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The Singaporean teenager who threatened to kill a Premier League footballer and his family has been put on probation. Neal Maupay of Brighton Derek Ng De Ren, 19, was sentenced to nine months’ probation today after sending online death threats to Neal Maupay, 24, of English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion last June. He pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment last month and was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service and go for psychiatric or psychological treatment. Ng, who was an Arsenal fan, was reacting to Maupay scoring the winning goal on June 10, 2020 that left Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno injured. Using anonymous online accounts, Ng sent messages to Maupay days after the match. One of the messages said: “You think you will get away for injuring Leno? No way in hell bruv… But don’t worry you will be safe you won’t be hurt. It’s more fun watching you feel pain when your loved ones go through suffering.” In another message, Ng allegedly told Maupay off for reporting his account before threatening to “kill you and your family.” Ng’s threats made Maupay and his family fear for their lives, according to Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin, who said in court that the French footballer and his family did not leave their home “as far as possible.” Maupay later reported the matter to the football association, which then reported it to the Singapore authorities, prompting investigations here. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters issued a statement last month saying that the association takes each report “seriously” and would pursue legal action against online abuse “wherever in the world they may be.” “The online abuse Neal received was appalling and nobody should have to deal with such threatening messages,” he added. Footnote: With Arsenal sliding down the table after two early defeats, there maybe now many Arsenal fans who might even be considering changing teams to support Brighton!

Vice President Kamala Harris urged greater international cooperation to bolster supply chains Tuesday during talks in Singapore, as the United States seeks to tackle a global microchip shortage. According to France24, the chip crunch was initially triggered by higher sales of consumer electronics during the coronavirus pandemic but has been exacerbated by supply chain problems caused by disruptions at key plants. The auto sector has been hardest hit, with car giants including Volkswagen and Toyota cutting output, but manufacturers of smartphones and consoles have also warned of problems. Asia is the centre of the chip industry and during a visit to Singapore, Harris said in a meeting with officials and executives that the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains. Vice President Harris (Reuters photo) "When we look at the disruption to the supply chain, this is an issue that requires all nations... (to) work together to coordinate," she said. "So, there must be some collaboration, and at least some coordination, around what we do to meet the demand." The pandemic has also hit supply chains by disrupting the vital global shipping network. The chip shortages have triggered calls in Western countries to strengthen their domestic semiconductor industries to protect against future shocks. But at Tuesday's talks, Singapore Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong warned "there are limits and challenges to what a country can do on its own... Electronics and semiconductor supply chains are complex and need to be globally optimised." The discussion was attended by executives from companies including GlobalFoundries, a US-headquartered chipmaker with factories in Singapore, US asset manager BlackRock, and Singapore state investor Temasek. Singapore is home to semiconductor factories, as well as one of the world's biggest ports. GlobalFoundries recently announced it would build a $4 billion plant in the city-state, scheduled to start operations in 2023. The business talks were part of a trip to Asia that will also see Harris head to Vietnam. Vietnam has seen increasing foreign investment in its chip industry. US chipmaker Intel opened a $1 billion factory a decade ago in commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City and invested an additional $475 million in January. Some key Asian chip-producing countries have faced fresh virus outbreaks in recent months, prompting warnings that curbs could hit their semiconductor industries. Talks were also held on the South China Sea issues. Senior United States officials stressed during a panel discussion yesterday, that US-China conflict is not inevitable, and the US' intent is not to ask countries to choose sides.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has sent more than 350,000 euros ($411,000) in charity funds at his personal disposal to help with emergency relief in Haiti, Bangladesh and Vietnam, the Vatican said yesterday. A statement said 200,000 euros was going to Haiti to help in the aftermath of the Aug. 14 earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people. About $70,000 was sent to Bangldesh for continuing recovery assistance from Cyclone Yaas, which left tens of thousands of people homeless last May. About 100,000 euros to Vietnam, where food supplies have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vatican said the sums were initial contributions and would be administered through its embassies in the countries. Much of the charity money at the pope's personal disposal comes from Peter's Pence, a fund to which Catholics can contribute for general or specific causes. The fund amounted to 50 million euros in 2020, according to a consolidated financial statement issued last month. ($1 = 0.8521 euros)

Wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda are all set to showcase their skills in the Tokyo Paralympics. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Reaching the grandest stage for the world’s top-performing para athletes, both wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda are now driven to excel in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. “Those who quit never win. That is why I will never give up,’’ said Mangliwan, the country’s flag-bearer during Tuesday night’s audience-free opening ceremony of these Games at Japan National Stadium. According to Sports Inquirer, on his second consecutive tour of duty in the Paralympics, Mangliwan will be looking to qualify for the finals of the T52 men’s 400-meter race during the preliminary heats scheduled early this Friday. “If you see the records of my opponents, you will conclude right away that they are strong. But I am also strong,’’ said Aceveda, a triple gold medalist in the 2013 Asean Para Games who perfected her throwing technique under coach Bernard Buen. Visually Impaired The first visually impaired Filipino athlete to play in these Games, Aceveda is scheduled to take the field on Aug. 31 in the F11 women’s discus throw finals, where she will throw blindfolded under the rules set by the International Paralympic Committee. “This will be a battle of champions among the best para throwers in the world,’’ said the 50-year-old Aceveda, who suffered a degenerative disease at the age of 3 that has left the mother of three from Marikina City technically blind in both eyes. Mangliwan, who was struck by polio at the age of two, will likewise race in the men’s 1500m on Saturday and the 100m sprint during the qualifying heats on Sept. 2. “We have seen the current timings and the past performances of my rivals and I think I have a big chance in this event (400m). But first, my goal is to get to the finals,’’ said Mangliwan. First to see action for Team Philippines is swimmer Gary Bejino on Thursday in the heats of the men’s 200m individual medley SM6. Tested Positive for Covid Powerlifter Achele “Jinky’’ Guion was supposed to compete on the same day as Bejino but has been forced to miss the games. He is now staying home after testing positive for COVID-19 along with her coach, Antonio Taguibao. “Jinky is deeply frustrated that she will not be able to compete in her powerlifting event for her country after training for so long, and especially getting much inspiration from Hidilyn Diaz, a powerlifter like herself and the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal,’’ said Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC)president Michael Barredo. More Covid Positives Chef de mission (CDM) Francis Diaz and para athletics coach Joel Deriada also tested positive and were left behind in Manila along with Guion and Taguibao. Barredo, the head of delegation as PPC chief, took the cudgels from Diaz as CDM to implement tasks involving planning, logistics and communications, among others, for the team’s orderly navigation in the Games. “Despite this most unfortunate development, all our para athletes remain in high spirits and committed to give their best possible performances for our country. We’ll continue the fight,’’ said Barredo. Other Filipino para athletes participating are Asian Para Games triple-gold medalist Ernie Gawilan of swimming and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin. It must be everyone’s goal to be selected to represent their country at the Olympics or the Paralympics, and the disappointment of failing a Covid 19 Test, after months of hard training must be devasting.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Additional military-police checkpoints have been rapidly set up in Datu Blah Sinsuat (DAS) province, after a foiled roadside bombing attempt by alleged saboteurs in the area last night. CLEARING OPERATION. Police and soldiers secure a portion of the highway in Barangay Pura, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao, where three hand grenades were found on Tuesday (Aug. 24, 2021) afternoon. Additional military-police checkpoints were set up in the municipality following the foiled bombing attempt. (Photo courtesy of Datu Blah Sinsuat LGU) Alert soldiers and bomb experts of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division safely deactivated three hand grenades planted beside the highway in the coastal town, its spokesperson Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar said Wednesday. “Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the attempt,” Baldomar said. In a separate interview, DAS Mayor Marshall Sinsuat said three fragmentation grenades were found beside the national highway in Barangay Pura at past 2 p.m. “The police and military are still determining who could be behind the foiled grenade attack,” he said, adding that alert civilians tipped off the police and military about the explosives. Following the incident, Sinsuat appealed to the residents to remain vigilant in helping authorities’ thwart attempts to disrupt peace. “We have a peaceful town, please help us maintain this," he said. Sinsuat said it remained unclear as to who is being targeted by the bombing attempt, and the brains behind it. Lt. Pasigan Abas, DAS police chief, said investigation on the incident is ongoing. (PNA) Who are these terrorists? Since January 2000 radical Islamist groups and Islamist separatist forces in the Philippines have carried out many 40 major bombings against civilians and civilian property, mostly in the southern regions of the country around Mindanao, Basilan, Jolo and other nearby islands. The predominantly Muslim ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines are the Iranun, Jama Mapun, Kalagan, Kalibugan, Maguindanao, Maranaw, Molbog, Sama (including the Badjao, Balanguingui, and various Tawi-Tawi Sama groups), Sangil, Tausūg, and Yakan.

