Archive for October 2008
Outsourcing to drive growth in real estate
By Jesus F. Llanto
Researcher, Newsbreak
October 23, 2008–Despite the slowdown of major economies, the business process outsourcing industry will continue to boost growth in the real estate sector, particularly the demand for office space, industry experts said Wednesday.
“Offshoring and outsourcing will continue to drive the demand in most real estate segments, particularly in offices,” said Rick Santos, chair of real estate services and consulting firm CB Richard Ellis Philippines.
Multinational companies, said Santos, would continue to outsource operations to survive and thrive especially during these times when a global economic slowdown is happening.
“Even with the lingering global financial crisis and the recession in the US, the outsourcing and offshoring remains to be a major economic and property industry driver of the country,” Santos said. “It will continue to provide cost-effective and high-value alternative to ailing US companies who need to survive this short-term weakness in their economy.”
The BPO industry is one of the growing sectors in the Philippines. Industry experts expect revenues to increase by 43 percent and reach almost US$7 billion in 2008.
CBRE estimates that around 501,968 sq. meters of new office space is scheduled for completion in 2008 across Metro Manila to meet the demand from the BPO industry. The figure is higher than last year’s monitored take up of 300,000 sq. meters.
Survivors: OFWs have endured major crises
By Jesus F. Llanto
Researcher, Newsbreak
October 23, 2008–With the global financial crisis spreading its dark shadow on host countries, the labor department foresees reduced remittances as it estimates that about 50,000 of our migrant workers (in Europe and the US) may lose their jobs.
What will happen to our modern day heroes?
The billions of dollars they send to their families in the Philippines fuel consumption in the country and keep the economy afloat. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that, from January to July this year, remittances from the eight million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reached US$ 9.6 billion.
But this is not the first time that OFWs are experiencing a financial crisis. In 1997, Filipinos working in Asia went through the regional financial crisis.
We compiled a list of the most difficult situations our OFWs have been through, from volatile peace situations in their host countries to disease outbreaks. Here are some of the most prominent crises that affected them. The recent incident in Somalia where Filipino seafarers were held captive by pirates is the latest in a long list of crises involving Filipino workers deployed in various parts of the world.
A Continuous Rebuilding: Newsbreak’s Special Issue on Mindanao
Newsbreak magazine’s special issue on Mindanao is out.
This issue looks at the state of governance, education, health services, and enterprise in the island. There are lessons from yet another failed peace negotiation, as much as it is about independent efforts of people’s organizations, local governments, and foreign donors to help residents rise above the poverty that the decades-old conflict has brought on the island. There are assessments of each region’s prospects for growth, as much as they are hopeful glimpses on localities that are not giving up on agriculture and fisheries despite the promise of quick bucks from mining. The Australian Agency for International Development engaged us to put together this special edition.
Copies of the magazine are available in bookstores and other magazine outlets at P150 each. For bulk orders, contact Newsbreak at 920-0997, fax 920-3611, email admin@newsbreak.com.ph.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OPINION
- Forgotten Stories of a Renewed War. Progress and peace could be a thing of the past in Lanao del Norte.
- Back to Scratch Will the government’s new tack on the peace talks work?
- What is GMA’s Agenda? Former Senate President Franklin Drilon argues the unconstitutionality of the canceled deal with MILF.
- Critics not after the best interest of Mindanao’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. defends the MOA with Muslim rebels.
- The Spirit of EAGA Marites Dañguilan Vitug reminds us of a possible key to Mindanao’s growth.
PEACE
- From Poor to Poorer Why many villagers oppose inclusion in a Muslim territory
- How Not to Address Inequality Development aid may be favoring one ethnic group over another. “
- All wars end in peace’ Soldiers can be peacebuilders without losing their fighting spirit.
- Justice Without Distinction A Maguindanao town balances different tribal customs in administering justice.
GOVERNANCE
- A Spirit No Attack can Ruin North Cotabato towns pillaged by MILF fighters are starting all over again.
- A Hyped Achievement Automated voting was only half-successful in the ARMM elections.
EDUCATION
- A New Page for Muslim Filipino Students New subjects prepare them for mainstream education.
- Where the Kids are Tagum City’s public market is also the street children’s school.
HEALTH
Cannot Be Reached No health services in Mindanao’s poorest areas? Blame the fighting.
- Healthy Moms and Babies In Maitum, Sarangani, their welfare is government policy.
IMAGES
Actually, They are Living in Peace Mindanaoans are busy earning a living.
ENTERPRISE
- Neglecting the Farms Mindanao can produce enough rice, but it needs P30 billion to built farm-to-market roads.
- Disabled No More A mobile store project gives persons with disability a new lease on life and livelihood.
- Pride in Their Farmlands They grow fruits even on rough terrain and steep slopes.
REGIONS
- Problems on the Peninsula Zamboanga needs investments and a better image to boost its prospects.
- A Boom in Northern Mindanao But it has to strike a balance between agriculture and industrialization.
- Hope on the Streets Cagayan de Oro continues a project for street children even after donors have left.
- The Price of Progress Davao Region continues its economic boom, but why are there more poor residents now?
- ‘Padre’ Lifts Up the Poor In Davao del Norte, the province learns from a town about fighting poverty.
- Tuna in Transition Troubles in the global economy catch up with Soccsksargen’s main industry.
- Other Wealth Region 12 also has vast potentials in agriculture and mining.
