Dabawenyos bring recyclables @ SM

With SM City Davao initiating the waste market or the "Trash to Cash" project, the people of Davao City have a place to bring unused but recyclable materials and earn some cash from it each month. SM City Davao's bid of increasing environmental awareness and Earth campaigns has inspired a lot of individuals and supported the campaign. SM City Davao responded to the planet’s cry for help and made conscious efforts of reducing the company’s carbon footprint and also encourage employees and costumers alike to be more discerning in their actions and choices with partiality to the planet’s welfare. The Trash to Cash promotes recycling as a way of fighting global warming. It corrects the common misconception that recycling is expensive as mall goers are able to sell their recycleables (paper, cartons, plastics, metals, batteries, etc.) to DENR-accredited scrap buyers during the fair ensuring them of proper disposal and earning them cash at the same time! In less than 2 years, the SM City Davao has organized 22 waste market fairs. The paper collection alone, reaching to almost 63,000 kilograms is estimated to have saved 1,258 trees, 188.75 cubic yards of landfill space, 125.83 barrels of oil- enough to fuel an average car for 79,274.88 miles, 257,957.93 kilowatts of energy- enough to power an average household for 31 years, and 3,774.99 lbs less air pollution! The next Trash to Cash is scheduled on February 6 and 7 at SM City Davao’s Parking C. So start collecting your trash and turn them into cash only at SM!

Agri-based economy remains strong in Mindanao

A leader in rural banking sees agri-products to remain strong in the agri-based economy of Mindanao this year despite the global crisis.

One Network Bank (ONB) president Alex Buenaventura said the strong agri-based economy and liquid environment support the high deposit generation targets of the bank's branches especially in the countryside.

Given such upbeat outlook, he said they project a 19-percent increase of their targets this year of P288 million as against their actual Net Income After Tax (NIAT) in 2008 of only 242 million.

ONB's deposit liabilities are raised by 30 percent increase or P7.8 billion as against the 2008's actual of P6.0 billion.

He said they also increased their target for loans at 36 percent or about P8.0 billion as against the P5.9 billion actual loans in 2008.

Buenaventura said although there will be many challenges this year, rural banking in Mindanao will continue to experience growth.

He attributed this to the good prospects in agriculture particularly banana, pineapple, coconut, rubber and palm oil.

Buenaventura also said their banking operation remains strong due to Department of Education salary loans and the One Banana Program growers' loans.

Meanwhile, he said the rural banks play a niche in service of small depositors and borrowers in the countryside.

He said as they continue to improve on their services they are also able to bring their clients to economic opportunities in the financial mainstream.

He said they have given small accounts access to projects with solid fundamentals and services which they thought can only be possible in urban centers.

With 72 ONB branches, he said they have given more Mindanaoans the means to improve their lives.

Davao sees more demand for fresh bananas this year

Many investors are looking for farm lands around Mindanao with the increasing demand of fresh bananas especially in Japan.

Gil Dureza, Board of Investment (BOI) head for Regions IX, XI and XII said the demand of foreigners on (Cavendish) bananas is a great advantage to us.

He cited for instance that with the "morning banana diet" that is popular in Japan, there is an indication that demand for the bananas would increase even as he said that many people now are getting conscious of their health and shifted to eating more bananas.

"Investors for banana production continue to come and this has been going on for years now," he said.In fact he said a new investor for banana production is the biggest among this year's investment leads.

The investor would need some 3,400 hectares either in Davao Oriental or Davao del Sur.

Meanwhile Dureza said that In 2007 banana production was also among the registered investments as Upland Banana Corporation opened new areas in Davao, Cotabato and South Cotabato and was able to employ 10,000 workers.

Data from the Department of Agricultre showed that in 2007 the production area was at 436,783 hectares with volume of production of 7,484,074 MT. The Davao Region attained the highest production area and volume of the same year of 78,647 hectares and 3,180,331 MT.

Other top producing regions include SOCCKSARGEN with 935,565 MT, Northern Mindanao 933,114 MT, Cagayan Valley 386,929 MT and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) 372,676 MT.

