ASEAN NOW News

MANILA – The office of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday announced the appointment of new officer-in-charge at the Bureau of Immigration (BI), one of the attached agencies of the Department of Justice (DOJ). In a department order, Rogelio D. Gevero Jr. was designated as OIC effective immediately until the end of the month, or until a replacement has been appointed or designated. Prior to his designation, Gevero was the chief of the BI's Immigration Regulation Division. "The Department of Justice wishes him the best of luck and will be behind him in his newly designated position as OIC," lawyer Mico Clavano told reporters speaking in behalf of Remulla. Remulla earlier identified the BI along with the Land Registration Authority and the Bureau of Corrections as agencies under the DOJ that need attention. Earlier, Remulla also designated National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Director Medardo G. De Lemos, a 37-year veteran of the NBI, as the agency's OIC. De Lemos had been second in command of the NBI to its last OIC, Eric Distor. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

If you can speak English, you will have a competitive edge in the global market. With English taught in schools, the Philippines has become one of the world’s largest English-speaking economies and over 300,000 graduates enrich our country’s professional pool each year. A lawmaker on Monday supported the plan of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for the government to upskill Filipino students in the English language as a way to further sharpen the competitive edge of professionals and other workers in the global market. In a statement, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said proficiency in English has opened a lot of opportunities for those looking for jobs as well as for workers to keep their current employment or get promoted because most corporations require from their employees and would-be hires a fair amount of skill in English. Villafuerte cited the President himself in his June 30 inaugural speech as he stressed the need to reteach the basic skills in "the national language, with equal emphasis and facility in a global language, which we had and lost". "President Marcos is correct in looking at reteaching basic skills in our schools not only in Filipino but in English as well as part of his administration’s planned education reforms,” he said. "Keeping our labor force highly attractive for local and international employers is one means for the Marcos administration’s economic transformation to succeed." Villafuerte said the country’s competitive edge in English proficiency has been confirmed by a media report that said the Philippines’ ranking has improved in the English Proficiency Index (EPI), an online Standard English Test conducted by the Switzerland-based EF Education First Ltd. that measures the average skill level in the English language of 112 economies. Ranked 18th file photo The report said the Philippines’ ranking went up to No. 18 (with a score of 592) in 2020 from 2019’s No. 27 (with a score of 562). The country’s score of 592 was considered of “high proficiency,” according to the report, which was enough for tasks such as making presentations at work, reading newspapers or understanding shows on television. He said the Filipino workers’ skill in English has enabled them to work abroad or here in the country as outsourced professionals in the information technology, healthcare, customer care and other industries. Villafuerte said in the business process outsourcing sector, for instance, the Philippines has been a top leader in this global industry because the country has been known for having, among others, a cost-efficient labor and an educated workforce with communication proficiency in English. With English taught in schools, he said the Philippines has become one of the world’s largest English-speaking economies and over 300,000 graduates enrich our country’s professional pool each year. English is still the most widely spoken language in the world. If you want to be an airline pilot for example, English is the airline industry's common language. Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

People wearing protective face masks in Orchard in Singapore on Oct 1, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan/CNA) SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 12,784 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Jul 5), comprising 12,248 local infections and 536 imported cases. According to CNA, the last time Singapore reported more daily cases than this was on Mar 22 this year, when 13,166 infections were logged. There were two fatalities, taking the death toll from coronavirus complications to 1,421. A total of 683 patients are in hospital, according to the latest infection statistics on the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website on Tuesday night. Seventy-seven patients require oxygen supplementation. A total of sixteen patients are in the intensive care unit. The week-on-week infection ratio is 1.34. This refers to the ratio of community cases for the past week over the week before, with a figure above 1 indicating that the number of new weekly COVID-19 cases is rising. The week-on-week infection ratio has been above 1 since Jun 14. Singapore's recent spike in COVID-19 cases comes after Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said last month that the country can expect a new wave of infections in July or August, as people's antibodies from vaccinations and infections from the last Omicron wave start to wane. Among the local cases reported on Tuesday, 11,446 cases were tested using antigen rapid tests (ARTs). Doctors have assessed these cases to have mild symptoms and are of minimal risk, said MOH. The remaining 802 local COVID-19 cases were confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Of the imported cases, 499 were tested using ARTs and thirty-seven using PCR tests. Singapore has recorded 1,485,964 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. As of Monday, 96 percent of Singapore's eligible population have completed their full vaccination regimen under the national vaccination programme. About 78 percent of the total population have received their vaccine booster shots.

A rescue team from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the local police in Masinloc town, Zambales rescue the crew of a vessel that ran aground in the waters off Barangay Bani. (Screengrab from PCG video) SAN ANTONIO, Zambales—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the local police rescued all the 24 crew members of a vessel that ran aground in the waters off Masinloc town in this province reported the Inquirer. The PCG reported Sunday, July 3, that the vessel, “LCT Aviva 80,” encountered strong winds and big waves in the vicinity of Barangay Bani. A PCG and police rescue team used a rope connected to a life raft to rescue the ship’s crew. The PCG said 22 crew were initially rescued and brought to the Rural Health Unit in Masinloc and declared in good condition. The ship’s captain and chief mate, who opted to stayed aboard the vessel, were eventually rescued. The PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Group in Zambales said they found no trace of spilled oil in the area. Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

