mc_darklight

500 caskets to arrive in CDO on Christmas Eve

The Philippine Star Updated December 20, 2011 09:29 AM

Philippine Navy personnel arrange coffins that will be shipped with drinking water, clothes and other relief goods to flood-stricken Cagayan De Oro and Iligan cities on board a Philippine Navy ship in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday Dec. 20, 2011. Nearly a thousand people died in massive flash floods when tropical storm Washi hit the country last week in one of the worst disasters to strike the region in decades. AP Photo/Aaron Favila
Zoom
MANILA, Philippines - Instead of toys, clothes and the usual items people receive during the holidays, the residents of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities will receive coffins on Christmas Eve.

As early as 6 a.m. today, volunteers and Philippine Navy personnel started loading 500 white caskets donated by local government units in Pampanga province to the BRP Dagupan.

The 500 donated caskets, however, may still fall short as the death toll from tropical storm "Sendong" in the two cities continued to rise.

As of 6 a.m. today, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) a total of 957 people have been confirm killed in the two cities and seven more affected provinces in Mindanao and Visayas. Of the total death count, 579 were recorded in Cagayan de Oro City and 279 in Iligan City.

The Philippine Navy said that the BRP Dagupan was scheduled to leave Manila Bay at 4 p.m. today. The Navy said that the ship may arrive in Cagayan de Oro City before noon of December 24, depending on sea condition.

The Navy ship will also bring tons of bottled drinking water, purifying machines and more rescue, retrieval and health personnel, including the 19-man team from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Food packs, used clothes and tons of donated items have also been pouring into the two cities and other areas devastated by Sendong, the 19th storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Mayors from Pampanga province pooled cash for the purchase of the caskets, which costs P4,000 each. Local executives in the province said they are returning a favor to the two cities, as well as to Dumaguete, whose officials helped Kapampangans after the explosion of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

Meanwhile, the city governments of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan have changed original plans of burying unidentified bodies recovered from thick mud in storm-devastated villages.

Instead, only those who have been identified will be buried in public cemeteries in the two cities this afternoon.

Officials of the two city governments said they would want to give hundreds of families more time to identify the bodies and bury their own dead.

Forensic teams from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police have been deployed to the two cities to identify the bodies.

Data from the NDRRMC showed that a total of 307 bodies in Cagayan de Oro and 279 in Iligan have yet to be identified. In Bukidnon, a total of 41 bodies have also yet to be identified.

President Benigno Aquino III, accompanied by ranking government officials, placed the two cities under a state of calamity and ordered the release of millions of funds for more aid to the storm's victims.

Tropical storm Sendong is this year’s most deadly storm in the Philippines. It also surpassed the official number of death toll from the infamous “Ondoy” (Ketsana), which stood at 464.

More coffins, aid

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said that the provincial government will initially send today 15 caskets to the areas affected by "Sendong" in the two cities.

Pingoy said that the provincial government will also send P1.5 million worth of relief goods for the displaced residents of the devastated cities of North Mindanao. He said more coffins will be sent to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan as they become available in the province.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez, meanwhile, said they will also send P500,000 worth of rice to the two cities' flood victims.

Dominguez has also sent word around the province for more blankets, used clothes, toothbrushes and others. The donations can be dropped to the provincial capitol gymnasium in Alabel town until Wednesday noon, he said.

More financial aid will also be sent by the local governments of Benguet and General Santos City

In a related development, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has heeded the request of the Philippine government for immediate food, non-food items and logistics support in the ongoing relief efforts to Sendong’s victims.

In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Air Force, THE WFP immediately dispatched three tons of high-energy biscuits to the affected areas to assist 7,800 of the most vulnerable people who cannot easily cook food, WFP said in a statement.

The WFP has already mobilized and delivered key items needed for the relief operation, including water tanks and a mobile storage tent.

The Australian government has also pledged aid for the flood-ravaged areas in Mindanao.

Its government has allocated some A$10.5 million for humanitarian assistance to victims of recent calamities that affected the Asia-Pacific region, including the devastating floods in several parts of Mindanao.

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said they are set to release the financial grant to non-government organizations (NGOs) Care, Caritas, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision as part of its new Humanitarian Partnership Agreement.

He said the assistance was meant to “ensure a faster, more coordinated response to rapid onset emergencies” in the region.