On the other hand, banana remained as the leading export commidity where in 2008 it showed an increase of 13.49 percent as against 2007 figure.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics comparative data for the last three years from 2006 to 2008 on production volume for the period January to September showed that banana export in 2006 accounted to only 2,197,894 MT, 2007 had 2,377,424 while in 2008 it registered some 2,698,255 MT.

peaceful transfer of power

In my Central Park residence in the Philippines (Davao City) and glued on television @ CNN, I watched the inaugural ceremony of the transfer of power peacefully from President George W. Bush to now US President Barack Obama up to the time that the former President took the helicopter that ferried him and former First Lady Lara Bush to Andrew Airport for their trip home til past 1:00 am of Wednesday (Philippine time) .

Out there in Washington, DC and also through the other networks BBC, ANC, GMA, I saw how the people in America received the new President with throngs of them who came for the inauguration. Chanting and high in spirit waving banners amidst the cold weather, I viewed them as one with hope and willing to share in the tough job ahead. With the President were First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia Anne and Natasha "Sasha".

The President in his inaugural speech urged them that they begin the work of Remaking America !

He started his speech by thanking President Bush for his generosity and cooperation. He continued on saying that he is humbled by his task and grateful for that.

As he went on, he said they have to remain faithful to the ideals of their forefathers.

He underscored the indicators of crisis citing among others the collective failures to make choices .... and when these indicators are present, crisis will be next.

"But we chose hope over failure".

"Greatness is never a gift, it must be earned".

"In America, all are equal, all are free and all are given the chance to pursue their own happiness".

"We extend opportunity to every willing heart."

"America is a friend of each nation".

The President also said that people will judge them "on what you build and not on what you destroy".

He said the world has changed and they must change with it.

"All this we can do, all this we will do," he said.

When I saw the jampacked National Mall, it reminded me of the Philippine People Power and whatever aspirations that brought people to this historic activity I hoe it will remain vibrant and that will not only be in America but in the Philippines as well and in any place around the globe so that there will be opportunities for everyone especially to those who haven't had any chance yet of grabbing one.

Wahington DC

At the Capitol and the grounds of the White House I saw by myself squirrels and it reminded me I was not home but in faraway America. Tourists can view the White House from a distance and take pictures too.

From New York City for a week's stay in a downtown Manhattan hotel and walking distance to Central Park, we traveled by bus to Washington, DC for a day tour.

It was indeed educational, my husband who loves geography and history included in our trip the Washington, DC tour.

From the skyscraper NYC, we found Washington, DC a peaceful yet exciting place with the many historical events that unfolded in this city where the seat of the US government is.

The tour guide explained to us everything including the inaugural ceremonies that took place in Pennsylvania Street and she (tour guide) even told us that lamp posts are movable to give way to the holding of the inauguration of the New President.

With President Barack Obama to take his seat on January 20 at the White House, I personally am excited because I had been to Washington DC, where on Tuesday (American time and Wednesday in the Philippines), will be packed with millions of people. I could view it together with millions of people around the world on television.

My experience in Washington DC was enlightening and exciting. I saw the buildings of different government offices including the Lincoln Memorial (the pencil), the Pentagon, White House, Capitol, the Union Station, the different museums and others, everything that a tourist must see.

The cherry blossoms were in bloom when we went there and it was a different feeling seeing all the trees covered with pinkish and white flowers. Tulips of different colors adorned the streets and made the landscape very beautiful.

Travel really gives us a different experience. Anyway with the new US President, everybody including myself wish a new thing to happen. But President Obama can not do any magic for the crisis that hit hard the US but prayers and cooperation could bring people to where the action must be focused inorder to ease the impact of the global crisis. The Philippines is not spared of this but we know that Filipinos, can make a difference because we (Filipinos) are used to hardship and difficulties. As what the business sector had been advocating, everybody must go back to the basics. In doing so, people could cut on cost as well as prioritize spending.

Going back to Washington, it is really a distinct city that I could not forget its being it. From there we proceeded to Orlando, Florida and let our bodies got tired of the huge and beautiful theme parks of Disneyworld.... again another superb experience.

Davao Med ICT school expands offering for legal transcriptionists/transcribers

A Davao-based Medical Transcription School after noting high demand for legal transcriptionists/transcribers has expanded its offering for Legal Transcription Program of eight weeks course.

Wit Holganza, president of MTC Academy said the demand for qualified individuals task of writing accurate and grammatically correct legal records has been growing.

She said these legal transcribers take some of the workload from lawyers and paralegals needing to keep accurate records but do not have the time to construct them.