The 23-seater electric jeepneys (e-jeepneys) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines. (Photo from DOST PCIEERD's Facebook page) MANILA – The Philippines should find a niche market in manufacturing electric vehicles rather than competing with its Asean neighbors, an industry player said. AC Motors president Antonio Zara said the country can focus on the assembly of electric commercial vehicles rather than passenger cars since Indonesia and Thailand are already doing the small car segment. “I suggest that we create our own niche. Let’s identify what these markets are producing or what will be producing, and then let’s define a niche that can fill the requirements of the Philippines and also maybe export to Thailand and Indonesia. But let’s not compete heads on,” Zara told reporters in a recent interview. With the plan of the government to slash duties for imported e-vehicles to zero for a limited period of three to five years, Zara said “it’s a little and it’s too late” kind of incentive if the Philippines aims to compete with its Southeast Asian neighbors. Zara also called on the government to release the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Industry Development Act (EVIDA), also known as the EV law. “We would like to appeal to the government to really finalize the implementing guidelines. We already have the EV law, it’s there but the EV law is motherhood. It’s generic. It does explain the intention of the government which is to promote EV. We, as (a) carmaker, though we appreciate that intent, we cannot make specific plans and commit resources until we have clear implementing guidelines,” he said. Zara added since the EV law requires companies to electrify a certain percentage of their fleet, this supports the need to manufacture e-vehicles here for utilitarian use. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

RED TIDE. Fisheries Chief Information Office Nazzer Briguera identifies the five areas affected by the red tide in the country at the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday (July 5, 2022). He said residents should refrain from eating shellfish from the affected areas. (Screengrab) MANILA – Five water areas have tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or red tide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday. At the Laging Handa public briefing, Nazzer Briguera, BFAR Chief Information Officer, warned against selling, buying, and eating shellfish harvested from the coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate; coastal waters in Dauis, Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Dumanquillas bay, Zamboanga del Sur; Litalit bay in San Benito, Surigao del Norte; and Lianga Bay, Surigao del Sur. “All kinds of shellfish including mussels, oysters, and even tiny shrimps from the aforementioned waters are not safe for eating, our message is, don't buy, don't sell, don't carry any type of shellfish and small shrimps from those areas,” he said in Filipino. Briguera, however, noted that the residents may still eat round scads, squid, shrimp, and crabs. The BFAR, meanwhile, assured the public it is continuing efforts to ensure an ample supply of fish and reach fish sufficiency in the Philippines, by increasing production. Briguera said they are distributing bigger boats to local fisherfolk, to help them increase their catch. With a looming food crisis, Briguera urged young learners to share their part in the country's push for food sustainability by availing of their scholarships. He said qualified scholars may enjoy free tuition, book allowance, and thesis writing support. Interested applicants are advised to check their social media accounts for the scholarship update. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Health workers in Bac Ninh's Tien Du District rest after taking Covid-19 samples, May 13, 2021. Photo obtained by VnExpress More than 9,200 public medical workers have quit over the past 18 months due to low pay and increased workload, reported VN Express. At an online government conference Monday, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said over 5,200 quit last year and 4,000 already this year. Unsatisfactory salaries and benefits that could not match requirements and the increased workload during the Covid-19 pandemic have been cited as the main reasons, he said. Some also quit due to health and psychological issues, he said, pointing out that the private sector can attract and retain talent due to higher salaries. Tuyen said his ministry has proposed an increase in benefits for health workers and the number of medical centers based on population, among other measures. Medical workers have been quitting in droves in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In the first quarter of this year alone, around four hundred quit in HCMC, equivalent to the full-year average in the pre-Covid era. In Hanoi around nine hundred quit in the last 18 months. The exodus is causing a shortage of personnel, affecting medical treatment, especially with the Covid situation remaining serious. In April HCMC passed a resolution to earmark over VND138 billion ($5.9 million) a year until 2025 to hire personnel for 310 medical stations. The Hanoi Department of Health has also urged the city People’s Committee to adopt support policies. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a visit to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on June 30, 2022. Photo by AFP Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov will visit Vietnam on Jul. 5 and 6 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son. VN Express reports that his visit takes place at a time when the two nations are marking the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Vietnam and the then Soviet Union established diplomatic relations in 1950. Russia, the latter's successor state, and Vietnam elevated it into a strategic partnership in 2001 and into a comprehensive strategic partnership 11 years later. Relations between the two have been strengthened through exchanges of delegations and bilateral meetings at all levels. Their trade was worth US$7.1 billion last year following a 25 percent jump from 2020. Russia has 151 projects in Vietnam with total investment of more than $950 million. During his visit to Russia from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 last year, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc joined his counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to issue a joint statement on the vision of the comprehensive strategic partnership for until 2030, which seeks cooperation in all fields. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

