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Mexico, Pampanga honors BCDA chief Joshua Bingcang
Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang was recently commended by his hometown Mexico, Pampanga for his dedication to public service and exemplary leadership, enabling him to rise from the ranks. The Sangguniang Bayan of Mexico on 11 September 2023 presented Bingcang a copy of Municipal Resolution No. 138-2023, which expresses the municipality’s “pride and honor” on the recent appointment of Bingcang to the top management position of BCDA. This comes on the heels of the Angeles City Council’s resolution last month commending Bingcang for bringing pride to the province of Pampanga. “Engr. Bingcang has performed vital tasks that prove his commitment and love for Pampanga and the Metro Clark areas through his roles in the planning and implementation of key projects,” a resolution issued by the Sangguniang Bayan of Mexico read. Bingcang led the completion of some of BCDA’s biggest projects, which serve as major social and economic growth drivers in Northern and Central Luzon. These are the completion of the Philippines’ longest toll road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway; the development of Clark Freeport Zone and the first phase of the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City; as well as the expansion and modernization of Clark International Airport. “We at BCDA will not be able to achieve all these accomplishments without the help of our public and private sector partners, like the Municipality Government of Mexico. A lot still needs to be done. We would like to get your continued support as we move forward with our One Clark vision, which will further put Pampanga and the rest of Northern and Central Luzon into the center of investment and development,” Bingcang said. Climbing the career ladder, Bingcang started working at BCDA as Project Development Officer III in 1996. He then held various positions on development and project management through the years until his promotion as Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Group in 2019. In March 2023, he was appointed as President and CEO of the Clark International Airport Corporation, a subsidiary of the BCDA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. then appointed Bingcang as BCDA President and CEO, taking his oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on 6 June in Malacañang Palace. Born and raised in Mexico, Pampanga, Bingcang is a licensed electrical engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines. He also attended an Urban Policy and Governance program at the Nanyang Technological University, and trained at the Harvard Kennedy School in Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure. -end- The post Mexico, Pampanga honors BCDA chief Joshua Bingcang appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoT chief seeks Rotarians’ support for tourism projects
A partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila, along with other Rotary Clubs in the country can realize the government’s objective of transforming the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia. [caption id="attachment_179067" align="aligncenter" width="2430"] Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, in her speech as guest speaker of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club's weekly meeting at the Manila Polo Club last 31 August, said it was her ‘sincere hope that with the partnership of the Rotary Club, as well as its members and the captains of industry who contribute in one way or another to the project of nation-building, we can ensure that our country — through tourism — will have a more primary role in Asia as a tourism powerhouse.’[/caption] This was the call made by Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Frasco after presenting the stance of the tourism industry in the country before members and officers of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club’s membership meeting at the Manila Polo Club last Thursday, 31 August 2023. Frasco reported that the efforts of the DoT, along with the whole-of-government approach ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in implementing the department’s projects with an eye to restoring the glory of the tourism industry has resulted as of 30 August 2023 into 3.6 million international arrivals, surpassing the total number of international arrivals last 2022. The figure is already 75.92 percent of the country’s target of 4.8 million tourist arrivals this year. “Philippine tourism contributed 6.2 percent to our gross domestic product in 2022; it is being hailed by our economic managers as the second growth driver in the first six months of this year,” she said. By the end of 2022, Frasco said the tourism industry has contributed over P1.87 trillion to the Philippine economy as a composite of international and domestic spending, representing a 67 percent recovery since 2019. “Tourism also contributed over 5.5 million in tourism employment, an 11 percent share of the national employment, and also represents over 93 percent in recovery from 2019 data,” she added. Frasco also said that the rallying of Philippine tourism after the battering it got from the pandemic stands at 66.3 percent, higher than the 54 percent average recovery of ASEAN nations in 2022. As per tourism receipts, Frasco said the industry has already breached P285.9 billion as of 31 July 2023. Pillars of Tourism The Tourism secretary stressed that to give the Philippines a fighting chance at standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its neighbors in the ASEAN region, her department had crafted the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028, which does not only focus on the promotion of tourism alone but also in analyzing and understanding the essential pillars of tourism. Approved by President Marcos Jr. last May 2023, the NTDP provides a framework to guide the development and implementation of programs, projects, and activities towards a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism industry. NTDP’s seven strategic goals include improvement of tourism infrastructure and accessibility; cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity; enhancement of overall tourist experience; equalization of tourism product development and promotion; diversification of the tourism portfolio through multidimensional tourism; maximization of domestic and international tourism; and strengthening tourism governance through close collaborations with national and local stakeholders. Putting the Plan into concrete action, the DoT hopes to have an accumulated total of 51.9 million tourist arrivals and 34.7 million tourism-related jobs in the country by 2028. Frasco said in terms of infrastructure, the DoT has partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve accessibility in the regions with tourism sites. “This is by constructing, rehabilitating and adding tourism roads leading to tourist destinations. This year, over 158 kilometers of tourism roads have already been constructed,” she said. Aside from this, Frasco said the DoT has also coordinated with the Department of Transportation in improving connectivity, primarily in the country’s gateways for the improvement of flights and tourist journeys. With this, Frasco said the country is starting to see robust recovery of connectivity in the country, including a 100 percent increase in flights in Clark International Airport; a 614 percent increase in flights in Kalibo International Airport; and over a 300 percent increase in flights in Mactan-Cebu International Airport, among other airports in the country. Moreover, she said they also partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the purpose of improving internet connectivity across 94 tourist destinations in the country. Connectivity in 47 of these destinations have already improved, according to Frasco. e-VISA Furthermore, Frasco said the DoT has engaged with