ASEAN NOW News

A crab at a farm in southern Ca Mau Province. Photo by VnExpress/Chi Lam Vietnam crab exports rose 41% to $111 million between Jan. 1 and July 15 this year, according to data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). According to VN Express the U.S, China, Japan and France were the four major markets accounting for 92% of the value. China was the fastest growing market as exports surged 74% year-on-year to $37 million, followed by France (up 60%) and Japan (51%). Exports to the U.S. grew 27%, though the country was Vietnam’s top market with a value of $38 million. Crab prices have surged amid domestic shortage and rising demand from major markets in the U.S., China and Japan. Hoang, a crab seller, said prices at the farm have risen 20% since last month to VND400,000-600,000 ($17-26) a kilogram but there was hardly enough for him to sell. A VnExpress survey showed crab prices in HCMC have risen to the highest in the year-to-date at VND900,000 a kilogram. VASEP expects crab exports to thrive in the second half this year thanks to rising demand driven by holidays like Christmas and Lunar New Year.

A bowl of thick noodles "cao lau" is served at a stall in Hoi An ancient town. Photo by VnExpress/Di Vy Scotland-based travel agency Skyscanner has named Vietnam among six best foodie destinations "without worrying about blowing your budget" alongside Mexico, India, Thailand, Nepal, and Singapore reports VN Express. "If you've ever tucked into a steaming bowl of pho, you'll understand why foodie travelers fall in love with Vietnam," Skycanner said. Though pho originated in Hanoi, it has gradually become a favored dish in the south as well, with options that include the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, brisket, and tendon. Foodies can try a perfect bowl of pho for less than £1 ($1.21) and a local beer for about £0.5, the agency notes. A bowl of pho in Ho Chi Minh City normally costs VND40,000 ($1.71), according to VnExpress survey. Don't forget to enjoy banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) served with stuffed rolls and goi cuon (fresh summer rolls) filled with shrimp and mint leaves, it adds. It also says that the ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam is considered as Vietnam's foodie capital where Chinese, French and Japanese influences combine to create a unique take on Vietnamese cuisine. The signature dishes in Hoi An are cao lau (Vietnamese thick noodles) and chicken rice.

(File photo) MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are planning to hold several two-day job fairs in various parts of the country next month. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Wednesday the collaboration will help boost employment in the hospitality industry. “It will be a series of job fairs to be held in various cities and provinces with an initial focus in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao,” he said in a statement. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be issued to formalize the partnership of the two agencies for the job fairs dubbed "Trabaho Turismo Asenso" which will be launched from Sept. 22 to 24. The number of jobs has yet to be announced. Laguesma noted that the hotel sector is lacking manpower based on the findings by the DOT as revealed by tourism stakeholders led by hotel establishments. “What we’re about to undertake aims to support the government’s economic recovery program by providing a platform for job seekers for job opportunities in various tourism sectors and allied services. Through the job fairs, we can help organizations find the best candidates for their vacancies, thus bridging industry gaps,” he said. He added that they are already coordinating with the Philippine Hotel Owners Association for the specific types of jobs required and the number of vacancies in the sector. The DOLE said the country recorded a total of 1.1 million foreign travelers since it reopened in February this year. The figure surpassed the full-year arrivals in 2021 where only 163,879 foreigners entered the Philippines. (PNA)

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan (Screengrab) MANILA – Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said at least 86.7 percent of the elderlies in the city are now considered fully inoculated after receiving two doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine. During the Pinaslakas vaccination event held at the SM Manila on Wednesday, Lacuna-Pangan reiterated her stand that vaccination is the solution to the Covid-19 pandemic. “We ourselves conduct home vaccination for our senior citizens, especially the bedridden. Here in our city, 86.7 percent of seniors have already received the full dose, while more than 50 percent of the total target population has received the first booster,” Lacuna-Pangan said. She also assured that the city remains committed to working with the national government to vaccinate as many citizens against the dreaded Covid-19. K R de Asis of the Manila Public Information Office said 86.7 percent accounts for a total of 138,332 elderlies in the city, out of the target number of around 160,000 who have completed their second dose of the Covid-19 jabs. Data from the Manila Health Department shows that as of 5 p.m. on Aug. 16, the city government has already administered a total of 3,505,030 Covid-19 vaccine doses. Of the number, at least 1,818,763 received their first dose while 1,732,237 got their full dose, which includes the single-dose Janssen vaccine. The city has also administered 627,857 doses of the first booster shot and 66,864 second booster doses. (PNA)

MANILA – The Philippines should foster long-term cooperation with like-minded nations to protect its strategic interests and become a "constructive" player in the region amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, a political analyst said Wednesday. "Given the current geopolitical landscape and the emergence of various security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines should maximize its engagements and foster long-term cooperation with like-minded states such as the United States (US), Japan, Australia, and the European Union in order to protect strategic interests and manage threats collectively," Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit told the Philippine News Agency. "These engagements would also enable the country to become a more constructive and relevant player in the region, particularly in promoting a rule-based international order that recognizes shared democratic values," he added. The statement came as Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo affirmed on Tuesday that Manila is "fully prepared" to enhance existing relationships as well as cultivate and bridge new ties-- a position Manhit said demonstrates the direction the country is taking in terms of its position in the region. For the next six years, Manhit said the Marcos administration must strategize and closely monitor the region's changing dynamics while considering the risks and opportunities they present. By doing so, he said Manila could elevate its economic and security potential while implementing an "independent and inclusive foreign policy that can accommodate the Filipino people's priorities and interests." The Philippines is deemed a "middle power" in Asia, ranking 16th in overall comprehensive power out of 26 countries and territories included in the Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index 2021. The report said Manila performs best in the defense networks measure, where it places 9th while its lowest ranking occurs in the resilience measure, coming in at 20th place. Lowy Institute, meanwhile, reported that the Philippines' power gap or how well it converts its resources into influence in Asia has "improved" in 2021. The annual Asia Power Index measures power by looking into a country's economic relationships, defense networks, diplomatic influence, cultural influence, economic capability, military capability, resilience, and future resources, with a scope reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the US. The US and China were the only two countries tagged as "super powers" in the latest index for garnering scores greater than 70. These were followed by middle powers or countries and territory that scored points greater than 10 –Japan (38.7), India (37.7), Russia (33), Australia (30.8), South Korea (30, Singapore (26.2), Indonesia (19.4), Thailand (19.2), Malaysia (18.3), Vietnam (18.3), New Zealand (17.8), Taiwan (16.2), Pakistan (14.7), the Philippines (13.1), and North Korea (11.5). Nine others, with scores less than 10 points, were ranked as "minor powers". (PNA)

