New list of countries where OFW are allowed to work + 32 OFW Friendly Countries added

The new list of countries that comply with Philippine government standards that protect overseas Filipino workers (OFW) does not include six top OFW destinations.

In May 2011, the POEA's Governing Board (GB) Resolution No. 2 listing 76 countries those were OFW-friendly.

Resolution No. 2 said, "In the meantime, the deployment of OFWs to these countries [not included in the list] shall continue except where deployment ban is in effect."

OFW-friendly countries

According to Section 3 of RA 10022, "the State shall allow the deployment of overseas Filipino workers only in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected."

The section provides that the Philippines will allow deployment if the host country:

has existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of workers;

is a signatory to and/or a ratifier of multilateral conventions, declarations or resolutions relating to the protection of workers; and

has conducted a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the government on the protection of the rights of OFWs.

The POEA will publish the resolutions in two newspapers of general circulation and will take effect 15 days after publication.

Baldoz said the Philippine government can consider as 'compliant' countries taking positive, concrete measures to protect the rights of migrant workers based on the provisions of RA 10022.

She clarified that non-compliant countries may push for bilateral agreements with the Philippines to address the "non-compliances."

She also said Filipino workers can still be deployed to companies with international operations in non-compliant "unless there is an existing ban to that country.

The Philippine government has an existing deployment ban to conflict affected countries such as:

1. Lebanon
2. Nigeria
3. Somalia
4. Syria
5. Iraq (Partial ban)
6. Afghanistan (partial ban)

As of July 03, 2012, Philippine labor officials have added 32 countries - including conflict-hit Syria - to the list of territories that meet Philippine standards on the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board approved a resolution adding the 32 countries to the list.

 "Under this qualification, the POEA may continue to deploy OFWs to these countries and the Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to negotiate for the better protection of household service workers even beyond 12 April 2012," Labor Secretary and POEA Governing Board chairperson Rosalinda Baldoz said in a news release.

Those who signed the resolution were Baldoz, POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac as governing board vice chairman, and Leonardo de Ocampo, governing board member.

Baldoz listed the new 32 OFW countries as:

1. Algeria
2. Bahrain
3. Bangladesh
4. Bhutan
5. Botswana
6. China
7. Dominican Republic
8. East Timor/Timor Leste
9. Iran
10. Saudi Arabia
11. Kiribati
12. Kuwait
13. Kyrgyz Republic/Kyrgyzstan
14. Lesotho
15. Maldives
16. Micronesia
17. Mongolia
18. Montenegro
19. Mozambique
20. Panama
21. Papua New Guinea
22. Qatar
23. Serbia
24. Solomon Islands
25. Sri Lanka
26. Syria (partial ban lifted)
27. Swaziland
28. Tajikistan
29. Turkmenistan
30. United Arab Emirates
31. Yemen, and
32. Zambia.

Baldoz said these countries have been certified by the DFA last May 24, 2012 after a recommendation was made by the Congressional Committee on Overseas Welfare Affairs chaired by Rep. Walden Bello.

Based on the recommendation, the countries were found "to be compliant without prejudice to negotiations for the protection of household service workers."

 "The 32 countries bring to 184 the total number of countries already certified by the DFA out of 203 countries. Only 19 countries now remain to be non-certified," the DOLE said.

 So far, the countries still not certified as OFW-friendly are:

1. Afghanistan
2. Chad
3. Cuba
4. Democratic People's Republic of Korea/North Korea,
5. Eritrea
6. Haiti
7. Iraq
8. Lebanon
9. Libya
10. Mali
11. Mauritania
12. Nepal
13. Niger
14. Palestine
15. Somalia
16. Uzbekistan
17. Zimbabwe
18. Monaco,
19. Vatican (Holy See)

Out of these 19 countries, the Board has yet to receive the certifications for the Vatican and Monaco, Baldoz explained.

