Dr. Andrew Hewitt, an professional aerial spraying of fungicide and drift, is in town to help the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) formulate guidelines for a study on the impact of aerial spraying on banana plantations in Mindanao.

Hewitt was invited by the FPA to help the newly-formed FPA-DA Task Force on Aerial Spraying in conducting an intensive study on the outcomes of aerial spraying on communities surrounding banana plantations in the Davao Region.

Aerial spraying of fungicide has been resorted to by members of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), the country’s largest organization of banana producers, for the past several decades to battle the deadly black sigatoka virus.

PBGEA maintains it is the most economical method for the $789 million industry to prevent the decimation of banana stands to the lethal fungus.

Banana growers have insisted there is no harm in employing aerial spraying of fungicide and maintained that not a single person has contracted any disease because of it.

The British expert arrived Saturday, but his official visit will be for 5 days and he will be spending three days in Davao.

Hewitt is the manager or Chemical Applications Research and Training (CART) at Lincoln Ventures Ltd., a science and technology company of Lincoln University in Canterbury, England.

He has done voluminous voluntary work for technical societies and is a member of the editorial board for three international journals.

Hewitt chaired technical committees of several international societies, organized several international conferences, and is senior advisor to government organizations in Australia and the United States.

He has himself published hundreds of peer-reviewed journal articles on aerial spraying and its drift mechanics.

From 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, he will meet with scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) and hold a technical presentation and tackle questions on the scientific technologies prescribed internationally to engage in studies of aerial spray drift and its effects on off-target areas.

The venue will be the Lorenzo Hall of the UP Mindanao administration building at the university campus at Mintal, Davao City.

Entitled “Technical Forum on the Science Behind Aerial Spraying,” the discussion will be held auspices of the 15th Anniversary Symposium Series of UP Mindanao in cooperation with the FPA.

Chancellor Gilda Rivero of UP Mindanao will open the event.

Prof. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr. of UP Mindanao, Academician of the National Academy of Science, will be one of the reactors, together with Councilor Leonardo Avilla III of the Davao City Council Committee on Environment and Engr. Rex Labadia of the Department of Health (DoH) in Davao.

Prof. Calixto Protacio of the UP Los Banos College of Agriculture will facilitate the forum. (PIA/Marvyn Benaning)

www.Cebu-Philippines.net, an up-to-date guide to Cebu and the Philippines. Providing current and relevant information about visa, airlines, resorts, mindanao in Philippines, scuba diving, travel, health and wellness.

Gain pragmatic advice about the topic of internet marketing – make sure to go through the page. The time has come when concise information is truly only one click of your mouse, use this possibility.

Obviously, people will be more inclined to subscribe or pay for news content from trusted, prestigious, sources. None come more highly regarded or respected than the BBC, and ultimately they may well be the only “free” news provider left online (although in the words of Robert A Heinlein “TANSTAAFL” see licence fee). Such quality broadsheets and periodicals such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Guardian, The Times and Economist could all easily charge for access to online news. Read the full story

Were you aware that more than 70% of people in America claim to use coupon discounts to save money and around 85 percent use coupons to buy grocery and consumer goods? Quite amazing statistics I think you would have to agree. That means that if you’re reading this article and don’t use coupons regularly, you are in the minority! The good thing is that anyone and I mean anyone can jump on and use coupons to save themselves money at anytime with no experience required. In this tough economic situation, it becomes even more important to understand the use of coupons and how they can save you serious money.

Apparently the concept of coupons being used as a promotional tool was conceived by C. W. Post. He initially offered a coupon worth one cent to his patrons on every purchase of Grape-Nut. Since then, the term couponing has become a global phenomenon for both businesses and consumers alike. Over the past decade as developing countries have become greater users of the Net we have seen an explosion in popularity of the use and release of coupons. Early on, coupons were distributed through magazines, newspapers, and more in the 90’s and early 2000s via email. Whilst these mediums are still in play, the most common form of distributing coupons is via the Net. This is due to the fact that hundreds of millions of people access the Internet on a daily basis and it also helps companies save their money as the Internet is relatively inexpensive. As we move into the deeper understanding of web 2.0, social networking has also increased the popularity of using the Net as the sole medium to distribute and promote coupons. Just think about Facebook and Twitter. These 2 sites alone generate such buzz around topics and products that businesses are able to judge quickly if their new product line will be successful or not.

