Peace Update: Spratly: US officials pledge to help Phl boost maritime security

MANILA, Philippines - The United States assured the Philippines that it will help boost its maritime security and surveillance in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today that the additional assurance from the US was conveyed by its defense officials to Secretary Albert del Rosario during a meeting at Pentagon in Washington D.C. on Friday.

The DFA said that among the officials who met with Del Rosario at the Pentagon was US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The meeting was held after a joint press briefing between Del Rosario and US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

It said that Gates assured Del Rosario that the US is prepared to help the Philippines strengthen its capability in securing its maritime territory, particularly in the disputed Spratly Islands.

The DFA said that US National Director for Intelligence James Clapper also met with Del Rosario today and pledged to enhance his agency's intelligence sharing with the Philippines, which will heighten the country's maritime situational awareness and surveillance in the disputed territory.

It said that during the meeting, Del Rosario told US defense officials that to complement the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) which the US traditionally turns over to the Philippines, he is exploring an option to access "newer US military assets which the Philippines could acquire quicker but through a deliberate selection and, which hopefully, are more cost-effective."

US Defense Undersecretary for Policy Michelle Fluornoy answered in the affirmative, the DFA said.

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The DFA said that according to Fluornoy, the US "would be happy to have our team look into the full range of (the Philippines') requirements (for maritime security)."

Peace Update: China says will not use force in West Philippine Sea | Inquirer Global Nation

China says will not use force in West Philippine Sea | Inquirer Global Nation: "China said Tuesday it would not resort to the use of force in the tense West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), after its neighbors expressed concern about its more assertive maritime posture.
“We will not resort to the use of force or the threat of force,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.
“We hope relevant countries will do more for peace and stability in the region,” Hong said.
Vietnam on Monday staged live-fire exercises following recent confrontations at sea with China which reignited a long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of two potentially oil-rich archipelagos, the Paracels and Spratlys.
Hong insisted Vietnam was to blame for the recent flare-up, sparked by a confrontation between Chinese surveillance vessels and a Vietnamese oil survey ship.
“Some country took unilateral actions to impair China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and released groundless and irresponsible remarks with the attempt to expand and complicate the issue of the South China Seas,” Hong said, in a thinly veiled reference to Hanoi.
“This is where the problem lies.”"

Tourism Update: DTI to make Otop part of its tourism thrust

DTI to make Otop part of its tourism thrust | Inquirer News: "The Department of Trade and Industry plans to integrate its One Town, One Product (Otop) program with the country’s thrust to boost tourism by using local products to attract tourists.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said the idea was to make Otop products available in various tourism-related establishments.

“We will offer these products to hotels and other tourist establishments, possibly promote food tourism in some areas. We want to link tourism with the DTI so that we may have a synergy in our promotions,” he said.
Domingo said tourism was identified as a primary engine for the country’s growth over the next several years.
In the draft 2011 Investment Priorities Plan, tourism was named as one of the priority sectors.
“The Philippines is a beautiful country. We just need to put up the necessary infrastructure and project a good image of the Philippines to get tourists to visit us. The DTI and the (Department of Tourism) will be doing joint promotions of tourism,” he said."

Wellness in Science & Technology: Wafer slicing plant which will be capable of producing 400 megawatts worth of solar wafers per year

PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines: "The First Philippine Electric Corporation (First Philec) is putting up a wafer slicing plant which will be capable of producing 400 megawatts worth of solar wafers per year in partnership with Korean company, Nexolon Corporation.

First Philec is also a partner of the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) in developing renewable energy systems, such as the country's first solar testing facility located in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanuan, Batangas.

Senator Edgardo Angara, also the COMSTE chair said that this is solid proof that government and industry collaboration can work successfully, and that continued investments through Public Private Partnerships (PPP's) can spur the growth of innovation especially in science and technology."

Wellness in Trade & Industry: 1st Food ingredients (Fi) Philippines trade show will be held in Manila next month

Appetising Opportunities at Food ingredients Philippines 2011 - PR Newswire - sacbee.com: "The first Food ingredients (Fi) Philippines trade show will be held in Manila next month. The special event will present a unique opportunity for members of the domestic food industry to learn about the latest food ingredients and recent technologies, as they meet with manufacturers and suppliers from around the globe.

Key players will exhibit at the show, while the latest industry developments will be discussed at an outstanding program of expert presentations. Networking opportunities will also be on hand during the 3-day event.

The trade show is an extension of the Food Ingredients Asia series, which has served the region for 15 years and attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors annually. The region's prosperity and great developments in the processed food sector, is contributing to the show's success and raising importance."

Wellness in Education: Public Fun Run on National Heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal's 150th b-day!

Public asked to celebrate Rizal birthday by joining fun run | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "Education Secretary Armin Luistro formally invited the public Tuesday to join the Department of Education (DepEd) in celebrating the 150th birth of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal this Sunday, June 19, by participating in its nationwide fun runs.

“We all know how our national hero pushed for the education of the Filipinos and I am sure that a century after his death that remains his aspiration,” said Luistro in a press conference.

Luistro assured that the preparations for simultaneous fun runs are now in full swing. “We invite participants to donate educational materials or volunteer time for education-related activities to benefit public schools nationwide,” he added.

Luistro said instead of participants paying registration fees, they are requested to bring donations or sign a pledge form stating what they can contribute to upgrade the standard of education in public schools.

The DepEd chief explained that participants have a choice of 1-, 2-, or 3 kilometer walk or run. All the different divisions in the National Capital Region will have their fun run at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta starting at 6 a.m."

Wellness in Education: Public Fun Run on National Hero's 150th b-day!

Public asked to celebrate Rizal birthday by joining fun run | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "Education Secretary Armin Luistro formally invited the public Tuesday to join the Department of Education (DepEd) in celebrating the 150th birth of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal this Sunday, June 19, by participating in its nationwide fun runs.

“We all know how our national hero pushed for the education of the Filipinos and I am sure that a century after his death that remains his aspiration,” said Luistro in a press conference.

Luistro assured that the preparations for simultaneous fun runs are now in full swing. “We invite participants to donate educational materials or volunteer time for education-related activities to benefit public schools nationwide,” he added.

Luistro said instead of participants paying registration fees, they are requested to bring donations or sign a pledge form stating what they can contribute to upgrade the standard of education in public schools.

The DepEd chief explained that participants have a choice of 1-, 2-, or 3 kilometer walk or run. All the different divisions in the National Capital Region will have their fun run at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta starting at 6 a.m."