In line with Movember and stressing the importance of raising awareness for mental health, we at Golfasian wanted to give you a snapshot survey of 250 golfers in the United States, Canada, and the UK who were asked why they had joined their respective golf clubs. The results of the survey were quite alarming in that more than half (55%) of those who had joined a club in the past six months cited ‘mental wellbeing’ as their primary reason for joining. Sporting challenge (50%), physical well-being (38%), and social well-being (31%) also proved important, while 12% indicated they joined to participate in club competitions. Whilst golf has its critics as a sport, what can not be taken away from our beautiful game is the stress-relieving benefits of golf and golf courses. The was also pointed out in a recent article entitled ‘The new value of golf’s green spaces’. In the article, environmental psychologist Professor Jenny Roe of the University of Virginia, explained: “Contact with nature slows down our stress response and induces calm. It is promoting stress resilience, it is improving our mood, it’s decreasing our risk of depression and increasing our social wellbeing, particularly on a golf course where you are interacting with other members of that community.” Scientific research published in 2019 has also indicated spending at least two hours per week in nature is good for health and wellbeing. Mark Birchmore, Syngenta’s Global Head of Marketing, Turf and Landscape, said: “While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted issues of stress in day-to-day life, the reality is that the experience of spending time in nature on a golf course has always been one of the sport’s key benefits – it’s just rarely communicated as a marketing message. But it is something clubs might consider as it could be an important factor in the value proposition for golf and club membership.” With the above in mind, Golfasian is delighted to safeguard all of our clients and customers as well as event participants by making sure that all Covid-19 guidelines as stipulated by the Thailand Government are followed. With livescoring allowing contactless golf events to be held, as well as pre-screening and social distance rules in place at all events, we are proud to be part of this new era for golf event management. You can also keep up to date with Covid-19 travel news via the our website through our very own Covid-19 update page. If you are looking for a golf event planner to host your event and want peace of mind that you can find a partner that follows all the Covid-19 procedures, get in touch with Golfasian. They are hosting in excess of 70 events per year, we use our expertise to ensure that your golf event is a success.

Singapore Civil Defence Force About 80 firefighters were deployed to extinguish the fire at No 10 Tuas View Square. SINGAPORE — Eighty firefighters and seventeen emergency vehicles were deployed to put out a blaze at a Tuas waste recycling workshop on Monday (July 4). According to Today, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a fire at 10 Tuas View Square at about 12.25pm. The fire, which involved wastepaper and electronic products, was confined to the third floor of the workshop, said SCDF in a Facebook post. "At the height of the firefighting operation, a total of four water jets were used to contain and prevent the fire from spreading," it added. "The firefighters then moved carefully into the building to extinguish the fire on the affected floor." Nine people were evacuated before firefighters arrived, said SCDF, adding that there were no reported injuries. The fire was extinguished within one-and-a-half hours. SCDF said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Workers repair electric cables in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Hiep Massive blackouts caused by power surges left many families in central districts of Hanoi and some northern provinces without power Monday afternoon VN Express reported. Around 1 p.m., power went out in Hanoi’s inner districts like Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, Nam Tu Liem, Hai Ba Trung, and Hoang Mai. Nghia, manager of an office building in the Cau Giay District, stated that the power was restored after about 30 minutes. However, the voltage spiked to more than 240 kilovolts (kV), causing some electrical equipment to be damaged. The damage is being assessed by building management. An employee of a media company in Hai Ba Trung District reported that while eating lunch at the office, power suddenly went out then came back on and then went out again. The loss of power recurred 10-15 minutes, causing many companies equipment to be "turned on and off multiple times." Hanoi University of Science and Technology, located in Hai Ba Trung District, had to announce that "the entire school lost power due to a power grid failure in the city. We hope teachers and students understand for this inconvenience." The power was restored around 2:40 p.m., and normal teaching activities resumed. On many online forums, households reported that there was a brief power outage and that voltage spiked to 240-300 kV. According to a Hanoi Power Corporation representative, the capital experienced a large-scale power outage in many districts this afternoon that lasted only a few minutes. Technical workers had been mobilized to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to restore power. According to state power utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the northern electricity system experienced voltage fluctuations this afternoon, resulting in power outages in some northern localities, including Hanoi. Power surges were triggered by a spike in demand for energy to cool homes and businesses amid the scorching weather, wheezing the power grid and causing problems with some generators. By 3 p.m., the entire northern electricity system was back up and running. The north and north central regions have been experiencing heat waves since June, with the highest daily temperature reaching 37-39 degrees Celsius. Ten northern provinces recorded 36-38 degrees Celsius and downtown Hanoi, around 37 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

An employee counts Vietnamese banknotes at a bank in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Vietnamese banks on Monday traded the dong against the U.S. dollar at the lowest rate in two years as the greenback strengthens globally amid economic uncertainty. According to VN Express the Vietnamese dong declined by 0.3 percent from last weekend to VND23,510 per U.S. dollar at state-owned Vietcombank. It fell by 0.34 percent at BIDV and 0.26 percent at Vietinbank, also state-owned lenders. Among private lenders, the currency is 0.21 percent weaker at Sacombank, and 0.17 percent weaker at Eximbank. The changes came after the State Bank of Vietnam on Monday let the Vietnamese dong slide by 0.04 percent against the greenback to VND23,121, the lowest this year. It has been pumping more U.S. dollar into the market to reduce pressure on the exchange rate. RongViet Securities estimates that the central bank has sold over $10 billion to the market this year, or around 10 percent of Vietnam’s foreign exchange reserves, to stabilize the market. The U.S. Dollar Index has been hovering around a 20-year high mark since last month amid global economic uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine crisis and supply chain disruptions due to China’s "zero-Covid" policy. Concerns of global inflation has urged investors to buy more U.S. dollars as a safe-haven currency. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