She said this profession is rising in importance as the need for accurate documentation and organized legal system increases. Data capture and transcriptions in the legal world is critical as it affects the speed by which justice is served.

"Just like medical and business transcriptions, legal transcription uses the latest technology to convert legal dictations such as oral arguments, trial cases, court hearings and proceedings and legal interviews from voice to text thus creating official documents," she said.

The Legal Transcription program at MTC Academy is an eight (8) week program with a pre-requisite course of 1- 4 weeks depending on the student-applicants' entry-level skill set. The program covers the essentials of legal terminology, types of legal documentation, professional ethics in legal transcription and common rules in legal documentation.

Using the revolving curriculum for most of its programs allowing classes to start every month, MTC Academy has also restructured its program costs thus enhancing the value for money for all of its courses with low down payment and easy monthly installments extended to all qualified applicants.

She said the MTC Academy is supplying more than 50% of Davao City's manpower requirement to its corporate partners even as it provides free job placement assistance for its transcription graduates to companies here in Davao and as far as Manila and Cebu.

Davao City sees new businesses for 2009

An increase in new businesses in Davao City is expected this year to about 10 percent higher than the total businesses registered last year.

Business bureau chief Atty. Johpee Agustin said they were able to served about 32,000 businesses in 2008 both for new registrants and renewal of business permits and they expect new businesses coming in.

She said they are optimistic of the business trend in the city even as she said that they will continue to come up with new strategies so Davao City would generate more revenues.

She noted that on the first week of January this year they already received 14,739 applications for renewal and about 170 for new registration.

On a daily basis she said they receive some 2,000 to 5,000 applications and inorder to fast track the issuance of permits they came up with a scheme where the applicants after complying basic requirements are given temporary authority to operate (TAO). But this will not apply to those businesses that needs detailed requirements like detailed permits, etc.

She said once the TAO is issued the investor can proceed and they still have to comply the other steps as required by other regulatory bodies.

She said the strategy enticed other busnesses to come to the city and with proper education and awareness they also noticed that businesses are religiously complying with the requirements compared to their previous years operation.

Meanwhile Agustin said that with their successful implementation of collecting occupational permit fee (OPF) where it gave Davao City some P6 million in revenues last year, they will be implementing the Special Mayor's Permit Fee (SMPF) this year.

The OPF in 2007 only had a collection of P3 million while P1.9 million in 2006, she said.

For the SMPF she said they will start to collect fees on all activities that will be conducted in the city.

She said this scheme is also provided in the Local Government Code and they will be implementing such inorder to make use of whatever is allowed by law for the benefit of the people of Davao City.

Meanwhile Davao City Treasurer Rodrigo Riola said their target income this year is pegged at P548 million and 60 percent of this will be taken from business taxes.

He said based on their experienced 60 percent of this collection will be realized by the first quarter of the year and of the fees the real property tax contributes about 60 percent of the total revenue generated.

He said most of the real property owners pay their taxes on the first quarter of the year because of the 20 percent discount.

Riola also said that Manila-based companies or those from other areas that operate businesses in Davao City are already paying their taxes here.

He said consultation and dialogue with these businesses made them understand that they need to share their income to Davao City considering that they engage business here. (Digna D. Banzon)

Davao City got highest in new registered corporation/partnership for 2008

Davao City raked in the highest number of new registered corporations and partnership that were served by the Securities and Exchange Commission Davao extension office in 2008.

SEC Davao head Atty. Javey Francisco said the city cornered 314 new businesses of the 464 corporations that registered with their office last year around Mindanao.

General Santos City followed next with 36 then Tagum City with 18. Fourth in the row were Mati City, Koronadal City and South Cotabato with nine new registered corporations each. Cotabato City ranked fifth with eignt while Davao del Norte on the seventh with six. Panabo City and Digos City came next with six new registered corporations and partnerships. Davaod del Sur had five while Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur and Mati City with four each and Agusan del Sur, 3. The Compostela Valley Province and the cities of Malaybalay, Bislig and Butuan had two each. Only one new corporations registered in the Island Garden City of Samal, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Surigao City, Midsayap and Cagayan de Oro City.

Francisco said the 464 corporations had a paid-up capital of P215.4 million which came lower by 38 percent or P134 million compared to the P349.8 million in 2007.