The certifications for Libya and Iraq are currently being reviewed amid latest developments that may lead to the amendment of their respective certifications.

 "The POEA Governing Board notes that the DFA has yet to complete the review of its previous certifications issued for Iraq and Libya," Baldoz said.

Complete list of Countries where Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are allowed to work (As of July 03, 2012)

1. Albania
2. Algeria
3. Andorra
4. Angola
5. Antigua and Barbuda
6. Argentina
7. Armenia
8. Australia
9. Austria
10. Azerbaijan
11. Bahamas
12. Bahrain
13. Bangladesh
14. Barbados
15. Belarus
16. Belgium
17. Belize
18. Benin
19. Bhutan
20. Bolivia
21. Bosnia and Herzegovina
22. Botswana
23. Brazil
24. Brunei
25. Bulgaria
26. Burkina Faso
27. Burma
28. Burundi
29. Cambodia
30. Cameroon
31. Canada
32. Cape Verde
33. Central African Republic
34. Chile
35. China
36. Colombia
37. Comoros
38. Congo, Democratic Republic of the
39. Congo, Republic of the
40. Costa Rica
41. Cote d'Ivoire
42. Croatia
43. Cyprus
44. Czech Republic
45. Denmark
46. Djibouti
47. Dominica
48. Dominican Republic
49. East Timor (Timor-Leste)
50. Ecuador
51. Egypt
52. El Salvador
53. Equatorial Guinea
54. Estonia
55. Ethiopia
56. Fiji
57. Finland
58. France
59. Gabon
60. Gambia, The
61. Georgia
62. Germany
63. Ghana
64. Greece
65. Grenada
66. Guatemala
67. Guinea
68. Guinea-Bissau
69. Guyana
70. Honduras
71. Hong Kong
72. Hungary
73. Iceland
74. India
75. Indonesia
76. Iran
77. Ireland
78. Israel
79. Italy
80. Jamaica
81. Japan
82. Jordan
83. Kazakhstan
84. Kenya
85. Kiribati
86. Kosovo
87. Kuwait
88. Kyrgyzstan
89. Laos
90. Latvia
91. Lesotho
92. Liberia
93. Liechtenstein
94. Lithuania
95. Luxembourg
96. Macau
97. Macedonia
98. Madagascar
99. Malawi
100. Malaysia
101. Maldives
102. Malta
103. Marshall Islands
104. Mauritius
105. Mexico (United States of Mexico)
106. Micronesia
107. Moldova
108. Mongolia
109. Montenegro
110. Morocco
111. Mozambique
112. Namibia
113. Nauru
114. Netherlands
115. Netherlands Antilles
116. New Zealand
117. Nicaragua
118. Nigeria (partial ban lifted)
119. Norway
120. Oman
121. Pakistan
122. Palau
123. Panama
124. Papua New Guinea
125. Paraguay
126. Peru
127. Philippines
128. Poland
129. Portugal
130. Qatar
131. Romania
132. Russia
133. Rwanda
134. Saint Kitts and Nevis
135. Saint Lucia
136. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
137. Samoa
138. San Marino
139. Sao Tome and Principe
140. Saudi Arabia
141. Senegal
142. Serbia
143. Seychelles
144. Sierra Leone
145. Singapore
146. Slovakia
147. Slovenia
148. Solomon Islands
149. South Africa
150. South Korea (Republic of Korea)
151. South Sudan
152. Spain
153. Sri Lanka
154. Sudan
155. Suriname
156. Swaziland
157. Sweden
158. Switzerland
159. Syria
160. Taiwan
161. Tajikistan
162. Tanzania
163. Thailand
164. Timor-Leste
165. Togo
166. Tonga
167. Trinidad and Tobago
168. Tunisia
169. Turkey
170. Turkmenistan
171. Tuvalu
172. Uganda
173. Ukraine
174. United Arab Emirates
175. United Kingdom
176. United States of America (USA)
177. Uruguay
178. Vanuatu
179. Venezuela
180. Vietnam
181. Yemen
182. Zambia

In order for the listed 19 listed countries to be open for OFW, those countries must have to comply the standard required by the Philippines government.

