hiloguro's Datingish

Philippines buys 72,000 tons of US rice

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:53:44 GMT

Reuters

CHICAGO - The Philippines has bought 72,000 tons of U.S. rice for delivery May 15 through Sept. 30, said freight agent Trans Global Services on Thursday.

The National Food Authority was still negotiating shipping costs but the rice purchased was both old-crop and new-crop, said Ravi Singh of Trans Global.

Part of the rice will ship in September and the rest will ship earlier, he said.

The Philippines bought the rice using $75 million in credit guarantees from the U.S. Agriculture Department. The guarantees are part of USDA's GSM-102 program, which promotes sales of U.S. farm goods to developing countries by assuring lenders they will get paid even if a borrow defaults.

Manila will pay the shipping costs separately.

The Philippines, one of the largest rice importers in Asia, is struggling to source supplies this year as prices climb and many traditional suppliers such as Vietnam curb exports.

U.S. rough rice futures at the Chicago Board of Trade recently hit all-time highs of $21.60 per hundredweight in the spot contract and $21.92 in the July contract. Prices have risen due to rising Asian prices and a slow start to the U.S. planting season.

Aiko open to TV project with ex-hubby Jomari

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:59:34 GMT

Actress-politician Aiko Melendez said she's willing to do a television project with her former husband Jomari Ylana.

"Siguro darating 'yung right time na magkakasama din kami ni Jom...basta maganda ang script, something that the people will look forward to," Melendez told Kapamilya's daily morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda."

The Quezon City, 2nd District Councilor statement stemmed from reports that she could possibly work again with Yllana.

Yllana recently starred in a special episode for ABS-CBN's longest running drama anthology "Maalaala Mo Kaya" with his former girlfriend sexy actress Ara Mina -- the same person touted by many as the reason for the breakdown of Melendez' marriage with Yllana.

Melendez married Yllana in July 23, 2000 and they have a son, Andrei. After three years, their marriage was annulled.

On February 16, 2006, Melendez married model Martin Jickain with whom she has a daughter, Marthena. That second marriage quickly crumbled as well. After only a year, the couple separated. A court gave custody of their daughter to Melendez.

Yllana and Melendez, however, have remained good friend through the years.

Melendez , who is the daughter of actor Jim Melendez, said showbiz will always be a part of her life.

When asked if she would like to do an MMK episode, Melendez replied: "I wanna do MMK, I'd been really looking forward talaga na gumawa ng MMK whether kasama ko si Jomari or hindi, gusto ko talaga gumawa ng MMK.

Last Friday, June 30 MMK featured ex-sweethearts Ara Mina and Jomari Yllana. Their MMK was their first reunion project after they broke up in 2004.

And for the June 6 episode of MMK, watch out for veteran actress Helen Gamboa as she portrays the life of a mother who's facing all the challenges and taking all the heartaches for her dying son.

S. Korea to halt visa-free travel for Bangladesh over illegals

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:15:21 GMT

Agence France-Presse

SEOUL - South Korea will halt visa-free visits by Bangladeshis because almost all of them fail to return home on time, the justice ministry said Monday.

Seoul notified Dhaka of the decision in April and it will take effect on July 15, the ministry said.

The two countries under a 1983 treaty allowed their citizens to visit for up to 90 days without a visa on condition they do not work.

Among the 4,503 Bangladeshis who came under the program last year, 96 percent became illegal residents, according to the ministry.

The illegal residency rate was consistently high in recent years, with 96 percent in 2004 and 95 percent in 2006.

"This measure was an unavoidable one in consideration of the fact that the illegal residency rate of Bangladesh citizens in Korea has been significantly high," the ministry said in a statement.

About 13,000 Bangladeshis were living in Korea last year, 80 percent of them illegally.

About one million foreign workers, mostly from China, Vietnam and the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, live in South Korea. They usually hold low-paid laboring jobs in and around industrial complexes.

An estimated 229,000 or 23 percent of them are here illegally, according to the ministry.

Genetically modified crops get mixed response in Asia

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:00:40 GMT

Agence France-Presse

With food prices hitting record highs the jury is still out in Asia as to whether genetically modified crops hold the key to future food security.

