ASEAN NOW News

Apartment projects in HCMC's Thu Duc District. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

 

Many investors are trying to sell off apartments even at cost price as the property market continues to decline relentlessly and banks tighten lending.

 

Consultancy DKRA reported the secondary market is subsiding due to rising interest rates as many investors are selling out to get rid of their loan burden.

 

Economist Dinh The Hien said sales are down by an average of 10 percent, and even 20 percent in places that were previously affected by manipulated demand.

 

With the central bank’s tightening of lending, investors with limited budgets are now finding it hard to buy while speculators are opting out due to low liquidity, he added.

 

"With selling becoming more difficult, many investors are reconciling themselves to lower profits and liquidating their assets."

 

Vo Huynh Tuan Kiet, associate director of consultancy at CBRE Vietnam, told VnExpress however that this is a much-needed cleansing of the market.

 

"The price drop also signals that investors’ sentiment is being affected by the tightening of real estate loans."

 

Tran Khanh Quang, CEO of property developer Viet An Hoa, said this is a common reaction but warned of a crisis in the market if the tightening persists until the end of 2022.

 

"[Limiting loans] will likely lead to a widespread sell-off."

 

Strong selling pressure has also hit the land market. In March, Duc, an investor, offered a plot of land in the south of HCMC for VND18 billion ($750,000). He sold it in July for VND15.3 billion, a 15 percent discount.

 

"The profit I made was less than what I expected, but my family is in need of cash," he said.

 

He had bought the land three years ago for VND12 billion.

 

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Map of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental (Google image)

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) on Sunday deployed investigators to validate "persons of interest" behind the death of four victims believed to have been "executed" in the town of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

 

According to a police report, the victims, who were all males, were shot to death in Purok 9, Barangay Imelda, Villanueva at around 4 a.m.

 

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., PRO-10 director, in a statement, said he has ordered the resolution of the shooting deaths.

 

“We have persons of interest... and our police stations are closely coordinating for the exchange of information. The way it was conducted was brutal and deserves condemnation to the highest degree,” Acorda said.

 

Later in the afternoon, police released the names of the victims: Mark Rounin Velayo Lacoto, 15, Miller Velayo Lacoto, 6; Noel F Bado Jr., a taxi driver.

 

All three of them reside in Katipunan, Barangay Hinaplanon, Iligan City.

 

Meanwhile, the fourth victim, Joy Simbajon Canoy, 38, a debt collector is originally from Barangay Tawantawan, Initao town, Misamis Oriental.

 

Police said all the victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body, resulting in their sudden death.

 

According to a witness, he was driving his motorcycle going home at Sitio Loking in Barangay Dayawan of the same town, when he saw one of the victims lying on the cemented road, while the three others were still standing.

 

Police said the witness turned around to ask for help and when he came back, he saw the other three bodies sprawled on the road.

 

In an online interview, Lt. Col. Michelle Olaivar, PRO-10 spokesperson, said the witness thought the three victims, who were still alive at the time, were the perpetrators.

 

“He (witness) thought three persons he saw standing were the ones who executed the first victim,” she said.

 

Olaivar said the witness did not see the shooter and it was possible the killer hid in the bushes at that time.

 

According to the examination by the Scene of the Crime Operatives, led by Lt. Jameson Albior, the unidentified victims were tied using wires and their mouths were covered by duct tape.

 

The authorities recovered five fired cartridge cases of caliber .45 and three fired cartridge cases of 9 mm at the crime scene.

 

Meanwhile, a taxicab which is believed to have used by the victims, was found razed in Naawan, Misamis Oriental,

 

The local police of Villanueva have conducted a follow-up investigation to identify the suspects as well as the motive of the killing.

 

In a report over Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro, a certain Wilma, who visited the Everlasting Funeral Home in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, claimed that Canoy is her older brother. 

 

The police authorities secured all the closed-circuit television footage in the area for review and coordination with neighboring towns has been ongoing to obtain possible identification of the victims. (PNA)

 

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US Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson (Photo courtesy of the US Embassy in Argentina)

 

MANILA – United States Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson is set to finally arrive in Manila before the end of July, the embassy said Friday.

 

"We are very excited to welcome very soon our new ambassador. She'll be here in the Philippines by the end of the month," US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava said on the sidelines of a reception for the 246th anniversary of US Independence.

 

Variava said Carlson is in Washington DC to prepare for her tour of duty.

 

"She's now in Washington having meetings, preparing to come here to the Philippines. Stay tuned, there's a lot more to come with the new ambassador," she added.

 

Carlson succeeds former US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, who ended his tour of duty in October 2020.