East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea who have a construction business in the  listed ban countries for OFW are not allowed to hire any Filipinos professionals and skilled workers.

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Philippines ask US P3C Orion spy planes to monitor over the South China Sea

Philippine President Benigno Aquino said on Monday he may ask the United States to deploy spy planes over the South China Sea to help monitor the disputed waters, a move that could worsen tensions with its giant neighbor China.

The two countries only recently stepped back from a months-long standoff at the Scarborough Shoal, a horseshoe shaped reef near the Philippines in waters they both claim.

The United States has said it is neutral in the long-running maritime dispute and China has warned that "external forces" should not get involved in the dispute. "We might be requesting overflights on that," referring to US P3C Orion spy planes. "We don't have aircraft with those capabilities."

Last month, Aquino pulled out a lightly armed coast guard ship and a fisheries boat due to bad weather around the Scarborough Shoal, a group of rock formations about 140 miles (225 km) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon.

The South China Sea is potentially the biggest military flashpoint in Asia, and tensions have risen since the United States adopted a policy last year to reinforce its influence in the region.

At stake is control over what are believed to be significant reserves of oil and gas. Estimates for proven and undiscovered oil reserves in the entire sea range from 28 billion to as high as 213 billion barrels of oil, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in a March 2008 report.

China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia have competing claims on the sea, but China's claims encompass almost all its waters.

China said last week it had begun "combat-ready" patrols in waters it said were under its control in the South China Sea, after saying it "vehemently opposed" a Vietnamese law asserting sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly islands.

"We hope the Philippines will no longer issue information that provokes public opinion and avoid complicating the situation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters on Monday, responding to the Philippine military's assertion that it could return to the Scarborough Shoal at any time.

Aquino said he had not decided whether to send Philippine ships back to the disputed shoal and had called a cabinet meeting for Thursday to discuss the issue and overall relations with China.

"We'll discuss the whole issue of the relationship with China and I would like to get the advice of my advisors," Aquino told Reuters in a wood-paneled reception room in the Malacanang presidential palace.

Manila has been looking to its old ally Washington for ships, aircraft and surveillance and equipment as the United States refocuses its military attention on Asia.

Manila has offered Washington greater access to airfields and its military facilities in exchange for more equipment and frequent training. Aquino met with US President Barack Obama in Washington in early June.

 In August last year (2011), the US Pacific Command made an initial offer to deploy the P3C Orion spy planes to the Philippines and help monitor disputed areas in the South China Sea after China increased its presence and activities near Reed Bank part of the western Philippines Palawan island group..

The Pentagon offered to share real-time surveillance data with the Philippines while seeking wider access to airfields in its former colony in Southeast Asia.

"We have a lot of needs," Aquino said. "For instance the coasts watch system - we have 36,000 km (22,000 miles) of coastline.

We don't have radar coverage for all of this." Aquino also said he would not object to an increased "rotational tempo" for US military forces in the country to help train their Filipino counterparts.

Aquino said China should not be alarmed by Philippines efforts to improve its monitoring capability.

"Does the Philippines have the capacity to become an aggressor," he asked. "By any stretch of the imagination, the Philippines does not have. So why should it upset a superpower if we're all reasonable?"

"The Philippines has demonstrated time and again its interest to preserve the peace and the de-escalation of the situation," Aquino said. "But we don't exist in a vacuum.

We would want to see China reciprocate all of these moves that have been done as far as de-escalating the tensions."

Despite its professed neutrality over the South China Sea dispute, the U.S. military "pivot" back to Asia is widely seen as a response to China's growing military capabilities. Its shift back to the region may be encouraging smaller nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines to take a bolder stance over the sea dispute, analysts say.