other government agencies, namely the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the DICT, and the Bureau of Immigration for the streamlining of the visa application process, aiming to enhance convenience and accessibility for all international travelers, starting with Chinese visitors. Last 24 August, the DFA implemented the Philippine e-Visa system in Philippine Foreign Service Posts in China. The Philippine e-Visa will allow foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitor visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops and mobile devices. Other initiatives conceptualized by the DoT to improve the tourism experience include the “Hop in Hop Off” project; being part of the “Love the Philippines” tourism slogan; the “Philippine Experience”; facilitating a cultural tourism circuit development focused on heritage, culture, and arts to enhance current tour and domestic circuit offerings, which include Food and Gastronomy, Pilgrimage and Wellness, Living Cultures and Heritage, and an Arts caravan. In order to equip Filipino tourism workers, the DoT is set on training 100,000 of these workers and capitalize on the world-renowned Filipino hospitality. “We have already managed to train over 71,000 Filipino workers,” Frasco said. Optimistic “Frasco said the Marcos administration remains optimistic about tourism recovery and the resurgence of the nation. “Our numbers will indicate that tourism will continue to be a top economic driver that will provide massive employment and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos and our MSMEs,” she said. With the launch of the enhanced “Love the Philippines” branding, Frasco maintained that it would give the country a better opportunity to be reintroduced to the world. The post DoT chief seeks Rotarians’ support for tourism projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Canada wildfires inflict brutal toll on tourism, other areas of economy
Joanna Schlosser found refuge from advancing wildfires at a winery where she works, but is now dealing with a tourism downturn and other wide-ranging fallout on the business -- and Canada's economy. An inferno jumped Okanagan Lake and was barreling down hills behind her Kelowna home when a knock on the door woke up the family of five, ordering them to leave immediately. For two weeks, they stayed at a guest house at Quails' Gate winery with other evacuees, some of whom lost their homes. About 200 houses in the valley would be destroyed. "Your home is your biggest investment and with only five minutes to get out you start to reel about things you left behind that you might not ever see again," Schlosser told AFP. She also fretted about the grape harvest now underway. None of the 222 wineries in the region reported any direct fire damage. But they suffered a big drop in revenues as tourists stayed away during the peak month of August. Kelowna's airport and main highway closed temporarily. Tasting tours, weddings, and other events at the wineries were canceled. "We're now facing a pretty devastating season in terms of winery traffic and sales," said Schlosser. Across Canada, more than 15 million hectares (37 million acres) have been scorched, and 200,000 people displaced, spanning from Halifax on the Atlantic coast to parts of the Northwest Territories. Stephen Brown of Capital Economics noted that forest fires do not normally have a measurable impact on the Canadian economy. But this year, he said in a research note, "With the fires so widespread, we are seeing more of an impact than usual." "The worst Canadian wildfires on record appear to be behind much of the recent weakness in GDP and, with more areas now under evacuation orders, the data are likely to remain weak in the coming months," he said. Sun blocked, roads closed Statistics Canada on Friday reported a 0.2 percent contraction in the second quarter and a weak start to the third. It pointed to wildfire disruptions at mines and oil facilities. Lumber mills were also idled. Outfitters saw their livelihoods upended by fishing bans. A road to Tofino, a tourist hotspot on Vancouver Island with ancient forests and sandy beaches, was cut off. In the Okanagan Valley, orchards lamented smoke blocking out the sun delaying the ripening of apples. The toll, however, is "not as bad as it could have been," said Tony Stillo at Oxford Economics. "Even though the wildfires are record-setting, they're happening in more remote areas with less of an implication for large population or economic centers or transportation corridors -- things that would cut off supply lines," he explained. Disruptions have also been relatively short. Oxford Economics in a June report warned that wildfires could slash Canada's economic growth this year by as much as 0.3 to 0.6 percentage points. Firefighting costs rise Ottawa estimates the annual cost of fighting wildfires at Can$1 billion (US$737 million) and noted that, according to the Canadian Climate Institute, climate impacts such as more and bigger fires could halve Canada's projected economic growth in the coming years. By 2030, the average annual losses from disasters are forecast to reach Can$15.4 billion. Insurance losses have already jumped fivefold since 2009 to more than Can$2 billion annually, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The bureau's Jason Clark said the number of catastrophic events and insurance payouts will continue to rise. Most worrying, he said, is that Canadians aren't dealing anymore with one localized disaster every few years or decades, but rather "several events stacked on top of each other in a single year" -- including fires, floods, heatwaves, and powerful storms. "Where countries regularly experience large losses it has a significant impact on insurance risk assessments and premiums," he said. "We need to be better prepared." Back at Quails' Gate, Schlosser assessed the smoke's impact on grapes, noting that the industry has developed mitigation techniques. "Sometimes it works quite well and others (the smoke taint) is just not something you can avoid," she said, adding that "sommeliers may talk about it in terms of terroir like it's part of that vintage." Smoke taint can add character to a wine, but also risks producing overpowering burnt or medicinal notes. The post Canada wildfires inflict brutal toll on tourism, other areas of economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reclamation opposition, misplaced and misleading
In what appears to be a move that might be viewed as laced with political undertones given the US’ ongoing conflict with China, or at best a misplaced and misleading concern, the US Embassy thru its spokesman issued a media statement stating: “We have expressed concerns about the long-term negative and irreversible impacts to the environment, the resilience to the natural hazards of Manila and nearby areas, and to commerce.” “We are also concerned that the projects have ties with the China Communications Construction Co. or CCCC, which has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese build and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea.” The US Embassy communication reminded of the World Bank’s 8-year debarment of CCCC’s predecessor of its funded roads project improvement in the Philippines. There are presently six approved reclamation projects by the Philippine Reclamation Authority, i.e. Horizon Manila (Manila), Manila Waterfront City (Manila), the Navotas City Coastal Bay Reclamation Project, Pasay Harbor Reclamation Project, 360-Pasay Reclamation Project. Curiously, the US Embassy is zeroing in on the Manila Waterfront City simply because the Gatchalian family that runs it has for its business partner the China Communications Construction Co. What do the experts have to say about the environmental concerns on reclamation projects? As early as 2013, the renowned Filipino architect and urban development planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, debunked fears about reclamation projects, particularly on