The Philippine government has openly embraced the commercial growing of genetically modified corn, but neighboring countries appear less than enthusiastic.

"There has been a lot of talk about developing high-yielding crops and crops that can cope with climate change using GM seeds," said Daniel Ocampo, a genetic engineering campaigner with the environmental group Greenpeace.

But, he said, the technology was still a long way from "addressing these needs."

Even so this has not stopped the Philippines from subsidizing the production of GM corn.

"This is despite the fact that GM corn and some conventional varieties have the same yield potentials," Ocampo said.

While Japan does not grow GM crops due to safety concerns among consumers it does import GM grains for use in making products such as cooking oil, animal feed and manufactured goods.

Japanese companies have been reluctant to test the market for consumer-ready GM food because of labelling requirements and public safety worries.

While Japan does not ban GM farming, strict regulation has discouraged corporate investment in the area.

But with rising food prices causing increasing concern in a country that imports more than half of what it eats, the government has said that GM crops may be a way to ease food security and environmental problems.

"Because of strong public concern about consuming genetically modified food, it does not make business sense for Japanese firms to farm genetically modified plants commercially," a Japanese farm ministry official said.

"However, given the expansion in the cultivation of GM products abroad and rising demand for food, we are reviewing ways to have the option of commercial farming in the future," he said.

In South Korea a law which came into effect on January 1 this year imposed strict rules on the import of GM seeds.

While there are domestic GM seed programs for experimental purposes none are for commercial use, an agriculture ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

"So far all imported GM seeds have been processed immediately after being cleared through customs," the official said.

"There have been no cases of imported or home-grown GM seeds being used for commercial cultivation here and we are not considering easing our rules despite price hikes," he added.

In Bangkok the regional headquarters for the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization said it had not seen any signs that governments in Asia were pushing for genetically-modified seeds.

"With modern agricultural technology countries should be able to produce enough food without genetically-modified seeds," said He Changchui, the FAO's regional representative for Asia.

"You don't need them. Just try to supply good fertilizer and good water," he said.

In China the State Council, or cabinet, issued detailed rules in 2001 covering safety, labelling, licensing for production and sales, and import safety policies of all GM products.

Xie Yang of the Development Research Centre, a major think tank under the State Council, said: "No genetically modified grain, including seeds, is allowed for edible consumption in China.

"Genetically modified products are allowed for indirect uses, such as making edible oil, but it must be labelled clearly."

There is successful research in China, but no commercial application yet, he said, adding: "It is said that there are breakthroughs in the research of rice and corn. But none is allowed on to the market."

According to Greenpeace's Ocampo the Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia, and possibly all Asia, to have a commercial GM food crop.

"The government would say it is because the Philippines should not be late in embracing a technology that promises to help increase the income of farmers and provide higher yields.

"But the fact is the Philippines is so close to the US that whatever policies the US have regarding GM crops we usually follow suit."

Dont worry, be savvy

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:00:03 GMT

WASHINGTON - Americans are feeling pessimistic about the economy. The most recent Conference Board report shows consumer confidence at a 16-year low in May, but that only confirms what everyone's been feeling.

People are worried about job loss, debt, rising prices and not being able to sustain their retirement. As one blogger recently wrote: "I have a constant stream of what-ifs in my head. What if we don't ever have enough money to retire? What if one of us lost a job? What if we had an emergency? In essence, a lot of my financial plans are motivated by fear."

Fear can be a positive and powerful motivator, when it makes you save for a rainy day, borrow less than you can, and buy the right insurance. But when anxiety about money makes you lose sleep or joy, it's time to manage the worries, as well as the cash. Here's how to quiet that whiny voice in your head.