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World’s biggest Crocodile in captivity crowned by Guinness in the Philippines

A huge crocodile known as Lolong has brought pride, fear, tourism revenue and attention to the remote southern Philippines town where it was captured. And now it has claimed a world record, too.

Guinness World Records declared the giant, blamed for deadly attacks before it was captured last September, is the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the world.

The news sparked celebrations in Bunawan, a farming town of 37,000 in Agusan del Sur province, but Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said it also fostered concerns that more giant crocodiles might lurk in a marshland and creek where villagers fish.

'There were mixed feelings,' Elorde said by telephone. 'We're really proud because it proves the rich biodiversity of our place but at the same time, there are fears that Lolong may not be alone.'

Lolong has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research center in the outskirts of Bunawan and has drawn thousands of tourists since news of its capture spread. Elorde said his town has earned 3 million pesos ($72,000) from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the money being used to feed and care for the crocodile and maintain the park.

Lolong measures 20.24 feet (6.17 meters) and weighs more than a ton, Guinness spokeswoman Anne-Lise Rouse said in a statement seen Sunday. The reptile took the top spot from an Australian crocodile that measured more than 17 feet (5 meters) and weighed nearly a ton.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje welcomed the Guinness announcement and the growing attention for the crocodile, saying it would help people realize the biodiversity of their surroundings and the need to protect it. He said he would recommend that the government help Bunawan become an ecotourism destination.

The crocodile was captured with steel cable traps during a three-week hunt after a child was killed in 2009 and a fisherman went missing. Water buffalos have also been attacked by crocodiles in the area.

About 100 people led by Elorde pulled the crocodile from a creek using a rope and then hoisted it by crane onto a truck. It was named after a government environmental officer who died from a heart attack after traveling to Bunawan to help capture the beast, Elorde said.

Elorde said he saw a bigger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured and villagers remain wary of fishing there at night. He said he has formed a team of hunters and is seeking government permission to hunt that crocodile.

Welinda Asis Elorde, media affairs coordinator for the town of Bunawan, which has custody of the new record-holder, said on Monday the local government had received an official certification from Guinness.

"He's doing well. I think he has already adapted to his new environment," Elorde told AFP.

At first, Lolong was fed the equivalent of 10 percent of his body weight in beef, pork and poultry every month, but an expert put him on a diet of eight to 10 kilograms a week to get him to be more active, she added.

The expert also recommended that the meat be given with skin and feathers attached, to help digestion.

"I was there (at the crocodile park where Lolong is kept)  and he remains a big tourist attraction. Hundreds of people visit him in a day," Elorde added.

The Guinness record was previously held by Cassius, a 5.48-metre Australian saltwater crocodile weighing close to a ton.

Cassius has been kept at a crocodile park at an island off Queensland since his capture in the Northern Territory in 1984.

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Philippines set to be new Tiger Economy - Book Breakout Nations: In Pursuit of the Next Economic Miracles

A new book tracking the progress of developing countries sees the Philippines joining an elite group of "tiger economies" in the world as a result of reforms and strong leadership of President Benigno Aquino III.

The book "Breakout Nations: In Pursuit of the Next Economic Miracles," written by Ruchir Sharma, assessed the Philippines as one of the strongest emerging economies in the future where enhanced economic activities are to take place.

"Now at long last, the Philippines looks poised to resume a period of strong growth.

The new President, Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III, probably has enough support, and looks likely to generate just enough reform momentum, to get the job done. The Aquino name is still virtually synonymous with the promise of change," Sharma wrote.

Sharma, one of the world's largest investors in emerging markets for Morgan Stanley, said Filipinos saw Aquino as an honest figure who could deliver on the Aquino mandate for change and that the public was desperate after nine years of drift and decay under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aquino won the presidency at a time when it seemed that the whole country was in disrepair, he said, adding the President is delegating power to competent technocrats and seems to understand what needs to be done to get the country move forward.