their effect on the environment. Palafox shrugged off criticisms that a reclamation project in Manila Bay would place Manila more vulnerable to storm surges. Palafox, who designed two reclamation mega projects in Dubai, the Palm Islands Resorts and Map of the World, which are both acknowledged architectural wonders and tourist destinations, said that a reclamation project is OK provided “it is planned, designed, engineered, and implemented properly.” He pointed out that reclamation projects have been done in many parts of the world but there were no environmental impacts on the communities. He cited the example of Singapore, recalling: “Like Singapore, it used to be 65,000 hectares. They reclaimed 6,000 ha, so (it’s now) 71,000 ha. But they did it properly.” He added experiences in Dubai. Hongkong and the Netherlands showed that those fears of reclamations are unfounded. Palafox also pointed out that reclaimed land may be designed as a natural barrier against tidal waves. He also explained that concerns about the environment and the economy could be addressed simultaneously through thorough planning, citing the example of Dubai. “Dubai was able to expand its waterfront from 70 kilometers to 2,000 kilometers through reclamation. The Philippines has the longest waterfront but we don’t use our waterfronts properly.” Another expert on the matter, a former official of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Leo Jasareno, expressed support in 2013 for a plan of the late Mayor Alfredo Lim to build a reclamation in a portion of the Manila Bay. He cited two airports built on reclaimed lands, the Singapore Changi Airport and the Hongkong Airport. He dispelled apprehensions that reclamation will cause flooding. He cited a study by the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Science. “Studies show that some parts of Manila experienced land subsidence due to over extraction of groundwater as water from wells. Sea levels will continue to rise due to global warming. The land is sinking while the sea level continues to rise.” Palafox agreed with Jasareno saying that: “If done properly, it is the solution to flooding in Metro Manila, it is the solution to tsunami; solution to storm surges, solution to (producing) prime land.” Jasareno likewise said then that reclamation “could be Manila’s defense against climate change. Reclamation is a normal development option and can be good if properly engineered and the drainage system (is) properly installed.” In a statement, the Gatchalian family said that their company is compliant with all government regulations which is precisely why it has been given, like the others, the approval to proceed with the reclamation by the Philippine Port Authority. As regards the CCCC, the regulating agency is aware of its participation in the reclamation project and it must have exercised due diligence on the matter. Suddenly just because the US has raised concerns, which, evidently, are misplaced and misleading, given the expert opinions of those knowledgeable on the subject plus the favorable experiences of other countries with their reclamations, some eager beaver officials of the government are making noise about it and have expressed intentions of investigating while subtly implying irregularities in the approval of the reclamation projects. Another opportunity for self-projection and publicity for them. A nasty and odorous habit they can’t escape from. The post Reclamation opposition, misplaced and misleading appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNR: Massive train projects drive growth
State-owned railway company Philippine National Railway or PNR said the massive pipeline of train projects will not just offer convenience to commuters, but it will also help the economy trim the revenue losses due to traffic congestion, especially in Metro Manila. “Our commuters deserve to experience the luxury of riding on a train safely and comfortably. Aside from that, improving our train systems will also ease daily traffic,” PNR chairman Michael Ted R. Macapagal said in an interview at Straight Talk on Tuesday, an online show of the Daily Tribune. “The economy loses billions of pesos in traffic in Metro Manila daily. But the President, with the help of the Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, will push to revolutionize the entire transportation system in the country. The Philippines will be different in five to six years,” Macapagal explained. According to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about P3.5 billion is lost daily due to the congested Metro Manila roads. Citing projections by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the economic losses could balloon to P5.4 billion daily by 2035 if the gridlock issues will be unresolved. In his second State of the National Address on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. bared that the DoTr will take on railway projects with a total length of more than 1,000 kilometers. The pipeline includes the following: PNR North Long Haul, 853 kilometers; Panay Railway, 100 kilometers; North Mindanao Railway, 54 kilometers; and San Mateo Railway, 17 kilometers. According to Bautista, all of these projects have secured funding to initiate feasibility studies. He said procurement is now ongoing for consultancy firms to create the feasibility studies for the rail projects lined up by the administration. “We initiated several railway projects, with a total length of more than 1,000 kilometers,” the President said. “Roads, bridges, and mass transport systems will be interconnected. This network will provide access and passage to vital and bustling economic markets, such as agriculture hubs, tourism sites, and key business districts,” Bautista said. PNR North Long Haul will be composed of four phases: Clark-La Union, La Union-Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte and Cagayan Valley. It is envisioned to link strategic infrastructure, logistic system, and economic zones such as the Clark Freeport Zone, Poro Point Freeport Zone, Laoag International Airport, Port Irene, and Cagayan North International Airport (Lal-lo Airport). The Panay Railway project seeks to establish a modern and efficient railway system across the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. The railway will serve as a vital link between major cities, towns, and economic hubs, facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people. Northern Mindanao Project, meanwhile, involves the financing, design, construction and operations, and maintenance of a 54.8-kilometer high-capacity, initially inter-city passenger railway system that will span across the highly urbanized city of Cagayan de Oro, connecting the Municipalities of Laguindingan and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. San Mateo Railway is aimed to be built as a 17-km feeder railway line that connects LRT Line 2 to the municipalities of San Mateo and Rodriguez in the Rizal province. The post PNR: Massive train projects drive growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Central Luzon: Burgeoning industrial hotspot
AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. strengthens its foothold in Central Luzon with Pampanga Technopark. The 270-hectare development is the first master-planned agro-industrial township in this region. The development will be home to manufacturing and logistics locators, a bagsakan or agricultural wholesale market and commercial-retail spaces for the township’s social and recreational activities. With 270 hectares of gross land area, Pampanga Technopark will serve as a mixed-use development. Currently, phases 1 and 2 are registered with the Board of Investments as Domestic Industrial Zones, with phase 3 lined up next. With shopping, dining and recreational spaces soon to rise in Pampanga Technopark, the development is designed to bring lifestyle experiences to the communities working and residing within or around the area. Pampanga Technopark is allotting 2,000 sqm of gross leasable area across over 30 retail spaces featuring homegrown Kapampangan restaurants, plus several retail and service merchants. On top of this, lots are also available for commercial uses such as shops and outlets, medical centers, offices, co-working spaces, business hotels and more. There will also be a variety of quick service restaurants and a gas station for motorists. Moreover, Pampanga Technopark will be a new location of a bagsakan (agricultural wholesale market) which will be complemented by ALLHC’s ALogis and ALogis Artico facilities, all slated for completion within the first half of 2024. The ALogis ready-built facilities will span 8,000 sqm of warehouse space, while ALogis Artico cold storage will feature 5,000 pallet positions with temperature ranging from 10°C to -20°C. The bagsakan will cover 3,000 sqm of space, offering both wholesale and retail of agricultural produce and local products within the marketplace. All components will support the agriculture supply value chain in Luzon. Accessibility and convenience Located in Mabalacat City, one of the biggest transportation hubs in Central Luzon, Pampanga Technopark will be accessible through various major road networks including the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and MacArthur Highway. Additionally, the North-South Commuter Railway project will soon connect the existing Tutuban (Manila) Station to Clark, thereby contributing to the city’s economic progress. Pampanga Technopark is poised to serve as a gateway to the international markets. Strategically located near major infrastructures, it is approximately 30 minutes away from Clark International Airport and an hour away from Subic Bay International Terminal. The upcoming New Manila International Airport will be roughly an hour away from the development. A sustainable development For many years, ALLHC has been a trusted industrial real estate company for creating sustainable environments that support businesses. The soon-to-rise Pampanga Technopark bears with it the promise of connecting commerce and communities. As a dynamic center for business and leisure activity, Pampanga Technopark ensures pedestrian mobility and transit connectivity with allocated sidewalks throughout the township and an easily-accessible public transport terminal serving both in-city and regional transit routes. Helping improve the property’s resilience to environmental stress and geohazards are native trees to be used for landscaping, five detention ponds serving as spaces for rainwater absorption and green and open spaces including a dedicated 1.2-hectare park area. Countryside development ALLHC aims to build its national footprint by being in 10 key areas by 2025, creating a network of industrial and logistics developments by following the key road infrastructure and the nautical highway. “We will introduce a modern food terminal and this will be supported by our cold storage and dry warehouse facilities. Farmers from Northern Luzon and all over Central Luzon can bring their produce here, and we can preserve and store them with the proper facilities. We hope this would help all the farmers and our supply chain,” shared ALLHC president and chief executive officer Jose Emmanuel H. Jalandoni. He added, “What is happening here in Pampanga Technopark is a new township. Industrial park, agro hub, commercial, retail — beneficial to all Pampangueños. Through Pampanga Technopark, we are committed to work together to create employment opportunities for all Filipinos.” BOI executive director for Investment Promotion Services Evariste M. Cagatan stated, “ALLHC has been a steadfast partner of the BOI in providing location options for potential investors, and our partnership has been proven effective in matching investment-ready locations to our local and foreign investors. We are very excited with this project as it shows support in the government’s proactive stance to promote economic activities outside of Metro Manila. There has never been a better place and a better time to make it happen in the Philippines, and this time, we will make it happen right here in Pampanga.” The post Central Luzon: Burgeoning industrial hotspot appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Angeles welcomes new BCDA chief
ANGELES CITY — The local government here has welcomed the appointment of Clark International Airport Corporation president and chief executive officer Joshua M. Bingcang as the acting PCEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. According to Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., the appointment of Bingcang as acting PCEO will further speed up development of the flagship projects of the government in the Clark and Subic growth corridor. “With the growth of the two Freeports, we can expect a trickle-down effect on the contiguous areas of Clark and Subic. We expect to gain massive job opportunities for the people of Angeles City,” said Lazatin. Among the projects include the Clark-Subic Railway Project that will provide seamless transport of people and goods between the two growth areas. Earlier, Lazatin said Bingcang’s leadership at CIAC augurs well in the development of the Clark International Airport, now one of the busiest airports in the country. He added that Bingcang is knowledgeable in the developments of the Clark and Subic growth corridor having been senior vice president for Business Development and Operations Group of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and head of the New Clark City Project Management Office and SCTEx Services Department. Bingcang had supervised BCDA’s biggest development projects when as former project manager of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway Services Department, he supervised the construction and maintenance of the 94-kilometer expressway. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Holy Angel University. He was appointed to the top CIAC post last 24 April. The post Angeles welcomes new BCDA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Clark as premier destination afoot
CLARK FREEPORT — Government and private agencies collaborate to enhance Clark as a premier tourism destination, leveraging the potential of Clark International Airport as the primary gateway to the world. This commitment was solidified during a recent committee meeting on the Enhancement of the Utilization of Clark International Airport held on 1 June. Attended by officials from the Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation, Clark Development Corporation, Clark International Airport Corporation, and Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation, the meeting focused on devising strategies and action plans to streamline operations at the airport, enhance the passenger experience, and attract more global airlines to expand their services in Clark. CDC president and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera conveyed the state-owned firm’s commitment to the comprehensive development of the Freeport and CDC’s support for the optimization of the Clark International Airport. During the event, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco reiterated her agency’s dedication to promoting Clark as a major gateway. She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among various agencies to highlight the region’s attractions, cultural heritage and diverse tourism programs. In line with President Marcos’ vision to enhance the country’s tourism and travel industry, key officials are strategically utilizing Clark airport’s capabilities and global connectivity. “Our President has directed us to enhance our gateways while on the other hand, opening up the Philippines to tourism and travel. This includes resuming international and domestic flights, adding more routes, and specifically including new routes to and from Clark,” she said. To ensure a safe environment for tourists and combat human trafficking, CDC has taken proactive measures and partnered with relevant authorities, especially the Bureau of Immigration. “We had a meeting with Commissioner Tansingco of the Bureau of Immigration. We have identified that there is a need to review the policies in the clauses of the Joint Memorandum Order, because it appears that the ease of doing business between CDC and Subic in endorsing visas for immigration, particularly for working visas, has been abused,” she pointed out. “Yesterday, we gathered all relevant stakeholders and conveyed a clear message on behalf of CDC: We will not hesitate in canceling their Authority to Operate and we will not think twice about forfeiting investments should their operations negatively impact Clark. We are determined to maintain the integrity of Clark and we will not allow it to become a scam hub,” Devanadera added. This stern action, according to her, is intended to deter further abuses and ensure the integrity of all operations within the Freeport. Devanadera also reaffirmed to all stakeholders the commitment of CDC to promoting a business-friendly environment in and around Clark. The post Clark as premier destination afoot appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Clark Freeport Zone ready for business