Rudd noted that the participating NGOs have been pre-qualified and have a proven track record in providing humanitarian assistance internationally.


^^^I feel sad about this...PASKO PA NAMAN!

[Indonesia helps victims of tropical storm in Philippines]

Indonesia helps victims of tropical storm in Philippines

Home Updated December 20, 2011 05:06 PM

 
 
JAKARTA (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government planned to add the aids for the victims of tropical storm Washi in the Philippines that has killed more than one thousand people, a minister said here on Tuesday.
 
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that Indonesia had assisted 400,000 U.S. dollar financial assistance to the Philippines and would increase it.
 
But the amount of the next financial aids had not been confirmed as the Indonesian government had sent a team to the storm-affected areas to conduct assessment about what kind of other emergency relief aids to be badly needed, said Natalegawa.
 
"Our government has stated its readiness to add the aids already given. Our representatives have opened a post there to directly asses (the things needed)," he said at the State Palace.
 
Tropical storm Washi has hits southern of Mindanao island since weekend, triggering river banks overflowed that submerged the areas.
 
Indonesia has frequently received emergency relief aids and taken parts in global solidarity effort when natural disasters happened.
 
Take an example, Indonesia had received emergency relief aids from ASEAN countries and global community during the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 that killed over 170,000 people in northern tip of Sumatra Island of Indonesia out of 230,000 total fatalities in countries laid along the ocean.

philippinestar

^^^THANKS INDONESIA...GOD BLESS!

Death Toll From Philippine Flash Floods Tops 1,000


The official death toll from last week's massive flash flooding in two southern Philippine cities topped 1,000 on Wednesday as authorities said they lost count of how many more were missing in one of the worst calamities to hit the coastal region.

The latest tally showed a total of 1,002 have been confirmed dead, including 650 in Cagayan de Oro and an additional 283 in nearby Iligan city, said Benito Ramos, head of the Civil Defense Office. The rest came from several other southern and central provinces.

A tropical storm swept through the area Friday night and unleashed flash floods in the middle of the night that caught most of the victims in their sleep.

"There were many lessons learned by the people who did not listen to national and local governments, but this is not the time to put the blame on them," Ramos told The Associated Press, adding that warnings by weather forecasters of an approaching storm went unheeded.

He said the government continues to be focused on retrieving the bodies, most of which are being pulled from the sea off Cagayan de Oro.

 
AP
A stray dog approaches a carcass of water... View Full Caption
A stray dog approaches a carcass of water buffalo Tuesday Dec. 20, 2011 amidst debris of mostly logs which were washed ashore by the onslaught of Tropical storm Washi last Friday in Iligan city southern Philippines. The Philippine government shipped more than 400 coffins Tuesday to two flood-stricken cities in the south where the death toll neared 1,000 as President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity and relief agencies rushed to help. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Close"We've lost count of the missing," he said.

President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity during a visit to the region Tuesday and promised the government "will do its best to prevent a repeat of this tragedy."

He said there would be an assessment of why so many people died and why those living along riverbanks and close to the coast — most of them illegal settlers — had not been moved to safety.

"I do not accept that everything had been done. I know that we can do more. We must determine what really happened," Aquino said. "Must this end in tragedy? We knew that (storm) was coming. There should have been efforts to avoid the destruction."

Authorities and grieving relatives have begun burying the dead.

People wept during funeral rites at the Iligan city cemetery, where soldiers carried the caskets of at least 38 victims Tuesday. Many wore masks to try to block the stench of decomposing bodies.

"We have to give the dead a decent burial," Mayor Lawrence Cruz said. He said authorities were using part of the cemetery's passageway to build tombs.

About 45,000 displaced were still crowded in evacuation centers as aid workers rushed in relief supplies. Lack of running water was a major concern.

UNICEF launched an appeal for $4.2 million to assist the victims and dispatched water bladders, hygiene kits and temporary pit latrines and mobile water units.

———

Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila contributed to this report.

[Joint venture offers prepaid services to Pinoys in Malaysia]

Joint venture offers prepaid services to Pinoys in Malaysia

December 10, 2011 1:59pm


Filipinos in Malaysia may now avail of affordable prepaid mobile phone services from a joint venture between PLDT Global Corp. and Celcom Axiata Berhad.