 

For more than a year, the embassy was headed by a chargé d'affaires until Carlson was finally nominated and confirmed this year.

 

Former chargé d'affaires John Law led the embassy before Variava, who will serve as Carlson's deputy once she arrives in Manila.

 

Variava said there is "a lot to look forward to" in the two nations' partnership, particularly on security and its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

 

"We here at the embassy, as well as our partners in the United States, look forward to working closely with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his team to secure a prosperous, healthy, and safe future for the peoples of both our nations," she said.

 

"We wish the new President good health and a safe recovery," she added after Malacanang's announcement that Marcos had tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019. (PNA)

 

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US Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson (Photo courtesy of the US Embassy in Argentina)

 

MANILA – United States Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson is set to finally arrive in Manila before the end of July, the embassy said Friday.

 

"We are very excited to welcome very soon our new ambassador. She'll be here in the Philippines by the end of the month," US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava said on the sidelines of a reception for the 246th anniversary of US Independence.

 

Variava said Carlson is in Washington DC to prepare for her tour of duty.

 

"She's now in Washington having meetings, preparing to come here to the Philippines. Stay tuned, there's a lot more to come with the new ambassador," she added.

 

Carlson succeeds former US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, who ended his tour of duty in October 2020.

 

For more than a year, the embassy was headed by a chargé d'affaires until Carlson was finally nominated and confirmed this year.

 

Former chargé d'affaires John Law led the embassy before Variava, who will serve as Carlson's deputy once she arrives in Manila.

 

Variava said there is "a lot to look forward to" in the two nations' partnership, particularly on security and its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

 

"We here at the embassy, as well as our partners in the United States, look forward to working closely with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his team to secure a prosperous, healthy, and safe future for the peoples of both our nations," she said.

 

"We wish the new President good health and a safe recovery," she added after Malacanang's announcement that Marcos had tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019. (PNA)

 

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MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) can help generate new government earnings needed to bankroll additional cash aid or “ayuda” for poor households reeling from the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4Ps Party-list) said on Sunday.

 

“There’s no question that the BI can easily raise between PHP10 billion to PHP12 billion in annual revenues, possibly more,” Libanan, who served as BI Commissioner for three years during the Arroyo administration, said in a news release.

 

“Before the pandemic, the BI already managed to produce PHP9.3 billion in revenues in 2019, up 32 percent from the PHP7.03 billion it collected in 2018,” he added.

 

Libanan has revived the proposed Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act that the House approved on third and final reading in the previous Congress, but which the Senate failed to pass.

 

As reintroduced by Libanan in the incoming 19th Congress, House Bill 1069 seeks to reorganize and further professionalize the BI, upgrade its systems, and boost staff pay.

 

The bill also allows the BI to retain “no more than PHP1.2 billion” of its annual income so that it can invest in new information technology-enabled, revenue-enhancing automation projects, such as a fully online-application and payment system that would eliminate corruption.

 

The BI generates income from visa processing and extension fees, fines and penalties, clearance and certification taxes, and immigration tax. The agency’s revenues go directly to the national treasury.

 

Libanan’s bill came as the government scrambles to fund additional subsidy for poverty-stricken households battered by soaring consumer prices.

 

The Department of Budget and Management earlier released PHP6.2 billion to pay for the initial tranche of the add-on cash grants to families listed under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or the 4Ps. (PR)

 

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There are two main areas where expats live in the Philippines: Metro Manila and Cebu.

 

Metro Manila (concentrated around Makati, BGC, and Quezon City) is home to about 60% of all expats living in the Philippines.

 

It is home to many international corporations and the heart of the country's diplomatic community.

 

However, if you are planning to retire there then maybe you do not need to be in Manila.

 

So where are the safest places in the Philippines to move to?

 

According to property company Camella they are:

 

Davao

 

 

In 2022, Davao is currently holding third place as Southeast Asia’s safest city. As a highly urbanized city, Davao is also on the list’s crime index due to terrorist threats in the past but in general, living here is as safe as it can get.

 

Despite being in the crime index as well, you should never get discouraged in living in Davao. 

 

Davao’s safety index of 72.33 is nothing compared to its 27.67 crime index.

 

Baguio 

 

 

Baguio is known as a tourist destination and as the summer capital of the Philippines.

 

If you’re a fan of thrift shops, strawberries, and cold weather, then Baguio City is the best place to be.

 

As of February, Baguio has scored 62.24 on the 2022 Numbeo Safety Index and is currently in the top five on the list. 

 

There is no surprise that Baguio City also got a score of 100 in terms of the Climate Index.

 

Although it is on the top five of the safety index, you should be wary of walking the streets of Baguio every night.