With big-scale events in full swing once, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is ready to host various MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events with essential infrastructures, from transportation to recreational facilities, already in place to accommodate local and international guests. Supporting Clark Freeport Zone’s business tourism initiatives is Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City, the only leisure township in Central Luzon well-equipped with top-notch amenities to ensure personal and business travelers’ stay is as convenient and relaxing as possible. Strategically located at the heart of Clark Freeport Zone, Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is a two-hour drive from Manila via NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX and a short eight-minute drive from Clark International Airport. Access by sea is possible through the Subic Freeport Zone, while public transportation is available through Mabalacat Regional Bus Terminal. Meanwhile, guests from major cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul can have three- to five-hour direct flights. Additionally, the new state-of-the-art Clark International Airport can accommodate eight million passengers annually and is equipped with the latest technologies to make travel easier. The North-South Commuter Railway, once completed, will also help reduce travel time from Clark to Metro Manila to less than an hour. Award-winning amenities Filinvest Mimosa+ is a leading MICE destination in Central Luzon, providing award-winning amenities catering to various business events. At the heart of the property is Quest Plus Conference Center Clark, which received the 2021 Sports Tourism Awards Hotel of the Year for hosting the PBA & Asian Cup Qualifiers’ bubble in 2020 and 2021. It offers the Magellan Ballroom, a 2022 ASEAN MICE Venues Tourism Awardee that can accommodate up to 550 guests. Aside from the renowned venue, Quest Plus Conference Center Clark also offers 304 rooms and luxurious grand villas, four multiple meeting rooms, and two Hilltop Convention Rooms. Mimosa+ also offers a diverse range of dining and entertainment options for guests. Food enthusiasts can relish the culinary delights of Mequeni Live, Mequeni Lounge and Charley’s Bar. Additionally, they can explore the breathtaking 128-hectare Mimosa Plus Golf Course, recently awarded Best Golf Course in the Philippines at the World Golf Awards 2022. This golf course now boasts two 18-hole courses — the Mountainview, known for its challenging terrain, and the Acacia Lakeview, renowned for its stunning scenery. The newly-furbished Mimosa Plus Golf Course Clubhouse has also added amenities such as the Mimosa Plus Golf simulators to help golfers practice their swing. Afterward, they can proceed to the recently opened Baker J Café, the new go-to café for French cuisine. The ideal destination for large-scale events The outstanding features found within Filinvest Mimosa+ allow guests to enjoy many fitness and recreational activities. They can utilize the property’s vast open spaces by running quickly or biking around Acacia Park, which features tree-lined biking and jogging lanes, a pavilion and seating areas. The enormous green landscapes of Acacia Open Grounds are available for recreational activities, perfect for families and friends. It houses fun and creative installations where some of the biggest cycling and leisure events were held. This includes the Philippine Cycling Festival Fun Ride, the Tri-Factor Duathlon, Titan 77.7 Philippines, and the Clark City Marathon. It also recently hosted The Bull Runner Dream Marathon and the two-day Philippine Cycling Festival 2023, an annual cycling event with more than 3000 participants. Soon, the Mimosa Basketball Court will be transformed into a multi-purpose court that can cater to sports such as Basketball, Volleyball, and Badminton. [caption id="attachment_134421" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Without a doubt, Filinvest Mimosa+ is a vibrant live-work-play township.[/caption] Thriving live-work-play township Complementing this well-balanced nature landscape, Filinvest Mimosa+ offers other developments worth visiting for investment and retail opportunities. The state-of-the-art WorkPlus, which already has four completed buildings and one more underway, offers business spaces conducive to growth and work-life balance. The Crib, a co-living residential area for the contemporary, has two available buildings for leasing and is set to launch two more buildings. There is also the Mimosa+ Retail Strip, a lifestyle and recreational strip that will soon open with various high-end retail and dining options, open for leisure and sports facilities partnerships. For residents looking to relocate to Clark, the Golf Ridge Private Estate, now available for pre-selling, offers an exquisite country-club lifestyle with a picturesque view of the neighboring golf course. Lastly, with the construction in full swing, the Mimosa+ Lifestyle Mall will be the new regional shopping and dining center destination. Moreover, investors and end-users looking to relocate or set up their business in the area can already find foreign investors, including the USA, Japan, Australia and South Korea, as Clark Development Center offers business-friendly terms and incentives. Processing of permits, license registration, and application are made more efficient, with approvals in less than three weeks. Without a doubt, as a vibrant live-work-play township with a host of award-winning amenities, Filinvest Mimosa+ is the destination in Clark Freeport Zone that’s ideal and capable of business tourism and leisure travel with family and friends. The post Clark Freeport Zone ready for business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Katrina Ponce Enrile: A woman worthy of her name