The “SMART Pinoy” service offers local call rates for as low as RM0.12 (P1.65) per minute, with text messages costing only RM0.01 (P0.14).

“This is our way of reciprocating the hard work and dedication of [overseas Filipino workers] OFWs, our modern-day heroes, by providing them with relevant communication services,” PLDT-Smart Senior Vice President and Head Ernesto Alberto said.

Subscribers will also be able to call the Philippines for as low as RM0.48/minute (P6.6/minute) and text messaging for only RM0.20 per SMS (P2.75).

An additional special feature is the DOS service, which gives subscribers a SMART Virtual Number (SVN) that will allow their loved ones in the Philippines to send text messages to Malaysia at local Philippine rates.

The SMART Pinoy SIM pack will be available at RM8.50 (P116.87) with a preloaded credit of RM5 (P68.75) and can be purchased at SMART Pinoy Wireless Centers in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu and at selected Celcom dealers around Malaysia.

CELCOM is part of the Axiata Group of Companies, a leading regional telecommunications company, with more than 175 million customers across 10 Asian markets.

PLDT Global has subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and most recently in Guam. Other markets targeted by PLDT are the Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.

Signing the business agreement last November 30 at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel were Senior Vice President and Head Ernesto Alberto of Enterprise and International and Carrier Business Groups of the PLDT and SMART Communications Inc., PLDT Global President and CEO Alejandro Caeg.

Representing CELCOM were CEO Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly and Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Eric Chong.

Philippine Ambassador-designate to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya witnessed the signing ceremony and launch of SMART Pinoy.

“This joint venture is another important milestone in the growing Philippines-Malaysia business relations. We encourage more collaboration between our respective business sectors, particularly on services that benefit overseas Filipinos in Malaysia as well as Malaysian tourists in the Philippines,” Malaya said.

PLDT Global will have a 51-percent stake in the joint venture, while the Malaysian company will have the remaining 49 percent.

Philippine companies active in Malaysia include:
- San Miguel Corporation/Petron Philippines which recently acquired the controlling interest in Esso Malaysia Berhad

- URC Snacks Food Sdn. Bhd

- Century Motolite Battery

- Axexorize (m) Sdn. Bhd.
 
Malaysian companies operating in the Philippines include Resorts World Hotel, Shangri-La Hotels, Malayan Banking Corporation (Maybank) and MTD Capital Bhd, which recently upgraded the South Luzon Expressway. — LBG, GMA News

[Migrant workers group urge OWWA to help families of ‘Sendong’ affected OFWs]

Migrant workers group urge OWWA to help families of ‘Sendong’ affected OFWs

By Ruel Perez

MANILA, Philippines – Militant group Migrante urged the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to assist the families of what they estimated to be 10,000 overseas workers affected by tropical storm “Sendong” (International name: WASHI) in Northern Mindanao.
In a Radyo Inquirer 990 AM report, John Leonard Monterona regional Coordinator of Migrante-Middle East said that as of 2010, they have counted some 10,000 OFWs from Northern Mindanao including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and parts of Visayas.
This is however, contrary to OWWA’s tally which has only 3,000 OFW members were affected by Sendong in the same area.
Nevertheless, Monterona said that OWWA should not only give burial assistance to families of affected OFWs but also relief and family assistance amounting to P100,000.


http://globalnation.inquirer.net

Christmas rush to give aid to Sendong victims

Aid pours in for victims, survivors of Tropical Storm ‘Sendong’
By Jerome Aning, Norman Bordadora, Volt Contreras
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:09 am | Wednesday, December 21st, 2011


