Philippine Mining 2014 : 'the next 25 years ".


Mining Philippines 2014 : the next 25 years is running very hot , on discussion today . Being headed by Mr. Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez ,President of Chamber of Mines of the Philippines , President and CEO , Benguet Corporation one major plea from the government sectors " put mining industry in the top priority in the total National Economic Development Plan or National Industrialization Vision of the country".

Since , yesterdays September 16, 2014 the Mining Conference had been a mind boggling interlocutor for every think thanks , curious and the naive one.

It has been said that total Mine Potentials of Philippines for Gold alone can pay the total Philippine debt for almost eight folds . That its total worth if extracted could provide the total budget requirement of the Philippines 30 times. For now according to Global Minerals Reserved survey Philippines is the 3rd gold rich country next to Australia and South Africa.

However , despite of the great potentials of the Philippines its gross out in Minerals is only 6 percent of the total Asian Mineral Output as of today. Other Asian country's have been on their way exploiting the potentials of the mining industry.

Why the Philippines had been lagged behind in the minerals extraction capacity. Due to regulatory restrictions which is given, probably because for the last 20 years , the focus of the Philippines , speaking the Filipino populace is in the developing talents for the stage of entertainment. The academic significance of Science , particular Chemistry had not been the core of the over all economic agenda.

Today's Mining 2014 Conference , Senator Allan Cayetano , main proposition is to change the mindset of the Filipino populace regarding the environmental implications of the mining industry. By changing " Chamber of Mining ", to " Department of Minerals Extraction " would some how help , erasing the stigma of environmental degradation associated with the mining industry.

Since, Mining is correlated with Minerals, backed to the contention of neglect of academe of putting the research science base lead economy , the table of contents of chemistry seems much profitable than the motivated entertainment lead economy " fueled by the mtv generation".

Today's Mining Conference only talks about Extract Mineral like gold, copper, nickel , coal , but how many Minerals are there in the table of Chemistry ?, that needs to be prioritized given with huge budget since all these Minerals are currently abound in the Philippines?

What is more intriguing to ponder upon , in today's forum on Mining 2014 is the talk of Mr. Julian H. Payne on " Realizing Mining's Potential in the Philippines : Foreign Investments Can Help in the Prosperity of the Philippines, and on each Filipino lives?. Mr. Julian H. Payne, President , Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines opened his remarks with the famous quotation from English Playwright , William Shakerspearewhich simply says" lets take advantage with our potentials for with out doing so , we live in a quagmire of misery".

The experienced man as an economist , industrialist, organizational speaker leaves seven points to ponder for today's Mining 2014 delegates .

1. Large Scale Mining is essential for the Philippines to meet the large scale global demands .


2. Large Scale Mining is credible to catch up FDI foreign direct investment -necessary for mining co. to be global competitive meeting the demands of the global market.

3. Large Scale Mining is capable to be responsible given with its resources through its programmed in CSR corporate social responsibility.

4. Unchanged impediments in the mining sector affects FDI - like average effective tax rate.

5. Fiscal policy discourage mining sectors

6. Proposed banned of importation/exportation of raw ore affects in the inter link chain processes of the mineral industry and its by products industry ( processing and manufacturing).

7. Declared " No Go Zone" not based on land based use assessment " affects the major growth, strategy of the mining industry.


This restrictions and impediments in the industry , probably based on the myopic , uninformed bases . To give an example , a country like Norway is one of the few Nation which is rich in oil and gas deposits. The King knowing that its deposits is not forever ,knowing that such minerals is god endowed from them, the first thing He does is to set a "Oil Funds" dedicated for the whole People of Norway . Its a sovereign wealth to be passed on to the next generation. To make it sustainable ,the King deposits the fund in a major banking institution in Europe. The funds become a perpetual in nature. Just to ensure the next generation would benefits the same quality of lifestyle , comfortable living standard as what they are today ( the most admired county to live by due with its good living standard).

May be the Philippines government agencies , regulators , policy makers should also emulate that kind of King of Norway's thinking and simple strategy.

Because if the Philippines would not do so , what will be the next generation would look like?