He said of the new corporations last year, Davao City's businesses for paid-up capital accounted to P124.6 million while General Santos City at P27.4 million and Tagum City, P21.5 million.

Meanwhile Francisco said with regards to foreign direct investments (FDI) of 80 new businesses with paid up capital of P15.177 million, Davao City still got high with 67 corporation and paid up capital of P11.4 million.

General Santos City had 3 of P1.1 million, Davao Oriental, 2, P1.036 million, Koronadal City, 2, P1.250 million.

He said according to nationalities, the Chinese top the list followed by Korean and Dutch.

Med Express to expand to other Mindanao areas

A Manila-based medicine distributor will expand its operations in Mindanao after it hit a 12,000 clients in Davao last year.

The Med Express which delivers nedicines and milk formulas right at the clients doorstep is putting up new stores in Davao City and other parts of Mindanao.

Med Express business development manager Carlo Lorenzana said with one store servicing their clients in the city, they are putting up two more offices that will be servicing those in the northern and southern areas of Davao City.

He said they will open branches within the first quarter this year in the cities of Butuan and Cagayan de Oro.

Med Express already has over 200 stores all over the country servicing 200,000 clients. It has three franchise stores in Jakarta, Indonesia, he said.

Lorenzana said they are optimistic of the business in 2009 even as he said that they noted a 40 percent growth in 2008 as against their performance in 2007.

Davao bakeshop to open new branches

Panaderia, a local bakeshop in Davao City, is bent on opening new branches in other Mindanao areas this year to be able to achieve a profitable operation.

Samuel M. Abrenilla, owner of CokTek Manufacturing and Panaderia Bakeshop said having multiple outlets means higher revenue.

He said they are looking at the cities of General Santos, Valencia and Cagayan de Oro.

Although he said they would not want to do aggressive steps this year, the additional outlets of at least three to their existing 13 branches would give them better income. This is competitive enough, he said.

"We need to have bigger revenue source to come up with profitable operation," he said.

But Abrenilla admitted that their operation has been affected by the economic downtrend. Their operation already suffered in 2008 getting an income very much lower compared in 2007.

He said the bakeshop operation is highly dependent on imported products and prices of these commodities have gone high.

But he said they would not compromise the ingredients because they have to maintain the quality of their products.

Despite the current financial crisis, Abrenilla said they will not sacrifice the quality of their products.

Panaderia's signature product "hot pandesal" will still be available as early as 5:00 am. even as he said that they will still maintain the same ingredients to any of their products.

Abrenilla put up Panaderia Bakeshop after he invented the Coktek Oven where it is known for its distinct feature of equal heat inside the chamber.

With this feature, he said they were able to save substantially on LPG gas of about 20 to 50 percent.

The industrial oven that Abrenilla invented has a capacity of 12 baking pans costing P50,000.

He said his invention is comparable to the product made in Korea and Taiwan of about P150,000.

Mindanao tourism sites up for promotion

The government has line up tourism sites up for promotion by a subregional economic group.

In the list is Mt. Apo and 10 other areas in Mindanao and Palawan.

The Mindanao Economic Development Council report showed the other Mindanao sites are Malawi Island and Dapitan in the Zamboanga peninsula, Camiguin Island in Northern Mindanao, Davao Gulf and Samal Island in the Davao Region, Lake Sebu in Central Mindanao, Aguasan Marsh in the Caraga Region and Lake Lanao in the autonomous Muslim region. Identified sites in Palawan are Kayangan and Barracuda lakes in Coron Island.

For OFWs … here are some useful info for Pag-IBIG membership

MEMBERSHIP

Coverage:

Membership under the Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) shall be open to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with valid visas or employment contracts. Likewise, it shall be open to Filipino immigrants and to Filipinos naturalized in other countries.

Contribution Rate:

The POP member shall contribute monthly an amount equivalent to US $5. Should a POP member decide to apply for a housing loan and which to avail of a higher loanable amount, he would be required to upgrade his membership contribution as follows:

CONTRIBUTION RATE PESO EQUIVALENT LOAN ENTITLEMENT
US $5 Up to P250,000
US$ equivalent at point of availment
P300 Over P250,000-P375,000
400 Over P375,000- P500,000
600 Over P500,000 - P750,000
800 Over P750,000 - P1,000,000
1000 Over P1,000,000- P1,250,000
1,200 Over P1,250,000-P1,500,000
1,400 Over P1,500,000-P1,750,000
1,600 Over P1,750,000-P2,000,000

The upgraded membership contribution shall be incorporated as part of the housing loan monthly amortization

Dividend Rate:

Variable dividends from surplus earnings of the Fund shall be distributed annually to all POP members, to be credited to their Total Accumulated Values (TAV).

