Philippines still safe despite nuclear emergency in Japan

April 14, 2011
FILIPINOS need not panic over the latest upgrade in the nuclear emergency in Japan as effects of the radioactive materials remain to be insignificant, a government agency said Wednesday.
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Deputy Director Corazon Bernido said in a press briefing that Japanese authorities are doing their best to contain the possible escape of harmful radioactive substances into the air.
“We think the worst is past,” she said.
On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ordered the mandatory evacuation of 1,989 Filipinos living within the 50-kilometer radius of the quake-crippled Fukishima Daiichi nuclear power plants after Japan raised the emergency level from five to seven.
According to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Level 7 poses widespread health and environmental effects requiring implementation of planned and extended countermeasures.
Meanwhile, no less than DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario believes that there will not be any 100 percent evacuation of Filipinos living in the radiation-threatened areas in Japan.
According to del Rosario, the mandatory and voluntary repatriation orders in Japan would most likely be similar to the one that took place in Libya last month.
“We don’t think that all the 2,000 would consent to be repatriated. It could be like the Libya situation where there will be a certain percentage, which would actually choose to stay,” said del Rosario.
He said that they are mostly concerned with Filipinos, who have already started a family in Japan by marrying Japanese nationals, as they may not want to leave their loved ones behind.
Still, the DFA chief said they are pushing through with the repatriation directive of President Benigno Aquino III for people living within the 50- and 100-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
The DFA chief, however, had already said that the mandatory repatriation would not really mean that they would be forcing everyone to leave Japan.
“The labeling (of mandatory repatriation) is more just to tell the people on what alert level we have regarding the risks to their lives… We can’t compel people to go,” del Rosario said.
The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo reported late Wednesday afternoon that there are already 55 Filipinos, including children, which have expressed interest to be repatriated.
“To date, there are 55 Filipinos, including children, within the 100-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, who have confirmed to the Embassy their interest to be repatriated in view of the possible effects of the long-term accumulation of and exposure to radioactive particles in the northeastern region of Japan,” said the statement released by the DFA.
It added that they are projected to be included in the targeted first departure of Filipinos on Sunday, April 17.
These Filipinos, the embassy added, are set to undergo proper health screening at radiation screening facilities of the Japanese Government.
The Philippine embassy has identified Omiya in Saitama prefecture as the rendezvous area for Filipinos, where their travel documents will be processed prior to their repatriation.
Accommodations in Saitama are likewise arranged for the Filipino nationals awaiting repatriation, said the embassy.
The DFA–Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) has set up hotline numbers and an e-mail address for those who would like to inquire about the conditions of Filipino relatives in Japan. The hotline numbers at the DFA-OUMWA are 834-3245 and 834-3240 while requests for information through e-mail can be sent to: dfaoumwa.cmc@gmail.com.
DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya on Wednesday also dispelled notions that the government might not be financially equipped to rescue Filipinos in the badly hit northern Japan.
“The cost of the chartered flight is $200,000 or P8.6 million. We in the DFA have funds for it. Occasionally, the Department of Budget and Management will replenish our Assistance to Nationals Unit (ATN),” he said in an interview.
Wire reports said evacuation orders have so far covered about 85,000 people inside the 20-kilometer zone, while another 62,000 within 30 kilometers have been told to stay indoors.
As of February 24, the ATN fund has a balance of P138.74 million but this has gone down following the repatriation of thousands of Filipinos from conflict-torn Libya at the time. (AMN/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/04/13/philippines-still-safe-despite-nuclear-emergency-japan-150226

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com