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – This capital town is ready to accommodate the interment of those who died of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) at its new memorial cemetery currently being constructed at the Binirayan Hills in Barangay 8. NICHES UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The ongoing construction of the memorial cemetery in the municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. (Photo courtesy of San Jose de Buenavista MEEDO) The construction of the PHP34.8 million memorial cemetery is still ongoing, meanwhile the remains of four Covid-19 victims have already been interred in the completed niches last month. “Because of the urgent request of families whose loved ones had died due to Covid-19, we already allowed the entombment on the finished niches,” said Darcy Bungay, Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Officer (MEEDO), in an interview on Tuesday. 1,446 niches Once completed, the cemetery, which is constructed in the 6,000-square meter lot owned by the local government, will have a chapel, 59 mausoleum lots, 97 family plots or below the ground burial plots, and 1,446 niches. Construction work commenced in February 2021 and is expected to be completed early next year. While originally intended for residents of the municipality, the local government will also accept non-residents should the need for interment is urgent. The local government decided to already open the still under construction cemetery since its new graveyard, which is adjacent to Barangay Bantayan with 2,005 niches, is already full. Bungay added that the municipal government even provides free niches for the dead loved ones of indigents. If the bereaved families are in a crisis or had been overwhelmed due to the expense incurred from the hospitalization, then the municipal government provides the cemetery niches for free. (PNA)

The figure was released at a press conference held on August 24 to announce the latest edition of Taking Stock – the World Bank’s biannual update on Vietnam's economic performance. The update highlights impacts on the economy associated with the most recent COVID-19 outbreak and the mobility measures adopted by the government to contain the pandemic. "Whether Vietnam's economy will rebound in the second half of 2021 will depend on the control of the current COVID-19 outbreak, the effective vaccine roll-out, and the efficiency of the fiscal measures to support affected business and households, and to stimulate the recovery," Rahul Kitchlu, World Bank Acting Country Director for Vietnam, said in the WB’s press release on August 24. "While downside risks have heightened, economic fundamentals remain solid in Vietnam, and the economy could converge toward the pre-pandemic GDP growth rate of 6.5 to 7 percent from 2022 onward," Kitchlu added. The report suggests that the authorities should address the social consequences of the COVID-19 crisis by improving the depth and effectiveness of social protection programs. They should also watch out for rising risks in the financial sector, while greater attention should be given to fiscal policy since policymakers will need to find the right balance between the need to support the recovery of the economy and the necessity to maintain a sustainable level of public debt. In addition to analyzing the recent trends of the economy, this edition, titled "Digital Vietnam – The Path to Tomorrow," focuses on what Vietnam needs to do to realize its ambition of becoming one of the most advanced digital economies in the world. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the digital transformation of the local economy as an increasing number of businesses in Vietnam are now offering their services online. The government has also enhanced the digitization of its procedures and databases. World Bank on the region Growth in East Asia and Pacific (EAP) is projected to accelerate to 7.7 percent in 2021, largely reflecting a strong rebound in China. Nevertheless, output in two-thirds of the countries in the region will remain below pre-pandemic levels until 2022. The pandemic is expected to dampen potential growth in many economies, especially those that suffered most from extended outbreaks of COVID-19 and the collapse of global tourism and trade. Downside risks to the forecast include, the possibility of repeated and large COVID-19 outbreaks amid delayed vaccinations; heightened financial stress amplified by elevated debt levels; and the possibility of more severe and longer-lasting effects from the pandemic, including subdued investment and eroded human capital. Disruptions from natural disasters are a constant source of severe downside risk for many countries, especially island economies. The Upside On the upside, risks include accelerated vaccination rollouts and greater-than-expected spillovers from recoveries in the United States and other major economies. Among the other large ASEAN countries (Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam), only Vietnam, has seen output surpassing its prepandemic levels (figure 2.1.2.A). Vietnam has been successful in containing COVID-19 and has benefitted from fiscal measures supporting public investment and robust foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. By contrast, output remains 8 percent below its pre-pandemic level in the more tourism-dependent Philippines, which has implemented extended periods of strict lockdowns in response to a severe COVID-19 outbreak and has also suffered from a series of natural disasters including super-typhoon Goni and a volcanic eruption.