Anyone who had come of age in the late 1970s and the 1980s would surely know about the most famous names and faces of the younger set of the era known for the coming of age of feminism and women’s lib. The 1960s may have ushered in a cultural revolution but it was in the succeeding decades that the cataclysmic events of the decade that was, in the Philippines, would manifest in the ways and attitudes of Filipino women. I mention this phase in our history because I am sharing my thoughts on one woman whom many consider as one of the country’s most powerful, influential and successful. She is Katrina Ponce Enrile. I may not privy to the growing-up years of Katrina Ponce Enrile, and I would not have the advantage of seeing her from the point of view of someone old enough to observe the growth of a child, but as a teenager, I would occasionally read about her and see her on photographs published in newspapers and magazines, although not too frequent. I just knew she was not only well-bred and beautiful in the mestiza sense being the daughter of a striking beauty of a mother (and the granddaughter of a handsome playboy of a paternal grandfather), but that, she too was brilliant. I would assume that she got her brains from her father, one of the wonder boys of the Marcos administration. Katrina would, in time, be mentioned in juicy gossip now and then, but it was her smarts in enterprise and management that she would eventually be recognized, this notwithstanding the controversial stories that one occasionally heard of her family members. [caption id="attachment_134172" align="aligncenter" width="525"] KATRINA Ponce Enrile has always lived up to her parents ‘ expectations.[/caption] ‘Treat everybody with respect’ But to imagine her childhood and teenage years, one would suppose that for all the comforts that she might have enjoyed while living first in Urdaneta and then Dasmarinas Village, she had had to assert herself, she had once been overheard to say: “At 10, I had to fight a little bit harder to be heard” -- which was expected if one were the only daughter of a famous lawyer of a father and a lovely talented mother, herself a respected stage actress. But no matter that she had to deal with being the daughter of awe-inspiring parents, what she had been showered with, aside from her parents’ affection, was well-meaning advice. For one, it was from her dad and mom that she first heard the word of wisdom. “Treat everybody with respect — everybody. Because you don’t know what fate will bring you or them. People that you meet when you are going up, you also meet when you are going down.” No wonder that years later, as a businesswoman, she was very thoughtful in making decisions whether she was dealing with other top businessmen, her executives or the employees who served the family company at her beck and call. “I always think of how my actions and decisions would affect others,” she said in an interview with the Daily Tribune Lifestyle. No, for all the feisty woman that we know her to be, Katrina, was not advised to be aggressively pro-active when facing a conflict. The legendary Juan Ponce Enrile, instead, cautioned his daughter: “Never throw the first punch. But if they throw the first punch, then…” This, she would take to heart whenever she had had to face corporate, social or emotional bullies, not that she is one to attract people prone to violating her rights. [caption id="attachment_134173" align="aligncenter" width="525"] As the only daughter of Juan Ponce Enrile, the most famous native son of Cagayan, Katrina brings to her new job an affection for the province and Cagayanos and the whole Cagayan Valley.[/caption] One imagines her father might have preferred her to be a boy, JPE being a man’s man, but to which she would have retorted: “Dad, I don’t have to be a boy to be what I am now… Girls can do it too.” Call it outright confidence, or chutzpah, or maybe it’s Pinay pride, but Katrina is not one to be cowed. And yes, she could lead and fight and attack, but as her father would most likely say: “Only if they attack first.” Self-assured executive What I have heard of Katrina, especially from my dear friend, Carol Mercado, who was her classmate at St. Paul College, is her signature confidence. “From our youth, when she could be stubborn, she has matured steadily into a self-assured executive no wonder that she has accomplish much as an entrepreneur. “It’s a paradox that while she may have been underestimated at times and even flat out rejected, she knows how to overcome these challenges because she is one creative person and she is not one to easily bow down or to say no. But then, she is not even outright assertive. She could be very charming and before any nemesis would know it, she has gotten what she wants without lifting a finger.” It would seem that the lady would have aimed for political eminence, being the daughter of the powerful JPE, but to everyone’s surprise, she had chosen to create a name outside of her inherited box (or confines), so to speak. While she takes pride in being an Enrile, she has not taken advantage of her family name as though an amulet that would do wonders for her. Instead, she has chosen to rely on the old-fashioned values of industry, respect for others, commitment and determination. She might as well be girl scout, except more courageous, daring and trailblazing. Flexing her risk-taking muscles In her 20s, when her friends were disco dancing, she was, to use another friend’s words, “flexing her risk-taking muscle and sharpening her foresight for the first time — pivotal experiences that would shape her business sense now admired by many.” She surprised everyone when, at 26, she bought properties in Palawan. “It was a big joke to many,” she recalled. “They could not see any reason I should take the risk and invest in a place where no one dared go. It was then no man’s country and perceived to be mosquito-infested.” Today, Palawan is a safe haven from the pandemic, and, of course, an investors’ paradise. On the other hand, her parents saw a promise in her, someone who would play a key role in the family enterprises. They appointed her as Group Treasurer even before her 30th birthday, and with it the added role of overseeing the many concerns of the JAKA Group of Companies. It is quite a daunting responsibility given its extensive industrial reach –- food manufacturing and product distribution to marketing and logistics; forest plantation management; safety match manufacturing, property management and development; as well as IT, security and financial services. It would seem that, for a “beginner” in the big league, it was beyond Katrina’s grasp, and yet she lived up to her parents’ expectations. [caption id="attachment_134175" align="aligncenter" width="525"] SOME of Delimondo’s best products.[/caption] In time she would qualify as the firm’s COO and eventually CEO. Not one used to trumpeting her achievements, Katrina candidly shared: “I was able to turn around the company, helping navigate it through the debilitating Asian Financial Crisis in the mid-1990s. And when the peso devalued in 2008 to 2009, when we had [a] one dollar denominated loan which I had to quickly deal with, I was able to restructure our company and keep it afloat.” Soon, she would be trusted to manage JAKA’s investments, which “allowed me to dream of bigger things, this in the midst of an economic crisis and the pressure to survive it.” Her baby Delimondo When shopping in a supermarket or a grocery, the Filipino consumers, especially those who take their corned beef seriously, would pick the Delimondo brand. They would also put the brand’s Bolognese Pasta, Luncheon Meat, Yellowfin Tuna spreads and aromatic oils in their cart or shopping bags. Katrina confides, “Delimondo was my baby and was purely our family’s venture.” Her was a one-woman team that managed the brand’s marketing, sales and R&D. To introduce it to the market, she gave away cans of their initial recipes for free. “I wanted to offer something deliciously different, one that I enjoyed from my travels abroad.” [caption id="attachment_134174" align="aligncenter" width="525"] SHE is most proud of her baby, Delimondo.[/caption] It wasn’t long before investors would come in too aware that Delimondo operates its own plants that produce and package its own products. The company would soon expand and offers its manufacturing services to other products all the way to exporting them. In time and with Katrina at the helm, JAKA shifted to investing in other companies. But if her JAKA performance is impressive, anyone should take a look at her other achievements. To cite one, as the Philippines Overseas Telecommunications Operations director and CEO/president. She led the efforts to renew the company’s franchise that would allow it to provide the Philippines satellite services. For another, as director and president, she has brought into the Montemar Resorts Development Corporation and Montemar Beach Club Inc. not only her management expertise, but her exposure to top international resorts as a frequent guest. No wonder that Manila’s well-heeled consider these resorts as standard-bearers of local luxury travel. [caption id="attachment_134171" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Delimondo was my baby and was purely our family’s venture,’ said Katrina.