Philippines News

Manila, Philippines -- The chief of the Quezon City Engineering Department (QCED) said that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will have to prioritize the intense dredging and cleaning of waterways to relieve flooding in the flood-prone areas of Quezon City and nearby areas.

The higher credit ratings of the Philippines are largely due to the Aquino administration's improved fiscal condition. Credit should be given to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III who, I am told, always reminds his cabinet that the funds in their departments' budget is the people's money and that they better spend it wisely for the public welfare. Secretary Butch Abad's judicious releases of the departments' budgets is akin to the prudent cash management of corporations. The rest of the cabinet, notably Sec. Babes Singson, Sec. Procy Alcala, Sec. Ike Ona, and Sec. ...

Governments, the tourism industry, and local communities are encouraged by the United Nations (UN) to work together to tackle the important challenge of urbanization and tourism to sustainable development. The growth of urbanization and tourism is a natural consequence of a globalizing, inter-dependent world. And much of the growth in recent decades has been led by Asian countries. International tourist arrivals grew from 25 million in 1950 to over 1 billion in 2012. International tourism revenues have also risen significantly, surpassing the $1-trillion milestone in 2011.

The Philippines property at the Roppongi district, a shopping and entertainment area in Tokyo, is in the hands of Filipinos once more, surviving several attempts to dispose of it allegedly because of huge kickbacks it would give any lucky mediator.

Experts used to think that when a region of the brain is damaged, its function is lost forever.

Manila, Philippines -- A pool of immigration officers has been formed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to minimize long passenger queues at the airport's immigration counters, it was learned yesterday.

Over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification, and one billion are at risk. Unlike earthquakes and other natural disasters, drought is predictable and the effects are avoidable, and often reversible through the restoration of degraded lands where possible. To highlight the urgent need to curb the desertification process in many parts of the globe. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed annually on June 17. The theme for 2013 is ''Drought and Water Scarcity.''

Manila, Philippines -- The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has created a technical working committee (TWC) to carry out the acquisition of the sites and rights-of-way affected by government infrastructure projects.

Agribusiness is a prime mover in the Philippines' economy, with raw materials being utilized to produce an array of products for food and industrial applications.

Manila, Philippines -- The exodus of Filipinos to Europe for greener pasture nowadays continues to be a socio-economic contagion in the Philippines.

There's not much in the business of banking that can make HSBC Chairman Wick Veloso flinch, but he does have a soft spot for life's simple pleasures-and people who share his passion for exceeding expectations, and competition-fuelled fun

MANILA (PNA) - Businessmen expect President Aquino's third State-of-the-Nation Address to focus on the need to pass priority legislative measures that would attract more foreign direct investments and encourage local businesses to address the pressing need for jobs creation and sustain the country's economic growth.

ECO-labeled cement manufacturer CEMEX Philippines, through its Help, Engage and Reach Out! (H.E.R.O) employee volunteerism program, conducted a Brigada Eskwela in Doña Susana Madrigal Elementary School in Binangonan, Rizal and Tina-an Central School in Naga, Cebu.

Manila, Philippines -- To feel free while serving time behind bars can be the best kind of life for inmates and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has been trying to provide that quality of life in detention through various livelihood activities.

Jesus said to His disciples, ''You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.''

Manila, Philippines -- To increase awareness among members of the community, the military recently conducted an information drive on its improvised explosive device (IED) ''Recognition and Reward and Recovery'' program among residents of two municipalities in Maguindanao.

The Catholic Church commemorates today the Feast of Santa Teresa of Portugal, a popular Benedictine nun who founded a convent for a religious order known as the Cistercian nuns in Portugal. Devotees across the world light candles and offer novenas in her memory on her feast day. St. Teresa's intercession is often invoked by those in difficult situations. Born in 1181, St. Teresa was eldest daughter of King Sancho I of Portugal. Her two sisters, Mafalda and Sancha, were also canonized by the Catholic Church. (Christina I. Hermoso)

One of the advantages of going to school in ABE International Business College is its international on-the-job training (OJT) program.

It may take several decades but football can constitute a major industry in the Philippines if we develop it into a national sport following the example of Brazil, one of the leading emerging markets of this century. Brazil today has over 180 million people and a GDP per capita of US$ 12,789. As a middle-income country with a vast middle class, Brazil illustrates how markets created by football grow and multiply. ...

Today is the National Day of Iceland which marks the Anniversary of the establishment of this Republic. This island in the North Atlantic Ocean is located east of Greenland and west of Norway. Reykjavik is the capital and largest city.