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PHOTO: “Champions of Volunteerism”

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and Director-General Joselito de Vera of Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) give the symbol of volunteerism to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority volunteers who attended the recently concluded launching of the Search for Outstanding Volunteers for 2003. The PNVSCA gave the award to acknowledge the volunteerism efforts of the 8,000 SBMA volunteers who protected and preserved the US$8 billion facility of Subic and turned it into the country’s premier investment hub.

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People’s

Tonight, p. 13

PHOTO: At Villa Escudero

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo discusses over lunch the priority projects of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (Kalahi) during her recent inspection of South Luzon by-pass road in barangay Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon. The place of conference is the Villa Escudero resort in Tiaong. Mayor Victor A Reyes received P21.6 million from Pres. Arroyo for KALAHI-CIDSS projects in 24 barangays in San Narciso, Quezon. Also in photo are DOT Secretary Richard Gordon, 2^nd District of Quezon Congresswoman Lynn Punzalan; and Ado Villa Escudero.

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MB, p. D-2

No Sept. opening for NAIA 3

It doesn’t seem possible that Pres. Arroyo’s wish to have the NAIA-3 opened by September would be fulfilled. Roxas heads a 3-man oversight committee tasked to resolve once and for all, issues surrounding the operation of the terminal in spite of a pending motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court by Piatco, on the high court’s ruling to declare the firm’s contract with the gov’t. as null and void. The oversight committee, which also includes Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, met last week to map out its strategy and mechanisms to operate the airport as soon as possible and address the issue of compensation.

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MS, p. 9

BW, p. 3

GMA faces acid test in resolving NAIA row (column: Postscript by Federico L. Pascual)

Related story.

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PS, p. 11

Gov’t washes hands of Piatco’s deals with partners

Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas, who leads a 3-man Cabinet oversight committee on the controversial NAIA terminal 3 yesterday said the gov’t. has no intention of paying for losses incurred by groups which entered into deals with Piatco. Roxas said the gov’t. will only pay for the actual cost that went into building the terminal.

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M, p. 9

RP embassies alerted on terror attacks

Pres. Arroyo yesterday alerted Philippine embassies abroad to take “precautionary measures” following terrorist attacks in Moscow and Pakistan. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin said security in foreign service posts, particularly in the Middle East and Asian countries, has been stepped up significantly.

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M, p. 1

DT, p. 2 Abante, p. 2

PS, p. 5

Kuwentong Jeepney Exhibit (photo)

Colorful local art and culture took center stage as InterContinental Manila opened its Kuwentong Jeepney exhibit recently at the lobby Art Café. Inspired by the hotel’s uniquely themed coffee shop, Café Jeepney, the month-long exhibit provides a visual narrative of the country’s popular mode of transportation, highlighting its unique structure, and art reflective of Filipino sentiments, culture and values. Shown cutting the ribbon during the exhibit’s opening ceremonies are Tourism Undersecretary Rolando Reyes, Makati  mayor Jejomar Binay, and InterContinental Manila manager Stefan Voogel.

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BW, p. 20

Airlines look for uptick in Asia traffic

US Airlines are counting on their highest-paying customers-business travelers-to pack their bags and resume travel to Asia now that acute SARS has been vanquished. No new SARS cases in Asia have been reported to the WHO since June 15.

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MT, p. A7

New Tourism Press Corps vital partner of travel industry

The Tourism Press Corps, Inc. (TPCI) finally had its formal launch last June 24 at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati. TPCI is a non-profit, non-stock organization composed of tourism and travel trade journalists representing the Philippines’ top tri-media outfits. The members are professional and respected media practitioners with several years of experience in covering the tourism and travel trade sectors.

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M, p. 13

MB, p. B-5

Iraqi Embassy to close down

The Iraqi Embassy in Manila will suspend operations and close “in the near future” as per instructions of the United States-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). “CPA authorities want to cut all ties of Saddam Hussein with Iraqi diplomatic missions and later on re-open under a new leadership,” sources said.

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M, p. 2

Approval of dual citizenship bill expected next month

The Congress is expected to approve next month the dual citizenship measure, which would restore to overseas Filipinos, who have acquired foreign citizenship, practically all rights in the country, including the right of suffrage. The Senate and the House of Representatives have passed their respective versions of the measure before Congress adjourned its session last June 15.

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Tempo, p. 4

RP, Vietnam panels agree to double flight frequencies

The Philippines and Vietnam have recently agreed to increase air access between their respective major cities. As industry source said air negotiations held in Vietnam last July 2 to 3 allowed both countries to double frequencies to 2,000 seats per week from just 1,000 seats.

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BW, p. 3

GMA gov’t rehashes NAIA bomb threat for Piatco takeover

Having failed to forcibly take over the new airport terminal 3 through the presidential issuance of Administrative Order No. 75, amid existing legal stumbling blocks owing to the release of the AO even before the final ruling of the Supreme Court on the validity of the Piatco contract, the Palace aided by the military officers, has rehashed an alleged Moro Liberation Front’s (MILF) 2002 plot to bomb the NAIA.

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DT, p. 1

Walk the Wall: A historical adventure

Walking on top of the thick defensive walls of Intramuros is like being transported back in time when Manila was Intramuros. Now that Intramuros has opened its doors as the country’s one-stop tourist destination dubbed “History Town Philippines”, one should not miss the “Walk-The-Wall” activity. Walk the Wall is a 30-45 minutes leisurely walk of Intramuros where one gets to see the beautiful sites of the City of Manila.

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MB, p. B5

Riverworld (photo)

Residents of Bocaue, Bulacan take time out to send spectacular floats to Wawa River, in celebration of the Pagoda sa Wawa fiesta. All 19 barangays of Bocaue sent a float in hopes of winning the P10,000 prize.

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MS, p. 6

Lanao Festival (photo)

Women participating in a festival at the Tubod sports complex in Lanao del Norte display the Philippine flag as a gesture of their loyalty to the Republic. The festival took place last week. 

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MB, p. D-1