Although fighting the pandemic remains the top priority, HCMC will build draw a roadmap to gradually reopen the economy, the new municipal chairman said Tuesday. According to a VN Express report, opening the economy has now become an urgent task, but in the context of the pandemic likely to persist for a long time, the city will have to devise plans that suit the new situation, newly elected chairman Phan Van Mai said at a press meet. Chairman Phan Van Mai (PHOTO BY VN Express / Gia Minh) Shortly the city will set up a planning unit to identify specific solutions to be applied from now to mid-September and later. Step by Step Approach Depending on how the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak develops, the opening of the economy will be implemented step by step to ensure the community's safety, he said. "Targeting control over the outbreak by September 15 does not mean it will be over by then. The goals by then are to reduce the number of community infections and fatalities, limit the number of cases that need to be hospitalized to make it suitable with the healthcare capacity, narrow down the red zones [very high-risk areas] and expand the green zones [safe areas]," he said. For almost three months now, HCMC has been the epicenter of Vietnam’s fourth coronavirus wave, which emerged four months ago. The city has so far recorded 184,872 local cases and 7,302 deaths. The biggest city in Vietnam has undergone a series of social distancing orders, with the latest extended until Sept. 15. People are also banned from going out between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next day, except in certain cases like medical emergencies. The government has said it wants the city, the nation’s biggest and economic hub, to bring the coronavirus situation under control by Sept. 15. "This is a difficult time for the city and for me personally, taking over this duty and seeing that people have been going through the most challenging times, suffering inconvenience, deprivation, and the loss of loved ones," he said. The municipal chairman also said that social security was now an issue of concern that had no easy, smooth solution for a city with more than 10 million people. Therefore, the city will review all policies and actions that have been advocated for immediate implementation. Existing policies that are assessed as not suitable with the ongoing situation, will be adjusted to support the people. Mai, 48, a native of the Mekong Delta's Ben Tre Province, was elected chairman of the city's People's Committee Tuesday morning. SE Asia has same issues The same issues are being seen all over SE Asia as factories are closed and workers have not been paid for several months. Many workers have returned to their homes, and now the concern is when the factories can reopen, many skilled workers may not return. That is one reason that the army have been brought into man the checkpoints to stop immigrants leaving. The government must now consider ways of helping trapped workers with funds to pay rent and food to eat.

SINGAPORE — The Boeing Company has this week opened its first office in Vietnam which is expected to support the company’s growth objectives across its commercial airplanes, defense, and services businesses. Vietnam News reported that In its announcement released yesterday, Boeing said that the inauguration of the Hanoi-based office, along with a new one in Jakarta, Indonesia, aimed at expanding its presence in the region. Alexander Feldman, Boeing's new president in the Southeast Asian region. — Photo courtesy of Boeing The same day, Boeing announced the appointment of Alexander Feldman as the new president of the company’s Southeast Asia business. Feldman will be based in Singapore and oversee the company’s strategy and operations as Boeing expands its regional presence. Previously, Feldman was president and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) for more than 12 years and served as its chairman in 2020-2021 helping to steer the Council through the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am proud to join Boeing, one of the world’s iconic brands, and a strong and growing partner to one of the fastest-growing and most consequential markets in the world: Southeast Asia,” said Feldman. “With over 380 million people under the age of 35, Southeast Asia will bolster Boeing’s growth for decades to come and support hundreds of thousands of American jobs as well as countless others across the region.” The opening of the Hanoi office neatly coincided with Vice President Harris’s official visit to Hanoi. Boeing being one of the top US exporters, their presence in Vietnam, will only help relations between the two countries.

Air Force Two carrying US Vice President Kamala Harris from Singapore landed at Noi Bai international airport (Hanoi) last night. US Vice President Kamala Harris steps out of the plane .(Photo: Pham Hai) This was the very first time a US Vice President had paid an official visit to Vietnam. Today Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will welcome her US counterpart. According to a statement of the White House, during her stay, Harris will engage Vietnamese leaders on issues of mutual interest, including regional security, the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and joint efforts to promote a rules-based international order. Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung welcomed the US delegation at the airport. (Photo: Pham Hai) The US Vice President will also affirm and celebrate the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between the US and Vietnam. The visit is hoped to contribute to strengthening ties and expanding economic cooperation between the US and important partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Harris is scheduled to have meetings with Vietnamese leaders, including a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the COVID-19 pandemic, regional security and economic cooperation. She also planned to attend the inauguration of an office of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Hanoi, which will work to deal with issues related to infectious diseases in Southeast Asia. The US is currently the largest COVID-19 vaccine donor for Vietnam with 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine. As of August 3, 2021, Vietnam ranked 7th among the top 10 countries receiving the vaccine support from the country. Vietnam has also signed commercial agreements with US vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer to realise its goal of having about 70 percent of its population provided with the first shot by the first quarter of 2022. In his visit to Vietnam last month, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said his country pledged to donate 77 cold storage freezers to help Vietnam store COVID-19 vaccines. According to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US has committed to providing Vietnam with over 20 million USD in aid to support the Southeast Asian country in the fight against the pandemic. During her visit to Singapore many international media were more interested asking Vice Prsident Harris about the crisis in Afganistan, however some pundits have commented that the US will now concentrate on the issues surrounding the South China Sea.

???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? boarded the plane leaving the US on her way to Singapore and Việt Nam. — Photo from the US Embassy in Việt Nam Vice President of the US Kamala Harris is going to pay a visit to Vietnam from August 24 to 26 at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart Võ Thị Ánh Xuân. The information was released by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. At a regular press conference last week, Deputy Spokeswoman of the ministry Phạm Thu Hằng said visits by senior leaders and delegation exchanges at all levels between Vietnam and the US are all aimed at further intensifying the countries’ comprehensive partnership, for the sake of the two peoples and for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development. The US Vice President is expected to hold talks with Vietnamese leaders and attend the inauguration in Hà Nội of an office of the US CDC's regional office for Southeast Asia to deal with issues involving infectious diseases. — VNS

COTABATO CITY – Model banana farms are soon to sprout in about 5,000-hectares special geographic area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in North Cotabato province. Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) - BARMM Member of Parliament Suharto Ambolodto said Tuesday the project aimed to alleviate the lives of farmers and to encourage more local businessmen to pour in capital. “This activity is mainly to look upon the opportunities of local entrepreneurs to invest here since they would be investing for the future of our Bangsamoro people,” he said. The SGA comprises the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato that opted to join the BARMM during the two-part plebiscite held in January and February 2019. VENTURE. RBOI-BARMM Chairman Ishak Mastura (left) and BTA Parliament Member Suharto Ambolodto (2nd from left) show the MOA they inked with local investors over the weekend for the establishment of a 5,000-hectare banana plantation in Kabacan, North Cotabato. The plantation will be set up in adjoining villages Ambolodto said the signing of a memorandum of agreement with local investors further bolstered the endeavor with the initial set up of a banana plantation in a combined 5,000 hectares of farmlands in villages under the SGA in Kabacan. Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) – BARMM Chairman Ishak Mastura said his office would facilitate the farmers’ link to the investors in terms of profit sharing and other concerns. “We also need to link the farmers to local investors, not only in the government programs or services but also to private sectors that would give them direct assistance to start-up investments immediately in our region,” he said. In a separate statement, RBOI Board of Governor Mohammad Pasigan said their office has been reaching out to farmers and local investors to expose them to investment opportunities in the region. “The RBOI has even helped them connect to the tie-up 'Harvest Program' of Japan International Cooperation Agency and Land Bank of the Philippines that could fund both farmers and local investors on livelihood assistance through very reasonable forms of loan,” he said. Local investors who signed the MOA were Engr. Kaiser Usman of Usman Banana Plantation in Matanog, Maguindanao and Datu Jabib Guiabar of Kabacan. To drumbeat the initiative, both businessmen encouraged other local investors to do business in the region and help uplift BARMM’s economy. “We are expecting to plant Cardava banana in the SGA to a farmland area of some 5,000 hectares,” Guiabar said. (PNA)