The fuel surcharge bracket was recently increased by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) from level 7 to 11 for the month of July. To meet their rising fuel costs, local airlines in the Philippines submitted proposals to levy increased fuel surcharges. According to local media, fuel surcharges are extra fees that airlines levy to assist them recover their fuel expenses. These are not included in the basic fee, which is the price the passenger pays for a seat. Beginning on July 1, 2022, airlines in the country are permitted to collect fuel surcharges for domestic flights of P355 to P1,038 and international flights of P1,172.07 to P8,714.84. A fuel surcharge of P1,172.07 will be applied on flights from the Philippines to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Brunei under Level 11. The relevant fee for flights to North America, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands amounts to P8,299.85, while it is P1,620.99 for those traveling to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Guam. US Data Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index recently shows an 18.6% increase in airfare from March to April 2022 – the largest one-month The price of airline tickets has significantly risen year over year, yet demand remains high as globally people want to travel after being affected by Covid 19. The published airline ticket prices are up over 50% compared to last year, and up 40% since the beginning of the year, even though what people are paying may not be up that much due to sales and discounting. Will international flights get cheaper in 2022? Not likely however you may save a bit by following these general tips. The best day to buy is slightly further out from your travel date, so keep in mind that the sweet spot for 2022 in terms of booking a reasonable price is about 3 months from your departure date. Most expensive months to travel: July and December (by a mile). The Cheapest Time to Fly Internationally is from February-March. Granted this one's a bit of a misnomer because yearly price trends on international flights are typically dictated primarily by the high and low seasons of the destination abroad. Normally by the afternoon, airlines have settled on the most competitive pricing, and that's why Tuesday afternoons are the cheapest time to buy a plane ticket. Prices usually rise again by Friday, so purchasing between Tuesday and Thursday is your best bet. Unfortunately, it is down to supply and demand and people globally want to travel, but the system just cannot cope at the moment. Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

PSG MISSION. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. meets with Presidential Security Group (PSG) upon his arrival at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang Palace for the flag raising ceremony Monday (July 4, 2022). He said the mission of the PSG goes beyond protecting the First Family. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President) MANILA – The Presidential Security Group (PSG) has another mandate aside from protecting the first family of the Philippines and foreign dignitaries, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday. During the change of command ceremony for outgoing PSG Commander, Brig. Gen. Randolph Cabangbang in Malacañang Park, Marcos reminded the PSG of their mandate of protecting the institution of the presidency. “The mission of the Presidential Security Group goes beyond the stated mission of protecting the First Family and foreign dignitaries who come to visit with us. What you are guarding is not only the personages of the First Family, but you are guarding and keeping safe an institution, the institution of the presidency,” he said in his speech. Marcos said failing to conduct their mission would mean the collapse of the institution which would also put the country in a “dire” situation. “And that is why we only pick the best men and women that we have within our military to join the Presidential Security Group,” he added. He said he looked forward to working with the PSG in the coming months and thanked troopers for “the many valiant efforts in the performance of their duties.” “Each and every one of you has shown undaunted courage and unbridled patriotism by choosing to be of service to our beloved country. With integrity and valor, let us remain united in safeguarding our institutions as it strives to bring about a more secure, peaceful, and dignified life for Filipino people,” he said. Meanwhile, he also congratulated Cabangbang for his extremely “successful tour of duty” as the outgoing PSG commander. “Under his steady and unwavering leadership, the PSG was able to provide security for the First Family. I also laud Brigadier General Cabangbang for taking steps towards ensuring the completion of several key PSG facilities including the PSG Station Hospital and the Women’s Auxiliary Corps barracks. The completion of these key infrastructures will certainly help strengthen the PSG. It will also inspire the entire PSG to strive for excellence whatever their position may be,” he said. He also enjoined new PSG Commander, Col. Ramon Zagala to step up to the challenge of being the next leader of the PSG. “I trust that under your leadership, the PSG will be able to continue the excellent provision of security to the Office of the President and the First Family as well as visiting heads of state and diplomats,” he added. Prior to being named new PSG commander, Zagala was spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He also served as commander of the 28th Infantry “Kamagong” Battalion, 10th Infantry (Agila) Division and assistant chief of staff for civil military operations of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division. Zagala is a graduate of the AFP Training Center Officer Candidate School “Balikatan Class of 12” in 1994. He belongs to a family rich in military tradition spanning three generations–from his grandfather, Col. Ramon Zagala to his father Maj. Gen. Rafael Zagala. He holds a degree in AB Political Science from the De La Salle University in Manila and a Master’s degree in Military and Defense Studies in Australia. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

