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Passengers wait to complete check-in procedures at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi in late June 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh Vietnamese pilots have occupied runways longer than needed while airplanes were not parked in order, causing thousands of delays in June, aviation authorities said. VN Express reported that more than 5,600 flights operated by Vietnamese airlines were delayed last month, accounting for 18.2 percent of total services operated by the country's six carriers, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV). The figure was up 15.9 percent year-on-year and up 9.4 percent from last month. Low-cost carrier Vietjet Air had the industry's highest rate of flight delays at 24 percent, followed by Vietnam Airlines with 20.1 percent. In most cases, flights were delayed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Minh Tan, deputy head of CAAV, said the issue of delayed flights at Tan Son Nhat is "quite serious" as he attended a Wednesday meeting on the matter. He said apart from overloaded infrastructure, the arrangement of parked aircraft "is not reasonable" as planes that take off first are located far from the runway while those departing later are placed closer. There were cases in which a plane spent as long as 15-20 minutes only to move from the parking lot to the runway, he said. Bui Thanh Ha, head of the air traffic control department of Southern Region Air Traffic Services, said another reason for the issue is pilot skills. In the latest survey conducted at the airport, a Singapore airline's plane left the runway in 60 seconds after landing, while Vietnamese pilots needed nearly 70 seconds. During takeoff, air traffic controllers must calculate to save every second though Vietnamese pilots still spend 10-15 seconds on average to start running. "It is clear that our pilots do not have an awareness of saving time," said Ha. Dinh Viet Son, another CAAV deputy head, said if there are heavy downpours at Tan Son Nhat and airplanes cannot land, air traffic controllers should decide not to let airplanes designated to land at Tan Son Nhat depart. Because in that case, those airplanes would have to circle, a situation that would exhaust passengers and cause carriers to waste extra money on fuel, he said. Vietnam Airlines Deputy General Director Trinh Hong Quang blamed its flight delays on the market bouncing back "beyond all forecasts." Carriers were unprepared for such a boom in travel demand, Quang said. In the first six months of the year, the number of passengers through domestic airports reached 40.7 million, up 56 percent over the same period last year. Around 1.8 million were international passengers, up 904 percent. CAAV Head Dinh Viet Thang said each airport now must produce a specific set of rules to deal with runway occupation. At Tan Son Nhat and Hanoi's Noi Bai airport, pilots must make sure they leave the runway within 60 seconds after landing and take-off within 30 seconds. Thang said as the infrastructure remains limited, CAAV would have to reduce flight numbers, citing similar actions done to deal with travel boom in other countries. "It is very hard to accept the fact that a flight from HCMC to Cam Ranh airport in Khanh Hoa took only 45 minutes, but passengers have to wait several hours," he said. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

A butcher in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Gasoline prices may have fallen by 10 percent on Monday, but to many people’s chagrin, this has not had a knock-on effect on other prices reports VN Express. Three days after fuel prices fell, Hanh, owner of a chicken pho restaurant in Hanoi, has yet to adjust prices downward. A bowl of pho still costs VND40,000-60,000 ($1.7-2.6), up VND5,000-10,000 from June. He blamed it on the inflated costs of other items, especially chicken. "A kilogram of chicken still costs me VND110,000-120,000, and so I cannot lower my prices." In HCMC too, food stalls have yet to cut prices after having raised them earlier to cope with higher fuel and other costs. Gasoline prices have only fallen by 10 percent after a 35 per cent hike since mid-April, eateries pointed out, adding they therefore must wait for further fuel price cuts before reducing their prices. Prices of fresh foods at traditional markets are also unchanged. Hoa, a vegetable seller in HCMC’s Binh Thanh District, said prices are unlikely to fall since heavy rains have affected supply. A butcher in HCMC’s Go Vap District, also called Hoa, said he could not cut pork prices further since he is already selling at cost. "Prices of pig of the hoof will probably increase in the next few days, and so retail pork prices are unlikely to fall. Animal feed costs have risen significantly in the first half of this year." Nguyen, a butcher in a market in Hanoi, said, "Due to harsh weather, low demand and higher costs, I suffer losses most of the time." Gasoline only accounts for 20 percent of fresh food prices, while labor input costs are rising, Hoang, a wholesaler in HCMC, said. Truong Chi Thien, director of egg producer Vinh Thanh Dat, said the costs of animal feed, labor and packaging have risen by 20-40 percent from last year. "Egg prices will only decline if input costs fall." Dinh Trong Thinh, a lecturer at the Academy of Finance, said there would be a lag between changes in gasoline prices and those of other goods. Despite two recent cuts, gasoline prices remain at nearly VND30,000 a liter, up 25 percent from last year, and so it is understandable that producers, suppliers, and retailers have yet to cut prices, he added. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Customers shop at a supermarket in Washington, DC, the United States, on July 13, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) WASHINGTON – United States consumer prices exploded upwards last month, marking the latest high in surging inflation. All eyes are now on the US Federal Reserve, as the bank could continue its aggressive rate path on the news. "Today's shockingly high consumer price inflation number does not bode well for our country's economic outlook," Desmond Lachman, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told Xinhua. US consumer prices skyrocketed a whopping 9.1 percent last month, the fastest annual clip since November 1981, as inflation keeps rising, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. June's consumer price index rose from the previous 40-year high of 8.6 percent in May and was higher than the 8.8 percent increase forecast by Bloomberg. Sam Bullard, senior economist at Wells Fargo, a major US bank, told Xinhua, "It came in hotter than expected." "Everyone pretty much knew energy prices were going to be a large contributor," Bullard said. "And that turned out to be the case – it was about half of last month's contribution" to the month-over-month rise, he added. "Everything's about what's the Fed going to do next.” The Fed last month hiked rates by 75 basis points, the biggest hike since 1994, and some economists fret the central bank will implement yet another rate hike that could be even higher. Lachman said the report "makes it all but certain that the Federal Reserve will continue with its policy of aggressively raising interest rates." The Fed will likely do so despite growing signs of economic and financial market weakness both at home and abroad, he said. That has to raise the risk of a hard economic landing before year's end, Lachman said. Inflation will soon peak, according to Lachman. But it will do so as a result of the US and world economy moving into recession, he said. Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Xinhua, "It is probably a done deal that the Fed will raise rates by 0.75 pp this month." "The big question will be what they say about future hikes," Baker said. Baker said some of this jump was predictable. "We knew gas prices would rise a lot in June. We also knew there would be high numbers for rent. The surprises were that the June rent increase was larger than the May one," he said. "I still expect a sharp slowing in inflation, but I have been saying that for a while." Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Barry Bosworth told Xinhua the breadth of the price increases was "striking" and "mandates a strong Fed response – a 0.5 to 0.75 rate increase." The vulnerability to strong inflationary pressures remains intense, largely due to energy market uncertainty and overheated labor demand, Bosworth said. The ongoing inflation surge was elevated by a rise at the cost of food, as well as record-high gasoline prices, according to Wednesday's report. At one point last month, gas rose above USD5 per gallon, the highest in US history. Meanwhile, White House officials this week scrambled to prepare for what they expected to be a hot inflation rate, although they insisted gasoline prices are lowering, reported Axios, a US newspaper. Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua that Wednesday's inflation rise was a "really bad number for Democrats because the trendline still is going up." "As long as that continues, it will harm their prospects in the fall," West said, noting the midterm elections in November. (Xinhua) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