The website Numbeo has published its current Healthcare index for the wider Asia regions. Their global health care survey was taken by 41072 people in 3,969 cities. Numbeo allows you to see, share and compare information about health care systems worldwide. It surveys the following information and details about health care: Skill and competency of medical staff Speed in completing examination and reports Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports Friendliness and courtesy of the staff Responsiveness (waitings) in medical institutions Convenience of location for you. We have listed here their list of the top 72 healthcare cities across Asia, by rank, City and Health care index. 1. Al Fujayrah, United Arab Emirates 89.74 2. Kaohsiung, Taiwan 87.95 3. Taipei, Taiwan 86.23 4. Chiang Mai, Thailand 83.81 5.Makati, Philippines 83.29 6.Seoul, South Korea 82.80 7.Tokyo, Japan 80.71 8. Bursa, Turkey 78.96 9. Mangalore, India 78.16 10. Qingdao, Shandong, China 77.48 11. Bangkok, Thailand 76.97 12. Antalya, Turkey 75.92 13. Pattaya, Thailand 75.40 14. Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel 74.32 15. Haifa, Israel 74.27 16. Navi Mumbai, India 74.02 17. Doha, Qatar 73.62 18. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 73.10 19. Izmir, Turkey 72.70 20. Colombo, Sri Lanka 71.94 21. Singapore, Singapore 71.09 22. Coimbatore, India 70.76 23. Jerusalem, Israel 70.51 24. Chennai, India 70.37 25. Istanbul, Turkey 69.31 26. Ankara, Turkey 68.87 27. Visakhapatnam, India 68.67 28. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 67.92 29. Dubai, United Arab Emirates 67.92 30. Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan 67.33 31. Noida, India 66.78 32. Beijing, China 66.57 33.Pune, India 66.47 34. Ahmedabad, India 66.43 35. Kochi, India 66.33 36. Hong Kong, Hong Kong 66.07 37. Manama, Bahrain 65.77 38. Bangalore, India 65.74 39. Delhi, India 65.64 40. Beirut, Lebanon 65.15 41. Hyderabad, India 65.13 42. Amman, Jordan 65.01 43. Mumbai, India 64.89 44. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 64.79 45. Guangzhou, China 64.72 46. Islamabad, Pakistan 64.23 47. Gurgaon, India 63.85 48 Manila, Philippines 63.36 49 Chandigarh, India 62.85 50 Lahore, Pakistan 62.52 51 Shanghai, China 62.41 52 Thiruvananthapuram, India 61.89 53 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 61.16 54. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 59.84 55 Muscat, Oman 59.41 56 Jeddah (Jiddah), Saudi Arabia 59.19 57 Kuwait City, Kuwait 58.97 58 Kolkata, India 57.87 59 Hanoi, Vietnam 57.59 60 Karachi, Pakistan 57.18 61 Yerevan, Armenia 57.02 62. Jakarta, Indonesia 56.89 63. Kathmandu, Nepal 55.76 64.Tbilisi, Georgia 54.39 65. Nicosia, Cyprus 54.22 66. Tehran, Iran 52.57 67. Limassol, Cyprus 50.54 68 Phnom Penh, Cambodia 49.00 69 Almaty, Kazakhstan 47.74 70 Baku, Azerbaijan 46.86 71. Dhaka, Bangladesh 39.68 72. Baghdad, Iraq 33.86 Showing 1 to 72 of 72 entries. HCMC hospital The top SE Asian city was Chang Mai in Thailand coming in at 4th and the top Vietnam city was HCMC at 54th and Hanoi at 59th out of 72 cities listed.

MANILA – The country has detected 1,011 more cases of the Omicron BA.5 subvariant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) reported Tuesday. In a Viber message to reporters, the DOH said at least one person from all regions except Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has tested positive for the BA.5 subvariant. About 336 are from Western Visayas, 82 from the National Capital Region (NCR), 79 from Central Luzon, 75 from Calabarzon, 72 from Ilocos Region, 70 from Bicol Region, 67 from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 48 from Soccksargen, 44 from Mimaropa, 34 from Northern Mindanao, 27 from Caraga, 26 from Central Visayas, 25 from Cagayan Valley, 17 from Davao Region, five from Zamboanga Peninsula, one from Eastern Visayas, and three returning overseas Filipinos. Of the tally, 690 are fully vaccinated, 12 are partially vaccinated, three are unvaccinated, while the vaccination status of the remaining 306 individuals is still being verified. Their exposures and travel histories are also being verified. About 907 individuals are now tagged as recovered, 53 are still undergoing isolation, two have died, and the outcomes of the remaining 49 are still being verified. There were also 19 additional BA.4 cases -- 12 from Soccsksargen, three each from Bicol Region and Western Visayas, and one from CAR. Thirteen individuals are fully vaccinated, one is partially vaccinated, while the vaccination status of the remaining five individuals is still being verified. Five individuals are now tagged as recovered, three are still undergoing isolation, and one has died. The DOH is still verifying their exposures and travel histories. All the reported cases are based on the latest genome sequencing results from August 12 to 15. (PNA)

TEMPORARY CLOSURE. People are advised not to use the pedestrian overpass in Matina Crossing, Davao City, after the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office found visible cracks on the structure following the 5.6 magnitude quake Monday afternoon (Aug. 15, 2022). The overpass will be assessed by the City Engineer’s Office to ensure its structural integrity. (Photo courtesy of Matina Crossing BDRRMC) DAVAO CITY – A pedestrian overpass in Barangay Matina Crossing here was temporarily closed as more cracks were found on the structure after an intensity 5 temblor hit the city on Monday afternoon. In a radio interview Tuesday, Alfredo Baloran, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said they immediately assessed buildings and other structures to ensure the safety of their continued use following the tremor. Baloran said no one was hurt in the tremor and the overpass will be further assessed by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to ensure its structural integrity. “We have coordinated this with the CEO because they have technical people who can determine if the structure is still safe for public use,” he said. Landslide-prone areas have been inspected amid the heavy rains during the past few days, he added. “The rainy weather experienced in the city has only increased the risk in foothills and mountainsides,” Baloran said, even as he reminded Dabawenyos to be on guard in times of natural calamities. He also urged the Dabawenyos to immediately report any cracks found in office buildings, schools, bridges, houses, and other structures to authorities. The tremor was felt in the city after a magnitude 5.6 quake shook parts of Mindanao, with the epicenter traced in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. (PNA)