Water and relief goods being distributed to evacuees in West City Central School in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City where more than 5,000 have evacuated. Social workers say there is a lack in food, water, and other basic necessities. PHOTO BY JB R. DEVEZA
A unique Christmas rush is on: The rush to give to the victims and survivors of Tropical Storm “Sendong.”
Aid has steadily poured in for the thousands still reeling from the unprecedented flash floods that struck Northern Mindanao and parts of the Visayas last week, a national tragedy that has moved many to tone down their Yuletide revelry and extend their gift-giving to the grieving and the homeless.
At the Philippine Daily Inquirer main office in Makati City Tuesday, a bemedalled athlete walked in to donate a check for P130,000 to the newspaper’s relief drive.
Apryl Dalmacio Eppinger, a sprint cyclist who won two silver medals and a bronze at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta, went straight to the Inquirer just hours after getting the check from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The amount, she said, represented the government incentives she earned for her SEA Games performance.
“It’s so close to Christmas and yet they’re mourning. It’s not fair to them,” Eppinger, 26, said of Sendong’s victims. “I haven’t experienced something like that, but this is something that really touches you. I have so much emotion that I can’t describe how I feel about it.”
A mix of Filipino, German, and Australian blood, Eppinger was the lone female cyclist on the Philippine team that competed in Jakarta. She said she only learned of the calamity days after arriving in Manila for a visit from her home in Melbourne, and felt that “it was only natural for me to help.”
In a message to the victims, Eppinger, who also writes a blog, said: “I felt your cries with my heart. I hope that (the donation) would help relieve some of your suffering. No matter how far away you are, there are many of us who want to support you. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.”
Hers was just one of the countless outpourings of sympathy for the people of the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and  Dumaguete, and other areas that faced Sendong’s wrath over the weekend.
Death toll
Nearly 1,000 people—998 to be exact, as of yesterday—have died from the storm and countless more are feared dead, according to a top disaster official.
“It’s possible the death toll will exceed 1,000 because there are many more missing,” said Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
As of Tuesday afternoon, the official death toll stood at 998.
According to the NDRRMC count, the number of those killed in Cagayan De Oro City has reached 616; Iligan City, 283; Bukidnon, 47; Negros Oriental, 38; Cebu, one; Zamboanga del Norte, three; Compostela Valley, five; Surigao Del Sur, one; and Lanao Del Sur, four.
“We have lost count of the missing because of the sheer number. Even the local governments have lost count already,” Ramos said. A Philippine Red Cross tally put the number of missing at over 500.
Local, foreign donors
Donations in cash and kind worth millions of pesos have since been streaming in from government agencies, foreign states and organizations, the religious, civic and business communities, and private individuals.
One of the biggest foreign donors was the government of Japan, which is sending P14 million worth of relief items that include urgently needed water tanks and generators.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday said it had dispatched 3 tons of high-energy biscuits to the affected areas to assist around 7,800 evacuees who were considered most vulnerable as they still could not cook their own food.
The government has specifically requested WFP emergency food and nonfood items—such as blankets, water tanks, tarpaulins and tents—for over 74,000 people in the areas of Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City and Kinoguitan of Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, as well as logistics support to help transport government relief items to these areas.
In Geneva, the Unicef said it had sent out appeals for $4.2 million on Tuesday to help an estimated 200,000 children in the evacuation centers.
The International Organization for Migration also said it had given $50,000 in emergency funds to support government efforts to deliver relief after an estimated 10,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
In a statement, US President Barack Obama expressed the American people’s “deep condolences for the tremendous loss of life and devastation caused by recent flooding” and said Washington “stands ready to assist the Philippine people and government should humanitarian assistance and recovery efforts be needed.”
Cash-for-work
On the local front, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it had so far distributed some P7.8 million worth of relief assistance to the storm victims.
The amount consisted of P6.6 million from the DSWD, P632,333.75 from local government units, and P524,000 from nongovernment organizations.
