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Baguio City (File photo) BAGUIO CITY – Starting Thursday until October 3, non-essential travel to Baguio City and the Benguet towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay (BLISTT) is suspended to curb the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Mayors of these areas jointly issued an advisory limiting the movement of people and the entry of non-residents for non-essential travel as this city and Benguet province are placed under Alert Level 4. Residents traveling within and between the BLISTT are required to present documents showing that they are authorized persons outside residence (APORs) or are moving around for essential reasons. "Residents who wish to travel to access essential goods and services may do so on designated schedules that shall be provided by their respective local government units (LGUs)," the advisory read. Cargo, delivery, and logistics services for essential or non-essential goods will continue. Meantime, persons 17 years old and below, senior citizens aged 65 and above, and immuno-compromised persons are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travels outside their homes, except for other purposes such as medical reasons. Travelers going in and out of Baguio City are also advised to pass Marcos Highway and avoid the Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual highway which is intended only for essential cargo. The advisory was agreed upon by the mayors in a meeting on September 21 to protect residents and curb the spread of the disease. (PNA)

MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) will inaugurate its Mindanao Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PMCMCET) on Friday (Sept. 24) via Zoom. The ceremony will be facilitated through the InfoSentro sa Phivolcs online press conference. The establishment of the cluster center in the Davao Seismic Station is one of the Institute’s strategies to ensure service continuity of its national earthquake and tsunami monitoring operations in cases of major disruptions in key operations of the Phivolcs Data Receiving Center (DRC) in Quezon City. It is located within the Southern Mindanao Campus of the Philippine Science High School in Mintal, Davao City. The Philippines is an earthquake-prone country, registering quakes every day, though most are not felt. Phivolcs records an average of 20 earthquakes a day and 100 to 150 earthquakes are felt per year. Tsunamis in the Philippines are rare but could be devastating. In the past, 38 people drowned because of a tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Mindoro on November 15, 1994. Tsunami waves generated by earthquakes from other countries may affect the country as well. Public Information As a backup site for the Phivolcs DRC, it can issue and disseminating earthquake and tsunami information to the public. The cluster center also manages the earthquake and tsunami monitoring stations in Mindanao, consisting of nine staff-controlled seismic stations, 18 satellite-telemetered seismic stations, and 12 sea-level detection stations and its tsunami alerting stations. Destruction caused by an earthquake (File Photo) PMCMCET also provides ease among technical personnel of the Mindanao stations and Phivolcs main office in implementing programmed activities and coordinating an integrated response during emergencies in Mindanao. The virtual activity will include messages from DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. DOST Undersecretary and Phivolcs Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., and Phivolcs Deputy Director Teresito C. Bacolcol will grace the event. (PR) pl5p4c1g_hotel-collapses-after-magnitude-65-quake-hits-southern-philippines-afp_625x300_31_October_19.webp

Here are the times in the States (ET times) for Ryder Cup Featured Matches Fri., Sept. 24 8:00AM-7:00PM Sat., Sept. 25 8:00AM-7:00PM Sun., Sept. 26 12:00PM-6:00PM I understand that the Golf Channel and NBC in the States and Sky Sports will be showing it , however not sure if Golf Channel Thailand will be airing it live as well. Morning matches shoulds start around 19,00hrs in Thailand. Maybe someone out there can tell everyone how to catch this all Live?

International arrivals to Vietnam sank 43.0 percent year-on-year to 9.3 thousand in August of 2021. This was after a 46.4 percent slump in the prior month, dragged down by a surge of the Delta strain of COVID-19 cases in the country. Visitors plunged from Asia (-53.1 percent), mostly China (-48.4 percent); and Australia (-32.1 percent). On the other hand, visitors rose from America (102.0 percent), namely the US (255.7 percent); and Europe (48.9 percent), of which, Russia (28.7 percent), the UK (59.0 percent), France (460.5 percent), and Germany (12.5 percent). Considering the January to August period, tourist arrivals plummeted 97.2 percent to 105 thousand people, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Forcasts into 2022 Tourist Arrivals in Vietnam is expected to be 15.00 thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations. Looking forward, the General Statistics Office of Vietnam estimate Tourist Arrivals in Vietnam to stand at 650.00 in 12 months’ time. In the long-term, the Vietnam Tourist Arrivals is projected to trend around 1100.00 thousand in 2022, according to our econometric models. Forcasts are almost impossiple to predict during the current pandemics, however all SE Asian tourist industries are hoping that travel pockets will start to open soon.

