Friday, July 12, 2019

ParaƱaque City, Anchor Land Holding Inc. inaugurate SID buildings for satellite office

By Dhel Nazario 

The P2.7 billion three-tower commercial mixed-used buildings that  will serve as the Paranaque City government’s satellite office at the Pagcor Entertainment City along Coastal Road was formally inaugurated Wednesday by city and private land developer officials.

The project was entered into by the city government and Anchor Land Holding Inc. (ALHI), which will finance and construct the complex at no cost to the city, recently signed a public-private partnership for the Special Investment District (SID) buildings.

Construction of the building is expected to start in the last quarter of this year.

About 2,434 square meters of land will be devoted to the nine-story satellite office, which will have four floors with 4,884 square meters of space for the city government and five floors with 6,785 square meters of space for lease, according to ParaƱaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Olivarez said the two other buildings will be leased for office and bed-spacing use by ALHI, who shall return possession of the property including all improvements to the city after a certain period.

“The Satellite City Hall is basically an office building and the project will be a new landmark in this part of the city,” the mayor said.

Under the agreement, the PPP project will have a period of 50 years, renewable for another 25 years’ at ALHI’s option.

“The project will bring value to the city’s property. It will create jobs for city residents, who may be employed by the various businesses that will lease space at the commercial area,” the mayor pointed out.

Olivarez said the satellite office would include the extension offices of the city’s business permit and licensing office (BPLO) as well as the assessor’s office, where local and foreign investors can process their city permits.

He said this would make it easier for businesses to apply for their respective business requirements instead of going to the main city hall in Sucat district.

Those who intend to work in establishments at the Entertainment City may also secure their work and health permits as well as police and National Bureau of Investigation clearances from the satellite city hall, Olivarez said.

With businesses booming in Entertainment City, he said there is a need for an SID building to make it convenient for investors and businessmen to transact and process documents that are usually done at the main city hall.

Olivrez said once the satellite city hall office is operational, they will designate additional volunteers to supervise the traffic in the area, and assign police to secure hundreds of local and foreign tourists who will visit the newly-constructed five-star hotel casinos.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/12/paranaque-city-anchor-land-holding-inc-inaugurate-sid-buildings-for-satellite-office/

Ferrer to sing anthem at President's 4th SONA

Theater actor and tenor Arman Ferrer is expected to sing the national anthem at during the opening of the 18th Congress and during the SONA.

With all the controversies surrounding the rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” during previous fights of Manny Pacquiao from 2004 to 2010, Ferrer vowed to sing the anthem correctly.

He said tries to sing the national anthem every morning so she can be more familiar with its tempo and lyrics. He also jogs every day to improve his breathing.

Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said they will give Ferrer references on the proper way to sing the national anthem.

Ferrer is set to meet with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on July 19 to give his tips on how to sing the anthem correctly.

According to Section 37 of Republic Act (RA) 8491, the rendition of the national anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.

When the national anthem is played, the public is required to sing and do so “with fervor.”

But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations, before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; Provided, that the owners and management of the establishments shall be mandated to enforce proper decorum and implement the pertinent provisions of this act; civic activities, cultural shows or presentations and other occasions as may be allowed by the NHCP.

P4.7 M allocated for Duterte’s SONA 2019

Around P4.7 million has been allocated for the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte.

House Acting Secretary-General Dante Roberto Maling said this year’s SONA budget is P200,000 less than last year’s P4.9 million appropriations.

“Basically, the preparation has been the same through the years, we only introduced minor details,” he said in a press conference Thursday.

He said the public can brace for a “simple” SONA, which will be attended by 1,500 guests, including former Presidents, members of the diplomatic corps, former local government officials, and invitees of the members of Congress.

Maling said the dress code for the President’s SONA will be simple business or Filipiniana attire.

He said they have yet to receive the confirmation from former Presidents and former government officials. The attendance of the members of the Presidential Family will only be known on the SONA day itself, he said.

Theater actor and tenor Arman Ferrer is expected to sing the national anthem at during the opening of the 18th Congress and during the SONA, he said.

Maling also said that they are still finalizing the menu and is expected to be decided next week. “Varied Filipino foods, may nag submit ng European foods, konting Caribbean, konting salad. Wala pang final choice talaga,” Maling said.

On security concerns, House Sergeant-at-Arms Romeo Prestoza, a retired AFP major general, said they are prepared for any eventuality and they are in constant and close coordination with the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“Wala pa naman substantial [security threat]. Wala pa namang nakakarating na actual threat. We have a very good coordination with the Armed Forces,” he said after the military identified that one of the two perpetrators of the twin explosions in Indanan town, Sulu, last June 28 as Filipino suicide bomber Norman Lasuca.

“If meron man, we would be prepared [to address it],” he added.

Prestoza, an intelligence officer for 27 years, said they are “considering” such security concern in their preparations.

“We consider those things, we initiate direct contact with NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency), ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) and other intelligence units,” he said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/11/p4-7-m-allocated-for-dutertes-sona-2019/