 

According to the data, living in Baguio is safe but in recent years, there has been an increase in robberies at night in this city. 

 

Makati 

 

 

According to the index, Makati is currently the seventh place on the index with a score of 61.2.

 

Of course, living in Makati gives you an excellent way of life as this city is home to business, culture, and nightlife.

 

If you work in the tech industry, you want to work and live in Makati.

 

There are also several museums in the city if you are a fan of the arts. 

 

Another reason to live in Makati is because of its hospitals.

 

Makati is home to some of the best hospitals in the Philippines.

 

A city as vibrant as Makati comes with a price as well.

 

While Makati provides a lifestyle accessible to almost everything, the cost of living in this safe city. 

 

Iloilo 

 

 

Iloilo ranked ninth on the safety index with a score of 58.55.

 

One reason to live in Iloilo is that living here emulates living in Metro Manila in terms of salary and lifestyle.

 

On the other hand, Iloilo City life does not have the traffic, expensive cost of living, and pollution that most urbanized cities have. 

 

Iloilo also has an airport that serves as a gateway to international and local destinations.

 

And because the cost of living in Iloilo is cheaper, you can save as much as 80% on your monthly expenditures. 

 

Cebu 

 

 

Cebu is listed as one of the best places in the Philippines to travel due to its food, history, and beaches that will surely leave you in awe.

 

In terms of the safety index, Cebu City scored 48.27 and ranked 13th on the list. Outside of Metro Manila, Cebu City might be the busiest city in the Philippines. 

 

Cebu is Visayas’ main business district and aside from this, the city provides a safe way of life compared to other cities.

 

Retiring in the Philippines can be a great escape when done right.

 

Overall, you're going to notice goods and services are cheaper than they are in Europe and the U.S.

 

You can also find affordable healthcare as long as you retire in a location close to hospitals.

 

However, certain parts lack infrastructure and investment, so best to go online and do some local research.

 

Responding to the execution of Malaysian national Kalwant Singh in Singapore, together with that of another man, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Research Emerlynne Gil said: 

“Singapore has once again executed people convicted of drug-related offenses in violation of international law, callously disregarding public outcry.”  

 

“Going against a worldwide trend towards abolishing the death penalty, Singapore is just one of four countries known to have executed people for drug-related offenses in recent years. The death penalty is never the solution, and we oppose it unconditionally. There is no evidence that it acts as a unique deterrent to crime.” 

 

The death penalty is never the solution, and we oppose it unconditionally.

 

Emerlynne Gil, Deputy Regional Director for Research

 

Despite the court finding that his role was limited to the transportation of drugs, Kalwant was denied a certificate of substantive assistance by the prosecution.

 

He was then sentenced by the court to the mandatory death penalty.

 

His application for a last-minute stay, which asked for a review on the decision not to issue him with a certificate, was rejected by the Court of Appeal a day before the execution. 

 

Last week, in a media interview, Minister of Law K Shanmugam publicly defended the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences in Singapore, citing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) recognition of problems caused by drugs in Southeast Asia. 

 

“Contrary to what the Singaporean authorities have claimed, both the UNODC and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) – the UN bodies tasked with crime prevention and drug policy – have condemned the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences and have urged governments to move towards abolition. In fact, the UN Common Position on drugs has always been to urge governments to shift away from punitive responses because of their ineffectiveness in reducing drug trafficking or in addressing the use and supply of drugs.” 

 

“The government has a duty to protect human rights for all, and its use of the death penalty is a blatant violation of human rights. We urge the Singaporean authorities to immediately stop this latest wave of hangings and impose a moratorium on executions as a step towards ending this shameful and inhuman punishment.” 

 

Background 

 

Kalwant Singh, a Malaysian national, was convicted and sentenced to the mandatory death penalty in 2016 for drug trafficking in 2013.

 

The High Court found him to have been a “courier,” but the prosecution did not provide him with a certificate of substantive assistance, a requirement for the judges to be able to decide between the death penalty and life imprisonment with caning.

 

His conviction and death sentence were upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2016. 

 

Singaporean authorities set his execution for 7 July 2022, leaving his family little time to decide to travel from Malaysia.

 

Another man was also convicted in the same case and sentenced to the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking.

 

His execution was also set for 7 July.

 

Singapore has conducted four executions this year, all of people convicted of drug offences, after a pause of over 2 years during the pandemic. 

 

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception.

 

As of today, 110 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, and more than two-thirds are abolitionist in law or practice. 

 

 

(File photo)

 

MANILA – Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Ducielle Cardema has refiled a measure seeking to rename Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) back to its original name, Manila International Airport.