Vietnam’s coast along the South China Sea makes it prone to typhoons. While this geography makes the country ideal for trade and supply chains, seasonal typhoons often cause millions of infrastructural damage, which also can disrupt business as usual. According to vietnam-briefing.com , in August 2020, for example, two people were killed due to tropical storm Sinlaku, which slammed into Vietnam’s northern coast, affecting the Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces. Most recently, in September 2021, Typhoon Conson caused landslides resulting in damaged roads and houses. in Quang Ngai province. Seasonal flooding is also common in the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City due to annual rainfall, tidal floods and storm surges from typhoons. Typhoon Conson damage (File photo) The country experiences an average of four to six typhoons annually. The typhoon season in the southwest spans from April to September, before transitioning to the central coastline from August to November and takes the northeast region between the months of October to March. The provinces that are most vulnerable to flooding are all located along the central coastline: Quang Binh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh. Because the country’s typhoon warning system and protocols remain in-development, businesses in the country need to understand the full implications of the season and prepare accordingly. How are businesses affected by typhoons? The primary effect of typhoons on business is infrastructural damage caused by flooding. Infrastructural damage caused by high wind speeds is another concern. Major flooding (File photo) Businesses in areas that have experienced infrastructural damage caused by flooding or high wind speeds are most likely to be immediately affected by employee absences due to transportation issues. Severe weather may result in canceled or delayed public transportation; however, with motorbikes being the main method of transport, poor road conditions are likely to affect all employees. Many employees may be responsible for providing care for their family. Accordingly, employee attendance can also be affected by power cuts, telecommunication problems, or patchy emergency service provision at their residence. Beyond employee attendance, businesses have many other concerns. On-going construction work can be exposed to damage, while supply chains can be affected by damage to roads and railways. Businesses that serve the consumer market, or clients overseas, often struggle to maintain normal services and need to be prepared to communicate transparently about any local challenges. All these issues can create business continuity challenges for management. Which industries are most exposed to typhoons? The agriculture industry is heavily impacted by flooding. Aggressive rainfalls can prompt landslides in mountainous regions, destroying its path and flushing out low-lying areas. Landslides strip the land of natural resources while destroying crops and killing livestock. Damage to dams and reservoirs cause similar problems, which burden farmers with additional costs. This also requires extra labor to harvest new crops. The knock-on effect for the economy can be substantial: the industry employs more than 54 million people and accounted for almost 14 percent of the country’s GDP in 2019. Heavy rainfall and powerful floods also affect the construction industry. Flooding can destroy expensive equipment and incomplete projects. This damage extends project timelines and increases investment costs. The logistics and IT-BPO industries are also exposed to the impact of typhoons. When typhoons cause heavy infrastructural damage, the logistics industry is affected by delays in deliveries and services, causing bottlenecks at warehouses. This then disrupts supply chains from running smoothly. The labor-intensive IT-BPO industry is impacted when employees cannot access safe transport to work. Meanwhile, prolonged power outages can have a serious impact on service provision for the power-hungry industry. How can businesses prepare for typhoons? While typhoons and their impact are unpredictable, typhoon season is an annual feature of the country’s business environment – businesses need a crisis management framework in place. Managers should seek to formulate a plan to reduce business interruption and any financial losses during a typhoon. Every business needs to ensure important documents – like licensing or banking information – are stored in a safe place. Businesses that are exposed to the elements, like construction, or are heavily dependent on infrastructure, like logistics, should consider the potential for weather-related project delays or disruption. This is particularly important when entering into service contracts, designing project timelines, or creating human resource handbooks and training. Ultimately, however, every business needs a well-developed plan for severe weather conditions. This may include a list of media and government sources that provide extreme weather information, third-party risk management providers, an employee call tree, and basic supplies in the workplace, such as candles, flashlights, first aid supplies, and drinking water. Beyond this, a business should seek to understand essential and non-essential work functions. This allows businesses to suspend non-essential work more quickly, along with other service shut-off points that need to be communicated with overseas headquarters and clients. The impact of a typhoon is highly dependent on several factors, and managers that plan accordingly can significantly reduce their exposure to risk. Dezan Shira & Associates’ analysts note, “businesses should begin considering environmental factors when conducting market entry studies. This can include a broad understanding of regional weather patterns before identifying target regions for investment but should also be considered when examining infrastructure in and around sites”. Note: This article was first published in September 2018 and has been updated to include the latest developments.

The current COVID-19 crisis has crippled Saigon’s economy and disrupted the daily life of millions of people, but perhaps most tragically, it has also taken thousands of lives. Last week, on September 14, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training presented to municipal leaders a report on how the new school year is taking place in the face of the local outbreak, according to Phu Nu. The school year began in early September. Saigon students are taking classes online for the entirety of the first semester via virtual classrooms and pre-recorded lectures created by teachers. Very few educators or students are lucky enough to return in person. According to Siagoneer, data from the department shows that the epidemic has caused 12,341 employees in the city’s education sector to lose their job, 10,129 of whom are kindergarten staff. At the time of the report, 10,073 students and 3,386 teachers were COVID-19 positive. (File photo) Unfortunately, 1,517 students in Saigon have become orphans because of the coronavirus. The HCMC Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs told SGGP that students who are F0 receive VND80,000 a day in financial assistance and a one-time relief payment of VND1 million, in addition to subsidized healthcare in accordance with the national social insurance scheme. Returning to school is a lofty goal not just due to infection risk, but also because many local public schools have been converted into COVID-19 field hospitals and quarantine facilities. Over 14,000 education employees are also working in various pandemic efforts. One positive aspect is the overall vaccination rates for teachers, one of the earliest groups to receive their shot this year. As of September 11, 90.17% of teachers in Saigon have had one shot and 55.96% are fully vaccinated. Help for Orphans According to Lê Minh Tấn, the department director, children orphaned by the pandemic are eligible for social welfare in their ward: VND900,000 a month for children aged four and below and VND540,000 for those older. The assistance will last until they are 16 years old, or 22 years old for students undergoing college or vocational school programs. To help the orphaned schoolchildren, overcome immediate hardships, several organizations have started funding programs, such as one spearheaded by Thanh Nien newspaper. More details are available here (link is in Vietnamese).

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), Vietnam has been making important contributions aimed at supporting sustainable peace, according to UN Secretary-General Atonio Guterres. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs a high-level general debate of the United Nations Security Council on April 19. (Photo: VNA) After successfully concluding an official visit to Cuba, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc departed for the United States to attend a general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session and hold several bilateral activities in the US. This purpose of these important activities is to carry out the foreign policy set out by the 13th National Party Congress, promote Vietnamese multilateral diplomacy to 2030. This is along with demonstrating the nation's role and stature as a responsible member who has made substantial contributions to the activities of the UN and the wider international community. According to vietnamtimes.org.vn, since joining the UN in 1977, the country has gradually affirmed its international role and position, in which it has successfully assumed the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 to 2021 term. Over recent times the nation has been assessed by the UN and the international community as a successful example in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is along with being a determined and serious member to implement the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The country has also actively promoted UN reform initiatives and has been regarded as one of the leading countries in implementing the UN's "United Action" initiative aimed at increasing the organisation's operational effectiveness at a national level. Vietnamese efforts and contributions to the UN have received plenty of appreciation from UN Secretary-General Guterres for their effectiveness and practicality. According to UN Secretary-General Guterres, the nation has always been a strong partner of the UN since its accession in 1977, with its military forces having participated in numerous international peacekeeping missions. Furthermore, the country’s leading role in achieving the MDGs serves as a solid foundation to help it implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN chief noted. He went on to add that the vision and aspirations of sustainable development goals (SDGs) will become more important than ever as the world starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these contributions, the country has been trusted with election to many important positions and agencies within the UN, whilst making positive impressions at the UNSC, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan, former head of the Permanent Representatives of Vietnam to the UN, said that the nation has proved to the international community that it is a trustworthy member with strong development potential. After experiencing such a challenging period, the nation has stood firm when it comes to participating in any UN leadership mechanism. Multilateral diplomacy in general and the Vietnamese position in the UN may have changed in a very clear and spectacular way, Ambassador Xuan said. With the direct attendance of more than 100 heads of state and senior leaders, the 76th UN General Assembly represents a good opportunity for the country to conduct bilateral meetings with leaders of other nations following a long period of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bilateral Talks with UN Partners During the trip, President Phuc is scheduled to hold several bilateral activities at the UN and in the US to step up Vietnamese co-operation with other governments and the new US administration. This purpose of the trip will be to promote a well-developed comprehensive partnership in line with the common goals and interests of both the nation and the US. The trip will also serve as an opportunity for President Phuc to carry out the vaccine diplomacy strategy, call for countries and international organisations to support the country with vaccines, medical equipment, and supplies for COVID-19 containment efforts, along with co-operation in post-pandemic recovery. According to Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) demonstrates Vietnam’s strong sense of responsibility and commitment as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) over the past two years. The meetings are expected to enhance response to the pandemic, deal with its consequences and promote post-pandemic economic recovery, he continued. It also gives the president a chance to discuss with other heads of state about the implementation of the SDGs by 2030. He went to say that Vietnam has been highly regarded by the international community for its work in the UNSC and UN at large and the imprints it has left after accomplishing its role as President of the UNSC in January 2020 and April 2021. The country has fulfilled its commitments to the UNSC, carry forward the rule of law and strengthen the role of the UN Charter and international laws, Quy said, adding that one of Vietnam’s successes as President of the UNSC was to have the Resolution on protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population approved.

