Powell's sudden switch and support for Obama could just be the answer to McCain's tirades on Obama's lack of experience, not only as Commander-in-Chief but as President of the United States of America
It is likely that Powell will take an active role in Obama's administration, should he wins the US Presidency. Such a situation will serve as a balancing factor in Obama's perceived weakness in handling the affairs of the US Armed Forces.
On the question of Obama's religion as a factor in the choice of a US President, Colin Powell was quoted to have said: “He's always been a Christian” But really right answer is: “Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this Country? The answer is no, that's not America”.
In another development, it appears that John McCain is ready for the inevitable defeat in the hands of Obama. He was quoted as saying that he would not feel sorry for himself if he lost and said further that he will not dwell on it. He acknowledges that Obama is ahead on most counts but he said that he relishes the chance to make a shock come back. He said further that he loved being an underdog.
The next few days will be crucial for both candidates as pressing economic issues require political solutions. And the candidates' formula for the resolution of these issues will play a critical role in influencing the voters choice for the US Presidency.
Journalist Win Tin Released: Aung San Suu Kyi Next?
Military rulers in Myanmar may have come to their senses by releasing Win Tin, a popular freedom fghting journalist who has been detained for almost 20 years. Myanmar's military Junta announced the release of about 9000 prisoners throughout the country as part of their amnesty program. It did not say how many of those released are political prisoners.
Win Tin, now 78 years old, is a political prisoner and is popularly known as a peace actvist in his country. He is a known ally of Aung San Suu Kyi and he helped in the establishment of National League for Democracy (NLD).
After his release from prison, Win Tin vowed to continue his advocacy and struggle for peace and freedom in his homeland. Win Tin has worked closely with Suu Kyi during the last open national election in Myanmar where the NLD won convincingly. Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to become the next Prime Minister of Myanmar but was never allowed to rule by the military junta. She was instead arrested without trial and has remained under house arrest until now.
The recent political events in Myanmar highlighted by the release of Win Tin together with thousands of other prisoners, could signal the relaxation of the military grip over the political enemies of the State. This is a good sign for all peace and freedom loving people of Myanmar.
Is Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom at hand? The world awaits.
Win Tin, now 78 years old, is a political prisoner and is popularly known as a peace actvist in his country. He is a known ally of Aung San Suu Kyi and he helped in the establishment of National League for Democracy (NLD).
After his release from prison, Win Tin vowed to continue his advocacy and struggle for peace and freedom in his homeland. Win Tin has worked closely with Suu Kyi during the last open national election in Myanmar where the NLD won convincingly. Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to become the next Prime Minister of Myanmar but was never allowed to rule by the military junta. She was instead arrested without trial and has remained under house arrest until now.
The recent political events in Myanmar highlighted by the release of Win Tin together with thousands of other prisoners, could signal the relaxation of the military grip over the political enemies of the State. This is a good sign for all peace and freedom loving people of Myanmar.
Is Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom at hand? The world awaits.
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