(Photo courtesy of French Embassy in Manila) MANILA – The French government is looking forward to closer cooperation with the Philippines on technology and innovation. As France and the Philippines celebrate 75 years of relations this year, French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz said "now is the time to embrace" new opportunities to increase the two nations' exchanges. "As home of French-Tech and a highly innovative R&D (research and development) nation, we encourage dynamic projects in the field of technology and innovation, both in academe and in business development," Boccoz said in her Bastille Day speech at her residence in Makati City on Thursday. The envoy said the two nations have been collaborating on the design of electronic circuits, which in itself contributes to the strengthening of local capacities. "These efforts are supported by the French Tech network in 13 capital cities, including Manila, thus fostering interactions between entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, and contributing to the empowerment of the Tech movement in the Philippines," she said. In the same speech, Boccoz also highlighted the two nations' growing engagements in the areas of defense, security, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction. She said cooperation has "steadily deepened" in defense and security through the increase in the frequency of Philippine-France military deployments, joint drills, port calls, and the modernization of maritime capabilities. "Our relation with the Philippines is at the heart of our Indo-Pacific strategy. Our two countries, both nations of the Indo-Pacific, share a strong will to maintain the prevalence of the rule of law, and the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) in particular," she said. "Protecting our sovereignty, safeguarding natural resources, including fishing resources, or dealing with natural disasters are common concerns for our two countries in the region." Boccoz said the emergence of non-traditional threats such as climate change, the pandemic, and food insecurity likewise require the two countries "to work even more closely together." (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

LEARNING LOSS. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte says the face-to-face classes to be required on Nov. 2, 2022, will help address the learning loss among several learners during the pandemic, in an ambush interview on Thursday (July 14, 2022). She said public and private schools nationwide have until October 31 to prepare for the transition. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President) MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte insisted Thursday the implementation of face-to-face classes in public and private schools nationwide will push through this coming Nov. 2 to address learning loss. Duterte made the statement despite calls for reconsiderations due to the risks from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and the short vacation of teachers for the next school year. In an interview, Duterte said the Department of Education (DepEd) Order 034 has been already approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “We have cited a study on our presentation before the President, and this is a published paper already, that there are really, truthfully learning losses among children when they are in online classes or distance learning. It also indicated that it is more pronounced and learners are disadvantaged at home. Meaning, it is worse for poor families,” she said. The vice president noted that schools still have until Oct. 31 to prepare for the full transition to an in-person class setup. “For August 22 until October 31, options are indicated in our Department Order. First is the five-day in-person classes. Secondly, the blended modality. This is where [schools may opt to do] three days in-person [classes] and then two days remote, or distance learning. And then after they can shift to four days of in-person classes and one-day distance learning. Or they can mix up,” she said in mixed English and Filipino. But from Nov. 2 and beyond, all schools must shift to in-person classes with the implementation of “physical distancing whenever possible”. “The reason why we included the ‘physical distancing shall be implemented whenever possible’ is that, this is one of the considerations included because we don’t want to add, add on the burden of additional classes in schools due to distancing,” she said. This means that the DepEd will not be setting a standard size or learners' capacity per room, as school spaces vary in size. No eating together Duterte also discussed the strict prohibitions on eating, given the limited spaces which might increase the probability of transmission. “This is one of the instances, where we remove our face masks, so eating together, should be prohibited, and if the spaces are limited inside the schools, [learners] should be separated from each other by eating while facing the same directions. So [learners] will not be facing each other,” she added. The education chief, meanwhile, encouraged parents or family members, especially the vulnerable ones, to avail themselves of the booster shots against Covid-19 since children were found to be of high recovery rate than them. She noted that maintaining the minimum health protocols would be of significant help alongside vaccination. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