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PNA photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora) MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday night told travelers that measures are in place to ensure their safety while visiting destinations across the Philippines. The statement came after the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed the country under alert level 3 for "high-level of coronavirus disease 2019" (Covid-19). Seeking to allay fears, the DOT noted that more than half of the roughly 235 places the CDC monitored have also been placed under the said level. “The global pandemic continues to expose the tourism industry to challenges, but our travelers can rest assured that the Philippine government continues to ensure that minimum public health and safety standards are in place, coupled with the precautionary measures observed by our partners from the private and public sectors. Therefore, our guests can safely enjoy any of our 7,641 islands even in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said. “We are confident of the measures and guidelines that we have instituted to strike a balance between safety and travel in the new normal.” Unlike many other countries in the west, the Philippines maintains a strict policy on wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the virus. More than 72 million Filipinos have also been fully vaccinated as of Aug. 15, 2022. In addition, the department said there is a stark difference between the Covid-19 positivity rate in the Philippines, which averages at 4,001 daily, compared to that of the US, which recorded 13,609 new cases in the last 24 hours as of August 16. Citing the Department of Health, the DOT said the country gives "more weight to the health care utilization rate rather than the number of new cases.” Nationwide, 29.3 percent or 838 out of 2,887 intensive care unit beds and 31.9 percent or about 8,165 out of 26,266 non-ICU beds are in use. “What we learned from the advent of Covid-19 is that we cannot continue to allow the fear of it to negatively shape our lives and our travel plans. So much has been lost to this pandemic," Frasco said. "We need to revise our perspective and learn how to live with this virus in a manner that is reasonable, rational, as well as responsible of health protocols so not only lives but livelihoods of people dependent on tourism may be saved in the process.” (PNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) and leaders of telecommunication groups Viettel on August 16, 2022. Photo by Viettel Telecommunication giant Viettel has proposed that it produces chips to meet domestic demand and for export in addition to offering e-payment services. Leaders of the military owned Viettel Group made the proposal at a Tuesday meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. VN Express reported that the proposal was made in the context of the recent global chip shortage, which has seriously affected many manufacturing sectors and business areas, prompting several countries to promote chip production as a national security measure. In this context, the group was also asked to be assigned the tasks of ensuring national defense and security, promoting its strengths, and demonstrating the pioneering role of state-owned companies in the fields of high-tech defense, construction, and cyber security and safety. Viettel said it wanted to deploy a national digital conversion platform and work as an intermediary for financial switching services and electronic clearing services to facilitate the transfer of funds from one bank account to another. The group also wanted permission to research green energy technology and modernize important infrastructure in the field of transportation, logistics, urban areas, and science and technology. It also asked for more leeway in deciding investment capital and salaries, as well as organizing its internal units. At the same time, it suggested that the government adds a new legal corridor for state-owned firms, such as a mechanism to make evaluations based on the principle of overall investment efficiency instead of relying on individual investment items and projects, and a mechanism to establish a Venture Capital Fund for investment in innovative start-ups. PM Chinh said Viettel should research and produce chips to serve the country’s digital transformation process effectively and efficiently, including building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society. He said Viettel must be a corporation that plays a leading role in this process. He also agreed that the group works as an intermediary for financial switching and electronic clearing services and assigned related ministers to study the plan and report on it to the government. Viettel has been maintaining an average pre-tax profit of over VND40 trillion ($1.7 billion) each year for several years. The group is doing business in ten markets with a total population size of 260 million in three continents and has so far reported profits in seven markets, at $250-350 million per year.

UK Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary Matthew Rycroft (C) and his entourage drink at a street-side cafe inside Hanoi's Old Quarter, August 15 2022. Photo courtesy of UK Embassy in Hanoi On Monday, U.K. Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary Matthew Rycroft visited the Old Quarter, one of Hanoi's most popular tourist attractions, during his two-day visit to Vietnam, reported VN Express. The U.K. Embassy in Hanoi posted some photos on its Facebook page, showing Rycroft and his entourage enjoying drinks at a street-side café. The Old Quarter used to be a residential, manufacturing, and commercial center consisting of guild streets, each specializing in a particular trade, and is now a nightlife symbol in the capital dotted with an array of cafes, restaurants, street food stalls, and bars. Rycroft is in Vietnam to strengthen U.K.-Vietnam migration cooperation. On Monday, the first U.K. – Vietnam migration dialogue was held in Hanoi to improve cooperation and prevent human smuggling.

File photo of a police officer arresting a suspect. (Photo: CNA/Hanidah Amin) SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old was among six men arrested for their suspected involvement in two cases of car theft, the police said on Wednesday (Aug 17). According to CNA, the police had received reports on Monday that two cars were stolen from car parks at Jurong West Street 52 and Boon Lay Drive. "Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras and CCTVs (closed-circuit television), officers from Jurong Police Division, Clementi Police Division, Police Operations Command Centre, Criminal Investigation Department and Police Intelligence Department established the identities of the six men," said the police. The suspects, aged between 14 and 32, were arrested on Monday and Tuesday. The two stolen cars were recovered, said the police, adding that the six men will be charged in court on Wednesday and Thursday with theft of motor vehicles with common intention. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.