On September 21, 2021, Bamboo Airways officially introduces AVIAWORLD (AVIAREPS JV) as its official General Sales Agent in the US and launches the nonstop flight network connecting the two countries. The signing ceremony took place on September 21 in New York, USA, under the witness of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Flights three times a week are expected to start in early 2022. During his visit to the US on September 21-24, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend the High-Level Meeting of the 76th United Nations General Assembly and conduct several bilateral activities. Promote International Routes According to vietnamtimes.org.vn, the GE agreement is the largest deal in this signing series of Bamboo Airways. According to the GE agreement, GEnx engines delivered in 2022 will be used for the wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet of Bamboo Airways. This is the main fleet to operate on nonstop routes between Vietnam and the US in the future. The GEnx is a high-thrust jet engine developed for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and B747-8 aircraft, which has the advantage of low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions up to 15%. GEnx uses lightweight durable materials and advanced design processes to reduce weight, improve performance, and lower maintenance, making it the best engine choice for many long-haul flights. NYC signing (FILE PHOTO) Ms. Huong Tran Kieu Dung, Deputy President of Board of Management of Bamboo Airways and Mr. Dave Kircher, GEnx General Manager at GE Aviation, signed an agreement to select GENx engine and maintenance package for Boeing 787-9 aircraft worth nearly $2 billion in the witness of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. “GE is a large and prestigious corporation in engine manufacturing in the world. The selection of the GEnx engines for our Boeing 787-9 aircraft will help increase the operational efficiency and service quality of Bamboo Airways on Vietnam-US nonstop flights as well as many potential international routes,” said Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways. GE has been one of Bamboo Airways' long-term partners for many years. Right in the first year of operation, Bamboo Airways has equipped the new LEAP-1A engines from CFM International (a joint company of GE and Safran Aircraft Engines) for its Airbus A320neo fleet. This is also the first time the LEAP-1A engine has been operated in the Vietnamese market. The engine affirms its operational efficiency and durability when accompanying the Bamboo Airways fleet on many significant routes, such as domestic niche flights and new mid-range flights to Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, etc. Bamboo Airways and CFM will discuss in a near future about the engine selection as well as the engine maintenance support for an additional batch of fifty (50) A321neos (30 firm plus 20 options). Bamboo Airways and CFM will explore any action that would enable CFM to further optimize and support Bamboo Airways fleet expansion. Official US sales agent announced On the same day, Bamboo Airways officially introduces AVIAWORLD (AVIAREPS JV) as its official General Sales Agent in the US and launches the nonstop flight network connecting the two countries. AVIAWORLD and the AVIAREPS AG Group is the leading Airline & Tourism Representation Global organization with more than 27 years of experience in representing various global partners through its 64 offices in 47 countries. As the General Agent of Bamboo Airways in the US, AVIAWORLD will support Bamboo Airways in addressing complex local procedures and policies related to the airline's operation and services; promoting sales and marketing through agent selection, sales network expansion, market research to propose distribution plans and sale policies; managing issues related to customer service and flight operation. “Partners and agents are not only important companions to narrow the gap between Bamboo Airways and customers, but also an indispensable factor contributing to the commercial success of the nonstop routes from Vietnam to the most demanding aviation market in the world,” said Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways. “Our first priority is to introduce the unique Bamboo Airways Brand to Trade Partners and Travelers across the US in preparation for history making non-stop services between Vietnam and the US,” said Leslie J. Machado, Managing Director of AVIAWORLD. Ahead of planned non-stop services from the US to Vietnam, Bamboo Airways is pleased to announce joining of ARC (Airline Reporting Corporation) starting October 2021 to facilitate sales of its tickets via the US travel reseller channels. This is of great significance in Bamboo Airways' operation roadmap after being licensed with a series of special authorization flights connecting Vietnam - US by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The airline has taken drastic actions in preparing for the first nonstop commercial routes between 2 countries. Three flights a week BAV has initially planned 3 flights per week non-stop services starting from the beginning of 2022 between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco with a build up to weekly 7 flights based on market demand and is subject to US government approvals. The airline also plans to promote routes to San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport in the long run. To ensure the seamless reopening of the international flight network and operation of Vietnam - US flights, the airline has cooperated with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to trial the IATA Travel Pass. This application will be officially piloted on Bamboo Airways' special authorization flight connecting Vietnam - US on September 23. With the planned commencement of a nonstop route between Vietnam and the US and an official General Agent, Bamboo Airways believes this is the right time to promote built-in conditions and take new steps to effectively develop this important route. https://vietnamtimes.org.vn/vietnamese-president-witnesses-bamboo-airways-to-introduce-us-market-general-agent-and-vietnam-us-nonstop-route-36079.html