Even within the coupon sector, there are different “product” lines. Here are 2 types:
Manufacturer Coupons: manufacturer coupons are produced by the product manufacturing company to boost sales and increase brand awareness. These coupons are often distributed via online surveys, email newsletters or straight from the manufacturer’s website. Simply the customer takes the coupon to the store and gets a discount or in some cases free product and the manufacturer pays face value of the coupon to the store owner.

Printable coupons are also available on websites offering coupon deals online, such as www.FreeStuff4Free.com. On such websites, users will not only have access to coupons offering discounts, but often coupons that give the user freebies and free samples. These sites are a great way to access hundreds of discount coupons in various consumer products categories.

Understanding these 2 product lines will put you in good frame of mind to begin to save on groceries and many other shopping categories. If you’re still in doubt, go to Google and type in key phrases like free stuff, coupons, discount coupons and see what search results you will find. You will be well on the way to saving you and your family thousands of dollars a year!

Part 1

The move to start charging for access to News Corporation ’s newspaper websites has generated much heat and probably very little light amongst commentators and aficionados who see this as the “evil empire” subverting the ethos of the “free web”, free access to information and the general all round edification of mankind. It’s not the first time Murdoch has taken the Internet to task of course, having previously accused Google of poaching content it doesn’t own and urging media outlets to fight back.

“Google Devalues Everything it Touches”

It would appear that newspapers have seen new distribution channels changing the whole dynamics of their business. Read the full story

As early as January 29, Malacanang has already made an statement that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to sign into law another major social legislation, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, that will exempt the country’s estimated 4.6 million senior citizens from paying the 12 percent expanded value added tax (EVAT) and thus enable them to enjoy fully a 20 percent discount on the purchase of essential goods and services.

On Saturday, January 30, a Malacanang Deputy spokesman gave a statement that President Gloria Arroyo is awaiting for Congress to formally transmit to Malacanang the measure exempting senior citizens from paying value added tax.

It is a surprise, therefore, why some members of the Coalition of Services for the Elderly (Cose) and Confederation of Older Person Association of the Philippines (Copap), senior citizens aged between 60 and 70 marched from Morayta to Mendiola on Monday February 1 to encourage the Palace to sign into law the Congress-ratified Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act.

It is also a wonder why the senior citizens “slammed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she continued to waver in signing the bill.”

Perchance, said senior citizens were misinformed or were they exploited by some people who want to politicize the issue.

The original law, Republic Act 7432, gives senior citizens the discount. However, since the elderly are required to pay EVAT like anybody else, the discount has been effectively reduced to only eight percent.

The measure, titled “An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens, Further Amending Republic Act No 7432, also known as “An Act to Maximize the Contributions of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges, and for Other Purposes,” was passed by both Houses of Congress on Wednesday.

It is this jointly approved measure that President Arroyo intends to sign, but not until the copy of the measure is received and read by the Office of the President.

The bill exempts senior citizens, or those who are 60 years and above, from paying the 12 percent EVAT on medicines and vital medical supplies, accessories and equipment; fees of attending physicians; medical, dental fees and diagnostic and laboratory fees; fares for buses, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, shuttle services, public railways, domestic air and sea transport craft.

The tax privilege also applies to services in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments; admission fees in cinemas, theaters and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and funeral and burial services.

Additionally, the bill provides each senior citizen a monthly stipend of P500, subject to the periodic review of Congress in coordination with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).

In case of death of an indigent senior citizen, the amount of P2,000 will also be awarded to his or her nearest relation as benefit assistance.

Under the bill, senior citizens may also enjoy a five percent discount on their water and electric bills on condition that the utilities are in the name of senior citizen, and that the consumption is below 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water a month.

The measure also amplifies the penalties for those who refuse to grant the benefits. Establishments and their owners, managers and personnel found violating any provision of the law face a penalty of not less than P10,000 but not more than P50,000, or imprisonment of at least one month but not more than six months.