Shares of industry disruptors, such as Shopify, Grab and Sea, have plunged since the start of the year amid a bearish stock market and increasing concerns about the profitability of technology firms. (Photos: Grab/iStock/Sea) SINGAPORE: Amid an uncertain environment and concerns about their profitability, shares of once buzzy technology firms have been in freefall this year, with some plummeting as much as 70 per cent. Tech stocks that benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic have suffered especially, such as streaming service Netflix, which has seen its share price plunge around 60 per cent since January. Canadian e-commerce firm Shopify, which received a fillip from the pandemic-induced online shopping boom over the past two years, has seen its shares fall around 70 per cent year to date. Singapore-headquartered tech groups have not been spared from the rout. Shares of Grab, which made a much-anticipated debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange in December 2021, last traded at US$3.73 on Monday (Aug 15). This marked a nearly 48 per cent decline since January and a loss of almost three-quarters in value since its listing. Sea, which owns mobile gaming company Garena and online shopping platform Shopee, has also seen its shares on the New York Stock Exchange fall by about 61 per cent this year. Several of these industry disruptors have since announced layoffs. Shopify said last month that it will axe about 1,000 workers, or 10 per cent of its global workforce, while Sea’s Shopee retrenched an undisclosed number of employees across several markets in June. The layoffs come as tech firms are “consolidating” ahead of a possible recession and as liquidity dries up amid rising interest rates, CNA previously reported. Moving forward, with the global economic outlook and company fundamentals still far from certain, experts said investors who are looking to jump into beaten-down tech stocks should remain cautious. To read the full report go to https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/tech-stocks-selloff-grab-sea-shopify-investors-2876191

CASH IN TRASH | A resident fishes plastic bottles and packaging in a river in Tondo, Manila, so these can be sold later to junk shops. The pandemic-induced economic slowdown has forced many Filipinos out of jobs, resulting in more poor families, according to latest government data. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday showed that the poverty rate had worsened to 18.8 percent from 16.7 percent in 2018. This translates to 19.99 million Filipinos who are living below the poverty line, or those making less than P12,030 a month for a family of five. As an example of poverty Rosalyn (not her real name) is a 34-year-old mother of three who works as a domestic helper in Parañaque City. She has been with her current employer since 2005 and has seen her monthly wage increase from P3,500 to P12,000 a month. Still, Rosalyn complains that her earnings are never enough. Her common-law husband Jerry (not his real name) works as a night watchman in a public school in Pangasinan but is paid by the local government “only when there are surplus funds from the municipal budget.” For months when most of Luzon was on lockdown, Jerry did not get paid as the school he worked in was closed, forcing Rosalyn to advance portions of her future wages to send to her partner who is caring for their three children—now age 10 to 14. Rosalyn said that a few days ago, Jerry called to tell her to borrow P12,000 from her employer as their kids still did not have school uniforms, books, and other supplies. An argument ensued, Rosalyn recalled, saying she was already tired of borrowing money and blamed Jerry for being unable to make ends meet with the cash she sends every month. “But deep inside, I know he tells the truth. The price of everything has gone up. And because he has lost his job during the pandemic, Jerry stays at home to take care of the children. I know he feels ashamed. But my borrowings are now at P40,000. And I can never send enough back home,” Rosalyn said, her voice breaking. Rosalyn and her family are among the 2.3 million Filipinos who joined the ranks of the poor because of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. The Inquirer reported that preliminary results of the family income and expenditure survey for 2021 released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday showed that the poverty rate had worsened to 18.8 percent from 16.7 percent in 2018. This translates to 19.99 million Filipinos who are living below the poverty line, or those making less than P12,030 a month for a family of five. In 2018, the last time the survey was made, there were 17.67 million Filipinos living below the poverty threshold of P10,481 a month. The poverty rate was worse in 2015 at 23.5 percent, or the equivalent of 23.68 million poor Filipinos. Unemployment The poverty threshold is the minimum income needed to meet the basic food and nonfood needs such as clothing, fuel, light and water, housing, transportation and communication, and health and education expenses. “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including income and employment losses, caused the poverty incidence to rise. Restrictions on mobility and low earning capacity of poor households due to limited access to regular and productive jobs made the lives of Filipinos difficult,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who heads the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). “We do know that we have a tough road ahead, but we are already prepared to face these challenges head-on. Our poverty reduction efforts will focus on three main areas: full reopening of the economy; more investments in human capital, social development, and social protection, and transformation of the production sectors to generate more and quality jobs and competitive products,” Balisacan said. “Social protection programs and services must effectively reach and empower them,” Sen. Grace Poe added on Monday. The senator said improving employment opportunities for Filipinos would be critical, particularly in the agriculture sector, as the pandemic forced many companies to close. She said the passage of the Public Service Act, which allowed foreign ownership of companies in telecommunication, airlines, and railways, would help in generating jobs. She also noted that the government should let drivers of public utility vehicles return to their routes “as they have waited for too long without income.” “The commuters need them, especially the millions of students who will return to schools next week,” she stressed. Despite recent employment gains due to the reopening of more economic sectors, the Philippines’ latest jobless rate in June of 6 percent, equivalent to 2.99 million Filipinos, was still the second worst in emerging Asia. “The unemployment rate in the Philippines remains one of the highest among major Asian economies, though much lower than that of India,” Neda noted in a report issued on Monday. India’s jobless rate in June was 7.8 percent. The unemployment rate in Vietnam was 2.5 percent in June; Malaysia, 3.9 percent in May; China, 5.6 percent in March; and Indonesia, 5.8 percent in February, Neda’s report showed. Economic reopening Among families, poverty incidence inched up to 13.2 percent of households in 2021 from 12.1 percent in 2018, although still below the 18 percent in 2015. This meant the number of poor Filipino households increased to 3.5 million last year from 2018’s three million. While the PSA has yet to release sectoral poverty statistics, National Statistician Dennis Mapa told a press briefing that farmer and fisherfolk were historically among the poorest of the poor in the country. Mapa said it did not help that entrepreneurial activities and cash receipts from abroad—among the top sources of Filipino families’ incomes—were the most badly hit by the hard times caused by the pandemic. Thousands of small local businesses had been shuttered by the most stringent lockdowns at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The COVID-19 crisis also temporarily stopped the deployment of overseas Filipino workers, while hundreds of thousands of them lost their jobs and returned home due to a global recession. Mapa nonetheless said domestic cash remittances—mostly dole-outs from the government—kept many households afloat last year. He said the government would now monitor poverty statistics every two years, with the next survey slated in 2023, unlike before when it was conducted every three years. For Neda, “the full reopening of the economy needs to be prioritized to steer the economy back to its high-growth path and reinvigorate job creation.”