Membership Term/Maturity:

The accumulated savings under the program may only be withdrawn at the end of five (5), ten (10), fifteen (15), or twenty (20) years at the option of the member upon membership registration. Withdrawal of contributions shall be in Philippine peso. Contributions in foreign denomination shall be converted to Philippine peso based on the prevailing US dollar exchange rate as of payment date.

LOAN AVAILMENT

POP members may avail themselves of the housing loan benefit, subject to the provisions of the existing Consolidated Guidelines of the Pag-IBIG Housing Loan Program, through their immediate family members with the execution of a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), duly certified by the Philippine embassy or consulate in the country of their workplace. They can also avail of the Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL), subject to the existing guidelines of the MPL Program

WHERE CAN MEMBERS FILE THEIR APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP, WITHDRAWAL OF SAVINGS, REMIT OR PAY THEIR MONTHLY SAVINGS?

Pag-IBIG Overseas Program Office
POP Overseas Offices
Accredited Overseas Marketing Representatives
Metro Manila and Provincial Offices
Accredited Collecting Banks/Remittance Companies

WHAT DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT TO APPLY FOR REFUND OF SAVINGS?

-Original copy of POP Passbook
-Application for Provident Benefit
-Special Power of Attorney ( if applicable)

HOW LONG IS THE PROCESSING PERIOD?

Three (3) working days

Planning to build your own house in the Philippines ...

Here are some useful information that you might be interested as offered by Pag-IBIG Fund or Home Development Mutual Fund ....

As they say .... owning a house is the most practically thing to do given the affordable rates offered by Pag-IBIG Fund ... pick a choice now !

AFFORDABLE MONTHLY AMORTIZATIONS (comparative from old to new rate)

Loan Package Monthly Payment Savings

P300,000 P1,798.65 (before P2,413.87) P 615.22

P500,000 P3,326.51 (before P4,38.86) P1,061.35

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF THIS ? - for those of you still renting a house probably your rental is higher than this amortization rate. REMEMBER : RENTING IS NOT OWNING THE HOUSE. HURRY ! You still have enough time before you reach the age of 70, by then you will no longer qualify … Your time is now so grab this !

INTEREST RATES (Comparative from old to new rates)

Amount New Interest Rates

Up to P300,000 6% (before 9 %)

Over P300,000 to P750,000 10% 7% (before 10%)

Over P750,000 to P2 M 10.5% (before 11-12%)

WHEN YOU APPLY FOR A HOUSING LOAN TAKE NOTE OF THIS PLEASE !

Eligibility requirements

1. A Pag-IBIG member for at least 24 months and has remitted 24 monthly contributions
2. Not more than 70 years old at loan maturity and must be insurable
3. Has no outstanding Pag-IBIG housing loan either as principal or as co-borrower
4. Has legal capacity to acquire and encumber real property
5. Has passed satisfactory background/credit and employment/business checks
6. Has no Pag-IBIG multi-purpose loan in arrears at the time of application
7. Has no Pag-IBIG housing loan that was foreclosed, cancelled, bought back or subjected to dacion en pago

Schedule of Loans

Monthly Member’s Contribution Loan Entitlement

200 Up to P500,000

250 Over P500,000 to P600,000

300 Over P600,000 to P700,000

350 Over P700,000 to P800,000

400 Over P800,000 to P900,000

450 Over P900,000 to P1M

500 Over P1M to P1.1M

550 Over P1.1M to P1.2M

600 Over P1.2M to P1.3M

650 Over P1.3M to P1.4M

700 Over P1.4M to P1.5M

750 Over P1.5M to P1.6M

800 Over P1.6M to P1.7M

850 Over P1.7M to P1.8M

900 Over P1.8M to P1.9M

950 Over P1.9M to P2M

Processing Fee P3,000.00

Pay P1,000.00 upon filing

Pay balance of P2,000.00 upon loan take-out

"Tonyo" didn't break its way here ....