Administration allies in both houses of Congress said the new measure will form part of the legacy President Arroyo is bequeathing the Filipino people when she steps down in June. It was early in her term, in 2003, when the original law on senior citizens benefits ?RA 7432?was passed.

Rep. Reynaldo Uy (Samar), and Rep. Eduardo Zialcita (Parañaque) and Sen. Pia Cayetano, principal sponsors of the bill, hailed the measure as timely and very beneficial to many Filipinos.

Cayetano said approval of the measure would allow the senior citizens to enjoy fully the 20 percent senior citizens discount that was originally conceptualized for them under Republic Act 7342.

Cayetano explained that the senior citizen’s discount has been effectively reduced to only eight percent since seniors were also required to pay the 12-percent VAT in their purchase of medicines, good and services. (PIA)

But where’s the copy?

www.Cebu-Philippines.net, an up-to-date guide to Cebu Philippines and the Philippines. Providing current and relevant information about visa, airlines, hotels, resorts, government of the philippines, scuba diving, travel, health and wellness.

Fetch helpful things to know about the topic of internet marketing – please make sure to study the web page. The times have come when proper information is truly within your reach, use this chance.

If you are considering car leasing, then you will want to know if you are getting a good deal or not. You should make sure that you are fully aware of all aspects of the contract, no matter how confusing you may find it. Below, there are a number of things that you will need to think about. Read the full story

Premium Rate Phone Charges and Revenue Sharing Numbers within the NHS

Many businesses use premium rate numbers as money making scheme. Calling premium rate numbers can cost you upto 10 pence per minute. One phone call of over 5 minutes to these numbers can earn businesses upto 5 pence per minute at peak rate. Read the full story

Asset tracking is very useful but the thing that you need to get your head is asset management as it is this that every company needs to do.

So what is asset tracking? Asset reacking is something that really could benefit a company that is big or small as it is a piece of software that will track all of the company assets for you. Read the full story

In a time of crisis, where many are suffering from the worldwide financial downturn, there are websites out there trying to help out those not as fortunate. One such website is www.FreeStuff4Free.com, which offers a large selection of freebies. On top of providing surfers with a great range of freebies, there are also sites available that will provide tips on how to save money through shrewd actions. Given that grocery expenditure is the greatest expense outside rent or mortgage payments, it is advisable to save on groceries where possible. Below are some tips to help out:

Drink more water. Soft drinks, cordial and coffee, cut deeply into your grocery budget, probably more than you could think of. If you are buying individual bottles of water, look into other ways of getting water to drink. There is absolutely no reason to purchase bottled water all the time. The amount being charged is crazy given that often the water bottled is nothing better than the water from taps. Support your kids to drink tap water. Much of the range of flavored sugar-water contains no nutritional value except for the added vitamin C (which basically could have been given via an orange). By scaling back on fluids other than water will literally save you hundreds if not thousands depending on your family situation.

Consider purchasing generic and store brands. This is something that most customers have not tapped into as of yet. The reason for higher prices of branded products is basically the packaging. Increasing a brand’s awareness and reputation costs money and therefore the cost of that is passed onto the consumer. If you have not started using generic brands I suggest you look at the ingredients and nutritional value between the 2 and compare. Most if not all the time, they are identical and therefore you should pick the generic brand on principle. Even when purchasing from the pharmacist, ask if there are any generic or cheaper equivalents for your medicine. You are guaranteed to save yourself an absolute bundle.

Find out when your store marks fresh produce. When the “use by” or “best before” date is approaching grocery stores often discount their stock to make sure they go through the registers. One of the best deals is the roasted chickens at the local Harris Teeter. Find out when they discount it after the lunch rush hour. It’s been kept hot, but is losing some of its freshness and so they will knock the price down to around $3. This is enough for me to make chicken focaccias for the next week and therefore helping me save copious amounts of money instead of purchasing lunch everyday.

Combine these above tips with obtaining freebies, and you are well on your way to saving yourself heaps of money!

In order to make sure you find the ideal used car for your requirements you will need to do a lot of research and this can take time. There are a number of things you will need to do such as getting it checked over by a mechanic, taking it for a test drive and carrying out a vehicle check. And after you are happy with all of that you will need to negotiate with the seller of the car. Read the full story