News Report 29 July 2019 Local
1. Batanes quake: Nearly 3,000 in shelters
The Philippine Star, 29 July 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 4
Close to 3,000 people or 911 families were affected by Saturday’s twin earthquakes that rocked Batanes, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). As of yesterday, there were eight dead, one missing and 63 injured.
2. Phl, China to deepen cooperation – Beijing official The Philippine Star, 29 July 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 8
In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that the Philippines and China will unswervingly adhere to good neighborliness and continue to deepen the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and be each other’s good neighbor, good friend and good partner forever. She said that this commitment made by the two sides was one of the highlights of the 22nd Philippine-China Foreign Ministry Consultation held in Manila on Tuesday last week.
Economic
3. PNOC partners with China firm for oil, gas projects The Philippine Star, 29 July 2019, p. B9
State-run Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) signed a memorandum of understanding with China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. (CPP). Under the MOU, both parties intend to jointly pursue liquefied natural gas (LNG), refinery and oil depot projects all over the country.
4. EU to fund electrification in 3 major island-grids Manila Bulletin, 29 July 2019, p. B2
The European Union (EU) will be funneling funds to energize some communities in Cebu, Bohol and Palawan. The EU will be providing 2.2 million euros (roughly P120 million) for these solar-
underpinned electrification projects via its Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP).
5. PH eyes agri exports to Argentina Manila Bulletin, 29 July 2019, p. B3
The Philippines wants to export several agro-based products – including tuna, virgin coconut oil, coco chips, nata de coco, processed tropical fruits – to Argentina to improve the trade balance between the two countries.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Ministry of Production and Labor of Argentina (MPLA) are now in the process of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a general framework of cooperation in the agricultural, livestock and agro-industrial sectors.
6. No challenger to SMC airport bid
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 29 July 2019, p. B1
San Miguel Corp.’s massive airport proposal in Bulacan province is entering its final week of bidding unopposed, setting the stage for a likely victory. With no rival bids ahead of the July 31 deadline, SMC will be formally declared the winner within days under the Swiss Challenge rules.