The DSWD said another P28 million had been set aside for the cash-for-work program for the evacuees. Those who wish to avail themselves of the fund may do maintenance and clean-up work at the evacuation centers or help in the repair of the damaged houses, according to Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz announced the release of P10 million in emergency employment assistance funds to Northern Mindanao to help the flood victims.
Baldoz said workers rendered jobless by the calamity would qualify for the assistance package.
She said several programs under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Integrated Livelihood Program will be made available to the victims.
These include the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad), where workers in the affected areas would be tapped for  unclogging and clean-up activities.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said he had ordered the release of an initial P2 million to the Center for Health Development in Northern Mindanao to procure additional medicines and medical supplies.
Ona also turned over several boxes of assorted medicines, various supplies, tents and cadaver bags amounting to P13 million to local authorities to assist in the continuing relief efforts.
‘Frank’ victims
In Iligan City, hospitals of the Department of Health also took part in relief efforts.
Amai Pakpak Medical Center sent a team to an evacuation center and donated P100,000 worth of drugs, medicines and supplies.
Northern Mindanao Medical Center mobilized ambulances for transferring victims rescued by the Coast Guard and provided assorted medicines and supplies worth P500,000.
Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Regional Training and Teaching Hospital supplied the city’s health office with assorted drugs and medicines worth P100,000.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the victims of Sendong, their families and friends. We have not stopped with our relief efforts since Day One, and we will continuously provide assistance, especially medical services, to those devastated by Sendong,” Ona said.
The city and province of Iloilo, which were devastated by Typhoon “Frank” in 2008, will send P2.2 million in cash assistance to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, according to its chief executives.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor has approved the release of P1 million each to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan which would be coursed through bank transfer to the flood-devastated local government units.
“We understand their situation and their needs,” the governor said.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the city would also donate P100,000 each to the two cities, which would be sourced from the P2-million allocation intended for assistance to other local government units in the city’s disaster risk management fund.
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo has also issued a circular to all parishes and lay organizations to campaign for donations for the flood victims.
The Tagum City council on Monday approved the release of a P500,000 aid package for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, while the provincial government of Davao del Norte sent P1 million-worth of non-cash assistance.
In General Santos City, Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio also announced the allocation of a similar amount each for the two devastated cities.
Medical mission
The Philippine Medical Association said it would be dispatching  doctors, specialists and other medical workers in the coming days to address the physical and psychological needs of the victims.
The PMA spokesperson, Dr. Mike Aragon, said the group would deploy some 150 to 250 medical professionals under the group’s project “Oplan: Doc Santa.”
“Sendong stole Christmas from the typhoon victims. We will try to bring it back,” Aragon told reporters.
PDI drive
At the Inquirer, the newspaper’s relief drive had received donations from the following:
United Print Media Group, Oliva Firme Law Office and Associates, Linda Contreras, Electro Mekanique (through Rolando Samaniego), Petroleum Tech and Research Group, Xcel Oil Corp., Xcel Holdings Inc., Villa Enrique Private Ltd., Fuel Con Trading Private Ltd.;
Albert Rodriguez, Citadel Inn Makati, Steph Asuncion, Irene Perez, Pepito Olarte, Mark Prof Foundation through Josiah and Chiqui Go, Renato Mercado Valenzuela, Mariano Santos, New Plasti-mate Manufacturing (through Fely Law), Pack-rite Manufacturing (through Jose Law);
G-Travel, Augusto and Adoracion San Pedro, Jay Phillip Paala, Jorge Mañalac, Kelly Uy, Paolo Banoa, Marina Magallanes, Rohann Sojor, Malu Arboleda, Gregory Tung, Alcid Family, Anjo Mendoza, Rotary Club of Makati Guadalupe, Joy Tesora, Inquirer Marketing Department, Inquirer Libre, Philippine Daily Inquirer Employees Union and several anonymous donors.
The donations received by the Inquirer would be distributed on Christmas Eve to the victims in Cagayan de Oro and other parts of Mindanao through the Philippine Red Cross.
Cash donations may still be coursed through the Inquirer Help Fund’s Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Current Account No. 4951-0067-56, under the name Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc. until December 29.