 

In filing House Bill 1252, Cardema said the name of the international gateway of the country should not have been "politicized in the first place".

 

Cardema said the airport was named NAIA in 1987 during the time of then-President Corazon Aquino through Republic Act 6639, which she described as a political move in connection with Aquino's husband, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., who was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983 at the Manila airport.

 

She said renaming NAIA would make it easily identifiable for foreigners and would give Filipinos a sense of pride.

 

"Our nation's capital is named Manila, therefore our country's international gateway to the world must be known as the Manila International Airport as a sense of pride for our country's capital."

 

The bill was filed on July 5 and was released to the media on Thursday.

 

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves also proposed to rename the NAIA to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport.

 

In filing House Bill 610, Teves said it is "more appropriate" to rename the airport based on the person who has "contributed to the idea and execution of the said noble project".

 

"This project was done during the time of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. It is more appropriate to bear the name that has contributed and (left) legacy in our country to make the Philippines a center of international and domestic air travel, who has instituted and built or conceptualized the project in making it the pride of our country," Teves said in the bill's explanatory note.

 

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, meanwhile, said the Palace is not in a position to determine if the measure may be considered timely.

 

“This is not a bill filed by Malacañang so it’s not our place to indicate whether it is timely or not. It was the congressman who filed it, so no comment for right now. Particularly, it’s very early stages. It’s just been filed,” she said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday. (PNA)

 

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Boracay Island (File photo)

 

MANILA – A lawmaker on Thursday lauded the increase of foreign arrivals in Boracay Island as a good sign of economic recovery not only for the Aklan province but also for the country.

 

Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. cited a report from the municipal tourism office of Malay in Aklan showing that there has been a constant influx of foreign tourists on the island indicated by a 69-percent increase.

 

The tourism office recorded 6,873 tourists in June, up from 4,268 in May, 4,737 in April, and 2,533 in March.

 

“The revival of the tourism industry, especially of famed destinations like Boracay Island, will be key to providing more local jobs and boosting our economic recovery,” Haresco said.

 

He noted that the tourism industry contributed about 12.8 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019.

 

Haresco, however, said international travel restrictions imposed because of the pandemic have greatly reduced the sector’s contribution to 5.4 percent in 2020.

 

He said employment in tourism industries was estimated at 4.68 million in 2020, or 11.9 percent of total employment, which, he said, was the "lowest contribution of the tourism sector in our GDP" after tourism employment dropped from 5.72 million in 2019.

 

“After enduring two years of travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, Boracay Island has allowed local tourists to enter in September 2021, and foreign tourists in February 2022, contributing to the early recovery of the economy,” Haresco said.

 

The bulk of foreign arrivals came from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Singapore, and Korea. Domestic tourism also contributed to the tourism boom with the number of visitors in March soaring to 111,022 compared to 80,095 in February.

 

“The challenge for us now is to continue to strictly enforce health and safety protocols to protect both locals and tourists from Covid-19 while keeping holistic and comprehensive efforts to expand tourism recovery and build back the economy better,” he said.

 

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, meanwhile, said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive for the agency was to become one of the “major economic contributors” to help the country recover from the effects of the pandemic in the past few years."

 

“We must not only continue to do the work that we have been doing, but we must exert extra effort to give everything that we can within what is humanly possible,” she said.

 

Tourism was among the hardest hit industries at the height of the pandemic.

 

In addition to crafting national policy, she said the DOT would be “in touch with the realities on the ground” and give attention to tourism sites, peoples, and products that “have not necessarily been given equal opportunity.”

 

“All of our partners in the local government units in the 81 provinces, over 140 cities, and over 1,400 municipalities across the Philippines, to extend to them the hand of collaboration from the DOT, and to send across the message that we are here to help the industry arise and recover,” she said. (PNA)

 

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Mt. Kanlaon (file photo)

 

MANILA – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has cautioned residents living near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros and Mt. Bulusan in Sorgoson to be prepared as the two volcanoes are showing signs of “phreatic or steam-driven explosions.”

 

In a virtual public briefing, Phivolcs officer-in-charge Director Renato Solidum Jr. said they have monitored a concerning “tornillo type volcanic earthquake” event around Kanlaon in the past several days.

 

“It is a screw shape and it gives us a sense of concern because when we see it, there is a phreatic or steam-driven explosion. And the volcano is still swollen and we need to prepare for that,” Solidum said.

 

He, however, noted that the recent activity of Mt. Kanlaon is not related to its rising magma.

 

Phivolcs is also seeing possible steam-driven explosions over Mt. Bulusan, he added.

 

“Just like Mt. Kanlaon, we see that Bulusan Volcano could also have a steam-driven explosion and it is important to be careful,” Solidum said.