In yesterday's advisory from the country's weather bureau it released storm signal no. 1 in areas that will be mostly affected and two provinces here davao del and davao oriental were included. Later in the afternoon it also indicated in their advisory that davao city will also experience such bad weather.

It was the first time that areas in davao were included in the storm signal advisory.

I was also apprehensive because when our place (in Davao del Norte) will be affected it will damage agri crops including thousands of banana trees that are grown in farms back home. (Thank you Lord for sparing us !)

Although the weather yesterday was a bit gloomy and even til the evening of November 15 with dark clouds hovering on us and rains in between, people continued with their jobs and their schedules.

Everything went on normal and in fact my daughter went malling with her classmates after she hosted an awarding program in school and arrived home almost 10 pm.

However at home I did receive so many text messages and even calls asking me about "Tonyo" because they too were worried but told them it will be on Saturday and the weather most likely would change direction if not develop into a storm and advised them to keep posted on updates through media. And early today my "suki" for weekly supply of fishes told me (because they live by the shore) they were apprehensive and had themselves glued on tv and radio for the latest advisory. Maayo na lang nipahawa dayon si Tonyo (it's good thing that Tonyo left early).

This only shows that people here are aware and already knew where to get the information. It's a good sign after all.

And ‘Tonyo’ moves toward southern Negros oriental. We are thankful that it didn't come and we remain a typhoon free country.

Here's a portion of that GMA online news ....

MANILA, Philippines - At least seven areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as tropical depression "Tonyo" moved towards the southern coast of Negros Oriental Friday night.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Tonyo" was in the vicinity of Siquijor Island or 40 km east of Dumaguete City as of 10 p.m. Friday.

It said "Tonyo" packed maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and was moving west-northwest at 22 kph.

Pagasa said "Tonyo" was expected to be 40 kms northeast of Puerto Princesa City Saturday evening, and 500 km west-northwest of Puerto Princesa City Sunday evening.

Under Storm Signal No. 1 were Southern Negros, Southern Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin Island.

Pagasa warned residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under Signal 1 as well as the provinces of Eastern Visayas against possible flashfloods and lands

In the Philippines (southern mindanao)

Kids and adults enjoyed it and even dressed themselves to complete the merriment and this was how they celebrated Halloween and had fun with Trick or Treat ... sharing you some photos taken during the event.

Good prospects for BPOs despite the crisis (US)

BPO players see prospects from US financial crisis

The Operators of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms are looking at the US Financial Crisis at the positive side where more BPOs would maintain its outbound or inbound jobs in the Philippines.

Marienita del Monte, chief of Cybercity Services in Davao looks at it as additional clients coming in or opening of additional contact centers here.

In the case of their company she said new clients already had contract with them for inbound jobs considering that it is more cost effective.

This is good for Filipinos because the opportunity is big for people looking for jobs and there is work in the call center.

For as long as the person knows the English language and pass the requirements regardless of age they can get a job on line.

This kind of jobs is highly dependent on the cabling network and most BPOs are looking at Davao City as the preferred site.

Citing some facts she said a nationally organized survey indicated that Davao City for three occasions was named as the preferred city to put up a BPO while an Asian survey also mentioned Davao City once of the ten countries to pick for contact center operations.

Not bad because over the others, Dabawenyos have all the chance for this kind of job. So check out the language schools here so that when the BPOs come marching you will be the first to take the seat.

This is foul !

A domestic helper, if I am to elaborate, helps, assists or does household work for homeowners anywhere in the world and not about sexual acts. Busy homeowners do not have time to work in their homes for household chores and for the rich who can afford it, this task is left to the DH.

I've known famous and rich families but I have not heard them make fun with their worker and in fact they are grateful as things are easier for them especially with Filipinas who are known to be industrious and hardworking.

But this time that DHs are portrayed as such by influential media network like BBC, the government-owned British Broadcasting Corp for its reportedly "racist and humiliating" portaryal of a Filipina domestic worker is a FOUL, just like what Desperate Housewives did to Filipino doctors in one of their sitcom.

Media is a strong force because it could either make or unmake a person, a country, or a race.

I am a Filipina and I strongly denounced you guys out there making fun of us. You don't own the universe that you can just make fun of anyone.

I expect those that run the networks as responsible and with ethics.

But as this developed, concerted efforts are being worked out here and in the UK where protest actions are being planned.