UK Tee times today 6:35 am GAME 1 Paul LAWRIE - Webb SIMPSON - Min Woo LEE - 6:46 am GAME 2 Sadom KAEWKANJANA - Ben CAMPBELL - Barclay BROWN (a) - 6:57 am GAME 3 Dean BURMESTER - Chan KIM - Brandon WU - 7:08 am GAME 4 Ian POULTER - Jamie DONALDSON - Guido MIGLIOZZI - 7:19 am GAME 5 Garrick HIGGO - Minkyu KIM - Ashley CHESTERS - 7:30 am GAME 6 Phil MICKELSON - Lucas HERBERT - Kurt KITAYAMA - 7:41 am GAME 7 Patrick REED - Tom HOGE - Joo-Hyung KIM - 7:52 am GAME 8 John DALY - Bryson DECHAMBEAU - Cameron TRINGALE - 8:03 am GAME 9 Cameron SMITH - Brooks KOEPKA - Seamus POWER - 8:14 am GAME 10 Francesco MOLINARI - Tommy FLEETWOOD - Justin ROSE - 8:25 am GAME 11 Cameron YOUNG - KH LEE - Robert MACINTYRE - 8:36 am GAME 12 Zach JOHNSON - Billy HORSCHEL - Corey CONNERS - 8:47 am GAME 13 Brian HARMAN - Pablo LARRAZABAL - Danny WILLETT - 9:03 am GAME 14 Stephen DODD - JT POSTON - Lee WESTWOOD - 9:14 am GAME 15 Sepp STRAKA - Luke LIST - Justin DE LOS SANTOS - 9:25 am GAME 16 Ernie ELS - Adri ARNAUS - Brad KENNEDY - 9:36 am GAME 17 Mackenzie HUGHES - Scott VINCENT - Victor PEREZ - 9:47 am GAME 18 Jason KOKRAK - Nicolai HOJGAARD - Sihwan KIM - 9:58 am WATCH FROM 9:58 AM GAME 19 Collin MORIKAWA - Rory MCILROY - Xander SCHAUFFELE - 10:09 am WATCH FROM 10:09 AM GAME 20 Shane LOWRY - Justin THOMAS - Viktor HOVLAND - 10:20 am GAME 21 Will ZALATORIS - Hideki MATSUYAMA - Tony FINAU - 10:31 am GAME 22 Kevin KISNER - Chris KIRK - Takumi KANAYA - 10:42 am GAME 23 Dylan FRITTELLI - Trey MULLINAX - Matthew JORDAN - 10:53 am GAME 24 Anthony QUAYLE - Zander LOMBARD - John PARRY - 11:04 am GAME 25 Thomas DETRY - Richard MANSELL - Marco PENGE - 11:15 am GAME 26 Alexander BJORK - Oliver FARR - Matthew FORD - 11:36 am GAME 27 Mark CALCAVECCHIA - Ryan FOX - Jediah MORGAN - 11:47 am GAME 28 Christiaan BEZUIDENHOUT - Bernd WIESBERGER - Sam BAIRSTOW (a) - 11:58 am GAME 29 Adrian MERONK - Haotong LI - Marcus ARMITAGE - 12:09 pm GAME 30 Thriston LAWRENCE - Fabrizio ZANOTTI - Alex WRIGLEY - 12:20 pm GAME 31 Aaron WISE - Si Woo KIM - Sam HORSFIELD - 12:31 pm GAME 32 Talor GOOCH - Shaun NORRIS - Wyndham CLARK - 12:42 pm GAME 33 Henrik STENSON - Russell HENLEY - Aldrich POTGIETER (a) - 12:53 pm GAME 34 Stewart CINK - Sergio GARCIA - Aaron JARVIS (a) - 1:04 pm GAME 35 Sungjae IM - Paul CASEY - Gary WOODLAND - 1:15 pm GAME 36 Dustin JOHNSON - Adam SCOTT - Marc LEISHMAN - 1:26 pm GAME 37 Scottie SCHEFFLER - Joaquin NIEMANN - Tyrrell HATTON - 1:37 pm GAME 38 Darren CLARKE - Richard BLAND - Filippo CELLI (a) - 1:48 pm GAME 39 Kevin NA - Kazuki HIGA - Erik VAN ROOYEN - 2:04 pm GAME 40 David DUVAL - Justin HARDING - Jordan SMITH - 2:15 pm GAME 41 Shugo IMAHIRA - Jason SCRIVENER - David LAW - 2:26 pm GAME 42 Abraham ANCER - Yuto KATSURAGAWA - Emiliano GRILLO - 2:37 pm GAME 43 Louis OOSTHUIZEN - Harris ENGLISH - Keita NAKAJIMA (a) - 2:48 pm GAME 44 Padraig HARRINGTON - Thomas PIETERS - Keith MITCHELL - 2:59 pm GAME 45 Tiger WOODS - Matthew FITZPATRICK - Max HOMA - 3:10 pm GAME 46 Jordan SPIETH - Jon RAHM - Harold VARNER III - 3:21 pm GAME 47 Patrick CANTLAY - Sam BURNS - Mito PEREIRA - 3:32 pm GAME 48 Keegan BRADLEY - Sebastian MUNOZ - Sahith THEEGALA - 3:43 pm GAME 49 Laurie CANTER - Dimitrios PAPADATOS - Matthew GRIFFIN - 3:54 pm GAME 50 John CATLIN - Jamie RUTHERFORD - David CAREY - 4:05 pm GAME 51 Mingyu CHO - Jorge FERNANDEZ-VALDES - Robert DINWIDDIE - 4:16 pm GAME 52 Lars VAN MEIJEL - Jack FLOYDD - Ronan MULLARNEY -

Ili Nadhirah Mansor/TODAY SINGAPORE — With more than double the legal alcohol limit in his blood, G Mohanavarooman Gopal Oyyappan went on an hour-long joyride around the island in a private ambulance that belonged to his employer. According to Today, the 25-year-old stopped only when he crashed into some guard rails in the middle of Seletar Expressway (SLE). His passenger, who had also been drinking in the vehicle, suffered fractured ribs from the impact. For this escapade, Mohan, now aged 27, pleaded guilty on Tuesday (July 12) to four charges including drink-driving, dangerous driving causing grievous hurt and driving without a valid Class 3 or 3A licence. The Singaporean also admitted to an unrelated charge of voluntarily causing hurt. About six months before the ambulance incident, he got into a fight while drinking at a Punggol coffee shop and punched a patron. He has not been sentenced yet and will return to court in September. Another charge of giving false information to a public servant will be taken into consideration for sentencing. The prosecution is seeking 28 to 37 months’ jail, a fine of S$4,000 to S$5,000, and a 10-year disqualification from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences. The court heard that Mohan and another man, Aravindraj Manohar, 29, were employed by private ambulance provider IM Ambulance Service. He worked as a “medic” while Arvin was a driver. The pair worked together on July 6 in 2020, taking patients to and from medical centres. Around 8.45pm that day, they went to a car park at Block 137, Bukit Batok West Avenue 6 to rest. Mohan had reported for work almost 12 hours earlier. He bought four cans of beer from a nearby provision shop, and they drank in the ambulance till 10pm, before Mohan bought more beer and a vodka mixed drink from a convenience store. He told Aravin that these drinks were for his friend. They then ferried someone from Corporation Road to Bukit Batok Care Home, before continuing to drink until about 11.15pm. Aravin eventually allowed Mohan to drive the ambulance to his grandmother’s house. The victim, who is Mohan's friend, later boarded the ambulance. Her name was removed from court documents. Aravin’s father picked him up in a car and Mohan went behind the wheel of the ambulance. He and the victim began drinking once more before he embarked on a joyride from 1.30am to 2.30am. Court documents outlined numerous examples of his erratic driving, such as sharply cutting across a cyclist’s path by making a left turn into Hougang Street 22 from the second lane as opposed to the first lane. He then drove against the flow of traffic along Hougang Street 22, at an open-air car park on Hougang Avenue 1 and on Phillips Avenue. At the junctions of Phillips Avenue and Yio Chu Kang Road, he beat the red light before driving at a fast speed in a zig-zagging manner by repeatedly alternating between the first and second lanes. Along the SLE, he drove in an unsteady manner and nearly caused a side-swipe collision with a car. He also sounded the horn many times for no reason. He made a series of lane changes before finally losing control of the vehicle, skidding from the third to first lane and ramming into the guard railings in the centre of the SLE. The ambulance toppled to its left and came to a stop between the third and fourth lanes. A member of the public called the police. An officer went to the scene and noticed that 10 portions of the guard rails had been uprooted and a tree was slanted. Mohan's friend was unable to move from the front passenger seat because her leg was stuck. The police officer then saw Mohan walking around the back of the ambulance in a state of panic. He smelled strongly of alcohol and had an unsteady gait. When questioned if he was the driver, Mohan claimed that the victim had been driving instead. However, the victim said that Mohan had been the driver. Mohan pleaded with her in Tamil, “Please, you are the driver,” and “Promise on your mother, if you want to save me, help me.” Mohan soon failed a breathlyser test and was arrested. He was escorted to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital because he did not have his asthmatic inhaler with him. He had 183mg of ethanol per 100ml of blood, more than double the prescribed drink-driving limit of 80mg per 100ml. The victim was also taken to the hospital where she was found to have suffered lower rib fractures. She was awarded for a week and given 38 days of hospitalisation leave but did not suffer any permanent disabilities. For dangerous driving causing grievous hurt, Mohan could be jailed for up to five years. As he is a serious offender, he could also additionally be jailed for up to a year and fined up to S$10,000.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s first official travel abroad could be to Southeast Asia, possibly Indonesia or Singapore, a ranking official said Wednesday. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said many Philippine partners have sent an invitation for Marcos to visit their states, including the United States, China, and the European Union. "What I am told by our friends in Malacañang, the president is really looking first to travel in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region," he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. "The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is recommending that he go to Indonesia and Singapore, of course, has invited President Marcos so he may go to those countries first," he added. The relations between Indonesia and the Philippines are marked by various high-level engagements in various fields, including maritime security and counterterrorism. Early this month, they also laid the groundwork for the delimitation of their continental shelf boundary in the Celebes Sea, a declared priority for both countries. According to the DFA, the maritime boundary delimitation between the world’s two largest archipelagic states is a significant state practice on delimitation and contributes to the development of international law, particularly the law of the sea. Meanwhile, Romualdez said Marcos also wanted to be more active in Asean affairs and has expressed interest in playing a "significant role" in getting the 10-member bloc together. "In fact, I can tell you that he's had conversations with (Singapore) Prime Minister Lee (Hsien Loong) even before his inauguration and they both agree that Asean will going to be the forum or institution that strengthen our part of the world and be ready to talk to China, the US, the EU on how we can conduct ourselves in the Indo-Pacific region," he said. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