 

Solidum, meanwhile, said the volcanic activities of Kanlaon and Bulusan are not yet alarming, but reminded the residents to be ready and refrain from going close to the 4-kilometer permanent danger zones to prevent possible hazards.

 

“We don’t see any big explosive eruptions if ever, we only see small explosions because the signal is not very big and there is no rising magma so if ever, the explosion will only create steam or smoke. The ashes that it throws are only those recycled materials from the crater,” Solidum said.

 

The Kanlaon and Bulusan have maintained Alert Level 1 (abnormal) status.

 

Meanwhile, Solidum also urged the public to download and use Philvolc’s mobile application, HazardHunterPH, to map out any hazards in the country.

 

The application is used to generate assessment reports on the user’s location, featuring a summary of seismic, volcanic, and hydro-meteorological hazards, along with explanations and recommendations. (PNA)

 

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A Grab driver uses his phone while waiting for customers in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of the company

 

Grab has become the first ride-hailing firm in Vietnam to announce a new surcharge on its motorbike services starting Thursday.

 

The surcharges are VND5,000 (20 U.S. cents) for each GrabBike trip and GrabFood order in some localities including HCMC, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho.

 

GrabExpress services in HCMC and Hanoi will attract a surcharge of VND3,000 for each delivery.

 

The surcharge will be applied "during extremely hot weather", Grab said on its website without disclosing further details.

 

The Singapore-based ride hailing firm is the first to roll out surcharges for hot weather conditions.

 

Earlier, a surcharge of VND10,000-15,000 has been applied for late nights and the Lunar New Year holiday.

 

In early March this year, Grab had raised all fares by VND500-2,500 to aid drivers coping with surging gasoline prices.

 

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Traffic police work with restaurant owners on Pham Van Dong Street, HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/An Luong

 

The HCMC traffic police want restaurant owners to cooperate and inform them if customers drive drunk.

 

VN Express reported that Police in Binh Thanh District said Wednesday they visited restaurants in several places like Pham Van Dong Street and instruct them to remind customers about the Law on Prevention and Control of Harmful Effects of Alcoholic Beverages.

 

They were also told to put up signs saying ‘No driving after drinking’ and inform the police if they see drunk customers driving vehicles.

 

Many restaurant owners said they were surprised to see the police coming around for this purpose.

 

One said their restaurant helps customers book taxis if they are too drunk and keeps their vehicles overnight for free.

 

Earlier a traffic police team in District 1 got bars and restaurants to sign agreements for the purpose.

 

Drunk driving is a punishable offence, with even those riding bicycles facing fines of up to VND600,000 ($25.67).

 

In the case of motorbikes and cars, the fines go up to VND8 million and VND40 million and licenses are revoked for up to 24 months.

 

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For ex-pats or golf vacationers alike, a fully inclusive Thailand golf package puts you directly on the green for some of the best golfing that the world has to offer.

 

With more than two hundred established golf courses in the country, an already well-established and robust tourist industry, a superior climate, and some of the nicest people in the world, Thailand golf excursions are a perfect way to spend your holidays.

 

Many Golfing Options as Varied as Thailand Itself

 

Chiang Mai Highlands

 

As mentioned, with more than two hundred golf courses peppered throughout the country, the Kingdom of Thailand golf scene is already very well established.

 

Even better, the rich environmental diversity of the country affords a Thailand golf holiday that directly matches your preferences.

 

Banyan Hua Hin

 

For example, the experience of golfing in the Northern highland mountainous regions affords breathtaking vistas rivaled only by the courses along the stunning beach resorts of Phuket and Hua Hin.

 

Additional options include excellent golf courses near the vibrant nightlife of the nation’s capital of Bangkok or the fun city of Pattaya.

 

In short, you decide on the Thailand golf experience that you want and there is a Thailand golf package aimed at meeting those specific desires and expectations.

 

The Rich Cultural Diversity of Thailand

 

Beyond offering stunning Thailand golf options, the country itself features one of the oldest and unique cultures in the world, so there is something to do for everyone in your traveling party.

 

These adventures encompass everything from exploring towering waterfalls, visiting ancient Buddhist temples, trekking through jungle terrain atop an Asian elephant, or shopping in high-end boutique shops in the famed shopping districts of the country.

 

For “foodies” in your party, Thailand offers incredible cuisine that combines both international flavors and rich homegrown tastes in an explosion of flavors on your taste buds.

 

Whether the motivation is a Thailand golf holiday or a Thailand pleasure getaway, there is something for everyone when you visit the nation that goes by the moniker, “Land of Smiles.”