[/caption] Transforming the upper east corner of Luzon Katrina also sits as the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority’s vice chairperson. In this role, she envisions making the province a model destination that easily rivals the country’s capital. “They’re considering appointing me as administrator. Once that post is confirmed, I will be fully committed to transforming the upper east corner of Luzon into another business area that the Philippines will be proud of.” As part of her vision, she plans to build a stronger point of economy with the available freeport and expand its potential by constructing an airport. To attract investors, she plans to boost incentives to encourage more players to relocate. “We plan to make smart cities there. I plan to make it very green. I plan to protect the lush forests. It’s really also known as the rice granary of the Philippines. I plan to push the transition from GMOs (genetically modified organism) to non-GMOs. I know that that will be a hard task but I plan to do it. I want to give the Filipinos healthy food for the next generations to come,” she states. Worthy and deserving As the only daughter of the most famous native son of Cagayan, Katrina brings to her new job an affection for the province and Cagayanos and the whole Cagayan Valley. She may have grown up in Manila, travelled the whole world, but her heart has always remained in the home of her father, Juan Ponce Enrile, and it is among his people, relatives and townsmen that she intends to pursue her next dream. There is no stopping this feisty Cagayanon. For her home province, she is out to conquer the world. But then, I must insist that this is not about being her father’s daughter, although there is no denying the great influence of JPE on Katrina becoming the woman that she has become -- strong-willed, passionate, forward-thinking. Still, Katrina could only thank herself most for being herself. That she accepted the challenges that came her way and faced them head on using her own gifts and advantages – which undoubtedly brought her to her destiny, one that she has arrived at and one that she has yet to fulfill. Indeed, if the women’s movement has reached this far, and women today now enjoy key positions in government, private sector and civil society, this may be attributed to the generations of women who have looked toward the future and embraced their destinies as key players in the affairs of humanity. Katrina is one of these women and we wish her all the best. No one could be more worthy of the challenge and deserving of the honor. The post Katrina Ponce Enrile: A woman worthy of her name appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pampanga’s Best Western Plus redesigns for MICE tourism
The hotel industry shared the biggest burden from the lockdowns brought on by the two-year pandemic. This, however, forced hotel owners to redesign their facilities to cater to customers besides tourists. To appeal to more businesspeople, the four-star Best Western Plus hotel in Pampanga is upgrading into a lifestyle center and food destination. “The opening of the new wing of the Best Western Plus hotel came at the right time. We were building it and deciding almost every day as the pandemic unfolded. We had to decide, follow through and look past the pandemic,” Jack Uy, chairman and chief executive officer of Savers Group Holdings, Inc. told the Daily Tribune. Uy said the hotel is still being renovated to add retail shops after welcoming its first guests in March at the new wing with 186 rooms along MacArthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga. [caption id="attachment_131550" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Presidential Suite.[/caption] He said the hotel has expanded through its lifestyle center, which occupies an entire building floor and features modern, luxurious and globally branded appliances and furniture for home, office and industrial. These cater to customer segments consisting of businesspeople and those in the middle to upper socioeconomic classes with more sophisticated tastes and combine business and leisure. “We call this our lifestyle center. People now shop because they build a lifestyle more than fulfilling a need. So, they’re not looking for just one or two items but everything that matches their lifestyles, from the appliance to the furniture,” Uy said. [caption id="attachment_131551" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Conference Room.[/caption] Uy said most of their guests, or 70 percent, are corporate executives and staff from local and multinational firms who gather for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits tourism. “Unlike other provinces, Pampanga does not have a lot of natural attractions like the beaches in Boracay or Palawan. That’s why over half of our visitors check in because of company meetings, events and team-building activities. It helps that we’re located near the airport and Clark Freeport Zone, an economic zone.” Property consultancy Colliers Philippines said Pampanga housed 36 percent of all offices in the country’s provinces. Information technology and business process outsourcing firms expanded outside Metro Manila in the first quarter of this year. This industry is expected to grow further by eight percent to 10 percent each year, as the Philippines has emerged as the world’s top IT-BPO destination, according to US-based Nexford University. [caption id="attachment_131552" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Lobby.[/caption] Last year, Colliers reported the Philippine Economic Zone Authority identified 42 ecozones in Central Luzon, including Pampanga, as the location for biotech centers, defense industrial complexes, halal and food production hubs, and jewelry parks, among others. The move is part of the government’s Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. The hotel also features several restaurants serving international cuisines: Mexican at Cactus Jack Smokehouse, Japanese at Namari, and Hong Kong at Legend. “Most people also visit Pampanga as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. But we want our local and foreign guests to have as diverse experiences as possible,” Uy said. The post Pampanga’s Best Western Plus redesigns for MICE tourism appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BCDA sole government agency to win Gold Quill award
Of the 395 entries worldwide, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority is the only Philippine government agency that bagged the most coveted 2023 Gold Quill Award of Excellence for its innovative annual report publications in the past three years. By pushing innovation to improve public’s access to information as well as telling stories behind financial data and technical reports to make it more appealing to its audiences, the “One Nation, One Legacy” BCDA annual report series from 2019 to 2021 met the high standards of the International Association of Business Communicators’ Seven-point Scale of Excellence, taking home the Gold Quill Award of Excellence in Publications. “This is not an ordinary feat for the Philippine government. At a time where many people and organizations were overwhelmed, this recognition demonstrates how important impactful, innovative and clear communication is to its stakeholders. We are humbled by this award that puts BCDA among the ranks of the best communicators in the world. Our vow is to continue setting the bar by reporting accurate financial and operational performances that are accessible and engaging to the public,” said BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa. Deviating from