FLYOVER REPAIR. MMDA Officer-in-Charge, Director Baltazar Melgar (3rd from left); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer Edward Santos (4th from left); and other government officials attend a press conference at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City on Wednesday (July 13, 2022). Melgar said the southbound portion of the Timog Flyover along Edsa in Quezon City will reopen to motorists on July 25, with major repairs already completed “ahead of schedule.” (Photo courtesy of MMDA) MANILA – The southbound portion of the Timog Flyover along Edsa in Quezon City will reopen to motorists at 5 p.m. on July 25, with major repairs already completed “ahead of schedule.” In a press conference at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City on Wednesday, Department of Public Works, and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer Edward Santos said the “major repairs” on the flyover are “mostly done.” The flyover’s southbound portion was closed to traffic on June 25 to make way for immediate repairs after cracks were observed along the structure. In addition to the resumption of the flyover operation, MMDA Officer-in-Charge Director Baltazar Melgar in a Laging Handa briefing said road and sidewalk clearing operations are ongoing across Metro Manila to address the expected influx of more vehicles due to the return of face-to-face classes in November. “We are continuing our traffic programs because once those obstructions are removed, the flow of traffic will be faster,” Melgar said. He said the MMDA has offered its assistance to schools in the Metro Manila area to help prepare for the return of students to the classrooms. “Through our ‘Balik Eskwela (return to school)’ program, we provide assistance to school principals, we’ve received requests to create pedestrian lane markings and misting inside the schools so that by the start of the school year this August, we are ready),” he said. He also urged the public to assist the government in its clearing operations by not creating obstructions, such as structures or parked vehicles, on sidewalks or roadways. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

DOLE-OSHC executive director Noel Binag (File photo) MANILA – Most companies do not have safety officers and committees that will ensure compliance with government rules on workplace safety, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday. In a Laging Handa briefing, Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) executive director Noel Binag said this is among the common violations noted during labor inspections conducted by the agency in many establishments. "Aside from the absence of safety officers and safety and health committee, some do not have first-aid responders. The big companies should also have occupational health personnel who are on standby for any emergencies or accidents," he said. Binag, meanwhile, said promoting workplace safety must be a shared responsibility. “The prevention of accidents or illnesses in the workplace requires that cooperation, not just the job of DOLE or OSHC. This is a joint effort of our employers, our safety officers, and especially the participation of our workers. They have an important role to play because if they see such imminent dangers, we call their attention. Let's help our employers so that the workplace is in order and safe,” he added. Binag's remarks came following two recent workplace accidents in the country. Last week, two employees repairing an elevator on the sixth floor of a building in Makati City were killed after an elevator crashed from the 38th floor. On Monday night, six construction workers were killed after a concrete fence collapsed on their barracks in Barangay Kaybagal Central in Tagaytay City. On the other hand, he noted that workers may refuse to work if there is imminent danger in the work area. "We call that the presence of imminent danger. Our workers have the right to refuse to work because of this situation-imminent danger. They also have the right to report to their safety officer, to their employer and especially to the Department of Labor and Employment,” he added. The enforcement of health and safety standards in workplaces is pursuant to Republic Act 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) Act. Under the law, firms may be slapped with a daily administrative fine ranging from PHP20,000 to a maximum of PHP100,000 for non-compliance with requirements on occupational and health safety. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