(File photo) MANILA – A lawmaker on Monday supported the plan of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for the government to upskill Filipino students in the English language as a way to further sharpen the competitive edge of professionals and other workers in the global market. In a statement, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said proficiency in English has opened a lot of opportunities for those looking for jobs as well as for workers to keep their current employment or get promoted because most corporations require from their employees and would-be hires a fair amount of skill in English. Villafuerte cited the President himself in his June 30 inaugural speech as he stressed the need to reteach the basic skills in "the national language, with equal emphasis and facility in a global language, which we had and lost". "President Marcos is correct in looking at reteaching basic skills in our schools not only in Filipino but in English as well as part of his administration’s planned education reforms,” he said. "Keeping our labor force highly attractive for local and international employers is one means for the Marcos administration’s economic transformation to succeed." Villafuerte said the country’s competitive edge in English proficiency has been confirmed by a media report that said the Philippines’ ranking has improved in the English Proficiency Index (EPI), an online Standard English Test conducted by the Switzerland-based EF Education First Ltd. that measures the average skill level in the English language of 112 economies. The report said the Philippines’ ranking went up to No. 18 (with a score of 592) in 2020 from 2019’s No. 27 (with a score of 562). The country’s score of 592 was considered of “high proficiency,” according to the report, which was enough for tasks such as making presentations at work, reading newspapers or understanding shows on television. He said the Filipino workers’ skill in English has enabled them to work abroad or here in the country as outsourced professionals in the information technology, healthcare, customer care and other industries. Villafuerte said in the business process outsourcing sector, for instance, the Philippines has been a top leader in this global industry because the country has been known for having, among others, a cost-efficient labor and an educated workforce with communication proficiency in English. With English taught in schools, he said the Philippines has become one of the world’s largest English-speaking economies and over 300,000 graduates enrich our country’s professional pool each year. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines) MANILA – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit the Philippines on July 5 and 6, upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Wang will be the first foreign counterpart to be received by Manalo after assuming office on July 1. Wang and Manalo are set to have a bilateral meeting where they will discuss a wide range of issues, focusing on maintaining and building on the positive trend of relations between the Philippines and China, it added. In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Wang’s official visit six days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assumed office, fully reflects “how China attaches importance to our countries’ bilateral relations.” “During the visit, State Councilor Wang Yi will pay courtesy calls on the new leadership and hold talks with new DFA Secretary Manalo, delving extensively into Philippine-China relations, practical cooperation, and regional and international issues,” it read. Wang visited Manila on Jan. 15-16, 2021 for an official visit upon the invitation of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

SINGAPORE — The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a one-year licence to Chinese bike-sharing giant Hello Inc, allowing it to run a fleet of up to 1,000 bicycles in Singapore reported Today. The firm’s Singapore operation HelloRide was awarded a "sandbox" licence and will have to apply for a full licence after a year to operate with a larger fleet of bicycles, LTA said in a statement on Friday (July 1). “When evaluating applications, LTA will consider factors such as the applicant’s history, and ability to manage indiscriminate parking and ensure healthy fleet utilisation,” LTA said. The entry makes Shanghai-based Hello the third bike-sharing operator in Singapore after Anywheel and SG Bike and brings the total offering here to 36,000 bikes. The move also comes after a sharp decline in the bike-sharing industry from its peak in 2018 when there were six companies — Anywheel, GBikes, Mobike, oBike, Ofo, Share Bike SG and SG Bike — offering more than 200,000 shared bicycles at the time. The startup, previously known as HelloBike, is backed by Alibaba’s fintech affiliate Ant Group. Since bike-sharing first entered the market here in 2017, the Government has had to make regulatory moves to curb the then-burgeoning industry along with complaints of indiscriminate parking. In March that year, it began designating yellow rectangular zones in public areas where these shared bicycles must be parked. The next year, Parliament passed changes to the Parking Places Act to tackle indiscriminate parking of shared bicycles. Among the new measures were a licensing regime for bike-sharing operators and geo-fencing technology that requires users to scan a Quick Response (QR) code at designated parking lots as proof of proper parking before ending their trips. Soon after, oBike abruptly announced that it was pulling out of Singapore citing “difficulties” in meeting the new requirements, leaving scores of irate customers scrambling to recover their deposits with the firm. When the licensing regime kicked in, some operators were allowed much smaller fleet sizes than they had sought and the total number of shared bicycles in Singapore was slashed by about half. More exits followed and the problematic departure of Ofo, which laid off employees without compensation after owing at least S$700,000 to creditors, only tarnished the beleaguered industry further. LTA said on Friday that since the introduction of the QR parking system and the ban of users who repeatedly park ungraciously, more than 90 per cent of users now end their trips at designated spots. “Since 2019, LTA’s regulatory requirements have helped to support the sustainable growth of the bicycle-sharing landscape,” it added. AnyWheel and SG Bike told TODAY in 2020 they were optimistic while seeing a quiet resurgence of bike-sharing here despite the Covid-19 pandemic. However, transport analysts said that the bike-sharing model has never been profitable globally and do not expect such a model to work in Singapore either.

Today, according to the Borgen Project, people are starting to become active participants in the fight against global issues and as a result, they say some progress is being made. Their mission Statemen is that the Borgen Project believes that leaders of the most powerful nation on earth should be doing more to address global poverty. We’re the innovative, national campaign that is working to make poverty a focus of U.S. foreign policy. However, there are still individuals unaware of pressing issues around them. One way of bringing these people up to date would be using essays or research. Here are eight global issue topics for essays and research papers. Global Issue Topics for Essays and Research 1. Water Contamination and Shortage: 2.1 billion people in countries undergoing urbanization have inaccessibility to clean drinking water because of pollution, poverty, and poor management of resources. Water resources are depleted by agriculture and industry energy production. To put into perspective, agriculture accounts for 70 percent of the reduction of water around the world, with 75 percent of a given countries’ water used for this purpose and depleted by contamination. Fortunately, there has been a recent increase in efforts to develop technology to combat contamination and reduce the rate of water depletion. 2. The Relationship between Education and Child Labor: Despite a surge in funding for some countries and increasing attention through social media, education continues to be a luxury around the globe. Reasons include gender preferences and poverty, and child labor — the use of children in industry. According to UNICEF, 150 million children participate in laborious activities dangerous to their health. As one can imagine, this work hinders a child’s ability to fully invest in education. Therefore, it’s most challenging to bring education to sub-Saharan Africa, where the rates of children enrolled in primary education continue to stagger. In addition, fewer students successfully complete secondary education here. 3. Violence: Violence is a global issue that exists in all shapes and sizes. Violence can be done towards a particular group like women or LGBTQ+ members, or it is an act that can be a result of a mentally disturbed mind. There is also violence in response to economic stress. All these varying forms of violence lead to attention on the safety and prevention of such acts. However, there isn’t much consideration on how an everyday person can help. In discussions about violence, the biggest questions to answer are: How is this violence used? How is it achieved/accessed? Does the media have a role? How much is the foundation for a particular act of violence is personal? What is the overall goal? 4. Poverty: In 2015, the International Poverty Line was set to $1.90. This number means that a person is living in extreme poverty if they live below this line. According to this set line, more than 1.3 billion people are living in this extreme worldwide. This fact suggests that 1.3 billion people have difficulty obtaining food and shelter, regardless of the availability of homeless shelters and organizations. Current questions or topics to explore in an essay or research would be the cause of variation in wages on the international level, and the nature and initiatives that can be taken to solve this global issue at large. 5. Inequality: On a global scale, the focus on inequality tends to be in terms of the distribution of wealth. According to a Global Wealth Report, 44 percent of global net worth is held by only 0.7 percent of adults. This suggests that there is a significant division between economic classes around the world. Recently, research has shown the effects that this economic divide has on communities particularly in health, social relationships, development and stability. For example, in a society where there’s a large gap between the rich and the poor, life expectancy tends to be shorter and mental illness and obesity rates are 2 to 4 times higher. In terms of social relationships, inequality on a larger level introduces more violence and crime. 6. Terrorism: Terrorism like the bombing incidents of the last few years continue to claim the lives of innocents. It is a threat to the peace, security and stability of the world, so terrorism prevention methods have been implemented to illustrate what is wrong and should be/could be done to uphold justice. However, the basis of the threats, mindsets and the successes/failures of response efforts still need to be evaluated. 7. Child Marriages: Child marriages are defined as the union between one or two individuals under the age of eighteen. One in five girls are married before the age of 18, and child marriages prevent children from becoming educated, can lead to severe health consequences and increased risk of violence. Legislation and programs were established in order to educate and employ children in these situations as child marriages do not have enough awareness on individual involvement or emphasis on the common causes for these marriages. 8. Food: Poverty, economic inequality and water contamination mean inability to produce enough food to sustain a population. This can, in turn, lead to poorer health and decreased energy to conduct physical and mental functions, leading to more poverty. By 2050, the world would need to find food for approximately nine billion people as cost of production for food will rise in response to the increased amount of individuals. Thus, the United Nations established programs to ensure food security and technology companies make efforts to reduce food production costs. Maybe it is time to voice your own views by starting here Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Map of Lamitan City (Google map) ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government of Lamitan is embarking on an ambitious airport project to boost its development as well as that of Basilan province. Mayor Roderick Furigay said Saturday they have started the acquisition of land in the area where the airport will be constructed. Furigay said the lots they have acquired are in the Barangays of Calugusan, Balas, Boahan, and Ubit, which were identified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as the ideal site for the airport. “As far as purchasing of the land is concerned, we are now at 30 percent. We need to acquire not less than one hundred hectares of land for the airport project,” Furigay said in an interview. “We have already acquired 30 hectares of land,” he added. The city government has allocated PHP30 million while the provincial government added PHP20 million for the acquisition of land alone. He said the airport they envision would have a two-kilometer runway. Furigay said Basilan could have its own airport like the neighboring provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. He noted that Basilan did not even have an airstrip at present unlike several years ago, “there were many airstrips at the rubber plantations maintained by multinational companies.” The multinational companies left Basilan as the rubber plantations were covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the government. Furigay said building the airport is an ambitious project for a city like Lamitan, but it is possible to have one. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