Claims related to COVID-19 paid out by the insurance industry during the first half of 2021 reached P4.35 billion. The majority were disbursed by life insurers as well as health maintenance organizations (HMOs) direct to their customers. In a statement on Tuesday, the Insurance Commission (IC) said that of the first-half payouts, 47 percent or P2.06 billion were released by HMOs. According to Philippine Daily Inquirer, Life insurance firms paid P1.98 billion in claims, or 46 percent of the end-June industry total. Nonlife insurers disbursed P119.1 million in claims, while mutual benefit associations paid P191.7 million, IC data showed. The insurance sector received a total of 238,551 COVID-19-related claims from clients from January to June. These first-half figures were generated from the IC’s latest survey where 117 industry players out of the total 147 licensed insurers participated. Death Benefits In terms of type of claims, the biggest disbursements as of end-June were for death benefits (P1.67 billion); in-patient benefits (P1.47 billion); and out-patient claims (P876.6 million). Per number of claims, out-patient benefits ranked No. 1 with 176,542; followed by other benefits such as emergency care and financial assistance (33,135); and in-patient benefits (16,475). Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa noted that the monthly payouts recorded during each of the first six months showed that claims climbed whenever COVID-19 infections jumped. “The claims paid increased drastically from February to April and dipped slightly in June. This reflects the reported spike of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines between March and May,” Funa said. Cumulative COVID-19 related claims since the pandemic began early last year up to June this year totaled P8.25 billion, of which the largest share worth P2.89 billion were for death benefits.

MANILA – Filipino health care workers (HCWs) are still in high demand abroad, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said on Tuesday. POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are in the health care sector are very much needed in countries in Europe and the Middle East. “When we talk about the demand of our OFWs, the HCWs or health care workers come first. In Europe, as in the UK and Germany, the need for HCWs, particularly nurses, is high because they are also their front-liners, just like us, this pandemic,” Olalia said during the Laging Handa briefing. “In the Middle East, it is the same. The demand for our nurses is also high in countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait,” he added. Seafarers also needed Aside from HCWs, he said employers abroad are looking for Filipino skilled workers and seafarers. “Technologically based OFWs or those we call skilled is also in demand in these times. In the seafaring industry, the in-demand are the usual cargo vessels, transport vessels, petroleum vessels that deliver supplies over the world using the seafaring or the maritime sector. The cruise ship is also slowly opening,” Olalia said. He also said the deployment of Filipino workers overseas is slowly improving this year despite the pandemic. “If we compare our figures with the deployment last year which was the height of the pandemic and our deployment now in 2021, on a month-to-month basis we can see the increase in our deployment today. If we had almost 74 percent decrease in deployment last year, now it is gradually increasing,” Olalia said. He said the deployment of land-based and sea-based workers is also slowly opening as host countries starting to accept migrant workers. “With our land-based deployment, we are no longer dropping more than 30,000 per month. This means that the opening up of the economies of our countries of destination is easing as well as the travel and border restrictions are also gradually easing,” Olalia said. “In our sea-based sector, we have almost 40,000 deployments every month. This is our figure prior to our pandemic stage it means that the deployment of our seafarers is gradually improving,” he added. (PNA)

MANILA – The peso is expected to trade within a wide range this and next year given the pandemic-related developments, as policy responses impact on investors’ confidence on the economy in general, Fitch Solutions said. In a report dated Monday Sept. 20, Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research forecasts the peso to trade between PHP49 to PHP52 against a US dollar for the next three to six months. The local currency is projected to average at PHP40.20 to a greenback this year, and at PHP51 next year. These are weaker than the research firm’s earlier forecast of PHP48.10 average for the peso this year and PHP49.00 average for 2022. Peso to Weaken “We at Fitch Solutions expect the Philippine peso to weaken within a wide range over the near term, as uncertainty around the pandemic and its policy response weigh on investor confidence,” the report said. On Monday, the local unit closed at 50.24 against the US dollar, weaker than its 49-level finishes last week. The report said its forecast range for the local currency was based on the continued uncertainty on government measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the loose monetary policy stance, and the weakening fundamentals, with the latter due to the pandemic. “Asian currencies have remained under pressure in Q321 (third quarter of 2021) due to the region’s slow pace of vaccinations, Delta variant outbreaks and renewed restrictions, signs of slower growth in China and limited hawkish guidance by central banks,” it said. It said central banks in other regions have turned hawkish, with the US Federal Reserve signaling a possible asset purchase tapering in the next few quarters. “While we expect the US dollar to trade neutral providing a favourable backdrop for EM (emerging market) assets in the near term, we note that uncertainty around the Covid-19 situation and global inflationary pressures could result in bouts of volatility,” the report added. It said that with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) still on an accommodative policy stance, domestic nominal and real policy rates are “relatively less attractive.” “The risks in the near term are that the Philippines faces another surge in cases which sets the economy back further and requires policy to remain accommodative for longer, weakening the investors’ appetite for the peso further and seeing the unit test support at PHP52.00/US dollar,” it said. Meanwhile, the report said that for the next six to 24 months, the peso is “fairly valued relative to its long-term average” based on the real effective exchange rate standpoint. “We see some upside as the economy over time rebounds strongly towards its pre-pandemic growth rate of 6.4 percent (as averaged from 2010 to 2019), which in turn should prove attractive relative to developed market growth rates as well as Asia growth more broadly,” it said. This development, the report said, is expected to boost investors’ appetite, especially because of the proposed foreign ownership policy easing on utilities and retail sector. This measure “could boost foreign direct investment into the Philippines providing support for the peso”, it added. (PNA)

(Image from CHED) MANILA – All Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offices nationwide have achieved the required vaccination level to protect their employees during the pandemic. A total of 1,198 or 98 percent of the CHED education front-liners have now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of the Commission’s efforts to protect them as they deliver essential services to the clientele and stakeholders. “We thank the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for upgrading the classification of education front-liners to A4, the Department of Health (DOH), and the local government units (LGUs) where CHED offices are located for the well-organized, orderly, fast and efficient vaccination process,” CHED Chairman Prospero “Popoy” De Vera said in a news release on Tuesday. De Vera also thanked Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for helping set up vaccination in the CHED Central Office to ensure efficiency and responsiveness to its employee needs. “Some of our very own CHED officials and staff helped in administering the COVID-19 vaccines,” he said. “We also thank Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro for the partnership that allows our employees to be tested in their facilities. The efficiency of Marikina City is truly commendable, and I say this both as CHED Chairman and IATF overseer on Marikina City.” He said the high vaccination rate gives them the confidence “to ensure that essential education services continue in the midst of the pandemic.” The highest vaccination rates are in the following CHED offices: 43 out of 43 (100 percent) in CHEDRO-1; 34 out of 34 (100 percent) in CHED-Mimaropa; 44 out of 45 (98 percent) in CHED-Cordillera Administrative Region; 508 out of 529 (96 percent) in the CHED Central Office; 48 out of 50 in CHEDRO-3 and 45 out of 47 (96 percent) in CHEDRO-7. Some of the remaining employees from the different offices are awaiting a schedule in their respective LGUs. "There appears to be no vaccine hesitancy among CHED employees. We thank our LGUs for recognizing the critical role played by frontline workers and their full support to include our employees in their vaccine roll-out,” he said. The facilities of the CHED Central Office observe very strict protocols and its frontline workers are regularly tested. “The best way to curb the spread of Covid-19 is to get vaccinated. The need to be vaccinated is to protect the basic interest of the right to life,” De Vera said. (PR)

