More economic pain seen in 2009, but some hope too
December 31, 2008
SINGAPORE/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Many investors said good riddance on Wednesday to one of the worst years on record and prayed that government rescue plans will pull the global economy out of its fierce tailspin later in the new year. Read more
Bulacan pyrotechnics industry bleeding
December 31, 2008
MALOLOS CITY – Bulacan pyrotechnics manufacturers are counting on the law of economics to level the playing field for the local pyrotechnics industry against smuggled fireworks. Read more
Year 2008: Crisis after crisis hits RP
December 31, 2008
The see-saw economy, disasters both man-made and natural, sporting zeroes and heroes, and the usual political rigmarole dominated the headlines in the year just past. Read more
Jobless rate may double if crisis worsens in 2009
December 31, 2008
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday warned of a record high unemployment rate in the coming year due to the prevailing global economic crisis. Read more
Flour industry sees better year
December 31, 2008
The flour industry is expected to bounce back next year after a difficult 2008 wherein prices became unstable as a result of the sharp increases in oil prices. Read more
Karapatan
December 31, 2008
by Honesto General
from Philippine Daily Inquirer
On Dec. 10, in observance of the 60th year of the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the group Karapatan, at a news briefing in a Quezon City restaurant, presented a 32-page 2008 Human Rights Report, which was featured by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a front-page story. Read more
OFW scene
December 30, 2008
While a number of overseas Filipino workers, many from Taiwan, have been returning home jobless, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration records show that around 3,000 leave every day to work abroad.
As the OFW picture keeps changing, note these POEA concerns:
• The nationalization policy in many Gulf countries limits hiring foreign workers, particularly unskilled labor.
• Canada’s growth rate for the second quarter has slowed down. Some employers have requested that visa processing for OFWs be put on hold.
• Macau has adopted a policy to rely more on local workers and to fight irregular migration.
• Australia reports that fewer employers are willing to sponsors foreign workers under its long-term temporary skilled workers program.
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SLOWDOWN: Note these POEA observations on specific employers:
• Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest national oil company, is reviewing some big projects and has talked with contractors about reducing costs.
• Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has scrapped bids for the first phase of its Station P project in Hassyan.
• The Palm Deira project, the world’s largest man-made island in Dubai, will be scaled back, delayed or even cancelled because of financing problems.
• Nakheel has scaled back on work on Dubai Waterfront, the world’s largest waterfront development project.
• The ATH Garments factory in Brunei where 500 Filipinos work is downsizing. Brunei’s construction firm SDN BHD has reduced to 16 its 50 Filipino workers.
• Macau’s Las Vegas Sands is stopping part of its $12-billion development, displacing some 11,000 local and foreign workers.
• Austal Shipbuilding Co. made redundant 100 workers, 75 of them Filipinos.
• Hiring of health-care workers in Malaga, Spain, has slowed down.
• Italy’s largest trade union CGIL wants a temporary ban on foreign job-seekers.
• Five UK companies (Voltcom Ltd., Corus, Virgin Media, Glaxo, and British Telecom) have laid off 69 OFWs.
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PERSONAL: Friends who cannot call or text me because my celfon is not responding can email me at fdp333@yahoo.com and leave their contact numbers. I am reconstructing my directory.
We pay sewage service fee, but where’s sewer?
December 30, 2008
A WHAT?: All businesses and households in Metro Manila, home to some 12 million residents spread over 620 square kilometers, pay a hefty “sewer” charge with their water bill, but most of them are not even aware of it. Read more
CHED not worried over budget cuts for 21 colleges
December 30, 2008
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles III is not worrying over the reported cut on the budget of some 21 state universities and colleges (SUCs) made by the Senate, saying any such move would still be decided in the bicameral budget committee. Read more
92% of Pinoys enter ‘09 with hope – poll
December 30, 2008
Nine out of 10 or 92 percent of Filipinos look forward to the New Year with hope rather than fear, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. Read more