New Manila International Airport, also known as Bulacan International Airport (Photo courtesy of SMC) MANILA – The construction of a 2,500-hectare international airport in Bulakan, Bulacan will proceed even after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vetoed a measure establishing an adjacent special economic zone and freeport. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles explained in a statement on Sunday that the construction of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA), also known as Bulacan International Airport, will push through because Congress has granted San Miguel Corporation (SMC) a franchise for the construction. “The construction of the Bulacan international airport and aero city is not affected by the veto. The presidential veto was meant to include the necessary corrections and include the missing processes that might render HB (House Bill) 7575 entirely unconstitutional,” Cruz-Angeles said in a press release. Cruz-Angeles maintained that Marcos fully supports the creation of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (BACSEZFA) but his decision to veto HB 7575 was meant to “cure the defects found in the measure”. In his two-page veto message dated July 1 and released the following day, Marcos said the bill "lacks coherence with existing laws, rules, and regulations", noting that it has no provisions for an audit by the Commission on Audit (COA), procedures for expropriation of lands awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries, and a master plan for the specific boundaries of the economic zone. “Presidential veto is the fastest way to cure the defects of HB 7575, especially the provision which exempts the Commission on Audit to look into the financial transactions on the special economic zone and freeport. Had the President not vetoed the HB 7575, it would have lapsed into law on July 4 or 30 days after the bill was sent by the legislature to Malacañang,” Cruz-Angeles said. She noted that all financial transactions in government are audited by COA and the proposed BACSEZFA should be of no exception. “Without those necessary amendments indicated in the veto explanation, the law may be vulnerable to constitutional challenge. The delegation of rule-making power on environmental laws which is unique to the special economic zone is of particular concern,” she added. Citing Marcos’ veto message, she explained that the bill did not provide procedures for expropriation of lands awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries and granted “blanket powers” to the economic zone authority to handle technical airport operations, which would violate aeronautical laws. The proposed economic zone is also located "in close proximity" to the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga which runs against government policy on creating special economic zones in strategic locations. BACSEZFA was described by SMC as a “major boost to both national and local economies” as it will complement the PHP740-billion airport project. Under its conceptual master plan, the NMIA will feature four parallel runways, a world-class terminal, and a modern and interlinked infrastructure network that includes expressways and railways. SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang earlier said the airport's construction and operations will bring inclusive growth to the province post-pandemic. The project was proposed by SMC as a build-operate-transfer scheme under a 50-year concession. (PNA) Join our 3 x a week Philippines News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

HIGH-LEVEL MEETING. Douglas Emhoff (3rd from left), Second Gentleman of the United States, meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos at Malacañang Palace on Thursday (June 30, 2022). Emhoff, who attended the inauguration earlier in the day, invited Marcos to visit Washington on behalf of President Joe Biden. (Photo courtesy of US Embassy in the Philippines) MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been invited to Washington by United States President Joe Biden. Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, told US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff handed Marcos the personal letter from Joe Biden. Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, led the seven-member delegation from Washington that attended the inauguration of Marcos at National Museum Manila on Thursday. They later met in Malacañang along with officials of the US Embassy in Manila. “In that letter of course, he [Biden] congratulated the President and that he hoped to be able to speak to him again by phone sometime soon. But also, invited him to come to Washington when both their schedules would allow. So, it is really an open invitation for President Marcos to come to the White House,” Romualdez said in an interview with One News on Friday. Romualdez said the US “is very much on the radar and the United States is very eager to have President Marcos come” but it may take “a couple of months” before it materializes as Marcos would need to prioritize domestic issues. “And then also, it was suggested that he would travel to the Asian countries which is also part of our diplomatic efforts to introduce him formally to many of his important allies,” Romualdez said. Full immunity He assured that Marcos will have “full diplomatic immunity” as head of state despite a long-standing contempt order that had prevented him from entering the US. “Not at all. The Head of state has full diplomatic immunity. There will be no problem whatsoever,” he added. US Embassy Chargé d’affaires Heather Variava “immediately” informed Marcos about his immunity after he won the May 9 elections, Romualdez said. Last month, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also said Marcos is welcome in the US given his diplomatic immunity. Asked how Marcos will deal with diplomatic challenges especially involving civil societies protesting issues surrounding his family, Romualdez said the President will focus on “talking about the future” instead of the past. He said it is normal to expect demonstrations against issues regardless of who is president but expressed confidence that Marcos would do well both in the domestic and international scale. “I’m very confident that he will do well because he is highly motivated. His motivation is because he had an overwhelming mandate of thirty-one million people voting for him and secondly, very clearly, is because of his name. He will definitely prove himself to be worthy of being the President of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said. Marcos obtained 31,629,783 votes or 58.77 percent of the votes cast. Meanwhile, Romualdez confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte will be going to the US ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 20. “Before that, there is something to do with education which of course the Vice President is very much interested in because of her position also as Secretary of Education,” 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

Dao Dinh Duong, 28, has been arrested for raping a 15-year-old girl who he'd hired to help out at his store in the Central Highlands. Gia Lai Province On Sunday, police in Gia Lai Province's Chu Se District arrested Duong for having sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years of age. The police say that Duong hired the girl to help out at his curtain factory on June 18. Later he took her to Phu Cuong Waterfall in Ia Pal Commune and had sex with her. The girl informed her family after she got home. Duong then went to the victim's house to negotiate compensation, but the girl's family rejected his efforts and reported his actions to the police. Having sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years of age is a crime punishable by one to five years in jail in Vietnam, and more if it is repeated or causes health damage. If the act is deemed as rape, the punishment is at least seven years imprisonment. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Artworks of the Baller Ape Club project is seen on non-fungible token trading website OpenSea.io. Photo by VnExpress/Dat Nguyen Vietnamese-American Le Anh Tuan has been accused of stealing $2.6 million from investors through a non-fungible token scheme. VN Express reported that he was allegedly involved in the Baller Ape Club, a project that purportedly sold NFTs in the form of various cartoon figures, often including the figure of an ape, the Department of Justice said in a recent statement. Shortly after the first day Baller Ape Club NFTs were publicly sold, Tuan and his co-conspirators engaged in what is known as a "rug pull," ending the purported investment project, deleting its website and pocketing the investors’ money. Based on blockchain analytics, shortly afterward they laundered investors’ funds through "chain-hopping," a form of money laundering in which one type of coin is converted into another and funds are moved across multiple cryptocurrency blockchains, and used decentralized cryptocurrency swap services to obscure the trail of Baller Ape investors’ stolen funds. If convicted on all counts, Tuan faces up to 40 years in prison. This and several other similar cases "serve as a crucial reminder that some con artists hide behind trendy buzzwords, but at the end of the day they are simply seeking to separate people from their money," U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison for the Central District of California said. NFTs are cryptographic assets on a blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from each other. Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

Now the inauguration and all the parties and celebrations are over at last President Marcos can put his feet under the table and get stuck in. He didn’t waste much time as he met with Australia’s Governor General who was the first head of State to meet the new chief executive. BILATERAL MEET. Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley meets with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 30, 2022). This is the first face-to-face meeting between the new chief executive and a foreign head of state. (Photo courtesy of Australian Embassy in Manila) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received on Thursday Australia's Governor-General David Hurley for a bilateral meeting at Malacañan Palace after his inauguration. The Governor-General was also the highest-level dignitary to attend Marcos' inauguration at the National Museum on June 30, reflecting the importance Australia places on its long-standing relations with the Philippines. “I am delighted to be in the Philippines, one of Australia’s closest neighbors, to see the work our countries are doing to elevate our bilateral partnership towards a Strategic Partnership. Our enduring friendship is anchored by our values of mateship and bayanihan,” Hurley said. During their meeting, the heads of state discussed the expanding cooperation between Australia and the Philippines in defense, development, trade, and people-to-people links. 100 days ahead So, what does Marcos need to do to secure the Philippines as a trading nation while still ensuring he keeps within a sensible budget? A pandemic and soaring oil prices would be a challenge for any incoming leader. Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the Philippines right now is its sluggish economy. The president-elect will need to revive it. He will also be greeted by a mounting energy crisis. The Malampaya natural gas fields that supply around a third of Luzon's energy requirement are expected to be depleted in 2024. The country’s dependence on other sources like hydro power was limited by the El Niño phenomenon while geothermal power has issues of ground stability apart from material problems affecting equipment. Marcos may need to provide incentives and support to endeavors geared toward harnessing other sources of renewable energy. Will this constrain his administration to allow PxP Energy Corp. (formerly Philex Petroleum Corp.) to proceed where it was stopped by the outgoing administration from conducting oil exploration activities fearing that it may offend China? Will he consider and push for the construction of nuclear power plants, which the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., his father, envisioned 46 years ago? Internal issues The lingering and pestering problem with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) has outlived six government administrations. The challenge to BBM is how to end this menace that stunted economic development in the countryside and undermined political stability for more than 50 years. The next one hundred days known in political terms as “the honeymoon period” should be interesting for sure. 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 of fresh chicken displayed at a stall at Tiong Bahru Market. (Photo: CNA/Marcus Mark Ramos) SINGAPORE: Singapore has added Indonesia as a new source for the import of chilled, frozen, and processed chicken, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Thursday (Jun 30). CNA reported, "Chickens from approved Indonesia establishments can now be imported in addition to existing sources such as Brazil, Thailand and Australia," said SFA in a Facebook post. More than 20 countries are now accredited to export chicken to Singapore, which has been working to secure additional supplies after Malaysia's decision to impose an export ban on Jun 1. About one-third of Singapore's chicken supply came from Malaysia. The decision to approve Indonesia as a new source for chicken imports came after a Singapore team visited the country to audit its food safety and animal health controls. SFA said the team visited various facilities such as farms, quarantine stations and laboratories to better understand the regulatory systems in place. It added that individual establishments and farms needed to be evaluated and approved, with detailed documentary evaluations and on-site audits for verification. "The consignments would also be subjected to SFA’s inspection, sampling and testing upon import. This ensures the continuity of SFA’s source diversification strategy without compromising food safety," said the agency. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace <deleted> noted that global supplies will continue to face uncertainties and Singapore must be psychologically prepared for more disruptions and price volatility. "While the Government undertakes long-term planning and initiative-taking actions to safeguard Singapore’s food supply, consumers and the food industry also have an important part to play," she said. "By being flexible with our food and ingredient choices, and switching to alternative products or sources, when necessary, we can all help to increase Singapore’s resilience." Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest and most populous country with more than 270 million people, has a surplus in chicken production. The country produces fifty-five million to sixty million birds per week, with a surplus of around 15 to 20 per cent after domestic consumption. After Malaysia's export ban on Jun 1, Singapore moved to import more chilled and frozen chicken products from other countries such as Thailand, Australia, Brazil and the US. Other countries that Singapore currently sources frozen and processed chicken from include Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Chile, and Japan. Malaysia has since partially lifted its ban, allowing Singapore to resume importing live kampung and black chickens from Jun 14. However, a ban on exporting commercial broiler chicken - which makes up most Singapore's chicken imports from Malaysia - remains. Diversification has been a "cornerstone" of Singapore’s food security strategy, said SFA. "The Government has been undertaking long-term planning and proactively taking action to safeguard Singapore’s food supply," it added.