MANILA – A total of 1,178,048 free train rides have so far been given to vaccinated authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) in Metro Manila as part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations. In a Facebook post on Monday, the DOTr said the free train rides were reached 19 days after the program began, covering the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Aug. 6 to 20. “DOTr Secretary Tugade extended the free ride program, from Aug. 3 to 31, 2021),” the DOTr said. The free ride program is available at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. At the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), free rides for vaccinated APORs are offered from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) also offered free ride program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. "To benefit from the program, APORs will only need to present their vaccination cards,” the DOTr said. Both those with one or complete doses of any of the Covid-19 vaccines in the country are eligible to avail the free train ride program. In addition, APORs are also asked to present their company ID or any other proof of their APOR status in accordance with the guidance from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. (PNA)

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday appealed to the country’s nurses and other healthcare workers not to resign, assuring they will soon receive their special risk allowance (SRA) as early as next week. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte himself gave the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) at least “10 days” to release funds for the distribution of healthcare workers’ benefits. “The President already ordered to release the special risk allowance within 10 days from last Friday,” he said in a press conference in SM City San Mateo. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo) Roque warned that mass resignations would also spell trouble for them, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic-related job losses. He said the government may also have difficulty looking for additional sources of funding to compensate them. “If they resign, there will be more people without jobs in the time of the pandemic, our problem will worsen if there are more jobless individuals and we do not have additional cash aid to give,” he added. In a pre-recorded Talk to the People aired on Saturday, Duterte directed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to use its available funds and look for other sources of funding to compensate healthcare workers. “I am committed to leading our nation out of this pandemic, with the help of front-line institutions so that we can be victorious"…Secretary Duque Pay them in 10 days "Pay the medical front-liners. Use whatever money there is. Give what the nurses are asking for, both in government and those outside of government volunteers,” Duterte said. He also gave the DBM at least “10 days” to release the funds for the distribution of benefits to medical front-liners. “I’m giving you 10 days to release the money. Give the money to Secretary Duque so he can pay the health workers’ benefits,” he added. The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) earlier said healthcare workers might resort to mass resignation as part of an impending protest if their SRAs will not be released by September 1. FNU President Maristela Abenojar said some nurses are mulling mass resignation due to the delayed release of their additional pay which they have been waiting for more than a year now since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)

An investor consults a bank teller at a branch of Vietcombank in Hà Nội. The bank lost 3.2 per cent on Monday. Photo Vietcombank Vietnam News reported that Vietnam’s stock market suffered a steep decline yesterday, as market sentiment was pressured by concerns about the current massive increase of the coronavirus across the country. On the Hồ Chí Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index plunged 2.3 per cent to end on 1,298.86 points. The markets were negative with 282 stocks declining while 101 stocks rose. Investors traded nearly VNĐ25.8 trillion (US$1.36 billion), equivalent to a trading volume of 795 million shares. The 30 biggest stocks tracker, the VN30-Index, slid by 2.65 per cent to 1,412 points. Twenty-six of the 30 biggest stocks in the VN30 basket fell, while just three climbed and one ended flat. The slump was mainly driven by a sell-off in bank stocks in the afternoon session. Banking groups put the biggest pressure on the indexes, with Vietnam International Bank down 4.4 per cent, Liên Việt Post Bank losing 3.7 per cent, Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank declining 3.2 per cent, Military Bank down 3.2 per cent and Vietcombank losing 3.2 per cent. On the other side, securities stocks still advanced thanks to the support of a strong cash flow, with notable gainers such as FPT Securities Joint Stock Company and Hồ Chí Minh City Securities Corporation, Việt Capital Incorporation, SSI Securities Incorporation, Agribank Securities Corporation and APG Securities Joint Stock Company. Hampering Economy Worries about the COVID-19 Delta variant hampering economic growth persisted as cities and provinces have tightened restrictions to ensure social distancing measures are strictly followed. “Big cities continue to have to tighten social distancing measures to contain the pandemic, which will affect economic growth in the last quarter of the year and the market is responding these concerns,” said Vũ Minh Đức, senior manager of the Research and Analysis Department at Việt Capital Securities. “Besides, the VN-Index has broken the support levels of 1,360 points or 1,345 points, which would boost technical selling, creating more downward pressure on the market. “This week it is likely that the market will move in a downtrend, first testing the support area at 1,310 points of the VN-Index.” On the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the index lost 0.95 per cent to close on 334.84 points. During the trading session, more than 166.9 million shares were traded on HNX, worth over VNĐ3.9 trillion. — VNS

