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RP under state of calamity |
President orders forced evacuation of people in path of Typhoon ‘Pepeng’
 PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo on Friday placed the entire country under a state of calamity, a day before Typhoon Pepeng (international codename: Parma) was expected to make landfall in Luzon, as local governments began forcibly evacuating people from areas directly in the storm’s path or prone to flooding and landslides.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Trade Secretary Peter Favila made the announcement on government television after they emerged from an executive session that followed a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in Cainta, Rizal, one of the areas hardest hit by devastating floods triggered by tropical storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) last week.
Ondoy dumped a month’s worth of rains on Metro Manila and outlying provinces in less than a day, triggering the floods that affected more than three million people and killed at least 293.
Teodoro explained that the state of calamity was a preemptive measure because “we can’t estimate the effects of Typhoon Pepeng . . . which is expected to bring rains to many areas,” and to keep the prices of basic commodities at current levels.
The Trade department has added construction materials to the items subjected to price controls.
The declaration will also allow local governments to use 5 percent of their budgets for disaster response.
At the same time, President Arroyo also ordered the governors of provinces in Pepeng’s path to evacuate people from low-lying and coastal areas.
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Entertainment |
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Manila Bulletin  Dingdong Dates "The year 2008 has been an exciting, fruitful year for me," he said and that’s why he decided to hold a dinner-Christmas party (at the Imperial Palace Suites), to share his blessings with the entertainment press. "There were ups and downs in my life but the ups far outweighed the downs, mas maraming magagandang bagay na nangyari," Dingdong happily expressed. |
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Travel |
Vince G. Lopez, Photos by: Rudy Liwanag  San Agustin, Tablas One of the three major islands of Romblon, Tablas Island has a facade of the old colors of the traditional province. Upon arriving in Tablas, either through Looc Port or the Tablas airport, the first thing visitors will notice is how peaceful and quiet the province is. Every breath is of fresh air, and the view of the rich lush greens all over is a refreshing sight compared to the crowded metro. Within the first few hours of touring the island, the first thing visitors will notice is the simple way of living in Tablas, which can be seen in the major form of transportation, usually big tricycles and long, large jeeps carrying more than 20 passengers along with various goods. |
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Politics |
By DEXTER A. SEE  Sen Loren Lagarda Legarda was one of the guests during the annual convention of the National Association of Public Secondary School Heads (NAPSSHE) at the Teachers Camp. The senator said studies show that the country’s rice wastage annually is over 15 percent of total consumption while the national government imports 10 percent. The senator said the wastage is brought about by the lack of appropriate post-harvest facilities. If the national government could reduce the wastage by providing appropriate post-harvest facilities for the farmers, Legarda said, the country would no longer need to import rice. It could utilize the funds earmarked for importation to other meaningful projects for the benefit of poor Filipinos. |
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Sports |
By NICK GIONGCO
Based on what Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz are saying on their respective recent newspaper writeups, it’s going to be a blast on June 28 in Las Vegas.
 Manny Pacquiao "I know from watching DVD copies of his previous fights that he never gives up and never lets up even if he is behind or ahead in the scorecards," said Pacquiao, who will be attempting to win a fourth world title in a fourth weight class. "Diaz is a left-hander like me and based on my assessment of his style, we will be able to come up with a great show for boxing fans since he is the type of fighter who is always in front of you and is the kind of guy who doesn’t take a backward step and is always on the go," added Pacquiao, who leaves for Los Angeles tonight via Philippines Airlines to start training camp at the Wild Card. |
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Opinion |
Written in 1999.
Matter of Taste
by Matthew Sutherland
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