SOFITEL LUXURY HOTELS , is the host of the Philippine Mining "the next 25 years " .


Henry Henry Casulla Estipona
0943-437-90-23
www.on-linexpress.blogspot.com
powered by : hp L1710 , Sofitel Luxury Hotels

Youth Participants : What is Mining for My future?

Honorable Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara , Chairman , Committee on Ways and Means, Philippine Senate , reacted on issues raise about the mining laws in the manner of its consistency upon implementation . The Youth participants for todays Mining Philippines 2014 have been actively participated from the students of Philippine University, De la Salle , Philippine Christian University.

" enforcement capacity, perhaps corruption and overlapping jurisdiction " undermine the needs to expedite on the amendment of the mining law , as stated by the senator.

Mining industry helps the country side for job generation , infrastructure such as roads ( as against of BPO -in hinterlands?), on top it , Mining industry is the only regulated industry where government mandated a 1.5 percent total gross profit for a Social Corporate Responsibility projects.

The Mining industry is a sustainable solutions to the epidemic 7% unemployment and the 28 % underemployment in the country today , justifying the needs to upswing operation of all mining companies in the Philippines.

The mining act of 1995 is quite better now , since its required the mining company to explore map the baseline flooring of the whole area to be mined . This is to inventory any endowment natural country's property in relation to minerals , endangered species monitored by the bureau of mine, companies representatives, and from the third party consultant with a foreign referee .

As to the fairness of the profit sharing , the mining industry is very regulated enough given that the collections of excise tax part of its 35 percent is given directly to host barangay ,this out of the total law mandated for 45 percent excise tax. The remaining ten percent goes and divided among municipal , provincial apportionment.

For this awareness that the host barangay , should be vigilant about their part share in the mining business given , with in their area.

To change the mindset of the common people against the bad effect of mining as it has been campaigned by various environmentalist ,every youth -students, educators should be at the forefront of making an information campaign that is pro responsible mining.

Being an educator " my role on the information campaign for the goodness of the mining industry lies on developmental approach, good governance, information and mine field experience ", said by Ma. Ella C. Oplas vice chair /asst. professor ,political science department from Dela Salle University.

Jennifer L. Bedore , asst. professor ,political science department , Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance ( Canadian Professor ) attended todays forum , as observer and networker.

The Philippine Law was originally conceptualized since 1930's , become a bill from 1935 , became a law since Manuel L. Quezon era from 40' to 60's . Its was world war II , the abrupted the law into making for its implementation . After the war 1945 , parity rights became into being. The equal rights under the American regime , however the foreign investors for 40 to 60 ownership discourage Americans then to pursue mining . From 1974 up to present that our Mining Law still into effect.

In the end , Mining Law of 1995 is good to into effect, what discourage the Foreigh direct investment to pour in the mining industry is the 10 percent gross tax levied to foreign investors.

Henry Henry Casulla Estipona
0943 437 90 23
www.on-lineexpress.blogspot.com

NBA STORE

FIRST NBA STORE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO OPEN IN MANILA LATER THIS YEAR

MANILA, PHILIPPINES , Sept.10, 2014 - The National Basketball Association ( NBA) today announced that the first NBA Store in Southeast Asia will officially open later this year in Manila, Philippines.

NBA Store Philippines will offer basketball fans a place where they can buy authentic NBA merchandise and memorabilia. The store will feature a comprehensive assortment of NBA products , including the latest performance and lifestyle apparel and footwear by adidas-- the official outfitter of the NBA worldwide. Merchandise featuring 30 teams will be available and fans can also find autographed memorabilia for exclusive products only available at the NBA Store Philippines . Other unique and interactive features will be revealed closer to the opening.

To celebrate the announcement , there will a series of fan activities and entertainment at the Glorietta Main Activity Center in Ayala Center from September 12-13 . The weekend will include meet and greet with celebrities, hip hop dance workshops , and even an NBA 2K14 face-off between celebrities and avid NBA 2K gaming fanatics. The public will also get a sneak peek of some of the NBA merchandise that will be available at the Store and stand a chance to win great NBA giveaways.

