AIR PHILIPPINES NOW FLIES TO ZAMBO, PUERTO PRINCESA
MANILA, November 25, 2005 (STAR) The Freeman - Enhancing connectivity between Cebu, Palawan and Zamboanga, a domestic carrier has added two more destinations to its Cebu hub network.A week ago, Air Philippines inaugurated its Cebu-Puerto Princesa route in simple ceremonies at the Mactan Cebu International Airport inviting selected and key members of the press and tour operators from Cebu, Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo and General Santos to a three-day familiarization tour to the country's last frontier.
Air Philippines has long served the Manila-Palawan route but travelers from the Visayas and Mindanao going to Palawan would have to stop over Cebu or Manila. The two or three-point stopovers were costly.
Domestic tour operators and travel agents hailed the Puerto Princesa route from Cebu because it cut travel time and fare.
Since Nov. 16, Air Philippines operated the routes from Cebu to Puerto Princesa and Cebu to Zamboanga. The Cebu-Puerto Princesa flight operates four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays while the Cebu-Zamboanga run is scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursday s and Sundays.
Air Philippines said that the operation of these additional routes answers mounting clamor from the riding public for enhanced connectivity to different regions of the country. "The hub makes travel all over the archipelago easier and convenient and is a big boost to national tourism," said Air Philippines corporate communications vice president Leah M. Sison. - Ruth G. Mercado
Philippines plans nickel, chromite mine in south 11/25 2:24:21 PM
MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines said Friday it plans to mine the tiny southern island of Dinagat for nickel and chromite and is evaluating prospective joint-venture partners.
Seven companies, all Filipino, are on a shortlist of potential partners for state-run Natural Resources Mining Development Corp. for the project in Dinagat, off the northeast coast of the major southern island of Mindanao, the natural resources department said in a statement.
The department made no mention of the possible cost of the project nor its output.
Miriam nominated as next Supreme Court justice despite deadline 11/25 4:15:13 PM
Fiery senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has been nominated to replace retiring Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. but it will be up to to the Judicial and Bar Council whether they will accept her nomination or not.
According to Senator Francis Pangilinan said the JBC will deliberate whether or not to accept Santiago's nomination as this came after the deadline set by the council.
Davide is set to retire at the mandatory age of 70 on December 20.
Pangilinan, a member of the JBC, likewise said that a group called the Young Lawyers Association of the Philippines was the one who nominated Santiago and also requested an extension of the deadline period.
Nominees reportedly up for Davide's post are Supreme Court Associate Justices Reynato Puno, Artemio Panganiban, Leonardo Quisumbing and Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez. According to Pangilinan, requirements for nominees to the post should be a naturally-born Filipino citizen and a law practitioner for a minimum of 15 years.
Officials study plan to slow human encroachment into forests 11/25 7:52:57 PM
MANILA (AFP) - Officials are studying a plan to slow the massive encroachment of human populations into upland areas that has put severe stress on the country's dwindling forest cover, a government official said Friday.
It may be time to implement a population management plan in the government's forestry rehabilitation program, Environment and Natural Resources assistant secretary Analiza Teh said in a statement.
While global population trends point to mass migration to urban centers, nearly 30 percent of Filipinos now live in upland areas, she added.
"Around 24 million people are estimated to be living in the uplands and, as such, put tremendous pressure in our forests," Teh said.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2005
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved