Philippines, Qatar sign 5 MOUs on tourism, fisheries, investments

The Philippines and Qatar on Tuesday signed four bilateral agreements and one private sector agreement that would boost cooperation in the areas of investments, tourism, fisheries and the legal field.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who arrived in Manila for a two-day state visit, witnessed the signing of the agreements at the Palace Reception Hall after their bilateral meeting.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Qatar Holding Limited Liability Corporation signed an MOU on investment cooperation.

"This MOU would explore the investment opportunities in the Philippines in various sectors including natural resources, commodities, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

The MOU on tourism cooperation is expected to create "favorable conditions for long-term cooperation in tourism for the mutual benefit of the Philippines and Qatar," Lacierda said.

The MOU on agricultural and fisheries cooperation establishes the general framework for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fisheries "for the purpose of fostering sectoral development and enhancing agri-related trade and investment," he added.

It is the first-ever visit of the Emir of Qatar to the Philippines, who was feted to a state dinner in his honor at Rizal Hall of Malacanang, the presidential palace.

The Emir will meet separately with Vice President Jejomar Binay and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte on Wednesday, before returning to Qatar.

President Aquino and Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani witnessed the signing of five agreements to enhance business relations between the Philippines and Qatar at Malacañang Palace.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said four government-to-government agreements were signed.

One was the memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation that would create favorable conditions for long-term cooperation in tourism for the mutual benefit of the Philippines and Qatar.

Another MOU was on cooperation in the legal field that would encourage the sharing of experiences and best practices in the performance of the mandates of each country's ministry of justice.

The MOU on agricultural and fisheries cooperation establishes the general framework for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fisheries for the purpose of fostering sectoral development and enhancing agri-related trade and investment.

Among the areas of cooperation are crops technology, vegetable and fruit preservation, biotechnology, post-harvest technology, livestock and fisheries, coastal and deep-sea fishing management, irrigation and water resources, and the halal industry.

The Philippines will invite Qatar to participate in the country's Public-Private Partnership projects, Lacierda said.

Qatar Airways to fly to Manila

Qatar Airways will operate 14 flights weekly between Manila and Doha.

Abdallah Okash, Qatar Airways Philippines country manager, corrected a STAR report last April 3 on the pullout of Qatar Airways of its thrice a week Cebu to Doha flights.

"We have 14 weekly flights between Manila and Doha, and not twice a week," he said.

Quoting aviation industry sources, The STAR reported the Qatar Airways decision to discontinue the Cebu to Doha flights was made due to high costs of operating in the country.

The pullout of Qatar Airways of its Cebu-Doha flights came on the heels of the state visit of Sheik Hamad.

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Philippines Announces Precautionary Measures Ahead of North Korean Rocket Launch

The Philippines is announcing precautions for airlines and ships to avoid falling debris from North Korea's expected rocket launch, due in the next few days. North Korean officials say the first stage will fall into the sea about 160 kilometers from the Philippines, but past North Korean launches have been notoriously inaccurate.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is rerouting some flights in anticipation of the launch that North Korea says will put a weather satellite in orbit.

Defense leaders from several governments estimate that debris from the three-stage launch could fall to earth along the rocket's southern trajectory.

Aviation Authority Spokeswoman Joy Songsong says planes will not be allowed to pass through three lanes in the skies northeast of the country from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from April 12 - 16.

"Part of the approximately 20 flights that will be affected daily would be international flights using the Philippine airways to get to their destinations," Songsong said.

She says the aviation office asked the Philippines' two main carriers and airlines from Japan, Korea and other countries to make the adjustments. She says rerouting will add 10 minutes to flights connecting Manila with the United States, Japan and South Korea and affect other routes to and from some Southeast Asian destinations. 

Philippine territory is very near the projected drop of the third phase of the launch.  This prompted the Office of Civil Defense to order the no-passing zone, which includes the air and waters off the country's northeast coast.

Civil Defense Administrator Benito Ramos says North Korea has provided the expected coordinates of the rocket's path and authorities are using them in their alerts.

"We make sure that no fisherman, no aircraft, no ship will be crossing in that area so that we expect zero casualties in the event that there will be fallout," Ramos said.

Defense officials have expressed concern the launch may follow an unexpected trajectory and the rocket could come apart, falling to earth in unplanned locations.

Ramos says a piece falling with a two degree or even just one degree difference from its projected coordinates would put the entire northern island of Luzon in harm's way. 

He says the Philippines would not be in a position to shoot down any missile, but he is confident the country will have help.

"I feel reassured because of the capabilities of these countries like your country - U.S., we have the U.S. military base in Okinawa. We have also Japan and South Korea," Ramos said.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino's spokesman said in a news briefing Tuesday that the country is preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.

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