In a recent Wall Street Journal report, the publication sees the Philippines having clear signs of being seen as one of the most resilient economies in a troubled global economy particularly as a result of the European crisis.

In a supplement entitled "Asia's Euro Risk: How Asia Will Fare if Europe Cracks?," the Wall Street Journal said only four economies were projected to have the strength to weather a European economic and financial crisis, namely Australia, China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

While other countries bear the brunt of the European fall out, these countries have deep government pockets that provide a buffer to economic shocks, the publication said.

"The Philippines is better prepared than in the past to withstand a downturn with a stronger government balance sheet and a robust domestic economy. Foreign reserves are high enough to fight capital flight," according to WSJ's brief assessment of the Philippines.

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are among the Southeast Asian countries affected by a euro meltdown because of their high dependencies on European trade and greater exposure to European banks, WSJ said.

The Philippines had the second highest per capita income in Asia during the 1960s, next only to Japan. In the 1970s, South Korea and Taiwan overtook the Philippines in terms of per capita income. Other Asian neighbors like Malaysia, Thailand, China and Indonesia followed during the succeeding decades.

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USA Welcomes Philippine Banana after Ban from China over Scarborough Standoff

Rotting of million dollars worth of world famous Philippines Banana in the Farms in Davao will end so soon after USA Government gives a go signal to import Philippines banana and export potatoes to the Philippines.

Philippine dependency to China as a main export market for banana found a big mistake after china imposed ban for all imported banana from the Philippines due to the Scarborough Shoal Standoff between the 2 countries.

China use an alibi of pest issue for Philippines bananas which later found out as inappropriate allegation because China Government mentioned a bug which could only possibly live to coconuts only and not to bananas.

China did the same thing to Norway last year (2011) when both countries encountered political trouble, china also imposed ban to the products from Norway.

USA as Philippines ally both economy and Military

The Philippines and United States governments are working on a bilateral agreement on agricultural produce after a go-signal was given to export volumes of local bananas to the American market.

"The final stage is the bilateral signing between the governments to formalize our export of bananas to the United States," said Clarito Barron, director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry.

The new export market for Philippine bananas, one of the country's top dollar earners, was confirmed recently by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. According to Alcala, the phytosanitary check of the crop has been completed and the parties have been discussing the logistics of the export process.

The government has directed the agriculture department to eye new markets for the local crop after the Chinese government recently blocked the entry of Philippine bananas to their market over concerns of pest contamination.

Barron said he hoped the Philippines would be able to export bananas to the US mainland and territories "within the year." If the deal pushes through, this would be the first time that local bananas will be sold in the United States.

In exchange for the US allowing the entry of local bananas to its market, the United States wants the Philippines to allow the importation of more American potatoes and vegetables, Barron said.

According to the agriculture official, importers of American-farmed vegetables bring in minimal amounts of produce—between 250 and 500 kilos—to the Philippines. The vegetables are usually intended for high-end clients like hotels and restaurants, he said.

"We are asking that our bananas be sent to them. They are asking us to import potatoes and semi-temperate vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower… they would like to increase the volume, not only for the high-end consumers but for the whole market," he said.

Barron said both countries were still in the middle of discussions on pest risk analysis of the banana crops.

Barron said the Philippines also has to convince the United States that it would follow strict plant quarantine protocols for its crops. After this, officials of both countries will set up talks with the stakeholders in the US market, he said.

"Hopefully, if there are no problems this year, the US government will be opening up their market to our bananas," he said.

Negotiations between the two countries on the export of fresh bananas to the mainland, which started in December 2005, were stalled due to quarantine and phytosanitary issues.

Meanwhile, Barron revealed that the Philippines is eyeing new markets for its tropical fruits, even as it has started reaching out to 13 countries.

He said the agriculture department has written letters to countries like Russia, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Pakistan to take a look at Philippine bananas. The Philippine government hopes that new markets for the produce would keep the industry afloat after it was hit by the Chinese embargo and strict quarantine protocols.