Kuala Lumpur’s SMART Tunnel not looking so smart anymore

http://thestar.com.my


 

THE SMART Tunnel is the pride and joy of the authorities who have always touted it as the ultimate solution to the flood problems in Kuala Lumpur. When the project was rushed to be opened in January 2007, we were all told that the floods that hit the city a few months earlier would be the last as the tunnel was the longest and biggest storm drain project in South-East Asia.

True enough, for several years our capital city seemed to have been spared from any deluge despite some heavy downpour. Motorists were irritated when the tunnel had to be closed to accommodate the draining of rainwater to the retention ponds but, generally, city folk were impressed with the workings of the RM1.9bil Storm Water Management and Road Tunnel project - until last Tuesday.

That was the day Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Semarak and Kampung Baru were flooded just like how it was in 2006, when the worst flood ever hit the city centre. It was as if we were like Bangkok a few weeks ago. What happened to the SMART Tunnel?

A spokesman for SMART had said that had it not been for the SMART Tunnel, KL would have experienced much worse flooding last week.

It also seems that the river that burst its bank was Sungai Bunus. It flows though the Kampung Baru-Jalan Tun Razak-Jalan Semarak area and this waterway was not covered under the SMART Tunnel scope.

So, there is now a need to come up with a flood mitigation project to resolve this “new problem”.

At Monday's Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) budget meeting, KL Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail announced an allocation of RM85mil for flood mitigation works, including RM20mil for the Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to divert water from Sg Bunus to Lake Titiwangsa. This, he said, was to help mitigate the recent flooding along Jalan Tun Razak.

Why was this not thought of earlier when billions were being spent on the SMART Tunnel and the other flood mitigation projects implemented over the years? Why is it after a few hours of downpour in 2011 that Sg Bunus has suddenly become a problem?

In fact in 2007 seven projects costing millions were carried out in various flood hot spots in the city.

Some of these “long-term” measures include building floodwater retention ponds, upgrading drainage and diverting water from one river to another. All of these projects were completed and yes, many of them are effective.

Sg Bunus seems like a new problem, one caused by rapid unplanned development.

There have been new projects built along and even over Sg Bunus. Could it be that these developments are the cause of the floods? Instead of just spending millions of ringgit only on flood mitigation projects, the authorities should also carry out studies of how rivers or even storm drains in Kuala Lumpur are impacted by nearby development.

Motorists to enjoy toll discounts on Christmas Day


http://thestar.com.my
 

KUALA LUMPUR: Discounts and toll rebates of between five and 37.5% will be enjoyed by all motorists on Christmas Day Sunday.

The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), in a statement Wednesday, said this involved 20 concessionaires and 24 tolled highways, including the New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), which offers a 10% discount for all classes of vehicles from 11pm on Dec 24 until 8am on Dec 25.

Class 1 vehicles plying the North South Expressway (PLUS), North South Central Link (Elite), Seremban-Port Dickson Highway (SLDH), Kulim-Butterworth Highway (KLBK) and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway will enjoy a 10% discount from Dec 25 to 27.

The Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), Shah Alam-Kuang Expressway (Guthrie) and Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA) will be offering discounts of 10% for all vehicles from 6am on Dec 25 until 6am on Dec 26.

For motorists on other highways, discounts and rebates will begin from midnight on Dec 24 until 11.59pm on Dec 25.

These highways include the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme (Sprint), SMART Highway, Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya), New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke), Cheras Kajang Highway (Grand Saga), Kajang Highway (Silk), KL-Putrajaya Highway (KLP), Kajang-Seremban Highway (Lekas), KL-Karak Highway (KLK), East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (ECE 1) and the Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE). - Bernama

[More rain seen on Christmas Day]

More rain seen on Christmas Day

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
4:23 pm | Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Even as they reel from the aftermath of Storm Sendong,  residents of Mindanao and the Visayas should brace themselves for widespread rain that could trigger flash floods and landslides on Christmas Day, weather forecasters warned Wednesday.
Luzon would also experience monsoon rains that could spawn floods and landslides in the Bicol Region on or before Christmas, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
There is no cyclone on the horizon in the next four days, forecaster said.
As the tail-end of the cold front moves southward, the Visayas and Mindanao would experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, said Robert Sawi, chief of Pagasa’s weather division.
The rainshowers and thunderstorms would become widespread over the eastern section, which might cause floods and landslides in eastern Mindanao on December 25, he said.
“Our countrymen there should prepare because flashfloods might occur during the weekend,’’ he said during a press conference.
Sendong (international codename: Washi) cut a wide swath of death and destruction in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, prompting President Aquino to declare a national state of calamity.
On the other hand, a surge in the southeast monsoon would bring light rain over the western and eastern sections of Luzon from December 21 to 26, Sawi said.
This would become frequent over the Bicol Region, and could cause floods and mountain slopes to collapse on December 24 and 25, he said.
“The northeast monsoon would dominate and affect most parts of Luzon, especially the eastern side,’’ he said.
The weather bureau cautioned fishermen on the coasts of the Visayas and Mindanao against setting out to sea because of  big waves generated by strong northeasterly winds.
The northeast monsoon now sweeping the main island of Luzon with cold and dry air from Siberia and the tail-end of the cold front would be the dominant weather systems affecting most of the country in the next four days.

