BUTUAN CITY (January 8) - “The effects of the global financial crisis are already felt in the region.”
This was openly disclosed by the business community during a public consultation on the Effects of Global Financial Crisis on Employment, Wages and Productivity hosted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) held recently in one of the local hotels here.
NEDA-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Conchingco is shown here presenting the economic trends/indicators on labor and employment during the public consultation on the Effects of Global Financial crisis on employment,wages and productivity held recently in one of the local hotels in Butuan City. Also in photo are members of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB). (Photo courtesy of NEDA-Caraga) During the consultation, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) presented the economic trends/indicators on labor and employment, prices of basic agri-fishery commodities, prices of prime commodities, investment, and macro-economic state of the region. The presentations revealed a slackening regional economy of the region.
Industry representatives also expressed concerns on how the crisis affected their operations. They disclosed that many of them, like the Agusan Plywood Corporation, Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Inc. etc., are resorting to cost-cutting measures like no overtime and no hiring of casual employees, among others.
A city-wide survey conducted by the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc, revealed that many businesses are wary of the effects of the crisis on their business operations. Some are either filing for bankruptcy or seeking capital assistance to stay liquid.
Industry leaders called for strong government policies and political will among local chief executives. While they acknowledged that no amount of economic policies could protect businesses from the crisis, they are advocating for unity of all sectors in mitigating the impact of the crisis.
The global financial crisis adversely affects the most vulnerable sectors of the country and may impact in the economic growth. NEDA Director General Ralph Recto already stressed the need to downscale growth target in 2009 between 4.1 and 5.1 percent.
To weather the effects of the crisis, the government is taking on strategies to boost growth. These include continued strong assistance for agriculture, more support to small and medium enterprises, and expansion of trade, investment, and tourism with countries that continue to have strong economies. Just recently, President Arroyo approved the P100-billion fund to pump-prime infrastructure projects in 2009 to create the best multiplier effects in generating jobs. (NEDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Cebu Pacific flies to Catarman, Calbayog, Virac, and Cauayan; offers P500 all-in seat sale and Manila-Osaka Zero promo fare
Cebu Pacific (CEB) is set to take delivery of its seventh brand-new ATR 72-500 aircraft which it will use to fly to Catarman and Calbayog in Samar, Virac in Catanduanes, and Cauayan, Isabela starting next month.
CEB will also mount additional flights for Manila-Naga from daily to 10 times weekly starting on February 14 and Manila-Busuanga from daily to 11 times weekly starting on February 15.
The new service to Catarman, Samar and Virac, Catanduanes will start on February 14; flights to Calbayog, Samar and Cauayan, Isabela will start on February 18.
Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said "We are expanding our Manila hub operations with the arrival of our brand new ATR and will make more areas accessible through our low fares and new planes."
To mark the announcement of these additional services, CEB is offering a promotional P500 all-in 'Go Lite' seat sale for flights from Manila to Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Cauayan, Naga and Virac. The airline has also included select Cebu hub flights to Cotabato, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legaspi, Ozamiz, Siargao and Tacloban in the promotion.
CEB also announced a zero 'Go Lite' fare seat sale for its Manila-Osaka service. This is exclusive of applicable surcharges and government taxes.
The seat sale will run from January 9 to 14, 2009 and is good for travel from February 1, or the start date of respective flights, to March 31, 2009.
CEB will fly Manila-Catarman and Manila-Virac every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; Manila-Calbayog and Manila-Cauayan on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
For flight schedules and bookings, passengers may log on to www.cebupacificair.com , call the reservations hotline (632) 70-20-888; or visit their nearest travel agent.
Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It flies to 15 international cities and 27, soon to be 32 domestic destinations with the addition of Siargao, Catarman, Calbayog, Virac (Catanduanes), and Cauayan (Isabela) in the coming weeks. (Michelle Eve de Guzman-Cebu Pacific/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Cebuano News: Gov. Ace Barbers nang apud-apud ug "Bundles of Joy" sa 10,000 ka residente sa Surigao del Norte
SURIGAO CITY (January 8) - Ang buotan nga Gobernador sa lalawigan, Robert Ace Barbers nang apud-apud ug mga Bundle of Joy sa Diez Mil (10,000) ka mga tawo niadtong miaging bulan sa Disyembre aron sa paghatag ug importansya sa diwa sa Pasko diin iyang gihatagan ang mga katawhan ug dakung bili labaw sa tanan.
Gisugdan ang maong pang-apud sa lungsod sa Tubod ug gisundan kini niadtong Disyembre 20, 2008 sa 4 ACES Sports Complex ning dakbayan.
Nasayran nga ang maong mga pinaskohan ni Gov. Barbers muluntad pa kini hangtud karong enero karong tuiga ug hangtud makumpleto ang pagpanghatag sa diez mil ka mga tawo nga anaa sa kalisud nga kahimtang.
Dako ang kalipay nga gibati sa Gobernador dihang nasud-ong siya sa mga katawhan nga mingdawat sa iyang pinaskuhan. “Dako ang akong panghinaut nga pinaagi niining atong pagpaambit ug pinaskuhan sa uban natong mga kaigsuonan, makahatag unta kini kanila ug kadasig, kalipay ug paglaum labi na sa atong panahon karon nga anaa kita sa dakong epekto sa pinansyal krisis,” nagkanayon si Gov. Ace.
Dako ang pasalamat sa mga katawhan sa ilang “Santa Claus” nga si Gov. Ace Barbers, labi na sa pagkabuotan sa Gobernador diin kanunay kining andam sa paghatag sa iyang panabang, ug ang iyang daku ug malumo nga kasing-kasing nga mopaambit sa iyang mga grasya nga nadawat gikan sa Kahitas-an. (PGO-Media Affairs Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