 

Well Established Tourism Infrastructure

 

With a reputation as a visitor destination point owing to its rich cultural traditions and brilliant natural beauty, scheduling a Thailand golf holiday is easy because of the already well-established tourist industry.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is dedicated to supporting the development of an international Thailand golf industry, so there is a wealth of information available to plan your Thailand golf holiday.

 

From five-star rated hotels dominating the skyline to charming Thai style bungalows nestled along the coastline, there is a large array of accommodation options regardless of where you decide to tee up within the country.

 

Plan Your Thailand Golf Holiday Today

 

If you are looking for a golfing experience unlike any other, consider planning a Thailand golf package that is without compare. 

 

Offering a beautiful climate year-round, warm, and inviting people, and plenty of thongs to do both on and off the top-rated golf courses, a Thailand golf holiday is a wonderful way to spend your time away from the office.

 

Award-winning Golfasian offers customized golf holidays in Thailand and its neighboring Vietnam. 

 

Vietnamese caddies

 

So, whether you are an international golf vacationer on your wanting to explore Hua Hin, or a group of expats looking for a golfing trip with your buddies in Thailand or even Vietnam, Golfasian can deliver a memorable golfing experience second to none.

 

According to the MoLISA’s report, in 2021, the Ministry of Public Security detected 1,914 child abuse cases nationwide, an annual decrease of thirty-one cases. However, a number of severe cases that outraged the public took place.

 

 

In the past few weeks AseanNow.com have reported several cases of child abuse.

 

Hanoi Times reported that two famous Vietnamese artists are under investigation in Spain for the accusation of sexual abuse of adolescents and privacy infringement.

 

According to the Embassy of Vietnam in Spain, police in the Spanish island of Mallorca on June 25 announced that they arrested two Vietnamese nations for allegation of “sexual abuse of teenagers” and “privacy infringement.”

 

In another report, a commune official in the north central Thanh Hoa Province has been caught on security camera sexually harassing a 16-year-old girl.

 

Luong Van Toi, head of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front of Xuan Thang Commune, has been suspended for 15 days by the Standing District Party Committee pending an investigation into his "moral, lifestyle violations," Do Xuan Nam, Party secretary of Thuong Xuan District, said Monday.

 

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 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.

 

These are just a cross-section of reports that have made the headlines in the past few weeks.

 

Relatives account for 72.84% of abuses

 

Meanwhile, child protection, particularly against domestic violence, had yet to receive adequate attention. MoLISA’s report said children abused by their relatives accounted for the lion’s share of the total cases last year, at 72.84 percent, which represented an annual increase of 5.3 percent.

 

The National Assembly (NA)’s committees for culture-education, justice, and social affairs back in February convened a session to discuss and put forth solutions for violence against children that shocked the public recently.

Chairing the function, Politburo member and Permanent NA Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man said it reflects the law-making body’s responsibilities for issues of concerns among constituents, people, and the public opinion; and supervises the implementation of the NA’s regulation on the protection and education of the children.

Man requested a clear analysis of causes of the child abuse issue and responsibilities of agencies involved, and called for proposals and recommendations for the Party, NA, and Government to complete and better implement the law on anti-violence against children.

 

Meanwhile, child protection, particularly against domestic violence, had yet to receive adequate attention. A report by the helpline 111, an emergency telephone number for child protection, said children abused by their relatives accounted for the lion’s share of the total cases last year, at 72.84 percent, which represented an annual increase of 5.3 percent.

The MoLISA’s report also pointed to a number of causes, including inadequate investment of resources for the child protection works, the moral degradation of a section of the society, and the emergence of mental health and psychosocial problems among part of the population.

 

Measures to fight sexual abuse and violence against children in family as well as locations receiving tipoffs and offering shelters for children, and helpline 111, an emergency telephone number for child protection, must be popularised.

 

Localities are also required to regularly check to detect in a timely manner high-risk location prone to child-related accidents and to call on organisations and individuals to support victims of abuse, orphans, and poor, ethnic and pandemic-hit children.

 

This is not only a concern in Vietnam but across the world.

 

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SINGAPORE - A 26-year-old man who took up another man's offer to take part in a threesome with the latter's girlfriend without her knowledge and consent had his jail term reduced on appeal to 16½ years on Wednesday (July 6).

 

According to the Straits Times, Srihari Mahendran was sentenced in 2020 to 17 years and 10 months' jail and 14 strokes of the cane for rape and other sexual offences.

 

His lawyer argued that the original jail term did not reflect his role as compared with that of the mastermind - the woman's then boyfriend, who had roped in Srihari to fulfil his fantasy of watching another man have sex with his girlfriend.