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India, Japan & South Korea agreed trilateral military pact against China

Japan and South Korea on 29^th June 2012 agreed to share intelligence in their first joint military pact since World War II.

The agreement is seen as a breakthrough in ties between two neighbors with a difficult history. Japan ruled Korea as a colony for several decades until the end of World War II in 1945, and Seoul has often been wary of Japan's postwar military development, but the nations have many shared concerns, particularly North Korea and China.

Noting that the South China Sea was witnessing "competing claims", India strongly pitched for co-operation instead of competition in the seas and oceans at a trilateral meeting with Japan and South Korea.

With China's growing assertiveness in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea), India, Japan and South Korea - Asia's three leading democracies –( June 29, 2012 )Friday held their first trilateral meeting in India and pitched for freedom of seas and expanding their multifaceted cooperation.

Asserting that India, Japan and Republic of Korea depend heavily on the Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs) for their energy security which are also the mainstay for trade and connectivity, Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs, said "there is indeed a compelling case for us to cooperate on maritime security."

"India has a valued geostrategic location straddling the SLOCs. The Indian Ocean Rim is characterized by large Exclusive Economic Zones and unexplored and untapped marine resources. Similar potential exists for example in the South China Sea which today is witnessing competing claims.

The three sides discussed a host of regional and global issues to cement their trilateral cooperation cutting across diverse areas, including maritime cooperation, security, terrorism, and trade and investment.

The trilateral dialogue seeks to address the three major themes - the evolving Asian security architecture, non-traditional security issues and prospects and challenges for this process.

The India-Japan-South Korea trilateral seeks to reinforce the India-Japan-US trilateral dialogue that also focuses on expanding strategic and maritime cooperation.

They identified the Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Korea National Diplomatic Academy, and Tokyo Foundation as the three partnering institutions to carry forward the trilateral dialogue.

"Being leading democracies of the world, we share a common commitment to democratic values, open society, human rights and the rule of law," Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, said while underlining a congruence of strategic interests of the three leading economies of the region.

"We seek a peaceful and secure Asia free from the threats of terrorism, proliferation, piracy and conflict between states," he said.

Although China was not mentioned explicitly, it was very much the elephant in the room, with discussions focusing on maritime cooperation and freedom of navigation in international sea lanes of communication.

"There is common commitment to maintaining freedom of the seas, combating terrorism and promoting inclusive economic growth. India, Japan and ROK depend heavily on the Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs) for their energy security," Singh said.

"These are also the mainstay for trade and connectivity amongst our countries and other countries in the region. India has a valued geostrategic location straddling the SLOCs," he said.

In this context, the three sides noted that like the Indian Ocean Rim, West Philippines Sea has tremendous potential for cooperation, but is "is witnessing competing claims".

"Our common objective is to see that the seas and oceans become regions of cooperation instead of competition, particularly as our energy security and trade depends on them," Singh said.

Underlining the need for maritime cooperation, the sides discussed ways to expand trilateral cooperation to deal the conventional risks associated with nuclear power and confront the risks of nuclear and missile proliferation in our neighborhoods.

"Deepening cooperation amongst our defense and security establishments will promote our mutual security," said Singh.

Beijing has yet to react to the India-Japan-South Korea trilateral, but it has been uneasy about leading democracies of the region getting together in what it sees as an exercise in encirclement of a rising China.

Trilateral Military pact

The pact establishes a framework for sharing intelligence in such areas as missile defense, North Korea's nuclear weapons program, Chinese military operations and other regional security matters.

It was previously approved by South Korea, and Japan's Cabinet gave its final approval Friday ahead of a formal signing ceremony. "Considering the security situation in east Asia, it is very significant for us to create the foundations for sharing information," said Japan's foreign minister, Koichiro Genba. "I think this is a very historic event."

The pact reflects deepening mutual concerns that more cooperation is needed to enhance security readiness.