MANILA – The Philippines has recorded a total of 1.1 million foreign travelers since it reopened in February this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported late Friday. The latest figure as of August 7 surpassed the full-year arrivals in 2021 when borders were still closed to tourists and only 163,879 foreigners entered the country. To sustain this momentum, the DOT promised an enhanced "overall experience" for travelers by promoting "digitalization" and working with relevant offices to further improve tourism infrastructure. Tourism's 12.7 percent contribution to the country's economy before the pandemic fell to 5.1 percent in 2020 and 5.2 percent last year. At a tourism summit in Cebu on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the DOT projects the sector would "recoup its losses and revert to pre-pandemic level in the next three years." Frasco said the DOT is developing new regional tourism circuits that would highlight nature-based tourism; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE); food and gastronomy; heritage and culture; farm and agri-tourism; health and wellness; and arts, among others. “All these tourism dimensions will get an equal promotion, attention, and support as we expand ourselves from the traditional portfolio and explore multidimensional tourism,” she said. Frasco also urged the tourism stakeholders to do their share and "build a stronger bridge of collaboration" to uplift the tourism industry. “All of you play a vital role in our aspirations for recovery and progress. Your success, our success, means more jobs for our people, a better economy, more productive workforce, and sparking our recovery not only in our tourism industry here in Cebu but for the entirety of our country's economy," she told about 200 tourism stakeholders and local government representatives present during the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry-organized event. "I invite everyone to join the efforts of the Department of Tourism and the national government in building a stronger bridge of collaboration to maximize all of our efforts and that we would be able to exceed our previous standing on the global stage," she added. (PNA)

FRAUD AUDIT REQUEST. Education Undersecretary and Chief-of-staff Epimaco Densing III answers queries from the media in a press briefing on Monday (Aug. 15, 2022). Densing said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has ordered to request a fraud audit from the Commission on Audit on the procurement of the controversial laptops for teachers through the Procurement Services of the Department of Budget and Management. (PNA Photo: Alfred Frias) MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday requested a fraud audit from the Commission on Audit (COA), as ordered by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, to investigate the alleged overpriced and outdated laptops purchased for teachers. In a press briefing, DepEd Undersecretary and Chief-of-staff Epimaco Densing III said they have already transmitted their letter to COA Chairperson Jose Calida. “In the meantime, while we are not yet declaring that there is a fraudulent transaction that happened at that time, we’re also not saying that there is none… That’s why the directive to us by VP Secretary Sara, let it be investigated, to see whether there’s an irregularity,” he said. Densing said Duterte gave the go signal last Friday to request a fraud audit from COA on the procurement of the PHP2.4 billion laptops through the Procurement Services of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM). “What we are looking at is not an official investigation yet, and this is the reason why we are asking COA to do a fraud audit, the reason why it was downgraded from 1.9 gigahertz to 1.8 gigahertz. At the same time the price also increased, and why is it [an] Intel Celeron,” he added. He said all the documents “immediately given” by the PS-DBM upon the DepEd’s request have already been submitted to the COA. Densing said the DepEd prefers to conduct future purchases under its own team to avoid similar controversies after the COA flagged the 2021 report on the procurement of the PHP2.4 billion laptops for online classes amid the Covid-19-pandemic. “We in the DepEd executive committee, are already one that for future procurement, and we will do our procurement via our own procurement service here at the DepEd, and hopefully there will be no longer a budget given out of the blue, so we don’t have to go through PS-DBM,” he said. Last Friday, the PS-DBM, headed by Executive Director Dennis Santiago, turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) documents related to the procurement of the DepEd’s laptops. Santiago earlier directed his office to conduct a thorough examination of COA’s findings, emphasizing that the mandate of the PS-DBM is to ensure a transparent and competitive procurement process. “The NBI is a highly competent investigation authority to take over the matter to ensure that the probe would be fair, impartial, and independent. We do not want any room for suspicion,” Santiago said. Santiago added that the move to request the NBI to step in was made after the examination showed alleged discrepancies in the initial findings, which are like COA’s observations. (PNA)

According to Numbeo the world's largest cost of living database, their Cost of Living Comparison Between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, means you would need around 2,414.17$ (56,484,939.87₫) in Ho Chi Minh City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 2,900.00$ in Phnom Penh (assuming you rent in both cities). However, as a tourist, a week in Cambodia can cost you about $346 (per person), while a week in Vietnam may cost you around $361. These differences become even more noticeable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to Cambodia or Vietnam can really add to your travel budget. How much does it cost to live in Phnom Penh? According to https://twocantravel.com/, renting in Phnom Penh, you can rent a luxury, serviced apartment with a pool, gym, 24-hour security guard, and cleaning service for anywhere from $500 to $3,000/month, or live in a comfortable Cambodian style apartment for under $300. It depends on what you want your cost of living in Cambodia to be and whether you are seeking western creature-comforts or want to experience a more local way of life. Either way, the city has what you are looking for at prices much less than what you would pay in most developed countries. How much does it cost to live in Ho Chi Minh City? Ho Chi Minh City average cost of Living is $750 – $1,300 One expat said his monthly cost of living came in at $724 for an average month, which includes a studio apartment in District 1. After rent, most of his expenses can be attributed to street food and coffee. How much money do you need to live comfortably in Vietnam? A couple can enjoy a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle for less than $1,300 per month. Many Westerners who live in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City get by spending around $500 per month, but it's a no-frills lifestyle. Is Phnom Penh cheaper than Bangkok? Phnom Penh is 17% cheaper than Bangkok according to Numbeo. Most foreigners coming to Cambodia live in one of the three major cities; Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville. There are a few smaller cities that attract both tourists and long-term visitors. Kampot, Kep, Battambang and Koh Kong are also popular. What is the biggest problem in Cambodia? The major challenges are sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, including STIs and HIV/AIDS (prevalence of 0.2 percent among youth aged 15-24), unwanted pregnancy, pregnancy-related illnesses, unsafe abortion, mental health problems, accidents, and violence. What is the average rent in Vietnam? Here are in detail the expenses to live in Vietnam: Monthly rent: from $150 for a single room, to $500 for a small apartment up to $1,000 for a well located one and even $3,000 for a luxurious villa. What is the cheapest city to live in in Vietnam? Tra Vinh. Out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam, Tra Vinh is the least expensive place to live, with a rate of 87.6% compared to Hanoi. At the end of the day, it depends on what you personally are looking for say if you are considering retiring in either city. HCMC is a lot larger than Phnom Penh and has better international flight connections around the world. Cambodia is perhaps a bit more laid back and has its own charm, whereas Vietnam is becoming an industrialized centre for the likes of Apple and Samsung. If you are a golfer, then both cities have excellent golf courses and great shopping centres too. If you are a culture vulture Cambodia is famous for its Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap while there are several UNESCO sites to see around Vietnam. The choice is yours. I am sure many of you who live there may disagree with these figures supplied by Numbeo, but at least it gives you a snapshot of the likely costs.