 

The Court of Appeal, led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, made it clear that the lower court's decision on Srihari's original jail term was "unimpeachable".

 

However, Srihari's overall jail term was not sufficiently differentiated from that of his co-accused, who was more culpable, said the three-judge court.

 

There was no change to Srihari's caning sentence.

 

The 30-year-old mastermind, a former auxiliary police officer, is serving a jail term of 19 years and 11 months for abetting Srihari to rape and sexually assault the victim on two separate occasions in 2016.

 

He was also sentenced to 24 strokes of the cane.

 

The mastermind cannot be named due to a gag order to protect the identity of his former girlfriend.

 

He had pleaded guilty in 2018 to abetting the rape and sexual assault of the woman on two occasions in 2016.

 

The man testified that he wanted to have a threesome with his girlfriend and another man, but she rejected the idea.

 

He then hatched a plan to secretly bring another man into a hotel room to join their sexual trysts, while he watched and filmed the sex acts.

 

On April 29, 2016, the man let Srihari, whom he had met online, into a room at Hotel 81 Bugis while the victim was bound and blindfolded.

 

On Aug 7 that year, he again had Srihari join them at M Social Hotel in Robertson Quay.

 

This time, she sensed something was wrong, took off her blindfold and saw a person leaving.

 

She realised her boyfriend had recorded the episode on his laptop and demanded that he call Srihari back to the hotel.

 

Both men were later arrested at the hotel.

 

Srihari contested the charges but was found guilty of four counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, four counts of outrage of modesty and one count of making an obscene film.

 

An 11th charge of transmitting obscene material was taken into consideration in sentencing.

 

Srihari will start serving his jail term on July 20 after the court granted a deferment request by his lawyer, Mr Edmond Pereira.

 

Le Thi Lien rests at a border guard station in Quang Binh after spending seven hours adrift at sea, July 4, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Tao

 

A woman in the central Quang Binh Province was swimming at the beach Monday when the waves pushed her away from shore, setting her adrift for seven hours.

 

According to VN Express, Le Thi Lien, 40, went out to exercise before going for a swim at a beach in Hai Phu Commune at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday.

 

While she was in the water, the waves began to push her away.

 

She tried to swim back, but her stamina had been exhausted.

 

She decided to just float on her back to conserve strength and let the water float her away.

 

At around 12:45 p.m. the same day, Nguyen Tien Vung, 51, saw Lien drifting at sea while his fishing vessel was about two nautical miles to the east of Gianh Estuary.

 

Fishermen quickly brought her on board and informed a border guard station.

 

Medics said at the point of her rescue, Lien was exhausted and panicking, but calmed down after about an hour.

 

She was found seven kilometers away from where she had first entered the water.

 

At Lien's home, her father, 74-year-old Le Tien Luc, said she has recovered and able to eat normally.

 

"However, her face was severely swollen, and her eyes were tearing up, so she doesn't want to meet people," Luc said, adding that the family had tried to look for her in every corner the same morning she went missing, but never thought she had been pushed out to sea.

 

They even enlisted the help of social media at around 11 p.m.

 

Not until the afternoon did Luc get a call from border guards, saying his daughter had been rescued.

 

He said the fact Lien was out in the open sea for seven hours and drifted seven kilometers away was "unexplainable."

 

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A still taken from Son Tung M-TP's latest MV 'There’s No One At All.'

 

With his YouTube channel reaching 10 million subscribers Tuesday, Son Tung M-TP has become the first V-pop singer to receive a YouTube Diamond Play Button.

 

VN Express reported that the artist's YouTube channel achieved the new milestone right on his 28th birthday, July 5.

 

"One more unforgettable achievement in my career," the artist wrote on his official Facebook.

 

On this day, he also dropped the new MV for his recent song 'There's No One At All' after the first one was permanently deleted for depicting controversial, violent and suicidal content.

 

Many fans congratulated the singer, calling it the biggest birthday gift sent to him by fans.

 

Son Tung M-TP's YouTube channel has been active since January 2015, and the singer uses it to share music videos and connect with fans.

 

He is also the first Vietnamese artist to surpass 1 billion views on this video platform.

 

Son Tung M-TP, whose real name is Nguyen Thanh Tung, is one of Vietnam's biggest pop stars.

 

The singer from the northern province of Thai Binh has won an MTV Europe Music Award and was included in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Vietnam.

 

Before him, there were only four YouTube channels in Vietnam that had earned the YouTube Diamond Play Button, none of which belonged to an artist.

 

They were Cris Devil Gamer of content creator Phan Le Vy Thanh, NTN of content creator Nguyen Thanh Nam, comedy channel FAPTV, and children’s channel POPS Kids.