According to the Philippines Department of Tourism, these three destinations offer the best sights and make for the perfect romantic vacation for honeymooners or mini-mooners. “Couples looking for a memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway can find them in our pristine beaches and mountain trails, where they can go hiking, biking, diving, or simply lounge comfortably. We are preparing these romantic destinations for your visit when international borders reopen, ensuring that health and safety protocols are securely in place,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat. These beautiful islands provide the perfect backdrop to create more wonderful memories, and couples are sure to fall in love all over again not only with each other, but also with the Philippines. 1. LONG BEACH, SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN Take a romantic sunset stroll on the gorgeous shores of Long Beach. At a 14.7 km stretch, the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines is also the second-longest in Southeast Asia. Enjoy the laid-back rural vibe at the beach and lounge lazily on the sand while gazing at the undisturbed view of the horizon. Cool off at the clear, turquoise waters or head out to the majestic Pamuayan Falls where you can traipse into the forests for a glimpse of the rich flora and fauna of the area. You can also go island-hopping via a short boat ride to discover other hidden gems of San Vicente. 2. BANTAYAN ISLAND, CEBU Located at Cebu’s northernmost tip is Bantayan Island. This emerging destination is full of beautiful spots to have your couple photos taken. Some of the attractions that offer unforgettable moments and make dramatic backdrops are the secluded Paradise Beach and Virgin Island, the Obo-Ob Mangrove Garden with its rustic bamboo bridge, the Kota Park Pier, and the Kinatarkan Lighthouse. For a taste of history, visit the centuries-old St. Peter and Paul Parish Church made of coral stones, and for a taste of local Cebuano cuisine, look for restaurants that offer Sutukil or grilled seafood from the catch of the day. 3. SAMAL ISLAND, DAVAO The Island Garden City of Samal is composed of two beautiful islands and is dotted with many resorts where couples can enjoy a luxe and romantic getaway amid the white sand and clear tranquil waters. A memorable meal under the stars can be arranged, where you can enjoy the freshest seafood and toast with a choice of wines. In the daytime, you can arrange for a picnic at the cascading Hagimit Falls or take a day trip to the Pearl Farm Beach Resort for some sightseeing and to try out its water activities such as jet skiing and diving. Hike hand in hand at the beginner-friendly Mt. Puting Bato or catch Vanishing Island before it becomes submerged from the tides. Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

A close up shot of the hacker's post. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy In what might be one of the largest known personal data breaches in Vietnam, an unidentified person is offering school data pertaining to 30 million people for US$3,500. According to VN Express, it was collected "from a popular school website in Vietnam" in July, the unidentified hacker, who goes by the name meli0das, posted in an online forum last Friday. "The database is very useful [...] because 30M is nearly 1/3 of the Vietnamese population," the hacker said. meli0das, who joined the forum last month, wants the $3,500 in Monero, a cryptocurrency with privacy-enhancing technologies to increase anonymity. Each person’s record includes full name, email, phone number, birthday, grades, school, and location, the hacker added, saying the database "has never been leaked before." VnExpress found an accurate a sample of 70 records the hacker released to prove the authenticity of the data but could not verify the scale of the leak. A security expert has tried to contact the hacker, but said the hacker was "pretty cautious." "In previous leaks, hackers were willing to provide samples. But meli0das only provided samples to trusted accounts on the forum or those who proved to have enough money." The hacker is also offering data about "360,000 Vietnamese students" collected from an educational website. Ngo Minh Hieu, a security expert at the National Cybersecurity Center, said there is a high chance that the hack has happened, but is skeptical about its scale. "If true, this will be one of the largest data breaches in Vietnam." Last week another hacker, who goes by the name ChinaDan, offered on the same forum what is described as data on a billion Chinese citizens for $200,000. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

People shop at a Bach Hoa Xanh outlet in Ho Chi Minh City in July 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Bach Hoa Xanh seems to have closed over 300 of its stores in recent months amid a comprehensive review to prepare for nationwide expansion next year reported VN Express. The grocery giant’s website says there are 1,824 outlets as of Wednesday morning as against the 2,140 it said it had in an April report. Customers said in recent weeks many stores had put up signs offering discounts of up to 50 percent, a possible sign they were closing. Since its launch in 2015, Bach Hoa Xanh has been one of the fastest growing retail chains in Vietnam. It surpassed the 1,000-store mark within four years of establishment. But Nguyen Duc Tai, its chairperson, had said earlier there would be no expansion this year to focus on improving efficiency and customer service. As of May, only around half met the necessary requirements to remain in operation, and the company would "handle" the underperforming outlets, he had added. The company is preparing for nationwide expansion in 2023. Its presence is now predominantly in the south. It also plans an initial public offering of 20 percent either this year or next. Bach Hoa Xanh reported revenues of VND10.5 trillion ($448.76 million) in the first five months of this year, accounting for 17.7 percent of its parent company Mobile World’s total sales. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Winners of the 2022 Michelin Guide Singapore. (Photo: Michelin Guide Singapore) It’s one of the most exciting nights in Singapore’s culinary scene and after two years, the Michelin Guide 2022 has returned with a physical event for the sixth edition of its annual star revelation reported CNA. Fittingly, this year’s ceremony took place on Tuesday night (Jul 12) at Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands. The last physical event for the guide’s release was in 2019 at Capella Singapore. For 2020, the star revelation was cancelled due to restaurants’ prolonged COVID-19 closures and in 2021, the guide was revealed online via a livestream. This year, fifty-two restaurants were awarded their stars, up from forty-nine last year. Seven new restaurants made it onto the one-star list. These included Burnt Ends (which relocated to Dempsey in December last year), Raffles Hotel’s La Dame de Pic, Japanese restaurant Hamamoto and French Japanese restaurant Reve. Also gaining their first one-star were gastro-botanical restaurant Euphoria, helmed by chef Jason Tan (formerly of Corner House fame), and modern Korean restaurant Nae:um, helmed by chef Louis Han. Han was also awarded the Young Chef Award for 2022. Located at Gardens by the Bay, Marguerite, led by chef-owner Michael Wilson, also got its first star. A total of thirty-five restaurants maintained their one-star, including Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, the only hawker on the list. Dropped from the one-star list were Italian restaurant Garibaldi, French-Asian restaurant Corner House and Shinji by Kanesaka's at St Regis (its Carlton Hotel outlet retained its star). All five of last year's two-star recipients maintained their status. Cloudstreet and Thevar also moved up the ladder into the two-star category. Both restaurants received their first one-starred distinction only last year. "It's actually unreal to be up here with all these guys," said Cloudstreet's chef-owner, Rishi Naleendra. "It's an unreal feeling. It's not a lot to do with me. I have an amazing, amazing twenty-four people who rock up to work every day and push themselves to an extreme. So, thank you very much, our customers, and our industry peers that help us." Two-star recipients on stage. (Photo: Michelin Guide Singapore) There were no surprises in the three-star category, with Odette, Les Amis and Restaurant Zen retaining their three stars. This year's three-star winners. (Photo: Michelin Guide Singapore) This year, two new awards were introduced to recognise professionals in the dining industry. The Welcome & Service Award, which recognises the talent and passion of service staff, went to Samantha Goh of Saint Pierre. Eric Eu of Les Amis received the Sommelier Award. Here’s the official Michelin Guide Singapore 2022 list. THREE MICHELIN STARS RECIPIENTS Restaurant Zen Les Amis Odette TWO MICHELIN STARS RECIPIENTS New entrants: Cloudstreet Thevar *** Jaan by Kirk Westaway Saint Pierre Shisen Hanten Shoukouwa Waku Ghin ONE MICHELIN STAR RECIPIENTS New entrants: Burnt Ends Euphoria Hamamoto La Dame de Pic Maguerite Nae:um Reve *** 28 Wilkie Alma Art Basque Kitchen by Aitor Beni Braci Buona Terra Candlenut Chef Kang's Cure Cut Esora Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle Iggy's Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine (Orchard) Jag Labyrinth Lei Garden Lerouy Ma Cuisine Meta Nouri Oshino Putien (Kitchener Road) Rhubarb Shang Palace Shinji (Bras Basah Road) Sommer Summer Palace Summer Pavilion Sushi Ichi Sushi Kimura Table65 Terra Whitegrass