Starved of a nite out on the town? Then here is a chance to catch the award-winning La Clique in Singapore with everything from trapeze stunts and acrobatic roller-skating to heart-stopping feats and intense hula hooping from its international daredevil cast. Like many Broadway and West End theatres, the Marina Bay Sands will at last reopen to receive paying customers, while adhering to strict safety measures. La Clique may have the distinction of being the first long-running international theatrical performance to be staged in Singapore since last year's "circuit breaker". And it's determined to show the country's entertainment-starved audience exactly why it's a good idea to catch it now that it's possible: Its live show is known for heart-stopping moments, death-defying feats, and spellbinding acts, all wrapped up in tongue-in-cheek humor and live music. Currently at Marina Bay Sands until Nov 7, La Clique's a quirky blend of circus, comedy, cabaret, and speakeasy. A fitting antidote for audiences looking for some heady escapism during these difficult pandemic times. Berlin-born acrobat-aerialist Oscar Kaufmann. (Photo: La Clique) La Clique Singapore boasts an impressive line-up comprising an international cast hailing from Germany, Australia, the UK, the US, and the Netherlands. Among them are Heather Holliday who double-hats as sword-swallower and fire-breather, acrobatic roller-skating duo The Skating Willers, and professional hula hoop artist and entertainer Lisa Lottie. A big highlight is La Clique’s now-iconic “Bath Boy” routine, which will be performed in Singapore by jaw-dropping acrobat-aerialist Oscar Kaufmann. The Berlin-born 26-year-old is poised to bring a different spin to the line-up with a Magic Mike-esque performance involving a bathtub. The now iconic La Clique "Bath Boy" routine. (Photo: La Clique) All these astonishing feats will be presided over by show emcee Bernie Dieter, a world-renowned cabaret artist, songwriter and performance artist who has been billed as the “undisputed queen of punk cabaret”. Unpredictable in nature, the show has all the right elements of circus cabaret one might expect, but also be surprised at: Lithe acrobats, gravity-defying aerialists and yes, some astounding fire-blowing and sword-swallowing to boot. And it's all going to be up close and personal. One of the Sands Expo convention halls has been transformed into an immersive 360-degree space that allows for a more intimate experience, with every seat in the house enabling all socially distanced 250 theatregoers to view all the onstage action. Since it was first launched in 2004 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the show – which won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 2009 – has performed to sold-out audiences in cities such as Adelaide, Brighton, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Montreal, New York, and Sydney. Heather Holliday also doubles up as La Clique's resident fire-breather. (Photo: La Clique) “As a leading entertainment destination, supporting events like these represents a significant step towards reviving the show-going experience at Marina Bay Sands and in Singapore,” said Paul Town, Marina Bay Sands’ Senior Vice President of Resort Operations. Said Ms Jean Ng, Executive Director Attractions, Entertainment & Tourism Concept Development for Singapore Tourism Board: “The return of such international shows is a testament to Singapore’s attractiveness as a destination for world-class entertainment offerings, as well as our ability to host such events safely. We look forward to welcoming the performance to Singapore and will be working closely with the organisers for a safe and successful run.” Safety Measures To ensure the safety and well-being of all guests, Sands Expo will be implementing several measures before, during, and after each performance. These measures include temperature screening and SafeEntry check-in via TraceTogether token or app, stepped-up cleaning, and sanitization of the venue, and deploying Safe Distancing Ambassadors to ensure safe distancing measures are adhered to. La Clique runs at Sands Expo & Convention Centre for a limited season until Nov 7. Book tickets at the Marina Bay Sands website. For more details on La Clique, go here.

Vietnam said it advocates maritime activities that comply with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Government spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said operations at sea need to comply with international law and contribute to regional stability and security, when asked for comments on the upcoming arrival of German and Indian warships to the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam). Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: MoFA “I think that the reception of foreign military ships is a normal operation on the basis of bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and is in line with Vietnamese law,” Hang told local media Thursday [August 5]. Hang said that Vietnam’s consistent policy is to advocate the compliance by maritime activities of countries inside and outside the region with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Those activities contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and maritime cooperation based on common interests and in line with regional countries’ aspirations and the international community. Bayern frigate at Germany's Wilhelmshaven port before departure. Photo: The German Federal Foreign Office On August 2, the German Federal Foreign Office announced that a German Bayern frigate with 230 crew members on board left the northwest German port of Wilhelmshaven for a six-month Indo-Pacific tour, including a passage to the South China Sea. 1st German Warship It becomes the first German warship to sail the contested sea for almost two decades. The journey is aimed at strengthening security policy cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region and upholding the rules-based international order, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas commented on the frigate’s departure. It shows Germany’s strategy on the diversification of economic partnerships and the strengthening of international law following its Policy Guidelines on the Indo-Pacific adopted in September 2020. A frigate in India's task group will visit the South China Sea. Photo: India's Ministry of Defense On August 2, Indian announced the Navy’s two-month overseas deployment including in the South China Sea of the task group includes Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay, Guided -Missile Frigate INS Shivalik, Anti-Submarine Corvette INS Kadmatt, and Guided Missile Corvette INS Kora. The Indian Navy ships’ deployment seeks to “underscore the operational reach, peaceful presence, and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between India and countries of the Indo Pacific,” according to the Indian Ministry of Defense. The journey is in pursuit of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and to enhance military cooperation with friendly countries, it said. The ships are scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises with the navies of Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia. Furthermore, they would also participate in multilateral exercise MALABAR-21 alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, and the US Navy in Western Pacific. On the occasion of the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers Meeting on August 4, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar tweeted that the Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea should be fully consistent with UNCLOS 1982 and should not prejudice legitimate rights and interests of nations not a party to discussions. Over 50% of India’s global trade and more than US$5 trillion global trade passes through the South China Sea region, according to the hanoitimes.vn.