 

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MANILA – A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday said the government should start rolling out targeted subsidies to help Filipinos stay afloat and ease the impact of inflationary pressures.

 

BHW Party-list Representative Angelica Natasha Co said financial subsidies should be provided to assist poor and lower-middle-income families amid rising commodity prices.

 

Co made the remark after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that Philippine inflation climbed to a three-year high at 6.1 percent in June from 5.4 percent in May and 3.7 percent a year ago amid higher food and transport costs.

 

"I represent the Barangay Health Workers and the frontliners in the health and wellness sector where there are tens of thousands of marginalized individuals and breadwinners. Inflation hits them hard. The impact on their household budgets is immediate and felt every day," Co said. " Bread, oil, medicine, transportation fares, and a whole lot more have become pricier. Increasing the minimum wage would not be enough," Co said.

 

She said the government should continue the Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program as it entails immediate savings for Filipinos, which can be used to buy food and medicines.

 

"We need Libreng Sakay buses and jeepneys going to Manila and linking to the Edsa route going south to Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Muntinlupa, and Paranaque," she said.

 

Aside from the transportation program, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should restore its cash aid program, such as the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced) and the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), so that the much-needed financial assistance would reach the affected individuals faster.

 

CAMP is one-time cash assistance of PHP5,000 given to formal sector workers while TUPAD is an emergency employment assistance where beneficiaries are given temporary jobs.

 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the country’s rising inflation warrants careful handling and close monitoring.

 

“We are having to be careful because essentially our economic policy right now monetary --- our monetary policy right now is essentially to use interest rates to hold, to take control of the inflation rate,” Marcos said.

 

As part of efforts to lower the prices of food, Marcos said the government plans to boost the production of staples–corn and rice.

 

“We will do it in the Department of Agriculture to boost production of rice and corn in the coming two quarters hanggang Pasko (until Christmas), until after Christmas,” Marcos, who is also concurrent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, said.

 

He said this is necessary as the government prefers to “import as little as possible.”

 

“If we are able to increase production sufficiently…It’s not really an import substitution measure, it is a strategic food supply measure,” he added.

 

Marcos reiterated the need to prioritize the agriculture sector to address the looming food crisis in the country. (PNA)

 

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BILATERAL TIES. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. receives Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday (July 6, 2022). Marcos and the top Chinese diplomat discussed a wide range of issues, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture and bilateral ties. (Office of the President)

 

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday received Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malacañang Palace to discuss a wide range of issues including infrastructure.

Marcos shared photos of his meeting with Wang on his official Twitter account.

 

“I am grateful to Minister Wang Yi for extending the message of congratulations and support from President Xi Jinping,” he said in a tweet.

 

Marcos said he and Wang also discussed “agriculture, energy, and our commitment to maintaining the strong relationship between our peoples in the coming years.”

 

State-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) also broadcasted a video of the meeting between Marcos and Wang.

 

Wang arrived in the country on Tuesday upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Luis Enrique Manalo.

 

Malacañang has yet to release details about the meeting between two officials.

 

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Marcos told reporters that the South China Sea (SCS) territorial disputes, as well as the renewal of the Philippines and China's closer cooperation in various fields, will be discussed during his upcoming meeting with Wang.

 

"Let's have cultural exchanges, educational exchanges, even the military, if that will be useful. Of course, the GTG (government-to-government [partnership]) has always been there, the private sector, and joint ventures have also been there. But I think that the more that we do, the more it will help resolve the issue," he said.

 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. greets Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the latter arrives in Malacañang for a courtesy call on the Philippine President on Wednesday (July 6, 2022). (Photo of Office of the President)

 

However, Marcos said he would not limit the discussions to the SCS issue, stressing that there are other matters that need to be touched on to "normalize" the relationship between the Philippines and China.

 

"One of the ways that I have consistently suggested is that we have our relationship not only in one dimension, yun lang (not only) West Philippine Sea. Let's add to that," he said. "Let's do other things too. And that way, it will normalize our relationship."

 

In January 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case against China’s expansive maritime claims before the arbitration court in The Hague.

 

The tribunal on July 12, 2016, invalidated China's nine-dash line claim to the waterway, but China has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the ruling.

 

Aside from meeting with the President, Wang will also attend a separate bilateral meeting with Manalo to discuss a wide range of issues, focusing on maintaining and building on the positive trend of relations between the Philippines and China.

 

Wang is the first foreign counterpart to be received by Manalo after assuming office on July 1.

 

He was last in Manila in January 2021 for an official visit upon the invitation of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin. (PNA)

 

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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)

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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)

 

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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)

 

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