People watch fireworks performance along the Han River in Da Nang, July 9, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong Popular tourist hotspots in central Vietnam, including several UNESCO heritage sites, have seen a surge in tourist numbers after Vietnam lifted most of its Covid-19 restrictions reports VN Express. After Vietnam allowed quarantine-free entry from March 15 and resumed most of its pre-pandemic visa policies, Da Nang's tourism industry has seen hotel occupancy rates reach 70-75 percent on weekends. The municipal tourism department said the number of domestic tourists arriving in the city in the first half of this year grew 39.5 percent year-on-year to 1.27 million, around 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The city also welcomed 57,800 foreigners, around 3.2 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Cao Tri Dung, chairperson of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said the city’s international tourism market will see a slower recovery as its key feeder markets like China and South Korea are yet to fully reopen their tourism industries. Dung said that in the second half of the year, there will be ninety weekly flights connecting Da Nang with Asia’s tourist hubs like South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. Quang Binh, home to the world’s largest cave Son Doong, has also witnessed a quick tourism recovery, with the number of foreign tourists in January-June crossing 7,600, up 138 percent year-on-year. However, this only equaled 5 percent of pre-pandemic average arrivals. The UNESCO heritage site of Hoi An welcomed 91,000 foreigners in the first half of this year, up six times year-on-year and 4 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The former imperial town of Hue also saw the number of tourists increase by 34 percent year-on-year to 771,000. However, the number of foreigners visiting the town was just 1 percent of pre-pandemic times. Binh Dinh Province, home to the popular beach town of Quy Nhon, received 2.3 million tourists, up 92 percent year-on-year. Several industry insiders have proposed that the government steps up tourism promotion campaigns and relax current visa policies to give the industry a big boost for the remaining months of the year. Mark Siegel CEO at Golfasian, the leading golf tour operator was in Danang last week to take on additional staff. BRG Da Nang Siegel said, “The Golf Coast around Da Nang has always been very popular pre the pandemic, and now with free entry, we are experiencing a steady increase in business enquires.” Vietnam targets five million foreign arrivals this year, around 30 percent of 2019, when their numbers had reached record levels. However, it has only received 602,000 foreigners so far this year. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Launched by Anantara Hotels in 2020, the six-hour train ride carries no more than twelve passengers that runs through popular tourist hotspots in Da Nang, Hoi An, Quang Ngai and Quy Nhon. This month it was honoured by US Magazine Travel + Leisure as it was listed among the best newly launched restaurants in Southeast Asia. A restaurant serving the train journey from Da Nang to Quy Nhon offers various dining experiences including foie gras with onion planted on Ly Son Island off Da Nang coast and freshly cracked black pepper from Phu Quoc or fresh Quy Nhon seafood salad with signature fish sauce. "The Vintage train offers a serious gourmet experience, with the considerable added bonus of watching the bucolic Vietnamese countryside unravel before you," Travel + Leisure said. Central Vietnam’s most exclusive railway experience unites history with nature, beauty with luxury, and excitement with serenity. This elegant 12-guest carriage is a luxury train in Vietnam which links historic Hoi An to the unhurried coastlines of Quy Nhon, 318 kilometres to the south, on a six-hour journey that immerses travellers in the romance of the rails. Inspired by the beauty of Vietnam and the luxury of vintage rail travel, The Vietage’s six spacious booths feature two comfortable window seats, offering everyone on board views of Central Vietnam’s verdant plains, forested mountains and sparkling shores. This beautifully designed carriage also features its own sit-up bar, gourmet dining, private restroom and a dedicated area for head and shoulder treatments. While The Vietage has been created to provide luxurious cross-country transfers for guests travelling between Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Resort, the journey is open anyone who wishes to travel in style. Whether travelling north or south, continue your explorations in Hoi An, just an hour’s drive from Da Nang Railway Station, or Quy Nhon. As you reach the railway stations in Dieu Tri and Da Nang, travel through some of the unspoilt cities in Central Vietnam. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Rice Market restaurant inside The Regent Phu Quoc Resort in southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the resort Rice Market restaurant on Phu Quoc Island and another on the Vietage train were listed among the best newly launched in Southeast Asia by U.S. magazine Travel + Leisure. Located inside Regent Phu Quoc Resort which opened on Vietnam's largest island in the south last April, Rice Market restaurant serves iconic Vietnamese dishes like beef noodle soup, rice paper rolls, along with Chinese dim sum, char siu fried pork rice and Beijing-style roasted duck. Vietage Train The Vietage restaurant serving the train journey from Da Nang to Quy Nhon offers various dining experiences including foie gras with onion planted on Ly Son Island off Da Nang coast and freshly cracked black pepper from Phu Quoc or fresh Quy Nhon seafood salad with signature fish sauce. "The Vietage train offers a serious gourmet experience, with the considerable added bonus of watching the bucolic Vietnamese countryside unravel before you," Travel + Leisure said. Launched by Anantara Hotels in 2020, the six-hour train ride carries no more than twelve passengers that runs through popular tourist hotspots in Da Nang, Hoi An, Quang Ngai and Quy Nhon. According to VN Express, other newly launched restaurants in Southeast Asia included on the list were Wakuda in Singapore, Charmgang Curry Shop in Thailand, Ambara in Malaysia, and Ember in the Philippines. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