An email campaign "condemning" the BBC and a demand for apology are likewise being circulated among the community.

The controversial skit, aired in the September 26 episode of "Harry and Paul," showed comedian Harry Enfield telling a postman that he is ordering his Filipino maid to mate with his friend Paul Whitehouse.

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said the humiliating portrayal of Filipina workers "promotes negative stereotypes that cultivate impunity among those who abuse Filipina workers abroad."

She added that making overseas Filipinas appear as submissive sex objects reinforces the notion that foreigners could easily hire small and sexy Filipina domestic helpers and turn them into sexual objects.

"By making it a joke, it encourages a consciousness that promotes human trafficking," Hontiveros said.

BBC stop that dirty game not only among Filipinas but all the women in the world. Your homes too have women that are to be respected by men and everybody ! We do respect men too because we love our fathers, brothers, grandfathers, sons, nephews and male friends all because they are not ill mannered. Filipinos are kind and peace loving people. What about that BBC ?

Timely: Melamine scare

Timely: Melamine scare

Melamine scare

Something good happen when the melamine issue broke out because in a far away barangay of Davao del Sur the Lao Farm that has several heads of goat as part of its integrated farm is now the source of goats milk that many consumers and even food producers sourced their supply.

There is an increase in orders that the farm produces immediately after the milk scare laden with melamine came out.

But the ten gallons of goat milk that it produces everyday is not enough to the current demand.

Cash Action for Sustainable and Healthy (CASH) Lifestyle Network president Cesar Ledesma viewed this as a positive developement for consumers already becoming conscious of safe food.

People he said would rather go for locally produce products this time.

"The scare really made an impact in the sense that people are now conscious on food safety," he said.

I think it is high time that people choose the food they eat or is it late to notice that Chinese products that flood the market around the world must be subjected first to thorough screening. What about the kids that cry out loud asking from Mom when in the supermarket to buy a bag of candies. I remember that candies of different label and packaging are displayed prominently at the entrance to get the buyers attention. I've tasted some of them (and they are chocolate) but I don't know whether those have melamine.

I bought those candies only once and did not attempt to buy again after I got an email also about Chinese produced food.

The controversy is a wake up call for consumers to be conscious on food safety.

Meanwhile i found this article on the net about goat's milk at http// www.whfoods.org which I posted below for more information about the milk

Delicious with a slightly sweet and sometimes salty undertone, goat's milk is the milk of choice in most of the world. Although not popular in the United States, it can be found in markets and health foods stores throughout the year.

Unlike cow's milk there is no need to homogenize goat's milk. While the fat globules in cow's milk tend to separate to the surface, the globules in goat's milk are much smaller and will remain suspended in solution. When individuals have sensitivity to cow's milk, goat's milk can sometimes be used as an alternative.

Export ore compliance urged

A mining industry leader noted that permits for exporting ore is necessary.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines president Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez urged the industry stakeholders to adhere to the government requirement.

Mining companies and mineral traders are required to get a mineral ore export permit (MOEP) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) before they are allowed to ship out all kinds of minerals and their byproducts outside the country.

According to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza shipments of mineral products, including gold bullions and mine tailings, will be confiscated if the shipper or transporter cold not show the MOEP issued by his office as well as the proof of payment of the required excise tax.

The guidelines for the MOEP is covered under Administrative Order No. 2008-20 entitled “Issuance of Mineral Ore Export Permit for Transport/Shipment Outside of the Philippines of Mineral Ores, Including Tailings” which takes effect 15 days after publication in a general circulation newspaper. The order is pursuant to the Mining Act (RA 7942) and Executive Order 469 as amended.

The MOEP will be able to address many of the issues that seem to defeat the purpose of the revitalization of the mining industry.

The MOEP also established a mechanism to monitor the shipment of mineral products, to ensure that they are extracted legitimately, pay the proper taxes, and declare the correct tonnage, grade and volume of shipment.

Mining firms and traders used to seek an export clearance from the government before shipping out mineral products, but this requirement was eliminated after the government pursued a policy of export liberalization.

In relation to this Romualdez encouraged also the mining industry stakeholders to adhere to the requirement of the government by giving their share back through legitimate extraction as well as adhere to responsible mining.

“Without it we will not be granted that social license and also if we can not prove that to the community that we are into responsible mining,” he added.