Day: April 22, 2024

MANILA: The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said on Monday three of its projects are being endorsed for the proposed Luzon Economic Corridor.

The BCDA said the Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP), expansion of the Clark International Airport, and the Clark National Food Hub are pitched to American and Japanese investors under the USD600-billion Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) of the G7 countries.

During the trilateral meeting of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington DC early this month, it was unveiled that the G7 countries eye to develop the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The Luzon Economic Corridor aims to establish connectivity in economic hubs in Luzon – Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang said in a statement these projects of the government-owned and controlled corporation are high-impact projects.

‘We are confident that th
e inclusion of SCRP, expansion of Clark International Airport, and the Clark National Food Hub in the proposed Luzon Economic Corridor will help us accelerate the implementation of these game-changing infrastructure projects, not just for the country but for the whole Indo-Pacific region,’ Bingcang said.

He said the endorsement of the three projects for PGII will help BCDA achieve its vision for Clark to be Asia’s next investment hub.

The SCRP, a project of BCDA and the Department of Transportation, aims to provide freight service between the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, linking Subic Port with Clark International Airport and other major economic hubs in Central Luzon, particularly New Clark City.

The BCDA is also eyeing to expand the Clark International Airport by building a new runway, taxiways, aprons, and landside access roads and utilities to cater to major logistics firms locating in Clark.

The PHP8.5-billion National Food Hub at the Clark Airport Complex
targets to be a leading agricultural resource hub in the region.

‘These three high-impact projects are BCDA’s contribution to the efforts of Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the country and make the Philippines a top investment destination,’ BCDA said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday said the Philippines produces about 2.7 million tons of plastic waste every year and called on the public to help stop the environmental hazard.

During the launch of the Earth Day Every Day project in Pasay City, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said most of the plastic wastes end up in landfills, dumpsites, rivers, and water supply systems.

‘About 20 percent of these end up in our oceans. Over and above our organic waste, plastic for our market needs, food wrapping, and packaging for our consumers all make up the 61,000 metric tons of solid waste we produce daily. When the rains come, we are literally swimming them,’ Loyzaga said.

She said the 2024 Earth Day celebration is themed ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ which aims to spread awareness on the indestructibility of plastics and the hazards they pose to public health, the lives of ecosystems, and the ability to take effective climate action.

‘Daily, Filipinos consume plastics
in the fish caught in Philippine waters, through the substandard water bottles, in the very air we breathe,’ she said.

She noted that microplastics have been found in raindrops.

‘Many are unaware that plastics have traditionally been made from oil, natural gas, or coal, the very fossil fuel sources that have driven climate change. They are also unaware that studies have shown the Philippines loses around USD89 million every year because we throw away recyclable plastic instead of repurposing it,’ Loyzaga said.

On July 30, 2022, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act or Republic Act (RA) 11898 lapsed into law, amending RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The EPR law is an environmental policy approach that encourages plastic waste reduction through the elimination of unnecessary plastic packaging, the development of more environment-friendly and recyclable packaging design, and the recovery of plastic packaging from trash for reuse and recycling back into the production pr
ocess.

‘This shifted the burden of collecting used plastic from the local government to the producers and manufacturers themselves,’ Loyzaga said.

She said over 800 large-scale companies have committed to reduce plastic use through the substitution and development of sustainable packaging solutions, and collection, treatment, and recycling initiatives.

They also pledged to conduct education and raise awareness on the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

She, however, said the initiative should be a whole-of-society approach as the government and the corporations cannot do it alone.

Most importantly, she said, transformation towards a plastics-free world begins at home, while experts and universities must also do their share.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines and Qatar on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) strengthening the two nations’ growth in tourism and business events.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi signed the MOU before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the Malacañang Palace.

The MOU is one of the agreements exchanged during Qatar Amir’s state visit to the country.

Frasco defined the move as a ‘wealth of opportunities for growth as both countries explore new avenues for collaboration’.

‘Under the Marcos administration, we are reintroducing the Philippines to the world on the strength of our Filipino culture, heritage, and identity, and we view our partnership with Qatar as being an important part of this movement,’ she added.

Under the MOU, the Philippines and Qatar will work toward encouraging tourist flows into each country.

It is also expected to solidify both countries’ intent to encou
rage tourism investments, promote familiarization visits for media and tourism experts, and further skills development of operators, employees, and specialists in tourism through seminars and specialized training.

Latest DOT data show the country has received 10,438 visitor arrivals from Qatar in 2023. Visitor arrivals have reached 3,784 from Jan. 1 to April 20 this year.

In terms of business events, both countries have agreed to promote exhibitions and conferences attractive to tourists, promote cooperation between other relevant exhibitions and conferences, organizing agencies; encourage exchange of organizational experiences in the field of business events; encourage familiarization visits in the field of business; exchange legislations and regulations; and provide possible logistical support at the international level for hosting exhibitions and international conferences.

A joint working team between the Philippines and Qatar will be formed to establish the work program and execution and evaluation of
the activities in line with the implementation of the agreement’s provisions.

Frasco noted that the DOT has worked towards strengthening Muslim-friendly and halal tourism offerings to cater to the needs of Muslim visitors.

Last June 2023, the Philippines was awarded as the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year at the prestigious Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CALAMBA CITY: Kidney patients in this city will soon have access to free dialysis, diagnostic, and laboratory services when a new medical facility becomes operational in about six months.

Mayor Ross Rizal announced on Monday that the new hospital may be opened to patients as early as October, barring construction delays.

The new state-of-the-art facility is located along Bacnotan Road Barangay Real, adjacent to the Main City Hall Building, and will offer a range of essential services once fully operational.

The ground floor will host the long-awaited dialysis center, while the second floor will accommodate the diagnostic and laboratory center.

‘With an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our citizens, the city government has allocated a substantial PHP100 million for the construction of this landmark building,’ Rizal said.

The mayor also thanked in advance the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (City Council), which he said will allocate additional funds for equipment and fixtures, ensuring the seamless oper
ation of these essential centers.

He also welcomed contributions from national agencies and philanthropic institutions, underscoring the collaborative effort required to realize the city’s healthcare vision.

Meanwhile, a representative from M.T. Maliuanag Construction Services, the project contractor, emphasized the spaciousness of each floor, totaling 1,624 square meters, and highlighting the meticulous planning behind this transformative project.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BAGUIO CITY: About PHP4.1 million worth of marijuana and suspected shabu were confiscated during the Police Regional Office-Cordillera’s (PROCor) anti-illegal drugs operations over the weekend.

Five suspects were also arrested.

PROCor regional director Brig. Gen. David Peredo reported on Monday that PHP3.314 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate sting operations in Abra, Kalinga, and Baguio City on April 19, while PHP800,000 worth of fully grown marijuana plants were destroyed in Tinglayan, Kalinga on April 20.

On April 19, police agents arrested a 22-year-old male, listed as a high-value individual (HVI), and an 18-year-old male student after they sold suspected shabu worth PHP5,440 to a poseur buyer.

Another 11.11 grams of the illegal drugs were recovered from their possession.

On the same day, cops arrested two male suspects aged 35 and 47 who sold 15 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP102,000 to a poseur buyer in Barangay Irisan, Baguio City; and a 38-year-old female suspect who was c
ollared in Middle Quirino Hill with 0.55 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP3,740.

Meanwhile, the 16,000 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants with a value of PHP3.2 million were discovered and burned in Kalinga province.

Another eradication operation on April 20 in Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan led to the destruction of 4,000 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants worth PHP800,000.

In 2023, the PROCor seized PHP4.62 billion worth of illegal drugs.

Source: Philippines News Agency