Portland Trail Blazers teammates  Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews , as well as NBA Champion and Legend Avery Johnson , the Laker Girls and the Denver Nuggets mascot, Rocky the Mountain Lion will make appearances and interact with fans.

" The passion and excitement of NBA fans in the Philippines have helped us deliver so many dedicated  Filipino NBA destinations across TV, social and digital media , events and NBA cafe , " said Scott Levy , Senior Vice President and Managing Director , NBA Asia. " It is only natural that the Philippines should also have the first NBA Store in Southeast Asia . This will present yet another opportunity for our fans to get closer to the game, and proudly display their loyalties to their favorite teams and players".

 About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around three professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association , the Women's National Basketball Association , and the NBA Development League. The league has established a  major international presence with offices in 13 markets worldwide, games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages , and NBA merchandise for sale in more than 125 ,000 stores in 100 countries on 6 continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2013 -14 season featured a record 92 international players from 39 countries and territories . NBA Digital's assets include NBA TV , which is available in 60 million U.S homes , and NBA .com , which recorded 26.9 billion page views during the 2013 -14 season, with more than half of all visitors originating from outside of North America. The NBA is the No.1 professional sports league on social media , with more than 675 million likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player flatforms. Through NBA Cares , the league and its teams and players have donated more than USD 237 million to charity, completed more than 3 million hours of hands on community service , and created more than 895 places where kids and families can live, learn or play.

Asian Forum on Corporate Social Corporate Responsibility now on its 13th year , have a success story of " building resilient communities " . The success story is todays , major theme of the CSR annual convention being held at Makati Shangri la hotel , Makati Philippines.

Federico M. Macaranas , Ph.D. Professor of AIM Asian Institute of Management , moderated one of the break out session summarizes the afternoon take out for the participants :

" We should never waste the benefits of a good crises".

The professor , that the very core of " building a resilient community " is by empowering each citizenry of member of the community. Because its by them who will decide on their own fate when confronted of disaster.

Though disaster preparedness can be articulated into a manual by each host company with in the community, and turn these manual into an integrated part of the community, by sharing its mandate, pre exercise its objectives by a series of public consultation, awareness campaign, orientation and training for each community and leaders, still the manual could only be of good used as guidance but can be bend according to circumstantial needs during the break out or disaster.

What is important is the keen to be creative in solving problems at hand during the disaster , the fall back position of the manual still could be an official guide . If not totally abandoned the ready made manual and opted for a more workable decisions accordingly as was told by the Mayor of Christchurch earthquake victims in New Zealand , as he's statement in the Asia Pacific Conference on sustainable communities held in Manila a few ago.

What is important is the presence of minds , and generic ways of solving struck disaster community in the midst of disaster.

Todays afternoon of conference about CSR , the participants were able to get to knew the ways and means of doing good CSR practices based on the actual experience of Adidas by selling in discounted all adidas shoes that has been damaged cause by the typhoon haiyan. The At @ T telecom company used the creative side of the worst scenario of typhoon , by selling block times of calls and distributed for free calls to the host communities affected by the calamities. The Mitsubishin the aftermath of Fukushima earthquake and tidalwave rebounce back by creative CSR activities .

The moderator further states, that by visiting himself of Indonesia Jakarta, observing the Asean Jakarta Disaster Coordinating council have all chorusly insist " Jakarta have all the geohazards knowledge of earthquakes, typhoons but all agreed to have a disaster management course for its good for every one to know the preventive side ,the theory, of disaster but to handle , properly manage it accordingly in practical way should be of given to every one.

In the Philippines , the private and local government unit have in consonant for creative collaboration . Its been in the Philippine LGU , DNA of funds allocating 5 percent for calamity funds of its entirety funds. The mandate out five percent is 70 percent should be set aside and use for disaster preventive mitigation . The community based of doing Corporate social responsibility version in the Local Government Unit is called " Purok System", cascades from the household set up . The LGU have mapped already the risk and vulnerability of each selected geographical areas , and form an collaborative information systems via GIS geographical information system, with CBIS community based information systems , together with the private company's own data systems . Based on this collaborative effort the shared values ,is the private company's employees location is mapped and can be monitored during the calamity. In all the risk and hazards associated to life and property is now predetermined at any given situation of time.