Many residents in areas deemed safe and at low risk of spreading the novel coronavirus across Ho Chi Minh City have started re entering selected supermarkets after being given coupons to shop for groceries. Since September 15, over 150 businesses and business households in District 7, HCMC, have been allowed to reopen their premises. These include more than 100 supermarkets in safe and low-risk areas. In safe areas such as District 7, Cu Chi and Can Gio districts, people can go to the market once a week, cited VnExpress. Customers visit a HCMC supermarket (File photo) In high-risk areas, military personnel, district staff and volunteers do the shopping for residents required to "stay where they are." Supermarket chains in District 7, including Lottemart, Vin Mart, Co. opmart, Co.op Food and Big C have adjusted their timings to open early at 7 am or 7.30am. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, deputy director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said Sunday that over 18,600 households, or nearly half of the total households in District 7 have been given coupons for groceries shopping. A representative of Saigon Co. op said that supermarkets in low-risk areas are now offering grocery combos and serving individual customers with coupons from ward authorities, so the number of visitors has been increasing. HCMC has recorded nearly 342,000 Covid-19 cases in the fourth wave, nearly half of Vietnam’s total. To date, it has undergone over 100 days of social distancing at a various level.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who is on an official working visit to Cuba, had a meeting with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and leaders of various Cuban ministries and agencies in Havana. According to vietnamtimes.org.vn the Vietnamese President was welcomed at Havana Jose Marti International Airport by Politburo member, Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa and officials of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung, the embassy’s staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community working, living, and studying in the country. Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1960. Cuba always took the lead in supporting Vietnam’s resistance war to regain national independence and reunification. President Phuc’s visit to Cuba reflected Vietnam’s policy of promoting relations with priority partners and traditional friends. It is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its solidarity and strong support for Cuba in a challenging period, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang had said, according to the VNA. Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz (R) welcomes Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Havana on September 19. Photo: VOV Marrero welcomed Phuc on his first visit to Cuba which he said will help constantly preserve and promote the special traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Phuc said he was happy when Cuba have firmly defended the fruits of the Revolution and recorded important development achievements in all areas, especially in realizing guidelines for ‘updating its economic model’. He congratulated Marrero on his recent election to the Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and expressed his belief that under Marrero’s direction, the Cuban government will reap new successes in its performance. Both leaders were pleased to see that the exemplary relationship between Vietnam and Cuba has been continuously consolidated and comprehensively developed in the context of unpredictable international situations and complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the VOV. Despite challenges and difficulties, they said the two sides have virtually maintained high-level dialogues and cooperation mechanisms, and promptly supported each other to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Phuc said that during the visit, leaders of various Vietnamese ministries and agencies have had working sessions with their Cuban counterpart to directly exchange information and specific measures to strengthen cooperation in many areas. He suggested that the two Governments closely coordinate and effectively implement high-level agreements and existing cooperation mechanisms, especially the Inter-governmental Committee, to develop bilateral relations more substantively and raise their economic, trade and investment cooperation on a par with good political relations. PM Marrero shared deeply about the COVID-19 pandemic and new policies on economic development, agricultural production, and small and medium enterprises of Cuba. Vietnam and Cuba exchange views and measures to promote their special traditional friendship and cooperation in various areas. Photo: VOV Collaboration in health care Phuc thanked the Cuban Government for sending its medical experts to Vietnam and providing thousands of doses of COVID-19 treatment drugs, as well as its willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in producing Abdala vaccine. President Phuc proposed that Vietnam and Cuba will expand collaboration in health care and pharmaceuticals, while fostering cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine supply and vaccine production technology transfer. He thanked the Cuban Government for sending medical experts to Vietnam and providing Vietnam with thousands of COVID-19 treatment drug doses and being willing to work with Vietnam in producing Abdala COVID-19 vaccine. He said he hopes Cuba will continue to support Vietnamese people living and working in Cuba to access COVID-19 vaccines and medical services. The same day, President Phuc and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation laid flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh statue in Peace Park in Havana. Cuban Politburo member and Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa joined the delegation. President Phuc and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation lay flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh statue in Peace Park in Havana. Photo: VNA The statue, a symbol of the Vietnam-Cuba friendship and fraternal solidarity, was inaugurated on May 19, 2003, on the Vietnamese national leader’s 113th birthday. At the end of the meeting, President Phuc presented the book “Fidel Castro Ruz – A Great International Revolutionary” to PM Marrero. On this occasion, he also invited PM Marrero to visit Vietnam soon.

MANILA – Oil companies will raise today pump prices starting Tuesday September 21st, marking the fourth consecutive week of an increase. In separate advisories, Caltex, Petro Gazz, Seaoil, Shell, and Total will hike prices of diesel and gasoline by PHP0.80 per liter. Cleanfuel will also increase prices of gasoline by PHP0.65 per liter and diesel by PHP0.70 per liter. Kerosene prices in Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will also go up by PHP0.85 per liter. Previous week’s oil price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net increase of PHP13.75 per liter for gasoline, PHP11.25 per liter for diesel, and PHP8.85 per liter for kerosene. Oil firms adjust their pump prices weekly to reflect movements in the world oil market. Based on DOE (Department of Energy) monitoring, international oil prices climbed to their highest since October 2018 on expectations that demand growth will exceed supply. (PNA)

