New SCTEX toll rates to take effect Jan. 1

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has given provisional approval for a 7.22 percent toll increase for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), raising the basic rates for the country’s longest tollway from the authorized toll rate of P2.49 to P2.67 per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles.

Quezon, Nueva Ecija mishaps leave 6 dead, 18 hurt

By Michelle Zoleta and Ric Sapnu (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Six people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus fell off a cliff in Pagbilao, Quezon and three motorcycles rammed into an ambulance in Nueva Ecija last Tuesday, authorities said.

Government intends to distribute .3 million hectares of land in 2011

By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The government intends to acquire some 300,000 hectares of private and public estates next year for distribution to agrarian reform beneficiaries, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said yesterday.

DOJ lifts hold departure order vs Samsung execs

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has lifted the hold departure order (HDO) of two Korean executives of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (Sepco) because they are not flight risks.

YEARENDER: Waning insurgency helps propel Bicol's growth

By Celso Amo (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A waning communist insurgency is one of the major factors propelling Bicol’s high growth for the first time in the region’s history.

Baguio chill dips to 12.2°

By Artemio Dumlao (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – This year, this vacation capital’s “signature December chill” came more than three weeks late.

20% SLEX, NLEX toll discount sought

By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Two Mindanao congressmen urged Congress yesterday to grant a 20-percent discount on private vehicles with at least four passengers using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Metro Manila Skyway, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Sayyaf-linked group frees businesswoman

By Roel Pareño (The Philippine Star) Updated December 27, 2010 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A kidnapping gang with links to the Abu Sayyaf freed on Christmas Day a 60-year-old businesswoman who had been held captive for almost two months in the mountains of Basilan, authorities said.

Magat Dam plant to boost power generation capacity

By Charlie Lagasca (The Philippine Star) Updated December 27, 2010 

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Amid the increasing demand for electricity, the Magat power plant located along the Isabela-Ifugao border would be enhancing its generation capacity, making it the biggest power contributor among hydropower plants in the Luzon grid.

Cagayan fire survivors undergo stress debriefing

By Charlie Lagasca (The Philippine Star) Updated December 24, 2010 

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Survivors in last Sunday’s hotel fire in Tuguegarao City that claimed the lives of 16 people, including 10 nursing graduates, have been undergoing stress debriefing to help them cope with the trauma that they might have suffered.

Malaysia thanks Phl for rescue of 2 workers

By ALexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated December 24, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Malaysian government thanked the Philippine authorities for the safe release of two Malaysian laborers who were abducted by lawless elements in Sabah last February.

Kidnapped Sulu student finally free

By Roel Pareño (The Philippine Star) Updated December 24, 2010 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Filipino-Chinese student kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits more than two months ago was recovered in Sulu last Tuesday night, authorities said.

Malacañang expresses full support for mining industry

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 24, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Looking at mining as anchor for his poverty alleviation program, President Aquino has expressed his full support for the mining industry in his message to mining companies, as relayed by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje during the 57th Annual National Mine Safety Conference recently held in Baguio City.

Government eyes exploratory talks with MILF in January

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

SAF recovers 2 Malaysian captives

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 23, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Armed men with ties to al-Qaeda-linked militants have freed two Malaysian laborers from 10 months of jungle captivity, police said yesterday.

New STL rules out next year

By Perseus Echeminada (The Philippine Star) Updated December 23, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines – The holidays have delayed the deliberations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on the new guidelines and the review of the franchises of the controversial Small Town Lottery (STL).

Police admit apl.de.ap half-brother's slay still unsolved

By Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star) Updated December 23, 2010 

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Allan Pineda, alias apl.de.ap. of the three-time Grammy Award winner Black Eyed Peas, said the local police “did a great job” in the case of his 21-year-old half-brother Joven Pineda Deala who was gunned down in February 2009.

Army accepting applications for January exam

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) Updated December 23, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Army has started accepting qualified applicants for the January recruitment of candidate soldiers.

Holiday traffic on NLEX, SCTEX seen up 15%

By Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star) Updated December 22, 2010

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – The holiday exodus to northern provinces is expected to swell northbound traffic along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) by 15 to 20 percent up to Friday afternoon.

Albay town's early warning system uses recycled bottles, bells

By Cet Dematera (The Philippine Star) Updated December 22, 2010

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – The landslide-prone town of Manito in Albay is showing the way in devising a low-cost early disaster warning system using recycled bottles and bells but equipped with remote sensing and ground surveying capabilities.