Supot Arevart general manager of the Thailand National Bank of Microfinance , attending the Philippines have been a believer of the Philippine good practices of doing creative CSR. Infact he attending in the conference and looking for books to buy about Microfinance and CSR for him to properly of good used to his country men.

David Astley, Executive chairman for the Media Alliance for Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Social Awareness, emphasized the benefits of social media during and after the calamity. Real time information is necessary for the CSR practitioners, policy makers, government agencies, International disaster response team to form a rescue , retrieval, relief operations like the Red Cross.

Paul Clarke of green ocean .com , speaks the importance of ocean and its core role on the lives of the archipelagic countries like the Philippines. Its a must therefore to prioritized the savings mechanism of the coral triangle, the mangrove , the regulations and policies in relations to sustainable harvesting of the abundance of oceans . Safeguarding rare , endangered species like whale sharks ( Butanding ), dolphins, sea turtles , and the coral itself .

One example of a good sustainable practices of ocean green is the Butanding Tourism initiative in Donsol Sorsogon, Philippines.


Likewise , the artifact of human history and archeological , architectural wonder should also be in mandates of CSR. Because its historical artifacts defines the cultural narratives, identity of each community.

The Angkor wat ruins in Combodia , as emphasized by the CSR attendee H.E. Mr. Aing Sovannroath , Deputy Director General Manager of Tourism is one also of the attendee of todays 13th CSR.

The 18th century St. Franciscan initiated church , located in the Barcelona patterned from Barcelona township is a tourism to behold as per Henry Estipona , the founder of Barcelona Historical Society , also an attendee of the 13th CSR corporate social responsibility summit with a theme: " Building Resilient Communities". The old Spanish town ship is an exemplar testimony of the theme .


Henry Estipona
Philippines

Waterlinks Forum 2014:

New Agreement Targets More Accessible Urban Water Services in Asia-Pacific

Manila, August 13, 2014- A new agreement signed this week at a gathering of public and private sector water experts will make it easier to expand partnerships for better water and wastewater management, benefiting tens of thousands of citizens in cities throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Signed as the WaterLinks Forum by the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID), Waterlinks , and the WaterLinks Alliance, including Miya Philippines Inc., ( Miya), Borouge Pte Ltd  (Borouge) , and the Indonesia Water Supply Association (PERPAMSI) , the memorandum of understanding ( MOU) sets out conditions to help improve urban water supply and sanitation services of at least 220,000 people in the region.

" The United States Government is committed to address the water crisis, " said Reed  Aeschliman, the Deputy Mission Director of the U.S Agency for International Development ( USAID) in the Philippines . " We value continued cooperation with regional development partners as well as local partners. This partnership will greatly improve vital water services and access for people living in cities that will lead to a higher quality life".

The MOU also helps water services providers to become more adaptive and resilient to potential impacts caused by climate change. Each of the MOU parties brings specific experience , technology , methodologies , and resources to promote partnerships in Asia.

This week's forum , hosted by WaterLinks ,with support from USAID and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) , brought together over 200 water service providers, practitioners and private sector and development partners from across Asia , the Pacific, Australia and the United States to discuss recent developments in solving urban water and wastewater inefficiencies and effective water operators partnerships. Participants learned about water loss reduction, wastewater management and reuse,water quality management and climate change resilience. Forum participants gained practical know-how to address urban water supply and wastewater management challenges and discovered the benefits of peer to peer learning and innovative technology applications through the partnerships.

WaterLink Alliance , a two -year public-private sector initiative supported by USAID , helps develop
partnerships that enable experienced water operator and other private sector partners to help less experienced water operator partners increase water system efficiencies that enhance and expand access to urban water and sanitation services. WaterLinks Alliance will work in collaboration with WaterLinks , ADB, UN-Habitat Global Water Partnership Alliance,Borouge Pte.Ltd., Miya Water Services and the Indonesia Water Supply Association.