[Absolute water, PAL, Airphil Express help Mindanao victims]

Absolute water, PAL, Airphil Express help Mindanao victims

INQUIRER.net
2:31 pm | Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Asia Brewery sent 350,000 bottles of Absolute Pure Distilled Drinking Water to disaster areas where Typhoon Sendong has left so many in dire need of potable water.
With logistics partners Philippine Airlines and Airphil Express, at least 50,000 bottles will be sent by air to Cagayan de Oro City for immediate deployment. The 300,000 bottles meanwhile will be sent by sea to ABI marketing arms for distribution to other rescue and relief groups. Two Aguavida mobile water refilling station trucks are also on the way.  Those in need may contact CDO and Iligan offices.
“As the flag carrier, Philippine Airlines is one in grieving with the nation for all those affected by the severe flooding.  PAL is providing as much resources to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, but we know this will never be enough given the enormity of the crisis.  We are praying and hoping for the best,” said Vivienne Tan, EVP of Philippine Airlines.
“As the logistics partner of Asia Brewery, we are delivering Absolute bottled water and T-shirts to our brothers and sisters in CDO and Iligan severely affected by Typhoon Sendong”, said Mayette Siasoco, VP of Airphil Express.
As of December 21, 10am,  1,188 cases of Absolute Pure Distilled Drinking water reached CDO, thanks to Airphil Express flights.  Bottled water were delivered to CDO marketing arm and subsequently disseminated among Tan Yan Kee Foundation, ABS Foundation, GMA Foundation, various barangays and evacuation centers.
More bottled water deliveries to follow, as ongoing coordination among various disaster relief groups such as Red Cross and National Disaster Council ensue.  All Absolute bottled water being sent to CDO and Iligan will bear a special white label.

Pinay loses handbag to snatcher in Malaysia

December 5, 2011 2:00pm

A 51-year-old Filipina fell prey to a motorcycle-riding snatcher in Kuching, Malaysia over the weekend, a Malaysian news site reported on Monday.
 
The incident occurred behind a restaurant at Jalan Chan Bee Kiew Saturday evening, Malaysia's "The Star" reported.
 
Filipina Ruby Phane, 51, who is staying at Taman Orchard in Jalan Urat Mata, told police she was walking along the street around 9:00 p.m. when a motorcyclist snatched her handbag.

Phane told "The Star" that she lost her personal documents, RM1,500 (P20,667) cash, and mobile phone.
 
She said the motorcyclist was too fast and had gone out of sight before she could jot down the plate number. - VVP, GMA News
 

^^^Mga kababayan ko...ingat kayo ha?

Malaysian bishop praises PHL initiatives to protect OFWs

November 24, 2011 10:40am

A Malaysian archbishop praised the Philippines for its initiatives to promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
 
Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Tan Sri Datuk Murphy Pakiam praised the Philippine government's OFW protection programs during a courtesy call by Ambassador-designate Jose Eduardo Malaya last Nov. 17.
 
“Our Filipino parishioners were the first to call our attention to the plight of migrant workers and their families,” he said, according to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Pakiam also said Filipinos have significantly contributed to the work of Catholic parishes in Malaysia, including the Tahanang Filipino Community and the Migrants Capability Enhancement Program (CAPE) based in Kuala Lumpur’s St. John’s Cathedral.
 
The archbishop, who served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur since May 2003, lived and studied in the Philippines.
 
He received a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from the De La Salle University in Manila in 1989. - VVP, GMA News

Mayweather sentenced to 90 days in jail
   

Unbeaten American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather was sentenced to three months in jail Wednesday after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges.
Las Vegas judge Melissa Saragosa also ordered Mayweather to complete 100 hours of community service and gave him a $2,500 fine.
The guilty plea, and no contest plea to two harassment charges, means the 34-year-old boxer will not go to trial on charges he hit his ex-girlfriend and threatened two of their children during an argument at her home 15 months ago.
Prosecutor Lisa Luzaich argued the sentence was too light. Mayweather could have received a sentence of 18 months in jail.
"He just continually gets himself into trouble and he is able to get himself out of it as well," she said. "Essentially it is because he is who he is and is able to get away with everything.
"The only thing that's going to get this man's attention is incarceration," the prosecutor said.
Mayweather, who was told to report to jail January 6, declined to comment outside the courtroom.
The domestic battery charge stems from striking Josie Harris while the harassment charges come from the threats to his children.
Mayweather was accused of assaulting her after she told him she was dating another man, police said, and he reacted by striking Harris, threatening his children and taking their cell phones.
Saragosa said that the police report detailed the incident and in it Mayweather threatened to kill or make Harris "disappear".
Mayweather admitted hitting Harris and twisting her arm. Saragosa said that two of their children, ages 9 and 10, also witnessed the attack.
Mayweather, who is in line for a possible fight with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, is the current World Boxing Council welterweight champ and has a record of 42 wins and no losses.
Next week, Mayweather will plead no contest to a misdemeanour battery charge and pay a $1,000 fine for an altercation with a security guard in November of last year over parking violations near his mansion in a gated community.
Mayweather stopped fellow American Victor Ortiz in the fourth round in September to win the WBC welterweight title. He plans to fight again on May 5 in Las Vegas against an undecided foe.
Boxing fans have longed to see Mayweather test himself against Pacquiao, the fighter many fans consider to have replaced him as the world pound-for-pound champion.