SINGAPORE — In order to assist in the evacuation of United States citizens and Afghan refugees from Kabul, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (Aug 23), that they have offered the use of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) A330 multi-role tanker transporter. An RSAF Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft. (CNA Photo) “Countries all over the region, and I’m sure all over the world, are watching the developments in Afghanistan very closely. Foremost in everybody’s minds, it is the safety and security of civilians and I hope all sides will work to ensure this,” said Mr Lee in a joint press conference with US Vice-President Kamala Harris at the Istana. According to Today Online, Lee added that the Singapore Armed Forces is familiar with the challenges in Afghanistan, having deployed military personnel to support the United Nations’ International Security Assistance Force to the country several times in the past. The Republic has also previously sent provincial reconstruction teams to Afghanistan to help with rebuilding efforts. Responding, US Vice President Harris, who is on a three-day official visit to Singapore, thanked Mr Lee for Singapore’s offer to aid the US in its Afghan evacuations and said she looked forward to following up on the discussion. Singapore, US ink agreements on cybersecurity, climate change among others during Kamala Harris’ visit The US’ thorny withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has led to a flood of Afghans attempting to leave the country and resulted in several deaths, was one of many issues raised during a 90-minute meeting between Mr Lee and Ms Harris. During the press conference, local and international media pressed Ms Harris about how the evacuation operation has unfolded, and quizzed both leaders about the implications of the withdrawal on US ties with other countries, including Singapore. AFGHANISTAN WAS AN ‘INTRACTABLE TASK’ FOR US: PM LEE Ms Harris said that the US’ priority in Afghanistan now is to evacuate American citizens as well as Afghans who had worked with them and other vulnerable civilians, including women and children. “There is going to be plenty of time to analyse what has happened and what has taken place in the context of the withdrawal from Afghanistan… We cannot be, in any way, distracted from what must be our primary mission right now, which is evacuating people from that region who deserve to be evacuated,” said the US Vice-President. Mr Lee said that Singapore is grateful to the US for its intervention in Afghanistan that effectively stopped terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda, from using the Middle Eastern country as a safe base of operations, emphasising that these groups had direct links with the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group that plotted attacks in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Monday during a visit to Singapore that the United States was focusing on evacuation efforts taking place in Afghanistan and that there would be plenty of time to analyse the context of the troop withdrawal. Harris met with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Yacob during a trip aimed at bolstering ties with partners in the region as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing economic and security influence. "There is going to be plenty of time to analyse what has happened and what has taken place in the context of the withdrawal from Afghanistan," Harris said during a joint news conference with Singapore's prime minister. "But right now we are singularly focused on evacuating American citizens, Afghans who have worked with us and Afghans who are vulnerable, including women and children and that is our singular focus at this time," said Harris. U.S. President Joe Biden has faced criticism at home and abroad over his handling of the withdrawal of U.S. forces and the chaotic evacuation after the lightning takeover by the Taliban. "We hope Afghanistan does not become an epicentre for terrorism again," said Lee, adding that Singapore had offered transport aircraft to help with evacuations. Part of Harris's task during the trip will be convincing leaders in Singapore and Vietnam that Washington's commitment to Southeast Asia is firm and not a parallel to Afghanistan. "Today, we are in Singapore to stress and reaffirm our enduring relationship to this country and in this region, and to reinforce a shared vision of a free and open Indo Pacific region," Harris said. Singapore's Lee said that perceptions of U.S. resolve and commitment to the region would be determined by "what the U.S. does going forward, how it repositions itself in the region, how it engages its broad range of friends and partners and allies..." Singapore is not a U.S. treaty ally but remains one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties. However, it also seeks to balance its relationships with the United States and China by not taking sides. The country is home to the biggest port in Southeast Asia, and supports continued free navigation in the area, where China is growing increasingly assertive - a concern U.S. officials plan to address during Harris' visit to the region, which also includes a trip to Vietnam. "I reaffirmed in our meeting the United States' commitment to working with our allies and partners around the Indo Pacific to uphold the rules based international order, and freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea," said Harris. The disputed South China Sea, a strategic waterway with potential oil and gas riches, has competing claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. SECURITY, CYBER AGREEMENTS The United States and Singapore reached security agreements on Monday that reaffirm America's presence in the region through "rotational deployments of U.S. P-8 aircraft and littoral combat ships to Singapore," according to a fact sheet of the meeting shared by the White House. The United States and Singapore also agreed to expand cybersecurity cooperation in the financial sector, the military and enhance information exchange on cyber threats, according to details shared by the White House. Cybersecurity has risen to the top of the agenda for the Biden administration after a series of high-profile attacks that affected fuel and food supplies in parts of the United States. Other initiatives include starting a U.S.-Singapore dialogue on building supply chains. The Biden White House is tackling a severe supply shortage of semiconductor chips in the United States that has seriously hurt car manufacturers and contributed to inflation. The countries also struck a partnership to fight COVID-19 and prepare for the next pandemic and agreed to tackle the global climate crisis, promote smart cities, and green building standards throughout ASEAN. Harris will also visit Singapore's Changi Naval Base and tour the USS Tulsa combat ship during the trip to Singapore.

Building collapse of a concrete structure on the top level of an industrial building at Bedok Industrial Park on Aug 22, 2021. ( CNA reader) SINGAPORE: A section of concrete structure on the top level of an industrial building in Bedok collapsed yesterday morning (Aug 22). Luckily no injuries were reported. According to CNA, the incident took place at 3013 Bedok Industrial Park E. The 40m-long concrete section fell four stories to the ground, scattering debris, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). SCDF was alerted to the event at 9.20am. Officers conducted a search of the affected area and did not find anyone trapped. The debris fell onto a driveway at the foot of the building, according to an eyewitness. Some small trees along the driveway appeared to be snapped in half by the falling debris. Apart from the remaining section of the concrete structure on the roof, the rest of the building looked to be mostly undamaged. A spokesperson for the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said building owner JTC has cordoned off the areas directly below the "dislodged concrete sunshade" for public safety. JTC has also mobilised equipment to remove the remaining part of the sunshade that is still hanging at the edge of the roof. The authority added that it also directed JTC to engage a professional engineer to advise on the necessary measures to remove the dislodged sunshade, carry out a detailed investigation and recommend permanent rectification works. "As an added safety precaution, the building owner’s professional engineer is also required to inspect three other adjacent blocks in the area with similar concrete sunshade design," BCA said. "BCA and the professional engineer engaged by JTC have inspected and assessed that the structural integrity of the main building is not affected." Building collapses seem to be now happening more frequently now, such as the condo building collapsing recently in Miami. With the boom of building taking place after World War II and during the property expansion of the last 50 years, many of Singapore older buildings maybe in need of urgent repairs. This concern on aging concrete used will soon become a problem for many older buildings across Singapore and in SE Asia as well.