WaterLinks is collaborating with Borouge and Malaysia's Ranhill Water Services to improve the water supply delivery system of the Denpasar Water Supply Company in Bali, Indonesia. Borouge is supplying over 2000 meter polyethylene pipes recognized for their durability and reliability against corrosion and leakage. Ranhil also offers practical training advisory services for Denpasar Water to reduce its water losses , thus building its climate resilience while improving water supply reliability.

SAGOT KITA BAYAN

LAUNCHING CEREMONIES

AUG.9, 2014 8:00-12:00 AM

KALAYAAN HALL CLUB FILIPINO GREENHILLS SAN JUAN CITY ,PHILIPPINES 

Sagot kita Bayan , a new multisectoral advocacy movement have just unveil today at Kalayaan Hall Club Filipino Greenhills San Juan City , Philippines headed by former Senator Atty. Jose D. Lina Jr.

Guided by the three tenets of virtue : Christ Centered , Competent, Compassionate to be embody by those who are prospecting to be on the fore front of private , public leadership.

Known for being voted as the youngest senator after the post EDSA electoral government ( Mdm. Corazon C. Aquino), just like former Senator Binigno Aquino II under the reconstituted 1935 Philippine constitution , Mr. Lina considered the first of its kind to be voted as the youngest Senator in the era of the newly reconstituted 1987 Philippine Constitution .

His achievement on his public service as law maker was the passing of the Lina Law known as the informal settlers and Anti hazing law.

Being a governor of his Laguna provincial town, he was one hailed as the governor who happened to save the highest mark in history . Making the town of Laguna as one of the billionaire club.

To date , with the pressing issues about the DAP Disbursement Acceleration Program , the senators agreed the unconstitutionality of the said funds based on how its processed and procured ( procedure), but the law itself creating the funds is somehow legal , though its apparently a citizen obligations to monitor each funds coming out from the DAP.

According to the Senator , Its embodied in the constitution RA 9184 for citizen to be aware and vigilant , " be an observer" , this mandate is given to the accredited NGO non government organization, and professionals .

For these efforts be fruitful, there is a urgent demand for the pending FOI bill ( freedom on information ) , be pass already into a law. This law provides for a more transparent , honest and integrity performance of each public officials especially the fund makers, solicitors, budgeters like the senators. Thru FOI bill, its promulgate for the mandatory opening the books of accounts of each lawmakers, his statement of of asset liabilities and networth.

With the new set up of apportioning funds for a certain projects each senator will pass their identified projects plans to their respective agencies concerns with the project, the secretary of the said agency will apportion, approved the said budget for the identified projects formerly passed by the senators or congressmen.

" However the loopholes , might be in the manner of agency estimates where in from the passing of estimates of total amount per projects , injunkment (costing mark up ) might be the possibility of the corruption",aside from the normal percentage commission during the (BAC) Bids and awards committee, as stated by the senator, " it is therefore that every one must really be vigilant , and be aware if we really we wanted to have a real changes in our society today.

To date for 2015 Philippine Government appropriated 2 .66 trillion ,of which 300 Billion goes to IRA ( Internal Revenue Allotment ) for LGU ( Local Government Unit) . This estimated budget comes from the local tax, real property tax, business tax , professional tax . Given with the old DAP system, this budgeted amount apportioned to the respective congressmen will be 70 million each and 200 million for each senators.

The new movement " Sagot Kita Bayan", will be launching a series of seminars regarding RA ( Republic Act) 9184 ),regarding rules and regulations on government procurement , for all the citizenry and concerns individual for them to be able to participate in observing how the the said budget /funds of government have been utilized.

The senator also sees , the pressing the demand for every Filipino to be resilient in the after havoc of climate change. Global climate change, due to carbon emmission is a global agenda, that needs to be priority .There fore he further encourage participants of " sagot kita bayan" official launching to be "risk mitigation and disaster responsive citizen through volunteerism".

