OFW Filipino Heroes

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

PHL with World economies hopeful ASEAN will adopt South China Sea segregation proposal

The Philippine government expressed hope that leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Bali November 17-19, 2011 will adopt its proposal to segregate the disputed areas in the South China Sea.

The proposal will demilitarize the region and put an end to the continuing intrusions of China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement.

President Benigno Aquino III will meet his ASEAN counterparts, as well as leaders of ASEAN dialogue partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, the United States, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon at the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Bali, Indonesia from Nov. 17 to 19.

Sixth East Asia Summit would be attended by the Following Leaders:

  1. US President Barack Obama
  2. Philippines President Benigno Aquino III
  3. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda
  4. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard
  5. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
  6. South Korean President Lee Myung Bak
  7. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
  8. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
  9. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
  10. Brunei Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah
  11. Vietnam Prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung
  12. Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
  13. China Premier Wen Jiabao
  14. Indonesian President Susilo bambang Yudhoyono
  15. Laos Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong
  16. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
  17. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
  18. Myanmar President Thein Sein

The region needs a more concrete, binding agreement to address the South China Sea disputes although the Guidelines on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea set to be adopted in the upcoming ASEAN Summit will ensure maritime security.

Zone of peace in the Spratlys

The Philippines, at the 18th ASEAN Summit, proposed to establish a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) that seeks to segregate the disputed South China Sea islands from the undisputed parts to put an end to military intrusions in the region.

Del Rosario said the Philippines welcomes the finalization of the Guidelines of Implementation of the Code of Conduct of the Parties as well as a peaceful solution to regional disputes.

"The Philippines believes ZoPFF/C is the next step after the Guidelines and contributes to efforts in achieving peace and prosperity in the region," Del Rosario said.

Meanwhile, Del Rosario said that in pushing for the ASEAN connectivity, the Philippines will seek their neighbors' support for its initiative included in the 15 flagship programs in the ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan.

The Philippines, in particular, is pushing for the creation of a nautical highway through the roll-on, roll-off concept in addition to road connectivity to complete the region's missing links.

"The Philippines looks forward to working with ASEAN's dialogue partners on connectivity initiatives, especially on the feasibility study on the ASEAN Roll-On/Roll-Off Network and Short-Sea Shipping," — Del Rosario said.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Philippines - the 4th biggest shipbuilder in the World - AUSTAL

Austal to set up shipyard in Balamban Cebu –

Leave a like in the AUSTAL Hikot Page

Austal hopes to begin producing vessels from a third shipyard early next year after sealing a $12 million deal to open a new regional beachhead in the Philippines.

Under an agreement flagged last month but closed on the weekend, Austal has bought a small shipyard in the West Cebu Industrial Park at Balamban on the island of Cebu for $7 million and plans to invest a further $5 million to ensure it is ready to begin operations in the March quarter, subject to orders.

The investment is a linchpin in Austal's bid to revive its business in small commercial vessels, including ferries and work boats, which have been seriously diminished by the high Australian dollar.

It says cheaper costs, particularly for skilled labor, will enable the Philippines yard to better compete for such work.

Identifying the yard for the first time - it was previously operated by Philippines company FBMA Marine - Austal said it hoped to quickly increase its workforce from about 30 at start-up, adding that the 60,000sqm site could be easily expanded to meet improved demand.

FBMA closed the yard in 2009 after orders tanked in the wake of the global financial crisis. It turned out 22 vessels over 12 years for clients in Australia, Europe, the US and Asia, making its last delivery - a catamaran for New Caledonia - in September 2008.

Austal believes the site is readymade to produce its flagship aluminum designs and says its experience from developing its large shipyard in Alabama in the US from scratch will stand it in good stead. The Mobile yard has more than 1500 employees on long-term, multi-billion-dollar contracts producing new generation warships for the US Navy.

With that US defense work accounting for about 80 per cent of Austal's $1.8 billion order book, the group is keen to ensure its Henderson shipyard remains relevant while establishing regional manufacturing hubs, such as Balamban Cebu.

The Philippines is the fourth- biggest shipbuilder in the world after Korea, China and Japan.

Under a strategic review completed by chief executive Andrew Bellamy this year, Austal has re- focused Henderson on defense and support work, chiefly patrol boats, while retaining the capacity to handle the bigger ferries that underpinned the group for so long and using its workforce and skills to push into new areas, such as accommodation facilities for the booming WA resources sector

Share your news, photos and videos about AUSTAL. Leave a like in the AUSTAL Hikot Page

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/wa/11442335/austal-to-set-up-shipyard-in-philippines/

LEARN FOREX TRADING AND GET RICH

Investment Recommendation: Bitcoin Investments

Live trading with Bitcoin through ETORO Trading platform would allow you to grow your $100 to $1,000 Dollars or more in just a day. Just learn how to trade and enjoy the windfall of profits. Take note, Bitcoin is more expensive than Gold now.


Where to buy Bitcoins?

For Philippine customers: You could buy Bitcoin Online at Coins.ph
For outside the Philippines customers  may buy Bitcoins online at Coinbase.com