The two countries are increasingly concerned by potential threats from North Korea, which is developing its long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities. They are also closely watching the rise of China's military.

North Korea heightened regional tensions in April with the launch of a rocket that was widely criticized as a test of long-range missile technology. The launch was of particular concern to Seoul and Tokyo because they are within reach of the North's missile arsenal.

Such fears spurred the government efforts to cooperate more closely on intelligence sharing, though the pact remains controversial among some in South Korea.

"An accord for military-information protection with Japan is necessary given the ever-growing threat from the North," South Korea's JoongAng Daily newspaper said in an editorial. "The more quality information we have about the North, the better our security."

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Ancient 2000 years rice terraces in Philippines’ lone in S’ Asia re-preserved

Banaue Rice terraces or locally known as Hagdan-hagdang Palayan is one of the county's famous tourist "must seen" site in the island of Luzon Philippines back to 1980's and 90's and listed at the UNESCO's World Heritage.

After few decades of climate change, natural destruction and less of maintenance, it had been listed as World Heritage Sites in Danger.

Recently, rice terraces that have been farmed for 2000 years in the Philippines have been taken off the UN list of endangered heritage sites.

The Philippines culture is alone among Southeast Asian cultures in being wholly wood based and the terraces are the only form of stone construction from the pre-colonial period.

After a consistent preservation procedure done the beauty and fame of the Banaue Rices Terraces has been restored and had been remove from the list of endangered world heritage site.

Senator Eduardo Angara is pushing for the continued preservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces even after it was removed from the United Nation’s list of endangered world treasures.


“This is good news for us. This achievement means we are on the right track but we should be reminded that there is still a lot of work to be done before we fully restore the majestic terraces,” said Angara who is the author of the National Cultural Heritage Act.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee, said the Philippines has restored at least 50 percent of the collapsed terraces, and that major parts of the irrigation system have been rehabilitated.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces, called by locals as “Payo”, was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1995. Unfortunately, six years later, it was officially listed as one of the world treasures at risk.

Since then, the Philippine government has implemented policies and laws to preserve the terraces such as community-based land use, zoning, and proper management and protection against natural calamities.

“The Ifugao Rice Terraces is known worldwide as the 8th Wonder of the World and one of the country’s prime tourist destinations. They are the living testament to the Ifugao’s mastery of watershed ecology, terrace engineering, and water distribution. We should not allow the condition of the terraces to deteriorate,” Angara said.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces is covered by the National Cultural Heritage Act authored by Angara and his son Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara.
Likewise, Angara has a pending bill, Senate Bill No. 2008, which aims to establish the Cordillera Terraces Authority, which will come up with a 10-year Cordillera Terraces Master Plan for the continuous preservation and rehabilitation of the terraces.

“This bill is a first step towards an overall terraces management and preservation strategy with the end in view of establishing a permanent and effective body to coordinate and lead efforts to restore and protect the terraces of the entire Cordillera Region,” Angara said.

“The terraces of the Cordilleras are truly a rare engineering achievement. We are in a race against time to save them from deterioration,” he added.

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First Public School raised the Philippines Flag in the Spratly Islands

The Philippine flag flies in the breeze as Kalayaan town Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon (center) poses with the teacher, schoolchildren and their parents at the opening of Pag-asa Elementary School on a disputed West Philippines Sea island on June 15. AP/OFFICE OF KALAYAAN MUNICIPAL MAYOR

Spratlys Public elementary School starts its regular classes in the Pagasa Island, Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, the territory of the Old Sultanate of Sulu back during the pre-colonial period. The Kalayaan Islands is also known as the disputed Spratlys archipelago after the other neighbors claimed it as their territory.

The old Sultanate of Sulu failed to regain its power to the entire territory and have turned over its rights to the Republic of the Philippines through Sultan Kiram in 1960's.

The weaken and deprived of power old kingdom was seen by the neighbors in doom resulting its claim to the territories under it. In spite of the turnover of the Sultan to the Republic of the Philippines, still neighbors claimed part of the territory as their owned.