Henry Estipona

Philippines

Until August 11, 2014 the SM Megamall is hosting the 10th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition and the 27th BAR Bureau of Agricultural Research

SECURING THE 100 MILLLION FILIPINO FOOD REQUIREMENT FOR TODAY AND THE NEXT GENERATION

Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agriculture Research (BAR)celebrate 10th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition ,side by side with the 27th BAR Anniversary Celebration, with a theme " Isang Dekada ng mga angkop na Teknolohiyang Kaakibat ng Agri-preneur Tungo sa Maunlad na Ekonomiya", today at Mega Trade Hall 2 , 5th Flr., Bldg. B, SM Megamall , Mandaluyong City ,Philippines .

International partners from ICRISAT , Patancheru Andhra Pradesh , India, Dr. William D. Dar Director General of (ICRISAT)International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics, Director Gil C. Saguiguit , Jr., of SEAMED SEARCA , Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture College of Los Banos Laguna, Ma. Lorna B. Daffon, Executive Producer of Mag -Agri Tayo television show every Saturday 9:00am-10:00am NBN Channel, (IRRI)International Rice Research Institute Deputy Director General ( Communication -Partnerships) and Secretary to the Board of Trustees ,International Rice Research Institute , World Fish officer in Charge Maripaz L. Perez, Biodiversity International regional for Asia Pacific In Charge Mr. Agustin Molina , had been given recognition for their valuable support in ensuring self sufficient Philippines agricultural productions, transfer of technological know how to the Philippines ( DA) Department of Agriculture and ( BAR) Bureau of Agriculture Research.

Dr. William D. Dar, launches his four points platform during the opening of todays 10th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition.

1. Inclusive Agricultural Avocation -Productions - the each stake holders especially the subsistence farmers and fisherfolk will not left behind by the 6.7 percent GDP growth rate. To trickle down the aggressive economic miracle of the country's it is a must that agricultural producers who happens to be at the bottom of the pyramid should be given attention by the policy makers.

2. Science based Agriculture farming/Industry- to ensure the steady supply and reserve for food consumption for 100 Filipino population , there must a new paradigm mind set , techniques , methodologies . Innovations through modern machines is to be employed in the farms together with a research bound approach in solving farm problems harnessing the computerized simulation in soil analysis, wind and water moisture , well researched organic and fertilizer (chemical ) should be used at the same time to fast track productions and harvest.

3. Market based Agricultural farming/industry- to level up the status of the agricultural farmers , everyone should consider the avocation of farming as a business, as an " entrepreneural spirit". It is there fore that farmers not only must well versed the seasonal value of crops to plants, the timing to harvest , the techniques to apply organic or chemical base fertilizer but on the manner on how to dispose their harvest with uncompromising profit margin on their bounty/harvest.The channels of markets , middle men, exporters,importers , consolidators , financers, banks intermediaries , industry leaders , all these actors must with in the scope of juridical concerns of the modern agricultural business farmers.

4. Resilient , Sustainable Agricultural Farming industry- should the Philippines have. The farmers of todays should have the knowledge of the looming effect of climate change and its direct impact on their crops . The risk associated with the climate change to the crops , to lands and so with the human risk exposure by using chemical base insect repellant , fertilizer.


Honorable Evelina G. Escudero , Representative , 1st District of Sorsogon,being at the forefront of bringing the issue of the BAR Bureau of Agriculture and Research and a former wife of former Agriculture czar and secretary of DA Dept. of Agriculture , Sonny Escudero is ensuring that the said agency should be given a representation in the Congress (law making and budget apportionment).

Citing with her own experience on her immersion of the best farm practices in India by the invitation of ICRISAT Director General William D. Dar, together with the wife of the congressional officers , " India with its billions of people were still capable of feeding its population , and yet have a highest food reserved in the region as of to date", it is because they employed a new normal way of agricultural farming practices.

India known for having an arable lands , susceptible to drought due to limited days of rainy days ,plus the fact of climate change effect, the people of "India" have a coping mechanism to be resilient with the said issue by catching all the rain water once its falls on their land . They have experts, farmers who take advantage the miracle of science employing it the farming techniques . They have also a community based farming where in small farmers can have a community support to be able to sustain during the lean season whilst waiting for the right time to harvest the crops.

Henry Casulla Estipona
Philippines