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in Singapore (Reuters) SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Singapore's leaders today on the first working day of a trip to Southeast Asia aimed at bolstering ties as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing influence. Harris will meet Singapore's President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and later visit the Changi Naval Base and tour the USS Tulsa - a combat ship of the U.S. Navy. Singapore is not a U.S. treaty ally but remains one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties. However, it also seeks to balance its relationships with the United States and China by not taking sides. The country is home to the biggest port in Southeast Asia, and supports continued free navigation in the area, where China is growing increasingly assertive. Harris arrived in Singapore yesterday at the start of a seven-day visit to the region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam. During the visits U.S. officials will aim to address Washington's concerns about China's claims to disputed parts of the South China Sea. "Singapore has encouraged greater U.S. engagement in Asia, but warned that efforts to 'contain' China's rise are counterproductive," according to a report released in April by the Congressional Research Service, which conducts research and analysis for the U.S. Congress. "Singapore has maintained generally good relations with China, at least partly as a hedge against possible U.S. retrenchment," the report said. In a recent interview with Reuters, Singapore's foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, welcomed the role the United States and China play in the region - reflecting the delicate diplomacy it has succeeded at and one Harris must navigate. He said the United States and Singapore will discuss topics such as the pandemic, the digital economy and cybersecurity. "Leadership in the two countries are likely to be careful to avoid creating impressions that Beijing may find reason to be antagonistic about," said Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, referring to Singapore and Vietnam, where Harris heads on Tuesday evening. Part of Harris's task will also be convincing leaders in Singapore and Vietnam that Washington's commitment to Southeast Asia is firm and not a parallel to Afghanistan. Curtis Chin, Asian fellow at the Milken Institute and former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank, said the United States needs an "all-in pivot to Asia including a business pivot, and Singapore and Vietnam can be key partners in that effort." "Restoring trust and confidence in U.S. steadfastness and staying power though must come first," Chin said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Kamala Harris, has already arrived in Singapore and is due in Vietnam tomorrow. Harris arrives in Sinpapore (Reuters) The intended talks which include aims to counter China's growing influence, will now have to contend with a new problem: the collapse of Afghanistan, which has left allies questioning the credibility of U.S. foreign policy promises. U.S. allies have complained they were not fully consulted on President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan by Aug. 31, which appeared at odds with his promises to recommit to global engagement. With the Taliban's rapid takeover putting their national security interests at risk, countries in both Europe and Asia are wondering whether they can rely on Washington to fulfill long-standing security commitments, experts say. Harris' trip aims to establish deeper ties with Southeast Asia, a region Washington considers key to checking Chinese expansion. Regional experts like Murray Hiebert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies said Harris would have to try to reassure her hosts that Washington's commitment to Southeast Asia is firm and not a parallel to Afghanistan. "The debacle in Afghanistan will prompt concerns again about U.S. staying power and keeping promises to allies," he said. The chaotic evacuations from Kabul have evoked images of the 1975 U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam, whose Communist-ruled government Washington sought to isolate for two decades after the Vietnam War, but with which it now enjoys warm ties given shared concerns about China. A senior administration official said Harris' trip would show that the United States was in the region "to stay," but concerns about the outcome in Afghanistan could muddy that message. "What has happened in Afghanistan has been quite frustrating and upsetting for a lot of countries," said Yun Sun, co-director of the East Asia Program at the Stimson Center think tank. "The concern is one day when the United States determines you are no longer as important, they can just pack up and leave and there is nothing you can do about it." "And of course, there's China trying to capitalize on that narrative." Vietnam has been a vocal opponent of China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and Singapore shares concerns about Beijing's increasingly assertive behavior in the region. They and other Southeast Asian countries have welcomed the U.S. military presence there given China's militarization of the South China Sea and its vast coast guard and fishing fleet. The U.S. Navy has maintained a steady pattern of freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea and near Taiwan, but those appear to have done little to discourage Beijing. The senior administration official said Washington was confident the United States' Indo-Pacific allies saw it as a "steadfast partner" and Harris would emphasize that on her trip. Silver Lining? The official said Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific were priorities for the Biden administration and "that hasn't changed with Afghanistan." "There's a difference between ensuring open sea lanes in Asia, which is a priority for the United States, and the continued involvement in another country's civil war," he said. At the same time, he said, Harris would continue to work on issues tied to Afghanistan during her trip, adding: "We can do more than one thing at a time." Some experts point to a silver lining for Southeast Asia from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying it will enable Washington to free up resources from a counterterrorism mission and focus more on countering Beijing. "The shift to deterring and preparing for a conflict with a near-peer competitor will be accelerated as the counterterrorism mindset recedes," said Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, referring to China. Others warn that the chaos in Kabul could at least delay that shift. Harris will become the first U.S. vice president to visit Vietnam when she arrives in Hanoi on Tuesday. She departs Vietnam two days later.

15-20 percent of migrant workers' income accounts for their rent in HCMC. And for many it has become a heavy burden especially for those who have been out of job amid Covid-19. The Vitnam economy relies on these migrants who work in the big Foreign owned factories, which is one reason the police and now the army are trying to stop them leaving for home. Meanwhile landlords are still putting pressure on these unemployed workers to pay them each month. Something needs to be addressed otherwise many people will be forced out onto the streets. 60-year old’s misery According to VN Express, Ha Van Hong and his wife, both in their 60s, have been unemployed since HCMC applied social distancing in late May. Hong used to work as a mason and his wife as a street-food vendor. They live in a rented apartment in Tan Chanh Hiep Ward of District 12. Ha Van Hong prepares food at his rented apartment in HCMC's District 12. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong Their income was enough to survive day to day. Ever since losing their jobs following the latest Covid-19 outbreak in the city, the couple could only cover their rent for the first month. "In late June, all we had left was a little over VND2 million ($87.77) - just enough for rent. So far, we have relied on charity meals." Though their landlord had cut the rent for July by VND300,000, the couple still had to ask for an extension. "With social distancing to last until Sept. 15, we have no idea when we could get our jobs back." "It is a shame we could not pay rent, but our hands are tied. If the landlord kicks us out, we will have to accept it, we cannot blame anyone," he said. HCMC in Shutdown For over a month now, Ho Chi Minh City has been the epicenter of the ongoing Covid-19 wave that hit in late April. Since May 31, HCMC has applied social distancing measures at different levels, during which it has suspended all non-essential services, shut down street-side markets, banned takeaways and all ride-hailing services. Sharing a rented apartment with her husband on Huynh Tan Phat Street in Tan Thuan Dong Ward of District 7, Le Thi To Quyen, 29, has no idea how to pay rent this month. "The rent is what I worry about most, not food. I’m really afraid we would lose our home in the middle of the pandemic." Quyen said she and her husband have been relying on charity meals, and for the past two months, have spent as little as possible to save up for rent. In late June, the factory where she works in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone had to suspend several departments after employees contracted Covid-19. Quyen was laid off with VND3 million. Ten days later, her husband lost his job as a driver and because he worked without a contract, received zero compensation. Quyen said rent, along with power and water bills, cost them VND2.7 million per month. Last month, the landlord reduced the rent for her apartment by VND500,000 but that was not enough. "We have not made any money for over a month – over VND2 million in rent is a real burden!" Cannot even return Home "We planned on returning home [to the Mekong Delta province of Long An], but that is not an option since we're not allowed to leave HCMC, " said Le Thi To Quyen. This is the same for many as the city tightens its lock down rules. Late last year, a survey of more than 1,000 respondents, including migrant workers, business owners, and landlords by the HCMC Federation of Labor revealed workers spent around 15-20 percent of their monthly incomes on rent. A recent survey by the body showed around 1.5 million families are experiencing difficulties and need financial support. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, chairwoman of the federation, said on average, a migrant worker has to pay around VND1.5 million per month in rent, electricity and water, their biggest burden, especially among those to have lost their jobs to the pandemic. The city has gone three months under different levels of social distancing measures and as a result, many people have been left unemployed while still renting apartments in HCMC. She said the city’s trade union has provided food and essential products to migrant workers while local authorities have urged landlords to cut rent. The union itself has called on 670 landlords to cut more than VND5 billion in rent for nearly 36,000 residents. Hoang Tung, chairman of Thu Duc City, said since June, local authorities have convinced landlords to cut VND45 billion in rent for 56,000 households. Huynh Van Son, a migrant worker from the south central Binh Dinh Province, looks up to an attic of around 15 square meters that he rents for VND1.5 million ($66) a month in HCMC, August 15, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van Landlords must cut rent Le Duy Binh, CEO of market research company Economica Vietnam, said in order to reduce pressure and help tenants feel secure to "stay still and fight the pandemic", the city government should consider telling all landlords to cut rent as an urgent support package. Along with supporting tenants, the city should also provide tax exemption to landlords so rents could be sufficiently lowered. Landlords would only need to provide lists of tenants exempt from rent or offered cuts during the social distancing period to enjoy a tax exemption, he suggested. "Electricity, water, and communication bills should also be cut to assist the poor," he urged. HCMC has asked the government for a relief package of VND28 trillion and 142,200 tons of rice for over 4.7 million people. The money is expected to cover food and rent to help poor working families, especially migrants, survive the pandemic social distancing impacts, and prevent them from trying to leave the city in droves as seen in recent days, the city said Tuesday in a proposal sent to the government and ministries of Finance and Labor-Invalids-Social Affairs. In the past two months, aside from a government relief package of VND26 trillion in July, HCMC has issued two of its own packages valued at VND1.8 trillion in total to help the poor as well as businesses hit by the pandemic. Soon these thousands of workers will need the government to step in to pay their rent and give them funds to survive, otherwise HCMC's work force will be lost forever.