ARRESTED. A female finance officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested in Barangay Patubig, Marilao town in Bulacan on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 19, 2021). She is linked with members of the Guerilla Front 21, who were tagged as primary suspects in the killing of an Army soldier and a militiaman in Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City on April 22, 2018. Suspected arrested (Photo courtesy of the City of San Jose Del Monte Police Station) MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan – A female finance officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested in Barangay Patubig, Marilao town, this province, on Sunday afternoon. In a report on Monday, Lt. Col. Julius Alvaro, chief of police of the City of San Jose Del Monte, identified the suspect as Ma. Lorena Sigua, 44, presently residing in Residence de Muzon Subdivision, Barangay Muzon of the said city. Alvaro said she was arrested by combined elements from the City of San Jose Del Monte Police, Regional Intelligence Unit 3, Bulacan Police Provincial Office personnel, 24th Special Action Company and other government forces by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Lou A. Nueva of Regional Trial Court Branch 7, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur. The NPA official is facing a murder charge under criminal case No. 5965. "The suspect is also a regional top most wanted person of PRO-13 (Police Regional Office-Caraga)," Alvaro said. Sigua belongs to the NPA's Regional Operations Command North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (ROC-NEMRC) under Edelberto Reponte Dabal alias Bong Wako/Bel. She is also linked with members of the Guerilla Front 21 of NEMRC, who were tagged as the primary suspects in the killing of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Bebot Bayong Sag-ob and Private First Class Jerald Dela Cruz Giron in Sitio Virtudazo, Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City on April 22, 2018. The arrested suspect is now detained at the City of San Jose Del Monte Custodial Facility for proper documentation. The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga—Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga stopped from leaving the country three women bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) suspected of being human trafficking victims. Clark International Airport (File Photo) In a report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) said the passengers were intercepted last Friday as they attempted to board an Emirates flight to Dubai. The women presented themselves to for primary immigration inspection and allegedly attempted to leave disguised as tourists, but later admitted they were going to workers as domestic household workers in the emirate. All of them had valid UAE tourist visas and return tickets to make it appear they were merely vacationing to Dubai. When interviewed, however, the women confessed that they were recruited to work overseas without securing the required overseas work permits from the government. They added that they received instructions from their handler via Facebook and that they received copies of their visa and return ticket through the Internet. According to the victims, they did not pay any amount to their agent, but the expenses will be deducted from their salaries. “This is a form of debt bondage,” said Morente. “In many cases, victims are charged by their recruiters’ exorbitant amounts which they are unable to immediately pay off, further locking them to their employers despite horrible working conditions,” he added.

Bureau of Immigration (File photo) Manila, PHILIPPINES – Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced on Saturday the implementation of the temporary travel bans of passengers coming from four countries starting September 19. The countries include Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Serbia, and Slovenia. In an advisory, Morente said that following the recent resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) as approved by Malacanang, passengers coming from, or who have been in the said countries within the last 14 days prior to their arrival to the Philippines, shall temporarily be barred entry. Meanwhile, those included in the Green List are American Samoa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Gabon, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), Hungary, Madagascar, Mali, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of Netherlands), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Taiwan, Algeria, Bhutan, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niue, North Korea, Saint Helena, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Tajikstan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Yemen. Morente further said that other countries not mentioned are in the Yellow List. “Classified under the yellow list are those countries, jurisdictions, and territories that the IATF deem as ‘moderate risk’,” added Morente. Those coming from Green and Yellow countries, if part of allowable classes, may be allowed to enter, subject to quarantine and testing protocols, as implemented by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). The travel ban is set to take effect on September 19, 2021, until September 30, 2021. Morente stressed that aliens coming from the green and yellow lists do not automatically qualify for entry to the Philippines. “The general travel restrictions are still in effect. Only Filipinos, balikbayans, and foreigners with valid and existing visas are allowed to enter the Philippines,” said Morente. “Tourists remain restricted from entering,” he clarified.

EVIDENCE. Some of the evidence seized from a police officer who was arrested in an entrapment operation in Cauayan City, Isabela on Sunday (Sept. 19, 2021). M/Sgt. Sherwin Pascual Gamit was caught with the boodle money used in the entrapment. (Photo courtesy of PNP-Region 2) CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – A 38-year-old police officer here was arrested in an entrapment operation on Sunday after he allegedly tried to extort PHP300,000 from the sister of an arrested drug dealer in exchange for “fixing” the cases. The police report said M/Sgt. Sherwin Pascual Gamit, assigned at the warrant section, was arrested for robbery-extortion and for illegal possession of firearm in front of the Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church along Rizal Avenue at about 10:52 a.m. Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church Lt. Col. Andree Michelle Camhol-Abella, regional police information officer, said the arresting team composed of Regional Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Team (RIMET), Isabela police intelligence unit, and Cauayan police members caught Gamit while receiving marked and boodle money from Vanessa Marcos-Velasquez, sister of drug suspect Darelle James Marcos. After Velasquez handed the cash to Gamit, police officers who were “discreetly positioned overlooking the transaction” arrested him. Also seized from Gamit’s car were three mobile phones, .22 caliber handgun without serial number, and his 9mm service firearm with three loaded magazines. His car was also impounded. (PNA)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo) MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will participate in the high-level general debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 21 to 27. United Nations General Assembly (File Photo) This will be Duterte’s second attendance to the high-level general debate of the international body. He first addressed the UNGA last year. “The President will speak on the first day of the High-Level General Debate on 21 September 2021 within the 1600H-1800H window, New York time (22 September 2021 between 0400H and 0600H, Philippine Standard Time),” a statement from his office said on Sunday. The Office of the President said among topics that will be addressed are Philippine positions on global issues of key concern namely universal access to Covid-19 vaccines, climate change, human rights, including the situation of migrant workers and refugees, and international and regional security developments. The High-Level General Debate will be presided over by H.E. Abdulla Shahid of Maldives, the incoming President of the 76th UNGA. It will follow a hybrid format of in-person and virtual attendance of delegates, in view of the evolving situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UNGA is the main deliberating organ of the UN where all the 193 Member States are represented. The session’s theme this year is: “Building resilience through hope – to recover from Covid-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the United Nations.” During the 75th session of the UNGA in September 2020, Duterte stressed that access to safe and effective vaccines should be made available to all, “rich and poor nations alike”. He said the Covid-19 vaccine “must be considered a global public good” in joining the collective voice of partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Duterte raised the 2016 arbitral decision against China's extensive claim in the South China Sea before the UN for the first time since he assumed office more than four years ago. Also mentioned were the protection of migrant workers and the Sustainable Development Goals. Duterte also brought up Climate change, human rights, terrorism, nuclear weapons, refugee crisis, peacekeeping missions, and commitment to multilateralism. His roughly 20-minute maiden speech was praised by current and former Cabinet members and government officials as well as critics. (PNA)