Schedule the stress. Choose a time when you will allow yourself to worry about money. Perhaps 15 minutes before dinner? Or on Thursday evenings? If negative thoughts creep into your head at other times, just shelve them until the appointed worry time. During your worry sessions, allow your fears to run rampant. Then shut them up and move on.
Make a worst-case scenario list. Put everything on it that you could do if a crisis struck. Family members who would help? A second job? Items you could sell? Insurance policies or savings you could tap? Dialing the family back to one car? Be creative and don't censor the list. It's simply there to let you know that you have options.
Approach the worry logically and don't lie to yourself. Why are you worried about losing your job? Is your field or company in trouble? Are you worried about bills because you've borrowed too much? Once you get to the financial root of the worries, you can address it more directly.
Live below your means. It's almost always possible to spend less on a short-term basis, even if you are spending more for gas and food. Curtail nights out, fast-food treats or new clothes. Ratchet back the cable bill and get movies from the library. Car pool. Whatever it takes. Send the money you're saving to the spot you worry about most. If its credit card bills, start paying extra. If it's retirement, use the savings to bump up your IRA or 401 contribution.
Get a professional opinion. If debt is your problem, seek a sit-down meeting with a qualified credit counselor. Do this by contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies . Don't be in a big hurry to have either group negotiate a debt repayment plan for you, but do get advice on how bad your debt situation is, and how a professional would recommend paying it off. If you're more worried about the stock market's declines or your retirement, get a one-time review from a comprehensive financial planner. Find one from the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors or the Garrett Planning Network . If you feel unprepared for emergencies, review your insurance policies.
Dust off the resume, and the skills. If you're worried because your job seems tenuous, make yourself more employable. Take a course, brush up your skills, network with others in your field or get training for a more promising field. Keep your resume up to date.
Avoid the urge to make emotion-based financial decisions. Most people don't even realize it, but they are part of a herd: They buy stocks and houses when exuberance has reached irrational levels, and then sell those assets when the markets have fallen away by frighteningly large percentages. Don't do it. Get a plan and stick with it, and find other ways -- a cup of tea, a session on the treadmill, a warm bath -- to fight the fear.

Future IMF chief economist relatively upbeat on global economy

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:45:40 GMT

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Exec urges improved education to meet BPO manpower demand

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:21:09 GMT

By Jesus F. Llanto /Newsbreak

The Philippines should focus on implementing policies that will develop its education system and curriculum to meet the demand for workers of the business process outsourcing industry, a high-ranking official of BPO firm Sutherland said.

Dilip Vellodi, chair and chief executive officer of Sutherland Global Services, said policies on curriculum and education should be applied so the Philippines can maintain its position as one of the top outsourcing destinations.

Vellodi said the country must have a "strategic outlook" over the next five to 10 years and must continue to have a "highly educated talent pool". He added that educational institutions should produce more graduates who are qualified to work.

"Universities must ensure that their graduates are truly employable," said Vellodi. He added that schools must produce graduates who "meet the language proficiency requirements of the industry."

BPO firms in the Philippines have been complaining of low recruitment yield and lack of applicants who are fluent in English. Experts said that only 6-20 percent of the applicants are qualified to work in the BPO industry.

Jamea Garcia, executive director for talent of the Business Process Association of the Philippines said that if the current scenario prevails, the country might not have enough supply of workers in 2010.

The BPAP estimates that around 1 million workers will be employed by the BPO industry in 2010. The industry employed 320,000 workers as of 2007 and needs to recruit around 600,000 in the next two years to meet the target.

Training
Sutherland, Vellodi said, has trained 5,000 graduates across the country to augment its demand for skilled workers. He added that they have partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and local government units to set up recruitment and training centers.
The training, Vellodi said, is expected to create a Philippine-based talent pool for delivering high-end BPO services.

Vellodi added that Sutherland will invest P2 billion capital investments and will be spending P3.1 billion for salaries and workers training and development this year.

More sites in the provinces
The company, he added, is planning to expand by establishing their presence in new sites outside Metro Manila, where most of the BPO firms are located.
"We are rolling out a provincial model," Vellodi said adding that their company is planning to set up sites in Tarlac, Iloilo and two more provinces. Sutherland has operations in Makati, Clark, Davao City and Camarines Sur and employs around 5,600 workers.

"The results from our operations in Manila, Clark and Davao have been truly impressive and we look forward to leveraging that as wee continue to expand our presence in the Philippines," he said.

Vellodi said that they are planning to invest on areas that have access to infrastructure, high quality of talent and a political and business climate conducive to business.