310 mobile police from three Central Highlands battalions arrived in HCMC Sunday evening to help man 12 gateways. HCMC is allowing eleven groups other than members of the steering committee for epidemic prevention and control to go out as it further tightens pandemic restrictions. HCMC, epicenter of Vietnam's fourth coronavirus wave, has so far recorded 171,801 local cases and 5,939 deaths. Therefore, starting today, Monday, August 23, the city will tighten its coronavirus restrictions, requiring people to "stay where they are," isolating homes from homes, streets from streets and wards from wards. The city is taking the current situation very seriously. Therefore with the help of extra members of the army, the aim is to stop people breaking the current travel restrictions. According to VN Express , each post around the city will have 24 officers who will be divided to work three shifts so that they are on duty 24 hours a day alongside traffic police and army personnel to ensure order and help enforce pandemic containment and prevention measures. Each station will have one team leader from the HCMC Traffic Police Department. Before starting their duty, the police officers were given rapid quick Covid-19 tests and inoculated with one jab of Covid-19 vaccine. In this scenario, the city has issued travel permits for 11 groups to perform their functions outdoors. One group comprises members of the community epidemic prevention and control team, medical staff and medical support forces participating in the fight against epidemics, people going into isolation and returning from quarantine, and civil servants. Police and military forces will rotate shifts to man checkpoints and epidemic control stations and coordinate forces and patrol teams accordingly; staff on duty to support diplomatic activities as well as employees of consular and diplomatic missions to perform unscheduled tasks (with specific time and proposals) will also be allowed to go out. Support and rescue forces directly under the coordination of the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee, including charity groups, charity kitchens, volunteer forces and others can perform the activities. People working in the essential fields of finance like banking and securities, employees for transportation industry enterprises, environmental sanitation staff and those engaged in funeral activities can move around the city. Shippers, except for Thu Duc City and Districts 8, 12, Go Vap, Binh Tan, Binh Thanh, Binh Chanh and Hoc Mon, can also perform their duties. Delivery drivers of units providing food, meals, equipment, and medical supplies for epidemic prevention as well as service staff of utilities like electricity distribution and repairs can get travel permits. Another group allowed to be out includes: construction industry employees in areas like plumbing and maintenance of parks; technical staff for infrastructure and equipment maintenance responding to agencies in these areas, as well as for buildings and apartments; and those working in manufacturing, import and export industries as well as petrol and gas stations. Those involved in telecommunications services, reporters, forces providing state postal services, notary services and companies that provide security services are also allowed to go out. The staff of hotels and motels serving as quarantine facilities, including staff of accommodation facilities serving to isolate foreigners, medical staff and others under the management of the Department of Tourism form another group that can function amid the tightened restrictions. People going to the emergency room for periodical medical examination and treatment and those going to get their Covid-19 vaccination shots can go out. Employees and owners of food production establishments (bread, tofu, vermicelli, noodles...) and industrial catering establishments can do their work while people in the safe "green zones" can go to the market once a week in their area (not outside). Insurance companies (only performing activities related to assessment, compiling claims, and settling insurance benefits for customers) can function, with staff only allowed to go out to collect dossiers and return to the office immediately after. The city has assigned the heads of departments and local administrations to issue road permits to officials, employees, and employees of the units under their management. The issuing agencies must notify the number to the city police for inspection and supervision. The city of 13 million has undergone a series of social distancing orders, with the latest one being extended until September 15. People are also banned from going out between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next day, except in certain cases like medical emergencies. Private First-Class Hoang Gia Thuan There were some difficulties since I haven't got used to the new assignment yet, but I will try my best to help Ho Chi Minh City fight the epidemic," said Private First-Class Hoang Gia Thuan. The government has said it wants HCMC to get the coronavirus situation under control by September 15. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/hcmc-allows-11-groups-to-go-out-amid-pandemic-restrictions-4344396.html

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is helping amputees residing in the city achieve independence by giving them free prosthetic and orthotic services. In partnership with the Physicians for Peace Philippines and the University of the East- Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, 37 amputees were recently given prosthetics or below the knee artificial limb, while 13 were fitted with orthoses or above the knee artificial leg, according to metromanila.politics.com.ph “By giving them artificial limbs for free, we hope that our amputated residents can improve their mobility, as well as their ability to manage their daily activities,” Belmonte said. According to Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) head Renato Cada, the city’s target is to give artificial limbs to over 400 registered amputees in the city. After assessing and screening the targeted recipients, they are transported by the city to the facility for casting and molding the artificial limbs. After 3 days, they will be assisted back to the workshop for fitting and making sure that they are comfortable with the prostheses or orthoses. They are also taught how to properly use and maintain the artificial limb.