(Presidential Photo) MANILA – The operations of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular office in SM Manila have been suspended for two days after seven of its personnel contracted the coronavirus and several others identified as close contacts. In a news release issued Sunday, the DFA advised the public that its consular office is closed from Sept. 20-21 to carry out disinfection within the premises. Passport applicants for this period will receive an email providing them the details of their alternative appointment. The DFA consular office for NCR West may be contacted by phone through 8536-9995 and 0920-503-7256, or the following email addresses: * Email: [email protected], [email protected] * For passport processing concerns: [email protected] * For authentication processing concerns: [email protected] * For passport/apostille releasing concerns: [email protected] The department has advised applicants to refer only to the agency's official platforms for announcements and updates. (PR)

Garment factory tries to maintain production during COVID-19 pandemic. VNA/VNS Photo Tron Việt Textile, garment, and footwear industries are still facing many difficulties due the COVID-19 pandemic, and unable to recover production and business in the short term. These are huge industries that have contributed large parts to the national export value and provided jobs for many workers. Not only are they suffering from staff shortages, or complete closures, but with a massive rise in shipping costs and fines for late delivery it is hurting their finances as well. However, many localities are implementing pandemic preventive measures, especially in southern cities and provinces where enterprises are suffering serious impact from the pandemic on production. According to Vietnam News, one large textile and garment enterprise with about 5,000 employees has had to suspend production for a month. However, it still must pay VNĐ17.5 billion per month in depreciation expenses, insurance premiums for employees, bank loan interest and COVID-19 testing of employees. This figure includes air freight for urgent orders and salaries of employees though workers stay at home. Meanwhile, a footwear enterprise with about 9,000 employees has spent US$1 million to implement anti-pandemic measures. It has also faced increased input costs of 5-10 per cent. Fines for late delivery However, garment and footwear enterprises said the highest cost was still fines for late delivery. If the delivery of products is delayed, besides higher transport costs by plane, they could be fined hundreds of billions of đồng. Along with that, they would not be able to receive orders for the next season. To keep orders for production next year, Phan Thị Thanh Xuân, general secretary of the Việt Nam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association, said many enterprises had found solutions to maintain production and ensure delivery. The association proposed a gradual recovery of production for the footwear industry. Initially, enterprises would resume about 30 per cent of capacity. Then, they would continue to gradually increase production capacity to 50-70 per cent. Xuân said the industry’s prospect was not positive until year end and possibly next year. Now, many enterprises were facing difficulties and could not continue production or meet set targets in production and business. Vũ Đức Giang, chairman of the Việt Nam Textile and Apparel Association, said that if the pandemic continued complicated development, textile, garment, and footwear enterprises would be unable to maintain production and keep customers. This was a huge challenge for the textile, leather, and footwear industries. "Besides that, workers at enterprises have also left large production centres in the south such as HCM City, Bình Dương and Đồng Nai, to avoid the pandemic, causing enterprises to have a serious labour shortage," Giang said. According to the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, an important issue is to ensure human resources in the context of changed production plans, shortages of COVID-19 vaccines and an unpredictable pandemic. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said the industrial production index of the whole industry in August was estimated to decrease by 4.2 per cent month on month and 7.4 per cent year on year. Export turnover decreased by 9.2 per cent for textiles and garments and 38.5 per cent for footwear year on year. It was difficult to make an accurate forecast about the prospects of the textile and garment industry in the short and medium term because the pandemic was still complicated in Việt Nam, affecting the production of enterprises and psychology of workers. The ministry said the COVID-19 pandemic was prolonged, affecting most industries and localities as well as the target growth of all sectors. Due to the pandemic, many manufacturing and exporting enterprises must delay or cancel orders, leading to risks of losing markets and changing supply chains. Along with that, import and export activities might still face many difficulties due to the complicated development of the pandemic that would force HCM City and southern provinces to prolong the social distancing period. This would cause many challenges in production, transport and logistics, the ministry said. To restore production of the textile, garment and footwear industries, the ministry would focus on removing difficulties and providing support for factories to maintain and restore production. Initially, solutions would aim at completing signed export contracts and attracting more orders for the year-end shopping season in the European and US markets. In addition, the ministry would accelerate the building and implementation of the development strategy for the garment, textile, and footwear industries to 2030, with a vision to 2035. It would also build a programme on sustainable development of those industries until 2030. At the same time, it would give support in training human resources, applying technology in production design, and developing the textile and dyeing industry. The ministry would expand export markets and take advantage of effective free trade agreements as well as diversify export and import markets and the structure of export products.

Foreign individuals who want to set up a foreign-invested real estate business in Vietnam must carry out the procedures for issuance of an investment certificate. Selling real estate has becoming a global business with many international realtors opening offices all over the world including Asia. Foreigners often feel more comfortable dealing with a well-known agent, so foreign agents are taking a lot of the business from local competitors. However, there are several steps to setting up shop overseas, especially here in Vietnam. Foreign organizations and individuals, when conducting real estate service business, must establish an enterprise or a cooperative, register for real estate service business in accordance with law, and are not allowed to do real estate business on behalf of individuals. According to vietnamtimes.org.vn, foreign individuals who want to set up a foreign-invested real estate business in Vietnam must carry out the procedures for issuance of an investment certificate in accordance with the law. The Law on Real Estate Business 2014 stipulates that real estate business needs the following conditions: 1. Conditions of real estate put into business Houses and construction works put into business, must fully meet the following conditions: Having registered ownership of houses and construction works attached to land in the certificate of land use right. For existing houses and constructions in real estate investment projects, only a certificate of land use right is required in accordance with the provisions of the law on land. There is no dispute over land use rights, ownership of houses and construction works attached to the land. Not being distrained to ensure judgment enforcement. 2. Conditions of types of land permitted to trade in land use rights Having a certificate of land use right in accordance with the law on land. There is no dispute over land use rights. The land use right is not distrained to secure judgment enforcement. Photo: baoxaydung 3. Conditions of organizations and individuals doing real estate business Organizations and individuals dealing in real estate must establish an enterprise or a cooperative (hereinafter referred to as an enterprise) and have a legal capital of not less than VND 20 billion (US$874,250), except for the case specified in Clause 2. Organizations, households, and individuals that sell, transfer, lease, lease-purchase real estate on a small scale, infrequently, are not required to establish businesses but must declare and pay tax in accordance with law. The Government details this. 4. Real estate business form of foreign-invested enterprises The forms specified at Points b, d, h Clause 1 and Point b Clause 2. For leased land in industrial parks, industrial clusters, export processing zones, hi-tech zones, economic zones, it is permitted to invest in the construction of houses and construction works for business in accordance with the land use purposes.