- Holding on to an Empty Promise Caraga is not ready for the growth that the mining industry is expected to bring.
- Forget Federalism Dr. Sukarno Tanggol says that Muslim Mindanao can do well with genuine autonomy.
- Where Have MNLF combatants Gone? Some 28,000 of them are now productive farmers and fishers.
Low crime rate in Batanes but alcoholism rising
By Jesus F. Llanto
Newsbreak, Researcher
October 20.2008–Batanes, the smallest province in terms of land area and population, is also one of the most peaceful places in the country and its almost empty jails are the proof. Unlike most areas in the Philippines, Batanes remains to be one of the places with lowest crime rate. Incidence of index crimes is uncommon and most of those arrested are those only caught violating ordinances like using bicycles without early warning device.
Eduardo Dasilao of the Batanes provincial office of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the occupants of the provincial jail are just the three Vietnamese who were caught poaching in the island of Sabtang.
Illegal poaching is one of the major problems of Batanes. Lalaine Banares, chief of police of Basco said that poachers, who have larger vessels, usually go to Batanes waters whenever there are rough waves.
The absence of crimes, particularly those that are caused by poverty, can be attributed to the low poverty incidence in Batanes. The province recorded a zero percent poverty rate in 2006, data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).
Local officials show support for GMA in paid ads
By Jesus F. Llanto
Researcher, Newsbreak
October 17, 2008-Local executives expressed their support for President Arroyo and described the latest impeachment complaint against her as “divisive” and “destructive” through advertisements published in at least two major dailies today.
Two leagues of local officials came up with newspaper ads affirming their support for the President through advertisements published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star.
The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) came up with an ad in the Philippine Star expressing their support for President Arroyo and condemning the impeachment complaint filed against her on October 13 by Joey de Venecia, son of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Iloilo vice governor Rolex Suplico and law professor Harry Roque.
“The impeachment suit is usually politically motivated, divisive and destructive that attains the common weal of our people,” the LPP said in its advertisement signed by LPP Secretary-General and Eastern Samar governor Ben Evardone, LPP national chair and Camarines Sur governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte and the league’s national president and Misamis Occidental governor Loreto Leo Ocampos.(abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak)
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Photo: www.ops.gov.ph
Scotland in RP? Go to Batanes
By Jesus F. Llanto
Researcher, Newsbreak
October 16, 2008
BASCO—Batanes may be the country’s least populated and smallest province but its natural resources, rich history and culture could rival wonders offered by more established tourist destinations in the Philippines. 
Tourists visiting the islands will be reminded of Scotland once they see the massive cliffs and of New Zealand upon seeing the gentle rolling terrain of green pastures and the fields bounded by hedge rows. These can be found in Batan, the province’s main island and where the capital Basco is located.
In Sabtang Island, a 30-minute boat ride from Basco, the famous cobblestone houses–with walls made of approximately 1-meter thick stones—that withstand earthquakes and typhoons that battered the province can be found in the villages of Chavayan and Savidug. 
The white sand beach of Nakabuang, which is famous for its rock formations, is also in this island.
The archeological site of the oldest settlement in the province, meanwhile, can be found in Torongan Cave in the island of Itbayat, a three-hour boat ride from the capital. Various burial sites and old churches can also be found all throughout the province.
Batanes is also a candidate in the World Heritage Site list by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
With all these natural and man-made wonders, the province hopes that its tourism sector would become its major source of income in the coming years. Batanes governor Telesforo Castillejos said that at present income from tourism is marginal but they expect it to contribute more revenue to the province’s coffers in the future. 
“Eco-cultural tourism will be the major industry that will propel the economy of Batanes,” Castillejos said.
Peak season
Tourist arrivals in Batanes reached 5,000 in 2007, said acting provincial tourism officer Robert Bastillo. The figure, he said, is expected to double this year and since the latest tourist arrival data showed that a total of 8,000 have arrived.
Peak season is during the months of November and December and during the Holy Week.
Tess Valiente, general manager of Batanes Grand Holidays Travel and Tours, said that occupancy rate during these months reaches 100 percent. “People who want to go to Batanes during these months should make their reservations four months earlier.”
Occupancy rate, meanwhile, during rainy season reaches only to 50 percent but Valiente said it has been increasing by 10 percent due to the promos of some airline companies. (abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak)
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Disclosure: This is the last in a three-part series on Batanes. The author’s trip to the province was sponsored by NEDA.
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Sidebar: BPOs in Batanes?
In a recent meeting between Batanes governor Telesforo Castillejos and members of the media, the governor said his province wants to attract investments from the growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.
Castillejos said that call centers can help stop the exodus of the educated people in their province. The governor estimated that 60-70 percent of their graduates leave to look for better opportunities elsewhere. He added that the provincial government will be willing to give task incentives to BPO companies.
There is a growing trend among BPO firms to establish their presence outside outsourcing hubs like Metro Manila and Cebu, where industry concentration has driven up the cost of labor and the rental rates.
In a recent Local Governance Unit summit held in Makati, Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim of the Commission on Information and Communication Technology told that BPO firms should go outside the National Capital Region, where major BPO operations take, because the provinces offer cheaper rental rates and a huge pool of talents. –Jesus F. Llanto (abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak)
Click here to read the rest of the story.
RELATED STORY: Zero poverty in Batanes but…