http://ph.news.yahoo.com

Philippine rebels declare Christmas cease-fire
AP – Mon, Dec 19, 2011

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Communist guerrillas have declared a Christmas cease-fire after the Philippine government announced its own halt to fighting amid a wave of rebel attacks.
The Communist Party of the Philippines ordered its armed wing, the New People's Army, on Monday to stop attacking troops and police from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2 but asked them to remain vigilant against hostile military moves.
The rebels said their cease-fire will allow Filipinos to peacefully celebrate the holidays.
President Benigno Aquino III approved a separate holiday cease-fire for troops beginning Friday until Jan. 2 in a traditional goodwill gesture.
The rebels, who have been listed by Washington as terrorists, have intensified attacks in recent months.

^^^mamamasko naman siguro sila...


http://ph.news.yahoo.com

[No Xmas at home for detained ex-Philippine leader]

No Xmas at home for detained ex-Philippine leader
By JIM GOMEZ | AP – 22 hours ago


MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine court rejected on Wednesday requests by arrested ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to celebrate Christmas at home and use her cellphone and computer in detention, underscoring recent stunning reversals for a woman once considered among the world's most powerful.
Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay Regional Trial Court cited security reasons for denying Arroyo's request to leave a military hospital where she is detained on electoral fraud charges. She wanted to celebrate Christmas and New Year at her upscale home in the capital.
But she obtained small concessions. Mupas allowed her family, children and grandchildren to celebrate the holidays with her in her heavily guarded hospital suite from Dec. 24 to 26 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. She will also be allowed to watch TV, listen to the radio, attend Mass and get an hour of sunshine each day.
"The court is not inclined to grant (Arroyo) a Christmas furlough," Mupas said in his order. He said he was allowing her family to visit because "the court is fully aware of the fact that everybody wants to be with his loved ones during Christmas."
Court sheriff Rodelio Buenviaje said Arroyo was upset when he relayed the order to her.
"We are saddened but we will follow," Arroyo lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told reporters. "I was just hoping that the judge will see through his heart that this is a season for unity and forgiveness."
Arroyo's Nov. 18 arrest curtailed her rights even though she remains a member of the House of Representatives, Mupas said.
Mupas had ordered Arroyo's arrest on Nov. 18 in her hospital room, where she had sought treatment for a bone ailment, on suspicion of ordering the rigging of 2007 senatorial elections to favor her candidates. She has denied any wrongdoing and has hired a battery of lawyers.
Last month, the Supreme Court lifted a travel ban on her, and she attempted to leave the country with her husband. President Benigno Aquino III's justice secretary, however, defied the Supreme Court order and directed airport authorities to stop her from leaving, fearing she might try to escape from prosecution.
Aquino, who won election on a promise to uproot corruption, blames Arroyo for a decade of graft and corruption scandals that eroded public trust in government and held back foreign investment.
Arroyo, however, accused her successor of resorting to "demagoguery to completely destroy my reputation."
Aquino has accused Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, a former Arroyo chief of staff whom she appointed shortly before her term ended last year, of obstructing Arroyo's prosecution. Although Corona has denied favoring Arroyo in his rulings, Aquino's allies in the House of Representatives impeached the chief justice last week.
Arroyo, a 64-year-old former economics professor and daughter of an ex-president, survived four opposition impeachment bids and four attempted coups during her nine stormy years in power.
Arroyo once landed near the top of a Forbes magazine list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com