According to Numbeo the cost-of-living website, you would need around only about Baht87,588.50 (137,995.51₱) in Manila to maintain the same standard of life that you can have Baht110,000.00 in Bangkok (assuming you rent in both cities). Numbeo was launched in 2009 and is the world's largest cost of living database. https://www.numbeo.com/ This calculation uses the Numbeo cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare cost of living. This assumes net earnings (after income tax). How much does it cost to live in Manila per month? Summary about cost of living in Manila, Philippines: Family of four estimated monthly costs are Baht64,581 (101,521₱) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are Baht18,501 (29,084₱) without rent. How much does it cost to live in Bangkok per month? Summary about cost of living in Bangkok, Thailand: Family of four estimated monthly costs are Baht 75,970.66 without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 21,099.82฿ without rent. Of course, these figures are average figures supplied by Numbeo and could differ depending on your lifestyle. Bangkok is 26.95% more expensive than Pattaya (without rent). Rent in Bangkok is, on average, 90.58% higher than in Pattaya. How much does rent cost in Manila Philippines? Monthly rents of units in row houses can range from PHP 15,000 to PHP 30,000 per month depending on the square footage. On the other hand, spacious units in mid- and high-rises have monthly rental rates of PHP 30,000 to PHP 40,000 per month. Average Rent Per Month in Bangkok: Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Baht19,209.21 Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Baht9,729.73 Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Baht73,014.67 Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Baht32,344.83 How far does $100 go in the Philippines? In the Philippines, USD $100 Can Get You: 2-3 nights' stay in a three-star Cebu or Manila hotel. 1-3 one-way trips on a Philippines budget air carrier. 100-150 Filipino beers. In Thailand, USD $100 Can Get You: 10-15 meals from any number of Bangkok Street food stalls 300 Thai beers 2-5 nights in a three-star Phuket beach resort 60-140 one-way trips on the Bangkok rail system (BTS/MRT). 2-3 one-way flights between Bangkok and Phuket. In summary Consumer Prices in Manila are 23.94% lower than in Bangkok (without rent). Consumer Prices Including Rent in Manila are still 20.37% lower than in Bangkok. However, restaurant Prices in Manila are 3.86% higher than in Bangkok. So overall although it costs more to live in Bangkok at least you get a lot more beers.

Nguyen Truong Giang at a police station in Ha Nam Province for stashing a 3-year-old boy in a freezer. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa A 25 year old man in northern Vietnam's Ha Nam Province has been detained after allegedly strangling and stashing a 3-year-old boy inside a freezer reported VN Express. Nguyen Truong Giang, 25, was detained by Ha Nam police Sunday for behavior that may in the end constitute a murder charge. Giang said that at 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, a 3-year-old neighboring boy had come to his milk tea store, rented from the boy's family. The boy drank a glass of milk tea, followed Giang into the kitchen for biscuits, then sat on his bed and ate. Giang said he was annoyed that "the boy asked him to play multiple times," so he threw a metal club at the boy, hitting his head. The boy fell to the floor and wailed. Giang tried to calm him down but failed, so he began to pin him to the ground. When the boy screamed for his grandfather's help, Giang used a shoelace to strangle him, placed him in a carton box and put it inside a freezer. He then locked the gate and rode his motorbike to Hanoi. By that time, the boy's grandfather, 65-year-old Nguyen Van Thuoc, was already searching for his grandson. Through security camera footage, he saw the boy enter Giang's store but never come out. He tried to call Giang but failed, so he enlisted his neighbors to help him break into the store. At around 5:50 p.m., the boy was found suffering respiratory failure, hypothermia, and multiple injuries. He was taken to National Children's Hospital in Hanoi for treatment and his condition has since stabilized. Authorities said Giang was decommissioned from the military in 2020 and came to Hanoi to make a living. He then returned to his hometown Ha Nam to sell milk tea.