JUPITER CABLE. Local government officials from the municipality of Daet and the provincial government of Camarines Norte with executives of PLDT-Smart during the inauguration of the Jupiter Cable System landing station in Daet, Camarines Norte on Tuesday (July 12, 2022). PLDT-Smart FVP and head of Enterprise Group Jojo Gendrano said the cable system now provides the fastest connection between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. (Photo courtesy of PLDT) MANILA – The new ‘Jupiter’ cable system is seen to boost the international data transfer capacity of the Philippines and is now the fastest cable system between the Philippines and the United States. In a statement on Tuesday, PLDT-Smart FVP and head of Enterprise Group Jojo Gendrano said the new cable system “significantly advances” not only the companies’ digital infrastructure but the “overall digital readiness” of the country. “The Jupiter Cable system serves as an international highway for global data traffic to reach the Philippines. It is expected to exponentially boost the country’s international capacity to the USA and Japan, further encourage the global trade of digital services, and as a result, propelling the country’s digital economy,” Gendrano said. Its new landing station in Daet, Camarines Norte was inaugurated Tuesday. The cable system is the latest of PLDT’s 16 international cables that route critical data traffic going in and out of the country. The cable traverses the Pacific Ocean from North America going directly to Maruyama and Shima in Japan and to its new landing station in the Philippines. Once fully operational, Jupiter is seen to increase PLDT’s international capacity of 20 Terabits per second to about 60 Terabits per second. “PLDT’s growing investments in undersea fiber links reinforces the company’s strong commitment to building data capacity and network resiliency to help fortify the digital competitiveness of the Philippines and serve the massive demand of hyperscalers,” he said. Jupiter, he said, is the first international submarine cable system in the Philippines to use an “open cable model” that allows PLDT to deliver hyperscale bandwidth “more quickly” to enterprises across the world. “PLDT commits to boosting the hyperscale readiness of the country by investing in digital infrastructure that enables the digital adoption and automation of industries and businesses across all economic sectors, helping accelerate growth, demand, and consumption of digital services, ultimately helping uplift the quality of life of Filipinos,” he said. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

MANILA – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has started a review of its operations with the aim of reducing the cost of shipping goods and maritime travel. In a statement on Tuesday, PPA officer-in-charge (OIC) General Manager Manuel Boholano said the areas being considered for review are regulatory and statutory costs being levied by the PPA as well as indirect costs related to the efficiency and productivity of ports under its jurisdiction. “This is a challenge that we gladly take, so let us start looking into this directive,” Boholano said. The PPA, he said, is set to meet with other maritime government agencies, shipping line operators, and other port stakeholders to discuss the “efficient utilization” of facilities, especially in high-volume ports or “gateway ports” like in Manila, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo. “PPA is also accelerating the digitalization of its processes like the Internet-based Port Operations and Receipting for Terminals System, the e-Permit Management System, the Transport Accreditation, Permits and Pass for Ports, and interconnecting with other government agencies to facilitate the movement of cargoes and turnaround time of vessels faster delivery of raw materials for shippers and businesses resulting in lower overheads and quicker travel time for regular passengers and tourists,” he said. The modernization and improvement of infrastructures, he said, is set to continue and is seen to provide shippers, regular sea-going passengers, and tourists with comfort and convenience. He said the planned cost reduction will be on top of existing discounts for students, senior citizens, differently-abled persons, uniformed personnel, Medal of Valor awardees, and their first-degree kin in the payment of passenger terminal fees in all PPA-controlled ports. To date, the PPA posted an increase of 130 percent in passenger volume or 20.87 million passengers from January to May 2022, compared to 9.07 million passengers in the first five months of 2021. On the other hand, container cargo traffic has increased by 3.84 percent to 3.12 million twenty-foot units (TEU) from only 3 million in the same period in 2021. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

(PNA file photo) MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe reports of alleged emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA). In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Duterte sent a letter to the NBI, requesting an urgent “comprehensive report” on the matter. “In a letter duly received by the NBI on July 11, 2022, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte has requested the investigation body to provide a comprehensive report on the issue as soon as possible,” the DepEd said. In a virtual press conference, DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said they have also sent their own team to directly look into the matter. “We’ve already also dispatched our Child Protection Unit and Child Rights Education desk to also look into the situation, and to verify whether or not, or how true the allegations are,” he said. Meanwhile, the management of PHSA said it is now looking into these reports. “PHSA has also informed the Department that they are examining the current and prior information on the matter… The Department and PHSA Administration are currently reviewing the school’s existing policies and strengthening its internal mechanisms to ensure the safety of the students inside the premises of the institution,” the DepEd said. Besides these investigations, Densing echoed the DepEd’s stand against “any form of abuse” under the leadership of Duterte. “All our regional directors have been made aware of this and most probably, they will be issuing certain directives down the line, to ensure that such happening will not happen in the schools where they are governing within the region,” he said. On June 28, an exclusive report on the alleged culture of “sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse” was published in Vice World News which caught the attention of the public, concerning unattended complaints from “generations of abused students” at the PHSA. The article included testimonials against the disturbing environment brought by the lack of “clear boundaries between adult staff and students,” recalling instances of teachers hanging out with students and even sleeping in the students’ dormitories, enabling abusive behaviors. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

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Boracay Island is hailed as having the best beach in the world across countless reader polls including Trip Advisor’s top twenty-five beaches in Asia in 2020. Famous though it may be, the caster-sugar beaches, crystal waters and vivid sunsets make it well worth a stop-off. Boracay is a small island in the central Philippines. It's known for its resorts and beaches. Along the west coast, White Beach is backed by palm trees, bars, and restaurants. On the east coast, high winds make Bulabog Beach a hub for water sports. Nearby, the observation deck on Mount Luho offers panoramic views over the island. Offshore, coral reefs and shipwrecks are home to diverse marine life. Boracay covers only 10km², including farming land and preserved forest. Boracay Island was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956. Formerly undiscovered, it wasn't till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay, and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s. Its main White and Bulabog beaches are on opposite sides of the island’s central area, the narrowest point of which measures just 1km. Once well-known as a party island, this is now a laidback getaway destination perfect for everyone from couples to families. If you're coming from Manila or Southern Luzon, you can go to Boracay by sea through 2Go Travel ferry. It takes about 9 hours from Batangas Pier to Caticlan Jetty Port. From Manila, you will receive a 2-hour land bus to Batangas Pier from Cubao or Pasay bus terminals. How far is Manila from Boracay? The overland distance from Manila to Boracay is 247 miles (397 km). The flying distance is 190 miles (305 km). The nearest airport, the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan (also known as the Boracay Airport), is a quick ten-minute boat ride away and caters to flights to and from Manila and Cebu. It is the easiest, most accessible point of landing. Thus, the flights are more expensive than the alternative, Kalibo Airport. Great for retirees The island of Boracay is also an idyllic place for your retirement. It has everything ideal for the new lifestyle you desire. Not surprisingly, Boracay is a top choice as a hip habitation for retirees, with its tropical charm, beautiful beaches, and an easy-going pace and lifestyle. Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