CEBU CITY – Thanks to the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), coupled with sheer determination to be in school, five young beneficiaries of the conditional cash grant program are on their way to realizing their dreams. Key Princes Santiago, John Nick Calambro, Leendon Gelborion, Cadet Jehserf Ervich Pacure, and Nicole Cagas are some of the 4Ps’ children beneficiaries who are bent on getting degrees despite the odds. 4Ps provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor and keeps children aged 0-18 healthy and in school. The program is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, with the Department of Health, Department of Education and, National Economic and Development Authority as partners. Households receive cash grants if children stay in school, get regular health checkups, and have their growth monitored. Parents or guardians are required to participate in monthly community based FDS where they get tips on child discipline, disaster preparedness, and women’s rights. Five young beneficiaries Santiago, 18, originally from Barangay Maglinao in Basay, Negros Oriental, is set to enter college this year. She graduated with honors at the General Flaviano Yengko Senior High School in Cavite while working as a beauty salon assistant. Her family is one of the partner-beneficiaries of 4Ps in Basay and she said it helped sustain their needs. Her father, Francis, is a construction worker currently working in Cavite while her mother, Karen, is an active 4Ps parent-leader in their village. “My parents decided that I finish my Senior High School in Imus City because my father is also a construction worker there,” Santiago said in an interview. The eldest of four siblings, she values education and believes it is the key to unlock her dreams. “Nothing is impossible if you work hard for your dreams. I would always be a proud 4Ps child-beneficiary. The program had greatly helped in sustaining my education. I wanted to be an inspiration to other children who have the same dreams as mine,” she said. Future teacher Fifteen-year-old Calambro of Mabinay, Negros Oriental wants to be a teacher. At a young age, he has already experienced working at the farm to help put food on the table while doing household chores such as cooking, washing laundry, and feeding chicken in their backyard. His parents separated when he was only five years old and he only has vague memories of his mother. He and his younger sister, Rhian Mae, would be left in the care of their aunt or his grandfather, who live near their house. Oftentimes, they would be left alone whenever their father would work at the sugarcane farm. When their family became part of 4Ps, it augmented his father’s income. It would only be for a while as his father left them in 2017 to be with his new partner in Cebu, leaving Calambro and his sister with their grandfather. “Life was difficult because our father has left us, and he no longer send support to us. So, I must quit school for one year to work at the farm,” he recalled. With the help and encouragement of the 4Ps Municipal Links (ML) and parent leaders, he returned to school. They also asked his father to return the 4Ps cash card. The ML processed the change and made the boy the grantee. Now, the siblings are back in school, their aunt regularly attends the 4Ps Family Development Session (FDS), while Calambro does odd jobs to help his grandfather and sell vegetables for additional income. “I would strive to finish my studies to achieve my dream as a teacher,” he said, inspired by the dedication and patience of his mentors. “Despite the struggles that my sister and I must face, we will continue to study,” he said, sharing his excitement on entering the ninth grade. Incoming freshmen Cebu natives Gelborion of Argao and Pacure from Liloan and Cagas of Batuan, Bohol all finished Senior High School with flying colors. “Being a 4Ps beneficiary helped realize my vision towards finishing my studies through hard work and responsibility," Gelborion said. Pacure, meanwhile, encouraged all students to “work hard, continue to inspire others, and spread positivity.” “A student's life is full of ups and downs. Regardless of the outcome, it's still an enjoyable ride. With the help of the 4Ps program, I managed to finish Senior High School and experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey," Cagas shared. (PNA)

Vegas fight in full swing (Sean Michael Ham photo) DAVAO CITY – Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao failed to show his old forms as he lost to Yordenis Ugas of Cuba by a unanimous decision in the battle for the World Boxing Association super world welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on Sunday (Philippine time). “His old moves never came back, of course he's getting older,” boxing promoter and manager Brico Santig of Highland Promotions. For referee-judge Silvestre Abainza, it is time for Pacquiao to retire, saying the boxer-turned senator has brought so much honor for the country. “It’s really time to retire. He is old. Eighth division world champion even maybe 100 years unmatched by Manny Pacquiao,” Abainza said. “Manny Pacquiao is just one. It's time to concentrate on politics.” A boisterous crowd of 17,438 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas watched the underdog Ugas outbox and out-fight the great Manny Pacquiao to win a 12-round unanimous decision and retain his WBA Welterweight World title in the main event of FOX Sports PBC pay-per-view. Abainza said the 42-year-old Pacquiao should have not fought Ugas since the Cuban fighter is seven years younger than him. “Filipinos love him dearly. He is the only one who has given honor to the Philippines that no one else can match. That is already imprinted in the hearts of Filipinos for even a thousand years. Manny Pacquiao is in history,” Abainza said. Pacquiao’s defeat was his 8th in 72 fights with 62 wins, including 39 knockouts that made him one of the most decorated fighters in the world. Ugas, a late replacement for Pacquiao’s original undefeated opponent Errol Spence Jr. who suffered a retinal tear in his left eye, improved his ring record to 27 wins against four defeats and retain the WBA crown. “I’m very excited but, most of all, I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for giving me this moment in the ring today,” Ugas said afterward. “I told you, I am the champion of the WBA and I showed it tonight.” “I’m very emotional. A lot of people say Cubans can’t win the big fight. So, I’m very proud that I got this win for Cuba and showed what we are all about.” Pacquiao, as always, was gracious in defeat. “Congratulations to Ugas and his team,” said Pacquiao. “Thank you to all of you. I want to thank all my fans and the media. For many decades, the press, media, and boxing fans were always behind us, supporting us. That’s why we’re here, why we became popular and why we accomplished our dreams as a fighter. “I am a fighter outside and inside the ring. I look forward to returning to the Philippines and helping them during this pandemic.” “In the future, you may not see Manny Pacquiao in the ring,” Pacquiao said. “I don’t know. Let me rest first, relax and make a decision if I’ll continue to fight or not.” Next Filipino Boxing Star On the same bill, there was a star-making performance by Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (23-0, 16 KOs) of the Philippines scored a spectacular knockout of Julio Ceja (32-5-1, 28 KOs), putting the former world champion away in the 10th round of their WBC Featherweight Title Eliminator. “I just worked a lot on the straight punches,” said Magsayo. “I kept working it round after round and when I saw he was hurt, I followed up. “I’m so glad for the outcome. I expected his style to make it happen and I expected a knockout tonight.” Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo is a prodigy of Manny, who watched Mark's fight from his dressing room. Meanwhile as Pacman is expected to hang up his gloves, it looks likely he will have prepared for a new type of fight, in the political ring perhaps to become the next President of his country. “In the future, you may not see Manny Pacquiao in the ring,” Pacquiao said. “I don’t know. Let me rest first, relax and make a decision if I’ll continue to fight or not.” Watch this space.