Tran Thi Huy, 28, sheds tears while hugging her son upon mentioning about her husband, 31-year-old Nguyen Van Uoc, who has been confirmed dead in U.K. mill fire, August 14, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Hai Holding two children aged 6 and 8 in her arms, the mother broke down Sunday afternoon as she spoke about praying hard for a miracle to save her missing husband. According to VN Express, Tran Thi Huy, 28, of Dien Chau District in the north central Nghe An Province, is the wife of 31-year-old Nguyen Van Uoc, who has been confirmed dead in a mill fire in Oldham, Manchester back in May. On Saturday, Huy received a phone call from the U.K. The person on the other side was a representative of the Manchester police, informing her fingerprint analyses of a body found in the aftermath of the fire showed that it belonged to Uoc, one of four Vietnamese nationals reported missing last month. They said a DNA analysis would be done next to confirm the fingerprint analysis. A month ago, hair and nail samples of Uoc’s family members were sent to the U.K. police by a Vietnamese citizen living in the U.K. who came back home to collect them. "We have been praying hard at the altar, hoping a miracle would happen for Uoc. But that hope is gone," Huy said. At the end of 2016, just months after the couple had welcomed their second child, Uoc left his wife and family and went to Russia as a foreign worker. In 2017, he told Huy that he had already reached the U.K. Huy was surprised. She tried to ask her husband for more details, but he refused to tell her about his journey to the U.K. as he "didn't want his family to worry." Uoc was also the one who actively called home whenever he was free. Huy said her husband's income over the past six years had not been stable. There were times when he had money and times he didn't. The last call she received from him was on May 6. He was talking about working in a large facility in Oldham. "Through the video call, I could sense that my husband's health was in decline. He told me that his job was stressful, that he constantly had to stay indoors. I told him that if it gets too tough, it's okay to quit," Huy said. After wishing his children goodnight, Uoc told Huy to take care of them and wait for his return. But then news of a fire at the Bismark House Mill came, and Huy felt that something had gone very wrong. She tried to contact her husband, but her calls never connected. For the next two months, Huy constantly waited for her husband to contact her, but all she heard was static. She sought help from the Vietnamese Embassy in the U.K., scanned her husband's personal identity card and mailed it, hoping they could track him down. Meanwhile, 54-year-old Nguyen Van Cuong, Uoc's father, has been sitting on his own in a corner of the yard. His voice had gone hoarse after days of calling out his son's name in grief. Uoc was the firstborn in a family of four siblings. Due to family circumstances, he was only able to finish 8th grade before quitting to help his family at the farm. Later he found work at a local industrial complex. "I feel sorry for my son, who had to work so hard from such an early age. Now I have only wish that authorities help to bring his body home." Nguyen Van Cuong, 54, had spent the last two months waiting for news from his son, 31-year-old Nguyen Van Uoc. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Hai In the same district, Chu Thanh Cao's parents have already lit incense at the family altar for their son, 39-year-old Chu Van Cuong. Cuong is another one of the four Vietnamese who went missing in the U.K. last month and is suspected to have perished in the fire. "We have sent DNA samples to U.K. authorities for verification," a relative said, adding that Cuong had been in the U.K. since 2019. A Dien Chau District official said the administration was aware that one of their residents has died in a fire in the U.K. "When we get the official announcements from authorities, the district will offer our condolences and support to his family." Two other families in Nghe An’s Yen Thanh District also have missing members suspected to have been in the Oldham mill at the time of the fire. The fire at the Bismark House mill in Oldham broke out early in the morning on May 7 and took four days to extinguish. The police believed then that there was no one inside. It was only on July 21, after local police received a call saying four Vietnamese nationals were missing and might have been caught in the fire, that a search was launched. The four missing persons were identified as: Chu Van Cuong, 39; Nguyen Van Uoc, 31; Nguyen Van Duong, 29; and Le Thanh Nam, 21. Demolition workers have so far found three bodies at the mill. The first one was found on July 23, and the others on July 27 and August 4, U.K. media reported. Details of the Vietnamese's work in the U.K. and their legal status are not clear.

Staff at Silk Path Hotel in Hanoi. Photo by Silk Path Hotels & Resorts High-end hotels in the country have not been able to deal adequately with the loss of well-trained staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and remain mired in a human resource crisis reported VN Express. According to the Vietnam Hotels Association, there are over 550 luxury hotels that accounts for about 18% of the total number of rooms in the country. Hence the shortage of trained staff in this segment is concerning, industry insiders say. Dao Manh Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Education Association, said that in the first seven months of the year, the number of domestic tourists reached 71.8 million arrivals, exceeding the target of 60 million. But this has not proved very advantageous for luxury hotels. "The rise of domestic tourism post Covid-19 has had a significant impact on middle-level hotels and the hiring of staff in this segment has increased rapidly. But, due to the slow return of international visitors, luxury hotels haven't been able to do the same. Well-trained staff in these hotels might have changed their careers and may not return after Covid-19," Hung said at a conference held Tuesday. The dire need for staff has seen high-end hotels lower their qualification requirements. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Sales Director of Silk Path Hotels & Resorts, said that major hotels are so short of people that they are accepting even inexperienced staff. In fact, hiring of staff has become a competition between luxury hotels, she said. "About 7-8 years ago, [luxury] hotels only had full-time staff. If someone could find work part-time, they would consider themselves lucky. But after Covid-19, part-time became a trend. In the past, it was considered lucky to get a chance to gain some valuable experience. Now they not only get to work and learn but also get paid for it. During this staff crisis, we don't really require experienced candidates. And it has become common for big hotels to steal staff from competitors," Thuy said. Thuy also said there were cases where candidates made "unbelievable" demands, like a monthly salary of VND18 million for the concierge position, VND15-20 million for the position of duty manager. Then there were some applying F&B service positions but not wanting to work in shifts. Not well paid Nguyen Quang, Chairman of Vietnam Executive Housekeeper Association, cited a survey by Hoteljob in June that found 48% of hotel workers were dissatisfied with their income. Quang said that in most domestic and international hotels, the average salary is only about VND5-6 million ($213-256), plus about VND2-3 million in tips and bonuses, which takes the total income to nearly VND8 million ($342). Compared to industries that do not require foreign language skills and knowledge, like leather, footwear and apparel, the average salary is also around VND6-7 million. "In the banking industry, the average salary is also VND7-8 million and if you do well, you can go up to VND10-15 million in a few years. Meanwhile, in the hotel industry, if you don't get promoted, the salary won't change much," he said. High-quality human resource comprises people with the ability to do an assigned job in the best way, Quang said, adding that Covid-19 created an opportunity for such staff to change their jobs, and when they find a better place, they wouldn't want to return. Additionally, even if the high-end hotels recruit students, it will be difficult to keep them because of low remuneration, especially for those who are studying or have graduated from top universities, he noted. Hung said that human resources in Vietnam's hotel industry lacked adequate foreign language and communication skills. These skills need to be sharpened as the tourism industry faces challenges posed by the technology era, requiring staff to have certain qualifications and professionalism. Reduced interest From a training perspective, Nguyen Quyet Thang, Head of the Faculty of Tourism, Restaurant and Hospitality Management at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, said that the university tries hard to connect with enterprises and create a favorable environment for students to train, but the number of students in the tourism field was reducing as they were taking the cue from those who quit the industry during Covid-19 times. "This is troubling because the tourism industry really needs trained employees in the coming years," Thang said. Hung said that to develop human resources of international quality, it was necessary to have an international organization granting and recognizing degrees awarded by local universities. He suggested adoption of the hotel school model, where in a training facility is set up within the hotel, giving students, who are prospective employees, the opportunity to gain direct, practical experience. Thang said Vietnam can learn from Thailand. "In the 1980s, Thailand had a project to improve their domestic tourism staff, promoting Thais from staff positions to middle and senior managers. After 20 years, they were able to export quality staff in the hotel and restaurant industry to the world." Vietnam had more than 2.5 million employees working in the tourism sector in 2019. In 2020, many enterprises were forced to cut their staff strength by 70 to 80%. In 2021, the number of full-time employees accounted for just 25% of the total. At present, the industry’s human resource strength meets just 50-60% of the demand. The Vietnam Tourism Association has said that the industry will create about 8.5 million jobs by 2030. Given the current human resource problems, this should be seen as an opportunity for Vietnam to create a new generation of tourism workers, Thang said