TODAY file photoThe current "waiting fee" that kicks in after the grace period is S$3 per five-minute block. SINGAPORE — Grab Singapore will be cutting its grace waiting period for ride-hailing services from five minutes to three minutes starting in a week’s time, the company announced on Monday (July 11). Today reported that from July 18 onwards, users will automatically have to pay an additional fee if they keep their assigned driver waiting for more than three minutes, Grab said in a notification sent to its customers and drivers. In addition, Grab is also reducing its cancellation period from five minutes to three minutes for passengers after they accept a booking. They will continue paying a S$4 cancellation fee. This will similarly take effect from next Monday. The current "waiting fee" that kicks in after the grace period is S$3 per five-minute block. Grab did not say if this will change as well. The reduced waiting time will apply to the JustGrab, GrabCar, GrabCar Plus, GrabCar Premium, GrabPet and GrabFamily services. In response to TODAY's queries on the rationale for the change in policy, a Grab spokesperson said the company felt "it is timely" as "94 per cent of our rides already see passengers at their pick-up points within three minutes of their drivers arriving". "As the country re-opens and more passengers book rides, we want to help our driver-partners capture these new demand trends by spending their time on the roads more productively," it said. "It will also help reduce fuel wastage caused by idling engines, which has become more of a pain point for our driver-partners with the rising cost of fuel." The spokesperson also said that as part of the change, Grab is refining controls on its backend so that its private-hire drivers can only mark that they have arrived when they are at the pick-up point or close to it. According to its website, the waiting fee policy has been around since December 2016 "to ensure that our driver partners are properly compensated for the additional time spent waiting for passengers that have exceeded their grace waiting period". Initially, these fees were manually added by Grab drivers when the grace waiting period was exceeded. Grab said this was "a tedious process" and the firm began automatically calculating and adding these fees to passengers’ fares from January 2020 onwards. These fees go entirely to the drivers. Grab's website also explained when it charges passengers a waiting fee but does not charge its drivers for arriving late. "The estimated time of arrival of the driver is determined based on road conditions at a specific time. However, such conditions may change quickly that cause our drivers to reach you slightly later than the displayed time," it said. Grab’s main rival, Gojek, does not charge waiting fees but passengers must pay a S$4 cancellation fee under certain circumstances. This is if they cancel five minutes after being assigned a ride, cancel as soon as their driver arrives at their pick-up location, or cancel more than five minutes after their driver indicates that he or she has arrived. Another ride-hailing service, Ryde, charges a S$5.30 cancellation fee if a passenger cancels four minutes after booking a ride. Drivers can also charge a waiting time fee of S$5.30 if they wait more than four minutes for a passenger to arrive at the pick-up point. Screen shots of Grab's messages to commuters (left) and drivers on July 11, 2022, informing them of the changes.

Logs, silt, and garbage choke the Butuanon River downstream in Mandaue City before the week-long cleanup drive. MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — The Mandaue City Government has cleaned up and unclogged the downstream of the Butuanon River at the boundary of Barangay Paknaan and Umapad in Mandaue City reported the Cebu Daily News. Lawyer John Eddu Ibañez, the chief of staff of Mayor Jonas Cortes, said about fifty tons of obstruction were collected during the week-long clean-up drive conducted last week. The reasons for clogging the river are fallen trees, logs, accumulated garbage, and silt. The fallen trees and logs were possibly washed out from the mountains during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette last December 16, 2021, said Ibañez. Ibañez said when there is a downpour, the downstream tends to overflow, resulting in flooding in the areas surrounding the river. He said the mayor instructed the city’s composite team consisting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Engineering Office, Department of General Services, and the City Administrator to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) and conduct a clean-up drive on the river in preparation for the rainy days. Water flows freely in the Butuanon River downstream after 50 tons of obstruction were removed in the week-long cleanup drive initiated by the Mandaue City government. On May 18, 2022, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced the start of the rainy season in the country. Ibañez said because the DPWH also has a desilting program, its amphibious dredger was currently on standby at the area. Even with this, Ibañez is again encouraging residents of Mandaue City and Cebu City to throw their garbage properly as the upstream of the Butuanon River is located in Cebu City. Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (File photo) MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is on his way to a “complete recovery” after testing positive for Covid-19 on Friday, his lead physician said Monday. In a health bulletin, Dr. Samuel Zacate said Marcos is still under home isolation but is not experiencing fever and body malaise. Marcos had also recovered from his cough, he said. Zacate said he also prescribed the President with additional medication to address “very mild nasal stuffiness and nasal itchiness.” Other medicines were advised to be continued. He noted that results of Marcos’ examination earlier in the day indicate that “his vital signs are all were within normal limits and exemplary.” “He [Marcos] doesn't experienced any additional signs and symptoms. His throat still has no noticeable inflammation and no signs of respiratory compromise,” Zacate said. Based on his clinical opinion, Zacate said Marcos “is on his way to a complete recovery”. “This fast recovery is expected from a fully vaccinated individual with a good health status, and a history of great resilience against all adversities just like our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he added. In a separate statement, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) announced that Marcos will be presiding over his second Cabinet meeting on Tuesday via teleconference. “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will hold his second Cabinet meeting tomorrow, July 12. As he is still in mandatory isolation, PBBM will be joining and presiding over the meeting via teleconferencing,” the OPS said. On Friday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced that Marcos tested positive for Covid-19 in an anti-gen test. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was subsequently done on Marcos confirming that he was positive for Covid-19. Marcos skipped the celebration of the 246th anniversary of the United States (US) Independence at the US Embassy scheduled Friday. However, he attended the meeting of the Leagues of Governors and Mayors via teleconference to discuss the resumption of full face-to-face classes and the campaign for the Covid-19 booster rollout. During the meeting, Marcos emphasized the importance of a booster campaign rollout in order to safely resume in-person classes and fully reopen the economy. He said he wanted local government units to conduct large-scale immunization drive for booster shot targeting school children so they can safely go back to school either August or September this year. This is the second time that Marcos tested positive for Covid-19. He was first infected in March 2020, which supposedly happened after returning home from a trip to Spain. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php