traditional government reports, BCDA’s “One Nation, One Legacy” series went beyond the usual financial statements by including human interest stories and eye-catching infographics and visuals anchored on corporate governance, business development, project management, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to communicate BCDA’s role as a catalyst of national growth and provider of economic opportunities for Filipinos. “We Win As One” (2019) featured New Clark City’s world-class sports complex completed in record time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. “We Heal As One'' (2020) focused on BCDA’s role in the whole-of-nation approach in dealing with the pandemic. And lastly, “We Build As One” (2021) highlighted how BCDA exercised political will amid a crippling health crisis to push for the completion of big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Clark International Airport terminal. For more than 40 years, IABC’s Gold Quill Awards have recognized and awarded excellence in strategic communication worldwide. The Gold Quill Awards honor the dedication, innovation and passion of communicators on a global scale with a focus on achieving solid business outcomes. Since 2008, more than 5,000 projects have been entered in the Gold Quill Awards. The IABC Gold Quill Awards program recognizes business communication excellence globally, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry. The post BCDA sole government agency to win Gold Quill award appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Scammers use fake signature of BI chief
The Bureau of Immigration on Sunday warned the public against con artists using the name of the agency’s chief to dupe people out of their money. BI issued the warning as an Australian reportedly sought the assistance of the bureau because his Filipino friend, “Victoria,” was allegedly detained at the Clark International Airport. The woman was supposedly departing for Australia but was “detained” for allegedly attempting to smuggle out 18 kilos of alluvial gold. A photo of the victim and a fake letter allegedly signed by BI chief Norman Tansingco were included in the swindling operation. In the letter, the Australian was being asked to pay $4,000 to secure an “ownership certificate” to legalize the woman’s transport of the mineral outside the country. Tansingco denied signing any such letter, and he clarified that the Bureau of Immigration has no business inspecting the luggage of traveling passengers. There is a separate government agency for that, he said, referring to the Office of Transport Security. Likewise, Tansingco said that BI officers at any port are not authorized to receive money through wire transfers for immigration processes. The BI chief expressed his dismay at the incident. “These fraudsters even had the audacity to use my name and forge my signature in a document that was not even written well,” Tansingco said. “It’s the same story over and over again for these scammers, but this time they are targeting foreign nationals using Filipinos. Do not be victimized by these criminals,” he warned. The BI advised the public to be vigilant and to always verify the authenticity of any communication or document that they receive, especially if it is asking for money. They also advised the public to report any suspicious activity to the BI or the nearest law enforcement agency. The post Scammers use fake signature of BI chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BCDA marks new milestone
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority recently clinched two Gold Awards from the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards as the agency continues to intensify efforts on uniting people. The BCDA won the award for its innovative storytelling and creative design in the highly prestigious award. The “One Nation, One Legacy” BCDA annual report series from 2019 to 2021 was awarded the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Annual Reports. Meanwhile, the annual report of “We Build As One” garnered the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Government Publications. According to BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa, these awards signify additional feathers to BCDA’s cap, three years after winning two bronze medals in the 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for the 2018 Annual Report, “Clark. It Works. Like A Dream,” and the BCDA external newsletter, “Collective.” She added that the annual report is an important tool to connect the BCDA and its stakeholders as the agency continues to look for ways to make their content more accessible and engaging. “With these publications, we ask our readers to look beyond the data and see how BCDA’s accomplishments are also the accomplishments of the Filipino people. All these, while not forgetting to exercise transparency and accuracy in reporting our financial performance, as is our duty as a government institution,” Zosa said. “We are happy and very honored that the vastly prominent Stevie Awards has recognized our efforts. This inspires us to carry on with our task of ensuring effective communication with our stakeholders, including the military, our investors, and the public,” she added. Adopting elements of a lifestyle magazine both in terms of content and design, BCDA’s One Nation, One Legacy annual report series tells the story of BCDA and how its projects have impacted Filipinos before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The reports include human-interest stories anchored on corporate governance, business development, project management, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to communicate BCDA’s role as a catalyst of national growth and provider of economic opportunities for Filipinos. “We Win As One” (2019) featured New Clark City’s world-class sports complex completed in record time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. “We Heal As One” (2020) focused on BCDA’s role in the whole-of-nation approach in dealing with the pandemic and lastly, “We Build As One” (2021) highlighted how BCDA exercised political will amid a crippling health crisis to push for the completion of big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Clark International Airport terminal. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific region. The post BCDA marks new milestone appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The future of food
I met Ella, Singapore's first robotic barista, at Changi International Airport. Ella serves various drinks non-stop, from a classic latte to a Pandan Tea latte......»»
Airports and trains
Over breakfast some years back, in one of those times I had the opportunity to sit down with tycoon Ramon S. Ang or RSA, together with a small group of fellow journalists, he talked about the importance of having an airport express similar to Hong Kong’s much-touted MTR which connects the airport to the rest of the city. .....»»
MAP wants Metro under ‘state of traffic calamity’
Business group Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is calling on the government to declare a “state of traffic calamity” in Metro Manila, citing the economic losses from the congestion on roads......»»
Aboitiz Group raises 2024 capex
The Aboitiz Group is poised to expand its various business units this year, supported by a substantial increase in capital expenditures......»»
Sherilyn Reyes binabayaran pa rin ang P35-M na utang matapos ma-scam
UMABOT pala sa P35 million ang kailangang bayaran ng aktres na si Sherilyn Reyes-Tan matapos ma-scam sa kanyang bag business. Talaga raw namulubi si Sherilyn at ang kanyang pamilya nang todo dahil sa panloloko sa kanya ng isang doktorang kliyente niya na kumukuha sa kanya ng mga branded bags para maibenta. Limang taon na raw.....»»
Starlux to offer Clark-US flights
Clark International Airport will open its longest route ever in May as it is set to host flights to the US West Coast by way of Taipei through Starlux Airlines......»»