Multiple injuries are seen on a boy's head and face, who was found trapped inside a freezer in Ha Nam. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Du A 3-year-old boy was trapped inside a freezer for over an hour after he went to a neighbor's house in Ha Nam Province, police said. VN Express reported that Police in the northern province of Ha Nam said Sunday that a suspect has been summoned in the case, but provided no further information as they were still "verifying the incident." At around 11:15 p.m. Saturday, the National Children's Hospital in Hanoi received a young patient transferred from a Ha Nam hospital with respiratory failure, hypothermia and injuries in the head, face and neck. Doctors said the boy had suffered from physical injuries, hemorrhage and inflammation on the head, face, neck and tongue, making it difficult for him to eat. The boy's health has stabilized since. "The patient's family said he was found trapped inside a carton box kept in a freezer. At the time he was found, the boy was delirious," a doctor said. Ngo Minh Toan, chairman of the Nhan Chinh Commune People's Committee, said the incident happened Saturday afternoon in Thuong Vi Village. The suspect is someone who’d came to the area and rented a house in Nhan Chinh Commune to sell iced tea, he said. "At around 3 p.m. Saturday, the boy came to the suspect's house to play. By 5 p.m., the boy's grandfather did not see him returning home, so he checked the security cameras and saw that the boy never left the suspect's house. His family went to the suspect's house and found the boy in the freezer," Toan said.

Patong beach on Phuket, southern Thailand on Jun 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File) PHUKET: A 21-year-old Singaporean woman was killed when the car she was driving hit a tour bus on a hilly road in Muang district in Phuket, Thailand on Friday (Aug 12) night. Another seven others - including her four Singaporean passengers - were injured when she lost control of the car while going downhill, causing it to hit the tour bus, The Bangkok Post reported on Saturday. The bus driver and two guides on board the bus also sustained injuries. The accident was reported at around 10.50pm, said an investigation officer at Karon police station. According to The Bangkok Post, police, disaster prevention and mitigation officials and rescue workers found a badly damaged Toyota Yaris and a small white bus with a broken windscreen when they arrived at the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that the car was travelling from Tambon Chalong to Tambon Karon. "While the car was coming downhill, the driver lost control of her vehicle, causing it to hit the bus," reported The Bangkok Post. The Singaporean woman driver was unconscious at the scene and succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital, added the newspaper. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told CNA on Saturday that it has been in contact with the affected Singaporeans and assisting their families. "A team from the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok is currently present in Phuket to provide consular support on the ground," said MFA. "We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a smooth and speedy recovery." Police investigations are ongoing. Editor's note: This article was based on a news report published online by the Bangkok Post on Saturday. The Post subsequently removed the names of those involved from its article. As the Post was the source of this article, CNA has followed suit.

TRANSPORT PROJECTS. Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian restart “negotiations for major transport projects” in a formal meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on Aug. 11, 2022. They also tackled three China-funded railway projects -- the PNR South Long Haul Project (North-South Commuter Railway), Subic-Clark Railway and Mindanao Railway (Tagum-Davao-Digos) that were terminated after China reportedly failed to act on the funding requests by the previous administration. (DOTr photo) MANILA – The Philippines has resumed talks with China to renegotiate China-funded transport projects in the country, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Sunday. In a press statement, the DOTr said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian met in a formal meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on Thursday to “restart negotiations for major transport projects”. “The two officials discussed the resumption of talks for the major China-funded railway projects such as the PNR South Long Haul Project (North-South Commuter Railway), Subic-Clark Railway and Mindanao Railway (Tagum-Davao-Digos),” the DOTr said. To recall, these transport projects were earlier deemed “withdrawn” due to China’s inaction on funding requests by the previous administration. The DOTr said the Chinese government’s funding support for these projects will “strengthen bilateral relations and enhance the partnership between the Philippines and China.” In a separate statement, Huang described his meeting with Bautista as “constructive” and expressed hope that the two countries would accomplish more infrastructure projects in the railway sector. “[I] hope that China-Philippines cooperation in infrastructure and railway would achieve more tangible fruits and bring about more benefits to the Filipino at an early date,” he said. He also said China is committed to helping Southeast Asian countries in railway development. “China is also devoted to promoting the connectivity of the Southeast Asian countries by sharing its experience and introducing the cut-edging technology of railway construction and rolling stock manufacturing,” he added. China earlier said it has helped the Philippines complete 17 projects while more than 20 projects are under implementation or in progress. Meanwhile, Bautista and Huang also discussed several China-Philippines Maritime Cooperation Projects, particularly the hotline communication and legal affairs cooperation arrangements between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard. Also discussed was a possible collaboration on Maritime Traffic Safety, Ferry Safety; a Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Search and Rescue; as well as the capacity building for maritime governance, safety supervision, and vessels safety inspection. (PNA)

WARNING SIGN. A steam-rich plume degassed from the Taal Volcano main crater is captured by the security camera of the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Center from Barrio Barigon in Agoncillo, Batangas on Friday (Aug. 12, 2022). The Lipa Archdiocese is asking for donations of N-95 masks for residents living near the volcano. (Photo courtesy of LASAC/CBCP) MANILA – The Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Center (LASAC) in Batangas province is asking for donations of N-95 masks as Taal Volcano has been emitting sulphur dioxide the past days. In a statement at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website on Friday, LASAC said the face masks will be provided to residents living near the volcano. “There is still a need for N95 (masks), especially the areas near the Taal Volcano,” the group said. Donors of face masks may bring their donations to LASAC’s headquarters at St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary compound in Lipa City. Experts say an N95 mask offers a high level of protection as it filters out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales. As of the 5 a.m. Saturday bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 1. Entry to Taal Volcano Island (Permanent Danger Zone), especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, is not allowed. Likewise prohibited are occupancy and boating on Taal Lake, and flying any aircraft close to the volcano. Possible hazards that can occur include steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas, according to Phivolcs. (PNA)