Youth is the hope of our Mother land - Education must be given chance

Philippine government defend its opening of the first ever public school in the spratlys islands after china issued s warning against the operation of a public elementary school on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs Wednesday (June 27, 2012)  asserted "the Kalayaan group of Islands, which include Pag-asa, is an integral part of Philippine territory as declared in Republic Act 9522 and other relevant Philippine laws."

The DFA cited Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-on for providing basic services to his constituents, including the establishment of a public kindergarten school.

Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesman, pointed out "part of the responsibility of (Mayor Bito-on) is to govern his municipality, ensure the progress and development of his locality, and provide basic services to his constituents, including putting up a school for kids in his area of jurisdiction."

For its part, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said China is "definitely in no position to be making such absurd demands on the Philippines."

Beijing "must respect Philippine sovereignty and refrain from making threats," said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.

"The area being claimed by China already has a Filipino community and has been under Philippine control, being part of the town of Kalayaan in Palawan province," Reyes added.

On Tuesday, Hong Lei, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told a press briefing in Beijing that China "opposes any illegal activity that may infringe on China's claimed sovereignty in the old sultanate of Sulu"

Manila "should refrain from making any measures that will complicate and exacerbate the current situation and affect peace and stability in the South China Sea," Hong said.

He insisted that China had "indisputable sovereignty" over the Spratly chain of islands and its surrounding waters.

Hong expressed hope "relevant countries will abide by the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China," which was earlier entered into by Beijing and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The Philippines and three other ASEAN member-states – Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam – are among the Spratlys claimants, along with China and Taiwan.

Home to about 200 Filipinos, Pag-asa Island has been under the Philippine government's control since the 1970s, noted the DFA.

It has a town hall, a health center, an airstrip and a naval station, among other facilities.

Last week, the Kalayaan municipal government inaugurated the Pag-asa Elementary School, a school house built from an old multi-purpose hall using salvaged construction materials. The school held its first class on June 15, with only five kindergarten students. A Philippine flag fluttered in the breeze in the schoolyard.

The school hired one teacher from the mainland, getting her to agree to move her family to the island, which is about 285 nautical miles west of Palawan, or a boat trip that could exceed a full day, depending on the sea condition.

Mayor Bitoon earlier said "maybe in two months, we could open classes from Grade 1 to 3 if we can convince them to return to the island in time before the first grading period."

He said he was aware of the "problem of how children's schooling separated families. That's why; I thought it's high time for us to have a school house here."

Mayor Bito-on is requesting funding from the provincial government and the Department of Education to sustain the school's operation and build more classrooms in the future.

Patriotism in curriculum

Two party-list lawmakers on Wednesday also vowed to support the school, which used to be the old multipurpose hall in the area. The school has two new classrooms.

"Building a school within our territory cannot in any way undermine China's sovereignty… The Philippine government has all the right to make use of its own territory especially to provide social services to its people," Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said in a statement.

Bello, who visited the disputed territory last year, said China cannot interfere with the Philippine government's duty to provide its citizens with education and infrastructure.

"It's already bad that China is infringing on our sovereignty with its unimpeded incursions. Now it is virtually telling us where we can and cannot implement infrastructure projects within our territory. It is absurd and boorish," he said.

ACT Teachers' party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, for his part, pledged assistance to the school by sending teaching materials and school supplies to the area.

"This would be a tremendous help in advancing the education of the children in the disputed territory," he said in a separate statement.

He added that more students on the remote island, which lies 527 kilometers west of the Palawan mainland, can now have access to education. Most of the residents there are soldiers stationed on the island to protect the country's claim in the Spratlys.

"The families of students also would not have to be separated so that their children can go to school," he said.

Tinio likewise proposed that lessons on patriotism be included in the school's curriculum.

"The values of patriotism and love of country should be inculcated to the students considering that their homes and school stand in a contested area," he said.

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