A colleague posted about having seen the movie Midway, just released last week, and suggested that it is a good movie to watch. While on a 4-day layover at SBMA, part of a long-planned participation in Anvaya Cove’s annual Pawikan Cup, I decided to check it out and behold! It was playing at Ayala Mall’s Harbor Point at the former…
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will intensify the modernization of domestic ships to provide safer, more convenient, and more comfortable sea transportation services to the riding public. As directed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, the MARINA will encourage more ship operators, particularly those engaged in short distance travel, to invest on fast crafts, and Roll-On…
DENR Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu hit the ground running Wednesday as the newly appointed chair of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) in answer to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call to clean the Pasig River. The environment chief led a technical inspection of Pasig River, and pledged to get rid of informal settlers and go after polluters of the…
“The goal of the AFP Modernization Program reads: the Philippines has the longest coast line in the world next to Indonesia and Canada. The sea is extremely significant from an international, navigational, economic, geopolitical and strategic perspective. There is an urgent need to develop a modern and adequately equipped force that will ensure maritime and air space security.” – National…
On 20-September-2019, Excelerate Energy L.P. (Excelerate) received the Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in the Bay of Batangas per the DOE’s guidelines for “Rules and Regulation Governing the Philippine Natural Gas Industry.” The project, Luzon LNG, will supply natural gas, sourced from LNG, to…
For so long now, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has been invariably accused of corruption and poor governance. The accusations are many – from systemic corruption; wrong beneficiaries; LOTTO business cornered by two players for almost 30 years now; delinquent LOTTO outlets; co-mingling of funds; paper supplier for 50 years; under-declaration of revenues to reduce taxes; misappropriation of funds;…
Interestingly, traffic flow is like blood flow. Blood circulation is one of the many parts and systems that comprise the human body – an almost perfect machine with a master template that enables the body to function as one. When we are born, the blood circulates normally to distribute oxygen and nutrients to, and…
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The construction of military-grade bases in three artificial islands (Subi, Fiery Cross and Mischief Reefs), posting of troops with missile defense capability in four others (Cuarteron, Gaven, Hughes, and Johnson South Reefs), conduct of regular naval and coast guard patrols, and use of paramilitary fishing units in the South China Sea are clear indications that China’s maritime campaign has fully…
Reviewing some of my past email, I came across a June 23, 2011 query from a Philippine Marine reserve officer, Frank Suha, who has been living in the United States for many years: There is recent news that PCG is planning to buy brand-new high endurance cutters/vessels – this will be a big help in the West Philippine Sea issue….
“Let us respect, honor and revere our Philippine Flag!” was President Fidel V Ramos’ concluding line in his Maritime Review article three years ago after he graced a few weeks earlier the 118th Anniversary of the Battle of Alapan that took place on 28-May-1898 in Imus, Cavite. After this victorious battle of Filipino revolutionary forces against Spanish troops, General Emilio…
The 2018 National Security Strategy of the United States revealed a change in posture, tacitly stated by Christopher Preble in his article “The Benefits of Engaging with China Far Outweigh the Costs and Risks” (30-January-2019) in The National Interest: The assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors…
As part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capability development program, newly acquired rescue boats, vehicles and other equipment were presented yesterday, 30-May-2019, to beef up the agency’s readiness for the expected threats of typhoons that may hit the country this year. During the blessing and launching ceremony at the PCG Headquarters yesterday, the PCG Commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino,…
To be relevant and to survive, many profit-oriented organizations positively react to their changing operational environment. They are cognizant that the very thing to expect over time is change. As a consequence, they revise their structure to support a new corporate strategy with the aim to improve efficiency, promote teamwork and reduce cost. These changes could lead to mergers, acquisitions,…
The neglect by the government in implementing environmental laws and regulations caused some concerned residents to file suit, and this resulted in the issuance of the Supreme Court Continuing Mandamus on the Clean-up of Manila Bay. Lead Counsel Antonio Oposa Jr stated it succinctly: “If there is lack of political will on the part of government agencies, it is the…
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through its Civil Relations Service (CRS), conducted four sorties of relief, psychological, social, medical and dental missions in the evacuation areas of Iligan and Marawi City. The PCG also sent alternately BRP Corregidor and BRP Pampanga to transport food packs from DSWD, and school supplies from Manila to the Iligan Port. Captain Armando Balilo, Acting…
Finally, after more than 4 decades, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has a home to call its own. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has inaugurated its newly constructed central office building on Bonifacio Drive corner 20th Street at Port Area, Manila. The 12,000-square meter 12-storey building was constructed with a cost of PHP382 million through the assistance of the Department…
In Calarian, Zamboanga City, a Joint Law Enforcement Operation resulted to the confiscation of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu), and recovery of Firearms in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on 13-March 13-2019. The Joint Law Enforcement Troops were composed of: Naval Intelligence Support Unit – 63, Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM); Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB); Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Zamboanga…
With the Philippine Navy’s expanding operations and growing capabilities, its Air Group is poised to be upgraded to wing status. The restructure of the Naval Air Group, the first time since it was formed 7 decades ago, has become imminent due to increasing demands for maritime situational awareness and expertise. “With this wide reach of Naval Air Group nowadays, the…
The creditors of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC), the financially troubled South Korean shipbuilder, are expected to receive compensation for unpaid loans in a debt-for-equity swap, which will leave them in control of the company. Korea Development Bank (KDB), the state-owned policy bank which holds the largest share of HHIC’s outstanding debt, said that the group of creditors have…
The Philippine government launched early this year a coastal and marine environmental campaign to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay. Dubbed “Battle for Manila Bay,” the move is in compliance with a Supreme Court decision. It also tests the political will of the government. Clearly, this noble task is aligned with Section 16 of the Constitution, to wit: “The…
In his column, “About Town” in the 12-February-2019 issue of Manila Standard ‘How are we dealing with our next-door neighbor China?” Ernesto M Hilario reported on the impressions of our distinguished Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana, “who spent more than four decades in China after he and several members of a delegation of student activists on a…
SUMMARY The Sino-US trade war is a symptom of strategic rivalry and great power transition; The trade war has both risks (loss of profit margins for intermediate goods) and opportunities (trade diversion) for the Philippines; The Philippines needs to diversify commercial markets and intensify free trade agreements to buffer the impact of trade wars; The Philippines should employ means to…
The Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City, Philippines, has approved the petition for rehabilitation filed by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil), a Philippine-based shipbuilding brand of South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries Corporation. The decision to commence the rehabilitation process was received by both Hyundai Corporation and its debt-ridden subsidiary, a regulatory filing said. The relief in rehabilitation was…
With over 2 million square kilometers of coastal and oceanic waters connecting the archipelago, the Philippine fishery is one of the major sources of food and income of the population. This area contains a common property resource – fishery and aquatic – that needs protection for the present and future generations. Recent reports indicate that among the country’s major economic…