January 1 - 15 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY BUSINESS NEWS A13
Clark-Incheon Flight Opens PAL ’ s 2017 Calendar
Eleven companies have expressed interest to bid for the P552.8-million rehabilitation and repair of Sangley Airport in Cavite in preparation for the transfer of general aviation operation from Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( NAIA ).
The 11 companies which were represented at a pre-bid conference held by the Department of Transportation ( DOTr ) include Emeco and Partners , BSP Construction Company , DM Wenceslao and Construction , JD Legaspi Construction , Cavdeal , San R Mining and
Philippine Airlines ( PAL ) opened the year 2017 with the launch of a new route - Clark to Incheon ( South Korea ) - beginning January 1st , 2017 .
The daily service using the 199-seater Airbus A321 jet allows passengers from Central and Northern Luzon to fly to Incheon without passing through Manila .
Last December 16 , PAL started operating out of Clark International Airport in Pampanga with the Clark-Caticlan service using the Q400 turboprop aircraft .
C l a r k - I n c h e o n will be PAL ’ s first international route out of Clark .
Travelers from
Construction Corp , Tokwing Construction Corp . MR7 Corp . Holcim and CB Garay .
The project entails the following work : runway overlay , reblocking of concrete pavement , construction of ramp and drainage system , construction of four hangars and passenger terminal building ( PTB ) and other building facilities .
C o m p l e t i o n is expected 12 to 15 months from the awarding of the project .
The transfer of the general aviation to Sangley Airport would free up space
Incheon , upon arriving at Clark , can visit interesting attractions in Central and Northern Luzon , or connect on PAL ’ s direct flight to Caticlan , gateway to Boracay .
From Caticlan , PAL can also take Incheon visitors direct to Cebu , host to a variety of world-class tourist spots and the jump off point to other international PAL destinations such as Los Angeles , Singapore , Tokyo , Nagoya , Osaka and also back to Incheon .
The flag carrier will likewise operate Clark-Davao very soon .
“ We will operate more flights outside of Manila not just to decongest the NAIA but mainly to offer convenience to passengers who need not travel to Manila for their desired flights ,” said PAL
in NAIA by 18 to 21 percent . The airport ’ s two runways are perating at maximum capacity of 40 take-off and landing movements per hour .
The DOTr assured the repair works will not in any way conflict with the possible future development , if any , of the Sangley Airport .
IT said the overlay runway and drainage repairs will be useful for any future improvements .
Meanwhile , the DOTr said it has not received any unsolicited proposal on the construction of a new Sangley Airport or any
PNT Foreign Exchange $ 1.00 Cdn = P37.64 Php $ 1.00 US = P 49.59 € 1.00 EUR = P 52.45 ₤ 1.00 GBP = P 60.29 D1.00 BHD = P 132.72 R1.00 SAR = P 13.22 ¥ 1.00 JPY = P 0.43
President Jaime J . Bautista .
The flight to Incheon departs Clark at 4:45 pm . It will arrive at Incheon 9:40 pm . Return flight leaves Incheon 10:50 pm , touching down at Clark 1:55
Bidders Vie for Sangley Project
related development but it only received a 30-page description of plan or concept from All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp . ( ARRC ), which is being considered by the DOTr as a letter of intent .
Unsolicited proposals should be in accordance with the Build-Operate-Transfer ( BOT ) law , and should comply with requirements such as a feasibility study and draft contract .
ARRC said it has submitted proposal last August to rehabilitate the Danilo Atienza Airport in Sangley to accommodate small
SSS Premium Hike Opposed , Called Illegal
am the following day .
Also to be launched by the flag carrier within the first quarter of 2017 are international flights out of Kalibo .( Interaksyon )
planes and low-cost carriers operating in congested NAIA . It will allow NAIA to increase its runway movements from 40 takeoffs and landings per hour to around 60 .
ARCC group consists of Philippine businessman and executives , foreign companies with extensive experience in reclamation , project development and management and supported by partners in the field of international airport and seaport construction and operations . ( M . Iglesias , Malaya )
LAWMAKERS and labor groups yesterday opposed the increase in monthly contributions of Social Security System ( SSS ) members to finance the pension hike of retirees , with senators saying that the move is contrary to law .
President Duterte approved a P1,000 pension hike for SSS members beginning next month but there will be a 1.5 percent increase in the contribution of members starting May . Social Security System President Amado Valdez said the 1.5 percent increase in the contribution of members would go to the investment reserve fund of the agency and would not be used to fund the pension hike .
Valdez said it is the proceeds of the investment fund that is used to finance the pensions .
“ All this increase in the contribution is for the investment reserve para mapalaki natin doon because , actually nanggagaling iyung pension at saka other benefit from the proceeds of our investment in the current collection ,” he said .
He , however , admitted that indirectly the increased contribution would eventually go to the pension hike since it will augment the investment fund .
Senate President pro tempore Franklin Drilon said the SSS Law prohibits SSS from raising benefits that would require an increase in contribution .
“ While the executive ’ s decision to finally grant the long-awaited increase in the pension of SSS retirees is commendable , it should not be used to justify an increase in the premium payment ,” Drilon said .
He said the SSS can only implement an increase in the benefits of its members , subject to the approval of the President , “ if such increase is based on the actuarial soundness of the reserve fund ” and as “ such shall not require any increase in the rate contribution .”
Drilon said while the adjustment in the rate of contribution will take effect by May 2017 , it is clear that such action is carried out in order
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM
to fund the pension increase .
Sen . Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said senators and employers were surprised by Malacañang ’ s move . He said he supported the move to raise the SSS pensions .
But Sens . Juan Edgardo Angara and Joel Villanueva said the increase is SSS premium is justifiable .
Angara , chairman of the Senate ways and means committee , said the agency ’ s funds would be depleted if the increase in SSS pension has no accompanying measure to recover the expected cash outlay . Villanueva claimed Angara ’ s position is actually the sentiment of the Senate . Left-leaning congressmen from the Makabayan bloc led by Bayan Muna partylist Rep . Carlos Zarate said the President ’ s decision to approve the P1,000 pension hike for SSS pensioners cannot be undertaken at the expense of contributors .
Ako Bicol partylist Rep . Alfredo Garbin , a member of the House minority bloc , said : “ The challenge now is for the SSS to have an efficient and effective collection of its members ’ contributions instead of raising its premium which a big burden on the part of its members and employers .”
( JP LOPEZ AND WENDELL VIGILIA . Malaya )